by Renee Ryan
If he lost to Jasen, he’d proceed with his plans to move to Yaya’s with Ada and the children. If he won…could he let her go? Either way he’d lose something of great importance.
Chapter Sixteen
Needing to keep his mind on something other than Ada, Nicolaus climbed down into the hold. Unloading crates, working his muscles to exhaustion would force him to focus on something other than his need to be near her.
“You do not trust me to see the merchandise ashore?” Brison blocked the entryway to their stores.
“Get out of my way, little brother.” He didn’t want to hurt Brison’s pride, but he didn’t feel the need to explain his reasons for taking over, either. “I’ve no patience for argument at the moment.”
Brison dropped his hands to his sides, his shoulders hunched. “Have I failed in my duties thus far?”
All the irritation knotting in his muscles disappeared at his younger brother’s look of defeat. Nicolaus clapped a hand on Brison’s shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. “You’ve done all I’ve asked and more. I’ve found the need to keep busy.”
Brison held the keys, but Nicolaus couldn’t find it in him to take them. He smiled. “It is your duty, Brison.”
“Are you certain?” Brison’s eyebrows rose, disappearing beneath his hair.
“Ay, I’m certain. I am yours to command.” Nicolaus winked at his brother, who near jumped with excitement. “At least for now.”
Brison stuck the key into the lock and it opened with a click, but Nicolaus tilted his head, listening for footsteps above, waiting to hear the lighter ones of Ada’s.
“Nicolaus.”
He shook his head and looked to Brison. “What?”
“You wanted to work. Why are you standing there staring at the ceiling?”
Nicolaus growled and took the crate from Brison’s hands. He climbed the stairs. Edith giggled, followed by Ada’s lyrical tones. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the sunlight and when they did he near dropped his crate. Ada’s tunic was gathered in her hands, hiked above her ankles as she danced around in circles with Edith. Their joy had infected his crew over the past few days as Ada and the children grew closer. Even the sternest of his crew broke into laughter at times. At least before most of his men had been below deck and away from the image of Ada’s and Edith’s brilliant smiles, now they all stood around staring with mouths gaping.
Anger surged through his blood. His fingers constricted around the edge of the crate.
“What is going on?”
Nicolaus narrowed his eyes when not a single member of his crew acknowledged his presence. “You’ve duties to attend which are required if you wish to see your pay.”
It took his men a few seconds too long to pull their eyes away and get back to their chores. They could have at least looked ashamed for their impertinent gazes.
Ada released the fabric balled up in her hands and halted their dance. She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she was wont to do when nervous. Edith, the poor child, looked scared to death, and he felt like a cur for causing the little one such fear after all she’d endured.
“You there.” Nicolaus tipped his chin toward a young man, no more than fifteen summers, tossing a rope over the side for them to be moored. “Take this crate down to the wharf and then report to Brison for further instructions. Tell him you are there in my stead.”
“Yes, Captain.” The boy wobbled beneath the weight of the crate as he took it but managed well enough. Nicolaus fought the smile curving his lips. The crate was full of gold figurines he’d purchased for his mother.
“My mother will not be pleased if you drop it.”
“Yes, Captain.” The boy readjusted his hold.
“Ada, gather the children and Chloe. Make haste.”
Her bottom lip quivered as her eyes filled with tears and he instantly regretted his harsh command, but he wouldn’t soften toward her yet. Not until she understood she couldn’t distract his men from their work, that she couldn’t distract him. Singing and dancing, what would the woman do next?
He gritted his teeth together to keep from apologizing and then glanced at the ships moored around his. He knew the moment she’d turned away, for the air seemed to chill. He was tempted to call her back, tempted to ease any concerns she may have about his anger. His jealousy.
He swallowed past the knot in his throat. How would he react when Jasen caught sight of Ada? Although Jasen was his equal in many ways, including his looks, he had an easy speech with the ladies. He knew how to talk with them without being commanding or insulting them. Not that Nicolaus meant to offend, but that seemed to be all he did where Ada was concerned.
“Captain, do I have to go?” Bare feet pattered across the deck as Galen ran toward him. The boy slipped, but Nicolaus caught his elbow and held him upright.
“There is to be no running on my ship, Galen. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Nicolau—” Galen dropped his gaze to his feet. “Captain.”
“What is the problem?”
Galen popped his head up. He jumped up and down. “Can’t I stay here and sleep on the ship?”
Ada came up behind the boy, Edith’s hand held in hers. The babe cradled against her chest. She’d make a wonderful mother to these children. “Chloe is packing the items your grandmother sent along.”
“That is fine. I will have Xandros bring her when he comes.” Nicolaus ruffled Galen’s hair. “As for you, there are people I wish you to meet.”
*
Ada was becoming quite confused with Nicolaus’s change of behavior. One moment he was glaring and barking demands, the next he was smiling and teasing the children. Or he was smiling and teasing her and then stalking away with his fists clenched at his sides. It was a good thing she’d decided she couldn’t be like her mother and fall in love with her master else she would be driven mad with the swift changes of his moods.
Nicolaus led them to the trestle. Ada gasped and took a few steps back. Although wide enough for two men to walk abreast, the steep wooden walkway looked dangerous. It was not something she wanted the children to traverse by themselves. Nor was it something she wanted to descend herself. One wobble and she would tumble into the water. She hadn’t recalled the one upon leaving Ashkelon being so steep, nor did she recall it not having rails to keep her from falling. Perhaps that was because she’d been carried over Nicolaus’s shoulder and had the blessing of her hair veiling her sight. “I think Galen has a good idea. I would not mind staying on the ship.”
Laughter burst from Nicolaus. “Is that so? You who can barely sip water without becoming seasick?” He winked at her as the corners of his mouth turned upward. Her knees seemed to turn to honey. “Besides, there will be no one here to guard you, Ada. No one to keep thieves from stealing you away in the night.”
She squeezed Edith’s hand tighter and darted her gaze around the other vessels bobbing in the water. “I am willing to take that risk.”
Nicolaus leaned in close and whispered, “However, I am not, Ada.”
Her name rolled off his tongue, and his breath caressed the curls near her ear, causing her to shiver.
His face hardened to stone as he clamped a hand on Galen’s shoulder and she near feared he was going to push the boy down the trestle, but he surprised her by kneeling in front of the boy and looking him in the eye. “Galen, you will not run. You must walk in the center as carefully as possible. Do you understand?”
Galen nodded.
“Good. I would not wish you to fall into the water. If you do as told and are careful, I’ll take you to the beacon when morning comes.” Nicolaus pointed to the mountaintop in the distance with a stone structure rising into the sky. Although it reminded her of the high towers at home, it was unlike anything she’d ever seen.
Galen’s eyes grew wide with excitement, and he started to vibrate. Nicolaus squeezed his shoulder. “Remember, do not run. Walk with care, but wait until I tell you to go.”
“Ay
, Ni— Captain.”
“Now,” Nicolaus said as he loosened his hold on Galen and wrapped his hands around Edith’s waist. “How would you like to go for a ride?”
The smile on Edith’s face consumed her chubby cheeks. She started to dance. “Really?”
“Ay, come here.” Nicolaus lifted her into the air and swung her around so that she sat on his shoulders. “You must hold on.”
Edit began to bounce. Nicolaus grabbed hold of her feet and held them tight to his chest.
“Nicolaus.” Ada took a step closer and then thought better of it once she caught sight of the trestle’s steepness. She rooted her feet to the planks as he looked at her. “It is dangerous.”
“No more so than going to the market.” His words were a swift reminder of the last time she’d been to the market, the only time she’d been to the market. “I will return for you and the babe in a moment.”
“B-be careful, please.”
“Of course I will. I would not want to risk the lady’s wrath.”
She held her breath until the moment Galen stepped onto the quay, and then she found a new cause to worry. Men carrying large crates, earthenware jars and amphoras hustled to and fro, and from where she stood, the rocky ledge did not look as wide as the trestle. What if one of the men accidentally knocked the children into the water? It would be much better if Nicolaus stayed with Edith and Galen to make sure they did not get under the foot of a sailor.
She kissed the babe’s crown and pulled in a shaky breath of air. She stepped closer to the trestle and squeezed her eyes closed against the queasiness forming in her stomach. Now was not the time to fall ill. She opened her eyes and looked down the trestle. Nicolaus had almost reached the bottom. If she waited another moment he’d set Edith down and return.
“Would you like some help, Ada?” She turned to find Xandros at her shoulder. Her body shook with relief as she nodded. “Here, I’ll take the babe if you wish and you can crook your arm through mine. One step at a time,” Xandros said when she threaded her arm around his.
She bit the inside of her lip and forced her eyes to remain open by keeping them on Nicolaus’s back. He set Edith down and turned around. The mirth in his eyes dulled and color rose high in his cheeks. He walked back up the trestle until he stood in front of them. His gaze bored into hers, the intensity of it burning through her.
“My thanks,” he ground out through clenched teeth. “I will escort Ada.”
Xandros chuckled. “I should thank you, my friend, else I’d have no flesh left on my arm.”
Ada gasped at the nail marks she’d dug into Xandros. “My apologies.”
Before she could finish her words she was swept off her feet and into Nicolaus’s arms. His pulse pounded against hers. The fear plaguing her disappeared and her heart sang at being so close to him. “I asked you to wait for my return.”
“I know, Nicolaus, but I worried over the children. I did not wish them to get in the way of the sailors moving about and thought to go down the trestle on my own. I am thankful Xandros offered his assistance.”
Nicolaus grumbled a few words, something about friends being helpful. “Do you underestimate my ability to give commands and have them obeyed?” He shook his head. “Of course you do else you would have obeyed me.”
His beard bristled against her cheek and she found herself snuggling closer. “The next time you give me a command I will listen. I vow it.”
“Pfft, do not make vows you do not intend to keep, Ada.” They reached the bottom and he set her on her feet, and then he took the babe from Xandros, who seemed to be happy to be home. “See to it the wet nurse finds her way to the house.”
Nicolaus glanced at Galen. “Hold your sister’s hand and take care to follow my steps.” He grabbed hold of Ada’s hand. The warmth of his palm against hers caused her stomach to flop. She glanced over her shoulder to Xandros as he climbed back up the trestle. She did not have this same reaction when she touched his arm. Was it too late for her, had she already given her heart to this man who so easily carried a babe as if it was his very own?
The toe of her sandal caught against one of the stones and she tripped. Nicolaus caught her against his side to steady her. The closeness stole her breath. Heat rose into her cheeks.
“Take care with your steps, Ada. I would not wish to jump into the water and save you again.”
She halted her feet. Pulling her hand from his, she propped her fists onto her hips and glared at him. “I did not ask you to rescue me, Captain, and I am very capable of walking on my own, thank you.”
She slipped past him and hastened her steps to where the quay met the island. Sailors stopped their works. Some stared with laughter in their eyes as she walked by, others had the good manners to avert their gazes. It wasn’t until she neared the end that she noticed one who wasn’t laughing or averting his gaze. Her feet rooted to the stones. She tossed a glance over her shoulder to be sure Nicolaus remained behind her and then back to the man before her. They both had the same curling hair and thick beard. They also had the same stony jaw. They were the same in many ways, all ways, excepting this man did not cause her heart to soar like the great griffin. The man before her could only be Nicolaus’s twin brother.
Nicolaus caught up to her and placed his palm against the small of her back to nudge her forward. His protection wrapped around her and the children and she wondered if they had anything to fear from this obvious relation of Nicolaus’s. Her eyes widened and she dragged her feet as the truth hit her. The man before them could only be Nicolaus’s brother Jasen, which meant Nicolaus had lost his father’s challenge.
Chapter Seventeen
Nicolaus gritted his teeth. He was happy to see his brother, but he would rather have waited to see him after his father had declared Nicolaus the winner of the challenge. Jasen’s presence could only mean he’d lost, which meant he lost his chance to search for Desma. He would not ask his father for use of one of his ships, granting him false hope. Witnessing his heartache once had been enough.
“Have you treated your crew so awful that you’ve reverted to using women and children?” Jasen asked with a teasing glint in his eye. It was good to see his brother.
“No. We came across a fishing boat near Joppa in need of repairs.”
“And you thought it necessary to bring them home?”
“Only these,” Nicolaus said as he handed the babe to Ada, and then gripped his brother in a hug. “Since Mother has been hounding us to marry so she can experience grandchildren I figured having these little ones will pacify her for a time.”
Jasen patted him on the back. “It is good to see you home. When you did not return…”
“I am well, brother. I am well.”
Nicolaus pulled back from Jasen and motioned for the children to move forward. “This is Edith and Galen, and that—” he pointed to the babe “—is their brother. It seems they fled their island when a volcano erupted and were met by thieves. Their mother was taken.”
Jasen’s nostrils flared as color rose into his cheeks. “These children were left to fend for themselves?”
“They were left along with many old women and a few old men. They had not the resources to care for them. I could not leave them to the mercies of another.”
Jasen nodded, and then tipped his chin toward Ada. “What of her? She has not the look of a Greek, and I cannot see any thief leaving her behind.”
“This is Ada. She is from Ashkelon.” Nicolaus chose not to say any more. His brother did not need to know he had purchased her, not yet.
“I was preparing the vessel to leave on the morrow to go in search of you.”
“We sailed into a storm, and Ada became sick with fever. We ported near Yaya’s until the repairs to the mast could be made and Ada recovered.”
“I had wondered. I may beat you at father’s challenges when it comes to sailing but not by days. You caused me great concern.”
“My apologies, Jasen. I did not mean to worry you.�
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“Come, I would ease our parents’ worry.”
Although he didn’t wish for Ada to be out of his sight, he wasn’t yet ready to face his father and the constant sadness, especially in light of what he’d learned from Knosis. “I have duties to tend to before I can release the men. I only wished to remove the children from the dangers on deck as we unload the merchandise.” Nicolaus smiled. “You’ll be pleased with all you’ve won.”
“I already am.” Jasen’s lips turned up at the corners as he puffed out his chest.
“All that is on board belongs to you except Ada and the crate from Egypt.”
“Egypt? You could not have sailed so far.”
It was Nicolaus’s turn to puff out his chest and grin. “Could I have not? The proof is in the goods.”
“There may still be hope for you to win yet, Nicolaus, as Father goes over our records. Go finish your tasks before Father wears a hole in the tiles waiting for your arrival and Mother burns another meal.”
Nicolaus stilled. His pulse even halted. Could it be his parents actually worried over his absence? With the grief marring his mother’s face and his father’s eyes the last he saw them, he thought it would be little consequence for him to leave. Of course, their youngest son was beneath his care. That could be the only cause for their worry. “I will bring Brison before long, as well.”
He quickly turned away and stalked toward his ship so his jealousy wouldn’t get the best of him as his brother escorted Ada toward his parents’ home. He met Chloe and Xandros halfway and pointed them toward Jasen. When he spied Ada with her shoulders hunched around the babe as if she were scared, he had second thoughts about leaving her to his brother’s care. Truth was, he couldn’t leave his vessel until it was emptied of all cargo and the decks scrubbed down.