"No reason," he murmured, turning to press his lips to the palm of her hand. Without another word, he slid out from the bench. Then, before she could voice her possible displeasure, he urged her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, hooking his hands beneath her knees and hefting her into his arms.

He carried her deeper into the ship, following the narrow corridor into the sleeping cabins. "Which one is yours?" He asked, jerking a nod to the bunks built into the hull of the ship.