Kilmy: The Indomitable

10/ A Pirate's Promise

Waldor gently sets me in my bed and I immediately sink a little way into the mattress. Definitely better than the cot.

A sigh escapes my lips as exhaustion settles in my body like a blanket covering me.

Waldor sits beside me. "Mila," he begins, running his fingers through his hair. Concern clouds his eyes. "Why did you run away?"

"Because I was told I'd be free in the next town."

A grunt leaves him. "Listen, we will keep our promise to you. But this island is abandoned. We're not leaving you there to die."

"I thought I was lied to."

His forehead creases. "No one has lied, Mila. I'm sorry for making you feel that way, but we haven't reached a safe place yet. We travel as far as we can between each stop so we don't get caught."

I guess that's smart. But how will I return home if I'm far away?

"Why can't you just take me home?"

"We're almost one day away."

"Why didn't you let me go as soon as he brought me aboard?"

Waldor rakes his fingers through his hair. "You ask too many questions," he sighs. "Look, I will keep my promise. Okay? You have my word. As soon as we get to a decent island, we'll drop you off."

"I won't be home, though. How will I return?"

"I don't know," he says simply. "I don't know if you'll even have a home anymore."

His words pull at my heart.

"Do you have a TV or phone I can use to see if Valencygne is okay?"

He shakes his head. "We don't like for the government to bog us down with talk about pirates."

They don't want to hear what's being said about them? "Wouldn't that be easier for you guys to know what to expect?"

He shrugs. "We've been doing fine for years, so no, not really."

Something flutters in my stomach as I gaze at the man who saved me.

He didn't let me die as I thought. Instead, he risked his own life for mine.

"You're part of my crew right now. I'm not going to allow anything to hurt you."

His words echo in my mind, making my heart pound.

Foolishness bubbles within me. Why did I think it was a good idea to run when all I saw were trees, not houses or buildings?

Foolish.

I'm afraid still, but I hope the pirates will keep their word to me and set me free when the time comes.

"Did you guys set the fire?" I blurt, clutching the blanket between my fingers. It can't be a coincidence that they arrived in Valencygne and a fire raged on the same night.

Surprise flashes over his features. "No, of course not. We don't do things like that."

Then what happened?

Who did it?

Waldor brings his face closer to mine. I shiver at his closeness, swallowing. "What happened to your temple?" he asks, touching the place where my scar rests.

"Nothing," I reply quickly. Maybe too quickly. "I did it when I fell one day."

"Huh." He doesn't say anything else for a moment. "I'll let you get some rest." Waldor rises and heads for the door. He pauses, glancing over his shoulder at me. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

I frown. "How will I tell you when I have no way to contact you?"

He laughs. "Just yell."

"But what if you're across the ship and can't hear me?"

"Oh trust me, someone will be close enough to hear you, especially if you scream like you did earlier."

I scowl at him.

With a grin on his face, Waldor closes the door.

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