Page 7 of Vicious Princess
Before I get ahold of my temper, I open up my senses. My anger helps me focus on him, draw out all the other emotional noise around me. The snakes of pure, hot-as-molten-lava rage slither towards Crawler, eager to make him suffer.
Just as they’re about to strike, my whole body tense, a familiar scent of salty sea wind mixed with spice tickles my nose.
“There you are, sweet thing.” V’s smooth voice snaps me out of my anger, and the snakes retreat. I blink rapidly, looking up at him. Vasquez tips his head to the side. “You sure playing Bloodiamond on an empty stomach is the best idea?”
I scoff. “It would be, if some of your boys weren’t fucking assholes.”
Vasquez chuckles. “Professional hazard. When one spends enough time being lulled by the sea, away from the civilized world…well, it makes an impact. Besides, you know how fae are. Snark runs in their blood.”
I glance at Crawler over my shoulder, then back at V. “Promise you’ll come find me if you ever feel the lull of the sea messing with your damn mind so you don’t turn into one of those assholes.”
“You have my word.”
V hands me a little package wrapped in cloth. It’s warm in my hands, and it smells divine. “Hawk just made a batch of freshly baked bread. I made sure he packed your favorite cheese, and some dried meat, too,” he says. “It’s not much, since you know I have many mouths to feed, but it should hold you over until you find Kazh.”
My chest swells with warmth. I smile at the bundle of food. “Thank you.” I look up, and our gazes meet. “For everything. If not?—”
Vasquez presses a finger over my lips. “Don’t sweat it, Nix. I know.”
I’m grateful he understands what I meant to say. I’m not good enough with words to convey how deep my feelings for him are.
“Here,” he says and pulls out a map that’s been tucked in his belt. “It’s old. But I don’t think Jaakii changed that much since it was drawn. So it should still be accurate.”
I nod and take the map. He watches me stuff his offerings into my backpack. When I remove my bow and the quiver from my back, he frowns.
I hold them out for him. When he doesn’t take it, only stares at the weapon in my hands, I say, “Take it. Consider it a payment for your help getting me from Wetra to Ekios.”
V shakes his head, his brown curls bouncing. “Absolutely not. I know what this bow means to you. Besides, I don’t need payment.”
He’s right. But this bow represents the path I was supposed to walk. The person I used to be.
The person I’m not anymore.
I’m not the girl my mom and dad were proud of, the girl my sisters could rely on.
I don’t want the reminder.
“Then consider it a parting gift,” I say. “Something to remember me, and our time together, by. It’s a rare weapon, made by the best weaponsmith in Wetra. You can spin the tale of how you acquired it by attacking a royal ship and stealing it right from under the royal commander’s nose. I know how often you eye it when you think I’m not watching.”
At that, V smiles. Hesitantly, he takes the bow and the quiver. V hooks a finger over one of the many straps on my vest and pulls me into his chest.
Our lips meet for one last time, quick and chaste. It’s bittersweet.
When he pulls away, he says, “Remember me when you’re the most powerful human Decarios in all three continents, sweet thing.”
In his eyes, deep as the darkest place in the ocean, I can see an alternative future for us. One where I remain on his ship and dedicate my life to sailing the seven seas with him, in pursuit of adventure.
Where I’m free from grief, pain, and desire for vengeance.
It’s tempting, I can’t lie.
But it’s not my path to walk. I don’t belong here, on this ship. I never did. From the gentle caress of his fingers on my cheek—a silent goodbye—I know Vasquez understands that, too.
That’s why he doesn’t stop me as I turn away and make my way off his ship, into the unknown.
CHAPTER TWO
Ihave no clue when I took the wrong turn. Maybe my poor navigation skills are to blame, or maybe the map I hold in my handismisleading. But the moment I turn the corner into a dirty alley and three heads snap to me, I know I’m in trouble.
