Sorry about the long wait and the short chapter to those of you who are reading this, I took some time to work on my person writing which I had since neglected.

So, recap: Kadir and Royce were drunk and spent the night all cuddled and cute. We learned a bit more about the prince and his relationship with his parents and his witchly appendages. He also made a very dramatic and bold promise to our baby Royce, who kind of sat in awkward silence for the rest of the ride. Now, they have landed in the docks in Suria to head to Wendlyn.

The moment she dismounted, Royce was swept into an embrace by Baldor. She squeaked slightly but hugged him back until she noticed he was snarling at Kadir over her shoulder. She swatted his shoulder. "Don't start being an overprotective fae now, you beast."

Baldor scowled, but dropped her onto the ground. "What took you so long to get here?"

"We got sidetracked, I'll explain later." They had a boat to board now.

It took nearly an hour, but eventually they pulled away from the dock, the ship groaning and shifting under all it held.

She and Baldor stood at the stern, watching their home and their kingdom fade slowly into nothing but ocean water and distance.

When she turned back to the boat, she found Elian, her shipwrecked lover, talking with May and Kadir. He said something to May that made her laugh, followed by Kadir's deep chuckle.

Royce strode over, ignoring Baldor who was already snarling at Elian. He was well aware of her relationship with the pirate, but there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop it.

Elian glanced her way, giving her a once-over glance and a slow smile. "Royce, it's good to see you again."

"You too, privateer."

Kadir grumbled something about Elian using her name.

Elian was a ridiculously beautiful man. With parents from Eyllwe and Fenharrow, he had skin so dark it was almost purple. His hair was dyed red so dark it looked like blood and curled roughly around the base of his skull. His jaw and cheekbones rivaled diamonds with their cut. There were rumors that he wore something in his eyes to make them look so red, but Royce knew the truth.

His own parents had thought he was a demon spawn when they turned that color only a few months after his birth.

He bowed to Baldor. "And you, mountain man."

Baldor growled.

Royce ignored them both and turned to May, tilting her head to signal they take a walk. Not that there was anywhere to walk to. Together they strolled around the ship until they stood at the helm, watching the sun slowly make its way toward the horizon.

May said, the wind teasing the mass of her hair, "That Elian is an interesting creature. Charming and handsome, he must have some weird fetish because that's just not fair."

Royce laughed. "He, fortunately, does not have a weird fetish."

"Oh, you would know?" May raised a delicate brow.

"It's an on and off thing, just for entertainment."

She nodded contemplatively. "I understand. Kadir wanted that between us, but I denied him."

Royce looked at her sharply. She couldn't think of a reason to deny the prince. "Really? Why?"

May shrugged. "If I am going to have a relationship with him, I want it to be the real thing, not just sex. So he settles with his flirting and making me blush unnecessarily."

"Oh."

"Do you like him?"

"Not enough to approach him, but… ," She gave her a brief summary of what happened last night.

May laughed aloud, and damn her because it was as ridiculously beautiful as Elian. "You got him drunk. That is the best thing I have ever heard."

"It wasn't too spectacular, he likes to talk about his feelings too much."

"Eww."

They both chuckled.

May said, "I would like to see what Baldor is like drunk."

"Loud. Very loud."

She snorted. "He is rather kind. I wonder what he's like in bed."

Royce made a puking noise. "Oh no, he's like my brother. I do not want to talk about him."

She didn't know Elian was behind him until he placed a hand on her hip. "I have some questions about our course. I was hoping you could enlighten me."

"Absolutely, I'll meet you in the map room, privateer."

He nodded and backed away.

Royce winked at May, who grinned back, and followed him below deck.