Page 118 of Silver & Gold

“We’ll, um, cross that bridge when we come to it,” Julian replied, bending down to pick up Adavasti. He went down to the cargo hold, no doubt to check whether Seth had secured his trunk properly.

Seth shook his head. “He’s going to find himself in front of the Disciplinary Board, I can guarantee it.”

Raider grinned. “I have a feeling he can handle it. If he can stand up to you, he can certainly stand up to them.”

Seth grunted.

Chuckling, Raider pulled an orange from his pocket and started cutting into it with—

“When did you take that?” Seth demanded, staring at his multi tool in Raider’s hand.

“A few hours ago.” Raider finished with the knife then licked it clean. The sight of Raider’s busy tongue had Seth’s blood moving south—as Raider had no doubt intended. Gods, this was going to be a long voyage if Raider insisted on teasing him like that when they had no hope of privacy.

Seth snatched the multi tool back and cleaned it properly before stowing it in its proper place. “You might end up in front of the Disciplinary Board too with those light fingers.”

Raider grinned. “I never get caught unless I want to be.”

“You like when I catch you.”

“I do.” Raider handed him half of the orange.

As the crew rowed them from the harbor into the sparkling brightness of the ocean, Seth stroked Raider’s hip, noticing that he didn’t look back.

“You’re ready?” Seth asked. “For Masir?”

For me, he meant. Life with me.

Raider seemed to know that because he kissed Seth so hard and deep that several of the crew whistled. Then Raider said against his lips, “Absolutely.”