Grayson starts cutting the meat and vegetables on his plate as he speaks. “You asked to join our efforts in abolishing the sex slave trade. I’d like to hear what you know of it so far. Or if you’ve noticed anything that may be useful, given how much you traveled to the mainland to fulfill Red Beard’s bounties.”
I pop a bite of ham into my mouth and relish the sweet and savory notes that hit my tongue as I think back to all the times my crew and I travelled to Esoros to fulfill a bounty. I swallow the bite and wash it down with a sip of wine. “We didn’t venture far into the city when we made port at Silvermoon Landing. Red Beard has always been . . . impatient. So, the moment we made it to the docks, we’d bring his bounty directly to him.”
“And you never saw anything unsavory or strange at the docks?”
“It depends on what your definition ofstrangeis. Esoros has been falling into darkness since my childhood. Strange things have happened there for years and it’s only getting worse with time. The blight King Renard’s reign has brought to the Southern Realm grows with each passing day. Evil lurks in the darkness there, readying to strike from the shadows. But that does not mean it is the same evil that snatches children from their homes and sells them to the highest bidder.”
Grayson runs a hand over his chin, his gaze growing distant for a moment. “But what if it is?” he whispers so low, I can hardly hear it across the table.
My outstretched hand stills just before the wine glass. “You think King Renard has a part to play in all of this?”
Grayson’s eyes flick up to meet mine. “King Renard loathed his father and the moment he came into power, it seemed like he sought to destroy everything his father built. The city lays in ruin. His people are starving to death in the streets and rumors have begun to spread of far fouler things, making their way down from the Gaelin Mountains up north. He cares only for wealth and power.”
Lost in thought, I run my finger along the rim of the wineglass. “King Renard hates the Northern Realm after they denied his proposal to merge their two houses. What use would he have to send child slaves to their continent when our numbers are already dwindling?”
Grayson shakes his head. “I’m not sure.”
“Has Zaos been able to pick up on anything when you’ve traveled to the mainland?”
He flicks a piece of lint off his tunic. “Not in recent months. We were occupied the moment we heard rumors spreading that Blythe intended to steal the Serpent’s Key.”
“That’s fair.” I take another bite of the now cold ham, but it still tastes divine. “If we have no real leads then it sounds like the only way to acquire one is to go where none of us desire to.”
“The Pit.” Grayson sneers. My skin crawls at the mere mention of Esoros’s underbelly. “It is not a place I’d ever wish for you to see, Rowenya. Once you lay your eyes upon its horrors, you will never be able to rid them from your mind.”
My throat goes dry as I think of Tommy and all the cursed children who were raised there. “If traveling there means we can put an end to the suffering of innocents, then that is a burden I am willing to carry.”
A muscle ticks along his jaw and I know he wants to argue for the sake of my safety and well-being. But this is one fight he won’t win.
“Rowenya—”
I put a hand up. “Please, don’t.”
His lips seal shut and I feel the weight of his discomfort like a stone sitting on my chest.
“Do not cage me, Grayson. Please.” My words waver through my trembling lips.
He stares at me for a moment. Two. Then I see his face fall as he concedes. “You have my word,” he finally says. “I will not stand in your way.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, letting his words wash over me.
We finish our dinner in comfortable silence and by the time the cook delivers a lavish tray of decadent desserts, I’m aching to strip him bare and tastehiminstead.
Chapter 24
An unwelcome chill hangs in the summer air like a grim warning when Grayson and I leave his quarters after dessert and we make our way onto the main deck.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, looking around the unnatural stillness of the ship.
“They took the night off on my orders. They’re all below deck. Getting deep in the bottle, no doubt.”
“You gave them the night off?”
Grayson chuckles as we move closer to the side of the ship. “Despite what you’ve believed about me, I’m not a monster, Rowenya.”
I wince, because that’s exactly what I thought he was. But that was before I knew him.
“What lies ahead . . . is a perilous journey, to put it lightly, and my men work hard every day of their lives. They deserve to have a moment for themselves. Especially knowing that they might not all make it through the next few days.”