Page 35 of Tik-Tok

Both get what they want? North pushed away the images that slid forth of Tik-Tok bare-chested and unlacing his pants. “He can take a whole troop of faeries to his bed if he wants. I don’t care what he does.”

Echo arched a red brow.

“I don’t.” Her voice came out a bit higher than she would have liked.Gods.

“The captain’s never been interested in anyone outside of the bedroom. But if anyone were to hook him, it could quite possibly be you.” Echo grinned. But before North could reply, the siren continued, “I’ve got some crates to prepare downstairs with the others for when we next make landfall. Go relax for a while, then we can train more later.”

“All right.” North gripped her axe as Echo headed toward the open door leading down to where the valuables and alcohol were kept.

She wished she had another bottle of spirits—only this time she wouldn’t drink the whole thing at once.Bah. She avoided the urge to go and ask Echo for one. North didn’t feel like heading down to her room, so she padded to the back of the ship and plopped down behind several large barrels.

North glanced down at the weapon in her hand, rotating it around and around, then stopped on the engraved star. Notjusta beautiful axe, but a thoughtful gift. When Tik-Tok had given it to her, her chest had fluttered. Something about the gift, that mark—she thought there’d been an implication behind it. Like perhaps he was starting to see her not only as a means to open his portal, but, maybe, as a friend. Even when Tik-Tok had first called her his star, it hadn’t annoyed her like everything else about him had. She supposed it was because no one had ever given her a nickname before, and she knew, in the mortal world, that the North Star could guide anyone home.

With a sigh, she set the axe aside and unbraided her hair. It was either that or chuck the weapon into the sea at the thought of Tik-Tok and the sea witch. Him sinking into her, her clenching his back as he brought her to bliss.

Closing her eyes, North listened to the waves and hoped their rhythmic lapping would help unlock the possible magic within her. Wave after wave collided against the hull, and she let her veins hum along with the melody. She tried to focus, dipping in to the mental exercises that Tik-Tok had shown her so she could attempt to unlock her supposed power.Breathe in… Breathe out…

She didn’t know how much time had passed when a soft female voice whispered her name, “North, come here.”

Her lids jerked open, but there wasn’t anyone around. Had she imagined it? The voice had been so quiet, as if the wind had sent it up to her.

“North.” Her name came again, a gentle alluring murmur.

Jolting up from her position, North peered over the edge of the handrail, and her eyes connected with two dark orbs that seemed to glimmer within an oval face. Long green hair floated around a blue-scaled neck and shoulders.

She couldn’t break away from the female’s gaze, didn’t want to. It reminded North of something, someone... But she couldn’t recall whom.

You’re going to complete a task for me. The shapely dark blue lips on the female’s mouth didn’t move as she spoke, but North could hear every word inside her head.

Magic tugged at her tongue, pulling an answer out. “Yes.”

I know in your heart what you want. You want Tik-Tok, don't you?

“Yes,” she whispered.

Why don't you take him? Show him your deepest desire.

A playful grin spread across the female’s lips as she ducked beneath the surface of the water.

“North!” a voice boomed. She angled her gaze to find Tik-Tok rowing fiercely in her direction. “Get away from her!”

“Tik-Tok?” North asked, her brows lowering. A throbbing ache pulsed through her head and she rubbed at her temples.

She snatched her axe from the deck and hurried to the middle of the ship as Tik-Tok climbed up the rope ladder. He flung himself over the handrail and hurried over to her, grasping her face between his hands.

“What did she do to you?” he demanded, ragged breaths escaping his lips.

“Who?” North wrinkled her nose, not understanding what he seemed so frantic about.

“Celyna. The sea witch,” he rushed out, releasing North and looking out at the crashing waves. “You were speaking with her.”

North frowned. What was wrong with him? “I didn’t see anyone.”

“Fuck.” He slammed his fist against the rail. “She can be a devious bitch when she wants to.”

North took a deep swallow and settled her gaze on his rumpled state. The ties at his pants were loose, his tunic backward, his jacket missing.

“I suppose you got what you needed from her, though?”

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