“Sorry Cap!” He blurts, cheeks red as he drops the knife with a clatter against the wooden chopping board. “You caught me off guard.”
I can’t help but chuckle as he fetches the discarded herb. “It’s alright. How’s the lunch prep?”
His eyes brighten, and I know I’m in for a wild ride.
“Well, I was just thinking about how good this fresh rosemary is that I got from town yesterday. It just makes everything taste earthier you know? Like, if you put it on roasted meat it adds so much flavour, especially lamb, but if you mix it with oil like this, it’s almost like—like a sauce right? And I can’t decide if I want more herbs on the meat or the vegetables or both. Maybe just the carrots, see them? Look at their blackened edges, that’s the best bit, like crunchy sweet, and the chicken smells mouthwatering—oh!” He snatches another bowl with some sort of gravy in it, sniffs it and then holds it out to me. “This is going to be so good! You hungry? Of course you’re hungry. Everyone’s hungry. I’ve been hungry since breakfast.”
Otto finally stops to breathe and I smile.
“Lunch is going to be amazing as always”
He grins at me, his skeleton hand earring dangling off his right lobe. “Did ya need something?”
I gesture towards one of the stools at the table. “Can we sit for a moment?”
His brow pinches. “Sure, Cap.”
We sit at the table, and I take in a breath, trying to steady my mind. I have no idea how he’s going to take the news, and I’d really rather not tell him, but what other choice do I have?
“Is everything okay, Rune?” he asks softly.
I hold his gaze, and sigh. “It’s Odi.”
Concern washes over him. “Is she alright? If she’s caught that cough I can—”
I shake my head. “She’s healthy, Otto . . . she’s Ivor’s daughter. Nisse.”
The colour slowly drains from his face, and I prepare myself for whatever curses or accusations he wants to throw my way.
Then, his features soften, in a way that makes him look heartbroken. He shakes his head, voice dropping low. “Vicious seas. . . can you imagine? Growin’ up withthatbastard for a father?” He lets out a shaky laugh, but there’s no humour in it, just the edge of something sour. “Must’ve been hell.”
It takes a second for his words to register. I furrow my brow, and I shake my head ever so slightly in disbelief. I expected anger, or disgust . . . possibly both? I wouldn’t have blamed him either.
The breath stuck in my chest finally breaks free. I thought he’d hate me for knowing the truth, or turn on me like Tavi and Elio still might, but instead there’s pity in his voice. Pity and worse—understanding.
“Did you hear what I said, Otto? Odelia is Captain Ivor’s daughter.”
“I heard.” He lifts a hand to his chest, reaching for the scar under his collared shirt. “No wonder she seems happier here.”
My jaw tightens and my chest officially aches as I sit and view the boy before me, because let’s be honest—that’s exactly what he is, but in this moment, something shifts. In a blink, the boy is gone, and what sits before me is a man, acting like someone who’s lived a thousand lifetimes. A man offering kindness to those who least deserve it.
It hits harder than any blade could.
“So . . . you’re alright?” I ask softly.
His big, blue eyes crinkle at the edges. “Of course! I’ll get her extra vegetables tonight. She seems to like those best.”
Before I can reply, he’s out of the chair, shaggy brown hair billowing around him as he races to stir the stew on the fire. I rise from the table, heading for the door, turning to watch him in his element.
I hate to admit it. But he’s right. Odi is happier here. She’s different from the drowning thing I pulled from the sea that first day. She’d claimed that it wasn’t her choice to be a Viper, that none would hire her if they knew who she was, that being alone meant safety, that her captain met every challenge with violent steel.
“I trust you too,”she’dwhispered, voice shaking when she thought I wouldn’t hear.
Perhaps there were always small truths unearthing themselves from between the secrets she carried. But I have to remember . . . it doesn’t matter now. I was a means to anend. She’d used me. Lied to me when she had every single opportunity to confess. And I’d slept with her . . .gods, I’d bared my soul to her. And all that, to what may as well have been a stranger. One who shared blood with a man that slaughtered indiscriminately. She, herself, had slaughtered on his command. Again and again.
Some animals are born vicious. Like the sea. And the Ivor blood is tainted. Nothing can change that. It doesn’t matter what Odi wants or what life she thought she might lead.
Nisse. The ghost.
