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I can hear light footsteps up on deck, but that is likely just the watch. I had to slip past them on my way down here.
How can all this have been for nothing? I’ve been kidnapped, questioned, tortured, and reduced to playing horribly demeaning roles to get what I want.
I’m so furious, the rope I cling to starts swaying. My body is tight, occasionally rocking as I lurch with frustration.
What was that?
I swear I caught a glint of something in her eye. Leaning forward, I cause the rope to swing again.
There it is again. Her left eye. It looks darker than the right from this angle.
I can feel my blood pounding under my skin. My heart beating in my head. I reach down to grab a lower end of the rope. I wrap it around my foot several times and then hold the end under my chin. I’ll need both hands for this.
My dagger is still in my boot. Riden has not once asked me for it. He must have forgotten about it.
I wedge the blade in between the glass and the wood and apply pressure at an angle. The glass pops off, and I barely catch it before it topples into the water.
From the back, I can clearly see that a piece of parchment has been encased within. How can it be anything else than what I seek?
“Finally,” I say breathlessly.
I cock my head sideways at the one-eyed siren. “Sorry about that. But I need to take this.”
The eye is about the size of a large apple, but I still manage to fit it into one of my pockets so I can climb the rope. I’m smiling as I haul myself over the edge and drop onto the deck.
But then I look up.
I’m not alone. Not even close.
It appears that the entire crew is on deck. That’ll be including a clothed Riden and Draxen.
Oh, stars.
“Well, look who it is,” Draxen drawls out. It’s hard to tell his mood. On the one hand, he looks pleased to have caught me. On the other, he is very unpleased to see me. I did, after all, leave him knocked unconscious and naked in his room. “Our little prisoner. Or wouldthiefbe a better term here?”
“Thief?” I say with a mixture of confusion and anger.
“Well, you’re either a thief or a whore, princess. Those are the only words that would explain the situation you left the two of us in.”
“I believe the only thing I’ve stolen from the likes of you is your dignity. Perhaps your reputation.”
Draxen lowers his eyelids. If I thought he hated me when I first came onto the ship, it’s nothing compared to what he thinks of me now. He takes a step forward.
“Turn out your pockets,” Riden says. I turn my attention over to him. He’s trying so very hard to keep a mask over his face. But something keeps peeking through. Disappointment? Anger? Maybe even a tinge of sadness?
Am I the reason for that?
Draxen draws his sword. “Turn out her pockets? Why don’t we have the princess take off her clothes so we can inspect her properly?”
A few men whistle. But I’m not worried. I’d jump overboard before I let that happen.
Riden tries to solve things on his own. “Hand it over, Alosa.”
“What am I handing over?”
“Oh, don’t be daft, lass. We know you’ve found the map.”
“I just managed to dig out a few holes near the bottom of the ship. I’ve a mind to set you all to sinking.”
