Numbness crept through my fingers and lips. Yes, I had hated him. I would have killed him last year in the Death Dunes had he not snapped a rubelline cuff on my wrist and cut off my magic.
“Well, you did spend about four months on his ship. I think you know him better than you realize. And there are powers in this world we cannot begin to understand,” Isla murmured, rubbing her thumb over the top of my hand. “You felt something, and you followed your instincts. In doing so, you gained invaluable information that has the potential of saving our world.”
Kellan moved through the crowd to the center of the tavern, his blue coat like a beacon in a hazy sea of smoke. Members of his crew approached, and he tilted his head back and laughed, the tattoos along the strong column of his neck moving. His friends clapped him on the shoulder, and he returned the gesture, giving a firm but playful shove. His dark gaze slid across the dim room, eyes tracking each face until they landed on me, and he paused.
Kellan’s dark eyes anchored mine to his. The overwhelming sounds of the tavern seemed to slip away, the busy patrons and bustling servers slowing, almost disappearing entirely as our gazes lingered.
“I think he might be in love with you,” Isla breathed, too quiet for anyone but an elf to hear, and the sights and sounds of the tavern rushed forward.
“He saw me,” I murmured, shaking my head. “How could he, after seeing every horrible thing I’ve done? Afterexperiencingit for himself? You don’t understand… In the Abyss, when I foundhim and we touched, he enteredmy hell. Every kill I made, all the hurt I caused the countless people who have had the unfortunate luck to encounter me, I did to him.I killed him.Over and over again.”
My throat bobbed as a choke forced its way up my throat. Kellan moved through the crowd without taking his eyes off me, his first mate close behind. Isla released my hand and leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table.
“Hiding, Bonscaíh?” Kellan asked as he made his way to our table, the scar on his lower lip lightening as his lips tugged up.
“Join us, will you?” Isla asked, pulling Kellan’s attention off me and kicking a chair back from underneath the table.
Kellan gave a nod and took a seat. Raek moved to pull up another chair, but his gaze lingered at the bar. I tracked his line of sight, finding Vulcan still waiting to be served, the elf’s frustration morphing into violence.
“You should go help him,” Isla said to Raek, nodding her head in Vulcan’s direction. Raek’s face snapped back to Isla, his eyes wide as a flush bloomed on his neck.
“He’s been waiting for ages,” she explained, giggling. “I think they are afraid of him.”
Raek cleared his throat and rubbed a hand behind his neck, nodding.
As he turned, Isla leaned forward. “And perhaps ask him for a dance,” she continued, her full lips spreading in mischievous delight. “I think he’s been waiting for that as well.”
She sat back and smirked as Raek squirmed under her gaze. Kellan’s lips spread into a wide grin, and he took a big swig of ale, raising his brows at his first mate. Raek snatched the drink from his captain and proceeded to down its contents in one go. His red waves bounced as he slammed it back on the table and made his way to the bar without a word.
I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my lips as Vulcan turned to Raek, their words too far away and muffled for even my new elven ears to pick up. Vulcan’s face softened as Raek spoke quietly to him. The first mate slapped his hand on the bar and growled at the barkeep. His hand drifted to Vulcan’s elbow, lingering a moment longer than necessary. Vulcan’s hazel eyes went wide before shooting to where we sat in the corner, and I peeled my gaze away, giving them as much privacy as I could.
“I feel stupid,” I murmured, taking a sip of water.
“That you didn’t know Vulcan prefers sausages to round rolls?” Isla asked, picking up her roll and taking a large bite.
A mortifying snort escaped my nose, and I slapped my hand against my mouth.
“You’ve been busy,” Isla explained, raising her brows pointedly to Kellan. “Plus, Vulcan’s a pretty private guy. Sometimes, he needs a little push.” Her wink was directed at Kellan, and she paused before saying, “I think I’ll get us some more food. And ale for the two of you.” She gestured between us.
She hopped onto her feet and paused after taking a step. “You know,” she murmured, leaning into the pirate lord, “Lyvia also prefers sausages. She can eat sausage all night.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
LYVIA
Documented attempts at entering the island have all been unsuccessful.
– History of Votruvia, Kellan’s private library, theHydra.
Lyvia – Borva, Votruvia
My mouth fell open as Isla shot me a shameless wink and skipped through the crowd to where Vulcan and Raek collected their drinks.
Kellan tossed his head back, and his laugh floated in the space between us before rippling through my bones. He pressed his teeth into his bottom lip as his gaze found mine once more. His eyebrows rose as if to say,I know you do, but he merely leaned forward and flicked my nose. I batted his hand away before crossing my arms.
His gaze drifted to my lips before sliding up to my eyes. My throat bobbed, and I couldn’t help but feel pulled toward him.
“Thinking about our dream, Astraeus?” I dared the question, and my heart picked up a quiet gallop. His gaze darkened as he leaned forward, and the woody scent of leather and cedar snaked into my lungs. I resisted the urge to sigh, drinking in the intoxicating air.
