A grin starts to spread on his face. He’s toying with me. Again.
I push my hands against his chest, and he steps back to give me space within an instant. I can’t ignore the heat of his skin against mine. The anger takes control again as I give him another shove for good measure, before crossing my arms over my chest.
“I have no work to do,” I declare, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Then go find yourself some,” his voice drops, suddenly drenched in seriousness again. “Everyone earns their keep on this ship. Looking pretty won't get the job done, although I must admit, it’s almost enough for me to let it slide. Almost.”
Narrowing my eyes into slits, heat crawls up my neck and seeps into my cheeks.
“I was not aware I applied for employment,” I say boldly.
One corner of his mouth lifts. “You are right, you did not,” he agrees calmly. “You were sentenced to it.”
The islands ahead grow clearer by the moment, dark shapes rising from the sea. My chest tightens at the sight of land.
“So, you will allow me to leave the ship if I stick by you?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent but failing miserably.
“You may,” he says, turning his focus to the approaching island. “If you stick with me. You do not want to wander around on pirate grounds alone. You are my—”
“Responsibility? Why must everyone keep saying that? I am perfectly capable of looking after myself on my own. I’ve gotten this far, after all.” I blurt out before I lose the nerve.
He hesitates, and for a moment, I think he will dismiss me, as he has done before. Instead, he turns his gaze again and looks at me with an intensity that almost makes my knees buckle beneath me.
“When the tribunal voted,” he says, “they voted for the sea. I chose otherwise.”
“That much I remember.”
A flicker of amusement passes through his expression. He might not admit it, but he likes my loose tongue.
“The code allows the captain to overrule the verdict,” he continues. “But if he does, he must bear the consequence.”
I watch him carefully. “Consequence?”
“You are under my authority.” He says, his eyes slightly darkening. “If you draw attention to us on those lands, I will answer for it. If you run, I will be punished for that too. If you cause any harm to another pirate, I am as good as dead. My life, my position on this ship, now depends on you.”
My fingers curl slightly at my sides as I think his words over. He chose this. Not just pulling me from the water, going against his crew, but this– tying his life to mine. I am not used to that, to someone choosing me when it costs them something.
“You took a risk for me.”
"A calculated one. That is not the same as doing it blindly.”
His gaze holds mine, and I keep my chin held high.
“Do not mistake this for kindness, little fish. I overruled them because I believe you are more useful alive than dead. That is all. I already told you as much.”
I nod, though I am not certain I fully believe this to be the only reason now.
“And because,” I add quietly. “You very much dislike being told what to do.”
“Careful, siren,” he says, the corner of his mouth tilting into something that almost looks like a smile, but I can see the promise of danger flickering beneath it. Silence stretches between us, and I become painfully aware of how close he stands, how easily he could close the distance if he wished.
“You will stay by my side on the islands,” he says, the sharp edge returning to his tone. “You will not speak a word to anyone unless I permit it. And you will not use that siren voice of yours.Not a screech, not a single hum. Not even a whisper of it should be heard.”
“You still trust me very little, it seems.”
He sighs, annoyed with my natural resistance against him. “I trust you exactly as much as I can afford.”
“Mh,” I roll my eyes, not moving my body an inch, not even when he takes another step closer.