me struggle. Though I don’t see how he can conceal what we’re doing when every man still on deck saw me enter his room.
“And what might that be?” I ask.
“Lie on the bed.”
“What for?”
He loves my questions. He wants to answer them. He wants to show me. He’s too caught up in the moment to realize this is all a ploy. He should know better.
But when I focus on one man, they never can tell. They’re too caught up in, well, me.
“I’m going to show you something more magical than the stars.”
Oh yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. I can’t do this. I can’t stand to hear him talk anymore. He needs to shut his mouth.
I step forward, get right into his face. “How about if I show you?” When I lift
my head up to his, he greedily meets me for a kiss.
He’s not a bad kisser—though I doubt Draxen has had as much practice as Riden.
But I get no enjoyment out of this. Because I’m not bored and looking for fun. I’m trying to get something done. And I know exactly the kind of foul man
Draxen is. It’s impossible to ignore when I’m so focused on the desires of his heart and mind.
I remove his coat and toss it to the floor with the intent to search it soon.
Draxen takes it for an invitation. He goes right for my breeches, fumbling with
the clasp.
Ugh. That’s enough of that.
I shove Draxen down onto the bed and climb on top of him. From there I make it look as though I’m hurrying to undo the belt on his pants. I can feel the lust burning in him. It’s disgusting and wretched, and I want to stamp it out.
When I get his belt buckle undone, I slide off his sword, sheath and all.
I use the end to knock him out, square on the head.
“Oof,” he says before lying down, motionless.
I’m not sure what’s worse: what I just did or what I still have to do.
Don’t look at him, I tell myself. Focus on the clothes. Not what lies beneath.
I undress him. Every last article of clothing. I leave him lying naked on the bed while I search through every pocket, check for hidden linings, a fake sole in his boots.
But it’s …
Not here.
My stomach sinks. How can it not be here? I was so sure. I was desperately counting on it. Now what am I to do once he wakes? He’ll know I conked him.
He’ll know I used him for something. And he will not be happy.
And then we’ll soon reach my father. And he’ll—
No, I have to stop that line of thinking at once. It’ll do me no good. I must keep my mind firmly in the present. How can I fix this?
Singing Draxen into forgetfulness isn’t an option. I haven’t enough song left
to erase his memories. Fiddling with memories takes more than putting men to
sleep.
I’ve made a fine mess of things. Seduce Draxen? That has to be my worst idea yet.
I have to cover my mouth to keep from grunting out in frustration.
Suddenly, there’s banging at the door.
“Draxen!” It’s Riden. “Open up now or I’m coming in.”
I hear the handle unlatching, so I race to the door. As it opens, I climb out and shut it behind me before Riden can see inside.
“What is going on?” he asks.
“Your brother was telling me about the constellations,” I say.
Riden’s eyes widen. This must be a usual play for Draxen. “He didn’t…”
“Didn’t what?” I ask.
“You didn’t let him…” He can’t get it out.
“Riden, we were hardly in there for two minutes.”
He shakes his head. “Of course. But what’s he doing now, then?” His eyes widen. “Tell me you didn’t kill him!”
While I’m flattered he knows I’m easily capable of killing Draxen, I still roll
my eyes. “I didn’t kill him.”
“Then why isn’t he yelling and swearing?”
Fair point, that. I’ll have to throw in a bit of honesty if I’m to get out of this
one. “He was getting too handsy, so I knocked him out.”
Riden relaxes a bit. I find it humorous that he isn’t offended or worried I knocked out his brother. He eyes the door.
He absolutely cannot go in there. I can’t explain why Draxen’s naked if I didn’t bed him, and, well, I don’t want Riden thinking I bedded him.
“What is going on, Alosa? Why did you go in there in the first place?”
We need to get away from here. Right now. I don’t know how much time I