by G. Bailey
“She is gone, isn’t she?” Hunter is the first to speak after a long time.
“She is with the sea god, at peace finally,” I say the only words that feel right. Ryland walks out of the room, slamming the door, and I move to follow when Hunter grabs my arm.
“Let him be. He needs to be alone, to settle his thoughts. Trust me, little bird,” he assures me. Releasing me, Hunter leans down to kiss Laura's forehead lightly.
“I never had a mother, and I never told you, but I was lucky to have you. I wouldn't have survived without your guidance and love. You rest now. Your fight is over, but I will finish it while you rest in peace,” he says, standing up straight and walking out of the room with me following him. I hold a hand up to Chaz and Jacob outside and make it clear with one look that they aren't to follow us right now.
“Leave me be, little bird,” Hunter warns as I get to his side.
“You can’t push me away. Neither can Ryland, but he needs his time alone. I am not going anywhere,” I say, and Hunter narrows his eyes on me as he suddenly stops.
“Leave,” he demands, making the single word snarky and cruel. I cross my arms, glaring right back and not backing down. He doesn’t say a word, turning and walking away. I keep about two steps behind him as he walks down the stone paths, pushing people out of his way as he goes. He turns a sharp left, going towards the waterfall. I can see a small cave to the left of it as we get closer. Hunter walks straight into the dark cave, and I follow, using my hands to feel around the cave until I see the light on other side. We come out into a massive cave and inside is a giant lake with hundreds of ships drifting. They all have their sails down, though none are moving. I can see the lake leads to a long river on the other side, which must in turn, lead out of the mountains. I look around and see Hunter walk over to a ship near the back of the fleet, small lanterns lit up on the deck. There is no one around, not that I can see, at least. I follow him, but stop abruptly when I see our ship. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been on board this ship, since I was stolen from it. Now that it’s next to others, I can see it’s one of the biggest and most well-built. It still looks shiny, and any damage that was done when I was taken has been repaired, to the point that I wouldn’t know anything had happened to the ship. I run to catch up, and watch Hunter jump onto a rope hanging off the ship and climb up it like a monkey. How am I meant to do that?
“Cassandra?” a timid male voice comes from next to me, and I turn to see Roger walking over, pulling his cloak back. He looks so much older than when we last saw each other. He is taller, his brown hair is longer and curlier, and his baby face is lost to an older look. He is going to be a heartbreaker in a few years, that’s for sure.
“Roger,” I say fondly, pulling him into a small hug when he gets near.
“They said Livvy is dead, that she betrayed you . . . I, I don’t know how she could have done that to you,” he blurts out and then looks away, “I thought she loved me, and that she loved you like a sister. Her home was with us, and she destroyed that.”
“Roger,” I say gently, placing my hand on his shoulder and he turns, waiting for me to say something I’m not sure how to say.
“Everyone makes decisions, good and bad. Livvy made hers, and it cost her life. She has paid enough, and only the sea god can decide her punishment in death,” I say. I can’t forgive her for what she did, but there is no point in hating the dead.
“I miss her, despite everything . . . I miss her,” he says and looks up at the ship.
“I miss her, too, even if I hate to admit it,” I tell him, being honest, though the words sting as they come out of my lips.
“If you want to get on the ship, there is a net near the front. I use it to bring food to Salty Sam every day,” he explains and reaches into his cloak, pulling out a small bag of cat food.
“I will feed him,” I say, and he hands me the bag and pats my shoulder before walking away. I watch him leave, knowing there are no words that could make what Livvy did better for him. It’s something he needs to accept, much like I do at some point. I guess I’ve just denied it for as long as possible, tried to make it easier on my heart because I did care for her. I slide the bag of food into my pocket, barely able to make it fit. Walking towards the front of the ship, I find where the net is hanging down and tied to the dock. I step onto it, climbing up slowly and trying my hardest not to fall. I get to the op, pull myself over, and flop onto the other side, landing on my back.
“Ouch,” I huff, lifting myself up off the floor and looking around. Hunter is standing in front of the wheel, holding it tightly in his hand, and his head bowed down. I pull the food out my pocket, open the bag, and leave it on the floor, knowing the evil cat will find it on his own. Every step I take towards Hunter, seems to echo something deep inside of me. Maybe it’s our bond, maybe it’s just because I love him, but I seem to be able to feel his pain like it’s my own. I get to his side, not knowing what to say, how to tell him anything. I slide myself under his arm, in between him and the wheel, so it presses into my back.
“Talk to me, my dark pirate,” I whisper, sliding my hands onto either side of his face and lifting his head up. I can feel the tears under my palms, but I don’t say a word as he locks his eyes onto mine. There is so much pain in them. There is a turmoil of emotion swirling in his dark eyes. It feels like I could drown in the depth of them, knowing I wouldn’t fight it or even try to save myself.
“For the second time in my entire life, I feel powerless. I feel like the pain inside of me is trying to choke me,” he finally says, his eyes locked with mine the whole time. He isn’t running from me, that’s one bonus.
“When I lost my father in the games, the pain was indescribable. I don’t remember much from those last moments, other than the pain. I know it won’t go away. I know I will have to live with the pain, but time does help,” I reply to him in a gentle voice.
“I know I have to lose my mother, just after I’ve lost the woman who brought me up,” he whispers. I hate seeing him like this, my strong pirate.
“You know Riah has to die?” I whisper back.
“I’ve always known it. It’s the only way to stop my father. Ryland knows it, too. We have made a plan and we will do it together. She deserves to have her sons with her as she dies,” he says, but his voice catches on his words. He can’t even say them, let alone do it. I won’t let him or Ryland put themselves in that position. No one should have to kill their own mother.
“I know Laura is gone, and that you feel alone, but you are not. You have me, and you have a family that loves you,” I say, and he grabs my hands, pinning them to the wheel on each side of my head and pressing his body into mine.
“Say it, little bird,” he demands, moving his face close to mine, so there is nowhere else I could look. Not that I could look away from him right now, not when he is showing me this vulnerable side to him.
“I love you,” I say each word slowly, but his lips part subtly, his eyes closing like my words alone are pleasurable to him.
“And I love you, my little bird,” he says when he opens his eyes, and seconds later he slams his lips onto mine. I lose any control of my emotions, my desires, as he rips my clothes away. He kisses his way down my naked body, taking his time to kiss each nipple thoroughly, before gently biting and mixing the pain with the sweet pleasure. I gasp when his mouth finds my core, his tongue swirling around my nub with a skill that send me over the edge in seconds. Hunter rises up, shoving his trousers down and lifting me up, pushing my body against the wheel as he slides deep inside of me.
“Hunter,” I moan, having no control over my voice as he pounds into me again and again, filling me in a way that I know I will never forget.
“Cassandra,” he groans, biting down and sucking on my neck as he finishes, sending waves of pleasure through me at the same time. We stare at each other, both of us breathless and trying to gain our breaths back.
“How about we go down to my cabin, and r
eally make this ship rock?” he whispers against my lips, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth and biting down before releasing.
“Good plan, my dark pirate,” I grin, and kiss him as he carries us away.
9
Chapter Nine
Ryland
“Ryland?” Chaz’s voice comes over to me, and I look up from the tree I’m leaning against to see him walking over. His gaze drifts from me, to the stone wall next to me, and down to my hands. Blood drips from my knuckles onto the grass, but the pain is almost soothing at this point. Laura, the only real parent I have ever had, is dead. Her soul is at peace, but all I feel is anger. His hands are tucked into his pockets, his blond hair pushed all over the place. He stops next to me, silently supporting me without saying anything. I’m glad Cassandra didn’t follow me, I couldn’t deal with anyone near me for a while. I’m not sure I even want Chaz near me.
“Is she with Hunter?” I ask, needing to know my brother isn’t alone.
“Of course she is, but I’m sure she will be on her way to find you soon,” he says, and I laugh hoarsely.
“I’m in no state to see her,” I reply.
“Do you think she would judge you?” he asks,
“No, but she deserves better,” I respond.
“You are better,” he tells me, his voice firm, but I don’t know if I can completely believe him.
“When we die, do you believe we go to the sea god and then have peace?” I ask Chaz, wanting to know his opinion.
“Come with me, I want to show you something,” Chaz says and walks off. I follow him, ignoring the stares of people we pass. He opens a door near the entrance to the mountains, though not one I’ve ever entered before.
“What is this place?” I ask Chaz when I follow him into the oval cave. There are hundreds of lit and unlit candles on the floor, high lightening the drawings on the walls.
“History of Calais, more specifically, of the gods. These are some of the earliest drawings anyone knows of,” Chaz explains and lifts a candle up, holding it to the wall to my left. There are drawings of a man walking out of the water, streams of water flying everywhere. Next to it is a drawing of a man kissing the forehead of a baby lying in a mother’s arms.
“I’ve examined these drawings many times, and this is what they say about death,” Chaz says, nodding his head right to the middle of the cave. There’s a drawing of a woman on the floor, an outline of a body flying out of her. The next drawing shows a choice, with two men holding out their hands. One looks like he is in the sea, and the other looks like he is in flames.
“This is the sea god, but who is that?” I ask, pointing at the man in the flames.
“The sea god wasn’t the only god born, they say he has a brother. The god of souls, that is who is standing there,” he explains to me. I’ve never heard of the god of souls, but it would make sense there is more than one god if it’s possible to have one.
“More gods? Don’t we have enough problems with just the one?” I muse.
“Yes,” he chuckles, “but there isn’t proof that the god of souls actually exists, just drawings.”
“What does the god of souls do?” I ask.
“Drags the evil and undeserving souls into the deepest fires so that they may never be re-born, never know peace,” he says, and there’s a cold chill in the air as I think on his words. It’s probably wrong that the first thing I think of is how I hope when my father dies, he meets the god of souls.
“And the deserving?” I ask.
“Know eternal peace, safe in the hands of the sea god,” he says, and I nod. “People come here to light a candle in memory of those they have lost. Perhaps this could be your way of saying goodbye?” he suggests.
I think over his words and walk to the middle of the room, falling to my knees on the cold stone. I pick up an unlit candle, lighting it with the tip of another and placing it down in the middle of so many others.
“I can only remember you in my earliest memories, Laura, not my mother, not my father, or even Hunter. Just memories of you holding me as I cried, of you telling me silly fairy tales, and even times you told me off for pushing my luck. You were a true parent to me, and you deserved a long life of peace. I hope the sea god is with you now, taking you somewhere peaceful. We will see each other again one day. I love you, Laura, rest well with the gods and give them trouble with that stick of yours,” I say, roughly wiping away a tear that falls down my cheek before standing up.
“I’m going to miss getting hit with that stick. I hope she has a stick in the afterlife and hits the sea god with it for keeping Cassandra from us for so long,” Chaz says, making me laugh a little. Chaz did the right thing bringing me here, giving me the chance to say goodbye, and to remember Laura as she truly was.
“Thank you for bringing me here, it’s just what I needed. You are a good friend, Chaz,” I say, and he chuckles.
“Friend? Or more like a brother who’s not related by blood?” he inquires, walking to the door and opening it as I smile.
“Brother, then.” I walk past him, waiting for him to shut the door behind me.
“Now, let’s go back to my room and sort your hands out before our girl finds you in this state,” he says, patting my shoulder.
10
Chapter Ten
Cassandra
“Where is that damn girl?” I hear Master Pirate shout, as I run into the training room with Hunter at my side. He isn’t running, just strolling behind me and stops at my side in front of Master Pirate, who doesn’t look impressed one bit. I smooth down my messy hair, untidy clothes and flushed cheeks. I woke up on the ship, knowing I would be late, but Hunter had no plan on letting me out of that bed. Not that I’m complaining.
“That damn girl is my fiancé, and unless you want me slamming my fist into your face, be more respectful,” Hunter drawls in a surprisingly calm voice. Master Pirate and Hunter stare at each other, before Master Pirate nods.
“Understood,” he remarks, looking over at me. His black hair is tied at the back of his head, and his eyes are narrowed on me like I’ve just killed his cat or something. He is still as huge as I remember, but his cloak is gone, and it shows off his impressive body.
“Have fun, I will check in on Ryland. Don’t kill Master Asshole, yeah?” Hunter requests, making me chuckle as he pulls me to him and kisses me deeply. I’m breathless by the time he pulls away and leaves me on shaky legs. Master Pirate glares at Hunter as he walks away, before turning his eyes back to me.
“What’s your first name? I don’t like calling you master whatever,” I ask him, wanting to know.
“Master Pirate is my name,” he replies dryly.
“It’s going to be your first name, or master asshole . . . your choice?” I push, crossing my arms.
“If you beat me, I will tell you my name, Cassandra,” he suggests. The smirk on his lips makes me think he believes he won’t have to tell me.
“You think you will win?”
“From what I’ve heard, you have no control. Your power reacts due to stress, which is the starting base of our powers,” he tells me, and holds his arms behind his back as he starts walking around me in a circle.
“Water is your gift, like mine, and when controlled properly, is the most powerful gift any changed one can have,” he tells me.
“Why is that? I assumed fire was the most powerful,” I comment, and he arches a blond eyebrow at me.
“Fire can be put out, while water cannot be stopped, only controlled,” he says and stops right in front of me.
“Water,” he comments, lifting both his hands up and a long stream of water steams out from them, shooting up into the air as I take a step back. The water swirls around, getting faster and faster, until it looks more like a water tornado. Master Pirate lets it go, and it falls to the floor, but he keeps one hand in the air, still controlling it as it swirls around.
“Amazing,” I say, actually meaning it.
“I can make this, but only wit
h this amount of water. I’ve heard you flooded an entire room, am I right?” he enquires.
“Yes,” I say, folding my arms and watching as he stops the water, letting it splash all over the floor and soaking my trousers.
“Then if we can teach you control, you would be stronger than any changed one I have ever trained,” he states.
“I can't seem to call the water at will. It only responds when I’m in danger,” I explain. He nods, sitting on the floor.
“Sit down,” he instructs and I do, ignoring the cold water soaking my bottom through my trousers.
“Close your eyes, Cassandra,” he tells me, and I raise an eyebrow at him, before doing as he asks.
“Now what?” I ask.
“Our power comes from our chosen. I have one chosen, so my power is limited to her, but our bond is so strong that I can hear her thoughts. I can sense where she is without opening my eyes, and if she were in pain, I would know,” he tells me.
“My bond isn’t that strong,” I say.
“It is strong, but still new and muddled because you have so many chosen. It’s rare for a changed one to take so many chosen. In fact, there is only one changed that I know of that even has four chosen, not six like you have taken,” he informs me, but his voice holds no judgement, only stating a fact. I wonder why he doesn’t mention the queen, as she had four chosen. I hate how everyone here just seems to have forgotten her.
“Are you saying I won’t ever have that bond?” I ask him, keeping my eyes closed. I don’t want to hear the answer. It really doesn’t matter in the end, because I wouldn’t change anything.