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“Allemos!” I shout. I don’t think I’ve ever called him by his surname before, but I’m so furious I can’t stand to let his first name come out of my mouth.
He looks up from the sisters, relief spreading across his features. Until he sees my face.
“Get your arse over here now!”
The girls giggle as he passes, staring at that arse as he moves.
When he finally reaches me, it’s impossible to keep my voice calm. “Draxen may have been lenient with you not following orders, butIdo not tolerate it.”
He doesn’t look worried as he stands there. The wind blows across his hair, pressing the strands against his neck. I’m far too furious to become distracted by the slope of his neck.
“Have I done something?” he asks. The rest of the crew pretend to be focused on their chores, but I can tell they’re all listening.
“You were told to stay above deck last night, yet you deliberately disobeyed and ventured to the brig.”
He looks around at the others. “And just who claims to have seen me disobeying orders?”
“Isaw you.” Idiot.
His eyes widen momentarily. “I didn’t realize you remembered things from when you’re all… different.”
“Whether you thought you’d be caught or not is irrelevant.You’re my prisoner. Disobeying orders isn’t an option for you. Need I remind you that your brother’s head does not need to remain attached to his neck?”
His nostrils flare, but he reins in his own temper and steps closer, speaking low so only I can hear. “I was only curious. I wanted to see you when you’re all wild. I didn’t take the wax out. I was careful.”
I speak just as loudly as before so everyone can hear. “I don’t care. You put everyone on this ship at risk with your curiosity.”
“Everyone was perfectly safe.”
I think of the lewd way in which I held myself, how I tried to beckon him closer by using my body as an incentive. I hate the siren.
“Do you know what would have happened if you had taken just three more steps? Let me tell you, since you excel at underestimating me. I would have been able to reach you through the bars. I’d have pulled your arm through. I’d have snapped it clean out of its socket. Then I’d have whittled at your finger bones until I’d fashioned them into lockpicks. Do you want to know what would have happened to you once I was out of the cell?”
His face has frozen. He manages a single shake of his head.
“I cannot control the siren. She is a monster, which is why we take precautions.”
“I didn’t realize—” He cuts off, and his voice turns firm, as if he can salvage this. “I wouldn’t have gone any closer. Your siren self does not interest me.”
“Niridia,” I practically shout, “lock him down in the brig. Riden needs some time to think. Have the lads put Vordandown there as well. Separate cells.” Riden hates Vordan as much as I do. He might try something.
“Aye, Captain,” she says.
I turn from them both and head for my quarters. I need to change.
***
When I reemerge, I’m no less furious with Riden. This ship is too small, I decide. I could have ordered him put back in the infirmary, but that’s less of a punishment. It’s only comfy living quarters. No, it’s the brig for the cocky bastard.
I am making a beeline for the hatch leading belowdecks, when I have to pause to let Enwen exit first. He’s so tall, he has some difficulty angling himself out of the hatch. With small eyes, hollow cheeks, and a perfect nose, he resembles a tree trunk.
“Enwen, where have you been?”
“Helping Teniri in the treasury, Captain. There was a lot of gold to count through.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Turn out your pockets.”
“No need. Teniri already searched me before I left. You can ask her yourself. I wouldn’t steal from my new crew. Unlike back on Draxen’s ship, I actually enjoy living on theAva-lee.”
