14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
The Castaways
Konrad:
T he three of us remain hidden in the tree line of the hill over our cave as we peer down at the beach. A gentle breeze that is a far cry from the stormy gale from last night plays with our hair, my coat, and Valda’s coral red skirt.
I do my best to ignore the woman I held last night for purely practical reasons and take in the sight below. The ship I chartered has been torn to shreds on the sharp rocks just beyond shore. It is utterly irreparable and unreturnable.
That is going to take a huge chunk out of the ransom I have no guarantee of earning.
Eloise turns to me and frowns. “Are you thinking of money right now?”
I wince.
Valda glances between us and shrugs one fragile shoulder. “Oh, he always thinks of money, chickpea. Even when in the throes of a romantic embrace.”
“I do not!” I whisper-cry just as Eloise says, “Don’t call me ‘ chickpea.’”
“Then give me back my dagger, chickpea.”
Eloise stubbornly shakes her head at her before turning her glare back at me. “There are no moneylenders on this island.”
“There are plenty of pirates, though.” Valda frowns at where the entire crew is swarming the beach like aunts. They appear to be swimming back and forth from the ship, reclaiming whatever is salvageable.
Maybe I can still reclaim my spare outfit—
“ Abi , stop it.”
I grit my teeth. “We’re going to have to keep our distance.”
“On this tiny island?” Eloise exaggeratedly looks around.
Valda nods. “That will be difficult. Konrad couldn’t even keep his distance in the cave.”
I knew the Creator would punish me for my actions, deviating from the parameters of justice by involving an innocent. I just didn’t realize the penalty would be so swift. Or so severe.
“They know we came this way,” Eloise whispers.
“They also know I came this way. I’m sure they are not looking for another tussle so soon.” Not that I can transform until I’ve had something to drink. Why didn’t I set out something to catch the water in during the storm?
I glance at Valda. Oh, yeah.
“Let’s hope they find a way off before they realize how little food is on this island.” Eloise pets Sir Pigeon.
Turning, I study the docile bird. He isn’t a lot, but we could make a meal—
Eloise senses my thoughts and backs away, shielding Sir Pigeon from me. “Either we all get off this island— or none of us.”
“That’s a bit dramatic—”
“But I do like being on the island with you.”
I blink. “You do?”
“I enjoy adventuring with you. ”
“It may be fun for a little while, but you’ll eventually have to return to normal life.”
Eloise frowns. “It won’t ever be normal again. Not without them.”
My heart fractures a bit more at the reminder of my failure. “I’m sorry, pup.”
But she’s already halfway down the hill, barreling toward the other end of the island from the shipwrecked pirates.
Valda lets her go for a moment before shrugging. “Well, I’m going to go bathe.”
It takes me a moment to register her words. My gaze snaps to her. “You are most certainly not . We haven’t time for such frivolities when there’s food to gather and water to find—” Her words echo in my head. “Wait, have you discovered a freshwater source?”
She raises that inferno eyebrow at me. “I wasn’t planning on bathing in salt water, if that’s what you’re asking. I saw a creek while I was fleeing— before the heavens turned against me.”
I paw at my neck that is itching again this morning. “Well, lead the way!”
“I don’t have to do anything, but since I was going that way, anyway . . .” Valda turns and strides across our tree-covered hill like she’s holding court and not marooned on a deserted island.
The sound of flowing water comes to my ears, and I charge ahead. There is a deep pond on the top of the hill, cresting into a dainty waterfall flowing down the side opposite from our cave. It deepens at the bottom and cuts through the forest as a stream.
Looking around, I spot Eloise already at the foot of the waterfall, sipping the water.
With the assurance that her need is met, I drop to my knees to satiate my thirst.
“You even drink like a dog. ”
I lift my head and find Valda leaning her hip against a tree. She’s watching me with sardonic amusement written on her features.
“Are you not thirsty?” I gesture to the creek.
“My thirst has already been quenched, I assure you.”
I narrow my eyes at her, but my thirst hasn’t been satisfied yet, so I turn back to the pond. This time, I restrain myself and cup the water into my hands instead of lapping it up directly.
“Finish already so I can bathe.”
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I glare at her. “You are not bathing in our drinking water.”
“But—”
I shake my head once and stand. “Now that we have water, we need to find something to eat so we can determine our next steps.”
Valda shrugs. “I’m not hungry.”
“No. Absolutely not.” I march toward her. “You are not continuing this starvation charade while we’re stranded on this island. Not happening.”
“You keep thinking you can control me.” Valda crosses her arms over her chest and stares up at me, her eyes glinting with a challenge. “How many times do I have to prove you wrong?”
“Just because you’re unnaturally stubborn does not mean you have any say in your state of captivity. I will see you protected, fed, and returned to your father on my terms.”
Valda just rolls her eyes. “I am the queen of this island.” Leaning forward, she presses a searing kiss to the edge of my jaw. “Just do yourself a favor and keep that in mind.”
With that, she turns and saunters away from me, descending toward Eloise.
Despite myself, I gingerly touch the tingling skin that most recently enjoyed Valda’s soft lips .
Were we arguing about something? I honestly don’t remember . . .
Valda:
T hick clouds slip over the sun. I take the opportunity to toss off my cloak and climb the hill. It feels good to let the chill breeze blow across my skin. It’s nothing like when I used to be able to walk in the sun, but I can almost remember it.
I knew what I would be giving up when my father explained to me all the sacrifices to be made for the strengths I would gain. But there are some things that are not truly known until they are experienced— like losing the sun.
It also feels good to really comb out my hair without my hood getting in the way. The storm did terrible things to my tresses . . .
A sense of melancholy wafts in the wind, but it isn’t mine. Pocketing my comb, I follow it to the top of the hill.
Konrad is sitting on the grass, staring out at the sea. His saber is in his hands, and it looks like he was sharpening it or cleaning it, but has since given up.
I drop next to him. “Where’s the chickpea?”
He doesn’t startle, probably because he either heard or smelled me coming. “She’s back at the cave. Insisted she needed some time alone.”
“Do you need time alone?”
Konrad finally turns to me, a light smirk on his face. “Would you leave if I did?”
“Nope.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think so.”
I place a hand on his leg. “You know, you’re not so different from the gallant outlaws the bards sing of.”
“And how is that?” Konrad frowns at my hand.
Then he shrugs one arm out of his coat and wraps it around my shoulders, so that we’re both sharing the garment and his body heat.
I tighten the grip of my hand that must be cold through both my glove and his breeches. “Well, for one thing, if you were merely a gentleman, you would have simply given me your coat. Instead, you behaved as a gentlemanly highwayman.”
“I’m chilly too!” He glances away, but his reddening ears give him away.
Grinning, I rest my face on his shoulder. “I’m not complaining. I like that you like being close to me.”
He grunts. “Well, don’t you keep your valuables close?”
I pat my chest where my tonic perfume rests. “I keep them very close.”
Konrad has nothing to say to that.
The breeze plays at my hair, and instinct has me tugging out my comb and running it through my hair once again.
Konrad turns to me. “You’re preening right now?”
“Turn away! You’re not supposed to see me preparing to seduce you.”
He rolls his eyes at me. “Is that part of your vengeance against me? To make me beg for your kiss and forgiveness on my knees?”
“Is that why you’re so reluctant? You remember the words I uttered in anger?”
Konrad glances down at me. “You didn’t mean it, then?”
“Oh, I did .” Reaching up, I caress his beard. “You will be mine, Konrad— just you wait.”
“With bated breath.”
Giggling at his dry tone, I soak in his warmth like it’s my own. I can almost feel as alive as when I walked in the sun .
But that sun, now my curse instead of my siren’s call, is threatening to break through. I need to retrieve my cloak before it does.
I shrug off Konrad’s coat and stand. “It really will not be so terrible when you become my prize instead of me being yours. I would keep you very close indeed.”
Konrad studies me warily. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll explain in due time,” I answer, turning away.
And I can only hope that in due time, he will accept my offer— that he will elect to become my thrall rather than my victim.
K onrad is hunting for the small game he is certain he smells on this island. Eloise is always just within view of him as she collects plants and berries that she insists are edible.
I slip the berries I was served for breakfast onto the bark Eloise reserved for herself. I can’t stomach the thought of eating them when they will only taste like ash to my undead senses. But I also can’t waste them now that food is limited and Eloise is still growing. I used to have to eat so much at her age that Vater had to actually call for his farmers’ tithe to keep me fed.
Brushing off my gloves, I step out of the cave and glance around the island that has become our temporary home.
With the gorgeous surroundings and the even more gorgeous Konrad, I think I could like it here for a little while, at least. Eternity is a long time to not enjoy every experience offered for as long as it lasts, and I think I could enjoy playing family with my two captors for a little while .
It’s so strange that being a captive castaway on an island would make me feel freer than when I was a cherished daughter within castle walls. But here I am, pretending that I can stay here forever.
The pirates kind of ruin the fa?ade, though. Even if I sense no active bloodlust in their spirits now, I know how easily it can be summoned.
I could probably wipe them all out, but it’s imperative that they not be the first life I take. My soul must remain maidenly in terms of shed blood—ceremonially pure— in order for the sacrifice of the first man I slay to give me the greatest amount of strength.
Shaking my head, I cast such thoughts from my mind and I tug my hood lower over my head. Vater will get impatient to see me, anyway. As if he doesn’t have an eternity of his own ahead and behind him.
Since Eloise and Konrad are both otherwise occupied, I walk back up the hill and look down at the pirates.
The dozen of them seem perfectly content to remain on the beach. They are going through the supplies they’ve gathered, rationing food and setting up temporary structures from broken pieces of the mast and scraps of the sails. Thanks to Konrad’s blood, I can hear their whispers when normally the wind would carry their words away from me. Unfortunately, they say nothing interesting.
What is interesting is that there’s a pile of stacked dishes that survived the shipwreck. I want those. And with my estrie speed supplemented even more so by Konrad’s werw?lfe blood, I think I shall take them.
The twins have fashioned what looks like a large but awkward raft made of ship parts and a lot of twine. Baldy keeps looking at the forest, but the men closest to them keep shaking their heads emphatically .
Excellent. If they remain frightened of Konrad, then they won’t venture inland and put him in danger. My scheme would be ruined if they drove me to slaughter them to prevent them from killing my prey, so it would really put me in an awkward predicament. I am not done tormenting that werw?lfe yet.
Turning back to where my company is working, I spot Konrad approach a perched fowl with his saber. Then Eloise grabs him just as Sir Pigeon approaches the other bird. Konrad’s shoulders slump as his prey flies away.
I shake my head to myself as a wicked grin stretches across my lips and I reapply my tonic perfume. I need to be especially careful of my scent, considering how close we lie by night. My grin widens at the thought.
Oh, no— I am far from through with Konrad.