“What’s wrong? A moment ago, you seemed sure it couldn’t be done. How long do you think it will take before I get her to adore me?” Darius posited.
“Adore ya ‘til ya dump dem. Ya’re not da one dealing with da tears,” Jorah grumbled.
“I don’t understand why they cry. I never promise them anything.”
“Maybe not yet, but I hear your brother’s daughter claims you’re going to be an important man with daughters,” Tanzie said slyly.
The reminder had him squirming. “Never gonna happen.”
Jorah snickered. “Four daughters. Damn, dat’s gonna be fun ta watch.”
“Keep laughing. The Avenger is going to have a much smaller crew after our next port of call,” Darius snapped.
“Oh, lighten up. Your precious little niece told me I was going to give up chasing skirts and marry a man. As if that would ever happen.”
Darius eyed Tanzie. Her love of the female form was well known. Perhaps his niece Charlie was just spinning them all a story. “Don’t try and change the subject. I’m still mad.”
“That’s fine. Be mad. It’s only a few days to the Topaz Isles, and then you’ll get your bed back,” Tanzie placated.
“Assuming we go there.”
“Ya said ya would,” Jorah remarked.
“I’m a pirate. We lie.”
“Not this time you’re not. You will take her to her uncle.” Tanzie spoke firmly.
“Taking her anywhere means we’re getting involved. What happened to staying out of politics?” he groaned.
“You’re getting old. Time you took a stand,” Tanzie declared.
“I am not old.” Thirty some years put Darius in his prime. And screw the gray hair he plucked last week.
“If you’re not old, stop being a pansy and help us ensure a seamless transfer. Have you even thought of what not only smuggling the princess out of the city but placing her safely with her uncle will do for our reputation?” Said with a sly smile.
“We can raise our prices.” He smiled. “We’ll plot a course to the Topaz Isles after we visit Tawa.”
“You can’t be serious,” Tanzie hissed. “That’s the last place the princess should be going.”
“Only if people know she’s on board. Which they shouldn’t unless someone opens their mouth. At least now I know why you were trying to talk me out of going,” Darius declared.
“We knew you’d figure it out eventually.”
“And do da right thing,” Jorah added.
“The right thing involves keeping this ship safe. Which is why we’re going to Tawa. I am going to have a chat with a certain broker.”
“To tell him what?” Tanzie inquired.
He’d had a moment now to think about his options. To devise a plan that would minimize risk to his ship and crew. “I am going to convince the broker that the princess they’re all looking for is dead.”
They docked the next day, and while his crew handled securing the ship and paying the port fees, he visited his cabin. Shereen wore breeches and a shirt, the fabric loose given Tanzie’s much more muscular build. Shereen could use some clothes. Darius made a mental note to tell his second to purchase some items.
“Did you sleep?” he asked, more to be polite than anything. He’d barely managed a wink, the chair in his bridge not exactly a comfortable recliner.
“Yes. Thank you. Are we docking?” she asked, glancing at the wall as the metallic thunks and jerks indicated the tug had clamped on and brought them into the receiving area. A tight fit when the Tawa port was busy.
“We are, which is why I’m here. You need to—”
“Why is your eye glowing?” She canted her head.
“It’s the mechanics inside it.”
“You mean it’s not real?” She started to reach then tucked her hands to her stomach. “It looks so real, though.”
“I was lucky to find someone with a strong skill in psionic mechanics to make me one.” Although, it should be noted, he did rock the eye patch and sometimes wore it just to make an impression.
“So it’s like a machine and you can see with it?”
“Aye.” He still remembered losing it, in a robbery of all things. The last time he’d drunk to the point of passing out while alone. He’d woken to being stripped of his things and fought. Not very well apparently.
“That’s marvelous.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, princess.” He winked with his good eye.
She blushed.
He enjoyed that more than he should, meaning his next words emerged a bit gruff. “A few instructions while we’re berthed. One”—he held up a finger—“do not leave this room. At all. For any reason.”
“I wasn’t planning to. I’ll make sure no one sees me.” Her rapid acquiescence didn’t stop the orders.
“Two.” Another finger popped free. “Do not peek from the windows. We don’t need someone seeing you.”
“I know.” She rolled her eyes.
He gritted his teeth. “Three. Don’t open that door for anyone but me.”
“What about Tanzie or Jorah?” She just had to question.
“Open only for me or them,” he huffed.
“Why would anyone else come knocking?” she asked, her head tilted to the side.
“I don’t know why, but if it happens, be quiet and pretend no one is in here. Easy?”
She nodded but chewed her lower lip. “Tanzie says it’s dangerous for us to be here.”
“It is, but only if people become aware you’re on board.” At the fear in her gaze, he softened his tone. “Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine, princess.”
“Unless we’re here because you’re planning to sell me.” She stared him dead in the eye, no longer as frightened, showing a core of iron.
“I can’t turn you in. My crew would kill me,” he grumbled. “We’re here so I can try and deflect the hunt.”
“How can you do that?”
“If rumor gets around that you’re dead, the people looking will move on to other things.”
She gazed at him, and he noted the light smattering of freckles across her nose. Her pallor had diminished somewhat since he’d last seen her. “What will happen if I’m turned in do you think?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You said two of the bounties want me alive.”
“They do. One of them is being offered by my own brother. King of the Marshlands.”
That caused a crease in her brow. “Your brother put a bounty on me?”
“He’s probably offered a reward as a way of getting you into his city for asylum.”
“He’d do that for me?”
Roark had a more noble streak than he liked to admit. “Roark liked your father.”
Her lips turned down. “I miss him.”
The soft admission hit him hard. He could see the loneliness in her. The grief. Only an asshole wouldn’t react. He reached for her, meaning to give a comforting hug.
She danced out of his reach. “I believe we are docked. You should probably go do your thing.”