“Jealous husbands, all the time,” Masaka said under her breath.
Which caused Nibo to glare at her. “Do you mind?”
“All the time,” she repeated. “Do you care? That’s the real question here, love. And the answer there is nay, because if you did, you wouldn’t be getting me into all these messes of yours, or poor Oussou either.”
Oussou cleared his throat. “Leave me out of this, please. Last time I was dragged into one of your fights, you two almost had me gutted. So, I’ll thank you both to leave me over here where I’m feeling awkward and alone enough, thank you very much.”
“Poor Oussou,” Nibo said with feigned sympathy. “Don’t you know, man, that’s the lie we tell ourselves each day. Even when we’re in a crowd or surrounded by what we think are our friends and family, we’re all still standing alone. Always feeling awkward.”
Valynda found his keen insight astounding.
“And you, young miss.” Nibo sighed heavily as he leaned against his crook in a way that really was unbelievably sexy and alluring. She didn’t know what it was about that man, but he could make breathing evocative. There was something about him so incredibly sexual that it made everyone around him want to reach out and pull him near. She’d never seen anything quite like it. “In the future, please be avoiding the conch shells of the sea, if you don’t be minding. As you can see, blowing into them, they’re a bit hazardous to your health and my sanity.”
It took everything she had to focus on the conversation and not how much she wanted to take a bite out of his succulent flesh.
Valynda glanced over her shoulder toward the sea. “Should I ask who the big blowhard was? Just so I know who to avoid in the future?”
Masaka rolled her eyes. “She don’t even know what it is she done. You see what you get when you mix with mortals, man?”
“Relax, Saka. Breathe.” He straightened, and his crook disintegrated back into a belt that he quickly wrapped around his lean waist and buckled over a piece of his anatomy Valynda tried really hard not to notice, as it was a rather large piece. One that grew even bigger in size while her gaze lingered there. Aye, he was a fine one, indeed.
And that made heat sting her cheeks as she quickly averted her gaze.
Nibo laughed. “That was Agwé, and he’s a nasty bugger.”
“When you sleep with his wife.”
He glared at Masaka for her added comment.
“Just saying.” She was completely unabashed.
Nibo arched a brow. “Why don’t you try saying that from somewhere else?”
“Such as?”
“Europe would be a nice change of pace, man. Or back in Vilokan, how’s that for you, eh? Yeah, I like that thought for you a lot. Why don’t you both take some of me rum and go bother Legba or one of the others for a bit?”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she scoffed. “I say you’re a daft, loon bastard thinking with his pizzle. And you might as well go and calm your coconuts, as Kal will be slurping milk out Erzuli’s belly button afore this one opens her gate even to the Brave Ghede. You’re a-wasting your time, brother. Ain’t no way she’ll up her goods to the likes ofyou.”
His eyes and nostrils flared with annoyance. “Ain’t nobody here talking to you or your brother. Now off with you before I decide to make a sacrifice of you both for the sake of me sanity. I’m sure there’s some sea serpent be wanting some indigestion.” Nibo waved his hand and a huge, glowing slit appeared in the air between them. It looked as if someone had ripped a hole straight in the air. “Go!” he barked.
Oussou obeyed without hesitation.
Masaka rolled her eyes, then leaned in to Valynda. “Take me word, gel, if you do decide to let him in, make sure you get a piece of him to hold on to that’ll always be yours. Don’t be the fool that others have been. His is a fickle heart. Off to the next before he’s even left you. Heed my words or you’ll pay a dear, dear price.”
Valynda smiled at her kindness. “Trust me, I know. And I appreciate your candor. But it’s not necessary. I’m not one to go milking any coconuts from anyone, no matter how handsome the tree.”
Masaka laughed, then winked. “I like this one, Bo. She’s a spicy girl.” And with that, she vanished through the portal.
Nibo clenched his fist and sealed it shut before he tsked at her. “I see you’re going to be a handful for me, aren’t you?”
“Not planning to be a handful to any.” And with that, she flounced away, intending to keep herself clear of the loa and his scheming coconuts and accomplices.
If only it’d been so simple.
Valynda sighed as she came back to the present to find herself on board theSea Witch II, staring out the porthole into the murky waves.
So much had changed since that first day when Xuri had charmed her. She should have listened to Masaka and avoided him like the plague he was.
