by Cait Marie
“Ada, talk to me,” Loxley said.
“Nothing.” She couldn’t tell him the truth. As she searched for another topic, the darkening sky caught her attention. Pointing, she said, “Those clouds look like they’re moving fast.”
Loxley followed her gaze. Seconds later, he shouted orders down to various crew members. Chaos erupted. People ran around, pulling on sails and ropes, securing everything and lowering the anchor. The wind picked up, as did the waves.
“Can you hold that steady until Ren comes?” Loxley asked, running back to her.
The crashing waves started pulling at the wheel, but she held it tight and nodded.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, go!”
He hesitated only a second before taking off again. The wind began to roar, making the sails snap back and forth as the crew worked to lower them. Waves grew and sprayed up onto the deck as the rain started. The wheel pulled against Ada despite how hard she gripped it and braced herself. A shadow fell over her as large hands grabbed the handles.
“I’ve got it,” Ren yelled over the commotion.
Ada ducked out from under his arms and ran down the steps. Unsure of what to do, she looked around for Loxley and Brienne. Merta called something to her when she passed, but she couldn’t hear the words. The ship rocked with another wave. It flooded the deck, soaking her. She froze and stared as another grew behind it, taller than the last.
Hands grabbed her, tugging, but her feet felt like lead. The fear was too much, too overpowering. Green eyes cut off her view as Loxley held each side of her face, yelling her name. She blinked up at him.
“Move, now!” he yelled again. “Go to my cabin.”
Ada’s wet hair whipped at her cheeks as she turned and ran. She looked around for Phillip, but there wasn’t enough time. Grabbing her by the waist, Loxley yanked her to the closest beam at the center of the ship. He pushed her back against it and barricaded her with his own body as he gripped the beam around her.
“Hold on to me,” Loxley yelled into her ear just before the water slammed into them.
She obeyed. Her arms locked behind him, and she buried her face into his neck. The ocean pushed and pulled. It swirled around, threatening to tear them apart. The rain blew sideways in a downpour. Ada held her breath until the round of waves ceased. Drenched, Loxley leaned back and looked her up and down. They stood dripping, panting. When she nodded, he quickly pulled her face up to his. Their mouths collided in a frantic need. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he pushed her back against the wood again.
“Are you all right?” He brushed away the wet hair that clung to her face.
His hands froze as he took in the terror in her eyes. Whirling around, he watched as a tidal wave grew in the distance. It would hit them hard within a minute. Taller than the ship’s highest mast, Ada had never seen such a monstrosity. Her lungs refused to take a breath.
“Run,” Loxley said with an eerie calmness.
Ada didn’t wait to be told twice. She turned and ran toward the captain’s quarters. Loxley followed with a hand on her back. She slipped and stumbled on the wet wood as the ship continued to rock. Loxley gripped the back of her shirt to keep her upright until they made it to the door. They slammed into it, failing to get it open on the first try. Tears fell from Ada’s eyes as the sea roared around them.
“It’s going to be all right,” Loxley said when they finally shut themselves inside. “Stay here, and you’ll be safe.”
“Phillip—”
“I will get him and make sure he’s safe too.”
“Wait.” She reached for his arm as he started toward the door. He stopped immediately and turned when she screamed, “You can’t go back out there!”
“Adalina,” he kissed her forehead, “I’m the captain. It’s my job to go back out there.”
“But—”
“I’m immortal, love.” He stroked her cheek. With a wink and his usual smirk, he said, “I’ll be fine.”
Then she was alone. She began pacing, but the boat rocked so hard she had to sit. As the incoming wave hit, it felt as if the whole ship would tip over. Books flew from the shelves. Papers and trinkets fell from the large table, scattering across the floor. She sat against the wall on her bed, holding on with all her might and praying to the stars that it’d all be over soon.
And they listened. The ship still swayed, the wind and rain continued, but that wall of water was the last hard hit.
After a moment, Ada stood on shaky legs. To occupy her mind, she started picking up debris. When the door opened an eternity later, Ada lunged at the intruder, happy they made it through the storm. Rough hands caught and lifted her into the air. A face fit perfectly into the crook of her neck and breathed her in. She pushed a hand through the dark hair that curled with wetness.
“I thought I was going to lose you,” Loxley said, setting her back down. “I haven’t been that terrified in a long time. It’s been so long since I’ve had to worry about someone’s life…”
As his words trailed off, she touched a hand to his jaw. A thought made her gasp. “Phillip?”
“He’s fine. Angry but fine.” At her raised brow, he explained, “Apparently, Brienne had the same idea and locked him in one of the storage rooms.”
“Mad he couldn’t help?”
“Oh, yeah.” He laughed. “I think he forgave us though when I told him I did the same to you.”
She smiled and let out a relieved breath. Loxley started to take a step back, but before he could pull away, Ada wrapped her arms around his neck and met his lips with hers. She didn’t waste a second when his mouth parted, inviting her in. Loxley kicked the door shut and picked her up again. He started carrying her toward the bed, then stopped and put her down suddenly.
She kissed his jaw. Against his skin, knowing what he thought, she whispered, “Just one night.” She stood back to see his reaction. “I just want one more night with Lee.”
Because that’s who she’d truly started falling for. Not the immortal warrior standing before her. It was the snarky pirate she wanted to be with, the one who irritated her more than anyone. The one who came after her time and time again, despite the arguing. He’d somehow weaseled his way into her heart.
When Ada told him this, she worried she had said too much, but he pulled her up again and kissed her. Her lips parted as she wound her hands up through his hair. They couldn’t get close enough. This time when she pulled at his shirt, he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he yanked it off and threw it on the ground. They came back together in a crash of tongues and teeth. Their hands exploring.
One of his hands slid down her hip and gripped her thigh as her leg wrapped around his. He quickly bent down, grabbed the other leg, and lifted her off the ground. Her arms tightened around the back of his neck as she tilted her head down to kiss him with a new fierceness.
Carefully laying her on the bed, he climbed up over her. She blushed as he looked down at her, bracing himself on either side of her head. His hand stroked down her cheek. Then her neck. Her chest. Her stomach. He trailed his fingers down to her bottom of her shirt. The heat no longer stayed with her cheeks. It felt as if her entire body burned. His fingers moved from side to side, just beneath her hem, teasing. She gripped the back of his shoulder.
“Lee…”
He met her eyes with a light chuckle. He bent down to press a kiss beneath her jaw, then moved to the other side and brushed his lips below her ear. “Have I ever told you how much I love making you blush?”
“Very cruel,” she said, using his words from days before.
He laughed against her cheek. As she sighed, his lips returned to hers. Everything about them together felt right. Like she had finally found a lost puzzle piece.
Sometime later, Ada lay against his bare chest. He held her close, as if afraid she’d vanish in the night. Her fingers traced the patterns printed on his skin.
“Loxley—“
“Lee,” he interrupted, grabbing her
hand and kissing her fingertips. “Just Lee.”
“Lee,” she corrected with a smile. “What’s going to happen? I mean, I know the plan of what we’re going to do but… what about you?”
He tilted her chin up and softly brushed his lips against hers. “I don’t know. But I do know what’s happening tonight.”
He shifted beneath her and sat up, forcing her to do the same. She hugged the blanket around her body, and he kissed her bare shoulder before climbing out of bed. After pulling on pants, he tossed her a dry sweater and some leggings, telling her to get dressed. She gave him a questioning look but quickly pulled on the clothes.
“Where are we going?” Ada asked as he led her from the cabin.
Lanterns and candles wrapped around the far end of the deck, and some of the crew played music, giving it a festive feel. Shouts and hollers went up as the captain joined the celebration. Brienne ran to them with a smirk aimed toward Lee and hugged Ada before dragging her toward Phillip. He stood with his back to the rail and smiled as they approached. He kissed her cheek, handing her his mug.
“It’s our Princess’s birthday!” Brienne cheered.
Ada looked to Phillip who only lifted a shoulder with a grin. She took a drink of his ale and stepped closer. Her thoughts drifted home, and she hoped Shane was safe.
“I miss him too,” Phillip said, reading her mind.
She smiled up at him as she wrapped an arm around his middle. “I know you do.”
Lee joined them and clapped Phillip on the back of the shoulder. Ada laughed at Phillip’s alarmed look, no doubt thinking of their chat about the pirate’s jealousy. Lee handed him a new drink, then tapped their cups together, and Phillip gave a relaxed smile. She laced her fingers with the captain’s, shrugging at Phillip’s raised brow.
Lee joked and laughed with the crew. The whole time never releasing her hand. With their fingers entwined, his thumb gently rubbing hers, it was the lightest she’d ever seen him. He genuinely seemed happy.
Brienne and Merta pulled Ada into a dance. They twirled and laughed as song after song played. Everyone moved to the upbeat music. Even Ren joined in for a dance. Lee stood across the crowd, leaning against one of the beams with his arms crossed. She caught him watching his crew, but his eyes kept returning to hers. She paused for a second, and her laughter turned to a soft smile—a smile just for him—until Brienne pulled her around, breaking their gaze.
When someone took Ada’s mug from behind, she turned to protest and froze. Lee had managed to walk over without disrupting the dancing. Keeping his eyes on Ada, he handed the drink back to Brienne, who quickly grabbed it. He then took Ada’s hand and whirled her into his arms. The smile stayed glued to her face as they danced.
“It’s too bad that red gown didn’t make it back. It would’ve been perfect for tonight,” she said as the music slowed.
Lee pulled her close. He tilted her chin up to look at him. “That dress about killed me.”
She laughed. “It looked like it was going to kill you just to tell me I looked good.”
“I was afraid of saying more. You looked incredible… It took everything I had to pull away that night.”
Ada tucked her head down, embarrassed. He raised her chin once more with a smile. “That dress was great, but you look just as beautiful tonight in this sweater that’s too large and leggings, Adalina.”
The use of her full name again made her smile and close the distance between them. When he ran a hand through her hair, she no longer cared who surrounded them. Standing on her toes, she pulled him down and kissed him. His hands held her tightly by the waist. Whistles started up all around them, and she felt the deep laugh in his chest. Lowering herself, she leaned her head against his shoulder and looked at her new friends, then the old one. Phillip raised a mug in her direction and inclined his head with a wink.
“I believe that’s five gold pieces from each of you!” Ren yelled, holding out his hand.
Ada laughed harder than she had in years. Lee wrapped his arms around her back, holding her while she watched the group of pirates that made her feel as if she’d finally found her place in the world.
“Happy birthday, Princess,” he whispered.
“Are you sure this plan will work?”
“What plan?” Ada asked as she and Phillip entered the cabin.
Lee, Brienne, and Ren stood around the center table. The latter two stopped and looked from her to the captain.
“Yes, Brienne, it’ll work. It has to.” Lee closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Ada quietly moved to stand beside him. Phillip took a seat and asked, “What plan?”
“We’re not leaving you in Detmarya,” Lee said.
The world stilled. Ada needed to know what he meant but couldn’t find her voice.
Luckily, her best friend didn’t have that trouble. “Where are you taking us then?”
Biting her lip, Ada faced Lee. They didn’t have time to waste. She wouldn’t make it in time if they detoured. As it was, they’d be arriving the morning of the ball.
“No.” Lee turned and threaded his fingers through hers. With his other hand, he gently laid a palm on her cheek. “I mean we’re going with you.”
“You’re going to help us?” Phillip sounded as breathless as she felt.
Without taking his eyes from Ada, Lee said, “yes.”
Ada’s eyes burned. After a beat, she twisted her arms up around his neck. He held her just as tight.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“We’ll give you some privacy,” Brienne said. “Come with me back up to the wheel, Phillip, and I’ll explain.”
In the distance, Ada heard footsteps receding and the door shut. She didn’t let go though. She couldn’t. Gripping the back of his collar, she tried to stop the shaking.
“It’s going to be all right,” Lee said against her hair.
After a few moments, when she’d gained control of her relief, she released her hold on him enough to lean back. “Why? What changed your mind?”
He moved some of the small figures around on the map beside her, then moved them back. She’d never seen him fidgety before.
“I can’t let you go in there alone. None of them can. It seems you went and made the whole damn crew fall in love with you, not just…”
She smiled at his trailed off words. Turning her head, she placed a kiss on his arm.
“Adalina, when that storm hit,” he started. “When that wave hit, all I could think about was losing you… and I can’t.”
The steady creaking of wood surrounded them. The only other sound was their breathing. Reaching up, she tilted his face to meet her stare. “I thought you said we’d go our separate ways in the end.”
“Yes, well, you’re the princess.” He flicked the end of her nose. “And I’m just a pirate.”
Ada snorted, glad for the lighter mood. “Just a pirate. Just a pirate, whose unstoppable fighting in the great war spread rumors far and wide of being an immortal warriors. A story that has been told for a century and a half.”
“Yes, but I’m the villain of that story.”
She turned to fully face him, squeezing in between him and the table. With a hand over his heart, she said, “No, you aren’t. You’re a thief in beginning of the story, yes, but even as a child I knew you weren’t the bad guy. I’m a direct descendant of Queen Mariella and still knew what was done to you and your crew was wrong. You were never the villain. Not to me.”
“You’d think that meant I get the girl…” His arms encircled her, pressing her back into the table.
“If I’m not mistaken,” she lifted an eyebrow mischievously, then clasped her hands around his neck, “you got the girl last night.”
“Multiple times.” He nipped at her earlobe.
She laughed but stopped him when he began lifting her onto the table. Pointing to the figures indicating ships and islands and other things she didn’t recognize, she said, “I don’t want to mess up yo
ur map. Besides, there is a perfectly good bed right—”
He cleared the table with a sweep of his arm, sending the pieces and papers to the floor. She tried and failed to hold back her amusement. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he kissed a trail of fire down her collarbone. She didn’t argue when he lifted her again to sit on the table.
After a while, they left the cabin and took a turn at the wheel. Heavy clouds filled the sky, and the wind picked up speed. Ada worried about another storm, but Ren assured her they were safe. The storm was too far south and would miss them.
When the sun set, she left them to it and went to stand at the bow. Phillip joined her, leaning against the rail. They watched the moon reflecting off the rolling waves.
“This is going to work,” he said. “You did it, Ada. You found the Nihryst and have a way to stop your father.”
Ada knew she should be happy. She was relieved, but her heart ached. Her father used to be kind and caring. Though, she could barely remember him that way. Shane had told her stories growing up, trying to assure her that the king’s grief would eventually subside.
“I don’t want to have to stop him.” She could barely hear her own words over the sounds of the sea below.
Phillip draped an arm around her shoulders. “I know.”
“I’m really glad you’re here with me,” she said.
“I’m always with you. You know that.” He placed a light kiss on her temple.
Ada nodded, then voiced one of her biggest concerns as she turned toward him. “If we get Shane physically on the throne, how do we know the people will listen to him and not support my father?”
“The people of Detmarya love Shane. I’ve seen it. The soldiers and guards do too. Why are you staring at me like that?”
