Fuck, I need to come. I really need to come.
Tally moves closer, until her tilted grin is the only thing I see. I watch the way her lips form the words more than I hear them. “Come for me, dove.”
Then I splinter into a million pieces.
Every ounce of energy evaporated as I came hard on Tally’s fingers.
And like the weight of the world finally fell off my shoulders, I pass out.
Chapter Eight
CYRUS
Golden rays filter through the window, blinding me before I can even open my eyes.
Heat envelops my side, an uncomfortable pressurised heat, burning me up from the inside out. When I try moving a heaviness stops me.
Where thefuckam I?
Popping my eyes open, I take in the bright room around me. Until I come to the point of heat and weight. Seeing her plastered to the side of meshouldcalm me down. Yet it has the opposite effect.
Fear and panic bubble in my gut.
She distracted me. I slept with her. She tied me up.Then I fell asleep.
I’m still in bed with Tally.
Fuck.
She’s pinned herself to my side, her head on my shoulder and my arm wrapped around her. Both of us still naked. She has a serene smile on her face, looking at peace whilst panic grips my chest.
My heart feels like it's beating out my chest and bloodrushes in my ears. Lungs capsizing in my chest as I choke on my own saliva. I shouldn’t have done this. My Captain is downstairs, who’s unlikely to be awake or possibly even alive. A whole crew is relying on me to take over from her. But I’m here, not doing my duty. Letting everyone down.
Again.
Hardening my features, although no one’s here to see me freak out. I let the war rage on inside me as I slide out from underneath her.
Sitting up with my back to Tally, I take deep breaths.
Then I’m getting dressed and getting on with my duties. Like I should have been all this time.
First, I make a point of seeking out the room Amara has been taken too.
She was still asleep with Mabel passed out in the chair next to her bed. With Mabel still covered in blood and smelling of gun powder. I’d let her rest then head back later and offer to take over.
For Amara it's the least I can do.
But for now I’ll head to the ship and continue my duties there. Jumping on the back of a horse. The mare's brown mottled coat glinting with the sunlight. Grabbing the reins and pressing in my heels, we belt it down the thoroughfare towards the dock. It isn’t far, easy enough to walk, I just want to get as far away from the inn as soon as possible.
In the distance, smoke still curls along the horizon.
The smell of brimstone filters through the air and thecloser I get to the ship the more the contamination of blood and guts mix with it.
Smells I’ve unfortunately gotten used to over the years.
When the ship comes into view I refuse to let a grimace take over, keeping my neutral expression in place. Not once letting anyone see beneath the facade.
Except you let Tally see beneath it yesterday.
