My eyes find him. “Do I need to run everything by you first? I thought I was captain of this ship.”
Elio dips his head, brushing an imaginary crumb from his thigh before looking at me. He’s pissed, but he doesn’t bite back. “My apologies.”
I glance towards the skies. Some nights, even the stars feel heavy above me. I’ve chased bounties from one coast to the next. Handing in pirates that rummage the seas, taking what doesn’t belong to them by force.The Gilded Hartcarries me everywhere but home. Maybe I’m starting to wonder if I even have one. I’ve never quite fit in my father’s kingdom—Nareth. Perhaps I am destined to always sail the oceans.
The night wears on. My body longs for respite, and my mind needs to still. I drag the chair back, standing from the table. I let out a high pitched whistle, andthe entire boat turns their attention towards me. “We’re heading inland to Maiden Stone. Few stay with the ship—the rest of you, get your supplies, have your fun, but keep your heads. No funny business. You shame this crew, and I’ll hear about it.”
Someone from the bow of the ship calls out. “Why Maiden Stone?”
The low murmur moves through the crew. It’s not like me to go against routine. They like it that way too.
“Maiden Stone don’t take bounties!”
“I don’t care where we go, as long as I can wet my cock.”
“No one wants to see your testicles, Nolan.”
Drunken laughter ripples across the deck.
“Shut your goody-two-shoes gob, Corrin! Not all of us have someone waiting at home!”
“Peace, you two. The longer thatwenchstays on board, the worse luck we’ll have, Captain.”
“Ay! Reid is right. What if she’s a decoy and her crew is coming for us. If we’re going to Maiden Stone, I say we throw her overboard now. It’s impossible to sleep with a Viper on board.”
My eyes settle over the crowd. They all look to me for answers. “For those who wish to be captain and make the decisions, feel free to step forwards. Let’s see just how fast Tavi can swing her blades.”
Unease spreads from crew mate to crew mate. Some might think I’m keeping Odelia longer than I should, yet some fancy the idea of having a few days off. They’ll get to socialise, bed women, and men, or both. Some will use the time to send word to family or loved ones.
But there are those who loathe the land as much as they do pirates, and wish to keep their legs on the rocking deck of a ship.
Otto steps in beside me, blue eyes glittering. The young boy has never been afraid to speak out. Not even to fae twice his size. For a human, he’s got spark. “I don’t know about you lot, but Captain hasn’t let us down before, and I doubt he will now. He’s a pretty smart guy, even if he doesn’t like quail eggs.”
A jagged scar—still pink—peeks out from under the collar of his shirt. Heat blossoms in my stomach. After everything he’s endured, the way he still greets each day with a smile—it’s something to admire.
I offer him a gentle smile. “Thanks, Bear.”
Soraya chimes in next. Her different coloured eyes—one brown, one amber—sparkling under the night’s sky. She flicks her dark dreadlocks over her shoulder, addressing the crew. “In the end we go where the ship takes us. The captain’s the captain after all.”
Despite the grumbling of the crew, they'd go. Not all would be thrilled, but it wouldn't be the first time I've dealt with sour morale in one or two—not everyone finds this ship as thrilling as rumour might claim. But they'd follow orders.
There are a few grunts from the crowd, but they’ll get over it. Besides, it could be fun?
The night’s festivities start up again. They’ll likely be at it until the early hours of the morning. I’m grateful the captain's quarters are built with thick wood. Helps to block out the sound.
As I head to my room, I can feel Elio and Tavi, their eyes boring into the back of my head. They have questions, and opinions—who can blame them? I would too. Thankfully, they wait until we are inside my quarters with the door firmly shut before they unleash their thoughts.
Tavi’s brow pinches as she angles her head to the side. “What has gotten into you?”
I don’t answer straight away, instead I reach into my pocket, pulling out the map and placing it face up on my desk. “She had a map,” I murmur.
Tavi’s emerald eyes grow wide. “How did I miss that?”
I begin to pace. Letting the news of the map sink in. Elio stalks over to the desk to view it.
“Where’s the rest of it?” he asks, his voice tinged with confusion.
A sigh escapes my lips. “Gone.”
