Greybrow Serpent (Silver and Orchids Book 2) by Shari L. Tapscott

Author:Shari L. Tapscott [Tapscott, Shari L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-06-16T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A Little Wager

“I think I’m going to ask Yancey to teach me how to do some of that wind magic he’s so good at,” I tell Avery as he unties a knot in a ridiculously large skein of rope.

“One problem,” the captain answers.

I lounge on a crate, swinging my legs and looking down on him as he kneels in front of his work. “What’s that?”

“He doesn’t like you.”

“I don’t like you, and we’re managing just fine.” I nudge his shoulder with the toe of my boot and smile when he momentarily loses his balance.

Avery steadies himself with a hand on my perch and looks up, smirking. He watches me for several moments before he goes back to his task.

We’re several days past the sirens’ islands, and life on board the Greybrow Serpent has returned to normal. Besides a pod of whales we spotted yesterday and a school of sleek silver fish this morning, we haven’t seen any signs of life. The skies have remained clear, the sun hot, and the nights cool.

Avery stands, finished with the prickly rope, and rubs his hands together. “You like me. Even if you won’t admit it.”

I raise a skeptical eyebrow, taking a guilty moment to take him in. The captain is looking like a fine specimen of male perfection at the moment. Early in the day, when the afternoon chased the chill from the morning water, he tossed his jacket aside. This afternoon, when the sun reached its apex in the sky, he tossed his shirt as well. The dress code is far looser this far at sea.

You won’t hear any complaints from me.

In my defense, even though I can’t stand the man, you’d have to be blind not to take at least a little peek. He grins when he notices my gaze wandering, and I let my eyes drift away, trying to be subtle about it.

What’s that, Captain Snake Belly? Was I staring at your nicely-muscled shoulders? You’ll never prove it.

“I’m sure Yancey will be more than happy to sweep you off your feet if you ask him—literally, not figuratively, of course.”

“Of course.”

I involuntarily shiver at the thought of the Boulder attempting romance. He’s likely one of the conquering types from olden years. One day he’ll pick out a girl, drag her from her home by her hair, and then lock her in a tower. Every year on their anniversary, he’ll bring her a bear pelt and a belt woven from the hair of his enemies.

“I’m going to ask him now.” I hop off the crate, eager to have something to do.

Avery takes a step in. “You know he’ll never go for it.”

“Of course he will.”

“Shall we bet on it?” There’s a mischievous twinkle in his eye, one I’m too competitive to resist.

I cross my arms. “I have nothing to wager, but you know that. What do you have in mind?”

Slowly, just to irritate me, he lets his gaze linger on me, and then he grins when he meets my eyes again. “If Yancey turns you down, you have to join me for dinner tonight.

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