A smirk slipped onto Torvus’ lips as he turned back to me. “Don’t think all the folks around here are like him. He’s the nasty exception to the rule.”
I nodded at the wounded men. “Are they going to be alright?”
He nudged one with the toes of his boot. “In a few hours. That gives Barreto time to hide before they look for him. I’m sure they won’t appreciate him running out on them.”
“Shouldn’t we get out of here before they wake up?” I pointed out.
His eye twinkled as he strode over. “You don’t think I could whip them again?”
“I’d rather not risk it.”
He offered me his arm. “Then let’s go back. I think I can convince Baba to feed you something with less of a bite.”
My stomach flopped as I reluctantly accepted his arm. He led me back down the street, but the view didn’t attract my attention. My mind was too filled with what had transpired. I let my eyes flicker over him.
“Are you judging my attire or my face?”
“Barreto said you were as old as him.”
“Give or take a few years.”
“So how old are you?”
“That’s not a question to ask in polite society.”
I snorted. “I don’t think I’m in that kind of society right now.”
He grinned. “I suppose not.”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
“A man can keep his secrets, can’t he? Or do only women have the privilege?”
“Don’t men like to appear older so they appear more worldly?”
“My tailor can prove my worldliness. He certainly complains enough about the tears on my trousers.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question.”
The captain stared ahead and sighed. His gaze fell on a few shops and houses that we passed. “I walked these streets twenty years ago as a lad.”
“I can’t do the math without a starting number.”
“We’ll say I was a lad of ten. Even I’m not sure the year I was born.”
My brain calculated the numbers, but was missing one. “And how long have you been at sea?”
“Twenty.”
I jerked to a stop, and my mouth dropped open. “Are you telling me you’re fifty years old?”
“Give or take a few.” He grinned. “Does that surprise you?”
I snapped my jaw shut. “Surprise is an understatement. You don’t look any older than me.”
“And how old are you?”
I frowned at him, but there was a twinkle in my eye. “You’re not supposed to ask a woman her age, and you’re not supposed to look this good at your age.” I leaned forward and squinted at him. My movement forced him to lean back. “Are you using magic to keep yourself young?”
