Compensation

"What?" I frowned. "I mean, I was not asking for your permission."

"I know," he replied with a small quirk on the side of his lips. "I wasn't giving you a choice either. You're not allowed to leave the forest."

My jaw fell, aghast. "So you really are going to hold us captive!"

One of his perfect brows shot up. "You are rather quick to draw your conclusions, aren't you? I see no reason why I should be keeping you here, yet here I am."

"You're lying." I thrust an accusative finger at him. "You and your friends are going to sell us out!"

What followed was the sound of a wooden chair being dragged aggressively against the floorboard, eventually falling and causing us to turn in alarm.

The woman, Eury, stood up fuming. She looked so angry as she glared daggers at me. "You ungrateful brat. Instead of thanking the captain for his generosity, you dare show your disrespect!"

"Hey, who invited you to the conversation?" That was Lira, having my back as always.

Eury's head flicked toward my friend, her cheeks getting as red as her hair. "You two are still alive because of us. You owe us your lives. The least you can do is do what you're told."

"You're not the boss of us," Lira countered.

"Now, now." Ashton had his hesitant hands in the air, not knowing what to do. He chuckled awkwardly, saying, "It's all a misunderstanding. Everyone, please calm down."

At the corner of my eyes, I saw the captain wear a lopsided smile. And it was like the expression of a child that got disappointed because the fun was ended.

Ashton continued to speak. "There's a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why our captain wants you to stay. At least for the meantime." He had his hand at the back of his nape, shy now that all the attention was on him. At what he said, the other mercenaries in the table nodded their heads in agreement.

"And what could possibly be reason enough for us to delay our travels?" I asked.

"Normally, the forest is safe to tread during daytime. But something is wrong. Since last night, we've noticed a strange thing in the behavior of the beasts that reside in Evernight Forest," said Ashton. "We don't know what caused this strangeness, but they are currently swarming the forest even in broad daylight. Until we confirm that it is safe for you to go, we'll have to observe the beasts and make sure they don't stray too far from the forest."

I pressed my lips together, considering this. "How do we know you're not lying to us?"

It was the captain who answered. "That's on you. We're the mercenaries of Evernight, darling Rosie. We get paid enough by our client to keep these monsters in here, so we don't bother returning runaway daughters to their noble parents. You get to decide if you heed my advice, but I'd really prefer it if you treasure your life. After all, I've taken the trouble to save you."

So he'd already assumed that I was of nobility. It was either he was sharp or random ladies getting lost in the forest after running from home was a common story these people were used to. As long as he didn't know the truth, I was safe. I could never fully trust these people, but...

My gaze swung to Lira. Her green eyes seemed to deliberate on the matter, and knowing that I was looking at her to ask what she thought, she only nodded. That was answer enough for me. Though said answer was not given without a sigh to come along with it.

I turned again to the captain. "Why didn't you say this sooner?"

The smirk he did sent my stomach free falling all the way down to hell. He leaned in, a wickedly amused glint in his obsidian eyes. "I was curious how that pretty face would look like when you're mad."

I'd figured out the game he was playing at. Refusing to be fazed, I tilted my head. "Then, I hope you were satisfied with what you saw."

His chuckle sent shivers along my neck. "I won't tell you that, Rosie darling."

Darling Rosie. Rosie darling. His fondness for that nickname was starting to get clear. Was this the way he talked to every other woman he came across with?

"Asshole," I muttered

The captain only laughed as he pulled away from me, looking very much like he was having fun.

"I'll take that as you agreeing at last to stay here." He winked. "Don't worry, we'll let you know once it's clear."

"As you should," I said, turning my back on him.

As I was about to walk to Lira, the sight before me made me pause. Half-eaten meals were on the plates, and the bouyantness that surrounded them earlier had long dissipated. I felt bad for ruining their breakfast.

An idea entered my mind, removing the acid that settled in my guts. It was a surefire solution, something I was very confident in. Something I could do. With this, I knew the liveliness of the atmosphere would find its way back to the dining hall.

I cleared my throat and everyone at the table shifted to my direction. "I apologize for causing a scene. If you would like, I want to offer compensation. And no, it's definitely not money."

They stared at each other, not a word coming out nor were they showing any emotion whatsoever. I was beginning to worry if they would refuse, but a girl among them clapped her hands together.

"That would be lovely!" She had long and straight ebony hair against pale skin. A dainty flower sitting among rough foliage.

"Go ahead, Rosie. We'd love to see what you've got for us," Ashton said, beaming.

The rest muttered their agreements after that, anticipation on their faces. Even the captain, who had bern preparing to leave since earlier, paused and had his attention on me.

I looked over my shoulder, to my friend. "Lira?"

"Of course," she said with the slightest dip of her chin. She came to me, reaching into her satchel and producing a flute.

We stepped back from the table, readying ourselves for the performance.

At last, Lira placed the flute in front of her mouth. And began to play a music so sweet and soulful.

As if my body was used to her melodies, my arms lifted on their own. I danced, my eyes closed as I went along with the graceful tunes of the flute.

I twisted and turned, dancing slowly even with the sharp and fluid movements. I bent my neck, my back. My feet landed onto the floor, soundless and soft. I was nimble, agile. I was one with the music.

I felt their eyes on me, and I knew I had them by my pinky finger. But I was not done yet.

I unfurled my palms, and a hundred tiny lights bloomed all over me. I could hear their gasps as the lights took the shape of butterflies, their glowing wings fluttering around me as I danced. Giving me the extra flair I needed to make the dance more dramatic. And magical.

When I opened my eyes, they instantly found his own. Dark and absorbing me in.

Their claps were deafening. I bowed, a satisfied smile on my lips.