Page 60 of Of the Stars and Sea

I trail one of my daggers across his chest and down his abdomen. His nostrils flare in anger, but I also see the fear in his eyes. “Now, I think an apology is in order.”

The right edge of his lips raise in a toothy snarl. I press the blade against his throat, hard enough that a trail of blood seeps down his neck.

His eyes bulge. “My apologies.” I feel his throat work against my blade as he speaks.

Holding my daggers in place for a moment longer, I let him see the truth in my eyes. I will do what I must to protect my name. I have grown tired of the way people look at me when I pass in the streets. Tired of the insults tossed my way with such ease and carelessness. Tired of allowing them the power to make me feel lesser than.

Maybe it is the male who stands at my back who has shown me the strength leaning into the shadows of vengeance can evoke. Or maybe it is the years I’ve spent cowering away from who I really am. Regardless, I will no longer allow others to see me as a wounded animal destined for slaughter.

Ekhor Stone was my father. One of the most revered pirate lords to ever sail the Aelynthi Sea. But his secrets have kept me beholden to a life of suffering and debasement for far too long.

Releasing my daggers from Seger’s throat and stomach, I turn around and walk to Grayson’s side, showing Seger that I do not fear turning my back on him.

Grayson’s hair sweeps across my cheek as he lowers his head to whisper in my ear, “I must say, it brings me great pleasure watching you show your teeth.”

I smirk and sheathe my daggers.

Grayson slips his hands into his pockets and addresses the other pirate lords. “We will meet you both in Esoros as soon as we are able. Gather as much information as possible about who the leader may be, but do not strike until I arrive.”

Hawke, who remained quietly observant during my encounter with Seger, nods his head. Seger doesn’t respond as he bores a hole into me with his scrutinizing glare.

“Seger,” Grayson snaps and the spell between us is broken. Seger looks at Grayson and nods once.

“Good. If we are delayed more than two weeks, I will send word,” Grayson says.

And with that, we all depart.

Grayson shuts the door to our shared room after giving Collin our dinner order. He peels off his long coat and sets it over the back of the chair in the corner. I watch as he rolls up the sleeves of his tunic, his thick forearms on full display.

“That was good work. Not many people would stand up to Seger Synth and live to tell the tale.”

I huff a breath. “I have no intention of telling anyone about it.”

“No, I suspect you don’t.” He moves to sit on the end of the bed. Then he starts taking off his boots and socks like undressing in front of me is an ordinary task that he does all the time. “Still, I am glad you stood up for yourself.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrow my gaze on him. “And what about those who cannot stand up for themselves?”

He stills in the middle of unlacing his left boot and turns to face me. “If you wish to say something, Rowenya, just say it.”

Sighing loudly, I toss my hands in the air. “How could you do that to Tommy? Put his past on display for those scoundrels who care about nothing other than forwarding their own motives. You should have seen his face, Grayson. The moment you spoke of The Pit, he?—”

“Tommy is stronger than you give him credit for,” he interrupts, then goes back to unlacing his boot.

I stand there, with my arms crossed over my chest as I watch him set the boot on the floor next to his other one.

“Having strength doesn’t mean the people around you should be allowed to exploit your pain.”

Grayson rises from the bed and walks toward me until his toes nearly touch mine. Tilting my head back to look at him, I don’t back down. “He’s just a boy who wants to make his captain proud and you saw that in him, didn’t you? That he would be willing to do anything if it meant gaining your approval.”

His sharp gaze narrows. “It amazes me that after all I have shared with you, after the grace I have given your dishonesty, that you still choose to perceive me as the villain in your story. Tell me”—he reaches for the pearl nestled against a lock of my hair—“would it make you feel worse or better about your attraction for me if I told you everything you want to hear?” His lips tilt up in a smirk and my godsforsaken body leans closer to him.

But I won’t let him win this round.

“This isn’t a game, Grayson. This is Tommy’s life.”

Something like regret storms across his face and he drops my mother’s pearl from his fingertips. The gem clinks against another one of my silver cuffs.

“Tommy and I spoke before we traveled to the caverns about the information he would provide to Seger and Hawke. It wasa conversation I did not take lightly, given the hell I pulled him from before he joined my crew. I offered to provide the information myself on his behalf, but Tommy felt the other captains may not take my word for it without the witness himself to share it. We are in a precarious situation with Seger and Hawke knowing we have other matters to tend to before we can meet them back in Esoros. Tommy knew this and offered to help pacify them in whatever way he could.”

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