Page 28 of Empire of Death
Hawk was across the room at his own table, smoking a cigar as he leaned his back against the wall and crossed his ankles in front of him. It was too warm for the armor, so he’d finally taken it off.
I cut right to the chase. “I’ll cut down your enemies if you cut down mine. Deal?”
His eyes narrowed. “Like I said before, I’m not a king. I can’t order anyone to do anything.”
“Except if they violate the code, you march them off a plank and leave them to die at sea…or be eaten by sharks.”
“Then let me rephrase that,” he said. “I can only order around anyone who violates the code—which is a very small fraction of people. We don’t have prisons on the island. Too much money and time to care for someone who’s a menace to our society. Therefore, there is no one alive that I can command.”
“What are you saying? I win you this battle and may still get nothing in return?”
“Yes,” he said bluntly. “That could happen. But you might also win the hearts and loyalties of pirates, and that goes a long way. Despite our reputation, we’re not really eye-for-an-eye kind of people.
“Hmm, could’ve fooled me.”
“So you’re serious about this, Lily Rothschild?”
“I am.”
“Your dragons will sink their fleet?”
“I don’t need dragons to win your battle.”
“Oh.” He cocked an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“If I have to earn the loyalty of your men, then I will,” I said. “I will sail as one of you and defeat your enemies like my own—with my sword and my strength.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness?—”
“Trust me, Jack.”
“We want your dragons?—”
“I will not risk my dragons for anything. They’re not servants or soldiers, but my own flesh and blood covered in beautiful scales. And I don’t need them to bring those ships to a watery grave. Let me show you.”
He continued to stare at me, arms crossed over his chest, clearly at a crossroads.
“Have you heard the legends about my father?”
His eyes sharpened slightly.
“That he marched with an army of the dead.”
“Yes—the Death King.”
“Well, it’s something he and I share.”
Now his eyes narrowed even further when he understood my meaning.
“Prepare your fleet for departure tomorrow. I will sail as one of you and deliver what you seek.”
Even though the sun had set and plunged the world into darkness hours ago, the view of the lights around the island and the humid warmth against my skin brought back memories of a different island…that might be nearby.
I felt the breeze move through my hair, felt alone and suffocated at the same time.
Hawk came to my side, dressed in a t-shirt and his brown trousers.
“No more armor?” I teased.
