Gah, thatpirate!
Cas gives me a sympathetic look, but even his eyes stray south for a peek.
Damn it, I amnotgetting turned on by this.
The twins both stiffen. Cas shoots me a knowing smirk before licking his lips slowly.
“Just give me one hand free,” he entreats Val. “Her scent is driving my beast nuts.”
Val snorts, and more ropes slide out of nowhere, keeping Cas’s hands completely immobile and far from where I need them.
“If you’ll recall, your beast is the reason why you’re there in the first place,” the captain retorts. “Besides, Rysen will rip your dicks off if you so much asthinkabout touching her before you’ve sorted your shit out.”
The ropes around my thighs tighten slightly, and I have to hold back my frustrated moan.
Goddess, save me from the horny pirates.
ChapterTwo
NOSTER
The crew doesn’t waste any time finishing off the other vessel. They diligently loot it for everything that isn’t bolted down—but even that has to be rushed—before Val sends a final volley into the hull. The schooner sinks into the water with a groan; the timber screaming a final goodbye to the world before it’s swallowed by the waves.
Then, andonlythen, does the captain finally turn around to deal with us. His scent growing stronger as he comes closer.
“Going to let us go yet?” Nilsa asks.
I can smell his amusement, but it’s overpowered by the lust coming off him, my twin, and Nilsa.
“Maybe,” he finally answers. “You do look pretty good like this.”
I’d give my left nut to see what they’re on about.
Whatever he might have done is cut off by Kier landing on his other side. My beast roils in my mind as his lust joins the others, making a melting pot of sexual tension so thick we cantasteit. A fine layer of shimmering frost coats our arms, and Nilsa gasps beside me in response.
Fuck, we want inside her.
No, I beat back the beast’s instincts with a savage anger.We don’t deserve it after what we did.
He retreats, and my body sags against the ropes.
“Kier is right,” Nilsa mutters, though the fae hasn’t actually said anything. I curse Fate once more for making me miss the nuances of his silent communication. “I have some things I should tell you. After that, I plan to sleep until we arrive in Isablis.”
Val grunts and the ropes around us all loosen, falling away until all three of us are free. I waste no time in stretching, my joints cracking as my body protests being cooped up in this form.
Now that I’ve shifted, I’m too big for my skin. Every lap of the waves against the hull taunts me. My own body is out of control and it terrifies me.
“What kind of things?” Ry asks, climbing onto the upper deck and dragging Nilsa away.
My beast bares his teeth in my mind, and I can’t help the low, sub-vocal growl that slips out before I slap my hand over my mouth.
“Elsie might have found a way to break the bargain,” Nilsa begins, halting my own internal battle with that single, impossible sentence. “But it’s not simple.”
“Fuck simple. Do it,” Val growls, his voice haunted. “As soon as possible. Now, if you can.”
“Don’t you get why we were attacked by that ship?” Rysen adds, clearly confused by her hesitance. “Almost every pirate that survived the collapse of Cirio’s Cove is racing for Cawshome, hoping to collect the reward. The ones who know their ship isn’t fast enough are attacking in the hopes of grabbing you to bring you directly before the Eagle. The rest are hoping she’ll pay handsomely for information.”
“Once she does,” Cas continues grimly. “She’ll send a mage-tech bird with orders for us to take you straight to her.”