Page 29 of Chains of Love

DARAK

The stench of fish and salt air assaults my nose as we make our way down the narrow corridor of the ship. Our meager coin only bought us passage in steerage, and my jaw clenches at the thought of sharing space with others, especially a human.

"This is it." The first mate points to a cramped cabin. "Bunk room six."

My shoulders barely fit through the doorway. Inside, three men look up from their belongings – two Dark Elves and a human, just as promised. The space between the bunks is hardly wide enough for me to turn around.

"No." I grab Lirien's arm, ready to drag her back to the purser's office. "We'll find another way."

"We can't afford another way," Lirien whispers, her fingers pressing into my forearm. "This is fine."

It's not fine. The human's gaze lingers too long on Lirien, and the Dark Elves' expressions shift from dismissive to interested at the sight of her. My blood burns.

"Take the top bunk." I guide her to the ladder of the nearest bed. When she hesitates, I grip her waist and lift her up myself, ignoring her squeak of surprise.

"I can climb perfectly well on my own," she hisses down at me.

I pass up our bags, making sure to block the others' view of her with my body. "Just stay up there."

The two Dark Elves spring up from their bunks, all smiles and predatory grace. The shorter one, dressed in a docker's rough clothes, extends his hand.

"Vex," he says. "And this is my brother Karn. We're headed to the eastern ports."

I give his hand the briefest shake possible. "Darak."

"A warrior caste," Karn notes, eyeing my blade. "What brings you down here with us common folk?"

"And such lovely company," Vex adds, craning his neck to peer up at Lirien.

"Hello," Lirien says, far too cheerfully. "I'm-"

"My sister," I cut in sharply. "Who's very tired from our journey."

Vex's smile widens. "No resemblance at all. You must take after different parents."

"How fascinating to meet a Miou," Karn says, ignoring the human who watches silently from his bunk. "Tell me, sister, does he protect you well?"

The way he says 'sister' makes my skin crawl. These zagfer dock workers view her like a prize to be claimed. I've seen that look countless times – in taverns, brothels, back alleys. The same entitled hunger that leads to broken bodies washing up on shore.

"She doesn't need protection," I say coldly. "And she's not interested in conversation."

"Let her speak for herself," Vex suggests, moving closer to the bunk. "We don't bite. Much."

Their laughter grates against my ears. Lirien was right about us. About me. How many humans had I dismissed as worthlessbefore her? How many had I watched my fellow soldiers abuse without a second thought?

These two would be all too happy to use her until she was broken and toss her overboard. Anyone would. By the Thirteen, I might've at one point.

But not now. And I'm not going to let them touch a single hair on her pretty little head.

The ship creaksand groans around us as I lean against the wall beside our bunk, watching Vex and Karn play cards with the human. Three days of this, and my patience wears thinner by the hour. Every laugh, every sideways glance at Lirien's bunk makes my hand itch for my sword.

Lirien shifts above me, her arm dangling over the edge. The sleeve of her robe slides down, revealing the pale skin of her wrist. Karn's eyes dart to it immediately.

I clear my throat and she withdraws her arm. Smart girl.

"Your sister's awful quiet up there," Vex says, not looking up from his cards. "Sure she's not sick?"

"She's fine."

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