Page 44 of Astrid at Sea

“Thank you, Jerrik.” His words warmed my heart, and my lips stretched into a wide smile. “And once again, thank you for saving me. I was so scared that I was going to die.”

I didn’t tell him that I felt ready to die. That I had accepted the fate I didn’t think I could escape.

“You don’t need to thank me for that, Astrid. If it were someone else from the crew in my place, they would have done the same thing. You’re one of us now, and we look after each other.” His words meant so much more to me than he could ever imagine. “My only regret was that I was naïve enough to leave you alone with Crosby in the first place. If I hadn’t left, you wouldn’t have nearly drowned.”

“It’s not your fault,” I was quick to deny.

There was no way either of us could know that Crosby would have tried to kill me.

Jerrik and I continued chatting as we rowed, though it became difficult to talk and row when my arms ached. Thankfully, Jerrik didn’t seem to mind and was happy to talk for us both, and I was grateful for the distraction.

A loud sigh of relief escaped me as we sided up next to The Serpent, and I moved quickly to attach the chain to my end of the boat. Crosby, however, didn’t work as quickly. Instead, he seemed to be dragging his feet and even waited until Jerrik and I stepped back onto the ship before he even stood up.

One look at Viktor and I knew he had been waiting–and worrying–for us to get back. I didn’t blame him. The sky had already gotten dark, and we were no doubt late for dinner.

Once the rowboat was back on the ship, I threw myself into Viktor’s awaiting arms. I pressed my face into his chest, and he wrapped his arms tightly around me, squeezing me tight. I felt all the worry and anxiety of us being separated from him all day melt away in a deep exhale.

I should have known better than to run into Viktor’s arms like that, but I couldn’t help myself. After the initial relief of being reunited passed, I knew he could sense something was wrong.

“Your dress is so wet it could probably drown you,” Viktor chuckled, but his words didn’t have the effect he probably intended.

Instead of laughing, I stiffened–the confirmation he needed.

“Jerrik? Astrid?” Viktor called out in a dark, grave tone, watching us both carefully. “What happened out there?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“Do you want to tell the story, or shall I?” Jerrik asked me.

I appreciated being given the choice because something told me that if Jerrik were to tell the story, Crosby would suffer a fate worse than drowning.

“We caught some fish, but it wasn’t much,” I started. Twelve, to be exact, including the few Jerrik had brought back with him when he heard the screaming. None were particularly big, but it should be enough for the next two days. “Jerrik swam a little away from us to see if we would have better luck with the fish there.”

“I understand why Jerrik’s clothes are soaked through, but why are yours, my siren?” Viktor asked, and even though his tone was annoyed, his arms around me were warm and homely, holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

“I’m getting there,” I chuckled at his impatience, but the sound was heavy. “Crosby was very upset with me for various reasons. I won’t get into it now, but I wouldn’t say what he wanted to hear…”

“Okay, and?”

“He kind of pushed me off the boat,” I blurted out, unable to think of a better way to say it. “I’m not a very good swimmerand struggled to stay afloat. I was asking Crosby for help, but he didn’t move. I don’t know if he mentally clocked out or what, but he hasn’t said anything since. Thankfully, Jerrik heard me screaming and came over to save me from drowning. If it weren’t for Jerrik, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

Gasps of shock and growls of anger sounded from the crew, who were all listening despite how quietly I had spoken. Viktor, however, didn’t move nor say a thing. I didn’t know which was worse.

“Viktor,” I whispered, digging my fingers into his tunic to get his attention. “Can you hear me, my pirate?”

Instead of answering, Viktor clenched his jaw and bowed his head, pressing his mouth to my ear.

“What else?” He whispered. His warm breath fanned over my neck, making goosebumps rise on my skin. My breath hitched when he dipped his head to press his lips behind my ear, and a shiver ran down my spine. “I know there’s something else, Astrid,” he whispered in a husky tone, rubbing a gentle, comforting hand up and down my back. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. You can tell me anything. You know that.”

I did know that. With others, I would fear that they would blame me for Crosby’s advances, but not Viktor. I never worried or feared that he would find a way to blame me for what Crosby had tried to do.

“He kissed me,” I whispered quietly so only he would hear. “And then he tried putting his hand up my skirt. When I pushed him away, he pushed me into the water. I saw the look in his eyes,” I gulped, forcing myself to continue speaking despite how bitter the words tasted in my mouth. “He wanted me to drown.”

I was thankful Viktor sensed there was more because I couldn’t say it in front of everyone. Narrating Crosby’s attempted assault made me feel disgusting, and the last thing I wanted was for everyone to look at me with pity.

“I owe Jerrik my life for saving you, my siren.” Viktor pressed his face into the crook of my neck, his arms tightening around me despite my soaked dress getting him all wet. “I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you. I wouldn’t be able to go on without you.” His words wounded me, thinking of what would have become of him if something had happened to me today, but I felt the same way. If something were to happen to Viktor, I wouldn’t be able to go on either.

The mere thought of something happening to Viktor had the air escaping my lungs. I wouldn’t be able to breathe if my love wasn’t breathing the same air as me.

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