Author's Note!
Sorry for the wait, and yes I will be more frequent now that summer is here!
Go listen to Dark Doo Wop by MS MR for this chapter.
Please let me know what you think, I cherish feedback!
-gianna
If there had ever been a god of cruel revelations, he was having a laugh at Liete's expense now.
Rising at an ungodly hour, Edward had dressed in mere moments, his ill-fitting outfit nearly a cloak as he fastened leather greaves to secure it closer to his body.
Liete had instantly woken when he'd first stretched softly, unused to having another body next to her till morning. His movements had been just as fluid and soft as they'd been the day before and the night before, as he'd held her to him as if her words of changing had nestled into his heart setting him on edge.
Her eyes were hooded and calm as she watched him dress in the near pitch darkness of predawn, his outline a mere shadow. She hadn't the heart or mind to spook him further and ask him if he meant to finally leave her unsettling presence.
She'd felt it every moment of their time in the captain's quarters of the Jackdaw, underneath their lust, a quiver of anxiety. Edward was unsure of her, and her motives behind her actions. He couldn't quite follow her moods, and changes and with each word spoken she'd put him more and more at unease.
So when she'd felt his movement to extract himself from her, she'd felt a soft lump form in her throat. She'd scared Death, and in turn she felt a cool pressure enter her chest cavity. As she laid upon the furred bed she attempted to decipher the emotion, ruling out anger, and fear instantaneously.
Hurt, her mind whispered into the night as Edward with a whisper of his own strapped his two British swords to his hips, and two pistols to holsters made of leather to his chest before standing at his full height.
Edward turned slightly without lifting his feet to look back at Liete, her long legs and arms spread to take up the entire length of his bed reminding him again of a jungle cat. Lounging, calm, and at any moment the ability to be lethal.
Her skin seemed to almost glow in the dark of his cabin, like fresh cream just churned. One of his woven blankets lay covering her hips to just above her breasts, her hair almost like blood in the dark now out of its pins and curls, spread across her shoulders and the sacks filled of feathers he used to lay his head on.
He had never seen a more magnificent creature in his entire life.
Even now after he'd exhausted his body to the point of quivering as he stood, he instantly began to heat again with the thought of simply reaching out and running his hands through her hair one last time.
The only thing that stopped him were the pale eyes that glowed in the darkness that watched his every move calmly.
A war raged with him, the inherent need to lay back down beside her was nearly soul stealing as her eyes silently accused him.
He didn't want to leave his cabin, for days if not week or months. He'd be content to simply let the world spin around him, as stationary as the very stars seemed in the night sky.
Yet with the intoxication that Liete was made up of, he could already sense the men coming to within the ship as well as some even boarding from their debauchery on land as well as the small voice in the back of his mind like a fevered whisper urging him to find his next prize.
Edward flinched slightly at the thought, realizing he sounded like every red blooded pirate, a pirate like he'd snarkily chastised Hornigold for preaching to him about when he'd told Edward to find any 'betty here and now'.
Liete couldn't let her emotions blow out of control as she watched Edward suddenly convulse, and turn his back completely to her. After what seemed like years he rolled his shoulders and strode soundlessly towards the large double doors that lead to the outside world.
She would mourn the loss of the fantasy they'd created within those doors, knowing once opened that the real world of disease, filth, and death would once again take hold within them.
Edward couldn't stand the scrutiny of Liete's gaze for one more moment, her silent accusation too much to bear, and as ever a coward would, fled from the captain's quarters.
The moment the door began to close, Liete slowly stretched her body letting her limbs come awake with each moment. She felt her chest cavity begin open wider, her other emotions muted as the feeling of a hallow sea shell settled with her ribs.
Using her arms first to angle her palms against the furs, Liete lifted her body groggily from the bed. Giving a brief groan of protest at the weight being placed on her already overworked muscles, she sat up completely.
Looking down at her naked body, the blanket that had been wrapped around her waist now pooled at her side leaving her skin bare, she had never felt so filthy.
As if a mere thought brought forth witchcraft, lanterns began to flare outside the fogged glass windows of the doors, one after the other that cast the very ghost of light onto her skin.
Lifting her arms, Liete slowly looked over her body anew, some parts red and chafed from the almost constant touching of Edwards's rough beard, and squeezing hands. The legs spread out in front of her began to move without her command, her feet aiding to turn herself to face the door, so her legs hung over the side of the bed.
A slight scuffling at the door reminded her the world she was a part of, moments before the latch on the door lifted and the slim figure of Julle slipped through the door letting it close with an eerie finality and a dress in hand.
Liete had never been one for shame, nor vanity, but with Julle's green eyes watching her with a calm acceptance of her naked mistress, she could begin to feel the self-hate sneak up through her spine.
Slowly slipping from the warm bed to stand on her feet, Liete ran a hand over her hip and stomach, all the while locking gazes with the smaller woman, neither unbothered by her nudity, both knowing exactly what she'd done that night.
"Have I ruined the illusion of freedom so soon 'Ooman?"
With a voice of gravel Liete asked Julle her question that needed no answer, silenty looking at each other still until Liete nearly jumped sky high as a drop of water suddenly cascaded down her cheek.
Reaching a hand up to touch her face, she leaned her head back to peer up at the planks of wood above her to find the wood completely bone dry.
Lowering her head down, she caught the look of pity that Julle quickly hid behind her careful façade of slave and servant, and Liete felt another drop begin to cascade slowly to join the other.
Edward stood breathing softly in the late afternoon sun, his men working effortlessly around him, their voices carrying acrossing the ocean in a soft shanty that resonated within him.
Hard sea men gave the tune a hollow mournful sound which betrayed them as the Jackdaw ate up the ocean leagues with a stiff wind leaving her sails pregnant and full.
His hands rested calmly on the wheel, hardly touching the warm wood, letting the ship move forward with very little direction provided by him, letting himself immerse in the salt spray and haunting song.
"I dreamed a dream the other night.
Lowlands, lowlands away me John.
My love she came, dressed all in white.
Lowlands away."
Headed towards a small island where Kidd had promised a grand bonfire in preparation of his prize three days from his victory, Edward had basked in the open fresh air, the freedom unmatched by any other.
With the calm freedom of the waves, Edward hadn't dared leave his post that he'd taken up scant moments before dawn had broken across the Caribbean least he be forced to face his own cowardice.
Liete hadn't left his quarters at all, and when he'd sent Adewale to the door scant feet below his feet to let her and her hand maiden know that they would be taking to sea soon and to collect anything they wished from Cat Island before they left it to its own devices, only Julle had spoken to let him know that the only thing Liete wanted from the cursed island was the medallion her rapist had worn, and a small chest nestled at the foot of her vanity.
Relaying the message to Edward he'd personally returned to the stark white mansion, a handkerchief covering his face as her braved the bloated and smelling corpse to pull a bloodied solid gold medallion from the officers lapel. The chest was not as easily grabbed, with a solid metal lock that weighed as much as the chest itself.
Hoisting the thing onto his shoulder, he'd made his way back to his ship as the first rays of sun had touched the horizon. Fully intending to bring the requested items to Liete personally Edward had rapped loudly on his own door, to be instantly met with the hostile and vicious glare from the carmel skinned slave woman.
"What do ya want ya facety' mon?" Off put by the insult, Edward had only the mind to simply hold the medallion out to the women.
Snatching the thing from his hand faster than a viper with one hand, she used her other hand to reach for the chest resting on his shoulder.
Before either of them could react, Ade was there lifting the chest from Edward giving him a look of knowing that sent a chill through Edward, a warning.
He felt belittled and angry, but had backed away none the less as the woman had opened the door to Edwards own chambers instantly to allow his quarter master to place the chest within the doors.
It had set his ire on fire, and he'd boyishly stomped the steps with his boots a deep frown cresting his forehead, as his thoughts turned vicious with ill-hidden jealousy taking root.
How in hell am I treated like a cabin boy on my own god damn ship!
Even as Adewale had retaken his post beside Edward and he'd hollered orders to the men, Edward had silently fumed for hours, not sure in the end what he was truly angry about.
"I dreamed my love came in my sleep.
Lowlands, lowlands away me John.
Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep .
Lowlands away."
Only when his men, having sensed their captains bad mood, and had then began to sing to the waves did his anger slowly begin to fade leaving his mind blissfully empty.
He'd put all thoughts of Liete, her eyes that were practically burned into his sub conscious and the hidden fear that he'd simply changed whom used her, with the whistling wind and sound of waves crashing against the hull of his ship.
Casting his eyes down for a moment, catching himself in his day dream, he took a step back from the ships wheel that was reminiscent of a drunkards walk.
Catching him off guard, he found the woman whom had taken over his thoughts with a firm grip on the railing of the bow of his ship, her grey gown that had disappeared into the sea replaced with a slim white dress that was unlike the regular fashions he'd seen on women.
Without a layer of petticoats underneath the skirt, it hugged closer to her hips, her corset forsaken for a simple shift. The dress itself wasn't made of any spectacular cloth, only simple undyed cotton, and yet it seemed a garment only a queen would dare wear.
Her hair was still free from its pins, now with only a single braid that circled her head in an attempt to keep her hair back from her face, helped also by the wind that had her locks dancing across her shoulders and back.
She stood firm, as if she'd been born on the ocean, her face turned and watching the far off horizon, crystal blue and unchanging.
The men of the ship, who he now wondered if they had struck up the song they all harmonized in because of the Beckford heiress, watched her with one eye on their work and one to her form.
Edward glanced about the ship, and found it was true for all including Adewale who watched with more of a wary eye than anything else.
Edward reached a hand to place it palm down on Ade's shoulder as a silent signal to take over the ships wheel to descend the steps, slowly making his way across the deck towards Liete.
"She came to me at my bedside.
Lowlands, lowlands away me John.
All dressed in white, like some fair bride.
Lowlands away."
Liete watched the endless ocean, letting her skin breath the cool air as her bare shoulders welcomed the heat that radiated from the sun.
She'd sensed Edwards coming like a wave washing over her own shore and when the hair on her arms stood on end, she asked coolly.
"Are we off to Nassua?" Edward stopped with his chest only a scant inch from touching her back, his hips slightly touching her own sending the numb sensation coursing throughout him once again.
Holding off the deep breath that his body craved of her scent, Edward satisfied himself with simply leaning closer to her ear to speak.
"No lass, were off to a gathering of sorts. To celebrate my victory."
Unable to see her eyes, Edward missed the flare that ignited within them as a warning, a fire was coming to burn.
Turning her head, but not her body, Liete pinned him with an angry snarl that had the nearest ship mate scuttling away as quickly as possible towards the opposite end of the ship.
"What a grand thing to be a man, having others there to celebrate your conquests. Tell me, do they genuflect and scrap their foreheads or simply line up to praise your prowess one by one?"
Edward the coward nearly won the fight within him to jump over the railing, the chances of surviving the swim to land near the same as coming out of Liete's animosity alive.
"Ah hoy 'Aptain, land 'ho" The lookout from above their heads crowed loudly, as Liete again faced the ocean leaving Edward breathless.
"Lass, I'd rather damn meself to hell than ever be the cause of your anger. I'll apologize if for the time of leaving po-" Turning on Edward, grasping his lapels with one hand, this time tight enough that her nails scratched his chest, her other hand grabbing his chin her grip icy and bruising.
"Quit groveling, Master Kenway. You have earned a rendezvous." Liete's eyes churned sickenly fast, making Edward dizzy with near sheer terror and surprise.
They stood like that for god knows how long as men rushed around them, silently readying the ship to once again port at the non-descript island that was already held two other large brigs.
The anger in Liete's eyes suddenly disappeared, as her grip on the front of his chest turned to water as she unclenched her fist and then began to smooth out the front of his clothes, taking a quick step back.
"Enjoy the wind and waves my darling." Liete slowly lifted her self to the very tips of her toes to place a chaste kiss on Edward's lips that were drawn into tight thin line. It was if kissing stone, and she once again reveled at the power shift.
Edward had taken her power this morning back acting like a proper coward, running out in the morning knowing full well she'd been awake, scared of her.
Scared of a woman who in reality was at his mercy, on his ship with his men surrounding her.
Little better than a common whore now, Liete had cheated herself and she knew it and it had made her angry beyond reproach.
She'd wanted him, oh had she, but in giving into both of their primal needs, she damned her name to a wench to be used upon first meeting.
So with the fear back into her lover's eyes, she felt her anger settle down and clear out as she pulled away completely her visage changing once again to that of a proper lady, a mask she knew well.
The ship gave a sharp jerk as the anchor that had been lowered during their interlude caught hold on the ocean floor, but Liete's feet stayed absolutely still only her dress hem swinging with the force of the stop.
"Kenway, is that a woman on yur' deck there?" A rough voice yelled from far off, and Liete did a small circle putting her back to Edward to look across the railing of the ship, to the island only a few meters away where a man dressed in a fitting tunic and black ridged hat called to her lover.
Edward cleared his throat, trying to understand what had just happened as he watched Liete sashay towards the rail closest to where his confidant and former captain Edward Thatch called to him.
He knew why she held animosity towards him, and could understand her reaction, but he didn't know how in hell to fix anything with the half insane woman whom he could hardly look at, let alone speak to without something back firing on him.
He shouldn't have slept with her, she was too valuable to be treated like some cheap bobble. Hell, with her linage he should have been coming up with some ransom pact that would surely give him a score enough to return home but even that seemed to cheapen her very being as if some possession.
Home, his treacherous thoughts quipped, where would home be now? Not with Caroline, you couldn't face her if you sailed to Wales even now.
Liete watched the man on the shore, although many toiled a bit farther off bringing in cases of rum and hacking away at foliage and trees to bring wood for burning, he stood out above them all just as her Death had.
With black hair that lightly curled from the edges of his hat, dark eyes that watched with patience and calm, dark scruff lining his jaw and a nose generally unconventional for good looks this man held an air about him that spoke of a kindred spirit.
Liete's lips pulled back in a soft smile, her white teeth contrasting sharply with her ever wine colored lips drawing the man's eyes instantly as her crossed his arms across his chest appreciation, amusement, and a quizzical expression took over his face and eyes.
A forebode sense suddenly went over Liete, sending a cool chill to the very pit of her soul, and she knew with her choices she'd set her course straight towards a summer hurricane.
"Love, this world is going to burn.."
Moving slowly Edward took up the space to her right standing by her side as he casually raised a hand and waved towards Thatch before answering her.
"When has this ever not been the case Liete?" Her name on his lips felt like a warm embrace, and Liete turned her smile toward him, turning to begin walking towards the middle of the ship where several men had begun to pull a rowboat to the ships side to lower it to the water below.
Before completely passing Edward by, Liete placed one hand on his hip and then gently laid her cheek against his back murmering lightly, damning herself further.
"You should stick around."
Liete then continued her walk towards the rowboat, where the sea men kept their eyes down afraid to be cursed by the witch she had become, parting as one brave soul motioned for her to enter the boat as they'd just hoisted it to the side of the Jackdaw, holding it steady with two ropes attached through loops on either side.
Offering her dainty palm to the brave man, he nearly broke his own whipping it up so quickly to grasp her hand with his rough one. Gathering up her skirts, Liete fully intended to clambor with as much grace as she could over the side of the ship to settle along the benches bolted in the boat. Atleaast this was her plan until strong hands grasped her waist lifting her over until her leather shoed feet touched the boards of the rowboat.
Knowing full well Edward had done the honor, before he could withdraw his hands she reached down and threaded her fingers with his own for a moment before releasing the other mans hand, and picking up her hem once again to settle down on the bench seat.
Edward backed away under Liete's madness, motioning for the man whom had dared to touch her to follow in after her. He wanted to wring the man's neck but considering the rest of the crew was deathly afraid to be under the same spell as their captain, he needed anyone who he didn't have to force to help.
The six men holding the ropes began to lower the rowboat to the sea below, and as Liete's silver eyes disappeared from view, everyone on the deck took a collective breath of fresh air.
Edward unable to stand the emotions that warred within him, one crying out for him to sail away leaving her on this island, another for him to take her back to his quarters, and another to rip the man's heart out, he suddenly vaulted off the deck of his ship into the surf relishing in the zing of the warm water against his skin as he tucked his head down and began to lazily stroke towards the shore.
As he neared the shore, the rowboat finally touched the water behind him.
Disclaimer
I do not own Assassin's Creed, any of its variations or characters.
I do own Liete, and her madness, and that is all.
Jamaican Slang Translation
Ooman – Woman.
Facety – Bad mannered, nasty.
Mon – Man/Woman (Depends on context)