Page 72 of A Promise of Peridot
“Don’t you think if we wanted to harm you,” the man said, inching forward slowly like I was a skittish animal, “we woulda while you was sleeping?”
Realization struck me so fiercely it was like being pulled underthe water once more. I grabbed at myself, my soaking pants and shirt, but nothing seemed out of place.
“Oh, Stones, we didn’t touch you. Just saved your bloody life.”
A twinge of embarrassment tickled my spine. They didn’t hurt me. They didn’t even leave me to drown. “Thank you.”
“Look! You found your manners. I’m Studs.”
I wrung my hair out with both hands as I said, “Arwen.”
“Pleasure. You really took that leap like you wasn’t afraid to die, Arwen.” Pride must have colored my expression because he shook his head at me. “Not a flattering thing, stupidity.”
A flush worked up my neck. “I didn’t have a choice.”
Studs didn’t seem to care much either way as he walked past me and back to his men.
I swept my attention over the clearing. I had never seen any of this before. The cliffs, the rolling hills, the lagoon. I had no clue where I was, or how I would find everyone else.
“Wait!” I called to Studs and his men, who were already heading off through the jungle. “Where are you all going?”
“Back to Smuggler’s Beach,” Studs said, halting. “We sail for Rose tomorrow.”
“You’re fleeing Peridot?”
A man with a face like a bulldog snarled at me. “We ain’tfleeing.”
“The land’s gone to shit since Amber stole the throne,” another added.
“I know you don’t owe me anything,” I started. “And you already saved my life. And then I accused you of... But might you help me find my camp? On your way, maybe?”
Studs mulled my offer over, stroking his chin and scrunching his nose.
One of the men called, “How much coin do they got on ’em?”
“Because you were dry as bone,” another added sheepishly, his too-large hat tipping over his face, which he scrambled to right.
I folded my arms and stared daggers at Studs. “So youdidtouch me.”
“Only to search you for coin.” He shrugged. “Didn’t touch none of your frilly bits.”
I should have known riches would be the easiest way to a pirate’s heart. “I’m traveling with a wealthy lord. He will reward you handsomely for my safe return.” I had become such an excellent liar I was nearly vain about it.
Studs’s jaw tightened, but the gleam in his fellow men’s eyes was enough to tell me I had struck gold. “Where were they last?”
“In a jungle camp outside of Frog Eye.”
Studs chuckled. “We could have you there by sundown.”
“I would be so grateful.”
He turned to his men. “One last night in Frog Eye before we go?”
?“who’s this lord you journey with? Your husband?”
Studs tramped through a muddy puddle and I swerved to avoid the backsplash as I considered his question. The journey to Frog Eye would be hours. I didn’t want to trap myself in a web of lies, nor be too honest given my fugitive status. Better to keep the focus on them than on me. “Mhm. So what do you export? Jewels?”
Two men laughed like I wasverynaive and I cocked my head to Studs in silent question.
