Page 92 of A Flash of Golden Fire

“So lovely to be off theArrowfor a bit. I do love the life I’ve been gifted, but it’s a relief not to be in charge for a spell.”

I smiled. “Aye, or worrying about marauders on the open sea. Are we truly safe here?”

“Aye. We’re among the Brethren of the Coast now, and there are unwritten rules about bringing violence and crime into the port of Cayonne. Further inland you could run into trouble, but here things are managed pretty well. Nobody wants to deal with trouble, as most folks are after a good time. If you become known as someone who brings trouble, you can be barred from the island, and nobody wants that, trust me.”

“So…you’re not a gambling man, then, Dinesh?”

“Not like the rest of them, no. I bet on things that matter. Like bringing aboard my precious ship a bright young fellow with an attitude, who needed occupation and a good ravishing.”

I couldn’t help but smile, now that my belly was filling and the captain was being so charming.

“And who, underneath all the grime and desperation, proved…” He shrugged. “Well, a worthwhile associate.”

“A worthwhile associate? Is that what you think of me?”

But Dinesh grinned, and his eyes sparkled. I realized he was baiting me.

“Oh, my cocky little rooster. I think many other things about you. All of them gracious, but some of them very, very perverse.”

I cleared my throat, licking gravy off my lower lip, and wanting to climb into his lap for a passionate kiss. But, though we were amongst other social outcasts, I didn’t dare. Not all of them would be supportive of two men being intimate in public, and I didn’t want to take any chances.

“In fact,” Dinesh continued, “if you’ll finish your meal and drink your ale, we should go up and make some use of the lovely Domingo.”

“Aye, Captain,” I said, wanting nothing more than to fulfill his every fantasy.

When we were done, Captain Martin paid the innkeeper for the meal and arranged for a room upstairs, where we could stay the night once Domingo had entertained us. I’d never been treated to such luxury, nor had anyone spent this amount of coin on making me happy.

The room itself was adequate and quite clean for such a place. We left our fine jackets and hats, then went to find Domingo. On the lower two floors, we passed a good many closed doors, behind which came the sounds of carnal enjoyment. Captain Martin grinned and wagged his eyebrows at me, no doubt imagining what was to unfold behind Domingo’s door this evening.

That feeling of unease I’d had on first coming to Cayonne had faded over a hot meal and a tankard of ale. But I was anxious once more, now that we were standing outside of room 18.

The captain raised his hand to knock.

“Wait,” I said.

His relaxed fist hung in the air as he gave me a questioning look. “But why? What are you scared of?”

Are you truly asking me this?

“Captain… Dinesh…” I whispered.

His lips parted at the unusual use of his given name. I’d only ever used it once or twice.

“What if this changes things between us?”

His expression softened. “Oh, Rooster. How could it?”

I levelled my gaze at Dinesh. “Have you seen him?”

“Rooster. He’s lovely and beautiful and sweet, but not any more than you.”

I frowned.

“Not evenas muchas you. You are much prettier than Domingo.”

I felt a bit better.

“Really?”