“Everyone in agreement, say aye.”
Everyone, including myself and Tally, says ‘aye’. Doc, as usual, responds with a ‘yes’ instead.
“It seems we're all in agreement. Before you leave, I want you to get everything from those fuckers in the brig and I want them dead before we hit land. We’ll be leaving here in a week and I want you to have as much information as possible.” When August starts to stand, going to argue some more, Amara points at her, then down to August’s seat and continues. “I don’t care if it’s your family and the house you grew up in. You’ve been on this ship for years, you have no idea what could have changed. You said it yourself, they’re evil, so get yourselves prepared as much as possible.”
They continue talking out the logistics of everything. We’ll take them over to the mainland, after that, they’reon their own. According to August, from Portwood Port, it’ll only take them a day or two by horse to reach the house.
But all I’m getting from that, is the ship is leaving in a week.
In a week, we’ll be gone again.
In a week, I’ll be leaving Tally again.
We’ve only just got to the part of admitting our feelings to one another, I was hoping to persuade Amara to stay a little longer, just so Tally and I could work out the kinks of what will come from me being out at sea. Looks like we’ll have to figure it out far quicker than I originally imagined.
I can tell from her posture, Tally’s thinking about it too.
It’s like a shard of glass to the heart, she looks heartbroken already and we haven't even gone anywhere yet.
Once the meeting is over, everyone disperses. Honestly, I’m glad. Today has been a lot and it’s taking everything out of Tally. Taking everything out of me.
I decide getting her off the ship and giving her something else to think about is a wonderful idea. I know I could do with going on a walk.
With Tally’s hand in mine, I lead her off the ship, down onto the dock before she questions me as to where we're going.
“We’re going for a walk. You can show me more of your island.”
“We’re going on a walk?”
I grin down at her, flashing all my teeth. “Yup. Now start leading the way, or I’m likely to get us stranded somewhere.”
She rolls her eyes, but it doesn’t disguise the slight upturn adorning her mouth.
“Come on, I’ll take you up to the cliffs. It’s quite a hike, but the sunset up there is stunning.”
Suddenly she’s the one in charge again, dragging me along behind her as we hike through the wilderness.
Chapter Fifty
CYRUS
The wind whips over the top of the cliffs, the open land doing nothing to quell the shivers raking over me. Tally was right about the view being beautiful.
The sun is still high in the sky, with plenty of hours left until sunset, its rays glinting off the open ocean. A few birds swoop through the blue sky, carrying their chirps and calls on the wind. The grass is soft and vibrant beneath our butts.
From here you can’t see the village or the dock. Or the large pirate ship, that’s due to leave here in a week.
My heart sinks at the reminder of us leaving, of us being separated so soon. Now I know why Tally chose this spot. A good hour's hike away, and no reminders sit within the horizon.
Why would I ever want to leave here?
It’s stunning, unique, and it hasher.
I don’t want to leave. But I know my role, my duty to the ship– to the Burnt Bones– especially with this upcoming mission. I may not be going on it, but if they’re caught or followed, it’ll be a full crew requirement. I may not want to leave, but I know I have to.
And ithurts.
Blowing out a breath, I tug Tally closer into my side. Absorbing her heat and using her to ground myself.
