1888, SS City of New York
Saalik leaned on the railing, watching the water and listening to the sound of the ship. It was late, the decks mostly deserted. Saalik had been on boats before—Elizabeth loved to travel—but nothing quite like the SS City of New York. It was magnificent.
She’d retired early, and he was feeling too impatience for their arrival in the States the following morning to sit still in the cabin.
One of the crew, a porter he recognized from the first day, walked by, giving him a smile. It was a smile he thought might have been an invitation for him to follow, but he didn’t. There would be plenty of time for that once they’d landed in New York. Plenty of time for that once he was reunited with his bottle they’d shipped ahead of them, and he felt less uneasy.
When Elizabeth had explained all she’d learned about what he was and what was needed to free him, he’d instantly, and in no uncertain terms, refused. It was not a risk he was willing to take.
His initial reaction had not surprised her, though it had surprised him, and she had made him promise to think about it. To take his time. She’d said that the voyage across the ocean would take ten days, and by the end of it, he might very well change his mind.
He hadn’t.
Saalik looked back in the direction where the handsome porter had disappeared and sighed. Elizabeth knew him well, but in that she’d been wrong.
He pushed himself up, deciding he might just be able to sleep. Or, maybe he would read until morning. He took his time heading back to their cabin, loving the activity of the crew and the smell of the sea air. It reminded him of something. Something he felt sure was from a past he no longer remembered. The smell of the sea always did.
He let himself in to their rooms, quiet as not to wake Elizabeth, and stood trying to guess what she might have done with her books. She might have put them away on a shelf or left them in her trunk.
“Saal?” Elizabeth’s voice was quiet from the next room, and Saalik pushed her door open just enough to peek in.
“Did you need something?”
“Come here.” She was sitting up and she patted the bed next to her. “Sit down.”
He did as he was asked.
“Saal, I want you to make me a promise.” She grabbed his hands in hers.
“Is everything alright?” She looked pale. “Do you need me to fetch the doctor?”
“I need—”
“Are you seasick?”
“Saal.” She slapped his hand to shut him up. “I just need you to make a promise to me. It’s important.”
“Of course. Anything.”