CASPIAN
There were in fact no ships waiting for us outside the Straights.
Or at least, not any we could see in the pitch black of the night.
Even so, the journey back to Foxhollow was not easy.
It stormed almost everyday, supplies ran dangerously short and by the time we could see Foxhollow’s shoreline on the horizon, the morale on the ship was terrifyingly low.
Even though I know logically we need to make port, for the first time I dread the sight of Foxhollow off our bow because it means Blackwell and I are going to have to confront each other about the future, and I’m terrified he’s going to freak out when the truth is revealed—
My thoughts get interrupted as I squint at the town in the distance. There’s none of the usual activity and it’s silent. The docks sit dark and void of any townsfolk.
“Something is wrong.” I mutter.
Blackwell is standing next to me, frowning when he notices it too.
“Turn her towards the open ocean. Do not hesitate to run.”
“What’s wrong?” Harrison asks.
I look out at the dark buildings with concern and shake my head. Even in the evenings, this area is usually bustling with nighttime revelry and the occasional stumbling drunk. Instead it’s eerily quiet and deserted.
Blackwell and I take the rowboat to shore, and he follows as I walk up the beach towards the town.
Where is everyone? Nerves clutch me and I’m about to turn to tell Blackwell to head to his sister’s house when De’Vero soldiers materialize out of the shadows and surround us. Before either of us can make a move towards our weapons, I feel the press of a pistol against my temple.
“Ah, the men of the hour. It’s about time you two arrived.”
My dread escalates as I watch Aldric step through the mass of De’Vero colors to stand before me, a triumphant look on his face.
“What are you doing here?” I demand.
Aldric looks at me in amusement. “Please, don’t insult my intelligence, brother—you know why I’m here.”
“What is he talking about, Caspian?” Blackwell growls beside me and I realize how this must look, how Aldric is making this look. Aldric glances between the two of us in amusement.
“Ah, Caspian, always the manipulator—I have to commend you for this one though, a master performance.” He nods towards Blackwell. “Take him away, I need to talk to my brother—alone.”
The guards escort me behind Aldric into a nearby tavern on the quay.
The place is empty and the soldiers space out around the room and at the entrance.
Aldric sits down at a table and gestures to the seat across from him.
I shake my head but two guards force me down into the chair, standing at my back with pistols ready.
“What do you want, Aldric?”
He looks me up and down, lounging back in the chair with a smug glimmer in his eyes.
“It’s King Aldric now, Cas,” he says. “Father’s dead.”
The news should make me sad, but I can’t even find it in me to feel anything but relief at his passing. Maybe once he’d been someone I would have mourned, but that was a long time ago.
“Congratulations,” I say sarcastically.
Aldric ignores the comment, looking me over with an expression just short of gloating.
“I’ve known you’ve been up to something for quite a while,” Aldric says. “But I never cared to find out—until now. Now I definitely care.”
“What was that back there?” I ask in irritation. “Making it seem like I knew you were going to show up here.”
“Well, I can’t have everyone thinking I didn’t know about the treasure—that I was undermined by my own fucking blood.” When I don’t say anything, he goes on. “I take it the gold is for your little pet project here? Nice place—Foxhollow—fitting name by the way …Fox.”
I stay silent and he tilts his head at me .
“Nothing to say? You’re unusually quiet. You don’t want to know how I found out?”
I shake my head. “Just trying to figure out your angle here.”
“My angle?” He scoffs. “I don’t have an angle. I’m here for the gold. I’m here to get the credit for hanging the notorious Stormbreaker, and then I’m going to raze your little town to the ground.”
It takes great effort not to react to him but even so, I can feel him going over every inch of my face looking for a crack.
“I heard a funny rumor,” he says. My hackles rise at his overly casual tone. “That you and Blackwell are more than just business partners. Did you sleep with him, Caspian?”
I force a smirk. “A few times,” I answer, keeping my voice casual.
“He doesn’t seem like your type.”
I shrug. “You know me, brother, always have to find something to keep me entertained.”
“Indeed,” Aldric muses.
A few beats of silence go by. He’s toying with me, seeing where he can poke and pull to get me to unravel.
“There didn’t seem to be any love lost between you two back in De’Vero,” Aldric says.
I shake my head and lean back in the chair, slinging my arm over the back.
“Of course not, I’d just escaped from his brig,” I scoff.
“Yet you saved him from the noose then.”
I shrug. “A means to an end.”
“Then you won’t mind seeing him hang.”
It’s a statement. His eyes are drilling into mine, the intensity scalding.
“He’s served his purpose.” The words taste like ash in my mouth. I can barely get them out. But if Aldric discovers my feelings for Blackwell, it’ll be worse than the noose that awaits him. Aldric flicks his hand at two of the guards near the door and they disappear outside.
“You know, I would have believed you in the past I think,” Aldric says conversationally.
“You always were one for running around the brothels and having multiple partners. You never seemed like someone who wanted to settle down—never seemed like the kind of person who would be selfless enough to give away his heart to someone.”
There’s a commotion at the door. I turn to see two guards dragging Blackwell between them. Anger surges and it takes monumental effort to keep myself planted firmly in the chair .
“But that all changed once I found out about this place.” Aldric continues.
The Captain has been beaten, but the fire in his eyes is blazing as he rakes me from head to toe. The soldiers deposit him on the ground and he sways on his knees. I tear my eyes away from him, willing my breathing to stay steady even though dread is coiling in my gut.
Aldric stands up and rubs a hand over his chin, studying Blackwell. “You know, I take back what I said earlier,” he looks at me and points at the pirate. “This is exactly the type of man you would give your heart to, isn’t it?”
I lift my shoulders, trying for a shrug but I’m too tense. I shift forward in my chair, leaning one arm on the table.
“He doesn’t mean anything, Aldric,” I state firmly.
Aldric nods. “Okay, then you won’t mind if I shoot him right now?” He pulls his pistol and levels it at Blackwell’s head. My heart is thrashing in my chest—a deadly game of chicken—my mind is racing, trying to come up with a way out of this.
“Why would you do that, Aldric?” I rub a hand over my face. “I mean, fuck, this is the Stormbreaker—don’t you want to send a more public message against piracy?” I lean back, faking exasperation. “Don’t be rash because you feel the need to try and prove something here.”
A slow smile spreads across Aldric’s features and he looks at Blackwell.
Aldric chuckles. “Wow, he’s good, isn’t he?” He looks at me. “Only problem is I’m your brother, Caspian, and I can see the truth you’re trying desperately to hide.”
I fight through my growing anxiety. “And what truth is that, Aldric?”
“I think you found more than just a toy to keep you entertained, brother.” The air gets sucked from the room and I don’t dare look at Blackwell.
My jaw tenses and I fix Aldric with a cold stare. “Aldric, I told you—” He pulls the hammer back. “—think about the ramifications—” I’m trying to keep the panic from my voice but I don’t think I’m succeeding. “Wait—” I watch his finger squeeze the trigger—
“No!” The gun goes off and I’m on my feet.
Blackwell falls backwards and hands grab me, halting my progress as I step forward. Blackwell struggles back to his knees, gripping his arm where the bullet grazed him.
“Oops, missed,” Aldric says dryly, but the look in his eyes as he watches me is like a dog with a bone. I’m breathing hard, fists clenched at my sides— fuck .
I fucked up.
Aldric chuckles darkly. “Oh Caspian. ”
He scratches his chin with the barrel of his empty gun and comes back over to the table. The guards force me back into my seat and Aldric sits on the edge of the wooden surface, staring down at me intently.
“You love him,” Aldric states.
“No,” I growl, fighting the urge to look at Blackwell. “He doesn’t mean anything,” I force out through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know if you’re lying to yourself or to me, but either way, this is how it’s going to go,” Aldric says. He gently shoves the empty gun into my chest as he emphasises his next words. “You’re going to choose—Foxhollow, or Blackwell.”
I scoff. “I’m supposed to believe you’d spare one?”
Aldric grins and lifts his shoulders. “I’m feeling generous today—must be all the money I’m about to acquire.”
He shoves the gun back into his belt and clasps his hands on his thigh, regarding me curiously.
“So, which will it be? Your little town of refugees? Or the pirate who stole your heart?”
“He didn’t—I can’t do that…” I risk a glance at Blackwell, even knowing it’ll damn me further.
The rage and hurt on his face drives the knife into my chest deeper, slowly bleeding me of all hope.
Aldric stands up and walks over behind Blackwell, grabbing his hair and yanking his head back.
He leans in and forces Blackwell to look at me.
“You can, Caspian, or I’ll destroy them both.”
I study the man who tore away my masks and made me face him not as a Prince or a rebel, but as Caspian. He’s the man who demands my truths, saves me from my shadows and kisses me like I’m the only thing he treasures.
And I can’t choose him. The thought twists the dagger through my heart and I clear my throat as I choke on a breath that seizes in my chest.
I can’t choose him.