Ben absorbed that and winced when Jaxton tugged sharply on his arm. He looked down to see the doctor tie off the last stitch and snip the excess thread.
“Done.” Jaxton flicked a tawny hand toward Briar and Krista. “One of them can wrap your burns. I need to get to the Phoenix to help there.”
“Thank you.”
Krista plopped down on the seat that Doctor Jaxton vacated and picked up a roll of gauze. “Normally, it’d be Zak who helps, but since he’s currently preoccupied, I get to help.”
Ben glanced over his shoulder again. Zak and Jade leaned in close to each other as he wiped away fresh streaks of blood from her arm. Ben pressed his lips together, not trusting his inhibitions. He didn’t want to make another comment when his mind was befuddled by Jade and by the dim memory that ghosted over her when she smiled.
Did he know someone who was similar to her? Why did he have to say that “pretty” comment earlier? Some things, though true, were best left unspoken.
And he didn’t want to interfere with whatever was going on between her and Zak. Ben looked away to meet Krista’s knowing eyes.
She quirked her lips and sighed dramatically as she tugged her chair closer. Krista lowered her voice. “It’s how it goes right now. Zak keeps his distance until something like this happens, then he becomes all protective of her. Then he freaks out and backs off again.” She gently lifted Ben’s arm to start wrapping the gauze. “As much as I wanted them together—I used to call the two of them Zade when they weren’t within hearing distance—he hasn’t been able to make up his mind.”
Ben watched her hands as she deftly wrapped his arm. While all she said was interesting, where she was going with it, and how it involved him, was something he was hesitant to guess. He rolled the two stones in his burned hand. He didn’t trust his lack of a filter right now.
Briar leaned in and tapped his finger against the med-table. “The point of what she’s saying is that we want to see her happy. However that may come about.”
Chapter Sixteen
Jade
Jade didn’t look up as Doctor Jaxton left the med-room to help over at the Phoenix. She desperately wanted to know what was going on over there and if her mother was safe. Just as desperately, she wanted to escape the awkward tension of the room.
You’re pretty. Ben’s words echoed in her mind, and she blew out a breath. Judging from the surprise in his eyes, he hadn’t meant to say it aloud, but it did add some credence to Krista’s theory. Him saving them from the terror was a point in his favor too. She glanced out of the corner of her eye as he talked with Krista and Briar. The terror burns were going to leave him permanently scarred, and they’d hurt like shehalla while they healed. She owed him. Big time.
And while she heard Krista’s voice in her head telling her to maybe move on, maybe give Ben a chance, she couldn’t. She was open to the idea, but it was one thing to think about it—let alone say it—and another to follow through on it.
Especially when sitting this close to the one man whose presence simultaneously soothed and aggravated her. Zak.
He bent over her outstretched arm, breath ghosting across it as he carefully inspected his handiwork on her stitches. He lifted his shoulder to brush a loose strand of dark hair away from his narrowed eyes, and then gently set her arm down to reach for a roll of gauze.
Jade bit her lip and flicked her eyes up to where Krista stood near Ben and Briar. Ben hadn’t looked at her again since his unintended declaration, but Briar shot her a wink while Krista grinned mischievously. Her twinkling eyes spelled certain doom for Jade.
Jade sighed and turned away from her friend.
Bad enough to be injured from something as mundane as falling—even if it was to avoid a terror—but worse to be stitched up by the man she had just declared herself done with. His proximity alone threw off her internal temperature regulation. Her skin felt like it was on fire, and her heart twisted every time she met his eyes. She examined the stain in her blouse to avoid looking at Zak.
Krista’s theory only rubbed salt into the open wound in Jade’s heart. Of course, the first guy that she loved wouldn’t look at her the same. She’d probably scared him away with her clumsiness and constant need to be protected from preying princes. And if not that, then it was the constant grease, sweat stains, and bird’s-nest hair that she sported as one of the ship mechanics.
It doesn’t matter. I’m done. There’s no reason to keep thinking about him or us. Never mind the fact that his hands on her arm gave her goosebumps. Moving on. I’m moving on.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Jade’s thoughts derailed at Zak’s low tone, and her mouth abruptly felt dry when she realized he was talking to her. She hesitated before deciding to adopt his same nonchalant attitude. “I feel bad that Ben got so injured, though.”
“Yes, but he protected you and Krista. I’m indebted to him for that.” Zak’s green eyes held her gaze until he dropped them to focus on her arm. He smoothed the bandage with his long, tan fingers and pressed her pale hand between his two warm palms.
Jade’s heart skittered erratically at the tenderness in his eyes, and she fought to keep her breathing even as her nerves jittered. What was he doing? Was Krista watching this? Ben?
Zak’s shoulders hunched, and he sighed. “Maybe we should—”
The door swung open with a bang, and Samantha stood in the threshold, brown hair disheveled and her right sleeve stained with drying blood. Her eyes met Jade’s and tears welled in them. “Jade!”
“Mom!” Tears slipped down Jade’s cheeks as relief threatened to overwhelm her at the sight of her mother. Alive. Whole. Praise the Author.
Zak dropped Jade’s hand, and he jumped off his seat in a blur of black clothing. “I should get to the Phoenix and help.” His voice was gruff. He pulled carefully marked vials out of the cupboard and shoved them into a leather bag without looking back at Jade. Then he disappeared out the door.
Jade swallowed hard as the turmoil of emotions in her gut threatened to pull her apart. Elation, now…disappointment? She couldn’t identify the feelings that roiled in her gut, and this wasn’t the time or place to melt down over it. Not when her mother was alive.
Family came first.
Samantha took Zak’s seat, and all Jade’s lingering concerns over the ever-annoying male race faded as she took in her mother’s slumped posture and weary eyes.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Samantha leaned over and brushed back a stray lock of Jade’s hair. “I came over as soon as I was able.”
“I’ll survive. It’s a mere flesh wound.” Jade lifted her bandaged arm with a wry grin, burying her confused emotions. “What about you?” Jade reached out and lightly touched her mother’s sleeve. “I see blood. The crew? What actually happened?”
Samantha sighed and leaned back in the chair. “Terrors swarmed and forced us to land. Keene and Steban have light burns, but Schultz says they’ll survive.” Her mother’s lips pressed together, and she stared down at her bloody sleeve with distant eyes. “Elise didn’t make it.”
The air left Jade’s lungs in a rush. “Oh, no. I’m so sorry.” She lunged from her chair to squeeze Samantha in a tight, one-armed hug.
Her mother returned the embrace and pressed a kiss on Jade’s head, then shifted in her chair to tug at the stiffening sleeve.
“Uncle Michael? Aunt Becca?”
“They’re fine. They’re supervising cleanup and medical needs.” Laugh lines crinkled around Samantha’s eyes. “They scared a year off my life though. Your uncle distracted a stalker long enough for Becca to take it down.”
Jade lightly snorted at the mental image of her aunt yelling like a banshee while stabbing at the dragon. “They make a good team.”
“That they do.” Samantha nodded to where Ben sat with his back to them. “Tell me. Is that the new guy that your father mentioned?”
Jade nodded and sank back into her seat. She jostled her arm and muttered a soft curse. “
Yes. He helped save us, but he didn’t understand steam-tech and got burned in the process.”
Samantha winced. “I used to know an herbalist who made amazing burn cream. I wish I knew where he was now, so I could get some. We could really use some on both our ships.”
“Oh, that would be amazing,” Jade agreed with a wistful sigh.
Her mother studied the back of Ben’s head. “Burns aside, from what I can see, he’s pretty good-looking.”
Jade’s jaw dropped. “Mother!”
Samantha grinned—humor momentarily overshadowing the sorrow in her eyes—and shrugged. “Just saying what’s true. Why? Have you not noticed?”
Jade had noticed, but that wasn’t the point.
Samantha continued with a thoughtful tone as she rested her chin in her hand. “You need someone to help you smile through the day.” She rubbed Jade’s knee. “I know things between you and Zak have been tense lately, and you’ve not been yourself.” Her smile softened, and a crease of worry briefly wrinkled her brow. “I just want to see you happy.” She tapped Jade’s arm. “And safe. No more injuries for you, dear. And I need to go talk to that young Ben and thank him for his help.”
Jade tensed. Please don’t say anything embarrassing.
Samantha stood and helped Jade to her feet, hand braced under Jade’s elbow. “Where are you going to go for now? What’s your plan?”
Jade hesitated. “I want to get off the Sapphire for a bit. I’ll go see if anyone out there needs my help.” She’d be distracted, at the very least.
Samantha pulled her in for a quick hug and leaned back with a sly grin. “Are you sure you trust me to talk to the new guy without you supervising?”
Jade flushed and raised her bandaged arm with a glare. “Be nice. I’m injured.” She stuck out her tongue and turned to the door as her mother’s laugh rang clear and free.
Ben’s blue eyes sparkled at Jade as she walked by, and she couldn’t stop herself from smiling back. Krista hovered over his shoulder, a broad grin stretching across her face. Jade turned away and fled out the door before her blush could be noticed.
If only it were so easy to escape the whirling questions in her head.
Chapter Seventeen
Ben
Ben cradled his bandaged arms close to his chest as he leaned his hip against the rail of the top deck and looked out at the night that stretched on. Stars shone brightly in the Perennian night sky, and he recognized none of the constellations. While aspects of Terrene echoed familiarity, the rest of it was strange, wild, and different. Even the air had a unique flavor to it, like it had something extra to it, some sort of spark or just, more.
It niggled at him. Like Jade’s smile. Mocking him with a ghost of a memory that wavered just out of reach. He was certain that he didn’t know Jade from before, but there was something about her, some connection, that he’d be a fool to ignore. Did he know a relative of hers? Or did she remind his subconscious of that blonde woman that he knew back home? And who was that woman? What was she to him? He touched the necklace under his shirt, confirming the ring was still there.
Ben set his elbows on the rail and leaned back to drop his head between his arms with a groan. When would he find answers? How could he find answers?
“Ben?”
Ben whirled around at the voice before he fully registered his own name.
Zak blended in with the barely lit deck, his dark clothes merging with the shadows. He held up a gloved hand. “Easy, man. It’s just me.”
Surprise held Ben’s tongue for only a moment. “How are the ladies?”
The rail vibrated under Ben’s elbows as Zak leaned his back against it. He tilted his head and closed his eyes. “Good.” He cracked an eye open and shot Ben a sympathetic grin. “They’ll be healed of their scratches long before you of your burns.”
Ben huffed a laugh. “Figures.” A cool breeze ruffled his hair, and he watched a nearby tree sway in the wind. “I’m glad to hear it, though. I’m disposable. They’re the only mechanics on board.”
“True, but also not true.” Zak slid his hands in his pockets. “William has mechanic experience, and so does Kerlee, to a limited degree. You, while not currently assigned a position here, aren’t ‘disposable.’ You’re…” Zak hesitated, his brow furrowed, as if searching for the right word. “You’re the filler guy. You fill whatever role we need at whatever time.” His grin flashed in the dark. “We just need to train you in all the other responsibilities here so you can properly fill in that role.”
“I see what you did there,” Ben dead-panned. Then he chuckled and shook his head. Who knew that the quiet swordsman had a bad sense of humor?
“I need to thank you.” Zak’s voice interrupted Ben’s musing.
“Thank me?”
“For saving Jade and Krista.” Zak shifted, and the light of a distant luminary lamp highlighted his serious expression. “They might have been able to handle that terror on their own, but their injuries would’ve been much more grievous.” He took a step away from the railing and bowed deeply. “I’m indebted to you.”
Ben took a step back. “Uh, you’re welcome.” He waited until Zak straightened before deciding to take Briar’s advice. “Can I ask you something?”
Zak raised an eyebrow and nodded, sliding his hands from his pockets to rest on his hips. “I’ll answer as best I can.”
“Thanks.” Ben ran his forearms against the smooth coldness of the railing, thinking of what he wanted answers to first. Maybe working up to the bigger questions would be best. “That was the captain’s wife we rescued today, yes? Why doesn’t she live on the Sapphire with him and Jade?”
A small smirk crossed Zak’s face, and he rubbed at the scruff on his jaw. “You probably haven’t gotten to know her really well yet, but she’s cut from the same stubborn cloth as Slate and Jade. When he met her, she already had her own airship and captaincy. Neither of them wanted to be the one to yield their ship, so they decided to keep things as they were and just make do with whatever land time they could get together.”
“And Jade? She’s with her father and not,” Ben squinted and tried to remember Jade’s mother’s name, “Samantha?”
Zak shrugged. “It’s safer for Jade to be with her father. A woman captain already draws more fire from air pirates; having her daughter onboard would only worsen things.”
Ben nodded slowly. ”And I understand now why Slate’s mission is so important. But why are you here? Briar says you’re a Monomi, and your family is in Doldra, as Guardians.”
Zak’s hand froze, and he slowly ran it through his hair, then let it drop. He grasped at the rail and blew out a breath. “Yes, I’m a Monomi. And yes, we’re known as Guardians in Doldra.”
Curiosity simmered in Ben. “Guardians of what?”
“The keystone, and the barrier,” Zak replied simply. He peered out over the railing, his eyes distant. “Our role is to make sure nothing happens to it.”
“But something did happen to it. That’s why the captain is searching for something to fix it.” Zak furrowed his brow at Ben and Ben shrugged. “I’m just trying to figure out all these pieces and how they fit together.”
Zak’s cheek twitched, and he nodded. “An attack happened on the keystone. That same day, the captain lost his younger sister and the royal family was wiped out.” He dropped his head and his voice lowered. “And I lost my brother.”
A weight settled in Ben’s chest, and he started to rub at it—stopping when his burnt hand flashed with pain. Had he ever experienced loss like this? He must’ve, if the lead in his gut was anything to go by. “I’m sorry.”
“He died a hero.” Zak raised his face to the stars. “As did many others who fought to protect the barrier.”
“So why are you here, and not there?” Ben tugged his thick jacket closer as another chill breeze blew across the deck. “I mean, what’s to guard here?”
Zak glanced back at Ben. “I’m here to help Captain Slate.”
Ben
nodded slowly while taking in Zak’s stiff shoulders and focused expression. Maybe changing the subject would be good. He chose the most cheerful thing he could think of. “And Jade?”
Zak twitched and turned to face Ben fully. His eyes burned and his voice dropped low, steady. “Jade is none of your concern.”
“Woah, easy, there.” Ben pulled back slightly and waited for Zak’s jaw to unclench. He let out a breath when Zak’s tenseness eased some. “I do want to get to know her better,” Ben admitted. He ignored Zak’s crossed arms and set jaw. “There’s something…familiar about her. I’m hoping she can help me remember who I am.”
“I’m all for you getting your memory back.” Zak rocked where he stood, as if he couldn’t decide whether to step into Ben’s space or not. “But you’ll keep your distance from her, if you know what’s good for you.” He nodded stiffly, then spun on his heel and walked away.
Chapter Eighteen
Slate
Slate sighed in relief the moment his boots hit the spongy grass at the Lucrum airship dock in Aerugo. Too many side trips and unwanted adventures had drained much of his limited sanity. He smiled at the quiet scuff of steps behind him and turned to see Samantha stretching, the morning light haloing her fit form. She yawned and wrinkled her nose at him as she straightened her thickly embroidered vest.
“For the record, I’m not adverse to the idea of using the night to sleep,” she commented with a raised eyebrow and small smirk.
Slate shook his head and slid an arm around her shoulders to peck her cheek. “No way. Gotta make up for lost time.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t just hear all that.”
Slate laughed aloud and turned to see Jade at the edge of the gangplank, her expression just as disgruntled as her voice.
Jade grimaced as her eyes bounced between him and Samantha. Garnet stood behind Jade with an amused smile. Jade’s red braid swung back and forth as she shook her head, a blush dotting her cheeks. “Maybe I’ll visit Grandmother later.”
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