Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
TALLY
It’s been three and a half months since the Burnt Bones showed up here.
Three and a half months of having unbelievable, mind blowing sex with Cyrus.
Three and a half months of raging emotions of all kinds.
Three and a half months of being kept a secret and hiding.
I won’t lie and say it hasn’t been fun, to begin with at least. Now, the constant hiding is starting to hurt. Walking together through town, but not being able to hold her hand. Remembering to keep distance between us, when all I really want is to be close to her.
It’s starting to hurt.
But we promised this would be a secret, that it would be just sex– so I don’t mention anything. Even when it no longer feels like it’s just sex. At least not to me.
Shaking my head, I dispel everything that’s lurking just beneath the surface and plaster on my usual grin.
As the ship is almost finished it’s repairs– something else that’s been tugging nervously on my stomach– Cyrus has got the afternoon off. She’s had a little more time to breathe lately, especially now that Amara is starting to get back to Captain duties.
So with the time off, I’m taking Cyrus back to the pool I took her to all those months ago. But this time, I’m going equipped with wine and snacks. My attempts to wine and dine her, before filling the night with her moans and whimpers.
The basket is set with everything I need, covered by a blanket, ready to depart. Now, I just have to wait until Cyrus gets back from whatever morning duties she’s done on the ship.
My nerves are somewhat scattered.
This is more of a courting date than a meeting to just fuck.
For the next hour, I flitter around the inn, cleaning things that don’t need cleaning. Every five minutes, I return to the kitchen just to check the basket is exactly where I left it. Which, of course, it is. Completely untouched by anyone who isn’t me.
It’s another hour of stupidity before Cyrus stalks into the tavern.
But she’s not alone.
Amara, Mabel and some of the others from the Burnt Bones are right there with her.
The tavern isn’t officially open for a little longer, but they all take a seat around their chosen table in the far corner.
I watch as Amara and Mabel cosy up together, without a care in the world as they gaze at one another. My attention split between their performance and Cyrus.
Cyrus– who appears like she has no emotion or opinion on this– who appears to be just watching her friend and her new girlfriend love one another. But I can see the difference in her.
The way her eyes lock on, them then dart away, only to end up back on them a second later. Sorrow filling those deep irises with each pass. And then there’s the way her chest caves a little quicker with each inhale.
The useless organ in my chest cracks with each pass of her eyes.
Not once does her gaze swoop over to me.
Turning on my heel, I head out back. If they have a problem with not being served, then they should come back when we’re actually open.
As I make it into the modest, little kitchen of the tavern, two things become abundantly clear.
One, even after months of Cyrus and I doing what we’ve been doing, she’s still utterly in love with her Captain. The one in love with somebody else. Stuck in her loop of unrequited love.
Two, I’m now stuck in my own loop of unrequited love.
Because I foolishly ignored my own advice to not fall in love with someone who can never be in love with me.
I’m in love with Cyrus.