“Mabena!” The voice was deep, clear, and totally unfamiliar. To Libby, though, the way Mabena stiffened said she recognized it perfectly well. And didn’t mean to acknowledge it, since she lifted her chin and kept herself facing forward rather than turning to greet its owner.

Its owner didn’t seem inclined to be ignored. His footsteps pounded, and a moment later he jumped in front of them, walking backward like Oliver had done a few minutes before. And yet not at all like Oliver.

Casek Wearne, that’s who it was. Libby recognized his breadth if not his face, which she hadn’t seen clearly before. And he barely glanced at her before directing the full wattage of his smile at Mabena.

He had nice teeth—straight and white. But the showcasing of them didn’t soften her friend’s posture any. “I hear you’re going back to St. Mary’s today,” he said. “Do you need a lift? I’ve another delivery coming on the ferry and need to run over anyway. I’d be happy to take you and the lady.”

Mabena’s chin came up even more. “Tas has prepared the Mermaid for me, so I don’t need to be relying on anyone else to ferry us about.”

The rebuff just made his smile go lopsided, into a grin. “Good. What time are you leaving? It’s been too long since I’ve watched you sail.”

Mabena huffed. “Shouldn’t you be over there telling Perry and Yorrick to hurry along to class?”

“They have an hour yet.” Though he darted a glance, Libby noted, to the left, gaze searching until he found the two teenaged boys.

“Then allow me to rephrase it: go away.”

“One more dagger to my heart.” He splayed a hand over it. And also flashed her another grin. “The world’s put to rights again. It was all wrong when you weren’t here to insult me.”

Libby pressed her lips against a smile. If ever she meant to make a study of flirting, she could pick up a thing or two from this fellow.

Mabena, however, didn’t look amused. “It’ll tip on you again at the end of summer, if that’s so.”

“Perhaps you should prepare me this time. You could start with a compliment.”

“No. I couldn’t.” Her tone was absolute, genuine ice.

But Casek Wearne just chuckled. And tipped an invisible hat. “I’ll see you around, Benna. My lady.”

Libby offered only a neutral smile in farewell, since it seemed a bit odd to say good-bye to someone who hadn’t even looked at her. She bumped Mabena’s arm much like she’d done to Libby a minute before. “I think someone likes you.”

Mabena didn’t flush, much less smile. “No. He doesn’t.”

“Oh, come now! I may be no expert on such things, but even I could see—”