by Eve Langlais
“He’s a pirate. He’s a pro at stealing things, even people. I’m sure she’ll escape when she’d assuaged her curiosity about his reasons.”
“Implying she doesn’t need me,” Titan blurted out.
“To save her, no. She doesn’t need a hero. She needs a partner.”
“Let me guess, like you?” Titan groused.
“I’m a robot. Who is smarter than you, obviously, but I do lack something she needs.”
“There’s an attachment I’m sure you could possess for that.”
Alfred shivered in agitation. “Now you’re being crass. I am her friend. Companion. I cannot be her lover. Nor do I want to. She needs a human. Like you.”
“Why, Alfred, are you saying you approve of me dating your pseudo daughter? Should I call you Father?” He couldn’t help but grin.
The bird appeared quite indignant. “That wasn’t what I was implying at all.”
“Whatever you say, Dad.” He baited Alfred, wondering what would happen. He didn’t see smoke.
Yet.
“I am not your parent,” Alfred huffed. “And I am beginning to wonder if perhaps Riella is better off resuming things with Darius.”
“What’s that supposed to be mean? I thought you said she made him an eye.”
“Among other things,” Alfred said slyly.
He fought the jealousy that simmered. The more he ignored it, the more it heated him. For some reason, he just had to torture himself. “They were together, as in a couple.”
“If by that you mean she copulated with the pirate on numerous occasions, then yes.”
The news hit him in the gut. “So what if they used to hook up. They obviously aren’t together anymore.”
“Because at the time, Darius showed no interest in settling down and she wasn’t interested in sailing the seas.”
“You saying she’s changed?”
“Very.”
The idea of losing her to another man wasn’t something he would contemplate. “Since it’s been a few years, I’m going to go on a limb and say he didn’t kidnap her to make her his promised.” The name they’d given to people who’d chosen to enter into an exclusive arrangement.
“The correct term is wench for female pairings and wanker for a man.”
“Wanker? Isn’t that… Never mind. Riella wouldn’t have agreed to being kidnapped and leaving us behind.”
“Maybe not at first. But the man does have a strange charm after a fashion.”
“Really not helping, Alfred.” Titan seethed.
“Just letting you know the facts before you walk in. Because you weren’t thinking. If you were, you’d have realized that you’re not only going after a renowned pirate but attacking him on his boat where he’s captain to a loyal crew.”
“I’ll admit the situation could be better. But no matter what, I won’t let Darius hurt her.”
“As if he would dare. Riella would rip off his man parts if he ever tried.”
Still he couldn’t help a hot hint of jealousy. “You don’t really think he kidnapped her to rekindle shit, do you?”
Alfred couldn’t shrug. He said, “Possible. Before he slimed me, he did call me a meddling robot.”
“You are.”
“I know.” The assertion sounded smug.
“I don’t give a fuck if they used to date. He took her, and we’re going to snag her back.”
“That is surprisingly gallant.”
“She’s carrying my child.”
“Is that the only reason you’re willing to indulge in this suicide mission?”
He scowled at Alfred. “Are you seriously cajoling me into saying whether or not I love her? I’d say it was obvious.”
“Which means, as predicted, you’ll do something stupid.” Alfred uttered a sigh.
“Probably.” He flexed his hand. Ready?
Let’s paint our knuckles red.
He strode past the warehouses lining the wharf, doing his best to ignore the many people roaming. Not easy given he saw more in that short span than used to live in Haven. Down here, he finally saw signs of soldiers. Men patrolling with long guns tucked down their spines and swords at their hips.
He strode with purpose, as if he knew where he was going, to the boat at the end of the dock, expecting at any moment someone would call him out. Surely they noticed he was an outsider. He didn’t belong here.
Not a single person said anything as he put his foot to a gangplank and jogged across, while hoping that turret gun wasn’t on autopilot. He arrived on the ship’s deck without any new holes and stepped carefully, feeling the grip and give of the rubbery floor. No one popped up to ask him what he was doing. Which seemed odd.
“Where is everyone?” he muttered.
Alfred didn’t deign to reply.
Moving more slowly and cautiously, he eased toward the slitted window set at eye level in the virtually impenetrable box. He wasn’t stupid enough to peek in. He preferred to not have his orbs jabbed into jelly. Instead, he listened.
“Shit, Ree, that feels so good,” A man groaned. “It’s been so long.”
“Is that really the only reason why you kidnapped me? So I could make you happy?”
“Would it help if I said I also enjoy your company?”
Riella laughed.
For another man.
Titan saw red. Somehow his fist ended up through the metal door, wrenching it open far enough he could step inside and snap, “Get away from her.”
Eighteen
Riella blinked as Titan barged in, seething mad. Jealous as everything. Totally acting as if he owned her. As if she needed saving.
Amused—and determined to enjoy the show—she feigned shock. “Titan! What are you doing?”
His lip curled back. “Surprised to see me?”
“Actually, I can’t believe how long it took you to get here.”
“Someone took off with my wheels, and I had to run. It’s looking like I shouldn’t have bothered.”
His anger simmered, and she basked in its heat. She’d never had anyone jealous about her before.
“I didn’t leave you behind on purpose. Someone”—she cast a glare at Darius—“drugged me.”
“Given the bounty on your pretty head, I thought it best if I absconded first and dealt with questions later.” Darius hadn’t stopped his enjoyment of the scratching fingers of his robot masseuse. She’d made the machine for him a while ago to help him relax. He didn’t look relaxed as he aimed his gun at Titan.
“You kidnapped Riella,” Titan snarled.
“And?”
“I’m here to rescue her.”
Darius stared at Titan then her. “Does he seriously think you need rescuing?”
She nodded. “I think it’s cute so don’t discourage it.”
“Cute?” Darius snorted. “He’s obviously blind.”
Titan drew closer, intentionally putting himself between her and Darius. She’d felt bad leaving him behind, but by the time she woke from the sleeping dart, she was halfway to the city and Darius had promised to send a ride back for him. Judging by Titan’s seething expression, Darius had lied.
“Don’t let Darius goad you,” she admonished. She reached for Titan and stroked her hand over the back of his thigh. “Sit down beside me.”
His tone turned sullen. “I don’t want to sit. I just ran all the way from that cave to fucking save you whether you needed it or not. Now that I’m here, I’m more annoyed than ever and need to hit something.”
“Does he always cry when things don’t go his way?” Darius insulted. “Perhaps I did you a favor when I kidnapped you.”
“Fuck you.” Titan sat down hard then put his arm around Riella, tugging her close. Claiming ownership.
It wasn’t something she’d usually allow, but given his agitation—with reason—she gave that to him. Then to further soothe, she put her hand on his leg, high on his thigh. Brazen, which was why she didn’t look at Titan. She would have blushed for sure. But she felt his satis
faction.
“You and the cave man? Really?” Darius shook his head, his knotted strands jiggling. “I thought you had better taste.”
“Her taste is impeccable if you ask me,” Titan declared, relaxing a bit.
“Debatable,” Alfred declared, flitting through the broken door.
“Alfred!” Darius exclaimed.
“Don’t you start!”
“Are you mad about my prank?” Darius clutched his chest theatrically.
It was Titan who spoke in Alfred’s defense. “Your prank left Alfred in a pile of gunk. I rescued him.”
“Did you really?” Darius snickered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Alfred could have incinerated it at any moment. He stuck around to help you,” she murmured since Titan obviously didn’t grasp it.
He stiffened. “That fucker.”
“Don’t you mean ‘thank you’ someone needed to guide you to the port and kept you from getting killed?” her robot declared.
“Because a cave man obviously wouldn’t know to follow a road.” Darius rolled his eyes.
“Titan, hold the pirate down while I shave him bald.” An ominous buzzing noise had Darius putting a hand to his locks.
“Touch the hair and I’ll have you melted into a toilet set.”
“It’s like we never left,” she grumbled. To Titan she said, “The pair of them never stop fighting. You’d think they were siblings the way they carry on.”
“Don’t be obtuse,” Alfred interjected. “I am too smart to be related to him.”
“Smarts wouldn’t have saved you from being smothered as a babe.”
The dual exclamations, while not exactly friendly, further eased the tension. Titan’s fingers brushed her arm. “Why did the one-eyed pirate kidnap you?” he asked.
Given the eye in question was a perfect replica, it could only mean Alfred had told him about Darius. Probably in a way that explained why Titan rushed in like a jealous lover.
“Darius is an old client and friend.”
“Clients hire; they don’t abduct,” Titan pointed out.
“A joke between old friends.” Darius teased.
“Friends keep their promises. You said you were going to send him a ride. Do you really want to break a promise to me?” She glared at the pirate, who lost some of his ease at her pointed words.
“I sent a cart for him. Not my fault it’s not as quick as the quads.”
“You should have left my wheels in the first place,” Titan bit off.
“But then I wouldn’t be a very good pirate,” Darius said with a wide, unrepentant smile.
“I’m still waiting to hear why he stole you.”
Darius resumed the use of his massager, letting its mechanical digits dig into his shoulders. “I do believe your newest project is worried you still have an affection for me. Alas, Riella broke my heart long ago.”
“More like you couldn’t stick to one woman, in one port. No thanks. We parted by mutual agreement,” she explained to Titan.
“I’m a changed man.” Darius did his best to look charming, but it had no effect. Only one man had the ability to quicken her blood.
“Not entirely changed. He stole me for a reason. He wanted to give me news,” she explained.
Disdain filled Titan’s reply. “You don’t abduct people to deliver news.”
Darius shrugged. “I’m a pirate. It’s more efficient than making an appointment. And, I will note, I didn’t technically harm you or Alfred. Just gave myself the time needed to chat with Riella, for old time’s sake.”
“Chat about what?” Titan was, true to character, grumpy.
She squeezed his thigh. “Remember how you wanted to kill the queen?”
“Don’t tell me someone managed it.” His expression brightened.
“Not yet, but it might happen soon if we help. Darius has a plan to get us in close enough to try.”
“Us.” It took Titan a moment after he uttered it before he asked quietly. “How do we rid ourselves of her?”
“By being incredibly bold.” Darius jumped in. “We shall sail to Crimson Bay, and—”
“You lost me at sail.” Titan shook his head. “That would involve a boat on water with the monsters…” He turned quite green at the idea.
“It’s mostly safe,” Darius declared, looking rakish with his dimpled smile. He still was handsome, but too wild for her.
She liked someone a little more serious—who read classics. She grabbed Titan’s hand. “We’ll be perfectly fine. Darius will follow the shoreline, which is relatively safe.”
“Safe compared to what?” Titan exclaimed.
“No worse than traveling through the Wasteland or Marshes.”
He snorted. “Not exactly selling it. At least on land, my feet are planted, and I can fight.”
“The Avenger is equipped for battle. Never fear.” Darius winked and swung his legs over the arm of his seat.
They were in a strange room, part lounge, part navigational seat. Not that there was much to see. The iron ship ran on mechanics. Gears and pistons and engines that could be fired or cranked. Things that could be fixed, unlike electronics that couldn’t and needed to be replaced.
From here, he could steer the ship and yell commands to his crew through the various echo tubes that fed to the various sections of his ship. His crew remained below deck, preparing for departure.
“Even if I did trust you to sail, you spoke of going to the Crimson Bay.” Titan frowned. “Even in Emerald we’ve heard it’s pure poison.”
What Titan didn’t know was those waters were part of the reason why the Lazuli demesne was abandoned.
“Don’t drink or swim in the waters.” Darius shrugged. Problem solved.
But Titan still had questions. “Let’s say we sail to this Crimson Bay, then what?”
“Then we rendezvous with the queen in the forgotten ruins,” she said softly.
Titan stared at her, expression serious and intent. “And why is she meeting us?”
“Because Darius is going to send a message and tell her he has me and to bring five bags of dust in exchange.”
“I thought we already discussed not using you as bait.”
She stiffened. “You don’t get a say in what I can or can’t do.”
“I speak for our daughter,” he snapped.
That brought a sharp inhale from Darius. “You’re pregnant?”
She waved it off. “Early stages.”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s right; we can’t do this.” Darius sided with Titan.
She took turns glaring at them both. “My body. My choice. It is better we deal with the Emerald queen now than when I’m too big to defend myself. Not to mention better for the child. Have you thought of what could happen if the queen gets her hands on her?”
“I vote we stay far away from the queen,” the pirate declared.
“And how would you suggest that?” After all, Riella had thought herself far enough away, but the curse of her parentage followed.
“We could go back to the tunnels,” Titan suggested.
“Those are as dangerous as she is. You’d have to head across the ocean to get far enough from her influence,” was Darius’s contribution.
Titan eyed the pirate. “Do they have free cities in the islands?”
“Not cities, but if you’re not afraid of work, you can build a home and provide for a family.”
“I am not running away,” Riella snapped. “And you’re both deluded if you think moving to an island will deter her. She has to be dealt with.”
Titan sighed. “You’re probably right.”
“No probably about it. Riella is entirely correct,” Alfred noted.
“Doesn’t mean I have to like it,” Titan grumbled.
“Given I’m not fucking her, I don’t have to listen. If I go after the queen, it will be without you,” Darius declared.
“You need me,” Riella said. “You don’t have a choice. I k
now you already dispatched a water bug with a message.”
“A what?” Titan asked.
It took Riella but a moment to explain. “A water bug is like an underwater drone that can be used to send small items and messages. Often used by smugglers along the coasts and on the islands.”
“I never said I wouldn’t meet the queen.” Darius spread his hands. “I wouldn’t waste the opportunity.”
Riella shook her head. “If this boat doesn’t sail with me on it, she will know. She has spies all over this port.”
“Sailing toward her seems counterproductive,” Titan growled.
“But necessary. I won’t ask anyone to fight if I’m not willing to risk it all myself. I’m going to confront her. Are you coming with me or staying behind?” She made her intentions clear.
“You are too tough for your own good,” Titan grumbled. “I’m coming. You might need someone with my skills.”
“And what would those be? Epic glowers. Impulse control issues.” The pirate ticked off his fingers. “Incredibly boring hair. No sense of style.”
“If I hit him, can you drive the ship?” Titan asked Riella, his glare intent on Darius.
“I know a better revenge. Instead of hitting him, you could make me yell your name really loud in his bed since we’re borrowing his cabin.”
“You are not,” Darius exclaimed, moving from his slouch. “My ship. My bed. You can bunk with the crew.”
Riella stood and trailed her fingers on the metal wall. It shivered and groaned at her touch. She said nothing. She didn’t have to.
Darius, fully aware of what she could do with metal, sighed. “Fine. You can have the cabin.”
“I thought you might see it my way.” She snared Titan’s hand and tugged him from the bridge, the wrecked door impressive. She wasn’t sure she could have had the same impact with her bionic arm. Then again, she would have just whispered to the metal to unlock it.
The captain’s room was at the back of the wheelhouse, facing the rear of the ship. She knew how to get there and knew Titan realized it, too, as she slid open the bolts for the door.
“I can’t believe you spent a month with that prick.”
“Jealousy is cute, but not all the time,” she murmured, stepping inside.
She’d barely sealed the door shut, and then he spun her, his mouth hot against hers. Claiming her in some primal fashion. Asserting his dominance in some respects, too, but she could understand the reason behind it. He wanted reassurance, and she gave it to him.