Heart of Steel - Meljean Brook [123]
This one looked surprised, however. “This one, Captain Corsair? She is a sound ship, but she has been used before. You were supposed to be told of the markings on the tails that would indicate which ships were new.”
“We were, and I don’t care. Used only means that she has been tested—and she still flies, so she must have passed all her trials. How much?”
“Don’t you want to see—”
“No. She’ll need alterations. Rail cannons at bow and stern. More shelves installed in the captain’s cabin. A different cargo lift, capable of raising . . .” She looked to Archimedes. “What is the biggest thing you have ever found, and wanted badly, but were not able to take with you?”
God, he loved her. “The bronze horses at the basilica in Venice.”
Her brows rose. “Back to Venice?”
“Yes.”
She turned to the Vashon. “Capable of raising four bronze horses, and to store them in her hold. You’ll probably need to enlarge the exterior hold doors, as well.”
“I would have to speak with the carpenters and recalculate the figures. The price will be—”
“Do it. I’ll pay it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He ran for the rope ladder.
Archimedes moved about the deck, looking down the hatchway, making his way to the quarterdeck, where Yasmeen stood with her eyes shining. Not tears now. Already feeling the wind.
“What shall you name her? She will be a lady, I think.”
“Yes. Always a lady.”
“Lady Luck? Lady Love?”
Her sneer was ruined by her laugh. “Those are horrible. You don’t name your own adventures, do you?”
“No. Zenobia never allows me.”
“I see why.”
“She has named Lady Lynx’s skyrunner Steel Flower.”
Yasmeen smiled. “This one has the same feel about her: fierce, loyal. She will fly so well.”
He grinned. “Lady Caracal? Lady Tiger?”
“Stop,” she said, laughing. “Those are awful. Perhaps she will be Lady Nergüi—and she will be no one but my lady.” She slid her hand through his. “You’ll treat her well?”
His lady. “Always, my captain.”
“Then we will see what adventures await us, Mr. Fox,” she said, and met his lips for a kiss.
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Titles by Meljean Brook
DEMON ANGEL
DEMON MOON
DEMON NIGHT
DEMON BOUND
DEMON FORGED
DEMON BLOOD
DEMON MARKED
THE IRON DUKE
HEART OF STEEL
Anthologies
HOT SPELL
(with Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, and Shiloh Walker)
WILD THING
(with Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M. Liu, and Alyssa Day)
FIRST BLOOD
(with Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, and Chris Marie Green)
MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS
(with Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, and Ilona Andrews)
BURNING UP
(with Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, and Virginia Kantra)
ANGELS OF DARKNESS
(with Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Sharon Shinn)