“Now it’s time for you to host your lunch for the officers,” he says.

“You’re coming with me, right?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t leave any new bride to do this alone. They are pirates, after all.”

CHAPTER 28

COMMANDER

I look at my wife and am proud of how she looks in her dress, which is appropriate for her new status. She may not be as physically attractive to others because she is a Water woman, but I find her beautiful in everything she does.

I know she is nervous about this lunch. She has the same look she had when I met her at the farmhouse. I want to tell her that even if she makes a mistake, the stakes are not that high and that she will not be harmed. But at this point, I do not think she would believe me. For changing class, even though my complete society is alien to her, is apparently just as terrifying as being threatened with death.

I give her a reassuring look as we enter the officers’ dining room. All of my officers are lined up, waiting for us. As I have instructed her, my wife greets them; I notice, as I think everyone else does, that she hesitates not to bow. However, I think this minor faux pas will only endear her to them more. Everyone knows she never asked to be my wife nor sought it out, not like the Water woman on the other commander’s ship. My wife was content with being a volunteer as far as the crew was concerned.

“As the wife of the Commander, I would like to offer you all this food and drink as an offering for your ongoing protection of my husband and his family. I will be forever grateful for your service,” she says formally and speaks the words handsomely with her slight Water woman accent.

I watch my males, and most of them are satisfied, if not openly pleased, with her performance and dedication to our culture. However, there are still some who only see her as a volunteer. It’s those who I will have to keep my eye on. I am still not out of danger of a mutiny for this. My wife will continue to have to prove herself, but I will not tell her that because I think she will naturally fall into this role. She has a kind way about her; besides being made a volunteer against her will, she has done nothing against anyone besides attack the other Water woman. And now that the other Water woman has been downgraded, that is hardly an issue anymore.

After lunch, my wife says a formal goodbye, and we leave. As we walk out, I tell her, “You did an excellent job.”

She looks up at me with her big brown eyes. “I was nervous the whole time, but I was glad I could get through it without my voice shaking.”

“It will be easier every time,” I say.