by G. Bailey
“Do you know who Everly is to you?” I ask quietly.
“No, what do you mean? Should I?” he replies.
“She told me last night that she is the heir. She is your cousin, a bastard child born from your grandfather’s affair with a maid,” I tell him, and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. I look up to see a big smile on his lips.
“You have no idea how glad it makes me to learn she is the heir. I always felt . . . protective of her. Like she was my sister in a way. I know Hunter noticed it, too. Hunter and I never wanted the throne, and we would never have been good kings. Our father scarred us too much, and we want to be free more than we want to rule,” he tells me as we walk through the cave, coming out to the bay full of ships. They are being moved, and now our ship is right at the edge of the waterfall, with people carrying boxes onto the ship.
“The sea god set a lot of this up, I know he did. He likely made you want to protect her. Everyone seems to want to protect Everly, but no one ever questioned why they felt that way. It’s because she is the true queen,” I say, looking up to see Dante and Everly talking on the ship. Dante grins when he sees me, walking away and to the edge of the plank of wood that leads to the ship. Ryland lets me go, so I can run up to Dante and wrap my arms around him.
“I haven’t seen you much, I’ve missed you,” I mumble.
“I had to train and every time I came to find you, you were busy,” he complains. Before I can reply, he kisses me, sweeping me up into his arms with the passionate kiss.
“I won’t go, I’m sorry. I won't do it . . . I just can't!" I hear Roger exclaim. Breaking away from the kiss, I turn to see him standing in the middle of the ship, shouting at Jacob.
“That’s why I told you where we are going, Roger. You don't have to come," Jacob placates, holding his hands up. I'd forgotten that my pirates had rescued Roger from the mermaids. He must have such horrible memories and lingering fears of them. It would explain why he's so adamant in his refusal to come with us.
“The mermaids will kill you all, you fools!” Roger shouts, and storms over to me. Dante keeps me in his arms, and moves me slightly to the side, so he can defend me if needed.
“Please don’t go, Miss Cassandra. They will kill you and everyone on this ship,” Roger begs me, grabbing my hands.
“I have to, but I’m not a weak child, nor defenceless. Do not worry about me,” I tell him and move away from Dante to pull Roger into a hug. I whisper quietly, so only he can hear me. “Don’t fear your past, for you are better than that. Now go, have a good future, and we shall see you again one day." I pull away from the embrace, and he gives me a sharp nod before walking around me and Dante, heading off the ship.
“It was the right thing to tell him where we are headed. He doesn’t deserve the see the past he is still tormented by," I say to Jacob as he comes over to me.
“But you have to do just that, how is that fair?”
“It’s life,” I say sadly, leaning up and kissing his scarred cheek. I walk away from them and head to the very front of the ship. I climb up on the edge, seeing the mermaid statue underneath me and the waterfall right in front of me. I hear my pirates shouting orders, getting the ship ready to go, but I just keep my eyes on the water. Suddenly, I feel two hands slide around my waist.
“Ready, little bird?” Hunter asks me, resting his chin on my shoulder, and the ship moves, heading straight for open water. As we break through the waterfall, it splashes down on us, and I keep my eyes open as we move through to the other side. The ship turns sharply to the right, down a long passage of caves, and then we see finally see the first rays of sunlight from outside.
“This is it, isn’t it? We have to fight and win,” I whisper as the daylight hits my face and warms my skin. The contrast of the cold sea winds with the warm light is soothing. It almost makes me feel free, like I can make my own choices and have the future I’ve always wanted.
“First, we need to convince one of the deadliest races in this world to help us. A race known for killing first and never asking questions later,” Hunter comments and turns my head, keeping his hand on my cheek. “But before any of that, I want my girl to kiss me.” I smirk, before doing just as he asks.
14
Chapter Fourteen
Dante
“Cassandra?” I walk up to where she is sitting on the deck, staring up at the stars. The sea is quiet, and half the ship is sleeping while the other half keeps watch. I expected her to be sleeping, but here she is. She turns to look at me, the moonlight lighting up her beautiful face and framing every stunning feature. Her long brown hair moves around her in the wind as she stands up and walks over to me. I can't help myself; when she is close enough, I grab her hips and pull her to me, pressing my lips to hers. She lets out a little moan, and her small, soft hands dive into my hair.
“Dante,” she whispers against my lips, pulling back a little but not going far. “Why are you awake at this time of night?”
“I’m on watch tonight,” I explain to her. “But why are you awake, pretty girl?” I ask.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she replies.
“The sea god?” I ask, knowing he used to invade her dreams a lot.
“Something like that,” she says, putting on a brave face.
“Tell me, Cassandra. You don’t need to hide anything from me,” I say, rubbing circles on her back.
“It’s a selfish thing, and I know we have bigger problems . . . so don’t worry,” she mumbles.
“What is it?”
“I want to marry you all, just in case, well, in case we lose this war,” she admits, and I can’t say I haven’t had the same thoughts.
“Then we will get married on the ship. We only need the blessing of the gods, and I know we have that,”
“Can we do that?”
“If you don’t mind not having a big dress, or pretty things. We can only offer you a ship and our vows.”
“I only want you all, nothing else matters. I want you all as my husbands if anything–” her voice catches, and I lift her head with my hand, forcing her to look into my eyes.
“I’m not going to lie to you and say we will win this for certain. I can’t promise you that, and I won’t ever lie to you. But I do know one thing for certain, you are mine, and my soul will never leave yours,” I tell her, and a tear falls down her cheek as she stares up at me.
“I’m worried and scared, and I don’t like to admit that to anyone. I try so hard not to be, but there is so much against us,”
“Being worried and scared means you are alive. It’s normal, but use those emotions to keep yourself going. Or tell me, and I will help you,” I tell her, and she nods, resting her head against my chest.
“What do mermaids look like?” she asks me, and my memories flash back to the three mermaids I saw once.
“Honestly? They have a beauty to them, but it’s a deadly beauty that makes you want to go to them despite the danger. Their tails almost glow, and I know that they have the ability to change from tails to legs at will. I saw a mermaid transform to legs in what seemed like seconds.” I explain.
“I need to tell you something, but don’t tell anyone yet. She doesn’t want everyone to know, and it’s her secret to tell the world.”
“Go on,” I encourage her.
“Everly is half mermaid,” she says, and I’m speechless for a few minutes, not knowing exactly what to say to that. Mermaids usually all have different coloured hair, and certainly are not blond. They typically have purple or blue hair. It's one of the easiest ways to differentiate their race. I know it’s a good chance she got the blonde hair from her mother, and she clearly doesn't have any of the mermaids' abilities.
“I didn’t expect you to say that, pretty girl,” I finally say. “It might be a good thing, though. The mermaids might want a deal between the land and the sea. She is both.”
“Everly could be the queen of both the land and the sea, it’s her birthright. No mermaid
queen or king is going to like her being on the throne,” she says, and there is so much worry in her eyes. So much stress. It’s all we have had recently, stress and fear.
“A worry for another day, another time. Come, I want to show you something,” I say. She nods, letting me slide our hands together and lead us across the deck to the stairs. I let her go down first, and I follow her down the stairs. She waits for me at the bottom, and we walk towards my room. I open the door for her, leading her in and shutting it after. Cassandra sits on my bed, lighting a candle while I open my box and look through it.
“When I saw the mermaids while we were saving Roger, they had these necklaces on. They all wore them, and when they went from their mermaid tails to their legs, it would glow,” I explain and pull out my notebook. I take it over to her, flipping through the pages until I get to the images of the mermaids I wanted to show her. Cassandra looks at every drawing with me, pausing on the necklace. It’s a star shape, about the size of your thumb and filled with lines carved in the purple crystal.
“I think the necklaces are made with the same thing as your crystal stick. If I’m right, they will want it. It’s clear it is something special to them," I tell her, and her whole face lights up. She puts the notebook next to me on the bed and climbs onto my lap. I groan when she starts kissing my neck, her teeth grazing over my pulse, as my hands slide down her back, holding her to me.
“I have to watch the ship, pretty girl,”
“Well, I say it’s time you had a break, and I know just what we could do, pretty boy,” she grins in the most seductive way possible, and I know no man could ever deny her.
15
Chapter Fifteen
Cassandra
“I can’t believe you’re getting married today. My best friend is getting married,” Everly exclaims, plaiting another part of my hair, and pulling it up into the bun she has made up. I stare at myself in the mirror, barely recognising my own reflection. I’m no longer the young girl that left Onaya. The one who was innocent and didn’t know a thing of the world. I’m no longer that lonely girl, and I know I will never be alone again.
“It will happen for you one day. A guy is going to come into your life and knock you off your feet,” I say, knowing I’m right.
“That will–” Everly’s voice drifts off as the sea god’s desperate voice over takes hers in my mind.
“The king knows where you are going; he knows everything. You must hurry! You must get my crowns, and return them to me with the king’s soul.” I gasp, falling off the chair as he leaves my mind.
“Cassy,” Everly picks me up, giving me a concerned look.
“The sea god says the king knows what we are doing. How is that possible?" I ask her, and she shakes her head.
“I have no idea, but don’t let him ruin this special day for you. Forget what he said, and move past it,” she tells me, and there is a knock at the door. I stand up as Everly opens it slightly.
“We need to speak to Cassandra. Alone,” Ryland insists. Everly looks back at me for confirmation, and I nod my assent.
“I will go check to make sure everything is ready," Everly says, widening the door, so she can walk out. Ryland comes in, holding a long red dress. Everly’s eyes stay on the dress, just as mine do, until she grins widely at me and shuts the door.
“It’s beautiful,” I breathe out as I step closer. Ryland hooks the dress on the back of the door. It’s tight at the top, with red crystals all on the sides, and they go down the dress as it flows out. It’s a dress meant for a queen.
“Laura stole this from the castle when we left, and she told me to give it you a few months ago. She said she wore this dress at her wedding, and my mother wore it at hers. It’s one of the only family traditions I want to keep. Would you please wear it today?” he asks me, the vulnerability in his voice makes me wrap my arms around him.
“It would be my honour to wear it. We will keep it to give to our children as well," I say, and he lifts my head with his hand.
“When did I get so lucky to have you? To be marrying you today?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“No, I’m the lucky one. I’m so, so lucky to have fallen into the sea and to have gotten rescued by pirates,” I chuckle, and he kisses me. I moan as he picks me up, pushing me against the wall by the door as I hold onto him, and he deepens the kiss. I move away from his lips, trailing my lips down his neck, feeling his pulse beating against my lips.
“Cassandra, we have a wedding to get to,” he groans, and a bang at the door makes us jump part.
“I’m back, but I don’t want to see any naked bits. Is it safe to come in?” Everly shouts, and Ryland laughs low as I step away.
“It’s safe to come in. I was just leaving,” he replies and steps around me, opening the door and letting Everly in.
“I’m going to clean up for the wedding. See you in a short while,” Ryland tells me tenderly, and walks out the door. Everly shuts it, her hands going to the dress and lifting it off the back of the door.
“This is an amazing dress, look at all those crystals. The fabric, and well, everything. It must have cost a small fortune,”
“It’s Ryland and Hunter’s family tradition. The royals wear this dress when they get married,”
“It is fitting for a queen. I guess I might have a dress one day,” Everly says, but her voice is full of fear instead of hope or longing. She still doesn’t want the crown, and I don’t know if I can blame her. I go to say something, trying to think of anything to make it easier for her. She cuts me off with a harsh shake of her head.
“I know my future, and I accept it. It doesn’t mean I’m not fearful of it. Now give me a reason to smile, and let’s get you married,” she asserts. I laugh, pulling my clothes off until I’m in only my underwear. Everly helps me step into the dress and then does the laces up on the back. It takes a while, and when it’s finally done, I step over to the mirror.
“You look like a queen,” Everly comments, and she isn’t wrong. The red dress makes me look less like someone I recognise and more like a royal, which I’m not. Well, I guess I will be, temporarily, when I marry Ryland and Hunter, because they are princes. Honestly, although the dress is stunning, I miss my normal clothes. They are more comfortable and feel like home. I hear the distant noise of sweet sounding music, and Everly grabs my hand.
“It’s time. I hope for nothing more than a beautiful future for you. A free one,” she says, kissing my cheek before opening the door for me. I have to wipe away a few tears before I can respond.
“I want the same for you. Thank you for being here. I wish it was my father walking me down the aisle, but I doubt he would have,” I say, looking at the door and pulling the handle to open it. The music gets louder, and I realise someone is playing a guitar.
“He would have. Your father would have done anything for you, even if he didn’t always show it. In the dungeons, he told me that putting his child first is the best thing you can ever do. He loved you wholeheartedly. He might not be here in person, but I would bet his soul is watching today, just like your mother’s,” Everly says, and hooks her arm into mine.
“I hope they are, too,” is all I can say as I walk out the room and towards the stairs. I walk up first, coming out onto the deck. Someone has lit dozens of little candles, and they are lined all over the floor. There are lanterns hanging from ropes that lead to the middle of the ship, where my pirates are all standing waiting for me. Tyrion stands in the middle of them a little further back. I can’t take my eyes off them to appreciate the decorations, because they all look so perfect to me. My bond with them flares to life, taking over as I feel how much they love and desire me. I know they would do anything for me right now. I walk over to them, wiping more tears away as I get to the middle of them. They hold hands with each other, and I slide my hands into Ryland’s and Chaz’s hands, since they are next to me.
“No tears today, little bird,” Hunter murmurs, his dark eyes watching me from the other side
of the circle.
“They are happy tears, I promise,” I whisper. Tyrion’s loud voice comes from behind us, and the music cuts off.
“We all gather here today to witness the marriage of Cassandra of Onaya and her chosen. The gods tells us life is eternal, that there is no end, even in death. When two souls are bonded, they become eternal together. There is no end for them either. We ask the gods for their blessing, for their strength, and for this marriage to be blessed in their light and love. If you have anything you wish to say, now is the time.”
I clear my throat, gaining all of their attention, even though I doubt I ever lost their attention for even a moment. “I read in a book once, that the meaning to life is love. Now when I read it, I remember thinking that was stupid and untrue. That there was no way that love could be everything in life. I was wrong. I will admit, when we first met, I didn’t think there was a chance in hell I would fall for any of you pirates,” I say, and they all chuckle.
“Did you decide that when you tried to jump off the moving ship, or when you hit Chaz over the head with the book?” Jacob asks, and I roll my eyes.
“Let me finish.” I chuckle when they nod their heads, almost in unison with each other. “But I did fall for you, one by one. When we were separated, and I knew I never wanted to be away from any of you again. Love is just a simple word. It doesn’t describe how we feel, how unimaginable it is to feel this way for another person. So, I can’t put into words how I feel for each one of you, but I know you can feel it. Like I can feel how much you each love me.” I stop, unable to go on more. Ryland kisses my cheek, while Chaz squeezes my hand. Every one of my pirates look close to breaking the circle and kissing me, telling me how they feel without words. Our bond tells me enough.