Bash groaned, but I moved to the side to make room for the shaggy-haired boy as he practically launched himself over the ship to see.
Bash reached around me and gripped the back of Kit’s shirt, and I fought back a smile that would only earn grumbling from my husband. He may not have asked for a ward, but he was rather protective of him.
“Kit, you arse, I told you to stay below until we were out of grindylow territory!” Val yelled.
If Bash was protective of Kit, then Val was positively overprotective.
“I heard someone shout about Koinu and I needed to see for myself!” he said, voice breathy with excitement.
“Isn’t he beautiful?” Dilly asked, handing the spyglass to Kit.
“Wow!” Kit whispered, mouth hanging open.
Koinu leapt through the water, his bellowing song one of unmistakable joy.
Val came up behind Kit and plucked the spyglass from Kit’s hands and handed it back to Dilly, who took it with a knowing smile.
“Hey, how come–? Kit said, turning to face his keeper.
She pointed one finger at him, lips pulled into a thin line as she bent down to his level.
“What did I say is rule number fucking one on a ship?” she asked.
Kit swallowed hard.
“Always follow orders,” he said, eyes downcast.
Val stood, hands on her hips. “Go help cook with dishes until I come get you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” he grumbled, sparing one last look for Koinu.
I watched him with a wide smile as he sullenly made his way below deck.
“Maybe don’t swear at the kid?” Dilly half asked with her own grin.
“He needs to learn if he wants to survive,” Bash said, turning back to Koinu.
“Exactly,” Val said, still watching Kit long after he was gone.
“I’ve heard motherhood is a trying time,” I said.
Val shot me her middle finger and left to yell at some poor soul who happened to be in her path.
“It’s kind of adorable,” Dilly said.
“Truly,” I said.
Koinu continued his celebration, and my heart filled with warmth and fullness. There was so much about him we didn’t understand, but the way he followed us and sang was enough that I was fairly certain I would die for him.
“He truly answers to you?” Bash asked.
I snorted. “Not really. He just likes to put on a show as much as Billy did.”
“He really is like a giant puppy,” Dilly said, scrawling furiously like she didn’t have a hundred more sketches like this.
“That was crazy,” Oscar said, coming up behind us. “Did you tell it to do that?”
I rolled my eyes.
