Saturn again looked to Faunus, to Teddy, then he visibly pulled her deeper into his body with his arms about her chest and bent to her ear.

“But we will take time before we leave to have this fish in batter,” he promised.

“All right,” she whispered.

Faunus brushed his arm and Teddy looked up to him.

He then followed him down the deck.

When they were out of earshot of their friends, Faunus stopped and turned back to Teddy.

“I wish to review the plan,” Faunus said.

“I know the plan,” Teddy sighed.

“You do not deviate from it,” Faunus decreed.

Teddy pressed his lips tightly together.

“You wanted to come, your job is to keep her safe,” Faunus reminded him, jerking his head back to Moira.

And your and Saturn’s job is to keep Mars and his queen and their fellow rulers safe. So, who’s going to keep you safe? he thought but he did not ask.

“We were in agreement with this, Teddy,” Faunus said.

That wasn’t entirely true. Faunus decreed it and Teddy had tired of arguing about it.

“I am a trained warrior, bello,” Faunus said quietly. “And you are not.”

“Neither is Queen Silence, and she will fight these things,” Teddy pointed out.

“Yes, but she is a witch.”

Stymied.

“Do not make me worry about you,” Faunus warned.

“I won’t,” he decreed, relatively certain he told the truth. “Though we reach Nautilus with you knowing that there are five beings on this planet who have ever, ever, Faunus, held a place in my heart. Nyx, Lorenz, Saturn, Moira, and most especially, you. So, you stand right there and promise me you will keep you safe.”

“I will come back to you, Teddy,” Faunus whispered, moving closer to him and taking him by the side of the neck, bending to look into his eyes. “I promise.”

“You have my love,” Teddy mumbled.

Faunus grinned. “And you have mine.”

“You have my devotion,” Teddy went on.

“And you have mine,” Faunus repeated.

“And adoration.”

“You can be quiet now,” Faunus said, his words trembling with amusement.

Teddy thought that was a good idea, and thus, he did as told.

Faunus gave his neck a squeeze, let him go and they moved to the railing, standing there and doing this close.

“Have you had fish in batter?” Faunus asked.

“Never,” Teddy answered.

“Something to look forward to,” Faunus murmured.

He hoped so.

By the gods, he hoped so.

Chu of the Trusted

Aboard the Passenger Galleon, the Constant

STRAIT OF MEDUSA

“You will not perform this ritual,” Chu growled.

“Chu, they’re aboard this very vessel,” Serena returned. “I can sense them.”

“You will leave them be.”

“I will draw one to me and ask why they follow you.”

“You will do no such thing.”

“I will know why they follow you!”

“I do not care why they follow me, Rena.”

“Well, I do!”

They glared at each other across their cabin.