WHATIS WITH YOU AND EATING THINGS
10
ODELIA
The shadow of the island is large on the horizon by the time the sun joins us. I hadn’t slept, but adrenaline has me bouncing on my toes, impatient to see what waits. We’re tucked away in the galley, which is thick with the scent of breakfast, the door closed until Bear is ready for the crew.
“Would you sit? You’re making me nervous.” Rune’s eyes glint from where he sits at the bolted table, and I offer a look that saysgood, be nervous. He’s wearing long sleeves today, but seems relaxed; the top buttons of his shirt hang open and his sleeves are rolled, offering peeks of those shimmering tattoos. I don’t look. We haven’t spoken about last night, but I can’t help wondering if the casual dress is a subtle play—like he wants to project confidence to a nervous crew. Show our would-be attacker he isn’t concerned.
Or he truly doesn’t believe me.
He watches me for longer than necessary, and a flare of heat crawls up my neck, spurred by the memory of being pulled into his lap, pressed so close I could feel his warmth on my lips. It’s a useless train of thought, so I look away. Try hard not to remember the strength of his grip or the power so inherent I’d nearly let myself get swept in its current. It doesn’t matter that every neuron in my body had lit on fire, wrapped in the scent of salt and oranges. It doesn’t matter that his desire betrayed him, or that it fueled my own, unearthing something long dormant.
I can’t trust him. Can’t afford to be distracted, even if I can still feel the phantom trace of his lingering attention. I hadn’t been touched like that in years, having quickly realised I couldn’t afford that sort of vulnerability. Still, this reaction, and my curiosity, will fade. We’d both been surprised, is all.
Tavi presses forwards, speaking over the sizzle of whatever Bear has decided to make for breakfast. “I’ve gone through every map on this ship. This island isn’t on any of them.”
Rune shrugs, finally turning away from me. “Maybe it’s so small cartographers don’t bother with it.”
Elio’s voice is grim as he leans one hip against the table, bowl ready in hand. “Maybe they’re so monster infested no one has cared to see if they’re still there.”
Both are equally likely. Most of the uninhabited islands are overrun with creatures best left unbothered. With the growth of the mainland and trade routes to the large islands already established, there’s no reason to risk it, unless you’re avoiding the law.
Bear brings a few plates over and I take the opportunity to help, grabbing the food left on the counter, pausing for only a breath to slip a paring knife up my sleeve. No one seems to notice, instead they smile and offer their thanks to Otto as he and I pass everythingaround—oats, rehydrated fruit, and quail eggs. He chatters as he goes. “If there’s monsters, maybe we’ll get some components. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to experiment.”
Rune nods. “It won’t be a priority, but if we can gather anything and bring it back, we will.”
Bear lifts a bony arm to scratch at his shaggy brown hair. “I’d rather go. You never know what’ll be useful. And I’ve already prepared food for those that stay on the ship.”
There’s a short silence, in which Elio watches for Tavi’s reaction, and Tavi watches Rune.
Rune’s voice is uncharacteristically soft. “If you’re sure.”
Bear’s smile stretches wide, even though it’s clear by Tavi’s shuttered expression that I’m not the only one who thinks it’s a terrible idea to bring him along.
“We’ll land by noon,” I say, as Bear moves back to the stove. “All that’s left is to solve the riddle.”
All eyes move to me.
“The one you ate.” Elio’s face is deadpan, but one side of Rune’s mouth ticks up.
I cross my arms, lean against the wall, and sigh. “The one I ate, yes. To ensure no one gets any bright ideas about stranding me or using me as the ship’s figurehead.”
Tavi shakes her head. “That’s horrid.”
“No, no, she makes a good point,” Rune says smirking in a way that doesn’t flip my stomach like a beached fish.
She ignores him and stands, though she’s hardly eaten. “Alright. Well I’ll get us there. You all have fun with the riddles.”
Elio watches the door close behind her. “You know she’s worried,” he murmurs.
Rune drums his thumb against the table, then crams another orange slice into his mouth. “He’s earned the right to choose.”
My attention flicks to Bear. It was the same answer Rune had given me when I’d questioned his position on the crew. The kid catches my eye and smiles, tugging at his high shirt collar. The heat must make it uncomfortable.
“Bout time for the crew to line up,” he calls. The entire counter is covered in plates now.
Rune stands and sets his empty dish in a wash crate to the side. “Thanks for breakfast, Otto. Make sure you’re ready by noon.”
