The soft lull of the ocean echoed behind the curtains of white as the ship swayed along the current blindly. We dared not correct its path; it knew best where to go when the deep called for a tribute.

I stayed rooted in my spot on the lower deck, not knowing if what covered me was cold sweat or the chilling caress of the thick fog. I shivered in my boots as a light breeze hit my back. It was too late to fetch a cover. I bit my tongue to stifle a curse. Any good sailor knew when it was best to shut their yap, unless they wanted to volunteer.

I prayed that the new cabin boy was apt enough to follow our lead, for his sake.

"Honey?"

My gut wrenched, as if I had taken a boot.

"Honey? Where are you? I can’t see!"

I shut my eyes and mouth tight. It wasn’t her. It couldn’t be. It was trying to lure me in. I said goodbye to her far too long ago for her to sound that radiant. I had to ignore it.

It wasn’t her.

"Honey? Are you teasing me again?" Her voice bubbled.

A tear fell down my cheek. Oh, how I missed that trickling laugh and those warm brown eyes. I could almost see her spinning around, looking for me as her skirts danced around her legs. If only I could hold her again—just for a moment…

"Honey? Come out, come out wherever you are!"

It wasn’t her.

I bit my tongue, hoping that the pain and taste of copper would keep me sane as whatever putrid creature defiled my memories of her.

If only I could run my blade through it.

"Oh, I see," her voice dropped to a whisper. "I’m sorry for bothering you, honey. I thought you would be happy to see me again." She sounded near tears.

My shoulders loosened. Wait long enough and the magic breaks itself.

She never apologized for intruding. I was a fool for doubting the words of a good sailor. I prayed someone did the boy that courtesy as well.

A splash to the side of the ship broke the icy grip over us. Only time would tell if it took its tribute tonight.

The air gradually warmed, but I stayed rooted in my spot until the wall of white melted back into the welcoming darkness. I fetched a cover to ease my shaking and gathered on the lower deck once more for a head count.

One short of a full deck.

Weren’t we supposed to have a new cabin boy? Did he say he couldn’t make it? Ah, youngsters, they do whatever they want these days.