Page 51 of Of the Stars and Sea

“I was going to leave tonight because the stake I have in Thaeto’s treasure is not enough. As the only person responsible for decoding the Serpent’s Key, I feel I deserve more.” The words are out before I have a chance to think fully about the consequences of speaking them aloud.

A muscle feathers along Grayson’s jaw—the only indication that he heard me as he fixes his gaze on some place out the window. Several moments pass between us and he remains quiet.

“Grayson?” I ask, feeling the pressure of his silence.

When he finally looks at me, the haziness of his eyes has passed like a storm clearing to give way to clear blue skies.

“You attempt to escape tonight with the Serpent’s Key and now you ask for an increase in your share? Tell me, why should I take more from my men to give to you knowing that you would betray them so easily?”

I reel back. “Betray them? They are notmycrew. Andyouare notmycaptain. If I recall correctly, it isyouwho stole the key fromme, forced me to come upon your ship and solve the puzzle box against my will.”

“You had a choice,” he challenges.

I bark a laugh and turn my back on him, moving to the window. “A choice? The only other option was to fight you and Blythe at once! Three souls against two crews? What choice is that?” My voice raises and I shift to face him again. “I already lost one person I loved that night. You think it would have been the right choice for me to ask the only other two people I care for to willingly sacrifice themselves knowing their deaths would be in vain?”

One of the lantern’s candles burns out, casting half of his face in darkness. “We may not like the paths presented to us,but there is always a choice. Just as you chose to try to escape tonight. You could have easily stayed in this room, built my trust in you over time and then ask me for a larger share of the treasure. Instead, you decided to run.” He moves toward me again and this time there is no hint of the Grayson I’ve seen glimmers of. There’s only the cold, unfeeling male. “So, tell me. Why should I take what is rightfully owed to my men and give you a larger share?”

The rage I feel from his entrapment makes me see red. None of this is fair. Not Raven’s death. Not the prize that was stolen from us mere seconds after her demise. Not the torment of both loathing and desiring Grayson Tyde. And certainly not my need to beg him for a share in the loot that rightfully belongs to my crew.

But it is the pirate’s way. To steal and kill our way to whatever end we find worthy of chasing. It is all I have known and I feel the fatigue of it in my bones. The need to simply rest for a moment without having to look over my shoulder, waiting to see who might be aiming their dagger at my back. The burden has grown so heavy, I fear there is an imprint of its weight on my shoulders that will never be undone. And the torment it has on my heart is the only reason I tell Grayson the terrible truth.

My shoulders sag as I release a long exhale. “When my father died, it took two days for Red Beard to show up on our front doorstep with a pile of papers indicating my father’s debts to him. It turns out that the power my father had before he was hung from the gallows was a falsehood. He possessed countless loans from Red Beard and was in the process of collecting prizes to pay them off.

“Before my mother and I even had a chance to bury his casket, Red Beard assumed me to take over my father’s debts as his only living heir.” Pulling the center of my tunic to the side, I turn around so he can see the scar just below the left side ofmy collarbone. “I was just shy of my sixteenth birthday before he brought his brand to my skin, marking me as his property until all my father’s debts are paid. My mother tried to fight him, but Red Beard?—”

“Has an army of men and creatures at his call,” Grayson interrupts, his face twisting in anger.

“Yes.” The cuffs in my hair clink together as I straighten my tunic. “Every member of my crew is indebted to him as well. Their freedom, and mine, is the only reason we took a chance on going after the Serpent’s Key. Red Beard received word from one of his sources that someone was planning on stealing it from the king. Once my crew and I received the order, we—I—hatched a plan to steal it from Blythe.”

Grayson’s lips curve as he runs his fingers over his chin. “Smart move. You avoid taking it directly from the king to prevent any chance of his guard and navy coming after you, and wait for a vulnerable moment in Blythe’s plan.”

“Only there wasn’t truly a vulnerable moment in his plan, and Raven—” I stop, the words still stuck in my throat, even now. I shudder, forcing them out. “And mybest frienddied because of my miscalculation.”

“And we arrive back at the notion of choice, Little Pearl,” Grayson says softly.

I knew what he meant. That Raven could have told me no. If she didn’t want to engage in the plan to steal the Serpent’s Key, she could have walked away.

But would I have let her?

I have to believe that I would have.

“You have no reason to trust me, Grayson. I know that. But if Thaeto’s treasure is as endless as legend says then increasing my portion will have no true impact on your men. And if you choose to abide by my new terms, I promise I will never try to escape again.”

The last words I speak feel like ash on my tongue as I vow to give him my freedom, however temporary it might be. Holding my breath, I wait for his response. He tilts his head slightly as he peers into my eyes.

“Yes,” he finally says.

“Yes,” I echo back in surprise.

“You may have an increased share of the treasure on the promise that you will not try to escape until the prize is won.”

“Really?”

His brows raise. “You seem displeased. Should I retract my offer?”

“No!” I say quickly. “No. I’m just . . . Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. There is still much to do.” He nods toward the Serpent’s Key. “Speaking of which, there are a few more things I need to settle downstairs. Collin should be back any moment with your rum. Is there anything else you require to unlock more of the puzzle?”

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