30. Did the Dragons Tell You That?

Startled by Soleil's response to the situation, I laugh…and then immediately catch myself, pretending to choke on my tea. Clearing my throat several times, I murmur, "I'm fine."

I quickly sober again when I think of the situation. The return trip is going to be far more dangerous than I expected.

"What monster are you referring to?" I ask again.

Carlos finally looks at me. "Your explorer—that Loric fellow—suggested we trap one of the cave creatures and bring it back to our king."

"Why?" I demand before I can control my irritation.

Carlos's expression flickers, his eyes narrowing slightly. "King Marcelo should be made aware of the beings that reside in his territory, should he not?"

"Is he going to charge them taxes?" Soleil asks innocently.

She's as wicked as Lukas sometimes. I meet her gaze, silently reminding her to behave. Only mildly chagrined, she presses her lips together to keep from smiling.

Carlos chuckles, thinking the joke was said in good humor. "He should, shouldn't he?" He then turns his eyes to the man in the doorway, his smile fading. "You may go."

The man bows his head and closes the door behind him.

Carlos rubs his temples. "This has been a trying expedition."

"If you'll forgive my boldness," I say, "it does seem a bit cruel to take the creature from his home. Is there, perhaps, another way you could inform King Marcelo of the monsters' existence?"

He chuckles, but this time, the sound is condescending. "Such a weak spot you have for beasts, Davyn. Most boys grow out of their urge to play with lizards and snakes when they become men."

I grit my teeth, laughing even though I'd like to punch the man. "It is a juvenile interest, isn't it? Someday, I hope to overcome it."

"Don't concern yourself over Milindrian business," he adds, waving his hand as if the conversation is over.

I'm leaning forward, preparing to argue further, when a door in the ceiling just behind Carlos cracks open. My eyes catch on it, my pulse leaping when Felicity peeks into the space. She focuses on me, bringing her finger to her lips to remind me to be quiet—like I'm going to announce her arrival to Carlos.

I don't know how she found the hatch, or why she'd dare to use it while we're in the cabin with the ship's captain. But to my horror, her head disappears, replaced by her stockinged feet. She's taken off her boots, likely to move more quietly.

"You're right, of course," I say, immediately moving my attention to Carlos so he won't realize something behind him has captured my attention. "It's not like the monster has feelings."

"All too true," Carlos answers, oblivious. "Speaking of Milindrian matters. What manner of treasure did you find in the dragon's cavern?"

Felicity is on the ground now, tiptoeing toward the journal. But she pauses, her expression concerned. I want to tell her to hurry up—that I'll deal with Carlos—but I don't dare make eye contact with her.

"It was a subpar hoard, the mage's tome the only thing of any value." I shake my head as if disgusted. "It seems the rumor of Katsacale's treasure has either been greatly exaggerated in the last two hundred years…or someone beat us to it. I suspect it was the latter."

Carlos sighs, aggrieved. "At least you recovered the tome. But how did the dragons come into possession of it?"

"The cave dwellers pushed it from the cavern."

He chortles. "Did the dragons tell you that?"

"They did."

His laughter dies off. Uncomfortable, he clears his throat. "I suppose we should resume our duties. I, for one, am more than ready to leave this cursed place."

For once, we're in agreement. But we can't leave yet.

Felicity bolts for the journal, carefully exchanging it for our replacement. She's just climbing atop the desk to pull herself through the trapdoor when she freezes, her eyes landing on something.

Go on. Get out.

But she's on a mission.

"Captain," Soleil says urgently when he begins to turn.

"Yes?" He immediately gives Soleil his whole attention, obviously having a soft spot for her.

But it seems she's drawn a blank.

Suddenly, she gives him a sunny smile, verging on radiant. The poor man is stupefied, as all men would be in his position. "I like your jacket. Have I told you that? Black and yellow would be a difficult color for most men to pull off, but you do it well."

I hold my breath, wondering if he'll fall for that.

A broad smile crosses Carlos's face, and he looks down, smoothing the lapel. "Oh," he says with a semi-humble laugh. "No. I mean, really? You think?"

"Oh, certainly."

Felicity snatches whatever caught her packrat gaze and scurries onto the desk and through the trapdoor, softly shutting it behind her.

"Well, we should be going," Soleil says abruptly as soon as it's clear. "We don't want to keep you. I'm sure your crew is missing you."

"Miss Eldemyer," Carlos says, smiling in a way I'm sure Soleil doesn't care for. "Say, you could travel with us back to Shalada if you'd like? We could get to know each other better."

"Oh." Her eyes widen. "I would…love that. Alas, I'm still tending patients on the Serpent."

The man's face falls. "Yes, that's right. How are they doing?"

"They're doing well, thankfully." She catches herself. "But I still need to keep a close watch on them. Such a dreadful illness."

He glances between us, frowning. "And you said it's not contagious…didn't you?"

"That's right." Her gaze suddenly sharpens. "I mean, not that I know of. I'm not a trained healer or alchemist, so I'm merely making educated guesses." Suddenly, she pulls a horrified face. "Oh, no. Captain."

Carlos's eyes go wide. "What is it?"

"Tiago," she whispers his name like it's a filthy word. "He was exposed. What if it is contagious? You were in such close contact with him. And even if you didn't catch it yesterday, it would take no time for it to spread from the brig to the rest of your ship."

"You're right." The man's expression darkens. "We should throw him overboard."

"No!" Soleil gasps, earning a suspicious look. "He deserves to be taken to Milindria and tried for his crimes."

"I cannot afford a pandemic aboard my ship, Miss Eldemyer."

"Carlos," she says softly, touching his arm. "If only there were a way I could take your burden and make it my own."

I bite my tongue, enjoying this far too much.

The captain drops his eyes to Soleil's hand. "I don't see how you could help. Though I do appreciate the sentiment."

"Unfortunately, you're right. It's not as if we can take him ourselves and lock him in the Serpent's brig." She looks so regretful, so genuinely sad.

He ponders that. "Does the Serpent have a brig?"

"It does, of course," she answers with a giggle. "What kind of backward ship do you think we're running?"

He smiles. "Forgive me, love. I meant no insult."

For the briefest moment, irritation flashes in her eyes. She hides it quickly. She walks her fingers up his arm. "Perhaps this is an opportunity for us both?"

"How so?"

"As an act of genuine, heartfelt apology, we will take your ill prisoner aboard our vessel, risking life and limb for you."

The fool actually thinks about it, scrunching his forehead. "You'd be willing to take that risk? For me?"

"Oh, Captain," she laughs. "Most certainly."

She's laying it on thick now, stroking his ego. If he were to take a step back, he'd realize how skillfully she's playing him.

But he doesn't.

"I think that's a fine idea." He pauses, setting his hand on her arm. "But you must promise me something."

"What?" she asks sharply.

"Say you'll carve aside some time for me when we reach Shalada."

She nods, only looking slightly seasick. "Oh…yes… But we can speak of happier things later, Captain. We must focus on the task at hand for now—let's transport your prisoner."