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I stop dead in my tracks, even my thoughts cease. “And how do you know this?”
“Books,” she says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
Nelvin snorts from across the table, grinning and blushing as he chews his thumbnail. “Sure… books.”
My vision goes red, and I point an accusatory finger at him. “I swear I will throw you off this ship,” I growl.
“You’re not going to float me,” Nelvin retorts, unfazed. “Even then, I’ve never hurt your sister. I’ve given her what she wants. She could stop things at any time.”
Taking a deep breath, I force my anger to the back of my mind and focus on the conversation at hand.
Zephyr clears his throat, drawing our attention. “So, how do we finish the bond if she didn’t take it during the ceremony? If he feels numb all the time, it should help dampen whatever she’s feeling.”
Nelvin pipes up. “Priestesses only bind spirits for royal weddings. And yes, some spells can bind you in a similar fashion, but they have to be accepted willingly.”
Lorian nods, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “It’s written magic, but it’s worth a shot. Nelvin would have to cast it, though. Only elves and fae can.”
“Actually, it’s not just written magic,” Nelvin corrects him. “It requires him to sleep with her and she’s gotta see stars. If he can’t make that happen, then—“
I lock my jaw. Never again... Next time, I’ll suffer alone. “It won’t be a problem.”
“Good. Then I’ll get the tattoo gun. I’m going to need both of your blood and apparently, you’re going to need to bring your shadows.” Nelvin winks at me.
Dear gods... “Alright,” I concede, my voice barely above a whisper. “Let’s just get this over with.”
“Fuck...” Nelvin mutters, covering his eyes with a hand. “When I said I wanted a threesome, this isn’t what I envisioned.”
I shake my head. “You’re not touching her. You’re not even going to be on the same level of the ship when it happens. It’s bad enough I had to learn what you do to my sister.”
Smee groans, rolling her eyes. “Fine. If you think finishing the bond will work, do it. But it doesn’t solve her mark issue. We’ll handle one thing at a time, and I’m keeping this until she either floats or we have concrete proof of her innocence.”
“I understand,” I say, locking eyes with her.
As they disperse, I take a deep breath, letting my head tip back against the chair.
“Are you sure about this? You know there’s no guarantee it will work,” Smee says softly once we’re alone.
I nod, my resolve unwavering. “I know, but it’s worth the risk. If finishing the blood oath or the bond can help me regain some semblance of control, then I have to try.”
“Alright,” she sighs, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Just... be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
30
Hook
I’mnotsurehowlong I sit in the wardroom, but everyone is long gone by the time I gather the energy to move. Checking my bandage, I find my wound closed, and that the stitches and an ugly scar are the only evidence left. Still hurts, but it’s nothing like it used to be.
I peel the bandage off, crumpling it up in my hand, and toss it into the trash on the way out of the room. As I make my way through the ship, no one speaks, but I can feel the looks being shot my way. Giving Smee the hat was the right call. I’ve done everything I can to keep this crew happy, during the years I served as my father’s second to taking the helm myself. It’s like they’ve forgotten that.
Something strikes me as odd though... They’re not the looks of angry men. It’s like they’re surprised to see me, like they didn’t expect me here. Their expressions are full of blank eyes and gaping mouths. And then there's the whispers... Is it because I was hurt? Are they surprised to see me up and about or—
Panic shoots through me, raw and uncontrollable, like someone’s plunged a knife into my gut. My knees buckle and I have to grab the bulkhead just to stay upright. My heart races, beating away at my bones and muscle until it hurts. No matter what I do, I can’t take a deep enough breath to soothe the burning in my lungs.
What the fuck is happening?
No one moves. No one so much as flinches, like they expected it. They know something. Scarlet.
I twirl my wrists as shadows burst into existence around me. Zephyr asked me not to use my gift for at least a day, to conserve my energy to heal, but that was before this--before someone got to her. I step into the closest one pooling across the floor and out of another in the med bay, sprinting toward where Scarlet’s cot is.
