Chapter 21 #3
A smuggler linked his arm with Tobias’s, and round he twirled, the plunk of the pandura vibrating in his chest. Dancing was the last thing he should be doing.
Brontes knew of their plans to head to Trogolia—how, he hadn’t a clue—and he needed to warn Leila and the others, to formulate a new plan.
Still, his feet kept pace with the rhythm, and at some point, he was clapping to the music and laughing with the other men as if they were old friends.
Time had lost significance. He could’ve been dancing for minutes or days, but either way he wasn’t the slightest bit tired, his skin lit with energy, his body bright and alive.
Tobias broke free from the horde and leaned against the ship railing next to Raphael, who was huffing and puffing, eyes clenched shut.
“My chest feels like it’s going to burst,” he said between haggard breaths. He opened his eyes and shrieked. “What are you doing?”
A fresh leaf was wedged between Tobias’s teeth, a new burlap purse in his hands. He dropped it, stunned. “I don’t even know how I got this.”
“My brain is a hornet’s nest.” Raphael tilted his head back, still fighting to catch his breath. “I can feel the world sinking down on me.”
“Brontes knows about Trogolia,” Tobias said. “We’re headed straight to him.”
“I know. We’re going to die.”
“We’ll destroy him.” Tobias pounded his fist into his open palm. “We’ll lay waste to his army with a single battle. God, I feel fucking invincible.”
“I’m empty inside. A husk of a man.”
“Aye, bitch boys!” Kareem flagged them over, and they promptly obeyed, Raphael less willingly than Tobias. “Has anyone told you about the brothels on shore?”
“Oh ho ho, that’s the important stuff!” His crewmate flashed his near toothless grin. “Once we dock, head straight for the Twisted Nipple. Anything goes in that house. And I mean anything.”
“Or they could just have a go with their product.” Dutch let out a groan of pleasure. “I swear to God, that woman’s tits—”
“Her tits are Her own and are not to be played with,” Tobias snarled.
Dutch laughed. “Well, if you’re not going to make use of her, I will.”
Tobias gripped the front of Dutch’s tunic and pulled him dangerously close. “Touch Her and I will snap off your fingers and feed them to you, you noxious swine.”
“I have no interest in brothels.” Raphael let out a sigh, eyes pointed at the sky above. “I’m in love. There is no other woman for me.”
“You’re in love?” Tobias gasped, releasing Dutch and slinging an arm around Raphael’s shoulders. “Everyone, my dearest comrade has found himself a bride!”
Raphael shook his head. “I’ll never have her. I’ll never have anyone. I’m so alone.” His lip wobbled, and he burst into tears.
“How pathetic.” One of Dutch’s crewmates pointed a gnarled finger Raphael’s way. “This sad sop is pining for a woman who doesn’t know he exists.”
“She is the sunlight at dawn, the petals of a dandelion, and I . . .” Raphael paused, sobbing into his palms. “I am surrounded by disgusting criminals hopped up on kaeko as we head to the most wretched of all the ally realms.” The smugglers around him roared triumphantly, and he cast them a sideways glance.
“Why are you cheering? I hate all of you!”
Tobias pulled Raphael in close, speaking with a severity that absolutely, unequivocally fit the seriousness of the situation. “Listen to me, good man—you tell her how you feel. Sing it from the rooftops. Proclaim your desires and make her yours.”
“I can’t.” Raphael sniveled. “She doesn’t want me.”
Tobias slapped him across the cheek. “Have courage! You are a man of limitless power.”
“What power? I couldn’t save my brother. I can’t even wield a blade.”
Tobias landed another hard slap across the opposite cheek. “You have thought and wisdom. You radiate with the power of a thousand cocks. Say it with me.”
“I radiate with the power of a thousand cocks,” Raphael choked out.
Tobias grabbed him by the shoulders. “You carry yourself with pride and tell her what’s in your heart and loins.”
“And if she turns me away?”
“Then you respect her decision. You must. But know you did all you could.”
Raphael tipped his head back and wailed, and once again Tobias’s palm went flying. “Pull yourself together!”
“Why do you keep slapping me?”
“I don’t know! I’m sorry!”
“I don’t know about you lot, but my cock’s as stiff as a board.” Dutch adjusted his trousers and stood. “’Bout time for some relief, yes?”
The other smugglers patted him on the back as he sauntered away from the group and disappeared into the hold. All the while Tobias watched, his glare burning a hole through the grate.
“Dutch wants to fuck Leila.”
“He totally wants to fuck Leila,” Raphael confirmed.
“I will strip him apart limb from limb,” Tobias growled. “I will flay his skin like leather. I will—”
“You could just stop him.”
“Yes, that’s a reasonable option as well.”
The two men sprinted to the hold, and Tobias stomped at the grate. “You stay away from Her, Dutch!”
“We have the power of a thousand cocks on our side!” Raphael screeched.
“I will beat in this grate!” Tobias launched his heel into the wood grain, channeling his limitless strength. “I will beat it until—”
“Tobias.”
“What?”
“Just open the grate.”
“Huh?”
The slats burst beneath Tobias’s weight, and he catapulted down the hold stairs, turning head over feet until he collided with Dutch and toppled to the floor.
Aches and pangs splintered through him, but he forced himself upright.
Dutch lay unconscious at his feet, and past a series of crates in a barred cell stood a handful of people staring straight at him—including Leila.
Tobias’s vision blurred, fading in and out with the throbbing of his skull and sending him swaying. A man appeared at his side, attempting to right him.
“Unhand me!” Tobias ripped his arm free and staggered to the side. “I’m perfectly fine!”
His vision went black, and he dropped face-first to the floor.