Page 31 of Tik-Tok

North stayed in her room for the rest of the day. She’d been too exhausted, both physically and emotionally, to join the others. Respen had come down to bring her food, then Echo had dropped off a bottle of spirits.

“I brought you a gift to help you unwind.” Echo smiled. “Don’t drink too much, though. A little goes a long way.”

She hadn’t seen Tik-Tok since the morning, and something bothered her about that. But why should she care? If he hadn’t taken her from Brielle’s celebration, then she would’ve been home now, and … feeling lost. She would have been in the same place, struggling with having no magic. North still didn’t have any now, but there was a speck of hope thatmaybeshe could.

Another light ache throbbed from her chest. North took a deep swallow as Rizmaela’s angry face flashed before her.

What would Tin have done if the roles were reversed? He would have decapitated the fae who dared hurt her mother, not taken an innocent life. If Rizmaela had come after Tin instead, North would have defended him with her axe. She would always protect her family.

Yet, still… The images, the thoughts, swarmed through her, and she needed to clear her head. Get out of this room. Do something… Throwing pretend axes wouldn’t help her fall asleep tonight.

North straightened her dress, grabbed the bottle of spirits, and headed up the ladder to the deck. Outdoors, it was only North, the sea, and Kaliko keeping watch up in his spot behind a sail. The salty air calmed her, but it didn’t take away everything she felt.

North lifted the spirits to her mouth and took a long swig, allowing the liquid to glide down her throat. She walked to the rail and leaned over, staring down at the sea, the waves. The night sky reflected off the water, making the liquid glisten. She fisted her free hand and concentrated, tapping into her true name.North Talina Selain. Quiet lingered. Silence stayed. Not a stir from any hidden magic inside her. Again, North lifted the bottle to her lips, drinking the sweet liquid. More and more. She drank until she felt as if she were floating, as if her mind thrashed like a wave.

North wasn’t all right. The alcohol intensified her turbulent thoughts instead of numbing them. Where was Tik-Tok? Why hadn’t he thrown open her door without knocking at least once?

She stumbled her way to the back of the ship, curious to see what his room looked like. Grasping the curved handle leading to the captain’s quarters, she jiggled it and found it locked.

The door jerked open to a scowling Tik-Tok. “What do you want?” His gaze settled on her and his lips parted in surprise. “North? What are you doing here?”

Her gaze traveled from his face to his bare chest. His skin was golden, his shoulders broad, his abs ripped, and she couldn’t stop staring. The only clothing he wore were his pants—even his feet were bootless.

“I want to see your room,” she slurred.

Tik-Tok smirked as he sniffed the air. “Who gave you spirits?”

“It was only a single bottle.”

“You drank the whole fucking thing?” He drew her inside and shut the door. “I can’t have you walking around the ship drunk.”

She peered around the room, taking in the cabinets, the desk cluttered with maps, and a large brass bathing tub. And, of course, his bed. White gauzy curtains hung from the four large posts. Silken black and red sheets covered the mattress, which led to a headboard etched with swirled designs. Setting the empty bottle on his desk, she walked to the back corner of the room. North crawled onto the bed before sinking into the mattress, finding it softer than anything she’d ever felt.

Tik-Tok studied her as she patted the spot beside her, remembering what it had felt like when she’d kissed him.

He gave her a sly grin and sat down on the mattress next to her. The room was growing blurry, but he was clear as day. His lips were the perfect shape, and she recalled how nice they’d felt against her own.

“Why didn’t you come see me earlier?” She adjusted a pillow behind her back.

“You needed rest and I needed to think.”

“I wanted you to come see me.”

“Mm. And why is that?” The edges of his lips tilted up.

“I don’t know.” She lifted her hand and swept a lock of his silky black hair behind his ear. Then she inched closer, her mouth so very near to his.

“I’m not going to kiss you, North.”

“Why not?” She jerked back. It was like Birch all over again, the rejection. It made her want to sink farther into the bed, completely disappear.

“You drank a whole bottle of spirits, for one thing.” He leaned in, his hand resting on her shoulder. “For another, you were just stabbed.”

She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing again as she folded herself around his warm body, wrapping an arm around his waist. “What if I could have talked to her? Made her understand that my father was cursed, that he’s different now, that so many others had been damaged back then too.”

“It wouldn’t have mattered,” Tik-Tok murmured, tugging her closer. He trailed a finger lightly down her cheek. “Rizmaela made her way to the top by being spiteful. I never cared about other’s pasts as long as they shared my goal and were loyal to me. Anyone who’s disloyal will die by my hand, and she knew as much. She should’ve ignored the fact that you are Tin’s daughter.”

“I want to see him.” North cried into his chest, and he held her even tighter. “And my mother.”

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