he looked quite like he had no idea why I was angry. He sighed and then stepped forward, pulling a knife from behind his back.
“Stay away from me!” I yelled, scooting up against the wall. If he got any closer, I was going to kick him directly in the nether regions.
“So you don’t want me to untie you?” He smiled, wide-eyed and eyebrows high. I really did not like him.
I said nothing, but lowered my guard visibly enough so that he walked forward and knelt beside me to get at the rope around my wrists.
“That-a-girl,” he muttered patronizingly, but I was too distracted to retort.
His ears were pointed in several places, almost like a seashell.
“You made that wall,” I murmured in awe.
It had not been one of the merpeople who had transformed the rain into ice, but this man who appeared to be half human. I had never heard of a half-blood being able to use the magic of his immortal relations, but then again, I had never heard of a half-blood merman at all.
“Yes,” he agreed, and slit the rope. I massaged my wrists. “It was a bit unfair of me, but you have to understand,” he moved and cut the bindings on my legs, “I really did not feel like chasing you.” He smiled and stood. “Now, if you’ll follow me. We must go tell the captain that you’re awake.”
He offered a hand to help me to my feet, and I took it, in awe of the color of his skin. No wonder he seemed so pale; it had the strangest tinge of blue. He led me to the door. I stopped and looked at Levent, whose eyes were still closed.
“What about him?” I said innocently.
These strangers did not seem to know that the dragon-kin and I were previously acquainted, and that was probably for the best. I would try to keep things that way as long as I could.
The bearded man glared at him with obvious disdain.
“He can wait,” he growled, and directed me through the doorway.
I followed the half-blood cautiously, suddenly very aware that I was still only wearing my nightgown under my coat and feeling doubly vulnerable for it. He led us through a larger room full of tables and benches that slid slightly with the rocking of the boat. The wooden skeleton of the ship clearly showed here, and light was provided by a number of lamps. The smell of salt-water grew stronger with each step.