Page 49 of Of the Stars and Sea

His frown deepens and I have to fight against the laughter rising in my chest. With his long bushy eyebrows and ruddy cheeks, he looks so grumpy, it’s comical. “Captain ordered me to not leave my watch over your room.”

I snort. “Well, your captain also toldmethat all I had to do was let you know what I needed and you would fetch it for me.” He grumbles something under his breath. “What’s that? You’re going to head downstairs and ask Harrick to pour me a shot of rum?”

The space between his brows sets into an even deeper wrinkle. “Do you promise to stay here?”

“A pirate’s promise. I swear I will stay right here.”

His eyes turn to slits as he assesses whether or not I’m telling the truth. I have no doubt Grayson informed him that he is to provide me with anything I want, but he seems to be grappling with whether or not he should trust that I won’t use his absence as a chance to slip away with their prized possession in my hands.

“All right,” he spits, pointing a finger in my face. “But don’t make me out to be a fool,Rowenya.” He glares at me one more time before turning around and slowly making his way down the hall.

“Any faster and you might break a hip, Collin!”

He throws his hands in the air and curses at me before turning and disappearing down the staircase.

In the silence, with the door wide open and no one to see me make a run for it, I contemplate my options. I’d intended on staying in the room under Collin’s supervision until Grayson arrives back from whatever the hells he’s doing. But now that I am alone and the Serpent’s Key is still in my hand, that part ofme that always yearns to be set free bangs on the walls of my mind, screaming at me to run.

Glancing toward the bed where my weapons and the rest of my clothes lie, I wonder if I would have enough time to don everything before Collin makes his way back to the narrow stairwell.

It would be close.

Every foul thing Red Beard forced my hand to do for the sake of earning even a fraction of my freedom back tastes bitter on my tongue. All week I hoped for a chance at escape and the moment has actually come.

I peer down at the Serpent’s Key. The spiraling script of the old language sparkles in the near lantern light. It’s weight bears down on my will. I have the answer right here, in my hand. All I have to do is run down those stairs and out the tavern door. It would take a while for Grayson and his men to find me in the mountainous jungle that covers the center of the island. Maybe even long enough for Amara and Wells to make it into the bay sometime tomorrow.

My father showed me every inch of this island when I was a little girl. There are caverns in the center of the island, hidden from most who dare not venture into the wilds.

Yes, the voice inside my head seems to beckon.Run!

Without another thought, I dart for the bed and quickly dress. Throwing my tattered tunic over my head, my breaths quicken as I don’t bother tucking the bottom into my trousers before I strap my belt and daggers onto my waist. My leather coat whips through the air as I fling it around my shoulders. Once my arms are through, I ensure the Serpent’s Key is secured in the inside pocket before I turn around and head for the door.

I move to take my first step and stop. My blood runs cold as a large shadowy figure lurks in the doorway.

The lantern light flickers across Grayson’s darkened face as he strides into the room.

I swallow against the dryness of my throat.

“Going somewhere, Little Pearl?”

Chapter 13

Fucking hells.

Grayson closes the door behind him and I feel the walls of the large room start to close in on me. Seconds ago, I was prepared to run free of this place—free ofhimand whatever confusion lies between us. And now, he stands between me and the only reasonable exit.

“I was just going to see if Collin had my drink ready.”

Grayson clicks his tongue at me before moving closer. I stand my ground despite the hastened beat of my heart flickering against the skin of my wrist.

“Now, now, I thought we’d overcome this. You shouldn’t lie to me, Rowenya. Especially when you’re so very bad at it.”

My gaze flicks to the door behind him for just a moment, but he catches it. He smiles widely but there is no joy in his eyes—only pure male excitement. “A chase in the night would be delightful.” He steps to the side, giving me a straight line for the door. “I’ll even give you a head start.”

It might be his goading and the game we always seem to find ourselves playing that has me questioning my odds at making an escape and finding a place to hide until Amara and Wells arrive.But it is more likely that the fear of being tied to him against my will has my feet itching to run.

It’s tempting, but I keep them firmly on the ground. While I know this island like the back of my hand, I would bet my life that Grayson does too. He isn’t the sort of male to leave any stone unturned, so even if he isn’t aware of the caverns that mark the inner most part of the island, he would make good use of his men and find me eventually.

I try to change the subject. “Where were you?”

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