Daughter of the Pirate King (Daughter of the Pirate King, #1)(15)

Father tolerates the existence of a monarch over the land because he has no wish to rule over landlubbers. He prefers to keep company among the brutes of
the sea. The land king pays tribute to my father yearly in exchange for letting his explorers search through the sea for new lands.
No one has ever managed such a total monopoly over sea travel until my father established his ruling. And someday all that control will be passed down
to me, which is why I wish to prove myself again and again to my father. My current task is one on a large list of feats I’ve completed for him.
I look over at Kearan’s fat body, ugly face, and overall unkempt look. “You
certain he’s not just adventuring in his sleep?”
“Oh yes. He might not look like much now, but that’s because he’s turned into a man who has lost much. Imagine if you were never satisfied with your life, Miss Alosa. Imagine that you traveled all over the world, looking for happiness, looking for thrills to pass the time. Imagine seeing everything there is to see and still not finding happiness. Well, that would give you a very bleak outlook on life, would it not?”
“I suppose it would.”
“There’s not much to do after that. Kearan makes his living on this ship. He’s
an ugly drunk because it takes away the pain. He has no desire to live, yet no desire to die, either. It’s a tough spot to be in.”
“Yet you’re his friend. Why?”
“Because everybody needs somebody. And I haven’t lost hope for Kearan. I
believe he will eventually come into his own, given the right amount of time.
And the right motivation.”
I honestly doubt that, but I’m humoring him. “Why do you assume he’s lost
much?” I ask.
“I hear him calling out a woman’s name at night. Always the same woman.
Parina.”
“Who is she?”
“No idea, and I don’t intend to ask.”
Enwen spreads out on the floor, ending the conversation. He’s given me much to think about while I wait for him to sleep before starting my nightly search.
Everyone has something dark in their past. I suppose it's our job to overcome
it. And if we can’t overcome it, then all we can do is make the most of it.
* * *
“Feel like a stretch?”
Riden stands in front of my cell, tossing the key up in the air and catching it.
I’ve been aboard the Night Farer for six days now. This is the first he’s offered to let me out of my cell.
“Do you like flaunting my freedom out in front of me?” I ask, eying the key.
“You know, I do get a strange sense of amusement from it.”
“Can’t be too easy for you to feel amused when you know I can get out all on
my own.” Of course, I’m referring to the night he caught me sneaking out and not all the nights I’ve snuck out since then.
Riden steps closer, dropping his voice. “I’ve been taking excellent care of the
key ever since. And if I were you, I wouldn’t mention that little mishap to
anyone else. Captain’d get an idea in his head if he knew. And you won’t like his ideas.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You mean you didn’t tell him I tried to escape?”
Best to reinforce the notion. The more Riden doesn’t tell his captain, the more of a wedge I put between Draxen and the crew. Might be able to use that distance
later. Who knows what else will happen while I’m a “captive” at sea?
I add, “Perhaps you should get some ideas about what he would do to you if he knew.”
“Guess I’m counting on the fact that you’ll be more worried about your own
skin rather than harming mine. Now, I’m giving you a break from your cell. Do
you want it or not?”
I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t say that I trust it. “Where are we going?”
“We’ve come across a ship that appears to have been abandoned after the storm. The vessel is a little worse for wear, but we may find some salvageable
goods on board. We’re in the middle of the sea with nowhere for you to go should you try to escape. The captain has granted me permission to bring you aboard for the search.”
I realize he could be telling me we’re in the middle of nowhere, when in reality we’re only a day from land. Impossible to tell. Though it doesn’t matter
either way. Still, I like knowing where I am. The uncertainty makes me a bit uneasy.
“I’m always up for some thieving,” I say.
“Somehow I knew you would be.”
He lets me out. Then he pockets the key, this time putting it in his breeches
rather than his shirt. “I’ll be keeping a close watch over this, so don’t get any ideas.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re on about.”
He grabs my upper arm and leads me toward the stairs.
“Must you?” I ask. “You’ve already stated I’ve nowhere to go. Can’t I have
the freedom to walk without your aid?” I can’t help but add, “Or can you simply
not keep your hands off me? Enwen informed me you’re helpless against my feminine charms.”
Riden looks unworried. “If you’ve been talking to Enwen, lass, then I’m sure
you’ve learned that half of what he says is squid brain.”
I smile and lean in his direction. “Perhaps.”
“Quit your smiling and get your arse up those stairs.”
“I wouldn’t dream of giving you such a view.”
Now it’s his turn to smile mischievously. “You don’t get the option to walk