Page 31 of Take No Prisoners
"The only risk is if we are boarded in port or chased down on the open sea."
Niall leaned his head on Efren's shoulder. "I want to keep you safe. I couldn't protect them, but I can protect you."
Efren wanted to argue that he could take care of himself and his crew as he'd done for the last twenty years, but things had changed. He wanted someone to take care of him the way he cared for his crew. That desire was new, and terrifying.
∞∞∞
Niall
Niall's days and nights had shifted like the tides. When he and Efren were apart, he questioned why he'd even bothered. Exhaustion ruled every part of his body, from the soles of his feet to his scalp.
Spending time with Efren more than made up for it, though. Niall couldn't explain it in rational terms. He was drawn to the captain's calm demeanor. It reminded him of his mother, also a water weaver. He enjoyed Efren's anecdotes while they watched the calm waters. It wasn't just the stories, which were enthralling, but the sound of the captain's voice that commanded his attention.
The lull of the waves reminded Niall of his time on the deck of his parents' sloop when he was a boy. He'd repressed his memories, not wanting to remember how happy he'd been before everything went to shit. Now, the memories flooded back, and he shared them with Efren. The pirate was able to confirm some of his memories, like the giant swing set made from an old wreck off the coast in Hearthstone.
He also dispelled the rumor that sirens frequented the Equis Islands. "That's just an old wives' tale to keep the navy away," Efren said. "The only sirens I've ever seen with my own eyes were off the coast of Glamiere, and they looked very human when they spread their legs for us."
"Human?" Niall grinned.
Efren chuckled. "There's a brothel on the coast near Luminest. They employed a full choir to sing out to passing ships and entice them to stay the night. Sometimes, it worked."
"Did it work on you?"
"Luminest is only a few hours from Rodan, where we usually drop off our rescues. I completed our mission." He smirked. "We might have stopped on the way back."
The thought of Efren sleeping with anyone else instantly put Niall on edge. To his rational mind, it made no sense. He had no claim on the captain. Sure, they'd had a fun afternoon, but Efren hadn't even agreed to take him on as a crew member.
Vadim was different. Niall knew Vadim and Efren had been lovers, but Vadim was no threat. Efren seemed more irritated with the man than anything.
Two hours after Hannah had gone below deck, Vadim returned with a string of fish. "Is this enough for the day?"
"Aye."
"Good. I'll turn in for the night."
Efren nodded.
Keep him safe.
Hearing Vadim's voice in his head was still creepy. Niall pressed himself against Efren's side, and that's where he stayed until the sky began to brighten in the east.
The sound of bare feet slapping against the deck roused Niall from staring out at the brightening waves.
"Niall!" Jasmine charged up the stairs and tackled him with a hug around his waist. "It's so good to see you again!"
"Where is Renald?" he asked.
"Here!" Renald vaulted up the stairs in the manner of a rambunctious and perfectly healthy child. Niall still remembered him lying lifeless in his sister's arms, and the sensation of pushing the boy's life force back into his body. He still hadn't found the chance or courage to ask Vadim about the healing magic he'd supposedly stolen.
He forgot all about dead bodies and death weavers when the captain pulled him to his cabin after a quick breakfast of overnight oats.
Sleeping with Efren was difficult in the tiny bunk, but they managed to squeeze into it together. Thanks to the span of Niall's shoulders, he could lean against the table on his side, giving Efren a little more room to lie on his back.
When he woke hours later, he'd gravitated on top of Efren again, lips pressed to the captain's neck, cock pressed to his hip. He sighed as desire rolled through him.
Efren's rough hand caressed his cheek and drew their lips together in a brief kiss.
"Sorry for my morning breath, even in the afternoon." Efren chuckled.
