Pauline's POV
I muttered every curse word I knew under my breath as we finally boarded the boat, my hands gripping the edge of my jacket so tightly I might tear the fabric. Anything to stop myself from kicking the wooden deck in pure frustration.
Caesar had taken his position at the wheel, his gaze fixed on the choppy waters stretching before us. Lem lounged against the railing like he didn't have a care in the world, laughing as if we hadn't just narrowly escaped a dangerous situation with the South.
His voice rang out across the water, completely carefree despite nearly losing his life to those people.
"You know, I expected the South to be terrible," Lem said through his laughter. "But Valoria's got it made. Niall and Camila are absolute sweethearts. Camila's cookies are incredible. She even packed me some to take home."
