Levrith smiled, but it looked more like a grimace.

  Ceto bristled. “Actually, Levrith is a great sailor! One of the best.”

  “Really? Good for you, Levrith.” He patted Levrith on the back. “Glad to hear you are coming into your own.” He turned back to Ceto. “He’s always been a bit clumsy. Bit of an oaf really. Glad to hear he’s not getting in the way.” His white teeth gleamed as he smiled, oblivious to Ceto’s growing annoyance.

  “Actually,” Ceto said, keeping his voice calm, “he saved me during the last battle. Rushed in and protected me from a sorcerer’s blade.”

  Villerin frowned. “But Mum told me the blade still hit you. She said that’s why you’re here recovering.”

  “Well,” he stammered, “it still scratched me, but not as bad as it would have!”

  “Oh well. Maybe if he loses some weight, he’ll be able to move faster next time.” Vil laughed, slapping Levrith on the back.

  Ceto had a sudden urge to punch his stupid, smiling face.

  “Levrith,” Vil said, “did I see you talking to that woman who threw you aside? Therani?”

  “Umm….” Levrith pushed his food around on his plate with his fork.

  “That’s got to be tough, but can’t say I blame the girl. I can’t imagine who would want to be stuck with a face like this, day in and out for the rest of their life.” He let out a loud laugh, patting Levrith’s cheek. “Or that body.”

  Ceto’s jaw clenched.

  “Anyway, I’m going to grab some food. I don’t want them to be out of the grilled chicken skewers.” He sauntered off.

  Ceto glared at his retreating back. He looked at Levrith, who stared at his plate, not eating.

  “Well?” Ceto asked.

  “Well, what?”

  “Aren’t you annoyed?”

  “With what?”

  “Your brother,” he hissed, keeping his voice low so the others wouldn’t hear. “What he said about you. About you being an oaf! About no one wanting to be stuck with you and your face, or body.”

  “Oh. That’s just Vil. He’s always joking like that. But thanks for trying to defend me.”

  “Of course I defended you. Everything I said, it’s all true. You’re a great sailor. And you saved me. I’d probably be dead if it weren’t for you.”

  He studied Levrith’s face. His expressive brown eyes. Broad nose. Full beard. The lock of hair that escaped his ponytail and rested against his brown skin. His lips, which always were ready to smile. True, he wasn’t what one might describe as classically handsome, like Levrith’s brother. But Ceto would prefer to look at Levrith’s face any day. Prefer to kiss his lips. “And you have a great face.”

  “A great face?” The corner of his mouth lifted.

  Ceto ran his eyes down Levrith’s body. He liked what he saw. True, Levrith wasn’t as toned as his brother, but some, like himself, liked a bit of heft. “Therani would have been lucky to be with you,” Ceto said fiercely and meant it.

  “It’s all right, Ceto. I don’t blame her.” Ceto wanted to disagree, but Levrith continued, “I wasn’t in love with her. She wasn’t in love with me. We were friends, and she found someone whom she loved. I’m happy for her.” He shrugged. “Still didn’t enjoy the public humiliation and everyone feeling sorry for me.” He sighed. “And Vil isn’t wrong. I’m not attractive or much of a catch.”

  “What are you talking about? That’s not true at all.”

  Levrith glanced at Ceto, looking doubtful.

  Ceto couldn’t understand how Levrith thought this way. “It’s true. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

  Levrith smiled, but there was still a sadness in his eyes that Ceto didn’t know how to erase.

  Chapter

  Twelve

  “Do you want to read for a bit?” Levrith asked Ceto. He sat sideways on the sleeping mat, back against the bamboo wall. A lantern cast the room in a soft, warm glow. “But only if you’re not too tired,” he added. Outside, a light rain fell. “I know meeting everyone today was a lot.”

  “I could read for a bit,” Ceto said, dropping down next to him on the mat.

  Warmth radiated from Levrith’s body. Without being obvious, he ran his eyes along Levrith’s large feet and legs. The breeches stretched across his thick thighs, which Ceto definitely thought were appealing.

  All afternoon he’d studied Levrith. It had shocked him that Levrith thought of himself as unappealing. Since then, Ceto couldn’t stop staring at him, running his eyes over his body and face, trying to work out what Levrith saw. Everything Ceto saw looked very good in his eyes. Why didn’t Levrith see it?

  “That’s a new book,” Ceto said as Levrith handed it to him.

  Levrith nodded. “My dad gave it to me. It’s a story about naiads. He got it from the mainland and thought you might like to use it to practice reading.”

  “He knows you’re helping me learn to read?”

  Levrith laughed. “There are no secrets here.”

  Ceto opened the book to the title page. Beneath the title was a black-and-white illustration depicting a naiad underwater. Strangely, she swam in a dress, probably to fit with humans’ sensibilities regarding nudity. In one hand, she clutched a dagger, and her eyes stared in determination at a giant scaled sea serpent three times her size.

  “The Legend of Cyrene, the River Naiad,” Ceto read the title aloud.

  He turned the page and began to read, fingers tracing the words. As he read, Levrith leaned against him, the soft hair on his arm brushing against his. Levrith reached out and held the book for him. He had such big hands with such long thick fingers. Ceto wondered what it would be like to suck those fingers into his mouth and run his tongue around them.

  Where did that thought come from?

  He took a deep breath. Levrith’s scent—sun, sand, and ocean spray—filled his nose. Why did Levrith always smell so good?

  “Are you tired?” Levrith asked.

  “What?”

  Levrith chuckled. “You stopped reading. Time for bed?”

  “Aye, just a bit tired.”

  Levrith stretched his arms over his head. His shirt rode up, giving Ceto a glimpse of brown skin. He had a sudden urge to push the shirt up and run his hands over Levrith’s belly. Ceto looked away.

  Perhaps all this looking and studying Levrith was muddling up his brain. He had never thought of Levrith like this before, never lusted after him.

  Except he had. It was a drunken blur, but he remembered kissing Levrith and the desire that had pulsed through his body at the feel of Levrith’s lips pressed against his own. Suddenly he felt the urge to do it again.

  What is happening?

  “Let’s go to sleep,” Ceto said. Hopefully, when he woke, his mind would be cleared of these thoughts.

  Ceto woke with a start, hot and flustered all over, his cock achingly hard. The light sheet did nothing to hide his erection.

  He’d been dreaming. Levrith had been on top of him, leaning over him, and stroking him. Levrith had been completely naked, and his big hand had been wrapped around Ceto’s cock. Ceto had held Levrith’s other hand to his own mouth, sucking and biting on his fingers.

  His cock twitched at the memory. He wanted to take himself in hand, but he stilled. He glanced over at Levrith, who slept, snoring softly beside him.

  No breeze tonight, and the air hung hot and humid in the room. The sheet covering Levrith had been pushed down to his waist. He could just see the hem of his drawers. Hair covered the man’s chest.

  He felt an urge to crawl on top of him, nuzzle the fuzz covering his torso, and inhale the man’s sweaty scent before tonguing his skin. The taste of salt would fill his mouth. He would travel lower, biting, sucking, and kissing along the trail of fuzz that led beneath the sheet.

  Ceto looked away, staring at the ceiling. He pressed the palm of his hand onto his cock and hissed.

  “Are you all right?” Levrith asked, his voice thick with sleep.

  Ceto rolled onto his side, away from Levrith.

  “Does something hurt?” Levrith sat up. “Is it your arm? Are you all right? Should I run and get my grandma?”

  “I’m fine!” he snapped. “The wound’s practically healed now. You don’t need to fuss so much.”

  Silence.

  “Sorry,” Levrith said, voice soft. Wounded. “Didn’t mean to fuss.”

  He could hear Levrith lie back down.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. I’m such an arse! Such a bloody pig-headed arse! Levrith was just being nice. Kind. His cock deflated.

  “Sorry.” He rolled so he was facing Levrith. “I’m just having trouble sleeping. Makes me moody.”

  “What’s your excuse for all the other times?” Levrith murmured. He chuckled, and Ceto knew he was forgiven. Levrith always forgave him. Levrith was too good. “Is it the heat that’s stopping you from sleeping?”

  “Aye, it’s the heat.” Ceto jumped on the excuse.

  “Do you want to go for a night-time swim? We can if you feel up to it. Always helps me sleep on hot nights.”

  He should refuse. Levrith probably wanted to sleep. He probably didn’t want to go with Ceto down to the water. He was probably just being kind again, but a night dip sounded perfect, and his body tingled in anticipation. “Aye. That would be nice.”

  A few minutes later, they stood at the water’s edge.

  “This was a good idea,” he said to Levrith as he undressed. He glanced at Levrith, whose back was towards him, and realised he was shoving his drawers down. The moonlight reflected off his arse and thick thighs, sprinkled with hair. “You’re going naked?” His voice was unnaturally high-pitched.

  Levrith shrugged. “Everyone’s asleep.”

  Perhaps this wasn’t such a good idea after all. He walked briskly towards the water, trying to not look at Levrith. But unfortunately, his self-control wasn’t strong enough, and he glanced at Levrith, catching a glimpse of his cock.

  He swallowed. Even soft, it was big. What would it be like to go to Levrith, drop to his knees, and take his cock in his mouth? Feel it swell as he swallowed it down? His own dick thickened and swelled.

  Fish and piss! This definitely wasn’t a good idea.

  He walked out into the water and sunk down. He breathed a sigh of mixed disappointment and relief when Levrith, too, entered the water, hiding his lower body from view.

  Ceto lay on his back, floating. The river carried him slowly. Perhaps the problem was it had been such a long time since he’d had sex. He’d been holding out for Silas, and now he hadn’t had sex in years. He frowned. He hadn’t thought of Silas all day. Which was strange—the captain was always on his mind.

  “When I’m strong enough, I want to swim along this river. The whole length.”

  “You’re looking stronger every day,” Levrith said. “You’ll be swimming up and down it like a fish in no time.”

  “I hope so.” Ceto stood, facing Levrith.

  The water came halfway up Levrith’s torso. The moonlight bathed his skin in a pale-blue glow. Levrith smiled. He’s so beautiful when he smiles. Ceto wanted to go to him and kiss him. Would it be so bad if I did? He moved through the water until they were only a few inches apart. He dropped his eyes to the man’s lips.

  Levrith wasn’t smiling anymore. Instead, he watched Ceto as if he knew exactly what Ceto was thinking. It would be so easy to close the distance between them, press their naked bodies together, and kiss him. Really kiss him. Ceto’s body buzzed. Desire propelled him forward.

  A screech echoed from the trees nearby, and Ceto flew back, eyes wide as he searched the trees. “Fish and piss! What was that?”

  “A bat.” Levrith laughed, voice a little breathless. “Just a bat.”

  “A bat? Are they dangerous?”

  “No.” Levrith chuckled.

  Ceto looked at Levrith, who avoided his gaze.

  “Should we head back?” Levrith asked.

  “Aye.”

  They walked the short distance back to the house, avoiding eye contact. Ceto should be relieved to have been interrupted. They were friends, and he didn’t want to do anything to risk that friendship. Still, Ceto couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

  “I think that will be more than enough food, Mum. Ceto and I won’t be able to eat it all. I don’t want it going bad.”

  Levrith didn’t know why he bothered saying anything. Despite his protests, his mother continued to fill a bag of woven reed with food.

  “Well, neither of you are cooking. There isn’t even a stove in your cousin’s place.” His parents’ house was a lot bigger than his cousin’s, with a kitchen and several other rooms. His mother placed another food parcel, wrapped in a pandan leaf and tied with string, into the bag. “And Ceto is sick. He needs to eat. Are you making sure he’s eating?”

  “He eats,” he grumbled.

  Two of his nieces and one of his nephews slept on the floor, curled around one another. His parents often looked after their grandchildren whilst his siblings worked or were busy.

  “Pfff. I’ve seen that boy. He is too thin. And he could grow a bit too.”

  “Mum, he’s about my age. I don’t think naiads grow at that age.”

  “Really? He’s thirty-four?”

  “Thirty-three,” he said.

  “He looks much younger. Well, it can’t hurt. And you need to eat too. You’ve lost weight on that ship.”

  He held his tongue as she reorganised the parcels of food in the bag. He knew she wouldn’t like it if he said that he probably could stand to lose a little more weight.

  “Does he like sweet food? What about sticky rice?”

  “Ummm…” Levrith had no idea. It was rice, so probably not. And he didn’t think Ceto was too keen on sweet food.

  “I’ll put it in, just in case.”

  “Levrith!” His father laughed brightly as he entered the room. “I thought I heard your voice.”

  “Hi, Dad.”

  “I’m still used to you being away. It’s so nice to have you stopping by.” His father took a seat and rested his hands on his stomach.

  “How was the fishing this morning?” Levrith asked.

  “Good. Good. Great weather, and the fish were biting. Couldn’t ask for more. How is the house? Not having any problems?”

  “No problems. Everything’s great.”

  “Do you need more chairs? I’m sure we have some we could lend you.”

  “We’re fine. We already have two, and there are only two of us.”

  “Well, you let us know if you need more.”

  “Will do.” Levrith nodded as he stared at the bag of food his mother had packed. How would he and Ceto finish it?

  “Oh, Levrith,” his mum said. “Vil is at the oval. I passed him there not an hour ago. Can you take some food to him as well? It’ll be lunchtime soon.” She handed him another parcel of food. “Actually, some of his friends were there as well. I’ll just put another bag together. Don’t want them going hungry.”

  A short time later, he made his way, loaded up with food from his mum, to the village oval. He spotted Vil sitting with several other prawners. Prawners worked nights and so could often be found here during the day.

  The group sat together on several fallen logs that had been brought into the oval for this purpose.

  “Levy!” Vil called out as he spotted him. “Haven’t seen much of you since you’re always holed up with the naiad!”

  Levrith waved, smiling at the group. “Mum sent me with food. For all of you.” He handed the bag to Vil.

  “She’s the best.” Vil started pulling out the food.

  “Join us, Levrith,” Ratherin, one of the prawners, said. “You have to tell us what it’s like being a pirate.”

  Levrith moved to sit beside Vil, but before he’d even sat down, the prawners started firing questions at him.

  “How many battles have you been in?”

  “Have you ever seen a kraken?”

  “Have you ever been stabbed?”

  Levrith laughed. “Well, I’ve been in a fair few battles, but I don’t really count each one. I’ve never seen a kraken, but some of the other crew, the ocean naiads, have. And I’ve been stabbed, but—”

  “What I want to know,” Vil interrupted loudly, his mouth full. “Are you and the naiad”—he raised his eyebrows and smiled—“you know?”

  “What? No.” Levrith’s cheeks burned.

  “Really?” Vil’s smile widened.

  Levrith shook his head, looking towards the surf.

  “It’s just, I saw the way you looked at him,” Vil said. “I kind of assumed…”

  Levrith shook his head. He didn’t want to be having this conversation.

  “Well, sorry to hear it, Levy.” Vil clapped him on the shoulder. “You just never have any luck in love, do you? First, Therani throws you aside for the old widower. And now the naiad isn’t interested in you?” He laughed.

  It’s just a joke. He’s not mocking you. That’s how he talks to everyone. Nothing to get angry about. He forced a smile and stood. “I should get back.”

  “Already?” Ratherin asked.

  “I really should get some of this food back to Ceto.” Jaw clenched, Levrith strode away before the prawners had time to respond.

  He knew his brother had only been joking. Still, it always ticked him off. He remembered Ceto’s response to Vil yesterday. He hadn’t thought Vil was funny. He’d even tried to defend Levrith. That thought eased some of the tension in his body.

  “Levrith.”

  He turned to see Ratherin running after him.

  Levrith stopped walking.

  “I wanted to ask…. Well, you see, I also assumed you and Ceto…” Ratherin gave a small laugh.

  Levrith shook his head. Did everyone in the village think he and Ceto were together? Had he been so obvious in his affection?