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“Look,” Smee says, her voice softening. “I didn’t mean it like that, but you have to understand, your version of ‘noble men’ and mine are different. The men on this ship might not be swimming in riches, but they’re good men. You pushed him and he had to make an example.”
“He could’ve found another way.” I pick at the hem of Sebastian’s shirt. He never did bring my things. They were in too much of a rush to get ahead of the incoming storm to send someone back for them. I haven’t ever not worn a corset around people, yet there’s something freeing about it.
“You told him, in front of all his crew, that the people would mutiny. Do you not realize how big of a deal that is? Threatening mutiny is usually a death sentence. Had it been any man on this ship who’d spoken to him that way, Nelvin or Zephyr included, they’d be dead. He spared you.”
“I didn’t threaten to mutiny him. I simply stated his people would if he allowed someone to hurt me.” My head dips, watching the fabric fray between my fingers.
“It’s the same thing, Scarlet.”
“Well, it’s cruel.”
“It’s the same customs your world shares. If someone made a similar comment to the king, do you truly believe your father wouldn’t have them hanged or executed?” I don’t answer. “Exactly. They have to make an example because all it takes is one seeded thought and more start to think the same way.”
“It wasn’t my intention. I just didn’t want to be left behind.”
Her lips quirk up into a wry smile. “If it makes you feel any better, the captain’s been sulking around all day. I think he’s waiting for you to yell at him.” She stands and rounds the end of the shelf between us, peering down at me.
My nails bite into my palms. “He’ll be waiting a long while, then.”
“Just talk to him, Scarlet. He’s dense, but he means well.” I arch a brow, unconvinced. Smee sighs, throwing up her hands in defeat. “Think about it. It’s not like you’re married for life or anything.” She twists and starts to make her way toward the door. Her boots thud against the floor and the sword at her hip clinks with every stride. “I have to go check on the rigging. Don’t stay here too long, or you’ll start growing barnacles.”
“Ha ha,” I respond dryly, rolling my eyes as she leaves the room.
Something moves to the right of the door like it’s hidden in the air… or the shadow there. My face falls. How long has he been hiding?
“Are you going to show yourself or continue eavesdropping?” I ask, hoping I’m not going mad but also not really wanting to see him either. Maybe it was just the porthole light or dust. The longer I stare at the shadowed space, the more of the outline of the man I see. “Stop it. It’s rude.”
Sebastian steps out of the shadow and his form takes shape. He’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest. Striking green eyes track me as I try to maintain my business-as-usual appearance and ignore him as I stand and carry a small box to the appropriate shelf. In my peripheral, I can see the muscles of his jaw feathering. He looks about as enthused as I feel.
“Well, aren’t you a vision,” he purrs, pushing off the doorframe to drift closer. “I nearly snapped one of my men’s necks because he tied a rope wrong. Considering I couldn’t care less how shit is tied as long as it holds, I thought I might have you to thank for that.” His eyes drift over me before returning to mine. “Clearly, I was right.”
I scowl harder when he flashes those dimples, hating how it sends a wave of heat through my body as if on cue. “What do you want?”
“I want many things, love.” He braces his hands on the desk behind me, caging me between his arms as he leans down. “But for now, I’ll settle for a smile. It seems if you’re not happy, I’m not happy and I can’t do my job like this.”
His scent envelops me, like the sea and something darker - something tempting and forbidden—and a hint of fairy wine. I wet my lips, struggling to form a coherent thought.
“What? Want me to apologize? For what? I did nothing to you that you didn’t provoke.”
“For avoiding me.” Sebastian’s eyes gleam with something predatory. Hungry even and it takes everything I have to look away from it. My brain can’t function properly when he looks at me like that. “You can’t ignore me forever.”
I clench my jaw. “Watch me.”
He chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest. “I think you’d rather me do more than watch, little lamb.”
“Stop calling me that.” I scoff.
“But that’s what you are.” His lips form a mischievous smirk. “My stubborn and absolutely insufferable sacrificial lamb.”
“It’s not helping your case.” My breath hitches as one of his hands slides down to grip my hip. My body tenses, as if it’s warring between fury and desire. I try to shove him away, but he doesn’t budge. “Let me go.”
“Or what?” His brows arch. “You going to pull my strings? Go ahead.”
The dim lanterns cast everything in a murky glow, including him. Yet, somehow, the amber lighting seems to accent his chiseled jaw, and his long dark eyelashes. It draws attention to every inky line peeking out from beneath his linen shirt. It’s wrong… all of it.
Having lingered for too long, I tear my eyes away. It’s an impossible predicament. He’s everything I should hate, yet he can give me everything I want. I’m starting to think I’ve been cursed twice. Once by my mother and once by the gods or whoever put our fates on a collision course. I should’ve let the troll eat me. Had I, I wouldn’t feel betrayed right now. I wouldn’t feel anything, for that matter.
I grip the edge of the desk tighter, not wanting to admit butterflies are spinning inside my stomach. My heart is pounding. Sebastian’s presence fills the room—it fills the very air I breathe—yet I can’t hide the shiver that races down my spine.
