Page 132 of Wicked Tides
“You can ask,” he said calmly. “But it won’t matter.”
“And here I thought perhaps I was a part of your crew after saving your life,” I said. “After not killing all of your men, despite the many chances.”
“I cannot begin to thank you for everything.”
“Is there another way you test your crewmen’s loyalty?”
His eyes wandered.
“There is no test.”
“Then it’s because of what I am that you are not being honest with me.”
I saw the tension in his jaw before it happened and yet I still flinched a bit when his hand came up to slam onto the wall beside my head. Anger seeped like salt on a wound into my thoughts, rotten and unwanted.
“You are angry with me? What right do you have to be—"
Both hands suddenly cupped my face and his once tense features became tortured and twisted.
“You’re staying here,” he said.
I blinked. “What?”
“You’re not coming with me, so you don’t need to know where we’re going.”
I reached up and ripped his hands off my face. “You dare to leave me behind after everything?”
“I am a hunter. My place is on the sea. And now new monsters have surfaced. People won’t know what to do about them, hunters and fishermen alike. I’d say my job just got more lucrative.”
“You think my place isn’t on the sea?”
“The sons don’t know you’re here. These people love you. You’ll be safe.”
“That’s not safety. That’s a prison.”
He took a deep breath, seeming defeated, and stepped away from me. “I’m sailing tomorrow. And you should stay. I want you to stay, Dahlia.”
I stared at him, waiting for him to change his mind, but he would not relent. His mind was made up and I had no say in his decision. Part of me couldn’t help but think it was his plan all along to leave me behind, whether in the sea or in an icy village. The sense of betrayal was like a jagged little stone in my gut, churning and sharp. It hurt. It hurt in a way I was not trained to withstand.
“I will do as I please,” I hissed, pushing him away so I could rid myself ofhis presence.
~ 43 ~
Dahlia
When the stars fall
I will be your candle in the dark
~ Until Nothing
I stood leaning against the outer wall of the longhouse, watching as men, villagers and crewmen alike carried supplies toward the beach to load up the boat. Meridan watched me, but she and I hadn’t spoken in depth about my feelings. I feared she would not enjoy the fact that I wanted to be sailing with Vidar over staying in the village.
It was a ridiculous idea. The north was frigid and unforgiving. Everything unresolved was out there at sea and I knew I would not stay long in that place. Vidar was a fool for thinking I would.
Most of the crewmen said nothing to me as they filed toward the coast to leave, but Gus, in passing, inclined his head.
“Can’t say we’re best mates,” he said. “But you’re more decent than a lot of humans I’ve met, I’ll say that.”
