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“Everyone in my family is quite taken with you, you know. Even Ernol, in his… unique way.”
The sudden voice from the darkness startled Alenca, who had been grappling with the voice in her head all evening. She quickly turned and smiled at the welcome distraction that was slowly crossing the deck of the Bastion toward her.
Commander Calipoa placed both hands on the rail as she settled in next to Alenca, directing her attention toward the moonlit sea.
“Too bad the same can’t be said for your grandfather,” Alenca replied wryly.
Cali gave her a knowing look before flicking her gaze back to the water’s surface. “Believe me when I tell you that’s for the best. Him wanting you dead is actually preferable to the… alternative.”
A shiver ran up Alenca’s spine at the dark implication lurking behind those words. Unsure of how to respond, she opted for changing the subject.
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping right now? When I last saw you, you were adamant that I leave our cabin so you could get some rest.”
The commander gave her an incredulous look. “Shouldn’t you be more vigilant of your surroundings? There’s someone on board who has repeatedly stated his intentions to kill you, and you didn’t even stir at my footsteps.”
Alenca bit back a smile at Cali’s sudden defensiveness. Or was it protectiveness? Either way, she was deflecting.
“Why, Commander—are you trying to say that you couldn’t sleep because you were worried about me?”
Cali merely shrugged. “You do seem to find yourself in trouble more often than not,” she said, one corner of her mouth tugging up slightly. “But yes, I suppose I was having trouble winding down tonight. I thought I’d come up and get some fresh air.” Her eyes drifted over to Alenca’s. “Enjoy the view.”
Alenca’s breath hitched. Cali was staring at her intently, as if willing her true meaning to become clear. A now-familiar feeling coursed through Alenca’s body, sending her pulse racing. It brought her back to the first day they met, when the commander had protectively pulled her flush against her armor, telling her that she wasn’t powerless against the Onyx Chandler.
It was the same feeling she’d had then.
And one she’d had many times since. Every time Calipoa showed up to fight for her, defend her, help her—despite the myriad risks involved. Or the time at Duliae’s party when she’d gotten a little too drunk and boldly suggested to Alenca that the two of them—just the two of them—go on an adventure together to see the “big dragons.”
That fluttering in her gut, that blooming in her chest—Alenca was beginning to feel it every time she thought of Cali. Her dry sense of humor, the respect that she both commanded and gave. The way her scar danced across her lips whenever she smiled. The color of her eyes—not quite blue, not quite violet, but deeply beautiful all the same.
Alenca was staring into those eyes now as they regarded her curiously. Only then did she realize that she’d not said anything for—well, she really didn’t know for how long. Feeling suddenly embarrassed, she cleared her throat and glanced away, catching the bemused expression on Calipoa’s face out of the corner of her eye.
That expression caused all of Alenca’s self-consciousness to evaporate. Cali’s demeanor tended to have that effect on her. She always seemed to put Alenca at ease and somehow make it look effortless, every time.
Perhaps it was because of this that Alenca did what she did next. Or maybe it was because she had just battled a ship-eater and lived.
Whatever the reason, she was feeling emboldened.
“And does my charming of the Milirose family extend to you, Commander?” Alenca asked, meeting Calipoa’s gaze head on.
Cali let out a throaty chuckle and stepped closer. “You’re an intelligent woman, Alenca. Observant, and cunning. So tell me: What do you think?”
Her voice was a low purr. An invitation.
One Alenca decided to accept.
She moved closer to Cali. “I think… well, I hope—"
Alenca didn’t get to finish her thought before Calipoa’s lips were crashing into hers.
Alenca immediately wrapped her arms around Cali’s neck, pulling her in to a tight embrace as she kissed her back with an intensity to rival Cali’s own. Cali’s arms flew down to Alenca’s waist, encircling her as the two deepened the kiss, the feelings they’d been repressing now emerging full force.
When the two finally parted and resumed their positions at the rail, Alenca felt dazed. Like she was dreaming.
“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that. I hadn’t dared to hope that you…” Calipoa’s eyes lowered as her voice trailed off.
Alenca smiled. “I feel the same way.”
Cali’s expression morphed into one of sly triumph as she leaned over and pressed another quick kiss to Alenca’s lips.
“Do you think your grandparents will give us their blessing?” Alenca asked, a playful twinkle in her eye.
The commander snorted. “Funny.”
“Or at the very least, maybe they won’t want me dead anymore?”
Cali shook her head dismissively. “I wouldn’t count on that—but it doesn’t matter. They can’t touch me, and they know it. Half of Gha’alia is loyal to me, to you—to us—and the other half just need to be persuaded.” She paused. “They will still try to get to you, the others, but they won’t succeed. I have faith in you, and… I’ll protect you.”
Alenca felt her heart skip a beat.
Calipoa entwined her fingers through Alenca’s and looked back out over the ocean. “It’s been a long time…” She furrowed her brow. “Make that a very long time since I’ve cared about someone like this.”
Alenca was startled. “That surprises me. You’re so—” she grasped for words, not sure which one of the many things she adored about Cali to say.
Cali grinned. “I’m going to assume that you’re trying to say something flattering. Truthfully, it can be difficult when you’re in the position I am.” She paused to raise her eyebrows at Alenca. “And when over half the women on the island are related to you.”
A loud bark of laughter erupted from Alenca then, as the absurd truth of the commander’s words sunk in.
“I suppose that would make it difficult. And here I thought I had it bad on Edric, with all of its 18 people.”
Their hands still clasped, Cali brought Alenca’s hand up to her mouth and gently kissed it.
“None of them were worthy of you.”
“Why, Commander, you’re so chivalrous.”
Mischief danced in Cali's eyes as she leaned over and whispered into Alenca’s ear. “What do you say we take this back to our room and I show you just how chivalrous I can be?”