Page 39 of Devour the Dark

Perhaps that makes me selfish, wanting both men, wanting them to declare their love. But I’ve lived too long under tyranny to demand anything less.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice sleepy and far away.

His fingers trail through my hair. “Don’t thank me yet.”

It’s a warning, sure, but beneath that, I hear his worry.

I think he’s afraid of disappointing us. I think he’s afraid of just how monstrous he may become.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

HOOK

I can’t seemto shake this cat. It’s following me everywhere, mewling for treats, batting at my trousers as I pass, begging for attention.

“Go on, beast,” I tell it as I make my way below decks.

But the beast either doesn’t understand or pretends it doesn’t.

I go to my room first, but find it empty and a little thread of disappointment pulls at my spine.

No matter. I shouldn’t be surprised that the Crocodile has found other things to entertain himself while I was helping the crew untangle a knot.

I go to Wendy’s room next.

The lamp has been turned down, but moonlight spills in through the circular window next to the bed.

Roc is there, his back propped against the headboard, Wendy curled in his arms. Roc is awake. Wendy is fast asleep.

The kitten meows, then charges in ahead of me, leaping onto the bed.

“There’s my little firecracker,” Roc whispers, cooing at the beast. It clumsily makes its way up Roc’s thighs, then finds a nest between Roc and Wendy, curling into them.

“Of course now it’s behaving!”

“Shhh,” Roc says, scratching at the cat’s head. “He’s sleepy, Captain. Let our firecracker rest.”

I grumble. “Is Wendy…”

“She’s all right. She needed reassurance.”

I understand that more than I’d like to admit.

“Get over here,” he orders.

I kick off my boots, shrug out of my coat, and toss it into the nearby chair.

There’s just enough room on the bed to slide in on Wendy’s other side, sandwiching her between us. She’s warm and soft and smells like honeysuckle. If she needed further reassurance, I wish she would have come to me. I think we are both afraid of drowning in the Crocodile’s ocean. I want her to know she is not alone.

Every day I’m shocked I’m still here, falling further and further in l?—

“Did you save the ship?” Roc asks, teasing me.

“I like to make myself useful.”

He smiles at me over the top of Wendy’s head. “I always have a use for you, Captain.”

“Poor form,” I whisper, but I’m only half joking.

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