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“Scarlet,” Sebastian’s voice calls out, startling me. He stands at the entrance of the tent, his green eyes narrowed as they find me crouching next to the trunk. “You were supposed to stay with Smee.”
I chew my lip, rising from the ground. “How did you know?”
“She told me.”
“I just got here myself. There’s no way she’d have beaten me here when she didn’t know I left.”
“She’s an elemental. She used her gift to tell me that you escaped. What if something would’ve happened to you?”
“That’s exactly it,” I say, stomping forward. “You leave me here and something might. Anyone with an inkling of a brain knows they could use me as leverage against my father. They just don’t realize he wouldn’t care enough to take the bait. Don’t put me in that position. Please.” I hadn’t intended to beg, but I’m out of options.
Sebastian thrusts his ringed fingers through his hair, leaving it disheveled. “I’m sorry…”
“You bastard… Why let me live if you were just going to let me die here while you’re off doing gods know what? I am your wife. We had a deal. Either honor it or take me home.”
He steps closer, his jaw set as the muscles at the hinge flex. “I honored it already. I told you I’d treat you well and make sure you had a good life. I promised to show you the world outside your castle. Now, where are you?”
I take a step back.
“This isn’t Solaria, Scarlet. Have you been harmed since your life fell into my care? No. I kept my promise despite the fact you didn’t. Despite the fact, that I could’ve died in that arena. Don’t push me. A pirate ship is dangerous and no place for a lady. Now, I’m going to go get Zephyr so he can—” he pauses, watching me as I dig through the chest I’d intended to hide in.
Ironically enough, it had his name on it. I dig through the clothes until I find something that works, then begin to untie my dress. Working the fabric off my body, I shove my arms through one of his shirts, kick off my boots, and begin to shove my legs through a pair of his leather pants.
“What in the hell are you doing?” He blinks rapidly before tearing his eyes off me and scanning the tent, likely making sure we’re alone.
“Not being a lady.” I tuck the excess fabric of his shirt into the pants that fit decently around my waist, but I have to roll the length up multiple times to get them to rest right on my boots. I finish doing the buttons on the shirt as I turn back to face him. “Are you going to gawk all day? We have places to see, Captain.” I rip the hat off my head, tossing it and my dress in the trunk before shutting it and storming out of the tent. He’s on my heels in seconds as I climb the ramp to the deck.
“Scarlet!” His voice is stern, yet it sends a thrill through me in the most inappropriate ways. “Scarlet! Stop!” I keep walking until I clear the rail of the deck. His hand latches onto my shoulder, forcing me to turn around. “You’re insufferable. If I tell you to stop, you stop.”
“What are you going to do? Leave me here? Kill me? Well, get in line!”
He’s still for a moment, our bodies so close the tension feels like electricity—like power—rolling over my skin. My face is inches from his and the wind whips my hair with the breeze. Sebastian’s teeth grind as he glares at me, anger flashes in his eyes strong enough to burn my soul, but I don’t dare look away.
I lived. I’m breathing. I’m grateful to him for making that so, but I’m in no rush to put myself back on death’s doorstep. It’s high time this princess took her fate into her own hands, and I will not be left here. His gaze is unwavering. It takes everything I have not to shrink away from him.
“What would it look like if someone harmed your wife while you were gone? If they sent her in a box to the king or worse, used her like some salon whore for a power trip? You wouldn’t be here to do anything about it. They’d think you’re weak.” I step closer. “Even kings fall when their people don’t think they’re strong enough to protect them. If you left and something happened to me, it’d only be a matter of time before they turn on y—”
His hand is around my throat faster than I can comprehend. He doesn’t squeeze, but it’s there–a reminder of what he’s capable of. No matter how hard my fingers pry at his, they don’t budge. Sebastian puts his face in mine, his nostrils flaring as he walks backward and I stumble, trying to keep up. Suddenly, the feel of the wood beneath my shoes changes. It’s not rough and staggered. It’s smooth. I look down with only my eyes, glimpsing the water below on either side in my peripheral.
No… He won’t… He couldn’t.
I catch the sight of the coils of darkness wrapping around his limbs. I feel it dancing over my exposed skin like it’s testing me, or gearing up to strike, to drain the life from my body like I’ve seen him do a dozen others.
“Say it, princess. Go on now. Tell me all about how the people you just met will revolt.”
My foot slides back as I feel for the end of the plank. The air whirls around us, shaking the thin platform enough to make my heart hammer into my ribs, hard enough to crack bone. If I go overboard, who knows how deep that water is… I doubt it’d be deep enough to accommodate a fall that far. Even if it was, I can’t swim. I’d drown right next to the shore. I know I should look down, but I don’t want to see it. Instead, I cling to him, desperate to not go over the edge.
Sebastian pulls me forward until his breath fans my face. “What, now fear has your tongue? You seemed so brave a few seconds ago, little lamb…” His eyes take on a menacing tone, yet the smirk on his lips scares me more. “Anyone who dared to question my ability would only do so for a second. Then their heart would cease beating and I’d get another shadow for my collection. But if you’re so worried, perhaps I should rid myself of the burden.”
“Please don’t.” I hate the desperation in my voice, but I don’t want to die today. “I can’t swim.”
I could use my gift, demanding him to step back, but it’s only a temporary solution. I’m still on this island with people who hate my very existence, and I can’t control him or his crew forever. Certainly not long enough to get back to the mainland. If he saw me as a threat, he’d order to have me killed–assuming he doesn’t do it himself. I’ve never controlled more than a handful of people at once. If it comes to that, I’d have to make sure it’s enough to make the most feared man in the realm scared of me.
“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t drop you off that edge.” Think, Scarlet. Think. “Make it good. Your life depends on—”
I kick off the sliver of the plank beneath my feet and crush my lips to his. He stiffens but quickly gives in. I put everything I have into it, hoping his newfound emotions will be enough to distract him, enough to remind him that if I die, he stops feeling again.
Sebastian’s hand loosens on my throat, moving to cup the back of my neck, holding me to him. He leans into it, kissing me like I’m the air his starving lungs need. It tilts my weight onto my heels, which are barely on the edge. Just as my heart begins to settle, just as I start to believe he’ll spare me, he breaks the kiss. The clasp on the necklace he let me wear releases and he lets go.
