It was silly. Skye was interested in the young AlgonCree dancer, and Azaleen wasn’t the type to carouse about with whomever was convenient. Still, Lark wanted to be the one to safeguard the queen, twenty-four-seven if necessary.
“I suppose,” she muttered. “If you insist. A war could last months or even years, and who knows what will happen? I should be grateful.” She caught Azaleen’s gaze, holding it for an emotional beat. “I am; I also long to remain with you.”
Azaleen smiled, brushed a kiss to Lark’s cheek. “I’m glad you want to be with me. So few people do.”
“I don’t believe that,” Lark answered dismissively. “You’re extremely popular with the people. Even my friends back home practically worship you.”
“Admiration from a distance isn’t the same as seeing someone up close, where flaws are laid bare and harsh realities come to light. Your forgiveness and desire came as an unexpected gift to me, and I don’t take them for granted.”
Lark felt a tug at her heart. She wanted to drown Azaleen with kisses, send her into blissful abandonment, give her the escape she so greatly needed. It wouldn’t be here and now, nor upon arriving in New Charleston. Maybe. Depending on the time and circumstances, how many days remained before the invasion forcearrived? A delirious feeling washed over Lark as she gazed into Azaleen’s eyes, a tingle racing from head to toe. She squeezed her hand.
“You couldn’t have been as surprised as I was—thrillingly so. And what are these flaws you mention? If they exist, they only prove to humanize you and render you more desirable. Anyway, when we get back, the pressure will be on. You’ll be compelled to work night and day, neglect food, rest, and other needs. I hope you’ll make time to … find release and repose. I might be called to the front. It would be good for you if we could carve out a private moment before everything goes to hell.”
“I agree.” Azaleen’s fingers stroked Lark’s hand in tactile motion, as if she wished to memorize each line, bump, and curve. Lark sucked in a breath, imagining when that exploration expanded to encompass all of her.
“Lark, don’t feel slighted when meetings and battles demand my attention. You seem to understand that managing the nation through a war will require all my energy. Whenever possible, I want to hold you, to let go with you, to experience every stimulating thrill and luscious pleasure. But we just don’t know what will meet us when we land. Only remember that I treasure every moment spent with you, no matter how few.”
“Me too.” Lark raised their joined hands, kissed Azaleen’s knuckles. “Quality over quantity. But even when I’m not standing or lying next to you, please realize that I’m still with you in spirit, lifting you up, believing in you.”
“I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to hear you say that.” The glimmer in Azaleen’s eyes displayed her honesty. “It’s been so long since anyone’s—”
The boat rocked slightly as footsteps slapped the forward deck behind them. “What’s so fascinating up here?” Diego asked as he planted his boots. Lark released Azaleen’s hand and twisted over her shoulder to scowl at him for interrupting them, glad he was completely oblivious at the same time. “Oh, I see!” he exclaimed, pointing at the pod. “Sweet!”
“This is only the second day they’ve ridden the bow since we started our voyage,” said Lark.
“I wanted to see them this time,” Azaleen added, as if her presence was purely incidental.
Diego gripped the rail and gave a slight bow, removing his hat. “Good day, Madam Queen. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Not that I can think of.”
“Look at that one.” He pointed to the lead dolphin jumping at the bow. “It looks like they’re surfing.”
“In a way, they are,” Azaleen replied. “The bow wave carries them effortlessly through the water, like a surfer on a board. It’s not only fun for them, but like catching a ride, conserving energy. Fascinating creatures, so intelligent and social.”
“You know so many surprising things,” Diego commented, tugging his hat back over his head.
Canvas straining, the cutter whipped through the waves, the keel bobbing up and down, the wind stiff in Lark’s face. While Diego and Azaleen discussed marine life, an ominous tingle climbed her spine, dread jabbing her gut with icy needles. There was no reason for it. Only clear skies overhead. The dolphins didn’t seem disturbed. Laughter roared from those gathered in the cockpit. A squadron of pelicans winged above them as if all was well. Still, Lark couldn’t shake the feeling.
She rose and shimmied out onto the pulpit, staring into the horizon, a nonchalant dolphin riding the bow.
“What’s wrong?” Azaleen’s voice brimmed with concern.
Lark glanced back at her. “Nothing … I don’t think. Just keeping watch. We must be nearing New Charleston. This stretch of shoreline seems familiar.” No reason to worry Azaleen over nothing.
She looked back—and the dolphins were gone. Alarm knifed through her,sudden and searing.Where’d they go? Why’d they leave?She scanned the surface, searching for them, only to find it barren, eerily empty.
Lark swept across the deck, past Azaleen and Diego, ducking under the jib sail, and hopped on top of the cabin. Gripping the mast like she’d seen Flynn do, she shimmied up to the spreader.
“Hey, young woman!” the skipper yelled. “What are you doing up there?”
Without a reply, she stood atop the spreader, clinging to the mast tip, and searched ahead. Was that just whitecaps—or metal glinting?
“Hey, Luke!” she called down. “I need your binoculars.”
“What is it?” He hollered up at her.
“Don’t know. I’ve just got a bad feeling.”
