She smiled.
Cole smiled back. Here she is now, he thought. And so I’ll leave you.
Is that so?
Yes, Your Highness. Unless you have further need of me.
Achan chuckled. No, Cole. I simply wanted to check in. But I can take a hint.
As the connection with the king faded from Cole’s mind, he had already descended the steps from the bow to the main deck. He wove between coiled ropes and stacked barrels.
The mission ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in Cole’s life, he wasn’t afraid. He was capable of filling this role. And perhaps the best part was that Mistel had weaseled her way in. She was part of the team now, and they couldn’t do without her.
Cole would never want to.
Chapter 45
Mistel
Mistel tried not to grin as Cole climbed down the stairs to the main deck, his gaze fixed on her like she was the only thing in the world worth looking at. It set her heart pounding, and for some reason, that made her want to sing.
“With the wind in my hair, the sun shining bright,
We dance over the waves in golden sunlight.
With my hand tucked in yours, that’s where I will be,
Sailing with you on the deep blue sea.”
Cole reached her then and rested his elbow on the rail beside her, his gaze steady, warm. “New song?”
“Yes.” She tucked a loose curl behind her ear. “It’s about a hero who rescued me.”
A slow grin spread across Cole’s face, freckles getting lost as his cheeks deepened a shade. “I’d like to hear the rest of it sometime.”
“Oh, you will. People are going to love it. In fact, I think we’re going to make a lot of money off it.”
Cole laughed, a rich, carefree sound she’d grown to treasure. “With you singing, I have no doubt of that.”
She bumped her shoulder against his. “And you playing.”
“Yes, that too.” He tipped his head, studying her. “Ready for our next adventure?”
She flicked her finger against his arm. “Why do you think I followed you from Armonguard? You need me.”
He didn’t argue. Just nodded, quiet for a breath, then said, “I do need you.”
The words sent warmth curling through her stomach. She studied him: his tousled brown hair, the sharp cut of his jaw, the way the wind toyed with his cloak.
“You’re looking a bit smug, my knightling,” she said.
He turned slightly to face her, his elbow still propped on the rail. “Am I?”
“Mm-hmm.” She smoothed a crease on his tunic. “What’s got you so pleased?”
His voice softened. “Just thinking about how blessed I feel. And that I wouldn’t want to do any of this without you.”
Mistel hadn’t expected that. Oh, this boy made her heart sing. She turned her head to face him. “Good. Because I wouldn’t let you.”
