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“Alosa.”
I strain at the hands that hold me, but Tylon has me boxed in pretty good. The weight of his body has me firmly planted against the door. Every ligament of his is lined up with mine, our faces far too close for comfort.
If I hadn’t been so distracted by my father’s secrets, he never would have gotten the drop on me. I should know better than to let down my guard at the keep.
I let out a sound between a growl and a frustrated sigh. “Let. Me. Go.”
“It seems the only way to have a conversation alone with you is to ambush you in the halls.”
“Most men would take that as a hint and back the hell off.”
He manages to get even closer to me. “Why? Why are youavoiding me? Ever since you returned from theNight Farer, you’ve been distant. You’ve been different.”
I turn my head to the side to get as far away from him as I possibly can. “Different? I can’t think of a time when I didn’t hate you, and I can assure you that hasn’t changed.”
A low sound gurgles up from his throat. “You’ll come around. It’s only a matter of time.”
“Yes, how can I not when you attack me in tunnels?”
“I wouldn’t have to if you’d let me see you on your ship.”
Niridia has explicit orders to dump Tylon into the sea on sight. I’m told he’d been swimming several times before we left to hunt down Vordan.
Using my song on Tylon would be a waste. I finally break an arm free of his hold and use it to push at his chest, sending him staggering backward. I place a solid kick to his stomach.
It lands him on the floor, gasping for breath.
“I know you’re not the brightest pirate,” I say as I lean over his body, “so I’ll say this slowly. You and your advances are unwanted. The next time you touch me, you’ll find an iron ball in your stomach instead of my foot.”
***
Buttered fish and salted pork leave a mouthwatering scent on the air. I promise myself there will be time for a hot meal later.
Many of the men are taking lunch in the mess hall. Tables upon tables are heaped with all the best foods. From sliced fruits to warm breads to freshly caught seafood and well-aged rum. Only the best is served in the pirate king’s keep. We canafford regular shipments of perishable foods. At the rate my father’s going, he could soon buy all of Maneria. Money pours into the keep from all the merchants and land nobles purchasing safety for their ships. Some of the pirates under my father’s control never even need to leave the keep. Nor would they want to; anything a man could want can be found here. A floating brothel anchors in one of the caves. Endless food and rum are supplied for all.
I’m used to the stares, glares, or looks of desire that come my way at the keep. Only the ship captains know what I am. I’m a mystery to most. Why would the pirate king bother with claiming a female as his child? Why does he hold me in such high regard? Why am I given the most dangerous and important missions? Some are jealous; some are curious and baffled. Others wish I weren’t so capable of defending myself.
I scan the room carefully, looking for my father, but he isn’t here. I stop one of the cooks bringing out a tray of rounded breads to add to the tables.
“Has the king been in for his lunch yet, Yalden?”
“No, Captain,” he responds. “I’ve heard he shut himself in the treasury for most of the morning. Must not be out yet.”
“Thank—”
Wood smacks against rock as the far doors are split open wide. The room instantly quiets. Everyone reads Kalligan’s mood. Even without his fleet, my father is an imposing figure. He’s a giant among men, at well over six feet and built like an ox.
Men step away from his path as he stomps to the center of the mess hall, the tables practically trembling from the force ofhis footsteps. He searches faces as he goes. Stars help whoever he’s looking for.
“Praxer!” he finally yells, as he spots a man in spectacles with more shine on his head than hair.
“My king?” Praxer abandons his meal and rises, though he has to be about to wet his breeches.
“I told you there was something wrong with the shipment from Calpoon, did I not?”
“You did, and I went through the inventory twice more. I found the missing chest of coins and added it to the rest of the treasury.”
“And did you update the books?” My father’s voice turns eerily calm.
