He’d gone pale and looked queasy.
“Yes.The limb had become…tentacle-like and inky blue.”
My eyes went wide.“Truly?”
He nodded.“The sight was terrifying.That’s when we realized the monster had taken you over and was transforming you into…well, into itself, I suppose.”
“Bloody hell.”
“Precisely.”He ran a hand over his face, as if he could barely countenance the memory.“That horrible voice.When those words came out of your…your beautiful mouth, the creature staring at me from your dear face, I thought I would go mad.”
The love in his expression was quite humbling.
“I’m so sorry.”
“No, Rooster.This is not your fault.What that thing did to you… I will never forgive it.Never.”
“Well…” I said, gazing at him with all the love in my heart.“Good thing it’s gone, then.”
His expression changed from exhausted and bleak to one of delight and whimsy.
“Yes.Thanks to you.”
I shrugged.“I feel…such relief,” I said.“And a little bit of triumph.”
“Good God, Rooster.Youshouldfeel triumphant.I don’t think that horrible creature—or demon or monster—will be troubling you further.”
“Not if the beast knows what’s good for it.I’ll send the creature down a million times if I have to.”
“Hopefully it won’t come to that, my lovely lad.Now stop talking and rest, for heaven’s sake.I’d like to have supper with you later, and the crew wants to see that you’re all right.”
“Tell them, will you?I’m…happy.”
He smiled, his eyes shining.“Of course, my love.Now close your eyes and sleep.Dream of me?”
I think I nodded, but sleep took me under quickly.
***
WhenIwokeagain,I felt much better.My head was clearer.I felt almost myself again.I even professed a desire to get out of bed.
The captain helped me dress, in spite of my protests.
“Nonsense,” he said.“Let me do this, since I was helpless in the face of our foe.”
I stilled his hand.
“Helpless?”I blinked at him.Did he not know?“I would have been lost without you, my captain.My heart.”I stroked his chin and kissed him.“You are my strength.You are my life.”
He glowed with pleasure at my words, his eyes shining with emotion.We came together, ignoring that I was half dressed, and the kiss we shared became our world for several moments.
Until someone knocked on the door.
Dinesh pulled back, licking his lower lip with regret as he looked at me.
“Yes?”he asked in a loud voice, not breaking from my gaze.
“It’s Domingo.May I come in?”
