The Pirate and the Amber Cat 31

Chapter 31

Suili leaves.

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The Lita Nysse docked at Port Tel Vale south of Leneau. Suili didn't know the town's name, nor did she ask, but she knew it wasn't the same port at which she had first saw the Nysse. She was amazed how fast the return trip had passed with the strong northern winds, and Cortleno's refusal to engage other ships, compared to the leisure voyage to Cold Rock.

The large village was very much like Leneau had been. Fishing boats lined the harbor and shoreline and women shopped at the open air market in the town's center. Children and dogs spent their time dodging parents and owners, and chasing each other down the sunny morning streets.

Suili smoothed her pale green sateen dress as she watched from the ship's deck, welcoming the warm sun on her arms. She found it incredible that less than a week ago she witnessed snow for the first time, and today she was again wearing a summer frock. But she wouldn't be in it long, she knew. The material was ill-suited to riding, and she would change into the bronze skirt and ivory chemise before they left for the valley.

A sadness made her sag against the main deck's derrick base as she watched the crew disperse anxiously into town. She looked to Lucas on the ship rail. Only someone of the mate's angular build could sleep comfortably on a balustrade. He's not really sleeping, she thought. He couldn't be. Surely such a precarious perch took balance. If he were actually sleeping, he would find himself flat on the deck or overboard. Nor would Cortleno leave her completely unattended while he found transportation in town. She saw Lucas' head tilt as he watched the last of the crew filter off the pier.

When Suili saw Cortleno return shortly after noon with a gray horse, she immediately disappeared into the cabin. She changed her clothes, forcing her hands to hasten. She hung the mild green dress in the armoire and folded the screen to the wall, thinking how strange and empty the corner looked to her. With resolve, she found the corduroy bag Cortleno had bought earlier that morning and stuffed the pearl and satin wedding gown into it.

"Take the rest, too," Cortleno said from the doorway.

"That's very generous, but I can't," she determined without looking at him. She paused as her hand rested on the emerald necklace. The gold of the topaz caught the afternoon sun, making its facets gleam sharply. Her eyes went to him. "Do you want this back?"

"Of course not. Remember, it wasn't a gift."

A smile touched her lips, only to fade quickly.

"Wear the boots."

She nodded, watching him retrieve a bow and quiver of arrows from the weapons case. "Why do you need those?"

"Just a precaution." He looked over her apparel without expression. "Take the wrap, too."

Suili felt a sinking despair as Cortleno swung up behind her on the tall gray horse at the edge of the dock. The feeling seemed to magnify when his arm around her took the reins and the horse moved into the port street. She looked back at the Lita Nysse, returning Lucas' wave from the bow.