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suggest that you find a different one. It is not very pleasant watching you sharpen your teeth on someone who does not deserve it.”
    His brother left on Trinity’s heels, leaving Augustine sitting on his own. Shaking his head, he paid the proprietor, and after a moment of thought, he picked up Anastasia’s weavings and honey as well.
    He still wasn’t quite sure why he had lashed out at her the way that he had. It felt crude and cruel when he thought about it now. When he thought of her pretty face, her blue eyes intense and hurt, he felt a pang of regret.
    No, he had acted wrongly, and now he should make amends. If only he knew how to do it…

Chapter Four
    Anastasia went to her small room on the yacht, throwing herself down on the bed. After the heat of the Mediterranean day, the cool dim cabin was exactly what she needed. Despite being able to relax on the crisp sheets, she still winced when she thought of what had happened at the tavern.
    She must have sounded like such a child to Augustine, talking about love as she had. She remembered what he said about people with ulterior motives who asked him about his love life. She imagined that a few years of that would make anyone weary.
    Still, she thought, that was no reason to take his anger out on her. She still felt stung and hurt when she thought of his rough words.
    Anastasia was still thinking about those words when there was a knock on her door.
    “Anastasia? Sweetie, it’s me, let me in.” It was Trinity.
    When she opened the door, her tall friend hugged her, then came in to sit with her on the bed.
    “I’m so sorry that Augustine was rotten to you,” Trinity said remorsefully. “You didn’t deserve that.”
    “I figured that out eventually. It was just a little unexpected.”
    “Yeah, tell me about it. The funny part was that earlier in the day, Apolo and I were being impressed by how much he liked you.”
    Anastasia blinked. “Liked me? Augustine?”
    “Oh yes. Usually, if he doesn’t like someone, he’ll send them from the room in rage or in tears. He’s been…really different with you up until this point.”
    “Well, I can see why he might be short a few friends,” Anastasia sniffled. “He’s mean when he wants to be.”
    “Yes. And for a little while, he seemed to be making an exception for you. We had some hopes…well, never mind that for now. Look, can I give you some advice when it comes to dealing with my thick-headed brother-in-law?”
    Anastasia wasn’t sure that she wanted to hear anything more about Augustine. In fact, it felt rather as if she wanted to spend the rest of her time aboard the ship avoiding him entirely, even if that would mean staying in her cabin for the entire trip. Somehow she ended up nodding.
    “All right, against my better judgment. What do you want to say?”
    Trinity thought for a moment, and then she nodded, as if committing to something.
    “Augustine is not a bad man. He can be abrasive and harsh to the point of cruelty sometimes, but the truth of the matter is that underneath that lies a very good soul. One of the great tenets by which he lives his life is that people must be honest. If you tell him a thing, as long as it is true, he will understand. Does that make sense?”
    “I was telling the truth when I talked about love, though,” Anastasia said with frustration. She didn’t know why she was still fighting a battle that she had decided to give up, but the distinction was important to her.
    “I know you were, honey, and he was horrible for treating you the way he did. But…just remember what I said, all right?”
    Anastasia nodded, leaning against her friend’s shoulder. She suddenly felt exhausted, and she wondered if this little Mediterranean vacation was going to be harder on her than staying in the hustle and bustle of New York.
    Trinity put her arm around her friend, hugging her comfortingly.
    “But seriously, do what you want. This may be his yacht, but it’s my trip, and you are my