That was an understatement. He was going to be furious and anxious, and those two things would make him dangerous. But better a danger she knew than the alternative.

“You let me worry about that,” Caledonia said. “I want the rest of you worried about getting us there.”

The hit to the galley had destroyed almost every bit of food they had. All that was left was enough seed brick to go around once. Nettle estimated it was a two-day journey to Cloudbreak at full power and capacity. For them, it would take at least four. But as long as the sun reappeared in the morning, and as long as nothing else went wrong, they would make it work.

Though the command crew wasn’t excited by the prospect of sailing into a place where they weren’t exactly welcome, they could find no better alternatives. They dispersed, each prepared to pre-sent a brave face to the crew, and each eager for a bit of rest. Soon, the ship was at rest.

The crew shuffled belowdecks a few at a time, in threes, or in pairs, and Caledonia sat alone in the bridge as the ship rocked steadily back and forth. It was an uneasy way to end the day, but for now, the wind had carried the rain farther east, and the air was cool and crisp.

Sledge was restless. He paced the deck until the sky was dark and the deck ringed in the cool blue glow of sun pips embedded around the edge. He continued in that way until Pine appeared, stopping Sledge in his tracks and then raising his hands in the sign of consent.

They stood a foot apart, their edges glazed in blue light, the space between them cast in shadows. Then Sledge raised his hands first to Pine’s and then past, sliding his fingers along Pine’s jaw and pulling him close. The kiss was brief but powerful and Caledonia felt a twinge of jealousy that they could so easily find comfort in each other when she found the lines between friendship and command so immovable. Pisces had told her many times that it was possible for a captain to be intimate with her crew if she desired it, but Caledonia couldn’t imagine taking someone to her bed one day and sending them into danger the next.

For years, she’d quashed every fledgling spark she’d felt for any of her girls, convinced that it was irresponsible. It had definitely been irresponsible to kiss Oran. But here was Sledge making the choice she’d never been confident enough to make.

Pine took Sledge’s hand in his and pulled him toward the hatch. Then they vanished belowdecks together.