“Seen The Morrigan’s in town,” Vane replied. “I know Vice comes in here. Just looking for her.”

Vee bit her lip, eyes screwed up in a wince.

What had she done to anger this Vane character? Knigh raised an eyebrow, but she ignored the unspoken question, gaze towards the door.

“What a shame,” Waters said, “you’ve missed her. She came shortly after lunch. When she left, she said something about going out with a hunting party this afternoon.”

“Hunting? Blasted hells. Fine”—the doorbell rang again as the door opened and a breeze flowed in—“but if she comes back, don’t tell her you’ve seen me, right?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, Mr Vane.”

The footsteps faded, the door closed, and Vee sagged against him with a relieved sigh.

She took a long breath and grinned. But the smile quickly faded as her eyes met his.

They stood frozen in place. Somehow his arm had circled her waist again. His fingers dug into her body, attempting to remind him that this was what a woman felt like.

Her fingers flexed against his chest, and her lips parted. If he bent his head, his mouth would cover hers perfectly. He’d taste her, discover if she was sweet like the mango they’d eaten at lunchtime or nutty like the snacks she kept in her pockets. Lords, he’d learned far too much about her in this short time aboard The Morrigan.

The fae-touched were meant to be immune to fae charm—even the Duke of Mercia hadn’t been able to use that magic on Knigh, and he was fae-blooded. But maybe there was some way Vee’s still affected him. That had to be it.

Clenching his jaw, he forced his arms to his side.

She shook her head slightly and huffed a soft laugh, backing away until she knocked into the bookcase opposite. “Let’s—um—”

“Yes, dinner.” He nodded and sidled to the exit. Back to the crew, away from quiet alleyways and bookstores. Away from anywhere that left the two of them alone in a confined space.

Away from temptation.

A Warning

That evening, Vee went carousing with the rest of the crew, and Knigh stuck to his cabin. He largely managed to avoid her all the next day, too, and as they left Nassau. He only emerged when he judged it safe—any temptation thoroughly quashed with cold water from the washstand.

He strode out of his cabin in full uniform. Much better—uniform, cleanliness, order. He could think straight again. His interest in Vee was purely professional.

Although it had raised an uncomfortable question.

Who the hells was this woman?