“It was an understandable risk you took, Steph,” Frey conceded, “but it is likely, if he’s not behind them, that by now news has travelled to Baldur that at least one attempt has been made on Finnie’s life. Therefore, he would understand because of this, even on a visit to her uncle, her guard would be intensified.”

Stephan inclined his head, Frey nodded to him and I watched in fascination mainly because Frey thought Stephan, Gunner and Kell had f**ked up and that f**k up could have been huge. Frey was angry about it but he didn’t blister them with his wrath or order them tied to a mast and flogged. He listened, disagreed, explained why and made his wishes known.

It was a cool way to command and I liked it.

“Uh… you think we could quit gabbin’ like a bunch ‘a women, pull anchor and get the bloody hell outta this place?” Kell asked, grumpy eyes on Frey.

“Yes,” Frey agreed and turned to Thad. “Take the helm, Thad. We’re away home to Lunwyn.”

“Uh… don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Kell stated quickly and Frey and I looked back to him. “We kinda told the king we were on our way to Hawkvale. It probably ain’t a leap to think he’s already dispatched boys to the shoreline to watch where we’re goin’ if he hasn’t set sail to ships to follow us. Best we head in that direction.”

Frey studied Kell then he sighed and looked at me.

“Fancy a stay in my chateau?” he asked and I grinned… big.

Frey’s eyes dropped to my mouth, his lips twitched then he turned to Thad.

“Pull anchor and make way to Hawkvale. The minute we’re out of Middlelandian waters, send a man ashore to head up to Lunwyn to meet with Ruben. He’s to tell Ruben to make haste to my chateau. Yes?”

“Right, Frey,” Thad muttered, sucked back what was left in his horn, set it on the table, got up and left the room.

The rest of the men fell on the food.

Suddenly starving, I did too.

“Sky, refill your lady’s horn,” Frey ordered and I looked to my husband, a cracker with cheese on it in my hand.

His eyes came to me then his hand came to me, curling around the back of my neck. He pulled me to him as he leaned into me and touched his mouth to mine.

When he pulled away slightly, I smiled at him and I knew my face was soft because I saw his eyes move over it and his got soft too.

“That, wife,” he whispered, “is the welcome back I’d prefer in the future.”

“No way,” I whispered back, “as soon as I get good with my bow and daggers and learn some stealth tactics, I’m totally going with you…” I paused then finished, “in the future.”

Frey stared at me.

Then he pulled me super close, so close, I nearly came out of my chair. Then he shoved my face in his neck and burst out laughing.

* * * * *

The men were gone, including Frey to check with Thad at the helm.

I was curled under a blanket in the chair reading by lantern light a book that my girls had packed for me.

Skylar was tidying the table and I was pretending he wasn’t there so he could do it comfortably.

Therefore, when Skylar called, “Er… milady?” I was surprised.

I looked from my book to him to see he had a stack of dirty but devoid of the barest hint of food trays in his hands and his eyes were on me.

“Yes, Skylar?” I responded quietly.

He licked his lips then worried them by pressing and rolling them together.

I waited.

Then he said, “You coulda died today? Uh… makin’ that journey to the king an’ all.”

Even more surprised at his question and that he’d ask it, I quickly assured him, “It turned out not to be that dangerous.”

“But…” he hesitated, “you didn’t know that.”

“No,” I said softly, studying him and taking care with the first conversation he’d instigated between us. “I didn’t know that.”

“And you did it for the captain?” he asked.

“Yes, I did it for the captain,” I answered.

He nodded then worried his lips again.

Then he whispered, “And you’d do it again? Like you said, in a heartbeat?”

“Yes honey,” I whispered back, “for my husband, I’d do it again.” I paused then finished, “In a heartbeat.”

He worried his lips again and his face went from cautious curiosity to fear and I felt my heart hurt because I thought we were making some headway.

Then he took a step forward before he immediately retreated and took a step back.

Then he blurted, “Mama used to try an’ teach me.”

I blinked. Then I asked, “What?”

He didn’t repeat himself. Instead he said, “She got real mad when I got things wrong.”

I felt the backs of my eyes start stinging and I held his gaze as I felt them get wet but didn’t say anything.

“Tried real hard,” he whispered, “to make certain sure I got nothin’ wrong.”

I bet he did.

I didn’t respond.

“Always got somethin’ wrong,” he murmured, his voice aching from old wounds that in no way were healed and I felt them score at my own insides.

“This is life,” I whispered as I steadily held his gaze. “Skylar, know that. It is life to get things wrong. It happens all the time to everyone. We make mistakes, all of us. There is no shame in that. None at all. The thing that’s important to understand is, if you make a mistake, you try and learn from it. But honey, you will make mistakes and that’s okay. One thing I can promise and you can take your time to trust me, is that if you do make mistakes with me or with Frey, we won’t get mad like your Mama. We might get upset or disappointed but we won’t get mad at you like her. You don’t have to believe me now, Sky, but I hope, someday, you do.”

He stared at me while worrying his lips and I held his stare.

Then, when he screwed up the courage to go on, he said quietly, “I like it here on the ship with Captain Drakkar.”

“I’m glad, Sky,” I said quietly back.

“Wouldn’t want nothin’ to happen to him,” he went on.

“Me either,” I agreed.

“You faced bad things to make certain that didn’t happen,” Skylar kept going.

“Yes,” I said softly.

He bit his lip. Then he whispered quickly, “Thanks,” and before I could say a word, he dashed out of the room.