“Shit,” Teng muttered. “I should have said something sooner. I just . . . I didn't want you to think I was claiming something I had no right to. But then you came back to us, and I heard how you—” his voice broke.
“Hey. I'm fine. And what happened isn't your fault.”
“Yes, it is,” Teng said. “I chose to go after the Tiger's Claw. As your captain, it's my fault that you were taken. But as your father, I feel doubly responsible.”
“Don't do that to yourself. I'm not a kid anymore, no matter what you call me. I know the risks of living this life.”
“You will always be that skinny kid I found chained to a rock,” Teng said. “I gave you this life because it was all I had to give. But I've always hoped—” He cleared his throat and started again. “I've always hoped you'd find something better. You're not meant to be a pirate, Zixin. You're too good for this.”
“No, I'm not. And there's nothing wrong with being a pirate.” I clutched his hand. “You gave me freedom and adventure. Love and a family. You saved my life but never tried to claim it. Not like . . .” I trailed off.
Teng stared at me. “No. He didn't.”
I nodded.
“Oh, fuck.” Teng shook his head. “That's why you're here. You ran. You escaped him. Shit, kid. I'm shocked that you would break that law. I mean, I get it. But shit! Now, he'll be after—”
“He let me go,” I cut him off.
“What?” Teng gaped at me.
“I think he knew. I didn't tell him, but I—when he saved me, I was chained. He looked after me as I healed, and when I came to, I saw the chains and had a bad reaction.” I grimaced at him. “As I do.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah. So, I think he knew. But I was going to leave, and I think that made him desperate. So, he claimed me under the law. Claimed my life.”
“And then?”
“And then I begged him not to. He said it was done. I was shattered, but I accepted it. Then he walked away. Just left me. I found him . . . he was upset. He obviously regretted his actions. I was going to forgive him. Seeing him like that wiped away my hurt. I would have stayed after that. But he was . . . I don't know. Past that, I guess. He shouted at me. Told me to leave. Renounced his claim. Then he told me where to find you. I tried to speak to reason with him, but he yelled at me to get out or he'd collar me. He gave me four minutes to leave the palace.”
“Holy fuck,” Teng whispered.
“Yeah, so now do you understand why I can't go back?”
“Are you fucking crazy?!” Teng shoved my shoulder. “He did it for you! If I wasn't sure about the way he felt before, now I am. He's in love with you, kid. A fucking Sea King. He sent you away instead of hurting you. That's honorable. Admirable.” He smirked. “You know, all the stuff I'm not.”
“I admire you more than any man on this planet, Teng.”
His smirk shifted into a soft smile. “I love you too, Zix. Which is why I'm kicking you off the ship.”
“What?” I gaped at him.
“Go get your shit and leave. Go back to him. Grovel. Do whatever you have to do to gain his forgiveness. Because a love like that doesn't come around every day. That's a once-in-a-lifetime love, kid. And I'm not going to watch you throw it away. Now, go!” He shoved me toward the stairs.
“Teng.”
“Go!”
I launched myself at him and hugged him tightly. “I love you . . . Father.”
Teng shuddered and made a sound that was suspiciously similar to a tearful sniff. Then he shoved me away again, turning his face so I couldn't see it. “Go.”
“All right, all right.” I headed for the stairs. “What the fuck is it with men I love telling me to leave?”
Teng snorted a laugh.
Chapter Nineteen
