Page 5 of Tik-Tok

He grinned at her. “Am I ever wrong?”

“Is any male?” she joked.

Tik-Tok barked a laugh and checked his compass again. Right or wrong, he did what he wanted, when he wanted, and his crew knew it. If they didn’t like it, they were free to leave whenever they docked. Or, if they were particularly defiant,beforethey docked.

“Port, two clicks.”

“Aye, Captain.”

The final leg of the journey took half a day, and the closerThe Temptresssailed to Isa Poso, the more restless Tik-Tok became. His fingers rapped against the rain barrel, and he felt the prick of what would’ve been a splinter poke at one of his gold fingertips.

“Land!” a brownie, Kaliko, shouted from the crow’s nest.

Tik-Tok’s heart slammed into his ribs. The tingling sensation that gave him hope now bubbled and foamed inside him. Slipping the compass into the pocket of his dark pants, he strode toward his quarters.

“Prepare to drop anchor,” he commanded Rizmaela over his shoulder.

The dwarf was already shouting orders to the crew when he kicked shut the door to his room. He shrugged a deep blue jacket with gold buttons on over his loose white tunic, changed out his good boots for his old, and tugged on a pair of gloves. Finally, strapping one of his swords to his hip, he returned to find the crew tying down the black sails ofThe Temptress.

“Will you be long?” his first mate asked, rubbing her gnarled hands down her leather pants.

He shrugged, watching the brownies prepare the smaller boat he would use to row to the island’s shore. “As long as it takes.”

Sometimes Celyna made him wait, sometimes she met him on the beach and quickly ushered him away. Either way, they always ended up fucking—even if it was a quick tumble on the sand—so she would have the vision he needed.

“Let the crew relax while I’m gone, but stay aware. No ale for anyone,” he said in a stern voice. The last thing he needed was to return with a clear purpose only to have a ship full of useless drunkards. “We’ll be departing as soon as I return.”

Rizmaela jerked her chin in understanding and he strode toward the rowboat. “Ready?” he asked, climbing in. With a final tug on a knot, the brownies nodded. “Lower away.”

As they slowly eased the boat down onto the shimmering silver water below, Tik-Tok took in the island. The aquamarine sand reflected the sun like a mirror. From far away, the island looked like a floating blast of light, but close up, the sand shimmered beautifully. Tall trees with smooth, white trunks grew a variety of exotic fruit while, farther on the island, the trees barely stood taller than Tik-Tok. Their leaves were crystalline blues and greens, in contrast to the pink salt grass that sprouted in patches all over the sandy beach.

Once the boat landed safely, the pirate untied the ropes holding it toThe Temptressand gathered the oars. He eagerly sped through the quiet waves. Celyna would have a task for him today—she had to. Enough had been sacrificed for his goal—friendships, limbs, sanity—that waiting any longer would send him over the edge. And that wasn’t taking his crew into consideration. He’d promised them a portal and their patience would only last so long. Unfortunately, he couldn’t man a pirate ship on his own.

The boat scuffed against sand a few yards from shore. Tik-Tok hopped out, water splashing up his legs and seeping into his old boots. Dragging the boat the rest of the way, he toed a few bright red crustaceans from his path and followed the familiar stone walkway to the sea witch’s home. The island was small, the witch the only permanent resident, and even she spent most of her time in the water. He skipped over the stepping stones while ignoring the cries of sea birds circling above. His gaze was fully focused on the glass building ahead.

Nestled into a thick patch of the smaller trees, Celyna had built her home in the only somewhat livable place on the island. Purple flowers flowed down the roof and hung from the eaves like curtains. Coral grew in a small pond nearby, surrounded by a collection of sea glass in all shapes and sizes.

“My favorite pirate has returned,” a female said from the side of the home. “I expected you yesterday.”

Tik-Tok stalked forward, rounding the corner of the glass house, to find the sea witch using her magic to carefully weave water into a basket. Her familiar dark green hair drifted around her head and her two fin-like ears peeked out on both sides. As she worked, her scales sparkled over her blue skin and, finally, she raised her black, orb-like eyes to meet his.

He cleared his throat, struck by her beauty as he was every time he visited. Their meetings were a simple transaction. He thoroughly enjoyed fucking her until she forgot her own name—the other fae he had made scream with pleasure throughout the years were nothing in comparison. But that was all he and Celyna were to each other.A great fuck.“The sea is unpredictable.”

The witch smiled, revealing each slightly pointed tooth.

“You seem talkative today,” Tik-Tok mused. Sometimes she greeted him with endless tales, other times, no more thanit isn’t time.“Do you have my next task?”

The witch watched him thoughtfully. “Will you not seduce me first?”

Tik-Tok crossed his arms. Would he give her an orgasm so she would have a vision of his mystery female? Yes. Many. Was he feeling particularlygivingat the moment? Not at all. “I’ve fucked you for the last twenty-two years without reward.”

“It isn’tpaymentfor what I see,” she growled.

Tik-Tok shrugged.No. It wasn’t payment—they both genuinely enjoyed the pleasure, no strings attached, but the weariness of waiting had put his libido on ice. “Is it time yet?”

The sea witch stood, her seaweed skirt bouncing with the sudden movement. She sauntered forward, took Tik-Tok’s chin in one hand, and kissed him harshly on the lips.

Surrendering to the taste of her—both salty and sweet—Tik-Tok nearly forgot his question. It wasn’t until she nipped his bottom lip, drawing a drop of blood, that he pulled away. “Feisty witch,” he growled.

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