Daughter of the Pirate King

Because pirates aren’t supposed to look like you look and talk like you talk and do what you do. You’re confusing, and it’s messing with my head.

“I am me because I choose to be me. I am what I want. Some people say you have to find yourself. Not I. I believe we create ourselves to be what we want. Any aspect of ourselves that we do not like can be altered if we make an effort.”

“I’m guessing that question wasn’t random. Are you doing something reckless to impress your own father?”

“I do reckless things for the fun of it.”

“I have no trouble believing that.”

“Oh, I thought you’d be asleep.”

“You mean you were hoping,” I say with a smile.

“And miss out on whatever snappy comment you have ready for me? Not a chance.”

“I don’t have a snappy comment prepared.”

“That’s a shame. I was rather hoping for a repeat of what happened after the last one.”

“I’m sure. Unfortunately for you, I’m a bit tired.”

“Oh, I thought you’d be asleep.”

“You mean you were hoping,” I say with a smile.

“And miss out on whatever snappy comment you have ready for me? Not a chance.”

“I don’t have a snappy comment prepared.”

“That’s a shame. I was rather hoping for a repeat of what happened after the last one.”

“I’m sure. Unfortunately for you, I’m a bit tired.”

“How about if I give Draxen what he deserves?”

He laughs as he drags me the rest of the way.

At least I don’t have so much of an audience now. It’s mostly Riden and Draxen. Draxen looks on with satisfaction. And Riden—Riden looks … I cannot tell. He just looks.

Riden steps up to Draxen, puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Alosa!” Riden shouts. “Come all the way down, or I’ll order the rope cut.”

I sigh and roll my eyes. Riden, Riden. It’s sad, really, that they all have to try so hard to make me behave.

“Would you say it is any more terrible than the intentions of the men who started for them in the first place?”

He locks eyes with me. His expression is so grateful, so relieved—you’d think I’d made him king of his own island.

“You saved my life, Riden. I’m simply returning the favor.”

“Is that really all it is?”

“Yes.”

He takes a deep breath. “When we were on that island, I learned so much about you. I accused you before of enchanting me, of toying with my mind. I know now what it really feels like to be under your control. I realized you were being honest with me before, and that what I think—what I feel—has nothing to do with your abilities, but everything to do with you.”