Page 68 of Of the Stars and Sea

Without a word, Grayson brings me into his chest and the feeling of his strength wrapped around me is more comforting than anything he might say. I close my eyes and listen to the steady thrum of his beating heart. With each passing breath, the ache of all my burdens starts to quiet.

In the silence we share, that’s when I understand what he meant. Something shifted between us with that kiss. A new dawn shedding light on the darkness buried deep within us both. He claimed me as his and maybe, somehow, I havealwaysbeen his. Waiting amongst the stars until he was meant to find me. I don’t know how he saw it and I still don’t know what it all means, but I rest in his embrace. Letting him mend my weary heart, even if it’s just for tonight.

Grayson moves his arms upward, stroking the middle of my back with his fingertips. The Serpent’s Key slides a little in my hand and I can feel one the grooves catch on my fingernail. Another notch releases, and I pull away from him to look at it.

A hissing noise emanates from the box. I lay it flat in my hands as Grayson and I exchange a look.

This is it. It has to be it.

I blink away the tears as we both watch all the notches start to shift on their own. A bright gold light peeks through the cracks as the pieces move. My heart races in my chest and I feel Grayson’s hands still on my hips as I hold the Serpent’s Key between us.

The golden light shines brighter, illuminating Grayson’s face as though we were on theCaelestiawith the sun high in the sky.

Where the constellations and old language are etched into the top, a crack forms down the middle that was never there before and once the final notch slides into place, the two piecesnow formed on the top open. My lips part on an inhale as I bear witness to the reason for the artifact’s namesake.

A golden key embedded with streaks of fire opal sits on a black velvet cushion in the center of the box. The bow of the key curves into three elaborate circles with the edges curling in different directions. The fire opal moves down the shank in lines of spidering lightning. Shimmering orange light dances across my skin as I reach for the key and remove it from the box. I hold it up for Grayson to see, the light now moving in waves across his face.

“It truly is a key,” he whispers.

“And if there’s a key . . .”

“There must be alock.”

Our eyes meet and I feel the edges of my lips curl upward. Grayson smiles back at me so beautifully, I nearly forget all about the Serpent’s Key. Somehow, the sharing of this moment with him has become important. A moment that I’ve lived many times before when my crew and I have worked to discover the path that would lead us to a prize or the capturing of a bounty. But being here withhim, feels different.

“There’s another inscription.There.” He points to the middle of the key. “Along the shank.”

Setting the box down, I bring the key closer to my face and tilt it back and forth. “You’re right. It’s written in the old language, just like the inscription on the box.”

“What does it say?” he asks and I remember the reason Grayson brought me onto his ship to begin with. My education and knowledge of the old language.

I am just a means to an end. I can’t help the thought from entering my mind. Something has changed between us, yes, but that does not mean I am no longer useful to his cause. And that change I see in him may still very well be a ruse to ensure that I do everything he requires of me. I would be a fool to forget thatGrayson Tyde stole the artifact from me, forced me onto his ship, and threatened the lives of my crew.

My heart beats faster as I lower myself all the way to the ground. His hands slip from my waist.

“Rowenya.” The way he says my name gives me pause. I look up into his devastating eyes and wait for the demand to tell him what the inscription translates to. As he comes to sit next to me, I’m surprised when he doesn’t push me, but instead says, “You’ve done it. You’ve gotten us one step closer to reaching the treasure.”

“Yes,” I breathe, and then a gentle laugh escapes my lips as I look back down at the key. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to solve it in time.”

“But you did.” His voice is gruff. “You’re incredible, Rowenya. Absolutely incredible.”

There is no mischievousness behind his words. No hidden agenda that I can see. Not as his wide smile radiates warmth and sincerity.

A blush crawls up my neck and into my cheeks as I peer up at him through my lashes.

“Don’t,” he commands, shaking his head.

“Don’t what?” My words come out breathless.

“Don’t look at me like that. Like you are someone lesser than. Like hearing my praise gives you meaning.”

I swallow the knot in my throat as Grayson splays me open with his words. Always seeing the things I try to hide from the light.

He leans forward and traces the side of my face with his fingertips before cupping my cheek in his palm. “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever laid my eyes upon, Little Pearl. You are brilliant and clever and I cannot wait to see how you will shine once you finally realize these things about yourself. Once you see yourself the way I see you.”

“I . . .” Closing my eyes, I let myself get lost in the feeling of his skin against mine. Let his words wash over me like a welcomed cleanse of my soul. For so long I have run away from myself. Allowing what others see me as to become truth—mytruth.

Traitor.

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