The village was alive with music and laughter, torches flickering as the sun dipped below the horizon. People moved through the clearing, setting up long wooden tables covered in fresh fruits, roasted fish, and steaming rice wrapped in banana leaves. The air smelled of salt, smoke, and something warm and spiced.
I should have been relaxed. Happy.
Instead, my gaze kept flickering toward her.
The woman who had appeared on the shore that afternoon.
She sat on a woven mat near the bonfire, wrapped in a borrowed shawl, her damp hair now dried into perfect golden waves.
She looked… too put together for someone who'd just survived a shipwreck.
Not a scratch, not a bruise. Just wide, innocent eyes and an oddly perfect ability to blend in.
I didn't buy it.
But Noachus?
He was sitting right beside her, listening as she spoke.
I tried not to look. I really did.
But the moment she laughed and lightly touched his arm, my grip on my wooden cup tightened.
Oh, I hate her.
I took a slow breath. Okay, maybe hate is strong. But I definitely do not trust her.
Ailani, one of the island women I had met earlier, nudged my arm. "You glare at her like she is a spirit who has stolen your food."
I forced a smile. "I just… wasn't expecting company."
"She claims to have been lost," Ailani mused, glancing at the woman. "And yet, she does not act like someone who has lost all hope."
Exactly.
Kalani, another woman sitting beside us, smirked. "Perhaps she has found hope in him." She nodded toward Noachus.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh please, it's not like that."
Kalani raised an eyebrow. "Then why do your hands clench each time she touches him?"
I immediately unclenched my hands. "They don't."
Ailani and Kalani exchanged knowing looks.
Traitors.
I refused to dwell on it. Instead, I focused on watching the woman—Victoria, as she'd introduced herself—talk to Noachus.
She was too comfortable. She asked too many questions. And Noachus, for all his warrior instincts, didn't seem to notice.
"So, how did you get here?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
Victoria turned to me with a soft, practiced smile. "Oh, it was terrible. My ship was caught in a storm. The waves were monstrous, and I was thrown into the sea." She sighed, her fingers delicately brushing the fabric of her borrowed shawl. "I must have drifted for days before washing ashore."
I sipped my drink. "You don't look like someone who just drifted for days."
Victoria's smile didn't falter. "The gods must have blessed me."
Mmm-hmm. Sure.
Noachus, ever the gentleman, nodded. "It is fortunate you were spared."
Okay, but can we not give her more fuel?
"I am so grateful," Victoria continued, turning to Noachus. "And even more so to have found such a kind soul in you."
I almost choked on my drink.
Ailani smirked beside me.
I needed a distraction before I let my suspicions—or, you know, my not-jealousy—show.
I stood abruptly. "Okay, enough talking. I wanna see what island fun is all about."
Kalani grinned. "Then you must dance."
Perfect.
The islanders cheered as someone struck a drum, and suddenly, the open space around the bonfire was filled with movement. The dancing was fast, energetic, and honestly? Exactly what I needed.
I threw myself into it, twirling between villagers, letting the rhythm drown out my frustration.
The music swelled, and before I could process my next move, a hand caught mine.
"Dance with me, My Lady," a voice said, smooth and rich like the sea breeze.
I turned to see a tall, dark-haired man with sun-kissed skin and a confident smirk. He had the kind of easy charm that probably got him out of trouble as much as it got him into it.
I blinked. "Uh—"
"I am Octaviano Romero," he said with a playful bow. "And you, my lady, look in desperate need of a better dance partner."
I snorted, shooting a glance at Noachus—who was still talking to her—before looking back at Octaviano.
"You know what?" I grinned. "Why not?"
With a dramatic flourish, he spun me into the dance, his grip firm but effortless.
"You dance well," he mused.
I grinned. "You're just surprised I haven't tripped yet."
He laughed, twirling me again. "Perhaps."
I caught a flicker of something in Noachus's expression as we passed him.
And maybe—just maybe—I let Octaviano twirl me a little longer than necessary. He moved with the rhythm like he was born for it, spinning me effortlessly, his hand warm against mine.
"You are light on your feet, lady," he said, grinning.
I smirked. "I tried."
For a moment, I forgot about Victoria. Forgot about my uneasy feeling. It was just me, the firelight, and the crashing waves in the distance.
I was actually having fun, the tension in my chest easing—until I suddenly felt a new presence beside us.
A very familiar, very broody presence.
Then—
A hand caught mine.
I turned—and found myself face-to-face with Noachus.
Without warning, Noachus stepped between us, his grip firm as he caught my wrist.
I barely had time to blink before he pulled me away.
Octaviano chuckled behind us. "Ah, Captain, have I offended?"
Noachus didn't even look back. "She is spoken for."
I stumbled after him, my heart hammering. "Uh, excuse me?"
He didn't stop until we were away from the firelight, the waves crashing behind us.
I wrenched my hand free, glaring. "What the hell was that?"
Noachus exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "He was making sport of you."
I crossed my arms. "And you decided for me?"
His jaw tightened. "You do not know him as I do."
I scoffed. "Oh, but you trust Victoria just fine?"
That made him go still.
The air between us crackled.
"I do not trust lightly," he said finally, voice low. "But neither should you."
I swallowed hard, my pulse way too fast.
Because suddenly, I wasn't sure if he was talking about Octaviano—or himself.
His eyes searched mine, amusement flickering beneath the fire's glow. "You are quite spirited tonight."
I grinned, breathless. "Jealous?"
One corner of his lips lifted. "Should I be?"
I don't know what made me do it. Maybe it was the heat, or the fact that Victoria was still watching us.
But I did not let go of his hand.
And Noachus?
He did not pull away.
For a long moment, we just stood there, the world moving around us.
Then—
A voice interrupted.
"Noachus," Victoria called sweetly. "Would you dance with me?"
I felt his hand twitch in mine.
And then—he let go.
I swallowed down the ridiculous stab of disappointment.
Noachus hesitated, then gave a polite nod. "If it pleases you."
And just like that, Victoria glided into place, stepping into the dance like she had been waiting for this moment her whole life.
She smiled at me as Noachus took her hand.
Oh, you snake.
Kalani leaned in. "You are not pleased."
I forced a shrug. "Why should I care?"
Ailani laughed. "You care."
I clenched my jaw. No, I'm just suspicious. That's all.
And yet, as I watched Victoria dance with Noachus, her hands lingering too long, her eyes too bright—
Something twisted in my chest.
I don't trust her.
And worse?
I wasn't sure I trusted myself either.