“Fifteen, Captain,” Lanard said from the floor, pushing back a large pot that had landed on his head like a tin hat. The handle sticking out from his forehead resembled a horn, but his chest heaved like a cornered rabbit. Had this not involved Dara, I would have laughed, but I regarded her as a little sister, someone who needed my protection. I wouldn’t have her taken advantage of on my ship.

“She’s fourteen! Barely fourteen,” I screamed.

Dara burst into wracking sobs that turned her explanations to gibberish. Unaffected by the display, I shouted, “Put yourself back together. Fasten your blouse.” Her fingers fumbled over the buttons. I wanted to shake her I was so angry, but instead I turned my wrath onto Lanard. “I should throw you overboard.” I paused. “In fact, that’s exactly what I shall do.”

I flicked off his metal cap, grabbed him by the ear, and yanked him upright. I tugged him, whimpering, out of the galley and up the stairs toward the starboard.

Let’s see if he can swim.

Chapter nineteen

Rylander

I ran my hands through my hair and sighed. Lou had stayed locked in her quarters for dinner. Her dismissing glare haunted me as I unbuttoned my tunic. How could she accept my powers if she felt vulnerable to them? Maybe I should have stayed and explained?

I’d tugged the hem of my shirt past my navel when the door to my cabin flung open and hit the adjacent wall. Via charged in like a puffing bull.

“Rye, come quick.”

“What happened?” I asked, following out in three strides. Her bare feet pounded against the floorboards, chemise swishing around her ankles. Her raven locks swung free of their usual braid. Whatever the emergency, she hadn’t had time to dress. “Are we under attack?”

She twisted her chin over her shoulder as she ran up the stairs. “Not exactly.”

When we reached the starboard, I blinked twice before the true danger became clear. Lou had a quaking Lanard by the ear, bellowing threats to throw him overboard.

“Tell me why I should spare your life,” she commanded.

He mumbled something undiscernible.

“What are you doing?” I asked as if my own eyes deceived me. What could Lanard have done to deserve a walk along the plank? It couldn’t have been too vile. He was half naked, probably just getting ready for bed.

Via’s gaping stare said, Do something. The wind whipped her hair across her pleading, violet eyes.

“Lou, stop this. What’s gotten into you?” I marched closer but kept a healthy distance so as not to put her captive at risk of greater anger. Lou hated feeling caged. I’d already learned that the hard way.