AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It must be because I’m a creature of the sea. Built for tempting men, killing men, and stealing from men.
At least sleep has done me some good. It gave me time to adjust my expectations and come to terms with my new reality.
If my mother doesn’t want to stick around, fine. I’ll go to her and rob her blind.
I’m looking through my wardrobe, searching for something that matches my mood, when the door opens and closes.I panic for a moment, worrying that it might be Riden, but it is only Sorinda.
“Please tell me you don’t come bearing bad news,” I say.
“No, Captain.” She offers me one of her rare smiles. “The king can only come after us with the ships already prepared to sail. The rest will be left to protect the keep. And half the fleet is hurrying to the keep as we speak to prepare for the voyage to the Isla de Canta.”
“Yes. What are you getting at?”
“Has the land king not been looking for a way to rid the seas of pirates? What do you think he would do if you sent him the exact location of the pirate king’s keep?”
I grin so wide my cheeks hurt. “I think he’d send his armada and do his damned best to blow it to pieces.”
“My thoughts, exactly.”
“Sorinda, you’re brilliant. See it done.”
“Aye.”
She exits, and I peruse my wardrobe once more. I settle on a silver-gray corset, the color of biting steel as it glints in the sun. Night-black leggings adorn my legs, and I pull polished black boots with silver buckles onto my feet. Matching silver hoops go in my ears.
Now just a hint of paint for my face. Red for my lips. Pink for my cheeks. Silver-gray for my eyelids. The first step to feeling good is looking good, and I look like the royalty I am.
I step up to the edge of the aftercastle and survey everyone below me. Kearan is passed out at the side of ship, empty flask inches from his hand. Sorinda kicks it between two pegs of therailing so it slides over the edge. Then she searches his coat for more flasks to dump.
Most of the crew are absent, still belowdecks sleeping after the late night. A few of the riggers roam the ship, checking to make sure the lines are secure. Some of the younger crew members are cleaning. Radita, the ship’s boatswain, is taking a turn at the helm.
“Morning, Captain,” Mandsy says from where she sits on a crate off to the side, attending to more sewing.
“Why aren’t you watching the brothers?” I don’t want to say Riden’s name.
“Riden is nursing Draxen back to health. The only time he left his side was last night after Draxen fell asleep. Said he was going to see you.”
“And you let him?”
She smiles brightly. “All he wanted was to make you feel better. I thought if anyone could cheer you up, he could.”
“You’re supposed to keep an eye on the prisoners, not let them waltz into my private quarters!”
She looks apologetic, but I can tell it’s faked.
“Are you meddling?” I ask. “Is this some project of yours?”
“Not at all. I merely think he’s a better man than you give him credit for.”
Apparently, he’s more noble than I took him for. Where is the womanizing pirate who only cares for his brother?
“Just do me a favor and keep your charges out of my direct line of sight,” I say.
“I’ll do what I can.”
But as I make for the stairs, I think I hear her add, “But I can only do so much while I’m tending to the mending.”
***
