The pooka cursed and stepped out into the light. If it weren’t for the golden eyes narrowed into a glare, it’d have been like looking into a mirror. Wincing, he slipped a finger beneath the impeccably tied cravat. “Don’t fidget,” I warned. A prince didn’t fidget.
Peasants.
I slipped out next to him and took his fisted hand in mine. He scowled down at me. “Save your grumpiness for the captain,” I murmured, tugging him toward the docks to where a bunch of smelly sailors loaded crates onto the ship. Captain Caden Merriweather stood at the helm, blond curls peeking from beneath a faded tricorn hat that belonged in the previous century.
When he saw us approach, he bounded down the stairs and over the side, skirting between men heaving sacks up the gangplank. His scuffed boots clipped with each stride up the dock to where Ruairi and I waited.
I had to keep my hands from balling into fists and knocking the “good” captain’s teeth down his throat when he grinned at me.
“You’re really here,” he breathed.
“You didn’t give me much of a choice,” I muttered in Aveen’s voice, glancing away on the off chance that he noticed my eyes.
When he saw the pooka at my back, the two of them traded glares. “What’shedoing here?” Merriweather ground out.
Water lapped at the posts keeping the wooden dock from floating away from the shore. I tightened my grip on Ruairi’s glamour. “You didn’t think I’d let my human come alone, did you?” the pooka said in my voice.
The rest of the crew stopped to stare. A few traded whispers. They all looked like they belonged in a prison. And this fool wanted to bring my soulmate aboard this rotting piece of wood and row it out to sea where merrow and selkie and sharks and who knew what else lurked beneath the depths?
Merriweather blew out a frustrated breath before stomping forward and offering his hand. “Come aboard, my angel.”
Ruairi’s fingers clasped my elbow, holding me back as we’d practiced. I clung to him, hoping the pirate attributed the stiffness of Ruairi’s posture to the situation instead of the truth: that he was stuffed inside that glamour like a sausage.
“I want your word that once I leave, my vow has been fulfilled,” I said with authority. “That when I escape, you won’t make me come back.”
His lips tilted into a crooked smile. “After a few days with me, you won’t want to leave.”
Arrogant prick. He’d been with Aveen once. He hardly knew what she liked, let alone what she wanted. And he obviously hadn’t beenthatgood considering she didn’t want to be with him anymore.
“I need you to say it.” I glanced up at Ruairi to appear uncertain, waiting for his nod before continuing. “And to remove your binding magic.”
Caden extended his hand and waved me closer. “Come onto the ship, and I will do as you wish.”
If this were real, Aveen would likely be loathe to let me go. Time to lean into the role. I threw my arms around the pooka’s neck and smashed my lips to his. He didn’t kiss me back—which was incredibly rude considering this was meant to be an epic goodbye. “I love you so much, Rían,” I choked out, all weepy like she would’ve been.
When I pulled away, Ruairi looked mad enough to spit. He ground his teeth together and muttered, “I love you too.”
He could’ve sounded a little more devastated. Not to worry. Our performance was almost through.
I drew the hood of my cloak over my head and stepped down onto the gangplank, letting the pirate take my hand and lead me onto the ship. My hold on my magic started to wane the moment my boots met the deck.
The whole thing tilted beneath my feet, as if it knew I shouldn’t be here and was trying to throw me off. My stomach roiled. If I vomited, Ruairi would never let me hear the end of it. Caden caught my elbow, steadying me. I glanced away, back toward Ruairi. The whipping wind made my eyes water.Perfect.
I closed my eyes with a shuddering sob, really laying on the devastation Aveen would be feeling if she were the one here instead of me.
I thrust my hand toward the lowly pirate. “R-release me from our bargain.” The tremor in my voice was perfect.
“Once the wind catches the sails.”
“You promised to release me once I boarded the ship. I’m on the ship, our bargain is complete.”
“You promised to leave Airren with me. Once we clear the port, I will give you what you desire.”
Stubborn bastard was more cunning than he looked.
My skirts rippled in the breeze. Caden called for the plank to be removed and the anchor hoisted. A flurry of motion erupted on deck as the gears ground, lifting the heavy anchor. A few moments later, the sails were lowered.
If Ruairi kept looking at me like that, he was going to blow my feckin’ cover. This wasn’t exactly going to plan, but we would have to adapt.