Page 33 of Of the Stars and Sea

Now, I am truly trapped. He would be a fool to let me out of his sight once we land on shore. And Grayson Tyde is no fool.

My mind starts reeling, thinking of any way I can use this to my advantage.

Maybe if I play into it . . . act as his aide in finding the treasure without giving him a hard time . . . Maybe he would be willing to give me a share. A piece large enough that I can buy out my freedom from Red Beard and everyone on my crew can go free as well.

“Tommy interrupted me before I had the chance to solve the puzzle. I have no idea what’s inside.”

Disbelief clouds Grayson’s face.

“I swear it.”

He is silent for a breath before his face shifts again and he smiles brilliantly at me. A perfect mask to hide the monster beneath slips into place so effortlessly, I almost forget the unspoken threat he made against my crew just moments ago.

“Good.” The chair beneath him scrapes against the floor as he rises and heads back for his seat at the head of the table. Once he settles into the ornate chair, he raises his goblet of wine to me. “Let tonight be a lesson, Little Pearl. I see and hear all things upon my ship. There is no place for you to hide. No place you can escape to—should you try—where I wouldn’t find you.” His laughter is smooth as velvet, another façade cloaking the monster hidden within. “If you lie to me again, there will be grave consequences. Consequences, I fear, that you may never recover from.”

Grayson raises his glass before taking a long drink of his wine.

The only thing whirling through my mind is an image of my dagger sinking deep into his heart. As I raise my own glass to him, I don’t say a word out loud, but I make a silent vow that Grayson Tyde will one day meet the end of my blade.

Chapter 9

With the storm’s passing, the morning air is crisp and light. Small pebbles of dew cover the ship’s railing. I slide my hand over the edge, feeling a jolt from the moisture’s coolness that dampens my skin.

Before the sun rose, Grayson ordered his crew to set the final course for Emerald Cove. Glimmers of the coastline blink in the distance as theCaelestiabreaks through the rolling waves. The wind fills her sails to the brim. It won’t be long now before we make it to the harbor—where my final chance of escape awaits.

If only Amara and Wells had heeded my order . . . So many hurdles have forced a recourse in our pursuit of Thaeto’s treasure, but there might still be an opportunity for me to get a letter to them. To find some way out of Grayson’s hold and escape with the Serpent’s Key. It is a tricky thing. One that will require the upmost care as Grayson is on high alert, and the last thing I want is for him to unleash his wrath on the people I love.

Fatigue tugs at my eyelids as the subtle lull of theCaelestiamoving through the swells, comforts my weary mind. I’ve been running through every scenario possible of how I might get word to Amara and Wells. And sleep evaded me again last night as Iwas restless from the events that transpired at dinner . . . If you could even call it that. It felt more like a torture chamber.

Grayson is no straw-minded male and his astuteness is proving to be a difficult adversary.

The only way Grayson could have known about me lying about the Serpent’s Key was if Tommy saw me pressing the notch back into place and then somehow communicated this to his captain before he departed from the dining quarters.

Not that I blame Tommy for his dedication to his captain. The boy is young and that was a perfect opportunity to bring useful intel to Grayson—one of the few ways someone can move up in rank. When you prove your usefulness time and again, a bond forms.

It was exactly what Raven, Amara, and Wells had all done with me.

A quiet soreness radiates from my chest, despite that I’ve fully recovered from my injuries—thanks to Doc’s potion. The tenderness expands, sinking deep into my heart. I rub my open palm over the center, hoping it will fade. But there is nothing that can take away the sting of losing someone you love. Raven’s death will remain with me—a blight on my already jaded soul.

The only consolation is that she is dancing across the stars now, while I remain here with the pain that breaks another piece of my heart away. Leaving me raw and exposed to anyone who might look at me long enough to notice.

“It shouldn’t be long now.”

I turn to find Tommy coming up to my side. The breeze blows the fine strands of his hair across his forehead as he leans his elbows on the railing. Moisture gathers around his billowing sleeves where his elbows meet the wood. Gazing at the open water with a gentle smile swooping his lips upward, he looks so young. Too young.

I’m once again reminded of Raven and the hurt stabs at my heart. The sharpness so pointed, it makes my entire body reel in pain.

I clear my throat and try to bury the sorrow away to feel another time. “Is Emerald Cove where you call home?”

“Eh! Tommy-boy. Come help me peel these potatoes.” We both turn to find a large man with ruddy cheeks waving his knife in one hand and a potato in the other. The soiled apron he wears tells me he must be the cook.

Tommy bows his head and groans. “Awe, come on! I peeled about a thousand last night.”

The cook blows a raspberry, spittle flies from his lips. “A thousand, my arse! Come now, we need to get through the rest of them before they restock the ship.”

Tommy looks down at me and pouts. I guess good graces have to be won more than once for Grayson to deem someone good enough tonotpeel potatoes.

“I can help,” I offer.

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