Page 59 of Folds
chapter five
KERES
In the darkest parts of the night, just before dawn, I slip from the room. I can’t help but glance at Loch one last time.
Curled on his side, he clutches my pillow instead of me. With his face so relaxed, he doesn’t look as intimidating as before. I have no regrets about sleeping with him. Maybe about this only being one night. A thread tugs toward him and I shut the door, snipping the tether. I lean against the wood as I stare down the hallway.
Nothing moves. Even the mice have gone to sleep. It takes everything in me to walk away. Soon the feeling will fade. By the next time I’m on land, he’ll be out of my system and I’ll find someone else to fulfill my needs. It’s perfect. No attachment or falling for him. Just memories I’ll carry for all eternity.
Once I get to the shoreline, I search for anyone nearby. When nothing but the wind moves, I strip out of my dress. It’s not hard since Loch tore out half the ribbons. I dip my toes in the water, keeping one eye on the horizon. As soon as the sun kisses the sea, I’ll slip under the waves and transform. I can’t believe there was a time in my life I was willing to give up my true form. All for the false love of a man.
A twig snaps behind me and I freeze. I silently pray it was ananimal, though I doubt the gods are listening. They abandoned me long ago. I glance over my shoulder and search the shadows for movement, all while I will the sun to rise faster.
I close my eyes, waiting for the magic to rid me of these infernal legs. The curse will languish in the recesses of my mind until night falls once more. Tension ripples beneath my skin, though I can’t pinpoint the cause. My lids flutter open and I swallow hard. A ray of light pierces the darkness and reveals a man holding a blade. His grin highlights several missing teeth as he sneaks toward me. I memorize his face before slipping under the water. It takes much longer than usual for my legs to form scales and knit themselves together.
The man splashes in after me, kicking at the water as if he can split the sea by sheer force. I flip around, willing my half-formed tail to propel me away. His fingers brush the bottom of my foot, and I let out a muffled yelp. Once I’m far enough away, I ease to the surface, only my eyes clearing the water.
He’s splashing around, waving his knife, and kicking the waves. I strain to hear him and realize it’s mostly cursing and threats. I’m sure he thought I’d be an easy target. A naked woman dangling her feet in the water at dawn? He definitely wasn’t hoping to help me. Bastard. While this curse may be the bane of my existence, it does allow me to exact vengeance on men like him.
I track him until he gives up, then follow as he blunders along the shoreline. By the time I’m swimming underneath ships moored at the docks, other people have woken up based on the vibrations ricocheting through the water. They’re sleepy enough they don’t notice a head bobbing in the water when I surface. The last thing I need is someone spotting me and starting rumors. I won’t be able to come back here for years. And I’d never see my pirate captain again.
Not that I’m hoping I do. One night should sustain me for a long time. So why am I still thinking about Loch when I should be finding out which ship my would-be attacker claims?Locating the man on the shore is more important. I’ll need to know where he goes so I can pay him a little visit later tonight.
“Nock, get your ass back here,” an older man yells from a black ship. A pirate ship. It’s not the only one floating around here. Still, I wonder if the man stumbling up the gangplank is one of Loch’s men.
I suppose I’ll find out soon enough. I’ll just have to make sure I don’t get caught by the captain.
chapter six
LOCH
I search the shoreline one last time before signaling to the crew to pull in the gangplank. We’ve stayed much longer than I anticipated. I could blame the crewmates, still half-drunk, who couldn’t find their way back to the ship on time.
In reality, I was hoping for one more glance of Keres. She slipped out before dawn and left me with a pillow and a hard-on, neither of which was very satisfying. I’d hoped to send her off with one more orgasm. Perhaps she thought she’d be tempted to stay. I might have been persuaded after last night. At least she told me her name.
I shake my head. Too dangerous. Spending even one more night with her would leave me in treacherous waters. Even if I told myself it was for her body and the pleasure I found with her, I’d risk triggering the curse. No, it’s better to walk away now with mere memories.
“Searching for someone?” Smitty croons, and I turn away from the railing.
“Just making sure we’re not leaving anyone behind,” I growl, and he holds up his hands.
“You’re in a foul mood. Usually, you’re better going out than going in.” He snickers at his innuendo.
I cross my arms and lean against the wood as I survey the organized chaos on board. I should be going up top and navigating us out of this mess of a harbor. With the festival over, everyone’s attempting to leave this morning. I’m guessing everyone else knew there was a festival, though. Instead, I plant my feet as the deck sways beneath me.
It takes longer than normal for us to hit the open ocean. More than a few sailors have spent the time hanging over the side and puking. This crew hasn’t been here as long. They’ll learn. And if they don’t, I’m sure the fates will move them along. If they can’t pay their penance on board theBlack Maiden, they sink to the bottom of the ocean. I don’t know what’s down there. That trip isn’t my destiny so I don’t concern myself with it much.
A flash of bright pink skips along the waves, gone between one blink and the next. I narrow my gaze, searching the water for whatever it was. Perhaps a fish or other sea creature. I can’t tell if it’s the same animal following us out to sea or different ones. I’ve never seen these particular colors unless the sun is rising or setting. Doesn’t matter as long as it leaves us alone.
“Anyone asking questions yet?” I ask, pushing thoughts of what’s after this life behind me.
“A couple. I’ve been able to dissuade them for now. They want to know why we’re not pillaging.”
“Perhaps because we’re not at war. We plunder, not pillage. Next they’re going to ask why we’re not looting.”
He snorts as Arnin runs by. “I’ll be sure to inform them. Do we have a plan this trip, or are we just sailing?”
I had a plan. Now, I’m not so sure. A thread yanked me toward this village. I thought once I got there, I’d find what I needed. Instead, I bedded Keres. The feeling vanished by the time dawn came. It’s returned, though I can’t seem to figure out where it’s leading me. I need more time.
