CASPIAN
ONE WEEK LATER
“Fuck, you pulled your stitches again,” I grumble. “I told you not to lift that last chest.”
I go to touch James’ line of stitches that have split and are now gently bleeding, but he bats my hand away.
“You’re insufferable. I’m fine,” he says gruffly. “You can fix me later—just let me lay here—”
I suppress a grumble of protest and collapse back in the damp sand above the tideline.
The beach is deserted, although the black sails of the Tempest are visible where she’s anchored in the cove.
We’ve just finished loading up some of the gold from where Blackwell had stashed it on his return trip to De’Vero—on a tiny rocky island that isn’t even on the maps.
We’re both exhausted—still very much bruised and beaten from the recent coup. I think I’m finally over the shock of everything that was revealed to us in the throne room, but every so often I’ll find myself shaking my head in disbelief.
Carter. King of De’Vero—no, King of Draevorn.
He’s to be crowned at the end of the month and Blackwell and I are both invited. Things are certainly going to be different, and for that I’m grateful. Change was needed and I can think of no better person to repair a broken kingdom than Carter.
I lift my head and see Harrison rowing back to shore and groan.
“Blondie is on his way back.” I heave myself up and plant one hand on the other side of James, looming over him. “That means, I only have time to either kiss you or berate you.”
His eyes darken and a small smirk pulls at his lips. He lunges up onto his elbow, catching me by surprise. My hand lands on his thigh and we’re so close my gaze drops to his mouth.
“I can already tell which one you’ve decided on,” he rumbles.
“Am I that easy to read?” I look back up at him with a smirk of my own.
“Yes,” James breathes. “Because you’re mine.”
“That is what your letter said,” I tease.
“It took the letter for you to realize it?” His gaze drops to my lips, purposefully inching closer so I can feel his breath across my face.
“No, I was yours way before that, Captain.” My voice is raspy, deepening with desire. “And I’ll be yours long after this.”
“Are you going to say it?” His lips brush mine, briefly enough to send chills across my skin.
“Say what?” I feign ignorance but the smile in my voice gives me away.
He pulls away just slightly so our eyes can meet better; amusement sparkles in the dark depths.
“This is you getting back at me for telling you in a letter, isn’t it?” He says dryly. “The fact that was a week ago and you still haven’t said it—”
I huff a laugh and run my thumb over his bottom lip. “I’ve said it, haven’t I?”
James shakes his head. “No—”
“Are you salty about that, Captain?” I tease. “To be fair, you haven’t actually said it to me either—” I see his mouth open. “Out loud. Don’t get me started on that letter, we don’t have time.”
James’ fingers twist into my hair the way I love. I run my hand up his thigh, feeling the muscles bunch.
“You’re wrong. We have all the time in the world.”
“Oh yeah?” I can’t help the stupid smile that slides across my features. I move so I’m straddling his lap, knees digging into the sand at his sides.
He nods and his fingers tighten. “I have all the time in the world—to speak all the words you deserve.” He sits up, his other hand coming up to join the first, gripping me like I’m both something he wants to ruin and cherish.
His thumb runs along my jaw. “I am the fool who would chase lightning into the arms of a tempest and call it love,” he says.
He smiles softly and his eyes glitter in the sun, shifting from black to blue and back again.
“But aye—we have time. I plan on having forever, actually.” One hand slides down and stops over my heart.
“Because this is mine and I’m not letting go. ”
“That’s a lot better than just saying I love you,” I tease.
“Always so bratty,” he growls.
I laugh. “You love it.”
James grins and tugs me closer. “I do, because it’s part of the real you.”
I reverently let my fingers trace his jaw before gripping it firmly.
“You’ve certainly always demanded my truths.
You’re like the sea; I can’t help but get swept up in your tide,” I say, my words dripping with fervent meaning.
I lean in closer. “But if I drown, I want to drown in the madness of you—my greatest rebellion.” I brush my lips against his and pull back, placing my hand over his heart, I smile and his eyes drop to my dimples.
“And there’s no way I’m letting you go either. ”
“So many pretty words, and yet still missing three simple ones,” James teases with a smirk.
Another laugh escapes me. “There’s nothing simple about those three words when it comes to you, baby. But if you insist—” I tighten my grip. “I love you.”
His breath brushes my lips as he laughs. “I love you too—now, shut up and kiss me.”
It’s a good thing we have forever, because that’s how long I’ll be chasing his laugh.
The sound is a balm for my soul, and the love I feel for him overwhelms me.
There’s no more hiding, I’ve found where I belong—with him—my pirate, my love, my devil sent to ruin me.
I fall into his kiss, no longer lost, and holding the only treasure I’ll ever need.