A/N: Sorry for the delay with this chapter, I put up on my blog what happened but I know some of you don't have that lol But last Tuesday I was in a major car accident, I'm okay now though so no worries :) Class will be over in just a little over two weeks which means my chapters should go back to be weekly instead of all this delay I have. Thanks for remaining amazing 3 I love talking to all of you when you guys review! You're all so inspiring, honestly. Even those 'Great chapter please update soon' reviews make me more thrilled then I could ever show you. So thanks guys 3
Kiba1500: Yes it was, when Mary named her but the prison didn't really give two shits what Mary had named her daughter so Cilly (the slave who has been raising her) named her Amara since the infant she was given had no name.
nhole117: Haha yes there will be more chapters, we're about halfway through this story.
James Kidd hadn't always been the woman of his life, in fact there was a time when Edward was quite positive James was simply his greatest friend. From the time James bought him those three whores as an apology from when they first met, the two became quite close.
Perhaps it was the fact they were close in age, with Thatch and Ben being a good ten or more years older than Edward, he grew fond of James's company. Tonight Edward sat beside the young man who was smoking his pipe, a hobby Edward couldn't get into, and was staring at their newest arrival. Off a boat came a dashing young red head, who had a fiery temper for traveling alone. Every man that sat in the Old Avery was watching her as she begged for work, using her tits to her advantage.
And they were some mighty fine tits. Edward hadn't seen James so keen on a woman, well in fact ever. Sure he would sleep with Rosie at the local brothel, but watching women had never been something the other did. But James hadn't broken his staring, blowing his smoke out in a long puff before dumping the pipe over the rail.
"You should go talk to her." Edward teased, grabbing his ale and taking a healthy gulp. James shot him a glare, setting his pipe down on the table as he reached for his own drink.
"Why?"
"You've clearly been staring at her since she came in here mate, just go say hi. You're charming enough."
"Oh am I?" James rolled his eyes, setting his mug down and fiddling with a little knife he pulled from his belt.
"She's beautiful, go say hello offer her a drink."
"I know how to swoon a woman Kenway," James snapped then grunted as Ben walked up behind him, slapping him on his back and Edward looked over as Thatch took a seat beside him.
"What's this of swooning a lady? Are we giving Edward lessons?" Ban barked, grabbing James's ale and taking a long drink.
"He's got enough woman raising her skirts for him, think James is finally ready to be a man!" Thatch laughed, calling for a round of rum for his table. Edward couldn't help but laugh at how angry James was starting to look, his face was turning a fantastic shade of crimson.
"Lot of ya, sod off."
"Calm your temper mate, we're only teasing," Edward smiled grabbing the rum that was placed before him. "You have about another minute to say hello before I go. Give her a proper welcome to Nassau."
"Your cock ain't a proper greeting to Nassau Kenway," Thatch laughed, downing his rum and pouring himself another from the bottle the wench left them, all to knowing of their nightly arrivals here.
"Leave her alone Kenway," James practically threatened him as he said it, glaring at him across the table which earned Ben and Thatch a rare silent moment of staring at the young captain. "Ya will not fuck this one, she's trying to find work that isn't at a whore house."
"It's just a lass mate, there a hundred of them more on this island," Edward grinned, placing his hand down to grab his cup when the little knife James had been playing with was between the space in his fingers, and he slowly looked up to the man who was now standing over him, leaning across the table.
"Leave her alone."
"Make me," Edward glared, standing up with the other but feeling Thatch tug him down.
"Ya need to choose your battles Kenway, now is not one. Wait a week till he bores of her, then have your fun."
"Alright now Kenway, let's watch the show," Ben handed him a pipe, which he declined and leaned back in his chair, watching James approach the red head who was still trying to flirt her way into a job.
Edward was calm, watching James who instead of talking to the red head was talking to the owner and getting him to laugh. Everyone liked James, he was inspiring. Such a young bastard with a fearful reputation but his friends all knew James had a big heart when it came to woman. He never called for them, never touched them without their permission, and right now it looked like he helped her get the job.
She had her arms around his neck, her tits pressing into his chest and all James did was hug her back and buy her an ale but he brought her over, his arm firmly around her waist.
"Get her a job?" Edward snapped at the young man, but instead of a temper he thought he'd meet he felt cold ale be tilted over his head and pretty eyes looking down at him.
"I'm Anne Bonny, pleasure to meet ya Captain Kenway. James here just told me all about you."
"Now, what do ya think this one is?" Edward walked outside of his home, the morning sun blaring in his eyes. The night had been peaceful, Anne and he had worked on cleaning up the guest house for her to sleep in and by the time they came back Mary had fallen asleep on the couch with Amara in her arms sleeping beside her.
He had woken not long ago, and groaned at the remembrance of meeting Ah Tabai at noon though his heart was feeling heavy. Edward found himself walking to the other bedroom in his home, opening the door and wishing to find Jenny fast asleep like she had been the days before their departure to England. Finding Amara had begun to feel bittersweet, for his own daughter was lost to the sea and he was unsure if she even still lived.
For her part, Mary had done nothing wrong last night only she'd admitted their relationship in front of people including her daughter, and hearing a little girl call him father had felt like a stab to the chest. Jenny had been so beautiful, just like his sweet Caroline and he had to find her. This yearning for fatherhood, to prove to the world he could do it was tugging at him like he'd never felt before.
Edward had left the room, heading out to the garden where he could hear a little girls giggling and Mary talking to her. She was running around, chasing butterflies that flew from the flowers as Mary laid in the grass, reaching up to grab her from time to time. If anyone had told him six years ago, his best mate James Kidd would take his breath away he'd have laughed in their face.
But she was beautiful, her skin was scared and tanned, his hair was flayed out into the grass as she would arch her back to grab her daughter, and her smile made his own lips curl up. But when her eyes, so full of happiness like he'd never seen before, looked over to meet his own he could feel himself blushing.
"Blue!" Amara yelled, chasing her butterfly until she stopped upon noticing Edward was walking towards her. She smiled to him, and soon he watched as Mary let her arm go and she ran to him, her arms spread out as the sunlight shone through her hair, and he reached down, scooping her up and kissed her forehead. She was a sweet little thing, nothing like her mother but she reminded him more of Jenny who had given him a smile when he'd handed her flowers.
"Morning, what are you playing at?"
"Butterflies! Pretty!" She giggled, reaching up and pressed her lips to his cheek and all his sudden pent up anger to having her in his life was gone. Edward knew he couldn't blame this little girl on losing his own.
"Aye, and she knows her colours for a little one," Mary sat up, reaching up into her hair to yank bits of grass out. "Annie's gone down to the store to find something to feed her."
Edward nodded, walking over to sit down in front of Mary as Amara shoved off his arm and went back to chasing butterflies over the garden. He reached out to Mary and cupped her cheek, watching as she went from watching her daughter to giving him a firm glare. "Ah-hoy now lass, what's this for?"
"'Cuz I can I suppose. I've been thinking about Victoria lately, how Ah Tabai said she don't have a leg. My friend had 'em both, so what happened?"
"It sounds like someone was impersonating his friend."
"I've gathered that, I just meant why would they?"
"To be frank Mary, I've been to worried about Jenny to think of your old friend and her missing leg," Edward snapped to her before he could think and as soon as the words left his mouth he felt regret. She shoved his hand away and instead of walking away, she grabbed his shirt collar, yanking his face to hers.
"If ya think for a moment I have forgotten your little lass ya are mistaken Kenway. I'm sorry I'm happy this morning and it's upset ya."
"It's not your happiness, it's seeing you with Amara. She's safe, I don't know if Jenny is. If I owe Caroline one thing in my life, it's to make sure our daughter grows up to be a good woman."
"She always gona be your daughter? Will ya always throw that in my face? Not for a moment have I not been worried about that little girl. She and I became friends them last few days on the Jackdaw in case ya forgot."
"Of course I haven't forgotten-"
"Then watch what ya say. If you want us to work out, we'll have to treat each other's children like our own. Neither of us are fit to be parents Kenway, so perhaps between the both of us this can work," She let his shirt go and Edward sighed, looking over to Amara who had screamed Anne's name as their friend came through his home with a basket of food.
"I'm just pent up a bit, I haven't gotten to release any steam in a while and every day without my ship and daughter is driving me mad."
"I assure you waiting three weeks ain't that long, I know the pain Edward. Try sitting on an island wanting to be home for two years."
Ah Tabai greeted them at noon, but not before handing Amara a piece of hard sugar. It seemed the old assassin had grown fond of the little girl, but that didn't change Edward's urge to rip his throat out. They all sat around a table, all for Mary who was still hugging a man who looked to be of African origins but he'd learn from Ade that not all people of colour are from Africa.
"It's good to see ya mate."
"Oh Mary it's good to be alive today! To see your smiling face once more! I can't begin to tell you how heartbroken I was when we thought you dead. We mourned, you're a very special sister to us all and now you live! Praise the heavens you live!"
"That's enough now mate, come on we've got some talking to do. But first, think ya know Kenway he gave you all the island to move from Tulum."
"Of course!" Edward looked over as he was spoken about, dragging his eyes from Anne who was re-lacing the first bits of her bodice. He jumped when arms yanked him from the seat and smiled, patting the large man on the back.
"Hello."
"Captain Kenway is a good man, Mary! Of course I know of him!
"And that's Anne Bonny, you've met her," Mary smiled at Edward and Anne before taking her seat across from him and next to Ah Tabai who was now glaring at the other assassin in the room.
"Eli, that's enough. We must discuss this business with your sister. You haven't heard from her?"
The man called Eli took a seat next to Edward, across from his mentor, and shook his head. "No sir, she last wrote to me of her voyage to Aruba with Mary but I've not heard from her in years. I thought her dead, her leg had been healing badly. I only hope she is in peace now."
"Mary, can you tell us of the woman who you thought to be Victoria?"
"She was dark skinned, like Eli. Was kind enough, watched over me and helped me understand what was wrong with me. She just said that ya sent me there and when she received word she would bring me back but two years went by with nothin' so I grew restless. Went to leave and she came with me, even helped me secure a brig and took me to Kingston."
"And then came here, to tell Kenway of you being alive. I wonder who this fake woman is, and what she needed your trust for."
"She is not my Victoria though, my sister would never have lied. I'm sorry Mary, and you too Mr. Kenway," Eli stood up, reaching over to shake Ah Tabai's hand and walked from the room. "I just hope she isn't the enemy, after so much goodness that has come of today we don't need any more blood being spilled."
Edward watched Eli leave, the boy seemed upset about his sister's name being used by another woman. If he was the man he had been two years ago, he'd have left this meeting by now but he sat across from the two assassin's as they spoke, and went back to watching Anne play with Amara in the corner of the room.
"Edward! Get ya mind outa the clouds!" Mary's voice spooked him, turning his attention quickly back to her.
"Hm? What is it lass?"
"Edward Kenway, did you recognize the woman who spoke with you?"
"When? Woman are always speaking with me. It's the tragic tale of being this handsome," He grinned, and tried to hold back his laughter as Mary rolled her eyes at him.
"At the docks, when you received your letter."
"Oh I didn't get that, was in my way out the bay. Anne took it and when she fell to her knees, I rushed to her side."
Mary stood up before he could finish talking, making her way across the room and kneeled down where Anne sat, showing Amara how to tie flowers together. Edward watched them talk in hushed whispers and felt those piercing eyes of Ah Tabai across from him. He slowly turned to look over to the native man, feeling that nervous twitch in his stomach.
"Do you really think I'd keep her from you?"
"Yes," He said without pause, not daring to break his gaze.
"I may want the best from her, but I was never able to keep her from you pirates. The sea calls to her, beckons her to come toy with its deathly wonders. I want to raise her to be a Master, but she insists on declining it. Change that."
"I'm not tellin' her what to do. She hits, fairly hard for a lass."
"Gender has nothing to do with one's strength."
"You don't think I know that? I mean come on mate, I've had more woman on my ship than any other pirate out there. Right now I could go bed one with skirts and rouge on her cheeks, but have you seen the one I've picked out?"
"What 'bout her?" Mary's voice stilled him, slowly turning to find her standing behind him, her arms crossed. He'd been played, realizing all this talk was nothing more than a joke of Ah Tabai's.
"She's very brave, and forgiving."
"Nice save Edward," Anne walked by Mary, patting his shoulder and took a seat beside him. "I don't remember seeing her, the woman who gave me the letter. She left as soon as I read it though, but I was too emotional to be paying attention, I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for Ms. Bonny, we'll focus on her soon enough. I've sent word to every bureau to keep an eye out for her and the Jackdaw. We'll find your daughter Edward Kenway, have faith in the brotherhood," Ah Tabai stood up, walking with Mary to the door as they whispered in hush voices.
"He's so kind to you."
"I'm not an assassin, doesn't that mean he has to be nice to me? And besides, I'm far prettier then ya Edward. Come on now, help me get this little one ready for food while Mary talks about big scary things."
"Scary!" Amara called out, giggling as Edward ran over to her and scooped her up, lifting her above his head.
"No fears, I will always protect you."
Night had fallen upon the Great Inagua with no news of the whereabouts of Jenny or his Jackdaw. Edward had tried to stay as positive as he could, and engulfed himself in the laughter of Amara, and the teasing of Mary who seemed to be in better spirits. They would set sail tomorrow, to Nassau which was going to be quite bitter for them all. A pigeon had flown in before sunset of sighting of the Jackdaw headed past it, and he'd helped the man who ran the assassin order there.
Edward had fallen into sleep, a bottle of rum sat by his bed, letting his raging thoughts of his missing daughter drift below. He would have slept like this until the sun rose if it hadn't been for the sound of someone whispering his name, and the shift of weight on his bed. Blue eyes fluttered open, glaring at the intruder but stopped once he realized it was his siren.
She sat on the edge of his bed, wearing a black tunic that was much too big for her frame. Her hair had fallen down from the messy bun she had attempted, and her legs were bare which caused his eyes to stray there a bit too long.
"Before ya say anything, this is my last resort."
"Always here to be your messy seconds."
"This is hardly the time for jokes Kenway."
"M'tired, lay down and sleep Mary. You're not drunk again are you?"
"No, not yet at least."
"Rum's in the odd dungeon in my office, help yourself."
"I want to talk, please," Her hand reached out and took his own and he stopped his joking, finally looking up into her eyes. They were red and bloodshot, the tip of her nose matched them well. He sat up, reaching over with the hand she hadn't took and cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her smooth cheek.
"Why were you crying?" He asked her, whispering his words. She had stopped meeting his gaze, insisting on staying down at his hand that she had begun to hold.
"I'm weak."
"Tosh, you ju-"
"I can't even sleep. M'afraid I'll wake Amara with my tossing so I moved to one of ya chairs, and woke up with the feeling of their hands on me, as clear as the day it happened. Williams was the worst, he used to claw at my tits, nearly try to rip my nipples off. I remember when my milk started, he wanted to nurse from me but I put up a fight, that's what I dreamed of tonight. Annie came to mind but…she doesn't like to talk of the prison."
"You're just fine coming to me, come here lass," Edward gently tugged on her arms, lifting her up beside him and pressed his lips to her forehead. He was startled when her arms wrapped around his chest and the feeling of her hair draped over his shoulder.
"I don't dream when I sleep near ya. I'd sneak in the cabin when ya slept, and sleep on the floor holding your hand. I trust ya, and I know if I can't protect myself you'll do it for me."
"No one's coming to rape you, and if they try I'll skin 'em alive for you. If this is what it takes to recover from the prison, then by all means I'm not complaining. I get to have Mary Read in my bed," He whispered, gently kissing her cheek when she lifted up to glare down at him.
"Try anything and I'll unman ya, my promise still stands."
"Hardly fair, that was over your gender."
"And now it's moved on, life isn't fair is it?" Mary said as she leaned down, brushing her lips over his before going back to resting on his chest. "Thank ya, for not pushing me."
"Why would I push you?"
"You're a man, men have a thing of holding power and thinking with their cock. I should know, I pretended to be one for years."
"Aye, but I've never been like most the men you met."
"No, and I'm glad."
Anne jumped off the Jackdaw, groaning under the hot sun as she tore off her long coat earning cat calls from the crew on board.
"You would think by now they were used to me."
Edward blew out the smoke in the pipe he held, looking up from a map Ah Tabai had drawn him of where he could find Mary's last resting place. He hadn't been there in so long, and had felt guilty even asking where it was. But he was leaving for England soon, he had to tell his friend goodbye.
His eyes scanned over Anne's torso, and he couldn't help but grin.
Can't blame 'em, you're not a sight for sore eyes Anne."
"You pig, lot of ya!" Anne grinned though, reaching up to her breasts and pulled her corset up much to his own disapproval. He had thought of marrying her, but the idea of wedding someone he was just trying to replace would only hurt them both.
"Can't blame a man now can you? Will you be coming with me?"
"I don't think so Edward, I said my goodbyes long before this. I just…I don't need to do it again. I know wherever she is, she's smiling down on us."
"She's be rolling her eyes at me."
"That she would captain," She reached over, grabbing his arm and gave him one of her kind smiles before handing him a canteen of water. "Take ya time, I'll put this rotten crew to work on cleaning the ship. Their favorite activity."
"Thank you Anne, I'm glad you know why I have to do this."
"Get going now! Enough of being so kind! Your always like this when it comes to Mary, you act like her lost lover," Anne winked, turning her back to him as she walked back to the row boat, already shouting at the men to get going.
He waved goodbye to them, grabbing the map and made his way through the old ruins of Tulum. The place was a ghost town now, everyone having left for his own island where he would keep them safe. The animals had already taken over, monkeys came swinging above him, a jaguar growled at him to stay away, and parrots sung above him.
He climbed the old temple, remembering the day he'd come here seeking her out. Mary was still James then, his best friend who always seemed to have a knack at getting him in trouble. But if he could think back on it, how beautiful she had been looking over her shoulder to beckon him to follow as she dived down into the black whole where they solved a puzzle to see the Sage's face.
Edward bite his lip, shaking the memory from his mind as he walked up the path where Ah Tabai said the assassin's had buried her, apparently it had been her favorite spot to come and be alone. He was expecting something to do with heights, she was overly fond of them. But instead he found something of a rare beauty.
The sea was just over the clearing, down a sharp cliff. Pink, purple, and orange flowers bloomed in bushes surrounding the hidden clearing, shoving his way through them to a small spot which held a grey stone, perfectly in the center. He froze, reading the words on it and feeling his chest tighten. The stone only had her name, but it was enough to bring him to his knees.
Edward clutched onto the stone, his sob breaking into the crisp night air. It was him and his Mary, alone on the coast of an abandoned island she had once called home. His hand rose, tracing over her name carved into the stone as his body fell against it, laying his cheek on the edge.
"M'leaving, going back to England. M'sorry Mary," His voice moaned out, bubbling like a child.
"I know you'll be mad, when ya find out. But I can't…I can't live here anymore. Every time the sun rises over the sea I see your smile. Every drop of rum should be filled with your laughter. I wanted to take your hand, I wanted to be the one you depended on. I'm so sorry. I-I should have saved ya, I should have saved all of you. Thatch, Charles, Stede, Ben, Jack- f-fuck that never him," He laughed, moving to lean against the stone, his hands crushing the soil they fell upon.
"M'going to tell Jenny all about ya. She's my daughter, can you believe it? I'm off to be a father in a country I've hated for years. But I've written her a journal, of my life. And you…you're the one I want her to remember the most. To teach her to be wise, to be loving, to be strong, and to never give up in what she believes in. I owe you so much Mary, I owe you my life and I'm sorry I couldn't save yours."
He wiped at his eyes, catching his breath as his gross sobbing settled down. Edward didn't know saying goodbye would be this hard, for it was just a tombstone. He knew he'd have to rise off his feet and walk from her, where his beautiful siren laid down to rest.
"Do ya remember that time Ben dared ya to go kiss Annie? Ya got so mad, tried to punch him but Thatch wouldn't let you. She's doing good, you taught her so much. You'd have been a fine mother, you had it in ya. Me though? It's hard for me to go a day without a dribble of rum, and always trying to live by your creed. I just wanted to come by one last time, and if you can hear me I just…"
Edward leaned back into the sun, closing his eyes and let the beating heat seer his skin. Birds sung around him, the river continued to roar, the leaves would rustle, and yet his life was staying still.
"I wish more than anything, ya could see me now. I wish I could hear your laugh one more time, Jaysus knows you're the only one that ever got to hear mine. Ya damn smirk, never thought I'd miss that and your knowing glare but gods I do. Ya were my best friend Mary, best I ever had."
He rose, reaching into his jacket and pulled out a bottle of red wine, laying it beside her stone.
"I love you, sail far my love."
Rays of sunlight peeked in from the windows, the warm Caribbean breeze causing the curtains to bellow out. Edward woke with wetness in his eyes, dreaming of a time he thought he had said goodbye to Mary, but his worry was settled when he felt someone stir next to him. He peeked down, leaning down to brush his lips over her temple.
She was curled on her side like a child, her hair spread out against his white pillows and her hands held to her chest. Mary was beautiful in such a subtle way, a beauty he was so fond of. He scooted down, pulling her body against his and pulled one of her hands to his mouth, pressing little kisses over her palm until brown eyes peeked out into her infamous glare.
"M'what?"
"Time to wake lass, have to set sail today."
"That's nice," Mary groaned, shoving him away and grabbing a pillow to throw over her face. Edward laughed, sliding off the bed and reached over on a chair to grab a shirt to pull over his head. He walked over to the side she was on, sitting beside her and reached out to play with her braids only to have his hand slapped away. "Go away."
"Don't you want to spend your morning with Amara?"
"Amara Caroline Read is an independent child just like her mum."
"She still needs fed."
"M'coming, leave me be. Ya annoying in the morning."
"Nonesense, you're just grumpy," He was smiling down on her as she shoved the pillow aside and sat up, grabbing his chin and yanking him close to her face.
"Ya have thirty seconds to grab ya clothes and get out of this room. M'not dealing with ya shit this early Kenway."
"This is my roo-"
"Twenty."
"Fine, fine," Edward pulled away from her, grabbing his jacket, boots, and other clothing he had laid out last night. He left, his clothing in his arms and as he shut the door he heard a child laugh and looked up to find Anne staring at him in horror as she handed Amara little bits of mango.
"It's not what it looks like."
"Oh? I mean you two are adults, I just…there's a child in this house."
"Anne please," Edward shook his head, feeling his blond hair brush his shoulders to his annoyance. But Anne was already by his side, grabbing a think blue ribbon and yanking his blond hair back into a small bun and tying it firm. "She just slept, like the night before."
"Mhm, is that what we're calling it now? For a week now she's been sneaking in where you've slept and ya come out now barley clothed. Go get dressed, Amara and I are going outside once we're done eating. Would you like some mango?"
"Sure, just leave it somewhere," He was red in the face as he hurried to his office, shutting the door and throwing his robes on a couch. He needed rum to deal with this day. Birds were screaming at one another outside, but Edward got dressed, looking over his shoulder at the Templar Armor with 5 keys sticking out. He thought of wearing it in case they got into a bit of a nasty fight, but decided against it.
It wasn't until he heard shouts from outside, coming from the docks did he leave his room and hurry to the front doors. Anne and Mary were already outside whispering to one another, in the distance a fleet of British flags could be seen but none seemed like they were coming into port. This island held no black flags, but the assassins didn't need their island being plotted.
"They're close enough to see us."
"They won't come in, damn pigs don't care 'bout fishing village and that's all we look like," Marry told Anne, looking over to him as she grabbed her pipe form her coat. "Keep an eye out, if they land you're the leader of this fair island. Ah Tabai's face don't need showing."
"Where are you going?"
"Smoke."
"You have a daughter now."
"Aye, she's playing in the garden and I'll watch over her. Stop nagging me," She snapped, walking by him and through his home. Edward shook his head, only to find Anne ready to burst out in laughter.
"It's not funny."
"Do ya not know how to please a lady? She seems awfully uptight for having a bit of fun."
"We didn't, Anne stop this," He couldn't help but join in on her laughter until he noticed a ship from the fleet, turnabout, slowing headed to the other side of the island in the opposite direction of the rest of the fleet. He furrowed his brows. "Anne, let's go out back."
"All the way there? Jaysus Edward honestly?"
"Yes, come on."
"Should we tell Mary? I mean we're both going."
"You're my closest friend now'a days. She'll figure it out, I'm sure the assassins will come running up here soon enough and I'd rather not talk to them."
"You are an assassin Edward."
"Ah Tabai makes me want to punch people, still don't trust him," Edward told Anne as they began walking down the path of his home, cutting over through the brush to get to the entrance of the jungle.
"You're so strange," Anne shook her head as she fell into step beside him. They made a good team as they walked, he was brooding and she was doing her best to make him smile. "So now that ya are getting steady with Mary I have to give you a bit of a lecture."
"Hm?" Edward jumped over the distance of a fallen bridge, turning to help catch Anne as she leapt to him. He was in a state of shock when she pulled out a dagger and pressed it to his crotch, slowing looking down at it then to her.
"If I find out you break Mary's heart, I will unman you without question. She's like an older sister to me, she's family. I love you Edward, but you can't break our bond," She smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"Mary Read and Anne Bonny, wouldn't dream of pissing either of you off."
"You piss Mary off daily."
"Easily done Annie!" He laughed, draping his arm around her shoulders as they walked. "I've been thinking, once we find Jenny and settle down, of asking her to marry me."
Anne looked up to him, raising an eyebrow "I think that's very romantic but I can't see her taking your hand."
"Why's that?"
"She's so free, Mary's always reminded me of a raven. She's so mysterious. Every time we sailed together, ate together, or talked I always learned something new about her. It's as if her whole life she had to be someone she wasn't, and she only got to be Mary when she married Haytham. But losing him hurt her, somewhere deep in her she doesn't want to be Mary Read, she's afraid. I tried like hell to teach her it's fine to be herself but I must admit I was caught up in Jack's love spell to worry myself over Mary. She's saved me from so much, I owe her the world," Anne whispered, looking up to him before shoving him aside and walking ahead.
"Anne, she did everything she did to protect you."
"Exactly, and I try to show her I don't need protecting. I want to be like her Edward, I want her respect not her protection," He sighed, jogging to catch up to her and as they left the forest a brig was anchoring, Edward was already at the edge of the ruins ready to climb down.
"She loves you Annie, make sure you talk to her before we sail this afternoon alright?"
"Then ya can watch Amara, bond with the little one. She thinks you're beautiful, always talking about your blond hair," Anne laughed as they climbed off the ruins, landing beside him.
The firing of the cannons was the first thing Edward heard before he felt heat hit him, something strong sent him flying away from Anne as the roar of another round blew up the old ruins they had climbed down. He laid in the sand, staring up at the blue sky that was slowly turning to black from the cannon fire, the sounds of pirates screaming to swim out and attack the boat filled his ears now.
He had to move, access the damage. Edward sat up, feeling over his body before getting to his feet, feeling thick blood ooze from a wound on his forehead. The ship had docked and was sending soldiers to their island, it had to burn.
Grabbing his pistols and making sure they were loaded he ran along with some men, screaming at them to get over to the far left were the cannons couldn't hit them, the ship had made a fatal error. The beauty of a brig had anchored to close to his land, and now it was going to pay for attacking his people. Edward swam faster than he had in ages, feeling the rush of boarding a ship, something he hadn't done in a long time.
He climbed up the wood, flipping himself up on deck and immediately pulled out his guns to shoot the officers headed his way. The roaring of men, the clashing of swords, the sweet smell of gunpowder and blood were all things he found himself grinning at. He pulled out his swords, diving them into the back of a large man about to kill a pirate and quickly got up, turning to meet another foe.
Men fell around him, as Edward ran along the ship to where the captain stood firing at will. It was almost comical how quickly the ship fell, for how cocky they had been shooting the island. But Edward had to stop himself to ask why they had don't this in the first place, who knew they were there?
After slamming the captain's face against the railing he stood over him, grabbing him up by his collar.
"Captain to Captain mate, who sent ya?"
"We fly the King's-"
"Don't give me that shite. The British may be awful but they wouldn't be so stupid as to sit here like a waiting duck, you anchored, bit of a mistake for a captain of your ranking," Edward unleashed his hidden blade, cutting off the pins on the man's coat signaling his rank.
"S-She promised gold. The fleet, they were in the way they couldn't see where we wanted to go. We were meant to open at the cove but I couldn't figure out how to get in. So we were going to sneak up the back but pirates were here waiting."
"Always a bit of nasty scum them pirates, ruining your plans. Ya know mate, I have a daughter on that island and people I'm quite fond of. It's a shame you wanted to attack us. You're nothing more than a sell-sword ain't you? Killed some brits to gain their clothes. Who is she?"
"A goddess, if you'd have seen how she begged for our help, you'd have done the same," The man cried out as Edward slammed his fist into his cheek, pressing the tip of his hidden blade to the man's throat.
"I need a name or I'll make sure you never speak again," Edward snapped, losing his patience.
"V-Victoria," He whispered as Edward slide the blade in easily, throwing the body aside. The fighting was over, he shouted for all the other men left to be killed as he looked over the island, which was visible as the smoke was now blowing away.
It took him a moment to realize Anne hadn't attacked with him, in fact the last time he saw here she had jumped beside him to say something about the boat. Edward stood in horror at the bodies on the beach, the blood pouring into the ocean, and of the sight of the assassin's climbing down the wall to aid the fallen men but the sight he couldn't part ways from had him running off the boat and diving into the water to swim to shore.
The sight of Mary holding on to Anne's body and clutching it to her chest, as she visibly called out for aid with her face as white as the pillow she had woken up on that morning, and the clear red smeared over her that was covering Anne.