Crowns and Swords by J.L. Meyrick

Author:J.L. Meyrick [Meyrick, J.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-27T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

~Freddie~

Grace was avoiding her, no question about it anymore. The night of the party changed things between them, and Freddie didn’t know how to make it better. Why couldn’t they return to their friendship? Grace had only admitted an attraction, hadn’t she? Or was it more than that? Was that what they’d had? A true connection?

Freddie’s mind flooded with questions ever since that night. When she spotted Grace in the kitchen, she thought she might figure it all out, but then Grace had to run out before she could say anything.

The sun shone down on her back as she carried out the orders Hawthorne had given her earlier that morning. He’d given her work to do as soon as she’d finished eating, before she could think about talking to Grace. It was as if he knew, he wanted to keep them apart.

The deck was wet from scrubbing, though Grace was thankful not to be the one scrubbing it this time. Hawthorne had promoted her to assisting with mast maintenance, making sure any tears in the sheet were repaired, any chips in the wood filled in. It was tough, but she was learning the ins and outs of life on a ship.

“I can never rest when we sail through this part,” a voice announced behind Freddie.

“I know. My cousin’s ship was attacked a couple of weeks ago. He barely survived ‘imself,” another voice replied. Freddie had no idea what they were talking about, so she turned her ear to listen closer, struggling to make out their words over the waves crashing into the ship.

“Did he see what it was?” the first man asked.

“Not clearly. Just scales and suckers,” the second replied, voice shaking as he recalled the details.

Freddie turned to the side in time to see the first man shivering at the thought of whatever monster they were talking about. They were two of the gunners she hadn’t gotten to know just yet. They had been a little too close to Chadley for her liking.

“And the captain wants us to sail right past the monster?”

“Told you she’s a bit mad.”

It was all Freddie could do to not scold them for speaking ill of Grace. Her fists clenched as she held back from reacting. She tried to refocus on the chip in front of her. It needed sealing and repainting to stop it from getting worse. The process reminded her of the painting classes she had as a child. Her teacher showed her how to repair a mistake in her art, clearing away any blemishes from the finished piece.

“Even if we do make it to Old Salt Cove, there’s sure to be trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“That new captain. He’s meant to be there, isn’t he?”

“So, what if he is?”

“Rumour says he’s taking over crews.” They finished their terse conversation with a knowing look.

A new captain taking over crews? Would they be safe from him? Had Freddie just escaped one cage only to sail right into another? Her need to be free had only grown stronger with her time on the ship.

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