"What are you—" I began, my voice thick with sleep.
He brought one finger to my lips, silencing me. My heart thundered. He lowered his head slowly, lips almost touching mine. Then, slowly, he tilted his head, running the tip of his tongue along the seam of my lips. His tongue was hot, and his breath tasted like expensive pipe smoke and herbal tea. Every single shred of me wanted to lean up and meet his lips with mine, but I was frozen to the spot. He pulled away, running his eyes over my face, taking his time.
"I don't regret touching you for a fucking second." With one hand, he pinched a lock of my pale hair between his fingers, then swirled the strand around one digit. "When you say the word, I'll pick up where I left off."
I couldn't speak, couldn't form words past the thundering of my pulse.
Cypher waited, his eyes searching mine. When I remained silent, he nodded once, as if confirming something to himself. Without another word, he shifted his weight and climbed off me. The loss of his warmth was immediate, leaving me cold and missing him immediately. He moved to the door, never looking back. The latch clicked softly as he pulled it closed behind him.
I lay there, heart racing, body humming with unfulfilled desire. The silence stretched, broken only by the sound of my ragged breathing.
"Well," Kora's voice came suddenly from the other bunk, making me jump. "That felt private."
I bolted upright, clutching the blankets to my chest. "Not a word, Kor. Nothing happened."
"Mhmm." The sound was noncommittal.
I threw a pillow over my own face and I laid back on the bed and muttered, "It's complicated."
She laughed. "Sorry, Junie, but whateverthatwas, happens to be theleastcomplicated thing in your life at the moment."
"It's not very smart to get involved with someone like him. Not right now. My father's still in the Dredge. My mother's dying. I have responsibilities. And Cypher—" I faltered, unable to articulate the storm of feelings he evoked.
"Has responsibilities of his own," Kora finished for me. She was quiet for a moment. "But you know what I think?"
"No, but you're going to tell me anyway."
She snorted. "I think sometimes we use our responsibilities as shields. To protect us from what we really want, because wanting is scary.Havingis scarier because it means possiblylosing."
I groaned, pulling the pillow away from my face, my body slowly returning to a normal temperature. "When did you get so wise?"
"Around the time I stopped lying to myself about Jask." There was a smile in her voice. "Look, I'm not saying abandon your parents. I'm saying maybe there's a way to honor your responsibilities without sacrificing your own happiness."
Morning came too quickly,gray light filtering through the small window. Kora was already gone, her bunk neatly made. I dressed quickly, trying to prepare myself for the inevitable awkwardness of facing Cypher after last night.
The ship was unusually quiet as I made my way to the galley. I found Vic there alone, brewing tea. "You're up early," he remarked, sliding a steaming mug toward me.
"Where is everyone?"
"Scouting expedition. Cypher took most of the crew to explore the hills to the east. Something about water sources." He studied me. "You look tired."
"Didn't sleep well." I sipped the tea, grateful for its warmth. "Any word from Marcellus about my father?"
"Not yet, but communications are spotty here. The anchor crystals barely maintain connection to the Prime Realm."
I frowned, tapping my mug. "How does that work anyway? How do you receive messages across the Gallery?"
Vic's eyes lit up. "Would you like to see for yourself?"
I blinked. "See what?"
"The communication system." He set down his mug with a clink. "Most of the crew doesn't care how it works as long as it does. You're the first person to actually ask me about it"
That made me smile. "Lead the way then."
Vic guided me below deck, past the crew quarters and storage rooms, to a narrow door I'd never noticed before. It was tucked away in a corner, partially hidden behind a stack of crates. He produced a small brass key from his pocket and unlocked it.
"Welcome to my workshop," he said, pushing the door open.
