Chapter 27 Maximus #2
A pair of city guards passed nearby, their uniforms crisp but lacking the threatening austerity of Sunada’s enforcers. Their flux-powered batons hung at their sides rather than being prominently displayed, and they nodded politely to citizens rather than scrutinizing them for infractions.
“Is it really as good as it looks here?” Kas asked, skepticism edging his voice.
I adjusted my stance, easing the pressure on my hip.
“No place is perfect. The nobility here still has more than their share, and there are still plenty of slums, some of them just as bad as Sunada’s.
Everyone who lives in this city has wealth, to some degree.
But the towns surrounding it, like the one Ariella is from, aren’t great places to live.
But compared to Embergate, there’s room to breathe here, room to rise.
A skilled worker can become a master here. A clever idea can open doors.”
I watched understanding settle in his eyes as he looked toward the heart of the city—thinking of Kayla, no doubt, and the opportunities that might await her here that Sunada would never allow.
As we wandered through Asteris’s bustling market district, I couldn’t stop stealing more glances at Kaspar.
His face continued to house eyes wide with wonder, lips that parted in a permanent half-smile as he took in every detail.
The weight that had pressed on his shoulders since I’d known him seemed momentarily lifted, and seeing him like this—unguarded, genuinely happy—made my chest tighten in the best possible way.
“Look at this!” he exclaimed, pulling me toward a craftsman demonstrating a miniature airship that actually hovered above his table, powered by a pebble-grade fluxstone. “It’s incredible!”
“You could probably build that with that brain of yours,” I murmured, enjoying his enthusiasm.
Although, as we navigated the crowded streets, anxiety of being caught thrummed beneath my skin, an undercurrent of fear that I couldn’t ignore.
I tried my best to hide it from Kas, not wanting to spoil the day.
I longed for my name to be cleared, to walk freely without constantly scanning for military uniforms or bounty hunters.
Every flash of an official uniform in the crowd sent a jolt of adrenaline through me, though I maintained an outward calm.
My biggest giveaway would always be my leg.
My prosthetic required extra attention this morning.
I’d padded the leg of my trousers to give the appearance of a natural limb and pulled my socks high.
Walking as naturally as possible drained me, but Kaspar stayed close, making sure my leg remained charged as we explored the city.
Whenever we paused at a stall, he’d casually place his hand near my leg, and I’d feel the warm pulse of energy flowing into the stones.
We passed a small shop selling a range of hats. In the window, a green bandana, the color of Kas’s eyes, attracted my attention. I paid the woman a coin, then tugged it onto his head. “For my pirate stowaway,” I said, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
The grin he gave me stole my breath away.
“What’s that smell?” Kaspar suddenly asked, nose lifting as he caught a scent on the breeze.
I followed his gaze to a vendor whose stall was surrounded by eager customers. “Sugar clouds,” I said, already steering us in that direction. “You haven’t lived until you’ve tried them.”
We joined the queue, and I watched Kaspar’s fascination as the vendor manipulated a glowing, molten sugar substance, stretching and folding it until it became impossibly thin, creating what looked like delicate pink and gold clouds.
“Two, please,” I said when our turn came, handing over coins.
The vendor wrapped the confections in waxed paper and handed them over with a flourish. I passed one to Kaspar, enjoying his expression of delight as the sugar cloud dissolved on his tongue.
“This is…” He closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. “I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
The more we strolled through the vibrant streets, and I watched Kaspar’s eyes light up at each new wonder, a cold realization washed over me. The joy on his face wasn’t just momentary happiness—it was possibility. A life he could have here, with his sister and nephew, away from danger and piracy.
My throat tightened. I suddenly pulled him into a quiet alcove between two shops, away from the bustling crowd. His brow furrowed in confusion as I gently lifted his chin with my hand, forcing myself to meet his gaze.
“Kas,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “you could stay here, you know. When we bring Kayla and Cody back—you three could make a life here, together. A good life.”
The words felt like razors in my throat, but I pushed on. “A life with me is a life on the run. Constantly hiding. Constantly fighting.” Constantly being surrounded by death and danger.
Kaspar’s expression morphed from confusion to something akin to horror. He pulled back slightly, searching my face.
“Are you serious right now?” He shook his head, ginger hair catching the sunlight. “Don’t be so stupid, Max.” He placed his hands on my shoulders, gripping firmly. “I told you—I’m staying with you. On the ship. That’s my home now.” His voice softened. “You’re my home now.”
My heart tap-danced a frantic rhythm against my ribcage at the conviction in Kas’s eyes. Did he fully understand what he was committing himself to? “But what about Kay—”
“I’ll love visiting Kayla and Cody here.
This place is perfect for them. And though I’ll miss them so, so much, my place is with you, in the skies.
It’s in my blood too, now, you know.” Before I could say anything else, he picked up his half-eaten sugar cloud and held it to my lips.
“So stop trying to get rid of me and eat this.”
I opened my mouth, letting the sweet confection dissolve on my tongue as his fingers lingered. Without thinking, I caught his wrist, holding his hand in place as I slowly licked the sugar residue from his fingertip.
His pupils dilated, breath catching. Around us, the city continued its cheerful bustle, but we existed in our own small world for that moment.
My heart now thundered in my chest—not just with desire, but with a terrifying, overwhelming feeling I’d sworn never to allow again. The last time I’d felt this way, I’d ended up betrayed, broken, and maimed. Eric had taught me that love was just another weapon to be used against you.
Yet here I was, falling deeper and deeper, despite every warning alarm in my head.
I cleared my throat, releasing his hand. “We should go. We need to be on time to meet Torres.”
Our usual meeting spot was a cozy pub called The Rusty Compass, tucked away on the edge of the city near a sprawling green space that bordered the eastern district.
The place was perfect—always packed with loud merchants and dockworkers celebrating their latest hauls, music from a scratchy phonograph competing with raucous laughter.
You could scream state secrets in here, and nobody would hear a word over the din.
Torres was already at our usual corner booth when we arrived, three mugs of ale waiting. Her eyebrows shot up when she spotted Kaspar’s hand firmly clasped in mine.
“Who’s this then?” she asked, a knowing grin spreading across her face.
I slid into the booth, pulling Kaspar down beside me. “This is Ghost. My… um… boyfriend,” I said, the word sounding odd on my tongue.
Torres smirked. “Well, you always did have a weakness for inter-crew romance.”
I felt Kaspar stiffen slightly beside me. “Except this time, there’s no hiding involved, and I genuinely love and care for him,” Kaspar said quietly, his green eyes meeting Torres’s with surprising steadiness. There was no challenge in his voice, just a simple statement of fact.
Lifting Kaspar’s hand to my lips, I placed a gentle kiss on his knuckles. “And the way I love him is nothing like with Eric.” As I said it, I knew it was true, that this wasn’t the same, and there was no reason to panic. Kas wasn’t Eric, and thank the goddesses for that.
Torres made an exaggerated retching sound. “Goddesses, please tell me you’re not this nauseating around your crew.”
“Of course not.” I laughed, the sound genuine and light. “The fearsome Reaper has a reputation to maintain.”
We ordered food, and as we ate, I filled Torres in on everything—Kaspar stowing away, Viper’s increasingly erratic behavior, and the mutiny that ended with me as captain.
I carefully omitted any mention of Kaspar’s fluxweaving abilities.
After everything, I trusted Torres, but the fewer people who knew, the better.
“So we need your help,” I concluded, leaning forward.
“Kaspar’s sister Kayla and her son Cody are still in Embergate.
We want to bring them here, get them settled properly.
They’ll need papers, housing, and employment for Kayla.
I’ll pay you handsomely,” I added, sliding a small pouch across the table.
Torres scoffed, pushing the pouch back toward me. “We’ll sort all that later. I’d be delighted to help get them settled.” She glanced at Kaspar with a mischievous smile. “Is your sister single, by chance?”
I felt Kaspar tense beside me, his fingers tightening around his mug. Kaspar had once mentioned that Kayla’s partner was in Sunada’s prison system. There was a story there that I hadn’t heard yet.
Kaspar’s tension broke with a laugh. “Trust me, you wouldn’t stand a chance with Kayla. She’s a force to be reckoned with—not many can keep up with her.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “And Cody? That kid has so much energy, I swear he never sleeps!”
I noticed the undercurrent of longing in his voice as he spoke about them. Behind his humor lay a raw ache that couldn’t be concealed. He’d left them behind to save himself, carrying that weight every day since.
“You’ll see them soon,” I said softly, squeezing his hand under the table.