Page 39 of Ship of Shadows
I glared at him. “Well, unless you have a way to turn back time and not kidnap a bunch of children from my court, I’d say quite a fucking lot.”
His jaw locked. “My answer is no.”
I surged forward so we were practically nose-to-nose. “You don’t get to make that decision.”
“Actually, as captain, I absolutely do.” His lips were inches from mine, and I could almost taste the salt on them. “You were always so stubborn.”
“Don’t talk about me like you know me.” My chest rose and fell with quick breaths.
He raised his brows. “I do know you.” His gaze raked over my body. “Very well, actually.”
I wouldn’t let him toy with my emotions like this, flirt with me like he hadn’t committed unimaginable atrocities, like I’d just forget his betrayal if he turned on his charms. “What?” I threw out my arms. “Because you fucked me? Told me some sadstories in a cave and got to hear my own sad stories in return? That doesn’t mean you know me. You got glimpses of me, never the whole picture.”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Now I know that’s not true.” He lowered his lips to my ear. “You can tell yourself whatever you want, love, but I saw you, the real you. I saw your hopes, your dreams... and so much more.”
I stepped away, putting distance between us while my heart hammered in my chest. I hated him. I hated the way my body still reacted to him, like muscle memory. “Stop,” I said. “Just stop.” My voice broke on that last word.
Bastian straightened, the fire in his eyes fading, and that stone-cold expression slipped over his face like he was coming out of a trance. He cleared his throat. “If we’re done here, I have work to do.” Without waiting for a reply, he spun on his heel and marched back to his desk.
I glared at the back of his head. If he wasn’t going to stop the ship, then I’d find a way to get to Porth myself.
I marchedout of Bastian’s cabin, fuming over our interaction. Leoni sat on the steps leading up to the helm, enjoying the cloudy but beautiful day at sea. Her hair was wound up in its usual tight bun, her chiffon still wrinkled and a complete mess from days before, which I was sure irritated her to no end. Leoni had a different uniform for every day of the week to ensure they were always sparkling clean and wrinkle free. She’d be so happy to get clean clothes. We all would.
The crew worked around the ship. I had no idea where Driscoll was. Probably trying to find a mirror so he could fix his hair.
“Oh no,” Leoni said, looking up at me. “I recognize that look. It’s your determined face. What happened?”
I sank down next to her and caught her up on everything she’d missed. “He said no,” I told her. “That it wasn’t part of our deal and we couldn’t get distracted from our goal.”
I left out the other parts, the way we’d been so dangerously close to each other.
“Can you believe it?” I asked.
“Yes, actually, I can. He’s a terrible human being.”
I took a deep breath. “I have to do something. If I have a chance to investigate this...”
Leoni chewed on the inside of her cheek.
“What?” I asked, nudging her. “Just say whatever you’re thinking, Oni.”
“I can’t believe these words are coming out of my mouth, but I agree with him.”
I stilled.
Leoni turned to me. “Oh, come on. Do you really think it’s a good idea to pursue this right now? We’re on the way to the earth court to get this pixie dust. We have to rescue your brothers.” She lowered her voice. “All the boys of Apolis. And somehow, we have to work with the pirate lord to do it. Do you really think it’s smart to add yet another thing to our agenda?”
“That thing is your king,” I said, an edge to my voice.
Leoni winced. “I’m not saying it isn’t important. I’m just saying that right now might not be the best time. Something happened to your father, something bad enough to wreck thePearland take him and all his men out—or cause them to abandon ship. What if it’s still there, waiting for someone else to come? We can’t afford to find out.”
I worried at my bottom lip, hating the logic behind her words. Leoni had always been the logical one, the strategic one, the one who thought things through—sometimes to a fault. Meanwhile, I was the one who followed my gut. Also, sometimes to a fault. And right now, my instinct was telling me this was important.
Important enough for me to risk doing something stupid.
Something Leoni absolutely would not approve of.
I just didn’t know what that stupid thing was yet.
