“Steal from me again or show your face in Bleakwater Bay and I won’t be so forgiving.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?”
“A warning.” She closes the gap between them, trailing her finger down his torso to snag on his belt. “And here’s a little something to remember me by.”
Kai doubles over as she thrusts her fist into his groin.
“Hah. And they said you were big. Disappointing.” She sucks in a breath through her teeth, shaking her head. “Let’s go.”
Kai watches her leave, his face a mask of wild surprise.
“Pirates, Eaton? Really? Do you have any idea how much I had to pay her?”
“Oh, relax, it’s not like we can’t afford it.”
“That isn’t the point. I am sick of always having to bail you out of your little shit traps. What is going on?”
“It’s been a long week, Alix, maybe you can save the shrill tones for breakfast and give me a night to rest.”
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?!” She tosses a beseeching look at Zadyn, but he drops his gaze to the floor. A bitter laugh leaves her as Eaton leads us away.
“Thank you,” I say as I pass, earning her razor-sharp glare. “For bailing us out. We owe you.”
Not deigning to answer, she gives me a harsh once-over and spins on her heel to stomp away.
The grimoire sitsin my lap, buzzing with energy as I thumb through pages of age-old charms, enchantments, and potions, wondering who wrote them. Some entries appear in a coded language, but others adapt to my eyes, translating themselves for me to better understand.
“Good read?”
Zadyn strides into our room, unbuckling the belt of weapons at his hip. My eyes track him as he carelessly tosses it onto the daybed and peels off his jacket. He catches me watching, and I quickly look back to the book.
“Best nonfiction I ever had.”
He chuckles, leaning against the bedpost as he rolls up his sleeves. Which shouldn’t be as hot as it is.
“There’s so much in here. Half of it I don’t even understand, but it makes me feel connected to my ancestors in a weird way.” I close the book, setting it on the bed beside me.
Zadyn’s brow creases. “You said the book and the mirrors spoke to you. What did they say?”
I sigh. “Nothing, it’s dumb.”
“Come on,” he says, sinking down beside me. I shake my head. “Fine. A question for a question.”
“You want to play the question game?”
“Why not? I’ll let you ask me anything.”
“Really? Anything at all?” I give him a wicked look.
“Anything withinreason.” He rolls his eyes. “Now spill.”
“They called me—” Zadyn slides closer. “Queen. They called me queen.”
He goes still.
“It’s stupid, I know.”
“No, it’s not.”
