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The Hummingbird was ready in the harbor when they arrived back, only waiting to get clearance from the harbormaster before they embarked. Once they were in open water, away from prying eyes, they would take to the air.

"I recommend everyone get some sleep," Kaz said, although from his burning eyes Jesper guessed that he for one would not be sleeping much. Someday, Kaz was going to break—Jesper just hoped the rest of them could pick up enough of the pieces when that happened to put him back together again.

There weren't a lot of sleeping places on the Hummingbird, only a couple of hammocks below that wouldn't be in use while the crew sailed the ship. Nina and Zoya took those. Inej went forward, sitting cross-legged in the bow to watch the sea and then the sky go by. Tolya started forward after her, then thought better of it, standing next to the pilot instead. Kaz took up his spot on the other side of the pilot, staring forward, carefully not looking at Inej even though it was clear to Jesper, at least, that he was completely focused on her.

Tolya tossed Jesper a blanket, and Jesper took Wylan by the hand, ducking behind a mast or a spar or whatever it was. It would provide at least some privacy, although not nearly enough. He sat down with his back braced into a corner, and pulled Wylan down with him, his back against Jesper's chest, covering them both with the blanket. They hadn't let go of each other since they'd left Ohval's house, and if Jesper had his way maybe they never would.

Wylan had no objections. He snuggled back into Jesper's warmth with a contented sigh, and they sat there for a while like that, listening to each other breathe, as the ship began to move out of the harbor.

"Jesper."

"Mm?"

That voice in his ear again. Wylan allowed himself to enjoy the shiver that ran through him this time, wanting to revel in every moment from here on. He considered not asking his question, but … he wanted to know. "What did you see? In your hallucination."

"Oh." Jesper's arms tightened around him, his face pressing into Wylan's shoulder. He took a ragged breath, as though he was about to cry. "I can't …" He stopped and cleared his throat. Maybe there would be time later to cry for her, but for now, he couldn't afford to let himself break because he wasn't sure he could keep from shattering completely if he did. "I'll tell you, but … not now."

"Okay." Under the blankets, Wylan's hand found Jesper's, their fingers lacing together. "Why did Ohval give the blade to you? Can you tell me that?"

Jesper breathed out a laugh. "Yes. It was to chastise me for being a terrible Durast. And for being too old to be a terrible Durast. I don't know how she knew, though."

It was Wylan's turn to laugh. "Because you don't hide it very well. I don't know if you know this about yourself," he teased, "but you do rather like to show off. And unbelievable shots and miraculous fixes do tend to add up."

"Yes, but she didn't see any of those. I didn't even get off a shot before she ruined my guns."

"And in the middle of the fight, you fixed them."

"Oh. Good point."

Wylan laughed again, bringing their joined hands up to his mouth and kissing Jesper's knuckles.

"I promised her I would catch up. And … this seems like a good time to do it. Whatever lies ahead of us, I imagine a good Durast will be useful."

"Probably."

"Once we've had a rest, will you help me?"

"I don't know how to be a Durast."

"No, but you know how to learn things—chemistry, music, no doubt many other skills and talents I have yet to discover," he added, smiling, drawing Wylan even more closely into his embrace. "I haven't tried to learn something in—" A memory of his mother, her voice calling him 'little rabbit,' came to him, and he swallowed down the tears. He would talk about her, think about her, again. But not now. "It's been a long time."

"Whatever I can do," Wylan promised. He yawned widely. "Later."

"Later," Jesper agreed. He leaned his head back against the side of the little ship and fell asleep.

When he woke up, somehow they had changed positions completely, although he had no memory of doing so. Wylan leaned back against the wall, and Jesper was curled up like a cat against his chest. The little ship was silent other than the wind in the sails, and the song Wylan was humming.

Feeling Jesper stir, Wylan tucked the blanket up around his shoulders. "No one else is awake yet. Go back to sleep."

"Mm." Jesper nuzzled into his chest. "More pretty music."

For a moment, Wylan wasn't sure what he meant, then he realized he had been humming under his breath. He resumed the song contentedly.

Sleepy as he had been a moment ago, Jesper was wide awake now. He looked up into Wylan's face—the delicate features, the dark lashes sweeping over his eyes, the faint stubble along his jawline. So beautiful. Saints, but he was a lucky man.

Wylan met his eyes, smiling. "What?"

It was the first time Wylan hadn't made any effort at all to hide his smile, and Jesper was delighted. He curved his hand around Wylan's neck and pulled him in for a kiss. It started out sweet and gentle, and then heated.

Pulling away, Wylan took a deep breath, remembering that they were still on the deck of a ship. "I wish we could be alone."

"So do I," Jesper said fervently.

But they were not, and any minute now Kaz Brekker and his cane were going to appear and end this delightful little interlude. And Jesper had no intention of giving Kaz the satisfaction. "Care to help me figure out how to make random pieces of metal into weapons?"

"Of course."

With reluctance, Jesper threw off the blanket and got to his feet, reaching down to help Wylan up before stretching and sniffing the air. "No chance of breakfast, I suppose?"

"Always thinking of your stomach."

Jesper winked at him. "Well, I'd like to think of other things, but that's not exactly in the cards at the moment."

"Don't remind me."

"Wylan." Jesper looked down into his face. "That may just be my new favorite way to wake up."

"What?" Wylan asked softly.

"In your arms, with you singing to me. If—when we get through this, let's do that a lot more."

It was intoxicating—his words, the look in his eyes. If Wylan hadn't known better, he might have thought he was the one hallucinating. "If you like."

Jesper's smile lit his whole face. "I like."