Caged Princess by Caylen McQueen

Author:Caylen McQueen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: steampunk, steampunk romance, steampunk series, steampunk adventure, ya fantasy series
Publisher: Caylen McQueen
Published: 2020-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

“AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF her face is still lovely.”

Jacques' companions winced at his remark, but they weren't surprised. He had a reputation for being tactless and loose with his tongue.

“That's isn't nice, Jacques,” Rathen admonished him. He was standing closest to Mayra, so he was the only one who could see the gloss in her eye.

“Wot?” When Jacques scratched his head, a disrupted insect was launched from his hair. “I was payin' her a compliment! I said she was halfway lovely! Why's everyone lookin' at me funny?”

Aura wasn't with them, but the brothers' expressions were equally sour. “We're looking at you funny because you're an idiot,” Jossian said. “You could try to be a little more sensitive.”

“Whaaat?” Jacques screeched and doubled over with laughter. “Is the boss really coaching me about sensitivity? No way. Nooo bloody way. You wouldn't know sensitive if it smacked you square on the cock, mate. No offense.”

Jossian shoved Jacques in the direction of the stairs. “Go. Make yourself useful. Take O'Bannon for a walk or something.”

Mayra kept her gaze on Jacques as he staggered to the lower deck. His feet were so ungainly, she doubted his sobriety. When he ran into a wall, a fit of mad cackles burst from his lips. He reminded her of a wild animal.

“I'm sorry if he offended you,” Rathen apologized on his companion's behalf. “He's usually not that stupid.”

“But he is stupid,” Jossian added. “He just seems a little stupider than usual lately.”

“It's alright.” Mayra studied at the airship's propellers as they purred above her head. Uncloaked, she felt awkward. Staring at airship parts was much easier than making eye contact with Rathen or Jossian.

“Rathen,” Jossian swatted his brother's arm. “Would you mind leaving me with Mayra for a bit? There are a few things I'd like to discuss with her.”

“I don't know.” Hesitation pinched the younger brother's face. He considered himself her protector—and he didn't trust Jossian. “Mayra, would you be alright if I left you with Jossian for awhile?”

Her stomach knotted at the thought, but she didn't want to disappoint anyone. “I... guess.”

“You guess, or are you sure?”

She studied Jossian in the corner of her eye. He frightened her. He frightened her ever since they met, and she could never shake the uneasy feeling she felt around him. “I guess I'm sure.”

Rathen hid his reservations behind a tight-lipped smile. “I'll excuse myself then, but...” He brought his lips to Mayra's ear and continued in a whisper, “If he says or does anything to make you uncomfortable, please tell me. I won't let him get away with it.”

Jossian leaned on the airship's rail. The slender piece of metal was the only thing standing between him and a tumble to death. Mayra stood beside him and watched the clouds. When she heard him lighting a cigarette, her nose creased.

After taking his first drag, Jossian said, “So, my brother seems to like you.”

Mayra's cheeks warmed at the observation. “I guess so.”

“There's no need to guess. It's pretty damn obvious,” Jossian said.

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