“I see he is the same as I remember.Not one for revelry.”
“Challenge him to a duel.That usually puts him in a good mood.”
Lucky chuckles, the sound lost to the breeze.“Let me guess.He let you win as well.”
“Yes!Did he also compare your footwork to a newborn foal?”
“I believe mine was akin to a freshly hatched duckling.”
I return his grin with my own.It’s nice to talk to someone who knows Sterling, who understands what it’s like to be in his orbit, under his thrall.“I’d like to see that sometime.”
“If you think you can take me,” he says, and the delicious curl of his mouth sends my pulse into the heavens.“But I promise you, I do not yield lightly.”
The moon paints his lips with a gentle brush, coating them in silver.I can’t seem to look away.
“We shall see,” I reply.
“We will.”
Perhaps another man would let the shadows cover my darkened cheeks, but Lucky isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met.My eyes fall closed as he reaches up to touch me, skimming his thumb over the heated skin.
“Does it scare you to leave home?”
It should perhaps, but not anymore.It’s easier with Sterling here.
“I’ve never been out of Ferntree before, but I dreamed of it.I’ve always known I was meant for somewhere else, but I’ve never been able to picture where.It will be good to finally fulfill the role I’ve been given.”
“There’s more to life than serving a role.There’s art and music, good food and great friends.”
“Love?”I risk.
“The richest of spoils.Is it not something you seek?”
Difficult to seek that which you’ve already found.
“At present, I’m pursuing more attainable things.”
In my peripheral vision, I see his head turn, but I keep my eyes on the quickly evaporating horizon, the full force of his attention too much for me to face.
“I hope you won’t mind my company in the meantime.”
“I’m glad for it,” I admit, realizing how true the words are as they leave me.
Days ago, I knew nothing but rumor of this man, and I wrongly expected him to be a mystery to me.Yet there’s no veil between him and the world.What he feels is open for all to see.
It’s surprising, and already, I find myself hungry for more.
“Have you always felt an affinity for sailing?”I ask.
“Yes.My father wanted me to learn the value of contribution.No one person above any other.Everyone works in unison toward shared goals.I’ve learned from blacksmiths and cooks, painters and helmsmen.”
“I imagine you’ve seen wondrous things.”
“Nothing so beautiful as home,” he says, facing the shadow of the city, which looms large in the distance.If not for the many lights painting the dark, I’d have no idea it was there.“But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that home is not a place, but people.I have many companions in Chance, but I have been lacking in anyone to call my own.”
Briefly, he shifts his gaze over my shoulder, where Sterling’s voice carries on the breeze.
Lucky returns his eyes to mine, bringing my hand to his lips.“Which is why I’m so grateful you’re here.”
