Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
They lean on the railing next to me and stare out at the water. “If there’s something you aren’t telling us that will endanger the ship and crew, I’ll kill you myself.”
I blink. “That’s not very siblinghood of the Cŵn Annwn of you.”
They snort. “Only people like Bowen believe that shit. I believe in consequences, and there are consequences for breaking the laws. For the person doing the breaking and for anyone who helps them, inadvertently or not.” Their amusement fades away. “So answer me truly. Have you broken our laws?”
“No.” Not technically. Probably.
Nox sighs. “Nothing but trouble, the lot of you.”
My nerves threaten to get the best of me. I make a pass at the metal chain hanging from their slim waist on instinct. I can’t help it. Stealing shit makes me feel more in control. It always has.
Nox grabs my wrist and raises their brows. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Holy shit, they’re fast. Faster than Lizzie, even. I blink up into their perfect face. “What are you?”
“That’s a very rude question to ask.” They lift up my hand between us and shake it a little. “If you attempt to steal from me again, I’ll—”
“Kill me. Yeah, I got it.”
Their lips curve. They really are beautiful in an otherworldly kind of way. “Nah, I might just keep you.”
“Excuse me?”
They turn my hand over and press their fingers lightly to my palm. “I like your energy, Evelyn. You’re trouble in the best way. We’d have some fun together.”
I … Wow. Nothing about this conversation has gone how I expected it to. I carefully pull my wrist from their grip and smile. “In another life, I would take you up on it. You seem like fun.”
“I am the very definition of fun, as long as you don’t cross me and mine.” Their gaze shifts over my shoulder and their smile widens. “Oh dear, I do believe I’ve pissed off your hulking protector. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bowen this furious. He’s normally so stoic.” They lean closer. “What do you think he’ll do if I—”
They’re abruptly lifted into the air and deposited several feet away. The surprise on their face is a perfect match to the feeling rocking me. Did Bowen just use his magic on them?
I get my answer when the man himself appears at my back. His shadow falls over me and he clasps my hips, tugging me back into the curve of his body. But when he speaks, it’s not for me. “Keep your hands off her, Nox.”
Nox grins, and it’s as if they weren’t threatening me and then hitting on me in turn a few moments ago. “Never thought I’d see the day. You like her.”
“Fuck off.”
They laugh and turn on their heel, making their duster flare out dramatically around them. “Pass on my message, Evelyn. It’s important you don’t get in my way.” They stride away, their long legs eating up the distance between us and the helm.
Bowen’s hands tighten on my hips. “What message?”
“Oh, you know, the usual.” I can’t decide if I want to step away or snuggle back more firmly against him. He’s warm and strong and has been steadfastly ignoring my open invitation to come to my room since we arrived. It probably has something to do with keeping up appearances, but I’m scared and lonely and … silly to say I miss him after sharing his bed for only one night, but it’s the truth.
“You’re angry at me.” He turns us toward the railing and shifts so his cloak covers me as well. I wasn’t cold before, but I’m instantly warm in a way that curls my toes.
I’m not ready to admit he’s right, mostly because I didn’t realize I was angry until this very moment. “Nox just wanted to let me know that if we do something to endanger the crew, they’ll kill us themself. Simple, really.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, Evelyn.” His breath ghosts against the curve of my ear. “Were they attempting to seduce you? They’re quite good at it.”
“Have they seduced you?” I don’t mean to ask the question, but I never mean to ask questions when I’m around Bowen. They just … pop out.
“They’ve tried.”
Jealousy flashes through me so intensely that I stagger a little. Holy fuck, where did that come from? Bowen and I aren’t anything resembling official or exclusive. Three days ago, I was about to leave him behind forever. Not to mention I’ve hardly been a saint before meeting him, and expecting that of him is really shitty.
But Nox is svelte and charming and dangerous and devastatingly attractive. If they’ve ever doubted their place in the world, they don’t now. Why wouldn’t Bowen want to be seduced by them?
“Why didn’t you let them succeed?”
“Evelyn.”
Gods, but I love the way he says my name. Here, in this moment, it might as well be just the two of us. I can hear the crew moving about their business, but they feel very far away. “What?”