Page 110 of Crossbones
Aldric ignores the comment, looking me over with an expression just short of gloating.
“I’ve known you’ve been up to something for quite a while,” Aldric says. “But I never cared to find out—until now. Now Idefinitelycare.”
“What was that back there?” I ask in irritation. “Making it seem like I knew you were going to show up here.”
“Well, I can’t have everyone thinking I didn’t know about the treasure—that I was undermined by my own fucking blood.” When I don’t say anything, he goes on. “I take it the gold is for your little pet project here? Nice place—Foxhollow—fitting name by the way…Fox.”
I stay silent and he tilts his head at me.
“Nothing to say? You’re unusually quiet. You don’t want to know how I found out?”
I shake my head. “Just trying to figure out your angle here.”
“My angle?” He scoffs. “I don’t have an angle. I’m here for the gold. I’m here to get the credit for hanging the notorious Stormbreaker, and then I’m going to raze your little town to the ground.”
It takes great effort not to react to him but even so, I can feel him going over every inch of my face looking for a crack.
“I heard a funny rumor,” he says. My hackles rise at his overly casual tone. “That you and Blackwell are more than just business partners. Did you sleep with him, Caspian?”
I force a smirk. “A few times,” I answer, keeping my voice casual.
“He doesn’t seem like your type.”
I shrug. “You know me, brother, always have to find something to keep me entertained.”
“Indeed,” Aldric muses.
A few beats of silence go by. He’s toying with me, seeing where he can poke and pull to get me to unravel.
“There didn’t seem to be any love lost between you two back in De’Vero,” Aldric says.
I shake my head and lean back in the chair, slinging my arm over the back.
“Of course not, I’d just escaped from his brig,” I scoff.
“Yet you saved him from the noose then.”
I shrug. “A means to an end.”
“Then you won’t mind seeing him hang.”
It’s a statement. His eyes are drilling into mine, the intensity scalding.
“He’s served his purpose.” The words taste like ash in my mouth. I can barely get them out. But if Aldric discovers my feelings for Blackwell, it’ll be worse than the noose that awaits him. Aldric flicks his hand at two of the guards near the door and they disappear outside.
“You know, I would have believed you in the past I think,” Aldric says conversationally. “You always were one for running around the brothels and having multiple partners. You never seemed like someone who wanted to settle down—never seemed like the kind of person who would be selfless enough to give away his heart to someone.”
There’s a commotion at the door. I turn to see two guards dragging Blackwell between them. Anger surges and it takes monumental effort to keep myself planted firmly in the chair.
“But that all changed once I found out about this place.” Aldric continues.
The Captain has been beaten, but the fire in his eyes is blazing as he rakes me from head to toe. The soldiers deposit him on the ground and he sways on his knees. I tear my eyes away from him, willing my breathing to stay steady even though dread is coiling in my gut.
Aldric stands up and rubs a hand over his chin, studying Blackwell. “You know, I take back what I said earlier,” he looks at me and points at the pirate. “This is exactly the type of man you would give your heart to, isn’t it?”
I lift my shoulders, trying for a shrug but I’m too tense. I shift forward in my chair, leaning one arm on the table.
“He doesn’t mean anything, Aldric,” I state firmly.
