Page 59 of Pearls of Salt and Sacrifice

“Touch that pearl, and you’ll be steering the Andromeda with a hook for a hand,” she warned in a low voice.

The corner of his mouth lifted, but something shifted in his eyes—a subtle darkening that made her body stiffen in preparation for a fight. But then he grinned and patted her on the head.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, love,” he said, rocking back on his heels. “I’m no petty thief.”

“Of course not. You’re a pirate.”

He shrugged and didn’t seem remotely offended. “Semantics.”

Reva snorted and jammed the pearl deep into her pocket. Later, she’d figure out the proper way to destroy and dispose of a Death Pearl. For now, she planned to keep it on her person at all times.

Groaning as pain rippled through every muscle in her abused body, she braced her palm against the ground and tried to make her weak legs shift beneath her. Rency caught her by the elbow and hauled her to her feet. With one hand on her arm and the other on her hip, he maneuvered her so she could lean against the pillar. Reva blinked away the stars spackling her vision and shoved him away.

“Can someone untie me now?”

Jareth’s plaintive request brought a smile to Reva’s mouth.

“Rency, would you do the honors?” she asked. “I seem to have lost my—”

“Reva!” Felix’s annoyingly familiar voice cut her off.

She groaned and turned as the Destan prince strode across the battlement, waving a sword in one hand. Reva’s soldiers clustered behind him, looking confused and disheveled. “I was coming to help,” Felix said, “but I see you’ve already vanquished the monster.”

“Right.” She eyed him, without an ounce of belief. “Thank you for your…courageous intentions.”

Felix nodded grimly, either not noticing her sarcasm or not caring.

Reva then turned her attention to her men. They formed themselves into an uneven line, expressions ranging from confusion to embarrassment to something hung between the two. “Who’s in charge?” she asked.

One of the older soldiers took a step forward. “Lamont, but he—he’s gone, Your Highness.” He cleared his throat and studied the ground. Then, he stiffened his spine and lifted his head, staring straight ahead. “I think that means I am, Your Highness.”

“Very well.” Reva clutched at her stomach, suppressing the surge of guilt and sorrow that threatened to undo her. How many of her people had she lost today? “I want you and your men to go to the regent’s chambers and place her under arrest.”

The man’s gaze flew to hers, uncertain. “Your—Your Highness?”

“The charge is treason. And murder. And a slew of other things I’ll have my counselors draft up later. Just get her in irons, and we’ll sort out the details soon.”

The guard hesitated but then pounded his fist against his chest, in a salute. After barking orders to the rest of the soldiers, he led the way from the battlement.

Arms reached around her from behind. Reva jerked, twisting to defend herself, but Jareth’s face loomed briefly over hers before he tugged her against his chest. She let him, and it felt good. Really good. He buried his face in the hollow of her shoulder, body trembling as held her against his chest.

Her heart stuttered as she awkwardly patted his back.

“Don’t ever do anything like that again,” he whispered into her hair, voice thick with emotion. “You’re going to be the death of me, Reva.”

She laughed despite herself. “Well, at least you’re fully aware of what you’re getting yourself into.”

“Sand and sharks,” Rency said from behind her. “What an exhausting day. I could use a hug too, Reva.”

Jareth growled something and lifted his head. Reva took great pleasure in imagining the foul look the elf prince might be throwing toward the pirate captain just then.

“Right. No hugs for poor, poor me.” Rency sighed dramatically.

Reva pulled away from Jareth and turned as Felix cleared his throat. “Speaking of poor, poor you,” Felix said, stepping closer to Reva. “Are you going to honor our agreement?”

“Of course.” She forced the words past stiff lips as Jareth’s hand trailed down over her wrist to grip her hand. “I’m a woman of my word. I keep my promises.”

Jareth’s hand flexed and tightened.

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