Cyrus.
It’s the first time she's spoken. Well, the first time I actively let her speak. When we entered the tavern, she offered a small ‘hi’, but I bolted before she got the chance to try and talk to me further. My body aches to hear her speak some more. To listen to her rasp in my ear, her breath skating along the shell.
God, how I’ve missed her.
No.
No, Tally, remember what we said.
Think of the island, think of your people. Don’t think about her.
Don’t think about her.
Don’t. Think. About. Her.
Psh, like it was ever going to be that easy.
“Yes, I understand, can you spare more of your crew todeal with that?” I ask Amara, blatantly ignoring the fact that it was Cyrus that asked the question.
“We can.” She nods once more, easing a few more nerves.
I knew bringing them here was the right option. “And the most important thing is– no one is to know I brought you here to act as sniffer dogs. You’re simply here for a bit of time on land and to stock up on supplies.”
I watch as everyone around the table nods and declares, “Aye.”
Another gush of air leaves my lungs, relief swarming me now that I have backup, people that care and will be on my side no matter what.
“Okay, then that’s probably all for now. I’ll clear up, then open officially and get all your dinners brought out. How does that sound?” Another round of ‘aye’ goes off, before everyone is up and moving.
I immediately get to work clearing away the map and stack of humiliating posters, when Amara gets up close in my personal space.
I raise an eyebrow at her, not quite enjoying the unnecessarily size difference. Not like I do with Cyrus–didwith Cyrus.
She leans down and keeps her voice low as she speaks, “I know Cyrus and you got close and she probably did something wrong before we left, but I’m asking nicely, talk to her now.”
Blood rushes in my ears.
Did Cyrus tell Amara what happened between us? Or were we not as secret as I hoped we had been?
She chuckles under her breath at my expression. “She didn’t tell us, it wasn’t difficult to figure out and Mabel managed to wiggle out a few answers too. She’s good at seeing behind people's walls without them even realising."
Did Mabel also figure out that Cyrus is inlove with her Captain? I have a feeling she wouldn’t still be standing if that were the case.
“I know she’s a tough one to crack, but give her another chance.”
My vision turns glassy as I think back to our last few conversations. How I spent the last week of her visit here hiding away. Using my small stature to my advantage, to hide in corners no one dares to look, or slipping through cracks that most usually ignore.
Everything feels too raw still; with everything that’s been piling up on top of the heartbreak. I don’t feel like I have had a minute to sit and work out a way past it. I need a little more time to work on getting over Cyrus, before I can have a mature conversation with her.
“Not tonight.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
CYRUS
I watch as Amara and Tally talk, how she goes from stoic to broken in the blink of an eye, before waltzing off, without another look in my direction.
The lack of attention I’ve received from her hurts, but I know I’m deserving of every dirty look and venom she wants to spew my way. I did this to us. I did this to myself, when I couldn’t figure out my own shitty emotions to realise how much I was fucking up.
