Without glancing back to see how close the ship has made it to the shore, the pale man takes Doe’s hand and breaks towards the distant harbor.
They’d seen him, escaping their ship in a rowboat, heading towards the shoreline. He didn’t bother to go for the docks – too many eyes, too many souls willing to give him up at the first glint of coin.
No, he’d chosen the lonesome shore – that lighthouse – for a reason. Fewer witnesses, for one thing. He could travel on foot and outrun those that prowled after him with ease, but he couldn’t draw attention once at the harbor. He needed to come from the opposite direction. He’d needed to be inconspicuous in order to track down his first mate and the rest of their crew before heading back out onto the water on a new ship, and hopefully far from the prying eyes of their enemies.
But now, he had her. Had he even caught her name? He glances at her sidelong for a moment. Gods, she’s beautiful – cheeks flushed, hair whipping behind her, his jacket still draped on her shoulders. He turns to face ahead, pushing harder with his legs.
The ship in the distance has barely made it to the shore. With the storm and wind, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to determine where he’s gone to, but the harbor will be a likely starting point.
They’d have to get out of here by dawn.
As they near the lights of the harbor, he slows their pace. Hearts running wild, the man eyes their destination: a tavern, still alight, patrons stumbling out of the front doors. She’d be there – his first mate. She’d had to be there.
She’s there, he tells himself. It gives him the courage to keep going.
“Follow my lead,” he breathes, taking pause at the base of the grassy hill.
Slinging an arm around the dark-haired woman at his side, he lets out a throaty laugh as they waltz past a group of guards – clearly playing off their breathlessness as a tryst of lovers. Doe leans in against him, and he savors the warmth of her body against his. The man cups Doe’s face with his free hand, pressing sloppy kisses to her cheek, trailing down to the soft spot behind her ear as they walk. Doe lets out a girlish laugh at the sensation, but doesn’t stop him. They make it past the guards without so much as a glance in their direction, heading straight towards the doors of the tavern.
With a brief turn to look past his shoulder, the pale man tightens his arm around Doe’s waist and pulls her into an alley in between the tavern and the closed supply shop next door. He gently presses her against the wall of the tavern, both of them breathing heavily. The roof of the tavern extends just enough to give them a slight reprieve from the ongoing storm.
“You’ll want to stay close to me, once we’re inside,” the man says in between breaths. “There’s dangerous folk about, so keep your guard up, and keep that blade within reach.” He kneels momentarily, bracing himself with a grip on Doe’s thighs. He retrieves the dagger from her boot and presses the hilt into her hand. His eyes never leave hers. “I suppose you can keep the jacket, for now,” the man remarks with a brief tilt of his head before straightening. “My party is expecting me to arrive alone, but we both know how quickly things can change.”
He begins to smile, but his ears twitch again. Without missing a beat, he turns and leans his weight against the tavern wall, resting on his shoulder. He blocks Doe from seeing out of the alleway, and subsequently blocks any passerby from seeing in. Doe goes to step around him, but one strong arm pulls her back.
“Easy, darling,” he coos. “Give it just a moment, and we’ll head inside.”
Doe can see her breath in the night, rapid white smoke. Her heart is racing, the thrill of running by his side still coursing through her veins. Now, without immediate threat, she studies his face; sharp jawline, perfectly straight nose, a gorgeous mouth she longs to kiss again, eyes like rubies, glittering with mischief.
I have to be careful with this one, she thinks. Thankfully I'm an expert in detachment.
'It's a good job I kissed you first,' she murmurs, lips pulling into a lopsided grin. 'If I hadn't that would've been scandalous.'
Her breath catches a touch when he glances down at her. He has a feline grace about him, a cool composure. He'd fallen into an easy imitation of romance within the space of a breath; he was clearly intelligent, shrewd, with quick fingers and a quicker mind. And all wrapped up in a dangerously beautiful smile.
She shakes her head a little when she realises she's staring. 'Come on.' She takes his hand again, winding her way out of the alley and into the tavern.
'I wouldn't dream of not staying close,' she says lowly, so only he can hear her. 'After all, you want your coat back. Can't take it back if I disappear now, can you?'
You can't get rid of me if I have something you want, she thinks. And as charming as you are, I'm just an amusement to the likes of you.
She's been in his company for barely a couple hours, and already... she shakes her head. Idiot. Keep it cool. Look at him. He has a girl in every port and then some, don't get your heart broken for this rake.
'Anyway,' she says, voice a purr. 'Nobody disarms me and gets away with it, pretty boy.'
She can feel his amused look before she looks up. 'What?' A smirk plays on her lips; they're just playing games.
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