Page 37 of Black Sea

The pirate crossed his arms, chest high. “In the middle of the Thalion Sea. But I’ll let the blonde here share their little story. She enjoys making pompous speeches.” He winked at me with a creepy smile.

As I glared at him, I felt Amlach’s eyes burning on one side of my face, silently ordering me not to dare open my mouth.

I couldn’t decide which of the two men bothered me more.

Far from impressed, Master Roxior took the pipe beside the bunch of grapes. It was made of ivory foam, featuring a stove depicting a fox’s head—complete with a pointed snout, sharp teeth, and thick mane—and an amber mouthpiece.

Lightning it as if he had all the time in the world, he said, “For years, I have allowed you to show me your wares, Escrain, although other Masters think you’re a rat to be left to rot in the desert. And this is how you repay me in the end?” He took a deep drag and, blowing out thick white smoke, hissed through his teeth, “Deceiving me?”

“Sir!” Escrain was outraged, a vein pulsing on his temple. “You offend me if you think I would ever do that.”

Roxior gave him a sharp glance as he continued to smoke calmly. “And you offend me, pirate, pawning off this female as an elf. I have enough pleasure slaves running around my house. I don’t need another one, no matter how incredible her beauty is. The male is in fine shape and will look good once cleaned. I could buy him as my personal guard for a thousand gold coins.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Amlach grimace in indignation—perhaps he believed he was worth a higher sum because of his military rank.

Escrain showed no signs of hearing Roxior’s final words and remained focused on me. “This maiden is an elf, Master,” he said. He approached me and reached out to touch my hair, but stopped with his hand in midair when I shot him a deadly look. He swallowed nervously and glanced at his second-in-command’s bandaged arm, then forced a courteous smile onto his face. “Do you mind, Highness?”

Humiliated and furious, I tucked my hair behind my right ear and turned my head to show it to Roxior, keeping my eyes fixed on Amlach’s fingers to maintain control. He closed them with enough force to whiten his knuckles.

“See, Master?” Sneering, the pirate indicated my ear with a contrived gesture. “Peaked ears.”

Roxior didn’t lose his composure. “I know what kind of people work at the harbor, Escrain. You might have paid someone to add that . . . skin.”

The captain folded his hands on his chest, lifting his chin with pride. “I haven’t, Master.”

Roxior blew out a cloud of smoke that almost took the shape of a circle before it dispersed. “Prove it.” Noticing the confusion on the pirate’s face, he added, “Bring me her ear.”

21

Fury swelled in me like a bonfire, merging with the anger radiating from Amlach and creating a dangerous spiral that altered the atmosphere in the room.

Escrain sensed it too, so he turned away from me and casually took a few steps toward Roxior. “Master,” he began in a stiff tone. “We have a long-standing business relationship. Have I ever sold you slaves that you were not satisfied with?”

The old man exhaled a puff of smoke, looking him up and down as if he were a bug. “No. Your goods have always proved useful and loyal until the end.”

“Then why do you doubt me now?” the captain flared up.

Roxior’s gaze grew sharper. “You’re hesitating, Escrain.”

He lightly rocked on his heels. “Oh, well,” he sighed in a casual tone. “Anyway, she won’t need her ear for what I have planned for her. So . . .” He slightly bowed, tipping his hat. “As you wish, Master.”

He spun around and returned to me. He exchanged a worried look with his second-in-command, who drew the curved dagger from the blue band around his waist and handed it to his captain by the hilt.

Now aware of my slowness, I tensed every muscle in my body, fully feeling the cool floor under my feet to prepare myself to scramble as soon as that blade neared my ear.

Escrain jerked his chin at his three men. “Hold her still,” he ordered, wearing a fake, confident smirk.

I put all my weight on my right leg and started to pull my left heel off the ground to spin with a kick . . .

“Master!” Amlach burst out suddenly, stepping forward until the chain between us stretched with a loud snap.

The servants in the room gasped in terror. It was evident that no slave had ever dared to address their Master during a sale, especially not in that tone.

Amlach held the Master’s icy gaze so firmly that, after a few moments, the man signaled Escrain to let go. The pirate seemed almost relieved and quickly moved away from me.

Amlach shot him a glance so dark and deadly that a small drop of sweat trickled down the captain’s temple. Then he turned back to Roxior, head held high and posture straight as a die.

“My name is Amlach Pýrós,” he began in a stentorian voice. “Commander of the army of King Amlach III of the Kingdom of Men.” He turned slightly to me. “This is Princess Nauriel, daughter of King Erech of the Kingdom of the Elves.”