Winterwood by Jacey Bedford

Author:Jacey Bedford [Bedford, Jacey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780698173224
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2016-02-02T06:00:00+00:00

“Permission to come aboard, Captain?” I kept my face straight as the Troubadour’s boat pulled up to the Heart.

“Permission granted, Cap’n.” Hookey’s face split into a big grin.

I wasn’t used to climbing in a skirt, but I managed. David and Mr. Corwen followed, and the lads manhandled our luggage.

There was a low whistle from one of the crew. Hookey turned and glared at Lazy Billy, who looked somewhere in the region of his feet.

“Sorry, Cap’n,” Billy said, slightly bashful. “It’s just that you makes a nice woman, I mean.”

“It’s all right, Billy. I’ll take it as a compliment, just don’t get any big ideas. I still carry a brace of pistols.”

“No, Cap’n. Course not, Cap’n.”

I couldn’t help it, I cracked out laughing, and Hookey gave a great hoot and slapped his thigh.

I was too absorbed by the accounts of the Heart’s refit and the schooner they’d recently taken just off the port of Brest to worry about Mr. Corwen at first, but once the Troubadour’s sails were over the horizon I turned to him.

He was still staring around him, taking in details of the Heart and her crew.

“Now, Mr. Corwen. Tell all. Who are you? Where are you from and who sent you?”

He gestured down the length of the deck. “It’s a fine boat. I can feel there’s winterwood in her making. No wonder you’re not seasick on her.”

“Who sent you, Mr. Corwen?”

“Just Corwen will do. The Lady. She feels the tide of magic moving. She sent me to be her eyes and ears and also her mouth should the need arise. She told you she would be sending me as your guide.”

That clinched my suspicions. I remembered the silver wolf in the forest and how familiar Corwen’s eyes had been, without being able to connect him with any memory of a human.

“You’re a werewolf!”

“Please. A shapechanger.”

I laughed at the hierarchy of magic. Those ruled by the moon would always be at the bottom. “Why didn’t you tell me in Plymouth?”

“I thought you’d have guessed. Did you not feel this?” He brushed his fingers against the back of my hand and suddenly it was as if I was in the Okewood. Magic leaped up within me to meet Corwen’s. I shuddered and drew in a long breath.

“I always have trouble with my magic on land.” I stepped back a pace hurriedly. “I don’t need it at sea as well.”

He inclined his head. “My apologies.”

“Why should she want to help me? And why you?”

“The Lady—”

“Interferes in my life, but it’s you we’re talking about now.”

“I am her loyal servant.”

“So what now? I don’t need a watchdog, or even a watch-wolf.”

The grin that had been close to the surface blossomed fully now. Had I noticed how clean and sharp his teeth were before? “All the same, I am commanded.”

“I’m not.”

I turned to Hookey, who was hovering nearby. “Mr. Corwen will be our honored guest for a while.”

“Ah, right you are. I got a nice little berth belowdecks.”

“That sounds perfect.” I winked at Hookey, and light as you like, he and Sim snapped a set of irons onto Corwen’s wrists.

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