Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
A few more days had gone by, and Kent’s chin had never felt more itchy. While what little hair he had wasn’t truly thick enough to be considered a proper ‘beard’, he swore he’d never gone this long without shaving. Occasionally the pirates allotted him a sliver of soap to wash himself, but they didn’t trust him with a razor.
They also hadn’t let him back above deck again, either. Once was enough, apparently. But as time kept passing, day after day, soon enough they’d reach their destination. Another day or so of this monotony wasn’t going to kill him, he supposed, sitting around with the pleasant company of Allen and even Seth.
But what wasn’t so pleasant was how Captain Young decided to ‘check up’ on him more than usual.
At least a couple times a day, Young opened the door without warning. Every time, he eyed Kent with a scrutinizing glare, menacing and… hungry. The captain’s silver eyes twinkled with desire as he simply stared at his captive without saying a word, tying Kent’s stomach in knots. Kent thought of what Young had said that day, after pulling him forcefully away from Mo:
Why should you leave yourself exclusive to him , when plenty of much finer men are here right in front of you?
Presently, Seth was above deck, Allen was taking a nap in his hammock, and Young entered without warning just like always, except this time—he caught Kent without his shirt, in breeches only, in the middle of washing himself. Kent’s nerves jolted as he dropped the soap, taking a step backwards, his back hitting against the wall.
“So terribly sorry,” Young said with a disturbing, foul grin, leaning forward in an obviously exaggerated bow. “I don’t mean to disturb you. Just making sure my prize is being well kept.”
“Your prize ?” said Kent, covering his bare chest with his arms. “Your prize shall be the pounds my father bestows upon you, not me myself.”
“But you are what I need for that prize, are you not?” Young’s grin never wavered as he stood up straight. “You promised, that if your father does not pay, I can have my way with you. I have not forgotten. I figure that sentiment stands true as long as you are within my custody. You belong to me unless paid for otherwise.”
Goosebumps prickled all over Kent’s exposed skin—his blood running cold in his veins. “No. You promised to leave me unharmed for the duration of the journey to meet my father. And if—and only if—my father does not pay, will I stay on the ship and… and… be what you want.” It hurt to admit it out loud, but he figured he had to say it to satisfy the pirate, regardless if it would come true or not.
It would not. His father would pay, and then he’d be free.
“Whoever said I would harm you?” Young let out a laugh, and took a step forward. Close, too close, only a foot in front of Kent’s face. “I’m talking of pleasure. If you’ve fucked a merman, that obviously means you like cock. I assure you, mine will please you far better than his ever could.” He put his hand on his belt, jingling the buckle, and Kent’s breath froze. His heart hammered in his throat. He was cornered, terrified; there was no way he could overpower a man so much larger than himself?—
“Enough! Let him alone,” called out Allen from where he was laying in his hammock, hanging off to the side behind Young. He abruptly swung his legs over the side and stood upright, matching the height of the pirate captain. “I will not let you attempt to coerce Fareham into doing something he doesn’t wish to do.”
Young turned away from Kent and faced Allen. “Whether or not he wishes it is not my concern, nor any of the other mates’ concerns,” said the pirate. “A bargain is a bargain.”
“And you promised to keep him unharmed,” growled Allen, pointing a strong finger at Young. Kent was relieved to see that by now, the redhead’s injury to his bicep was nearly completely healed. He had his strength back.
“I know what I’m doing,” Young snapped. “If you’re part of the crew now, you’ll understand my ways. Ah—before you say anything to retort, I see no threat of mutiny when every man here backs what I say.”
“Even Seth?” Allen sneered.
“He knows better than to defy me. I saved him from his old, miserable life. He owes me everything.”
That didn’t seem quite true, but Kent was too frightened to speak up, still huddled back against the wall.
Oh, if only Mo were here…
“Cap’n!” A muffled voice came from behind the door.
“What is it?” Young groaned, taking a step backwards.
“We need your help breakin’ up a fight—Sully’s at it with Taylor again.”
“Can’t you deal with it yourselves?”
“Sully’s been threatenin’ ’im with a knife, Cap’n. Some of the other lads are holdin’ ’em back from each other, but it could get ugly.”
“Fuck, fine.” He glared at Kent. “I’ll be back some other time.”
With that, he turned toward the door, exiting and shutting it behind himself. The grind of the key in the lock screeched.
The tension in Kent’s knees finally gave out, and he collapsed to the floor. He managed to sit upright, but he labored heavy breaths, panting, his heart running wild. “My God, thank you Allen. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Allen knelt down next to him and patted his shoulder, moving Kent’s long brunet hair out of the way. “You’re welcome. I just cannot stand a man as vile as that. He has no right to speak to you that way.”
“Then… how will you manage as a member of his crew? I’m so sorry, I got you into this mess…”
Allen shook his head. “It was I who’d offered to join the crew.”
“Perhaps once we reach England, you can sneak a way out with me? We could form a plan, when the messengers come along to tell my father, we can whisper something….”
“That could be more risky than it’s worth, though.” Allen readjusted his posture, sitting on his rear, pulling his hand away and combing it through his orange locks. “Imagine the struggle. The pirates are armed, mind you. They could catch on to the plot of what is happening, and someone innocent gets hurt.”
Kent sucked in his lips, and, out of needing to occupy his hands, found the soap he’d dropped and grabbed it. Its smooth, soft surface was soothing, even just a little bit. “That could happen. But if you do not escape, you’ll be stuck here with these barbarians.”
“I will figure something out. You don’t know me well enough—you don’t know the sticky situations I’ve gotten out of before.” He gave Kent a reassuring smirk. “Besides, I don’t think of Seth as a barbarian.”
“I suppose so.” Kent managed to smile back.
Soon enough, Seth joined them again, glad to be out of whatever situation was happening above deck. Kent thought it prudent to tell him of their encounter with Young, and so he did. Seth was sickened by the words of his captain. He held his hand flat on his chest in astonishment as he sat down, continuing his conversation with their trio.
“I know you all may think I’m vulgar with my own language,” said Seth, “but I would never threaten to violate someone. Why would the captain say such a thing?”
Kent let out a warm sigh. He was glad that out of all the pirates, it seemed they had made a friend on their side. “Is there anything you can say to perhaps make him back down? You are one of the crew. He’d listen to you closer than he would me, and even Allen.”
Seth chewed on his tongue, looking down at the floor. “Captain will only change his tune and listen to the crew if a majority votes on a subject. With the words I’ve heard from the other mates above deck, whispers about you, things they don’t believe are loud enough to be heard… I’m afraid my opinion would be in the minority.”
Kent’s stomach lurched. Seth really was a good man. If only there was something he could do to not only save Allen off this ship, but Seth, too.
“I’m also afraid,” continued Seth, “that if I were to speak out of turn, what Young would do to all of us. I don’t hold any doubts that if he were angered enough, he’d let go of any promises and act on his own whims. He’s a ruthless man when he can be, in truth.”
Kent’s breath hitched in fear, but was quelled by the gentle touch of Allen’s hand on his shoulder again. “We must play it safe,” said the redhead. “You will return to England unharmed. You will see your merman again. We’ll do what we can, right, Seth?” He turned his head to the pirate.
“Right.” Seth nodded.
Kent nodded as well. Lord , if only he could see Mo. He missed his gentle touch, he missed the comfort of holding him, he missed his reassuring kisses. While Mo likely had no more power than the humans had to protect him, that didn’t matter. He knew his beloved would do whatever it took to ensure Kent’s safety.
But would he even go as far as using the Siren’s Song ? —?
Kent schooled his face so Allen and Seth wouldn’t notice anything amiss.
No, he’s not a siren. He wouldn’t lie to me, right?
The sentiment had toyed around in his mind ever since Allen had brought it up as a possibility. If Mo was lying to him, what would that mean? If he was a siren, what was he capable of? What had he done in the past—had he really killed other humans using some otherworldly power? Could he really have done something so horrific, so terrifying, so monstrous ?
How would that make any sense, when Mo wanted for his own life amongst humans, and loved a human—Kent himself?
A lump rose in his throat, threatening the taste of bile.
Yet the magic that connected him to his merman pulsed in his chest. Mo was nearby. He could sense it; he could feel his presence even if he couldn’t see him. The lump dissolved away almost as quickly as it came.
He put his hand over his heart and felt the magical warmth, comforting him enough to let him shoo away those nagging thoughts.