“I’m not upset,” she murmured, wiping at her cheeks. “I just... thank you.”
She took the parchment and charcoal, scribbling a quick note:
Made it to the island safe. Miss you. Love you. –Viv
Rolling it into a tiny scroll, she turned back to Cirrus, the narrow space between them suddenly smaller. She moved to place the note in his outstretched palm, but as she let go, his fingers curled around hers.
His voice was quiet, steady. “Of course, I remember.” His thumb brushed against her knuckles.
The air between them compressed. He leaned in, eyes dropping to her mouth.
A sharp knock rattled the door.
“Miss Banner.” Commander Thorne’s brusque voice carried through from the hallway.
Vivienne jolted back, tugging her hand free. Cirrus let go with an observant, closed-lipped smile.
“It’s open,” she called.
The latch clicked, and the door swung inward.
Commander Thorne remained in the hallway, but his presence filled the space. His dark gaze landed on Cirrus, and in an instant, Vivienne saw the shift. Disbelief, anger, and something menacing prowled beneath his controlled exterior. His fingers flexed near the hilt of his sword.
His voice was frigid. “Miss Banner, was Mr. Theodosia awelcome guest… or anintruderin your space?”
Vivienne’s eyes darted between them. The air thrummed with tension. She realized Cirrus must not have mentioned anything about their past.A joke would probably make this worse.
“He was just leaving,” she said, doing her best to sound casual.
Cirrus exhaled a short laugh, shaking his head before swaggering toward the door.
Commander Thorne stopped him with a firm grip on his arm.
The shift in the air was instant, a smolder of restrained fury. Vivienne barely caught the words that followed, spoken low and lethal.
“If I discover you have used your position or your brutish nature to take advantage of Miss Banner, or any member of this crew, I will gut you like a fish and instruct Mr. Conway to string you up to the rigging by your intestines.”
He leaned in closer, his grip unyielding. “Do I make myselfinescapablyclear, Theodosia?”
Cirrus’ jaw tightened. He gave a small, begrudging nod before yanking his arm free and stalking down the hall.
Commander Thorne turned to Vivienne, the fire in his eyes dimming, the edge in his voice dulling. “Are you well, Miss Banner?”
She hesitated, measuring the look in his gaze. Concern. Inhibited, but there. “I am.”
He studied her for a heartbeat longer before smoothing out his uniform. “Good.” His tone was all business again. “You and Mr. Blume will be on the next round of longboats as we disembark. Be on the main deck in five minutes.”
With that, he turned and strode down the hall, his footsteps sharp against the wooden floor.
She let out a slow breath.Gods, what was that?
* * *
Vivienne perchedat the bow of the longboat, eyes locked on the approaching shore. The swaying rope ladder had been a harrowing descent from theZephyrus, but excitement fizzed beneath her skin. She’d never been this far from home.
Beside her, Lewis practically drooled with anticipation, barely containing his eagerness at the sight of Verdance’s lush greenery.
Commander Thorne boarded after Cirrus, his watchful gaze never straying far from the navigator. Cirrus caught Vivienne’s eye and gave a subtle jerk of his head skyward. She followed his motion—just in time to spot a tiny speck in the distance. The homing dove.
