Thank the goddess for quiet steps and light feet.

  Verna crawled out of her bunk, shifting the blankets so slowly they never made a noise but the faintest hush of cloth. As her bare feet hit the cool wood floor, her heart pounded. But no creak sounded out. No alert came screaming to awaken Lapat and doom her to whatever punishment he might design.

  Punishment? Verna paused, staring at the back of the sleeping tortle. Why would he punish me?

  It didn’t make sense at face value. He was not in charge of her. He was no parent, no guardian, no Brother to admonish her with scripture for her faults. But that did not halt the turmoil churning in her gut, or the guilt sitting all too heavy on her heart.

  “What am I doing wrong?” She whispered, desperate to make sense of it. “I am not disobeying anyone. I am not bringing harm to anyone. I am not disappointing the Lady. And yet...” The feeling was still there, as ingrained as her own name in the back of her mind.

  Verna chewed her lip nervously. Deskin had invited her out. He had been polite and gracious when they spoke. Not like the rest of the crew who gaggled at her and made rude comments. No, the others made her skin crawl, especially Earyne. Just the thought of his name was like nails on a chalkboard, driving a wriggling worm of disgust down her neck. No, Deskin wasn’t like any of the others. Not like anyone she’d met.

  He was interesting. Intriguing. A paradox. She knew that he was a thief, maybe even worse if this gang was his chosen crowd. And yet, he was sweet. Funny even. She knew that all good sense should keep her far away from him. But when he looked at her with those molten eyes, like the heart of a flame, it stirred something inside her. A flutter in her gut, a nervous and exciting buzz she couldn’t get enough of. Her lips lifted up at the thought of him; a gentle, hidden smile she couldn’t suppress even if she wanted to.

  “I’m not doing anything wrong,” she whispered. “I am not getting attached. I just enjoy his company. As I could with anyone, even my brothers and sisters.” She nodded her head, forcing the logic together, arguing against whoever may be listening.

  “My first duty is to my Lady. He is just a companion for this voyage. I still have my quest. I still have my faith.” She touched her fingers to her brow and crept to the edge of the room. As the door creaked to a slow close, she was convinced this departure was nothing. Sneaking out to see the stars with Deskin was just an experience. She didn’t intend to see him, but what he had to offer. Nothing could sway her from the goddess. “I will rejoin Her flock. I will be one with Her.”

  As Verna rose to the deck, a cool breeze nipped at her exposed skin. She pulled the brown jacket close around her shoulders and searched for him. Near midnight, the deck was empty and dark except for a few men sitting around a torch near the stern. Above her, the sky was starless and black. Were it not for the light of the full moon, she would have been blind.

  She stood near the mast, running her fingers through her hair one last time. It would be improper for a priestess of the Lady to be dirtied, she assured herself. She had no need to present well for Deskin; she was only protecting the reputation of the goddess. As all Her followers should. To honor Her. Not to impress Deskin. Not even in the slightest.

  But as Verna pushed back a rogue silver lock, her mind began to race. What if he didn’t show? What if this was all an elaborate trick? What if he meant to leave her up here? What if it was just a game to him? What if he only wanted to ridicule her? To embarrass her? What if-

  “Hey, darling.”

  His voice was thick and sweet, like honey melting across her skin. Verna whirled to his approach and felt her stomach flip. He stepped out of the shadows like a dark dream; his crimson skin kissed in the pale moonlight. He had traded common leather clothes for a jet-black jacket. One that pulled tight against his frame, revealing a simple white shirt and a belt of daggers beneath.

  “Hey,” Verna stuttered, trying to bury the smile already forming on her lips.

  He sauntered towards her, his eyes ablaze with warmth. “Didn’t think you’d come.”

  “I thought maybe you had decided not to,” Verna responded. “Are you expecting trouble?” She pointed down to his blades.

  Deskin shrugged, all the worry in the world just falling from him. “It’s a beautiful night. Can never be too careful. I’d hate to have to fight someone for our spot.”

  “Our spot?” Verna smiled. “Do we have claim to it already?”

  “Not yet,” Deskin stepped closer, a warm leathery musk of leather wafting off him. “But I’d like to.”

  Verna turned, ignoring the way his scent made her heart flutter. “Then please, go right ahead.”

  Deskin smiled and led her to the bow, his stride in match with hers. She gazed out at the riverbed. The gnarled oaks that had groped the shore had pulled back from the water. Many stood tall and isolated, weaving away from the others. Protecting themselves, Verna thought. Reaching out to the sun with a purpose. Not distracted by the others around them. Verna felt the guilt roil in her gut once more. Maybe I shouldn’t be-

  “Everything alright?” Deskin’s voice cut through her thoughts. She looked up to see him staring at her.

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  “Yes.” A breeze made her hair fall in front of her face. “It is just colder up here than below deck.”

  Deskin’s eyes went wide, falling to her exposed legs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t really think about your robes. You want me to get a blanket or something?”

  “I’m okay,” Verna smiled. “What did you want to show me?”

  Deskin turned to the river. “It’s down in the water here.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes flared. “In the water?”

  “Yeah? Just off the bow over here.”

  “Actually, I think I may be a little too cold after all.” Verna turned to walk away, but Deskin caught up to her in a stride.

  “What’s going on? I’m not going to push you off if that is what you think.” He laughed, but Verna’s face went white as her robes. “Vern, I was just kidding-”

  “I think I should go back below deck.” She turned from him and began to walk away.

  “Wait.” He looked around the deck. “You aren’t afraid of the water, are you? Like…you know how to swim?”

  “I am not afraid, I am just…hesitant?”

  “Wait, so you are afraid of water, can’t swim, and decided to take a boat ride with a bunch of criminals?”

  “I’m not afraid!” she shouted. A few deckhands looked over before going back to their business. She lowered her voice. “This boat was not my decision, mind you. But no, I cannot swim.”

  “Well, good news is we aren’t going over anytime soon.” She glared at him, but he put his hands up to slow her wrath. “I will be there the whole time. We are just gonna be against the railing, I promise.”

  Verna looked down, eyeing the bow suspiciously. “What is it? The thing you wanted to show me.”

  “It is hard to describe.” Deskin smiled. “You need to just see it for yourself.”

  “I…I can’t.” Verna’s foot slid back.

  “Whoa. Whoa, it is okay. Just close your eyes. I’ll take you the rest of the way.”

  Verna’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

  Deskin put his hands out, “I’ll guide you there. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  She stared at him for a long moment, her heart pounding out of her chest. Slowly, she slid her fingers into his rough, open hands, the very touch sending sparks of electricity through her body.

  “Just one foot at a time,” he whispered softly.

  “One foot at a time,” she closed her eyes, “Take me there.”

  Step by small step, she worked her way forward. Warmth radiated off him, his body inches from hers. She could feel the gentle but firm grip of his hands around hers. Then suddenly she felt the railing. “Goddess!” She gripped the wood tight, trembling.

  “It’s okay. I won’t let go.” His hand settled delicately on her back. “Now, open your eyes.”

  Hesitantly, she peeled her eyes open and gasped. The river glowed beneath them, sparkling yellow like a dream. A school of sunfish rode the ship’s current, their golden scales shown like flames beneath the water. Light danced off the boat and deep into the riverbed, exposing all manner of hidden creatures and plant life.

  “They are…beautiful.”

  “Yeah…beautiful,” he whispered.

  She looked over at him, his gaze on her rather than the river below. She flushed, his smile warming her like a fire.

  “Glad you escaped the old man?”

  Verna laughed. ‘Very glad.”

  “Come on,” he motioned. “Let’s get you back to safety.”

  They stepped away from the railing, walking back to the mast, Verna’s fears calming with every step, though her heart pounded as she inched closer to him.

  “Lapat isn’t so bad. Just protective, I think. I remind him of a daughter. Or maybe a granddaughter. And besides, you make him nervous.”

  “I make him nervous?” Deskin chuckled.

  “Yes, you and your crew. I don’t think he’s spent much time around...” Verna paused, unsure of what to say or what to call them.

  “Criminals?” Deskin mused. “Gangsters? Runners? Some no-good boys?”

  “Yes. To all of them. I think he is just scared.”

  “Are you?” Deskin whispered tauntingly. “Are you scared?”

  A soft breeze ran across Verna’s skin, drawing goosebumps to her neck. “No.”

  He leaned in close, his eyes falling to her lips for a heartbeat. “Maybe you should be.”

  The words burned in her core, every second feeling like an eternity. His voice was a rolling growl, drawing her in. She stared into him, leaning forward as if under a spell. His face was inches away, his jaw tight and strong.

  She whispered softly into the breeze. “Are you going to hurt me?”

  His eyes flamed with desire. She could feel his hands, rough and tight, gripping her waist. It was all she could do to not kiss him. Her mind was a blur, spinning and whirling, drawing ever closer to him.

  “Yes.”

  His eyes darkened. The word was tight and pained. He pulled back, letting his hands fall. Verna hadn’t even realized how tight he had held her. He turned away, anger roiling across his face.

  “Deskin?” She pleaded, but there was no response. She didn’t know what had come over her. Or what had happened. It had all seemed so right. So perfect. And yet, the night was that much darker, the moon that much farther, and Deskin all the more distant. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean-”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said quickly, his voice cold. “I shouldn’t have asked you to come here. It was a mistake.”

  Verna stepped back as if slapped. “A mistake?”

  He kept his back turned to her, blocking her out, shoving her away. Verna’s mind raced, but there were no words. All the shame and guilt bubbled inside her, turning to anger and rage. “You’re right. This was a mistake. I thought for a moment you might actually be more than just another thief.”

  Deskin whirled, his mouth open to speak, but she only stepped further away.

  “I shouldn’t have come here. I shouldn't even be here. I have a duty to the Lady. A holy task to reach Lightfall.” Verna touched her fingers to her brow. “Thank you for reminding me of that.”

  “Remind you?” Deskin growled. “Remind you that you are a slave? That you could do anything you wanted, but you choose to beg on your knees?”

  “A slave?” Verna shouted. “You are one to talk! Look at you, thief! I serve the goddess with love and devotion in my heart! Who are you to judge me?”

  “Love?” Deskin spat out the word. “Those preachers don’t love you! Don’t you think I saw the cuts on your hands? The bruises on your cheeks?”

  “That isn’t their fault! I did that to myself! I deserved to be punished!” Verna panted, the words hot in her chest. “I belong to the goddess! I have a purpose!”

  “A purpose? Or a master?” Deskin snarled. “That isn’t love.”

  “What would you know about love? The Lady loves me! I am Hers! At least I have someone. Who do you have?”

  “No one!” Deskin screamed. “I’ve got no one!”

  The words echoed through the night.

  Deskin’s chest heaved, every breath a weight. Verna stared at him, a deep sadness cracking her anger. For a moment in the darkness of the night, he was all alone. For a second, he was just a scared little boy, desperate to be loved. But it vanished. Deskin turned away, dissolving the feeling inside her.

  “Go to bed.” His shoulders fell, a clear dismissal.

  She wanted to reach out to him. To put a hand on his shoulder and tell him everything was going to be alright. But she didn’t. She couldn’t. There was too much between them. A gap she had foolishly thought she could ignore. But it was impossible. He was a distraction from her true purpose.

  “Goodnight, Deskin.” She let the words blow away in the wind. Clouds gathered high above her, forcing her down, forcing her away. But it was better this way. It had to be. For both their sakes.