Page 87 of A Yulean Sister’s Guide to Getting Kidnapped

“I have no interest in spending any time on the deck.”

“Why is that?” he asked.

I kept my gaze pointed down at my feet as we walked inland. Though I had gotten better through this trip, there were still a lot of nerves when it came to the ocean itself. I could hear the rush of the waves as they hit the dock we were standing on. Luckily, our conversation and a lot of the dock work made it a bit easier to ignore it.

“I’d prefer not to discuss it.”

Though it was simple, it seemed to dissuade him. “Want to get a drink?”

“I thought there was nothing here,” I said.

He rolled his eyes, “Come on.”

We walked off the pier down the dirt road to what looked like the only tavern in town. The Jolly Eel was a bit rundown, and the sign outside was a bit lopsided, but the inside had a definite charm. I recognized an even number of the crew filling the tables. But Adrian lead us to a separate table, slightly away from everyone else.

The barmaid came for us, and I got a sweet wine while Adrian ordered whisky.

We sipped our drinks in terse silence. I still had no idea how anyone could drink straight liquor like that. My nose wrinkled just watching him sip it.

“What?” he asked, taking obvious note of my gaze.

“Just remembering the whisky I had.”

He laughed. “Yeah, not your best moment.”

I reached across the table and smacked his shoulder. “Don’t be a prick.”

“But you love when I’m a prick.”

“Trust me, I don’t.”

“Whatever you say.”

“You’re impossible,” I said, but with much less bite than I normally did.

“But you like that.”

I didn’t respond, just sipping my wine.

“So,” he continued. “Tell me what’s up with you and the ocean.”

I rolled my eyes. “If I knew you were just taking me here to loosen my lips with alcohol, I might have said no.”

“That was only a bit of the reason,” he said. “I can’t just take a pretty girl for a drink?”

Since when was he so… forward? “No.”

He took a deep sip of his drink. “Just tell me.”

“And what do I get if I do?” I asked.

He pondered this for a moment. “I’ll answer one of your questions.”

It was my turn to think about his request. I did have quite a few questions, and this did seem like the best way to get them answered.

“Fine,” I said finally. “But it’s any question I want, deal?”

“Deal.”