Page 106 of The Divine Lies We Weave

“Tell me you had a plan before you agreed to help her,” Tanmay murmured. “I can’t be standing by your side trying to calm the crew if you barely know what is happening.”

Rajesh frowned. “I never pictured you as someone to calm another down, May.”

Tanmay straightened, tugging at the white shirt that was too loose for his tall, skinny frame. Yet, he wore it, anyway, because it had the band of the second mate embroidered on the sleeve in two intricate golden circles. “I may not have the guts to stand up to you, but I have defended you, Captain. To the edge of my breath.”

Rajesh sighed. He was lashing out at the younger man for no reason other than his own selfish reasons. Hurt people hurt people. His mother had spoken that expression to him all his childhood, and right now, he couldn’t agree more with it.

“Sit down,” Rajesh said, patting the cushion beside him.

Tanmay hesitated.

“Sit,” Rajesh urged. “That’s an order.”

Tanmay grumbled but slumped into the seat next to him. He stared at the empty fireplace, a tiny dent between his brows.

“Do you know why I picked you?” Rajesh asked, trying to defuse the tension.

Tanmay finally set his calm brown eyes on Rajesh. “Yes. You tell me all the time.”

“Then remind me.”

“Because I was the one you saw potential in. I’m the calm one. The one who can talk to the crew even though it scares the living shit out of me.”

Rajesh chuckled. “And because I knew you had my back. You believe in me, May. You may be young, but age doesn’t stop anyone from accomplishing great things. The oldest people I know have made the silliest decisions, and sometimes the youngest are the wisest.”

Tanmay sighed. “Your point, Captain?”

“Stop doubting yourself,” Rajesh said. “Stop doubting me.”

Tanmay sat upright. “Are you not concerned, Captain? Of when she could attack and kill you? How do you think it makes the crew feel, knowing she is below and could strike at any moment?”

Rajesh sipped his whiskey, grateful for the burn. “She hasn’t. She won’t.”

“How can you be so sure? Look what happened yesterday.”

Rajesh held Tanmay’s gaze when he spoke next, “Because she hasn’t. Not yet. Because even Flames can learn to forgive and forget, and sometimes, love does conquer all.”

Tanmay shook his head. “No, Captain. I… I hate to be dismissive, but it is foolish to believe that. She will strike. It is written in the stars. Of the Flames and their tormented tales.”

“Tales can be rewritten, and some tales aren’t even written.”

“I would be remiss not to argue the point,” Tanmay said. “You have a dedicated crew willing to rid the world of the monsters. Monsters she brought into this world.”

Rajesh flinched.

“She is the reason we have to put our lives on the line,” Tanmay argued. “And you will end up being her next kill.”

Rajesh heaved a sigh. “What do you suggest I do?”

“Kill her,” Tanmay said. Desperation swirled in his brown depths. “Kill her and rid the world of this nonsense. Kill her and the Scorpion gets his revenge, and the Viperess returns to the Netherworld, never to be seen again.”

“Killing her doesn’t stop the monsters from spawning, May.”

“Killing her unleashes the Scorpion from this terrible ordeal and endless worry,” Tanmay argued. “It means we don’t have to sit here, waiting and watching her. Always on our toes. Always worried she will attack and kill you.”

Rajesh’s lip twitched. “Worried she’ll kill me?”

“She will,” Tanmay protested. “And when she does, she wins.”