A private room at an inn on Verand’s shore, large and comfortable, with plenty of space for a meeting. Karim always insisted on meeting in lavish places, with food and wine to go around. It may have begun as an intimidation tactic, a show of his wealth, but it had become more of a comfort than anything else. Even if Samson hadn’t been comfortable with the idea of meeting such a prolific captain when he was younger, it had at least given him some semblance of routine, and the knowledge that he would be well fed was promising.

As he entered today, however, it made him uneasy. Samson had not said in his letter exactly what he wanted to discuss, only that it was urgent. If Karim was truly behind the attack, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Samsn had figured it out and had questions. If he wasn’t, Samson supposed that this was going to be quite a confusing dinner.

Samson knocked only once before entering the room he’d been told was waiting for him. It was massive, a suite with ornate decoration and an ostentatiously set table, filled with far too much food for just two people.

From a doorway in the corner, a large, wide figure emerged. Karim dressed well, in sleek black leather and silver adornments shimmering in the warm glow of the lamplight. Long hair twisted into dozens of delicate braids fell past his shoulders and one black eye gleamed. The other remained hidden behind a smooth black patch tied in place with red ribbons. When Karim smiled, it was the sharp grin of a viper.

“My dear Samson, a pleasure. How’s the leg?”

Samson raised his hands. “How’s the eye?”

Karim laughed, tossing his head back. “Mm, that’s going to get old someday. Please, take a seat.” He gestured toward the table, and Samson settled in. Sitting across from Karim was familiar. So often in the past, it had felt safe. Despite having helped Samson rather quickly discover his inability to die, he had offered shelter and harbor so often that it was impossible to think of him as anything other than a friend. If he had really sent an assailant, it would be as shocking as it was confusing. “Tell me why you’ve summoned me so soon after we last met. Troubles with your beloved? Or did you just want a nice meal?”

Samson swallowed, taking a breath. “His Highness is in danger,” he said aloud, a hand moving to his throat as though it could offer some support. His voice was rough, but that would be fine.

“And you need my aid again? Truly, how much trouble can one man be worth.”

“Karim.”

The man’s smile faded, and when he shook his head, silver earrings caught in the light. “My apologies. I know what he means to you. True love and all that. What exactly is it that you need from me, my dear?”

“He was attacked in Yalana’s temple in Asria. You are the only person who knew where he was.” Samson carved the steak in front of him, not saying anything else. Karim watched him carefully, but the smile reappeared on his face. He reached for a bottle of wine, humming his amusement as he uncorked it and poured a glass, passing it to Samson.

“That would make me quite suspicious then,” he said as he poured his own glass and brought it to his lips. “Is there any other evidence of my involvement?”

Samson took a sip of the wine, nodding. He reached into the pocket of his coat, retrieving the velvet bag that had been found with the body. “This was on the attacker’s person,” he said, passing it gently across the table.

Karim opened the bag, and laughed the moment he saw inside. He plucked out one silver bracelet, shaking his head “Those certainly belong to me. Ah, isn’t this nice. I’m the only one who should have known where you two were, and then they find my jewels. Yes, my dear, I do see why you’d think I’m involved.” Karim set the bag aside and propped his head up lazily with his hand. “Tell me this, what are your reservations? If you thought I was truly guilty of hurting your prince, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

Samson nodded. “You gain nothing from His Highness’s death. If you even tried to involve yourself, you’d lose one of your strongest allies and put yourself at risk.” It wasn’t that he thought Karim could never betray him. He could, most definitely. But if he did, it would only be because he would benefit from it. There was no reward for killing Elias.

“Correct. I can’t prove my innocence to you. If I’d bothered to send someone to a location I know you’d be and paid them off with my own private collection, it would not have been for nothing. I don’t mean to offend, but your prince had nothing to offer me.” He took a sip of his wine, pink tongue darting over his lips to catch a stray droplet.

“I assume as much.”

“I can hear you holding onto a but, my dear.”

“Equivalent exchange,” he said. “I’ve had Cheng aboard my ship to keep me in line. May I ask that Natalia join you for a while?”

Karim hummed, taking a bit of the meat before him. He chewed thoroughly, contemplating. He swallowed, eye falling shut. “I can allow that. She’s a sweet little thing. Don’t be surprised if I try to convince her to stay.”

Samson nodded. “Thank you.” He finally took a bite of his food. It was delicious. Everything Karim served was. He had said once that after working so hard for his status and reputation, he ought to partake in the finer things as often as possible. Samson could describe him as nothing less than indulgent. Everything on the table was decadent, worthy more of royalty than of pirates.

“How is Cheng? I didn’t see the little devil when you last visited me.”

Samson sighed.

“Ah. So no change, then.”

“They tied His Highness to a chair.”

Karim’s eye widened and he swallowed his food down hard. He laughed, a smile wide on his lips. “Are they alive?”

Samson nodded, begrudgingly.

“You never were a violent man,” Karim said. “I wouldn’t have blamed you. Every man has a trigger. If it’s pressed, I can’t blame a guy for reacting. I expect Cheng to remain intact while aboard your ship, but I know your limits.”

Perhaps if it hadn’t been for Karim, if there had not been the looming knowledge that the man would be upset, Samson might have snapped that morning. The ounce of slack he was being given now was a dangerous thing. “I do my best to keep my temper in check.”

“I didn’t know you had one,” Karim teased. “I figured if you did, they wouldn’t have lasted. I know how Cheng is. Volatile, contrarian, selfish. But they’re good at their job, you have to admit.”

Samson nodded. It was unclear how helpful they really were while aboard his ship. After all, they did not work for him. They worked for Karim. Their assignment was to observe and to ensure Samson’s loyalty. By that metric, they had done fine. And, Samson could admit that they could fight well enough. It was just that Cheng was unsavory and frustrating. “Are you planning to take them back anytime soon?”

Karim pursed his lips. “Perhaps after your prince gets married. And after we’ve solved whatever this little mystery is. We’ll do a trade. Natalia for Cheng, a gesture of my goodwill.” He relaxed in his chair, leaning back against the plush velvet. “You know that I am not the most trusting man, but I do trust you. Your motives are all simple enough. You want one thing, and I may not understand it, but I respect it. You’re not going to betray me when I can take that one and only thing away from you.”

Samson narrowed his brow.

“That doesn’t make me sound very innocent, I realize. But I think you know what I mean. I gain nothing from hurting him except your disloyalty. You gain nothing by betraying me except his death.” He smiled so sweetly when he spoke. “Is there anything else you need, my dear? You’ve sorted out your contract? You have food, money?”

Samson nodded. “We’re all fine.”

“Good. And tell me, your boy. Is he head over heels for you again yet?”

At that, Samson grimaced. “He doesn’t know who I am. If he did, I’m sure he’d hate me for leaving.”

“Then don’t tell him. Let him fall for a new man. He doesn't need to know you’re the same guy twice.” Karim poured another glass of wine, refilling Samson’s while he was at it. “It’s none of his concern.”

Samson shook his head. “He deserves to know. After the wedding.” After the wedding, Smson would be free to tell him without legal consequence. That wouldn’t keep Elias from anger, but it would at least mean Samson had a chance to redeem himself without being thrown in a jail cell.

“Mm, it’s your funeral.” Karim shrugged. “Well. Maybe. I’m not certain I’ll ever have the good fortune of mourning you.” He raised his glass. “To His Highness, then.”

Samson raised his glass, tapping it against Karim’s, and downed it.

“Oh, my dear, slow down. I don’t want you collapsing and breaking your other leg on your way back to your ship.” His voice was low and hot like honey.

Samson nodded. His face was flushed and warm, but he was fine. Alcohol had never hit him very hard. Except for making him struggle with his speech even more, it rarely did much but make him a bit tired. He raised his hands. “I do trust you.”

“Mm, that’s a very foolish thing to do, Samson Graves.”

Samson knew that. Trusting any pirate was stupid. He was not someone who took offenses lightly or turned the other cheek when wronged. He was vengeful, volatile, and selfish. That his right hand had taken after him was no surprise. Still, he was also strategic, and the two of them made better allies than enemies. If he would describe Karim as indulgent and headstrong, Karim might describe him as useful and obedient. It was a good match. “If you betray that, it’s my fault for giving you that trust to begin with.”

“It is,” Karim said. He stood, turning around the table to stand behind Samson, placing his hands on his shoulders. “But I do hope that you will never be so foolish as to tamper with that trust which I have also given you. It would be such a waste to lose you. And so deeply confusing to kill you.”

It should have felt more like a threat. But Samson just laughed, shaking his head. He stood, turning to face Karim straight on. The man was taller than him by nearly a head, an absolutely towering force. He was like an ocean of his own, powerful, strong, beautiful. Samson extended his hand, and Karim took it. His skin was warm, his grip almost crushing.

“I’ll walk you back to your ship.”

Samson nodded. With Karim’s hand resting on the small of his back, guiding him out the door, he left. Karim knew full well that drinking didn’t affect Samson in the ways that it should. Even his strongest spiced wine wouldn’t reach him. But he still kept a hand on him for support. It was a kindness, in Karim’s way. It was often difficult to describe anything Karim did as truly affectionate, but he was not the hardened, evil pirate he might pretend to be at times. As the two walked down the nicely paved streets of Verand back toward the port, Karim held him carefully, like he was a fragile bird. It was not worth thinking that the man considered himself to be a piece of the cage.

Even if Karim had some grasp over him and some stake in his life, he certainly knew by now that it was not his hand that held Samson’s leash.