Keeping Cadence by Piper J. Drake

Author:Piper J. Drake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Piper J. Drake

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Cadence bit her lower lip. A strange fluttering tickled her chest and she ducked her head to give herself a moment to gather her thoughts. She didn't trust herself to speak, not if she was going to say something inane. Instead she headed below decks and hoped he had the sense to follow.

Jonathan proved yet again, he was a smart man.

Striding down a central corridor directly below the captain's quarters, she passed several doors before coming to a stop.

"These are guest quarters?" He'd stepped up so close behind her, his breath tickled the shell of her ear. The awareness of the heat of his body just behind her tightened things low in her belly.

"Guest quarters are at the fore of the ship. Crew sleep below. These aft quarters are for senior crew members only." She opened the door and stepped inside, turning as he followed her to close the door behind him.

"Cozy."

It was. Her quarters were just large enough to contain her bunk and a couple of chests containing her personal belongings.

"It's home." She stepped across the tiny space and began removing her weaponry, hanging each firearm with care.

"Facta non Verba." Jonathan traced the words etched in the placard on the wall. "Motto from your family crest?"

She shook her head. "Something my papa used to say."

"Deeds, not words." He managed the translation with ease. "From what I've seen, you are certainly a woman of deeds. Uncommon and maybe even heroic?"

Someone else might have laughed. No. The phrase meant too much to her. She even kept it close, burned into a leather cuff so she could wear it at all times. "There are too many honey-tongued people in this world doing more harm than good. Too many out there breaking their word. My honor is in my actions, not empty promises."

And thanks to papa, she could take action.

The mood had taken on a heavy tone and Jonathan cleared his throat. She didn't know what to say to lighten the moment, so she continued stowing her gear.

"Impressive collection." When she sneaked a peek at him at her side, he was studying her small armory. "Not just pistols, but a couple of ray guns too. You even have the Snider-Enfield rifle. No wonder you could compare the Martini-Henry so readily."

"I've got both now." Even she heard the pleasure in her voice and wasn't ashamed either. She'd snagged it fair and square. With luck, they'd have even more by morning.

"Clever use of space, these hook and closures you've got here."

She shrugged. "I need to be able to get to them quickly, but the sudden maneuvers of any airship means I had to secure them in place. Seemed like the best way to fit both requirements."

He ran a hand over the very small table space she had along the wall and then the tiny drawers beneath. He opened each drawer to expose her carefully stowed ammunition and chuckled. "A place for everything?"

"Best I can manage."

He faced her then, and settled his hands at her waist.

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