She doesn’t hesitate to answer. “I think your crew would.”
Her words land, settling in my chest. I glance upstream to the men and women who work aboard my ship. Most are too busy bathing to pay attention to us, but there are a few sideways glances that come our way.
She’s right. Some of the crew might take a blade to her throat if they thought she was too injured to slit theirs first, but that’s the minority. The majority would help her, even if they didn’t particularly like it. I hadn’t let Otto treat her when she first came aboard but that was fear, and pride.
“Then let me help change that,” I say, offering her a soft smile.
I pivot towards the tree line, gathering our clothes from where we’d thrown them. After shoving my legs into my trousers, I stride back to Odi. Her blouse is still damp when I press it into her hands. Then I turn my back, giving her the space to put it on.
“You can look now.” Her voice is soft, like the ripples shimmering around us.
With my shirt still in my hand, I drop to my knees in front of her and begin to rip it into strips. She inhales a sharp breath at the first brush of my knuckles against her skin, which is warm despite the bumps from the breeze that dances around us.
Her sun-kissed thigh is soft, softer than I should notice, and my hands are too large—too clumsy, dwarfing the curve of her leg. Otto would be rougher, more clinical but I can’t bring myself to treat her like a task. Not when she’s hidden her wounds, cared for her aches in silence. So I move gently.
Once I’ve wrapped her thigh and pulled the cloth strip tight, I tie it into a knot. Her breath is steady, but I can feel her eyes on my hands. She’s watching every movement, every brush of my fingers on her skin. It floods my body with warmth, sending it down to areas that I can’t hide from her even if I try. I need to hurry before it shows.
I summon a singular talon, just long enough, to slice the leftover cloth free, then will it back into me. I look up at her. She swallows, and I swear I see moisture pooling at the corners of her eyes before she looks away.
“It would have been fine, but thank you,” she murmurs.
A tiny part of my stubborn heart agrees. She’s a pirate and I’m a bounty hunter—a prince—but the truth is, here on my knees, I know without a doubt that I would crumble for her.
“Rune!” Tavi’s voice floats across the distance, breaking the tension between Odi and I. Clearing my throat, I stand and look in the direction of my crew. Tavi beckons me, so I toss a hand up to let her know I’ve seen her.
“Finish dressing, and I’ll meet you back at the crew,” I hum quietly, half expecting some sort of quip about not telling her what to do, but she nods, then turns her back as I walk towards those already gathered on the shoreline.
Tavi tosses me a fresh shirt as I approach, not even trying to hide her smirk.
“Is this Elio’s?” I ask as I squeeze my arms through the straining fabric.
“No, it’s an extra. It’s at least two sizes too big for Elio.”
The neck line feels like it’s one wrong move from tearing, but I nod, knowing well enough to be grateful for any protection from the island’s insects. “How’s he doing?”
She jerks her head in the direction of my first mate, who’s perched on a rock further up the hill. “He’ll be fine, but the sooner we get back to the ship, the better.”
Her eyes settle on something behind me. I hear Odelia before I feel her presence beside me.
“Is everyone alright?” she asks, her voice genuine.
Tavi, dips her head, the gold rings in her braids catching the light. “Yes, but weshould keep moving.”
“Everyone to me!” I let my voice ring out across the expanse. “If you’ve washed off the muck, gather your weapons. We have a temple to find.”
Most of the crew spring into action, leaving a few still stumbling at the water’s edge while rushing to dress. Odelia falls into step as I make my way over to Elio. “Are you going to be alright walking or do you want to head back to the ship?”
Elio scoffs as he stands with a little help from Tavi. “As if I’d let you have all the fun.”
A smile spreads across my mouth. “You let me know the minute you need to rest.”
He agrees, and we make our way back up the hill with the crew in tow. The landscape changes over time. Sand gives way to denser areas as we slash our way through tall grasses, thick vines and swampy reeds. Light filters differently, sharper, brighter as the sun reaches the highest peak, but my eyes never leave our surroundings. I won’t lose anyone else.
A shrill cry echoes through the dense rainforest to the left.
Odelia freezes, her hand finding my forearm in a light grip. “What was that?”
I hold up my fist, silently commanding the others to stop as I listen for the sound again, acutely aware of the warmth on my arm. “Didn’t sound too dangerous.”
