Page 54 of Tik-Tok

Tik-Tok chuckled. “I didn’t know you were captain of this ship.”

“I know you don’t want to risk anyone,” North started. “But if you need an escape, Respen can easily bring you back here, then we can sail through the portal. Please.”

He clucked his tongue. “Fine. I’ll take Respen, but no one else.”

North nodded. Her heart pounded through her rib cage at the thought of him leaving. It truly hit her then, what Tik-Tok’s father had done to his family. Years had passed since he’d seen the male, and no matter the powers that Tik-Tok held, his father’s could be greater. Tik-Tok could die… But North would never tell him to stay, not after they’d gotten this far. He would face his own enemy, the way North’s own family had.

“Before I find Respen, come with me. We have ten minutes to spare.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward his room, his pace quickening. She frowned as she kept up with his long strides. What was so important that he couldn’t tell her right then?

He opened the door and kicked it shut behind them.

“Tik-Tok, what—”

Spinning around to face her, he slammed his mouth to hers, silencing her with a kiss. Tik-Tok backed her up against the wall, and she let out a small squeak before kissing him in return. He hoisted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist as his mouth coasted over her lips, tasting, taking. She could feel his hard length pressing against her core.

“I know this is wildly inappropriate given the circumstances, but there are so many things I want to say before I leave. There isn’t time though. There’s only this, my North Star.” His voice came out raspy, thick, as he rubbed himself against her. A whimper escaped her lips as sensations pulsed through her from each grind of his hips.

When he’d called her his North Star, a different kind of warmth spread through her. She couldn’t find the right words to give him in return, so she caught his bottom lip between her teeth and sucked on it, then lifted her dress to give him access.

She rested her forehead against his as he unlaced his pants and freed himself. Tik-Tok lowered her a fraction so she could feel him against her once more. With those wicked fingers of his, he pushed her undergarments to the side, not even taking the time to remove them. He then slid inside her with one perfect stroke, making them both groan in pleasure while he filled her. Her hands tightened in his hair as she took in a deep breath.

“You feel so fucking good,” Tik-Tok purred, thrusting his hips forward, her back striking the wall.

He increased his pace, rattling her entire body with rapture. She was pretty certain they were shaking the entire boat, but she couldn’t be embarrassed about this, this wildness, this animalistic side of him, of her, of them together. She’d loved when he’d taken her sweetly, loved it even more in this moment when he was pounding into her with ferocity. That pleasureful feeling was inching closer and closer andcloser, each of his movements fueling her into oblivion. Everything within her shattered when he brought her over the edge, her head falling backward as she whispered his name. The orgasm had been so overpowering that she didn’t even have the strength to shout it.

Both their chests heaved as she brought her head back down, their gazes connected.

“I need to go,” he murmured.

“Don’t make his death an easy one.” She kissed his lips, hoping this wasn’t their last goodbye. “He doesn’t deserve it.”

Tik-Tok lowered her to the floor and she straightened her dress as he tucked himself back inside his pants. He opened the door and led her out to the deck, neither saying a word to each other about what had happened between them. But from his deep breaths, she knew he was still reeling from the aftereffects, same as she was.

They made their way back to the crew, who were all huddled in a discussion.

“Respen,” Tik-Tok said, “I’d like you to come with me. Can you bring us to shore so we don’t have to worry about a boat?”

“Yes, Captain.” Respen nodded. It was only briefly, but North could see the flicker of worry in Echo’s eyes. Perhaps North shouldn’t have suggested he take Respen, but anyone else wouldn’t be as safe or as fast. This way, they could easily get away from lurking danger.

Tik-Tok instructed Dax and Cyrx to sail the ship and leave this world without them if they had to. North wouldn’t let them leave without Tik-Tok or Respen if it came down to that, and she didn’t think Echo would either.

Tik-Tok turned to North, his expression unreadable. “No goodbyes.” He tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear, then walked away from her, toward Respen. The first mate placed his hands on Tik-Tok’s shoulders. A cool wind kicked up and a yellow light gleamed, then they were both gone.

Echo jogged to the end of the ship and North followed, meeting her at the handrail. On the shore, in the distance, stood two figures she could barely make out.

“No goodbyes,” North said softly as she watched them disappear inside the forest, the black smoke continuing to rise into the sky.

“Are you all right?” North asked when she noticed Echo was still watching the empty shore.

Echo pursed her lips, her arms folded over her stomach. “With this life, you have to be. But that doesn’t mean your heart still won’t ache at times.”

North’s chest tightened. What if they didn’t come back? How long would she and the crew have to wait here? North knew Echo would try going after them if it took too long, and she would too. But if North left the ship, she would risk the portal closing. For now, she had to drown the worry and focus on her own task.

“I’m going to grab you some water and fruit. You need to keep your strength up.” Echo pushed off from the handrail and headed toward the door.

North didn’t think she would be able to eat anything without throwing it back up. She was too full of knots. A swishing sound came from the direction of the portal and North jerked her head up. The magic within her shifted as if something heavy were moving through her.

Not her…

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