71
Kye stared hard into my face, trying to catch my eye.
I refused to look at him. Refused to give him the satisfaction of being right. Of exchanging meaningful glances.
Of admitting he might soon be dead.
The thought sparked a seed of hatred within me.
“Now,malá ryba, a lady of noble birth should know better than to ignore the captain of your ship. Your mother would be appalled at such behavior. What do you think she might say, to hear of such ill manners? My own mother used to grab hold of my brother's ears at such transgressions, steering them to an early bed with no supper. I was the one she never had to discipline. I was a dutiful son. Once, when I was eleven, I found a purse of gold coins on the side of the road. I took that purse door to door in our village, searching for its owner—”
The slow burn of fury simmered within me. I frowned at my chain.
Kriska seemed willing to occupy himself with his rambling. Though Kye refused to look at the captain, his face grew dark,his patience waning. He stared at me, his neck taut, head tilted slightly in my direction, willing me to look in his eyes.
Wrapping my fingers around a section of the chain, I grated my teeth, determined not to.
“—I finally found her, a little old lady, the last house on the road. There was heavy snow that day.Babicka,I said,is this your purse?She rewarded my good, selfless deed by giving me a bowl of hot soup—”
Kye’s gaze pierced my forehead.
Don’t look at him.Don’t look at him.
“—to this day, the finest I've ever tasted. Ship food is not so flavorful, you see, though we have offered you our very best. You should be grateful. Are you listening,malá ryba?Malá ryba.”
Flicking my eyes to him, I stared at the pirate captain through my lashes.
Kriska exhaled, his amusement struck dead. “We’ll be at port in half an hour. You’ll take your dose ofkoren valerianynow, before we cast anchor.”
Burian leaned across the open doorway, peering around his captain’s shoulder. Kriska inclined his head in my direction, a silent order to give me the water.
Kye stared at me across the cabin. He turned his head a fraction.Don't.
Catching the look between us, Kriska stepped inside, slapping Kye on the back. “Jealous, are we? That the lady has a smooth brew to wet her lips, and you do not? Demyan!Ešte jeden pre chlapca!There, now, my friend. Fair is fair. We will get somevalerianydown you as well. Let no guest aboardDarkness’s Hourglasssay Captain Kriska is unjust.” He jerked his head at Burien, who leaned in the doorway, a glass ready in his hand.
Burian smirked and threw the contents of the glass over Kye.
The pirates dissolved with laughter. I froze, fingers curling tight enough to puncture my palms as I waited for Kye to retaliate. To seethe and threaten.
But he didn’t move, calmly blinking water from his dark lashes as they jeered. He flicked his gaze to me, fire in his eyes.
I swallowed, stomach fluttering in quiet relief.
Demyan ducked under the doorway, a second glass in hand. He passed it directly to me, eyes dark.
I glared at him. I glared at them all.
“Shall the lucky couple share a toast?” Kriska asked.
I had a mind to throw the water athim. Instead, I placed the glass next to myself, threading one elbow through the iron ring to do so. “Would you care to negotiate?” I asked, pretending to pick a spot of dust off my filthy dress.
Kriska smiled. “You’re not in the position to strike a bargain with me.”
“Ifyou release us,” I said, ignoring him. “Iwon’tsink your ship to the lowest levels of the sea.”
The pirates laughed mockingly from the berth. Kye watched me, his eyes unreadable. Kriska tilted his head, amused. “Ifyou drink thevaleriany,Iwon’tbreak his leg.”
I didn’t move.
