Page 68 of Astrid at Sea

I furiously blinked back the tears, refusing to let them fall and give the pirate the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

The pirate pinched my chin, forcefully yanking my face to look at him.

“Try again,” he growled in my face.

“We came in search of Treasure Island,” I whispered harshly, hating myself for admitting the truth.

“That’s more like it,” he rumbled lowly. “Why have you come in search of Treasure Island?”

“Why do you think? Isn’t it obvious?” I snorted, but the sound was cut short when another slap struck my other cheek, forcing my head the other way.

Viktor struggled harder to free himself, and one of the other pirates walked over to kick him in the chest, sending him flying onto his back.

“Stop it! Please, don’t hurt him!” I called out, unable to hold back the traitorous tears this time.

The leader grinned at me and raised his hand once again. This time, instead of slapping me, he signalled something to theother pirate, who, upon command, grinned wickedly and kicked Viktor once again. This time, the kick was to Viktor’s side, sending him onto his side, where he doubled over when another pirate kicked him hard in the stomach.

“Please! Please, stop it! Stop hurting him!” I begged, nothing short of a blubbering mess right now. But I couldn’t bring myself to care—not when Viktor was being punished for my attitude. “I’m sorry. I’ll tell you whatever you want, but please, leave him alone.”

“I want you to drop the attitude and answer my questions honestly,” the pirate bargained with a sleazy grin.

“I’ll do it,” I quickly agreed, fearful and desperate as I spied the other pirate, rearing his leg back again to hurt Viktor more.

He smiled at me and dropped his hand. The other pirates backed away from Viktor. They didn’t look happy about it, but at least they weren’t hurting him anymore.

I exhaled in relief and forced myself to look up at the pirate through watery eyes.

“We came to Treasure Island in search of the treasure,” I told him honestly.

“And how did a pretty young lass like you get on the ship?”

“My husband is the Captain. We’re newly married and couldn’t stand the thought of being away from each other for so long.”

The pirate quirked a curious brow at me. “Newly married?”

“We hadn’t been married for ten days when we set sail.”

“And where have you come from?” He asked, narrowing his eyes at me in warning. “And don’t even think about lying to me. I’ll know if you are.”

I pursed my lips and forced myself to say, “Jorvik.”

“I’ve never heard of the place,” the pirate hummed, looking as if he didn’t believe me.

“It’s further down south,” I told him. “We’ve been travelling for over a month now, but we’ve also made several stops along the way.”

“Stops? What for?”

“To rest and for food.” When he gave me a pointed look and raised his hand in warning, I sighed, “Sometimes, we also stopped for business.”

“What kind of business?”

“Trade. Honey and spears, mostly.”

“Honey?” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “For food?”

“And medicine.”

“Interesting,” he hummed and rubbed a hand under his chin. “And what’s your name, lass?”

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