“No need. Pirates wear scars like badges of honor. Maps and tales of survival. That arm of yours is really something.” He pinches my bicep, his pierced mouth curving into a lazy smirk. Zadyn takes a step closer to me.
“You didn’t seem all too impressed that night as you were trying to kill us,” I shoot back, crossing my arms over my soaked shirt.
“Ahh, if we had wanted you dead, you’d already be six feet under. Brawling is—uh—how we show affection. Ask your prince friend. He’ll tell you. Name’s Coyle.”
“Serena.”
“Charmed.” Coyle steals my hand from beneath my arm and kisses it. My gaze shifts to Zadyn, who looks about ready to snap this dude in half.
“This is Zadyn.” I lay a cautionary hand on his shoulder.
Down boy. He’s just being friendly.
A littletoofriendly.
I roll my eyes. Coyle nods to Zadyn, then turns to snatch his friend from another conversation.
“Oye. Look who I found.”
His friend’s pale green eyes pop when they land on me. “Chair girl!”
Before I can react, he’s swept me up into his tawny arms and pulled me into a lively, wild dance. Another sailor tugs Mar out of her seat and whisks her across the boards.
Then the entire ship is dancing, twining arms and switching partners in time to the music. One second I’m spinning, and the next, Zadyn grabs me around the waist and pulls me to a dizzying stop. Mylaughter fades, and in the middle of the ship, he’s suddenly the only one I see.
He hasn’t tried to make a move since that night at the inn, even though we’ve been sharing a bed since we got on board. And we still haven’t spoken about that kiss. Or how he told me he wanted to get to know every square inch of my body.
Swoon.
“Chair girl.” He teases a smile. “Has a nice ring to it.”
“Are you kidding? It’s legendary.”
Through the crowd, I notice the Pirate King slipping off toward her cabin. A little twinge of guilt nips at me. I place a hand on Zadyn’s arm.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I tell him.
Weaving between bodies, I overhear someone slur, “Don’t get me wrong—you cross a pirate, you die. BUT if you cross a pirate and manage to live, you’ve made yourself a friend for life.”
I turn to see Bronyn tuck Kai beneath his hulking bicep and give him a hearty shake. More pirates join in, reaching out to ruffle his hair. Kai’s transgressions seem to be forgiven as they clap him on the back and commend him for being the only one on board capable of carrying a tune.
I smile to myself, stopping outside the Pirate King’s door. Sniffles sound from inside. I give a tentative knock. The sniffling immediately stops.
“What is it, Bronyn?” the cold voice snaps.
“It’s not Bronyn, it’s Serena.”
Silence.
“Can I come in?”
“No.”
Rolling my eyes, I twist the handle and step inside.
“I said?—”
“I know what you said.”
