The whole crew gasped in horror to see their precious captain kissed—right smack on the mouth. They snapped to attention and rushed about neatening rope, checking the wind speed, and generally looking anywhere but up.
Only Ransom and I stayed where we were, sitting on the deck facing the sky. I couldn’t bear to miss what happened next.
Sol braced her feet farther apart and unfurled her fists. She spoke defiantly loudly. ‘You kiss like my husband.’
Ulandin prodded his nose and his hand came away red with blood. ‘He was a fine man.’
‘He was,’ she said.
Ulandin stood as straight as he could on one leg and faced her squarely. ‘Are you going to kill me too?’
She looked him up and down. ‘Haven’t made up my mind.’
‘Better kiss me back then, if you’re that way inclined,’ he said.
A crewman
