Page 19 of Tik-Tok

Gods. That was a very good question. Would she have spread her legs for him and allowed him entrance? Or would she have wrapped her hands around his length like she had the male in the woods, then realized she couldn’t go through with it? She hated that she wondered what Tik-Tok’s hardness would look like compared to the one she’d seen, felt.

She shook the image away. Birch. Birch.Focus on him, even though he doesn’t love you the same.

Tik-Tok was studying her, and she realized that she’d inched closer to him in the cage his arms created around her, her chest brushing his.She’ddone it. Not him. Realizing their positioning, she shoved him away. “Let’s train.”

Tik-Tok raised his weapon. She lifted the sword and he swung, and like before, her blade was knocked out of her hands, clanging as it struck the deck.

“Your turn.” Not a single bead of sweat dotted Tik-Tok’s face or neck, while perspiration was already sliding down her back and forehead. If an axe was in her hands instead, she wouldn’t have dropped it, grown tired so easily.

Gritting her teeth, determined, North plucked the sword from the floor. She didn’t even step into her stance, and with everything in her, she swung at the blade to take him by surprise. Tik-Tok didn’t even blink as her blade gave his a fierce kiss—his hand didn’t move an inch. He cocked his head at her, willing her to try again.

Gods, she hated him.

She eyed the gloved hand holding the sword, remembering how the gold had gleamed the night before. It was shaped like a real hand, moved like one, but it had been metal with small bolts attached to the joints.

“How did it happen?” she asked, unable to hide her curiosity about it any longer.

Tik-Tok hesitated, his lips curling into a half-smirk, half-sneer. “I cut it off.”

“Why?” She couldn’t hide her horrified expression, her gasp. “Was it too far gone from infection to be healed?”

“It was by choice. Because of it, I’m immune to magic and cannot be controlled.” He was no longer smirking and had slipped into a neutral expression that she wished she could replicate. “Enough talking. Again.” His gaze dropped to her sword.

So again and again she swung. Again and again he blocked. His sword didn’t budge. Her sword fell to the floor. Every. Single. Time.

They practiced for the entire day, only stopping to eat or relieve themselves. Though she’d desperately wanted a break, she hadn’t asked for one because she’d been so determined to beat him. Knock his sword from his hands just once. Then she could die happy. But she hadn’t, so there she was, practically dead, her legs aching, her arms throbbing, and her entire dress drenched.

“One more time,” she demanded as Tik-Tok sheathed his sword.

“Go rest,” Tik-Tok said while she swayed, her hands shaking and gripping the hilt. “Echo will show you where to get cleaned up. Then we’ll try again tomorrow.”

North wanted to argue, but her tongue felt thick, and she was too tired to even talk. Echo strolled toward her, dressed in tight leather pants, a shelled top—lined with shimmery pearls, covering her breasts—and knee-high boots.

“You did well,” Echo said, leading her to the back of the ship.

What was the siren talking about? North had been awful. It had taken her years to become decent with the axe, but she would never be good withallweapons. Especially if it had to do with aiming.

“I’m serious.” Echo laughed when she hadn’t said anything. “Most would have given up already.”

That didn’t mean much, because if an enemy came at her with a sword, even ifshe didn’t give up, she’d be dead. “I’ll be practicing again tomorrow.”

Echo lifted the hatch in the floor, then showed her down the stairs to the bathing chambers. Smooth wooden walls surrounded her, and high-back chairs with towels folded in their seats rested at the opposite end. Two large rectangular tubs stood side by side in the middle of the space, while a vanity with an oval mirror and wardrobe took up the wall across from them. Pale yellow orbs swayed along the ceiling, giving off a calming light.

“Some advice?” Echo started as North turned to face her. “I watched you up there this afternoon, and you were driving with emotion. You can’t do that. You’re small, right?”

North had heard it her entire life. “Yes?”

“Use it to your advantage. With practice, you can be nimble, light on your feet, duck and roll more easily than the captain.” She pressed a finger to her lips and smiled. “But don’t tell him I told you.”

“I won’t.” North smiled in return.

“Dax already warmed the water in the bath, and there’s soap for you to use. I also left you a sack filled with clothing from an old crew member if you need them. They’re all about your size.”

North had only packed a nightgown and the filthy dress she was already wearing. She normally wanted to look nice, usually for Birch. This time, it would be for herself.

“Thanks, Echo,” North said as the siren headed back up the stairs.

The siren glanced over her shoulder before shutting the door, her grin widening as she stared past North toward the sack on the floor. “Don’t thank me yet.”

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