Chapter 6
DOUBT IS A HEAVY BURDEN
Rune
Soft skin—like silk—sends a jolt up my arm where my fingers brush against it. Odelia doesn’t even flinch when I weave the manacles around the iron bedhead before clamping them around her wrists again. Probably too busy realising that there’s no point in trying to escape.
Alone with a pirate in my sleeping quarters.
Not a position I ever thought I’d find myself in, but here we are.
The Gilded Hart rocks with a gentle sway, the motion casting the room in a quiet lull as I stare down at the woman in front of me. Her eyes have already skimmed the royal documents on my desk—drawing conclusions, no doubt. But then, what else would I expect?
Her pulse flickers under my fingertips as my gaze travels over her cream, sleeveless blouse to find her lips—so kissable despite who they belong to.
I beg my heart to still. The run still thrums in my veins, and its erratic beat threatens to jostle its way right out of my chest. If I don’t get a grip on myself, I’m afraid I'll do something I shouldn’t, especially because she is looking at me with fire in her eyes and venom in her blood.
Too bad she smells like rotten fish.
My hands curl around the iron chain that binds Odelia to her fate. “Impressive footwork back there.”
A huff escapes her lips. “Try not to sound so shocked. It’s easy when I’m running from arrogance.”
I don’t stop the smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth, shoving her back until the back of her knees hit the edge of my bed.
She stumbles, dropping into a heap on the blankets.
Her eyes widen, and her lips part slightly as I bend down, leaning closer.
“Let’s make one thing clear, Odelia. There is nowhere you can run that I won’t catch you. ” I let go of the manacles.
Umber eyes squint up at me. “So what now?” With her chains back on her voice has gone brittle—cold.
I don’t answer, turning on my heel to head back to the door to double check the lock is sealed.
There is no way in the deepest depths of this vicious sea I’m leaving her in the brig when she’s already proven she can escape, and if she thinks I’ve brought her here because I plan on bedding her .
. . she’s even more daft than she lets on.
The wooden floorboards creak as I saunter over to my desk. “You’re gonna take me to the treasure.”
“Like hell,” Odelia huffs.
Without turning to look at her, I reach for the crystal decanter filled with amber liquid and pour two glasses. “It was your idea. And now that we’ve established the likelihood of you getting away, it’s time we talk business.”
I can feel her stare in the back of my head. Placing the stopper into the bottle neck, I slowly spin to face her, both glasses in hand. Her eyes flick to the liquid then return to me—her throat bobbing ever so slightly.
A smile tugs at my mouth as I lift one of the whiskey glasses to my lips. The burn hits hard, searing down my throat as I throw it back in a single swallow.
Silver moonlight shines through the window. Its beams spread across the bed like fingers to frame Odelia in its pearly grasp. “Why allow me to run in the first place?”
Not even I know the real reason. Perhaps I wanted to manufacture a way that allowed her to escape.
Then I wouldn’t have had to make the choice to either trust the curdled word of a sea scum or give up finding out why my mother’s symbol is on that map.
I down the second glass of whiskey, not breaking my gaze.
“Like I said. So you can get any escape attempts out of the way, and we can move forwards.”
The fire in her eyes dampens—like a candle flame snuffed out by a breeze, but it returns just as quickly as it left, only this time it burns brighter.
Odelia squares her shoulders ever so slightly. “I’ll only give you the riddles if you let me choose the order of the islands and you swear on your pathetic life that I will get half of the findings.”
I pour another drink before sauntering across the room. The green velvet chair creaks as I sit. “Map’s in my hands. You’re in chains. Doesn’t exactly put you in the position to bargain, does it?”
She purses her lips. “Good luck solving any of the riddles.”
Touche.
A steady rap against wood sounds at my door. One of Odelia’s brows rise in question. She knows she has the upperhand right now. She knows I can’t get anywhere with the map if I don’t have the rest of the pieces.
The knock on the door repeats.
With a huff, I stand from my chair and stride across the room. Tav waits for me on the other side, her arms fold across her chest, and her hip is popped to one side as she taps her boot lightly on the deck.
“Yes?”
Her glittering green eyes run a quick check over my body. “Just making sure you’re alright.”
A slight huff escapes me. Surely she doesn’t presume something is happening here that shouldn't be. She knows me better than that. “Thank you, but I’m fine.”
Tavi isn’t convinced. Her mouth presses into a thin line. “Can I bring you anything?”
“I could use a glass of something cold?” Odelia calls from the bed, her voice dripping with sarcasm and hope.
I don’t bother to look over my shoulder. “We’re fine.”
Tavi peers around me to look at Odelia, then back. “Are you sure about . . . this?” She gestures to Odelia on the bed.
I roll my eyes, annoyed at the assumption. “I can handle this.”
“We can set up a guard in the brig.”
I shake my head. “We still don’t know how she’s getting out. I don’t want her to take anyone by surprise. I’ve seen all her tricks. Plus I’m hoping after tonight she and I have come to an understanding.”
Her eyes narrow, still not convinced. “Elio will check on you soon.”
“Tell him to stop hovering . . . both of you go and do something fun.”
The entire crew—save for a few who’d rather stay aboard—are off enjoying themselves in town. And despite the weight of my last name, I’m more than capable of handling one pirate . . . even if the blonde-haired fae in front of me clearly disagrees.
Tavi flicks her braids over her shoulder, spinning on her heel in a huff. I smile as she walks away. No doubt she’d send Elio to check on me soon enough.
Once her silhouette disappears into the shadows, I shut the door, firmly twisting the lock back into place. Odelia watches me cross the room, my strides casual as I make my way back to the desk. I pick up the clay jug, the water inside sloshes softly as I pour it into a cup.
I turn back, cup in hand, and step towards her—slow, steady. She watches me with calculation in her eyes—fear buried beneath a layer of defiance.
The iron chain clinks as she reaches for the cup I offer. Her fingers brush mine, light and quick, but there’s heat in the touch. Something sharp. Her breath hitches—and for a second, I feel it too. The flicker.
“Finally, the water you promised me,” she murmurs, her voice floating like the sea current.
A smile steals across my lips as I back away. “Unlike pirates—as I’m sure you know—I always keep my promises.”
Odelia downs the water as I settle into the chair opposite the bed. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night, so I might as well make myself comfortable.
She leans over to place the cup on the nightstand. I can’t help but notice the gentle rise of her hip before it dips back down to meet the curve of her waist—silver moonlight bathing her figure in a glimmer of beams.
I avert my gaze as she straightens up. “So, are you going to tell me about this map?”
She reads me silently. “Are you going to agree to my terms?”
The chair creaks as I lean back, lacing my fingers together to rest on top of my head. “You can have half of the treasure, but there’s no chance you're setting the course for my ship.”
Odelia’s brows raise. “What about my own sleeping quarters then?”
The soft chuckle that escapes my lips catches me by surprise. “Not going to happen.”
“Fine—but if you so much as breathe in my direction I will make sure you never bear children,” she mutters.
“I wouldn’t dare. You stink terribly of fish rot.”
She huffs. “So where to first, captain?”
There’s zero reason for the way my title rolls off her tongue to affect me so much, but it stirs something low in my core.“Twin Serpents, it’s the closest.”
She nods. “A three day sail then.”
“Two. Though I don’t blame you for assuming The Gilded Hart is as slow as the Sea Bane.
Without another word, Odelia lies down, putting her back to me. For a moment, I watch the slow rise and fall of her chest. Part of me wants to let her sleep, then I can finally have some peace, but the other half of me knows I’ll be up all night. Why should she get to rest?
“So does your captain keep a tally of all the people he’s attacked or does he crush them under his boot without a thought?” My voice carries softly through the quiet of the room.
She doesn’t move. But there’s no way she’s asleep already. After a stretched silence, she sighs. “Absolutely. He journals every night with vanilla scented ink,” her words float towards me, dripping with sarcasm.
I stretch out my legs. “I’m sure he takes the same pains for his beloved crew.
I’ve always wondered, who cares for injured pirates?
With the amount of scars on you the Sea Bane must have a shit medic.
Then again the inland towns would be too weary to do a better job.
Of course, you could likely force them at blade point. ”
“Fear works just as well as kindness. Sometimes better.” Her voice is quieter this time, almost sad.
Something in my chest shifts. Perhaps even the most fearsome pirates still had feelings—though who knew which ones. She did seem to hate it on that ship.