Knigh scoffed, but the words spread warmth through him. His gaze slid to Vee.

Face frozen in a wide-eyed look, she took a step back. Blinking as if waking, she shook her head and snorted. “We’re not—”

“No,” Knigh said softly, “we’re not.” This was and could only ever be a temporary arrangement.

The merchant just laughed, folding his arms. “Don’t look at me like that—I might not be fae-touched, but I can see when two people are shagging just as clearly as if it was a gift.”

“Heh, well”—Vee planted her hands on her hips—“a broken gift, perhaps. Besides, shagging doesn’t make a couple now, does it?”

Knigh’s heart clenched, but he kept his face still. Was that all this was? But, no, it was weeks ago that she’d fled to FitzRoy’s cabin and Perry had explained Vee’s feelings. She’d even, in her own way, admitted to caring for him. Hells, she’d risked her life to save his.

He took a slow breath. She cared, she just wasn’t about to advertise it to a Nassau timber merchant when she couldn’t even say it out loud. After all, didn’t she have a reputation to maintain?

The merchant’s dark eyes narrowed, passing from her to Knigh again, the look making Knigh shift—far too penetrating. “If that was all I saw, then no, but you—”

“But we,” she said, smile bright, eyes sharp, “are here to do business.” Her hand thudded on the merchant’s table, leaving a crinkled list of supplies behind.

They did just that, negotiating yet another rate favourable to The Morrigan. Still, Vee’s usual ease carried a stiffness that was so out of place on her, it made Knigh ache. Excellent, just as he’d managed to cheer her up, this timber merchant had sent her closed and prickly again.

When they left, she squinted at the sky and backed away, steps crunching on the sand-strewn cobbles. “I—I have some private business to attend to.” With a brittle smile, she nodded. “I’ll see you later.”

Knigh opened his mouth to argue, but her back was already turned, long legs carrying her away. What use would it do, anyway? He sighed and shook his head. Perhaps it was best to leave her alone for a while, anyway.

Rubbing the back of his neck, he watched her disappear around a corner. Frustrating woman.

Still, he could use this as a chance to explore Nassau for himself, discover some corner her usual route didn’t cover. He set off in the opposite direction, letting his feet wander where they wished.