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“Why the sudden defense for my staff?” he asked, stepping in closer. “Here I thought you weren’t an easy woman, but I suppose even the great Princess Blood can’t resist the cook’s charm—”
“Get your mind out of the mud,” I shot back. “I have no affection for any of you. I’m only complying with your ridiculous requests for my father’s sake.”
“Then I suggest you learn to hold that tongue of yours. He’s not any safer when you open your mouth.”
I felt my blood rushing in ways it never had before.
“Go near my father,” I growled, “and I’ll cut you open myself,Captain.”
I stepped forward to pass him, but he grabbed me and pulled me back, his teeth bared.
“I think you need to cool off, princess.”
With that, he reached for his mug of beer and dumped it on my head. I screamed as it ran into my eyes and down my lips, it’s stench completely nauseating. He raised the empty glass in a cheer, smiling as if we were old friends making a toast. The men at the table chuckled in amusement at my expense, some even whistling.
With a growl, I turned on my heel and left, going down the stairs to one of the ship lavatories.
I looked in the broken mirror, my hair and face covered in beer and dirt. I reached down for some water—as brown as the beer itself—and rubbed it against my face.
A bath. All I wanted was a bath.
And for my clothes not to be soiled and torn.
For my hair to have the beautiful shine it always had.
And for my father to be happy as he once was.
But I didn’t have any of those things. And for the first time in my life, I had no way to control it. On land, I had the world at my fingertips and my family in my arms.
And now…nothing.
A few tears landed in the barrel of dirtied water. I watched them, my eyes so blurry that it looked like rays of light were sprouting and sinking to the bottom.
Before my sight could clear, a voice struck out behind me, low and far too suggestive.
“I can help you with that wet dress if you’d like.”
I looked over my shoulder, to a face I had seen around a few times but never paid much attention to. There were too many men on this ship that wanted the attention of the sole female on the ship, and it was nearly impossible to keep them all straight. He was a full head taller than I, with a twisted beard andcrooked teeth. The scent of alcohol became even stronger as the unnamed man stepped in closer, his eyes glittering in ways that made the hair on my neck freeze.
“It must be difficult to be on this ship all alone,” he continued. “Surrounded by careless men like the captain.”
My stomach soured as his eyes drifted over me. I had a feeling he wasn’t much better than the man he was bad-mouthing. Wait, no. He was worse. Adrian was childish and moronic, but he never made me feel like I was in danger.
I couldn’t say the same for this man.
I swallowed my disgust, trying to stay diplomatic.
“I appreciate your, uh, consideration,” I said, “but I won’t be needing your assistance with anything. Please leave.”
He shrugged as he crept closer. “Why? There’s a lot we haven’t learned about each other. You probably don’t even know my name, right? Should I introduce myself?”
The way he said it indicated that it wasn’t his name that he was offering.
“That won’t be necessary,” I said firmly. “I’m leaving. Let me pass.”
He held his arms out to block me. “Not so fast. Not until I get to know you a little better. Don’t you want a friend on board?”
“I need to return to Luc. It’s been nice chatting with you.”
