Page 166 of Tempest

Jasper Fell will not lie for me again.

Another clink of the shot, the gleam of them reflecting in Valerian’s eyes. They roved like planets, as if he held all the heavens in his stare.

I used to think so, Cat mused to herself. Every constellation, every star, even the moon and sun used to dance when she looked at him.

But no longer. She refused to see the stars in him anymore.

“And your endeavor?” Valerian asked.

Cat’s breath froze, sticking fast in her lungs.

Captain Fell did not look at her, standing tall despite his chains and the nature of captivity. He was, as usual, a puffed-up statue of Meridian superiority.

“To drag Catrine Rose screaming back to Archenport,” he snapped, tossing her a livid look. “To face judgement for her many crimes.”

It took all her will to keep her face blank, even as numbing relief swept through her body.

Valerian was a stone, unreadable, though Cat desperately wished to decipher his expression. Does he believe?

The pirate turned his chin, surveying Cat in her chair. Clink clink clink. He dropped the shot back in its pouch, but for one little ball still in hand. Sighing, he rolled it between his fingers, a little spit of iron that could tear out a man’s soul.

“Is that the way of it?”

“No,” she said, poised and without hesitation. “I am guilty of nothing, only survival.”

Long fingers scratched at golden stubble as Valerian rubbed his cheek, surveying them both.

“Strange. I’m the pirate, but I’m the only one here who hasn’t betrayed anyone,” he muttered, shaking his head. Then he laughed, surprised. “I’ve never held the moral high ground before. I’m not sure I like it.”

While he amused himself with the predicament, Cat shot one last glance at Jasper Fell. He was older than the last time she saw him in chains, now with the weight of a crew on his shoulders. But he wore the same scars, the same silver eyes. The same unknowable heart, loyal to Crown and Empire, except for the sliver-thin moments when he was not.

Not like Cat Rose. Loyal to one person always, and one alone.

Herself.

“You can’t ransom him,” Cat muttered.

Still laughing, Valerian threw up his hands. “We’ve been over that several times now.”

Cat pushed on undaunted, methodical. “You shouldn’t kill him either. Or the crew.”

“Not even to boost morale?” the pirate sneered.

“Will you take this seriously if I slap you?” Cat shot back, her fist tight in her lap. Certainly, she would prefer to punch him instead.

“It would not be the first time,” Valerian drawled, but motioned for her to continue.

In spite of the circumstances, Fell snorted a laugh.

Don’t you start, she wanted to snap. But she looked to Valerian, spilling her desperation and need to make him see. To prove once and for all—

I am right.

“The navy is coming. You’re outnumbered and outgunned, even with whatever armada you’re putting together,” she said forcefully. “If the Covenant is overtaken, it will be good to have men to trade. Living men.”

To her surprise, Valerian shrugged. He put the last ball of shot away.

“Yes, I agree,” he said, with so little fanfare Cat felt like chewing the walls. “Very well, Captain. I know you’re familiar with our accommodations below deck.”