"Edward Kenway!" Ben Hornigold yells from the ground below me, passing around by the docks. "Imagine my surprise at seeing your Jackdaw anchored here. Have you heard all you came to hear? Will you go now and rescue the sage from our clutching hands?"

He's a traitor, an enemy of the worst kind. While I'm no assassin, the Templars are still my enemy. They want what I want and something with them doesn't sit right with me.

I leap down from my place in the rafters of the barn, facing him. He was Thatch's friend and this is what he does to remember his death. "A pox on you, traitor! You've betrayed us!"

"Because I found a better path!" With a wave of his hand, soldiers fill the warehouse surrounding me. "The Templars know order, discipline, structure. But you never could fathom these subtleties. Good-bye, old friend! You were a soldier once! When you fought for something real. Something beyond yourself!"

He turns and bolts off, leaving me with the guards and my rage. My sword spares no one. Lunging through the broad chest of one man, forcefully torn out, emitting a squish of blood and organs, just to be imbedded into the stomach of another.

Blows that are aimed at my head are quickly parried, allowing me to take the advantage and disarm a man or two, slicing them at the neck for a quick death. Shoving a man away from me and into a group of others I find my escape. I bolt through an opening in their circle around me, out of the musty warehouse and into the warm Caribbean sun. I hear them running after me, their labored breaths and heavy foot falls following me further from the docks.

I step up onto a crate, the wood creaking beneath my boots as I launch myself high enough to grab a metal sign that hangs just a foot or two higher. Pulling myself to stand on it, I can hear their shouts as they catch up and aim their guns. I hoist myself up onto the roof as a shot rings out, solid in the calm air.

My feet fall lightly across the boiling hot tiles, leaping from one building to the next. I run past a chimney, it's pale beige tiles passing in a blur.

I charge at a guard who's back is to me, who after hearing me aproach turns but it's too late as I sink my hidden blade in his back, laying him flat. The guards sound close and I do the only logical thing. I jump onto a balcony below and open the door, stepping into the home.

What looks to be a teenage girl, her mother, and a young lad stop and turn to me, fear in their eyes.

"Good afternoon," I say in greeting. "Do you mind if I stay here for a moment?"

None of them respond, too frightened to speak.

"Good then. The name's Edward," I offer my hand to the woman of the house, she takes it, an awkward smile on her face. I don't use my surname. It's one associated with piracy and that is not the most friendly profession to the common people.

"You're Kenway," she says narrowing her eyes.

"Now lass before you yell for the-"

"Don't think me a scared woman. I've handled my own against your kind before." Usual when someone says 'your kind' it sounds disgusted like your kind is such a vile thing but she doesn't, content with what piracy is. "If anyone comes to the door you have my silence. Now Willy why don't you go and fetch some water for our tea."

"Yes mummy," the young boy says, scampering off.

"I've heard stories about you," the lass says, from her place at the table, breaking her silence.

"Hopefully they're all good ones."

"Mostly from the ladies at the brothels but the stories about James Kidd are my favorite," she looks amused but her smile fades as her mother glares darkly at her.

"Fancy James, do you?" I challenge with a smirk.

Her face flushes a deep red not prepared to let those words come out of her mouth. "You've been spending too much time around the courtesans," her mother interjects. "She's developed a fascination for you pirates as of late. Thinks your adventurous, freedom loving rogues. Her heads a bit too deep in her books but I could be upset about worst things."

"My older brother is a pirate," the young girl says proudly.

"Do you know a Nicolas Murphy?" her mother asks pointedly.

"It seems to ring a bell," I say half surprised.

"Really tall man, sturdy but thin like a rod." She looks annoyed by my lack of further recognition. "A dark birthmark on his neck, kinda looks like an anchor."

Finally I get a clear picture of the man she's talking about. "Ah I know him. He's the one on Kidd's crew that we call Heave. He got the name after falling into the ocean twice and the men had to heave him out. He felt like an anchor then too."

The young woman behind me lets out a laugh but rights herself, turning away from me.

"And this Kidd. Is he a good man?" the older woman asks, a weariness in her light brown eyes.

"Aye. I trust James with my life," I clear my throat, realizing I sound a bit too tender towards him. "He treats his crew with the respect he demands from them and though he works them to the bone, he makes sure they are well supplied, never starving them out and never cheating them out of their fair share. You can't ask for a better captain."

"If you are to see my son let him know his family misses him," the mother says.

"I will make sure of it. I might even tell his captain a bit about-"

A knock at the door startles me, cutting off my teasing. I walk into a hall out of sight of the door as the mother opens it, looking calm and collected. "Hello sir," she say calmly to someone I can't see.

The other voice is unmistakeable, deep, his accent thick like tree sap. "I'm looking for a blonde man, a bit loud, acts like he owns the place. Comes when you call 'Edward'." I can hear the smug tone in his voice. He must have seen me run in. Ade wouldn't risk walking door to door unless he knew.

"Very funny Ade," I smirk, walking about into the main room. "Are the guards still circling?"

"Just left a few moments ago."

"Coincidentally," I change the subject, "this is Heave's family."

"It's nice to meet you," he says masking his initial worry. Ade has to be careful. In towns like this, slaves are common where as a large black man with swords and pistols on his hips is not. "Would I be correct to assume we should prepare to sail to Principe?"

"You would be, though if we do run into Kidd I'd like to speak with him. He still owes me."

"I'll make sure the men know to keep an eye out for him. I'll see you next on the Jack," he excuses himself, ducking out and back to the ship.

"Thank you for letting me hide out here," I say, following after Ade. "I think heav- Nicolas will be glad to hear from you."

"It was no problem Captain Kenway," the mother says. "And if he doesn't believe that you actually saw us my name is Elizabeth."

"It's nice meeting you," I say finally ducking out into the sun, trotting up the behind Ade.

"Please tell me the young woman is his sister and not his wife, lest he be cursed to know she spends her own coin for the ladies at the brothel." Add laughs awkwardly.

"That'd be misfortunate," I chuckle but soon realizes that the woman I'm pining after does just that. "It's his sister." My tone sounds less pleased than it did just a moment ago and Ade takes notice.

"There something on your mind, breddah?" my quartermaster asks.

"I'm wondering of Kidd."

"Ah," he sighs, amused. "It always seems to be a good thing for you to do. Is there reason to wonder?"

"Just about where he is. James never seems to stay in one place for long."

"He could say the same about us, captain." He seems to smile, though he won't say why. "You and Kidd seem to spend less and less time around one another these days yet you always find yourself by his side again."

"And..." I wait for him to elaborate.

"I find it comical that though you deny his creed so, but James's ideology does not deter you from him."

I stay silent thinking of the answer for myself because even I don't truly understand it. I don't agree with his creed or at least I want no part in it because Mary's wisdom is something I don't denounce. She's usually right, even when I want nothing more than for her to be wrong for more reasons than just wanting to avoid her disapproving gaze.

"He's a good friend even when we butt heads over what I should do with my life." Ade chuckles at that. "But he's a good man, better than I could be."

"Kidd seems to believe you are just as good of a man."

"Aye," is the only reply I offer as the dirt path under my boots becomes wooden dock planks. "He'll be surprised to see us."

Ade nods boarding the Jackdaw and taking his place beside the helm. "Captain on deck!" he announces to the excitement of the crew. "You and Kidd were on good terms when he left. Though he looked a little on edge. What was in the letter by the way?"

"He was just saying goodbye, for how long I'm not sure." I stay quiet after than and Ade understands, nodding his head. He knows as well as Kidd does that going after the sage is risky.

"Sails to the wind, you tars!"

"I want ten knots to the east!" Ade continues as we leave Kingston behind.


"Stay on the ship men!" I call as we stop at one of the small islands.

My plan is to run to the tavern, ask around for my young dark headed mate, then check the bureau.

I jog down the path to the small tavern, that isn't much, and take a seat at the bar. I motion the tavern wench over, her top low, flaunting what she has and I make the constant effort to not look.

"Can I help you?" she coos sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

"Have you seen a young captain who goes by "James Kidd" recently?"

She visibly perks up at the name. "You know James Kidd?"

"Aye. I take it you haven't seen him." I start to stand but she grabs my arm.

"Good luck trying to find him. I've heard he's a slippery one."

"Aye thank you." I stand and leave without even getting myself a drop of drink.

I run up the path a bit to a small coop, pulling it open and grabbing one of the blank papers inside. I draw out the quill and ink well tucked in the corner on a shelf and start writing. I finish and fold the small piece of parchment. I tie the twine to the leg of one of the pigeons, tucking the small scrap underneath and setting it off.

It'll make its way to Tulum and once there, my message will get to the one it's meant for.

I jog back to the ship, ready to set sail to Inagua. The closest thing to a home I have.


"There's a ship coming up on us quick, captain!" The lookout calls. "Flying a black flag."

I smirk, excitement filling me, lighting my chest on fire with emotion.

"Sails down! Drop anchor!" I call and Ade heads down deck to make sure the order is completed in a timely fashion.

I pull my spyglass out and turn it towards the ship that is heading to our starboard side. It's sails stained red with what seems to be the blood of a thousand dead men and it's figurehead unmistakeable. An elegantly carved wooden raven, stained black as night and dark as the waters it sails on. It looks as if it soars over the water with a deadly grace. The same kind that the ships captain possesses.

As it approaches boarding hooks are thrown and I get a glimpse of the person I've been wanting to see.

"Kidd!" I call, smirking something devilish.

"Kenway! What's with the urgency?" she calls back.

"Come aboard and I'll tell you!"

"No! You board! My ship my terms!"

I roll my eyes and grab one of the ropes, propelling myself across the gap to land on the solid deck beside her. She motions for me to follow, leading me to her cabin, but I stop when I see the tall man with the birthmark.

"You're mother sends her regards Heave," I make sure to add a smirk that has the other men laughing.

"You don't know me mum," he says defensively.

"Aye, just met her in Kingston. Her names Elizabeth and you have a younger brother and sister. They send their regards."

The other men beside him teasingly ruffle his hair.

"Thank you captain Kenway," he says sincerely.

"Your sister also sends her regards to you Kidd. It seems all the lasses at the brothels talk about you."

"I don't have to pay for my women," she shrugs with a bit of a smirk and walks into her cabin shutting the door behind us but I could see that lad, the young assassin, watching me the whole way, something remorseful in his eyes.

"Morning, Kenway," she says warmly, almost happy to see me.

"Aye. It's gotten better now that I've met up with you."

"What's the urgency?" she asks, an eyebrow raised, her arms automatically crossing.

I avoid the question entirely. "You remember our little duel?"

"Aye..."

"I still get to take you on a contract with me and I know the one that I'll need your help for."

"Ah..." she looks down at the floor, pacing. "So you're here to take me from my crew."

"That would be the terms of our deal." I smirk at her.

"Fine but while I'm with you your training will be finished. You'll have little sleep and drills will be given to you to prevent you from being idle at all moments of the day until we reach shore. Then I'll let you rest up and we'll finish that contract." She punches my arm playfully.

I follow her back out into the warm sun and watch as she goes to the helm of her ship to speak with the quartermaster. From afar, I see him give her a look that she rolls her eyes at and turns to address her crew.

"I'll be taking a leave of absence for the next few weeks or so! I leave you in the hands of your quartermaster until I am to return! Just because I'm not here does not mean you can work any less hard than I would work you! There will be no slack ropes and no tattered sails! There will be no idle men! Am I understood!" She's commanding, captivating, at the helm of her ship in front of her men.

"Aye Captain!" the men yell in unison, eyes watching her closely, respect in there gazes.

"Good men! I wish you luck!" she sends them a flinty smile and boards the Jack, walking up the steps to join me at the helm, standing on my left but I watch as the lad, Keefer follows her.

Boarding ropes are removed and the Jack sails off leaving Mary's schooner behind. She stays with her back against the railing, watching with her arms crossed as we sail further and further away from her ship, her pride.


"Climb faster, Kenway!" Mary's voice yells from below me. "Take another rest and I'll see to it you don't get a wink of sleep!"

"You haven't let me sleep more than four hours in the course of the last two nights!" I yell back, irritated.

"There will be times you could be following and stalking a target for days on end without sleep! You have to be ready for that!"

"But I wouldn't have you breathing down my neck then would I!" I continue up the main mast, my hands blistered from the constant climbing. I must have done this at least fifty times since dawn. My thighs ache and my boots have been worn down under my toes.

"Are you saying you can't do it? I didn't think you a quitter!"

I can't let her have that satisfaction how can I?

I start up faster, the quicker I get there the quicker I get to stop. I hull myself over the edge on the crows nest and collapse, breathing heavily. The sun feels warmer than it usually does, my blood running through my veins, hot.

"Are you gonna get your fat arse down here?" she yells, amusement in her voice.

I can hear a few of my crewmen chuckle and I groan forcing myself to stand, ignoring the aching in my muscles. I grab the hook and drop to the deck. My feet hit the ground with a loud thud but my legs give out knocking me down onto my knees.

Mary comes to my side and helps me up, slinging my arm over her shoulder, directing me back to my cabin. She smirks at Ade, who stands at the helm, sailing the Jack to our destination and to Keefer who looks on the verge of laugher.

I'm lead into my cabin and tossed towards my bed. I would normally be upset at the harsh treatment but the fact that she's letting me lay down is enough to silence me.

"You've done well today."

That's the first praise she has given me since my training began a week ago, she's been virtually stoic since I started other than offering sarcastic remarks to infuriate me and make me work harder.

I've never felt so exhausted in my life.

"Thank you, Mary," I scoff.

She rolls her eyes but smiles. "Thank yourself. You've earned a few hours of sleep. I'll wake you for dinner."

I lean back and as my head hits the pillow, I'm out like a light.

"Up Kenway," Mary says, shaking my shoulder.

My muscles feel tight as I sit up, rubbing the bleariness out of my eyes. I glance over at her and realize she's not dressed as James Kidd, her dark brown locks down by her face and her binding taken off, leaving her in her white undershirt.

Two bowls of soup and half a loaf of bread sits on my desk, another chair pulled up beside it.

"Mary," I sigh.

"Come eat. You'll need your strength." She sits at my desk in the chair she pulled up beside it.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, my back aching. She can't help but she laugh at me. I smirk, enjoying her laughter even if it's aimed at me. I stand, groaning the whole way up and limp to my chair, unceremoniously plopping down into it.

"I take it you're sore?" she jests.

"Aye. Everything aches." I pick up my spoon and use it to bring some of the warm liquid to my lips.

"I can tell. Just don't favor one side or the other lest you wish to lock everything up." She tears off a piece of bread and dips it in her soup.

"What was your training like?" I ask, curious.

"I went through it on Tulum. Some parts of the brotherhood don't train like we do. They learn to preform assassinations and stealth but expect you to already be strong willed. Ah Tabai wants us to realize we are strong of mind and body. Yes you may hurt yourself. Yes you will exhaust yourself but once you realize that your body can go further than you've ever thought, even without food and sleep, that's the moment you are truly ready." She pauses for a moment thinking of whether she should continue. "I completed my training, bruised and bloody but when I went to Ah Tabai he told me I wasn't ready. I let my emotions control me, he said. My anger to aid my fight. My fear to help me hide. That's when he asked if I could fight if I wasn't angry or if I could hide if I wasn't scared. He was right. So I continued training with the others but I refused what little sleep and food that was offered to me for the next four days. It was during that time on those quiet nights alone in my hut that I truly understood the creed. I went out into the jungle to run that morning before dawn when I was attacked by a jaguar. Little did I know Ah Tabai was watching me, ready to help if I needed it. You see, he was afraid I was pushing myself too hard. I waited for the jaguar to make its move instead of attacking it. Giving it a chance to back off if it so decided. It finally lunged at me and in a practiced stroke of my blade it was dead and I realized then I wasn't angry at the jaguar. It was just following its nature. I took the hide back to the temple and there I met Ah Tabai who told me I was ready. I've come close, but never have I killed someone out of anger."

"You're a strong person, Mary. One of the strongest I know." I look at her in admiration.

"You're just as strong, it's just hidden behind a thick layer of arrogance." She smirks, eating more of her bread. "Training is difficult but I know you'll get through it."

"Good to know you have faith in me. I was beginning to think you just liked to look at my arse as I climbed the mast."

She chokes, not prepared for those words to come out of my mouth. I wait for her to speak, eager.

"You bloody prick," she curses, glaring at me. "I want nothing to do with your disgusting arse."

"That's not what you said on Inagua." I hear her scoff at the remark, her annoyance clear. "Or at least what you did."

"You're daft if you believe that."

"I'm daft then."

"You'll pay for that remark." She smirks, I hope because she enjoys hearing how I... care for her? Or maybe because she has some sick punishment in mind.


It's definitely about the punishment.

She stands with me at the stern, leaning on the railing. We're out of earshot of the crew below deck so she speaks freely with me.

"You are to run around the edge of ship, jumping over the cannons and you will not stop until you've done it forty times."

"Forty?" I ask surprised. "Why forty?"

She smirks, devious, like an animal who knows their prey is injured. "Ten laps for every time you've kissed me."

"Then you should be running these too because not once did you-"

"Get to it." She shoves me and I start off. If anything good has come from this its that I've spent ever waking moment with Mary by my side.

When I reached forty laps, Mary didn't let me stop, the night carried on and we dropped anchor. She sent the men down into hold for a night off and she'd stand as lookout.

"I hate your guts!" I yell, and though I usually savor the sweet sounds of her laughter it just seems to piss me off now.

"The feeling is mutual," she chuckles.

"You're enjoying this too much!"

"This has nothing to do with my enjoyment."

She can say that all she wants but she looks awfully pleased at my pain. Her eyes watching me run with a certain type of amusement.

I run back up the steps circling the back of the ship, eyeing her as she leans against the wheel. I stick my tongue out at her much like a child would do and she mimics the expression, glaring back.

I do a few more laps and every time we repeat it, sticking our tongues out like naive children. I run back up the stairs but go straight to her, stopping less than a foot in front of her, my breathing labored from exertion.

She looks up at me, an amused smirk settled comfortably into her visage. I close any distance between us pining her against the wheel. She leans up and captures my lips with hers knotting her fingers in my already loose hair.

Jaysus, how I've missed this.

I slip my tongue into her mouth relishing in the moment of being surrounded by her entire being. I can feel her breasts on my chest through our thin clothing, though I remember a time when nothing covered them at all and they were bare to the sun and my eyes.

One of my hands drift behind her resting on her lower back, making its way to her round, toned arse. Yes I've really missed this.

I lean back, releasing the hold of our lips on one another.

Mary smiles and I almost do before she says, "that's ten more laps," and pushes me off.

I groan running back down the stairs continuing my laps. "You would have had me do them anyway! It was worth it!"

She scoffs and I turn around just in time to see her shake her head at me, smile still present.


"Okay Kenway, come at me." Mary says, readying herself in a fighting position.

"I'm not going to hit you Kidd," I argue.

"Yes, you bloody well are."

She lunges and swings at me, but I dodge quickly avoiding her knuckles that are aimed at my jaw.

"No, Kidd."

"Why?" She swings again, missing me by a hair.

"You know very well why." She's Mary. I can't hit my best mate.

"So you think less of me, eh?"

"No! I just can't-" Her fist connects will my jaw and pain swells through it. I don't have much of a choice.

The crew pays us no mind from our place on the quarterdeck, already used to Kidd torturing me except the Irish lad who keeps a close eye out. Every time I've caught his eyes he's looked away, something almost jovial in his eyes.

I swing back at her, her lithe form nimbly dodging my balled fist. She uses that opening to place a hit in my gut. I recoil and swing again catching her cheekbone.

She's unfazed, even as a bruise starts to develop and it swells much like my jaw does. I swing again but she dodges under my arms and ends up behind me, kicking out the back of my knees, sending me to the deck.

"Up Kenway. Let's go again."


Mary and I limp back into my cabin, we've been fighting all morning, bare knuckles that are now bruised, broken, and split. Her cheekbone is bruised and her lip is split but she still manages a smirk when she catches me staring at her.

"Some of the Templars you'll take on are women. Will they have to get a few hits in before you'll fight back?"

"The reason I didn't want to hit you is not that you're a woman it's that you're my closest friend, Mary. It's not fun hitting you."

"I'm touched," she scoffs. "If it's any consolation, I don't take pleasure in rearranging your face either but you have to train with someone who knows how to fight without weapons." I open my mouth to interject but she stops me. "The drunkards at the tavern don't count. They're sloppy and unskilled."

"Whatever you say... mentor." I nudge her with my elbow, walking to sit behind my desk and watch her like I usually do. She has some endearing mannerisms. Not that I pay... too much attention.

She smiles to herself for a moment before turning to me. "That's what I am now, aye?"

"Among other things," I reply smoothly.

She looks curious as she crosses her arms over her chest. "Really?"

"Yes many things." I smirk at her with all the devilishness I can muster.

She laughs, most definitely at me. "Did I hit you a little too hard?"

"No," I reply plainly. Anymore elaboration and she'll think I'm joking.

"We've talked about this Kenway," she sighs.

"I know and I say to hell with it."

She steps closer to the desk, no longer waiting on me to make a move. She grabs my collar and lifts me out of my seat so she can press her bruised lips against mine.

She tastes of salt, sweat, and blood. My lips hurt being manipulated like this but being this close to Mary, doing something intimate is enough to make me forget about the aches and focus on how her hand knots itself in my hair.

The kiss goes from chaste to sloppy in only a few moments. She licks over the break in my lip, making me moan in both pleasure and pain. Then she catches my lip between her teeth, pulling it back in a seductive way.

If this doesn't stop soon I'll have her across my desk in mere moments.

My lips move to the place where her neck meets her shoulder, placing kisses on my way down before sucking at that soft stop that forces her to stifle her moans lest she gives me the satisfaction of knowing I have her.

She forces my lips back to hers leaving a sloppy kiss before resting her forehead on mine, stroking my face with her thumbs. "I have a crows nest to attend to."

She steps out of my reach walking towards the door. "You look beautiful today."

"Oh tosh."

"It's true Kidd!" I call after her as she steps out but not before putting up her middle finger at me.


"Get above deck men! We're to reach the Cayo Islands by tomorrow night!" The men scurry out at the order, climbing the ladder to pull themselves out of the hatch. I catch the glimpse of the man I'm looking for and grab his arm, pulling him out of the group. After the hatch is closed behind the last men I get to business.

"Oi I need to speak with you lad."

"She really beat the hell out of you." The Irish lad giggles to himself.

"You're telling me," I sigh. "I know we haven't had so much as a conversation but I see you watching Kidd and I. What gives?"

He glances around nervously, like he's afraid she'll jump out at him any moment. "She wasn't in a good place while you were marooned."

"What do you mean and how do you know she's a lass?"

"My mum is the healer who Mary goes to. It was an accident that I found out but that's not important. When Rackham came to Nassau she was ready to kill him on the docks in front of God and everyone. She stopped talking a lot and spent her time quietly drinking alone. When she got to Inagua... she... started to lose it. She thought you were dead and she'd never see you again. She lost a part of herself, Captain, don't you realize that? Now you can't tell her I told you or she'll tie me to the mast."

"I'll keep it to myself, lad. Thank you." I smile at him and turn to the ladder to return to the top deck but Keefer's words stop me.

"You care about her too right?"

"Why do you ask? Are you saying she cares about me?"

His face gets really red as he starts to stammer. "N-n-no that's n-not what I'm s-saying." He jerks his head from side to side, quickly, checking for anyone as if Mary could just appear out of nowhere to ring his neck. "She just... you know... she seems to-"

"Don't hurt yourself, lad. I get what you mean."

"You can't tell her I said anything," he adds, panicked.

"It's safe with me." I pat his shoulder and make to the top deck where I find Mary walking back and forth, looking.

"There you are," she says upon seeing me. Her brow furrows when she sees Keefer follow me out. "What have you two been up to?"

"I was teaching the lad how to fix a tear in his cot," I say smoothly.

"One of the other men could have taught him easily," she points out.

"Aye but I was already down there. Might as well of." I turn to Keefer who's been standing awkwardly behind me. "You're dismissed." After he trots off I turn back to Mary. "You were looking for me?" I ask slyly.

She looks unamused, as if she didn't hear the sly tone in my voice. "Now what were you really doing?"

"It's nothing of substance, really. Now what was it you wanted?"

She gives me one last skeptical look before dropping it. "I want you to join me in the crows nest to she if you can use your vision to scout."

I nod and follow her to the rope, she kicks the lever and sends herself up into the air. I follow shortly after sitting down beside her with our backs against the mast. The wind tousles her bangs that hang outside her bandana, her lips pursed but she's at ease.

"It's beautiful up here," I sigh.

"Aye. It's my favorite place on a ship other than behind the helm."

"I enjoy being anywhere on a ship just as long as you're beside me."

She scoffs, rolling her eyes like I'm a nuisance to her. "Don't try to flatter me, Kenway."

"I don't have to try, it just comes to mind."

She leans into my shoulder resting her head. "Bloody fools we are, eh?" she says quietly, reminding me of our last meeting on Inagua.

"Aye but I've never been the wisest. Not like you."

"Is your vision as strong as I think?" she changes the topic.

"I think so. Everything gets a color. People especially."

"What do you see in me when you use your vision?" she whispers, though no one is within earshot to hear. It just makes this conversation feel private, only for the two of us.

"Gold. Like you're a target I've been chasing for months."

We both move for one another's lips in the same instance. I just want to be close to her. She's the only one who can stop this throbbing in my chest.

Her hand pulls up on my shirt just enough so she can slip her hand beneath and touch the bare skin of my abdomen. Each touch lights a fire in me, burning with an intensity that only she can dull.

I slide my palms under the back of her coat, coaxing her towards me as my hands splay across her shoulder blades. Her skin is soft and warm and I want nothing more than to see all of it.

"Captain!"

We both jerk back from one another, removing our hands from one another's clothing in a panic. She turns her attention to the sea, looking anywhere but at me.

I stand and walk around the mast so I can just see Ade down at the helm. "What is it Ade?"

"We should hit land within the hour!"

"Thank you!" I yell back and return to Mary's side, sitting against the wood of the mast, my shoulder touching hers.

I rest my head against her, but she stays unmoving. I curl up against her laying my head in her lap and she just looks down with an amused smirk.

"You're like a pup," she scoffs. "If I don't pay enough attention to you you make sure I can't do anything else."

"How can I not?" I lean my head against her stomach enjoying the warmth. "What kind do you think I'd be?"

She laughs, seeming truly happy and I realize I'm... in love with her.

"What are those big yellow ones from way up north? You'd be one of those." Her hand goes to my head and plays with my hair between her fingers. I take in a deep breath of the sea breeze, the air warm like a blanket. "We best be heading down before the men take to the sails to help prepare for docking-"

I sit up enough to catch her lips with mine. She kisses back for a moment before her lips purse and she shoves me off.

"Down dog," she says slyly. She pushes away from me, sending herself over the side, grabbing the hook and falling down to the deck.

I follow her as she walks up to the helm to stand beside Ade who gives the wheel up to me.

"So you've finally decided to become an assassin," Ade says smug.

"No," I snap a little too harshly. "The training is a part of a bet Kidd and I made."

"They say not to bet against the devil himself." He sounds amused. "Or at least your crew thinks Kidd's the devil."

Mary smirks at that, some pride showing through.

"Some days even I think Kidd's the devil."

"That's because you don't like climbing the mast," she scoffs.

"On the contrary, I just don't like climbing it until I can't feel my arms and legs."

"Are you complaining?"

"Sure sounds like it," Ade says just as slyly as Mary, the woman I love.


How lucky are you to get four kisses in one chapter? Very! Thanks for supporting me even though I take forever to update! Please don't forget to comment and tell me what you think. I feel like this chapter is lacking something and isn't as good as some of the others but I can't figure out why...