The wine is as dark as the sky. I sip it absentmindedly, cringing at the tang as it touches my tongue. People pass by, whether in flurries or rushes I'm not sure, and soon each one starts to look the same. I can't seem to differentiate between the whores that try to seduce me or the pick-pockets or the shady looking men that glare as they walk up to their latest victims. It doesn't matter, really. They're all the same poor souls on the inside, living in squalor and destitution like the rest of us.

This girl, it seems, is very different. She sits in front of me, sporting a gown that any woman in this town would faint over. She rode into this town on a steed that any man would steal. Quite literally. And the sneer she wears on her face is most obviously one of nobler stature. No poor girl would act like she does.

She stares at me, her eyes narrowed and dangerous. I almost ask her what's got her undergarments in a twist, but I think better of it. Best to not get this one fired up. I can tell it would be a bad idea. Something tells me she would less than appreciate it.

"We've been here for hours," she hisses, clutching the table. "Where is your friend that you said would surely show up?" The sarcasm in her voice makes my mouth turn upward. She'd never get away speaking like that in a noble household, though.

"Have some faith in me, won't you?" I take another sip of my wine and drum my fingers against the table.

"How can I have faith in a total stranger? I don't even know your name."

"Then make up one." There is no way in hell I'm ever telling her my name. A very select few even know my fake one. Confidentiality is a big deal in the assassination business.

"Okay, then I'll name you cherries."

She's trying to get under my skin, I know, but it's not done easily. I have an incredible amount of patience for a man from an impatient family. "Is that the best you can come up with?"

She rolls her eyes. "No, but that's what you get for right now."

"I save your life and receive the name 'cherries'? What a wonderful bond we have."

She audibly scoffs. "We—we don't have a bond. I told you I didn't need your help, and I still believe that."

"Believe whatever you want, my lady, but you know deep down they would kill you. They'd at the very least ruin your reputation."

"What do you know of my reputation, good sir?" She spats the title, and I inwardly cringe. "For all you know I could've already lost my virginity."

A smirk lines my lips. "You're lying."

"How do you know?"

"I can see it in your face. You're terrified about the idea of sex."

Her face visibly reddens. "I-I am not. You take that back."

So easily embarrassed. Maybe she is a noblewoman after all. Any village girl over the age of 16 wouldn't shy away from it, and she has to be at least 25. "Prude," I whisper.

"Damn you, cherries."

I let out a slight chuckle, and I'm immediately surprised at myself for it. I haven't laughed since… well, I don't know anymore. I lean forward and grasp both her hands, lifting her to her feet. "Okay, then. Come on."

"Where are we going?" she gasps as I pull her further into the tavern.

"You are going to prove to me you're not prude."

She gasps. "You're going to make me a prostitute? Damn you! Damn you to hell!"

I smile, pressing her back against a wall. "No, I want you to sleep with me."

Her eyes widen in realization as that common blush rises to her cheeks. "N-No. I won't do it."

"Why not?"

"B-Because I don't want to. You can't make me!"

"I'm not making you. I'm suggestively asking you."

Her embarrassed expression transforms into a sly smirk. "So you do need to kill a man for a woman to bed you."

"Not true."

"Tell you what, cherries. I'll bed you when you tell me your name."

"I don't need you to bed me, my lady. I doubt your father would like it much, anyway."

"My father is dead."

I take a step back from her and meet her eyes. "I-I'm sorry."

She shakes her head and starts walking back to our table. I follow. "It's—I'm fine. It doesn't matter anymore." She says this almost as if she's assuring herself instead of me.

You never truly let go of the people you've lost. You never quite fully recover from the loss of the people closest to you. They're always there haunting you, watching you, and sometimes even torturing you to the point of insanity.

I want to speak more about her family, but I don't pry anymore. I know firsthand how hard it can be to talk about those losses.

I sip my wine in complete and utter silence besides the loud, raucous singing of the drunk sailors sitting across from us. She doesn't drink anything aside from the faintest sip of ale. I'm still having trouble finding out who she is. I thought she was of nobility, but she can't be. But she isn't poor. It's completely puzzling. I'm quite good at reading people. What makes her so different?

I open my mouth to say something, but I'm cut off when a hand clasps my shoulder. Immediately I stiffen, my hand ripping the intruder off. I bolt to my feet and come face to face with Sir William Roscovich.

"Is that how you treat a friend, Matthew?" He speaks softly, but there's a slight edge to his voice. "I haven't you for years. You could at least give me a warmer welcome."

I snarl. "We did not part ways on good terms. You're lucky I want to speak to you after what you did."

"The woman was a whore, Matthew. You could do much better, you know."

"That's not the point," I hiss. "You betrayed me."

At this point my companion stands, her face etched with annoyance. "Enough with your juvenile games. I have had enough of it in my life, and I'm not wasting another second of my time on some teenage quarrell."

My face reddens I'm sure, but William's lips turn into a sly smirk. "You haven't introduced me to your friend, Matthew. How rude." He takes her hand presses a kiss to her knuckles. "Sir William Roscovich. I'm—"

"—the second cousin of Tsaritsa Praskovia," she answers for him. William blinks in awe. "Don't be so surprised. You weren't modest about flaunting it in Her Majesty Queen Mary's ball last year."

A smirk lines my lips as I turn to Will. "She won't tell me her name, but feel free to milk it from her."

William narrows his eyes at the girl, and she happily accepts his challenging stare. "What are you playing at?"

"I say, that's not how one should address a lady."

"You're not a lady, you're a spy."

"And you're a conniving bastard, sir."

Will turns to me. "What does she want with you, Matthew? Or should I ask, what do you want with her?"

I roll my eyes. "We both need to get to France."

"Why are you going to France, Matthew? You said you'd—"

I hold up a hand. "Not the time to discuss it, William."

"Why are you helping her, then? What has she done for you?" I can sense what Will's suggesting as his eyes rake over her body.

I grab his shoulders. "Will, I'm a grown man. I can make my own choices. What I need from you is a ship, just one big enough to cross the English Channel."

"And why should I help you?" he spats, pulling my hands off his shoulders. "We haven't talked for nearly five years, and now I receive your letter that asks me to meet you and it's about a damned ship?"

"Cut the shit, William. You know you played me. I'm just asking for what I deserve."

"Damn you, Matthew! I told you she came onto me! It wasn't my fault!"

"You still slept with her! I loved her! You know I did." I take a breath. "And that's not the point. That's not what I'm here for. I loaned you 8,000 Crowns on June 18th, 1686. If you don't give me a ship with supplies I expect all of that back with interest."

Will's face turns a vibrant red. I glance over and see my companion smirk. "I sold all my ships, but I might be able to find something." He starts backing away. "Give me an hour." With that, he runs out the tavern door.

She glances at me, her blonde hair falling out of the knot on her head, with a smirk. "That was a very sneaky move. I'm impressed. 8,000 Crowns? A little hefty don't you think? Do you really have that much?"

I sigh and sit down next to her. "It's impolite to ask that, you know."

"Since when have I ever been well-mannered?"

"I've known you for 12 hours. I don't even know your name."

"Minor details."

A small smile lines my lips. "I never loaned him money. William is easily manipulated."

Her eyes widen, impressed and almost possibly envious. "You are a sneaky ass."

"I also saved your life, so acting the tiniest bit grateful would be great."

"Oh, I know. Matthew."

I meet her eyes. "Will ruins everything, including my facade as you can see."

She giggles softly, a pleasant sound that makes me wonder why I enjoy it so much, and I suddenly wonder if I've had my fill in wine. "Call me it if you want, but I'd still prefer cherries."

She smiles into her ale. "Is that really your name?"

"Cherries? Of course."

"God, I hate you."

I shake my head. "No, you don't."

"What, because you save my life I can't hate you? You, Sir, are wildly mistaken. I've hated people for far better deeds."

I narrow my eyes, but I don't press the subject further. It's obvious in her eyes that it's a hard subject.

I start tothink Will's bailed, but I realize he'd know better. He may be stupid, but he is not an idiot. He knows I can find him, and he knows I show no one mercy.

Our drinks have long been taken away when William finally arrives. His usually sly smirk is gone as his runs into the tavern red-cheeked and weary. I internally commend myself. William may be my friend, but he still is an insufferable ass.

"I got you a ride on a cargo ship," he says, breathing heavily.

I stand up, narrowing my eyes. "Is that the best you could do?"

Will raises his hands in defense. "I swear, Matthew. I paid a hefty price for it, too."

My blonde companion stands as a viciously seductive smirk spreads across her lips. She presses a hand to his jaw. "We thank you for your service." With another flash of her teeth, she's halfway to the door.

William swallows and returns his eyes to me. "She's got a nice arse, I'll give her that."

I roll my eyes. "Don't even try it, William. She will eat you alive."

As I walk to join her, I hear Will shout, "And I will gladly oblige!"

Unfortunately, I can't give William much credit, but it's the best I know I can get for now. The barge is smelly and cramped, reeking of vomit and rotting fish, which is not pleasant to my stomach. I'm in awe when my dear companion is able to fall asleep. She must trust me some if she's able to let her guard down for so long.

I keep asking myself the reason I let her come with me. In all honesty, I have no idea. I'm usually so secretive with every aspect of my life. This is no different except for the fact she's even more so. The only solace I have is that she asks very little about my childhood, which is not something I'd particularly like to reflect upon.

"Are you sure he's here?" someone asks, their words slightly mumbled, though I recognize it easily as native to Oxford. I stand up and creep toward the doorway, drawing the hood over my face.

"Absolutely. Sir William Roscovich came and paid a great sum for me to give a 'friend' a ride to France. I recognized him immediately and sent for you as I said I would. I'd never disrespect His Highness."

My eyes widen as I internally. Damn it, they've found me.

"Very good, Frederich. You will be greatly rewarded."

I peak slightly out of the doorway and see who I recognize to be a worker of this ship and another man in uniform.

"Oh, uh, Captain Lloyd? There was another with him as well." My face pales.

"Another man?"

"No, Sir. A woman. Real scary-looking she was, I'll say. Could have killed a man with one look from her eye."

"Woman? What a woman be doing with Matthew Reed?"

"A lover perhaps?" I roll my eyes. He is quite mistaken.

Lloyd sighs. "No, Reed doesn't have lovers." Leave it to Captain Lloyd to know everything about my love life.

"Then who is she?"

"That's none of your concern, peasant," Lloyd snaps. "Go back to your station." I hear the distinct sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath. "I'm searching for a traitor."

I look around, uncertain of what to do next. I have a sword, but I'm nearly positive that even if I was able to fight this captain, at least 50 men from the fleet outside will surely come for me. With pistols.

With a steadying breath, I move toward my "lover" and press a firm hand to her mouth. Her eyes fly open, panicking for a moment until I press a finger to my lips. I lean down to her ear and whisper, "Stand up. We're in danger." She does as she's told and follows me further into the foul-smelling barge.

"What's happening?" she asks, her voice low, nearly silent.

I shake my head and gesture over to the bow of the ship. "I'll explain later. Please just trust me."

She nods her head and grabs my arm tightly. She's a good head shorter than me, but the worker was right. Her eyes could kill a man. "If you screw me over I swear to God I will end you." I have no doubt that she will.

"I won't. I swear."

"Then what do we have to do?"

I swipe a hand over my face. "Get off this ship without being seen by the naval ship next to us or the captain that's hunting us down."

She narrows her eyes. "What side is the ship on?"

"Right, why?"

She pulls me further back. "Come on." I don't question her as she pulls me. I know there's no point to, but I hope that she at least comes up with a solid plan. So far I've got nothing. Finally, she stops in front of one of the portholes. "Open it."

"Open it?" I raise an eyebrow. "Why?"

"You need to get off the ship, don't you? Then open it?"

"That won't work. We can't just climb down a ship on open water."

"This is not a good time for an argument, Matthew. Open the damn porthole." Again, I get fixed with that look, so I finally concede. I twist a few nobs and unlatch a few things until finally the porthole swings open.

The fresh air settles my stomach from the panic that's rising in my chest. I breathe it in greedily for a moment, but she pushes me aside. "Help me outside."

My eyes widen. "What? Why?"

"Just do it."

"You're crazy. What the Hell?"

She grabs my face, forcing our eyes to meet. "Help. Me. Matthew."

With a sigh, I lay one hand on her back, another on her leg. "There is no way in Hell you're fitting in that tiny porthole."

She smirks. "Maybe not in this dress." I nearly choke as she pulls a few petticoats from under her dress. Instantly her figure is slimmer, more… young. "Now try."

I grab her again, and now with only the top layer of her dress, she just fits through the porthole. I nearly shout when she drops, but when I look down I see she's only fallen into an old rowboat. I nearly laugh. "You could've told me about that before letting me put up such a fuss."

"And ruin the fun? Never."

"On a more serious note, there is no way I can fit through that porthole. I'm afraid there's no petticoats under any of this."

"Well, guess you'll have to find your own way out then." Within one second, she pulls out a dagger and cuts the ropes connecting the rowboat to the barge. She falls, leaving me to fend for myself.

"You bitch," I hiss.

"Your companion leave you, Matthew?" a voice asks from behind me.

I whip my body around and pull a sword from my sheath, meeting Captain Llloyd's eyes. "She doesn't matter to me."

"Oh, but I think she does. If she didn't you wouldn't have kept her alive for this long."

He's not wrong, I'll admit. Even if not by my hand, she'd probably be dead. "What do you want with me?"

Captain Lloyd smiles viciously, watching my every move. "I don't want you. Prince Henry wants you."

"Well, then what does Prince Henry want with me?" I can't see why any sane English royal would have any use of me. Then again, maybe the inbreeding's gone to their heads.

"I am not permitted to disclose that, Sir, but you can find it if you come with us quietly and find out."

I laugh. "That's not happening."

"Then I have no choice but to take you." Before I can blink, he charges at me, swinging his blade with such force that I stumble when I meet it. For a slim man he is quite strong. I'm able to keep up with him for a few minutes, but he starts moving in toward me. "Matthew, just give up. I have dozens of men on that ship outside. You know you're no match for them."

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Oh, but it does." He pins our swords near to my throat. "Not only will my men come in and get you, they'll also get your female companion."

"You're lying," I hiss.

"Am I?" I suddenly notice the guard at the door that watches us intently. Lloyd turns to him and says, "Retrieve the girl and bring her back to me."

"You don't want her," I say quickly. "She's… a whore and—and she'll be a bitch to everyone and—"

"You're coming with me, Matthew. Whether it's with the girl or not is your choice."

"No. No, I won't. I can't."

"Suit yourself." Arms wrap around me, effectively pinning me back. Redcoat officers drag me onto the main deck of the ship. I struggle, but I realize there's no point. I'm damned anyway.

After a few minutes of waiting, a certain blonde with wet, matted hair is dragged onto the main deck. I hear her screaming, though I don't hear exactly what she's saying until she's closer. "Let me go, you damn cockroaches! Get your hands off me!"

Captain Lloyd walks over to her, an unsettling smirk lining his face. "Yes, I think I know what to do with her. Since I have no need for a wench, perhaps I'll give her to Prince Henry as an extra gift. Along with you, Matthew, I'm sure to get my promotion."

Of fucking course. Of course ruining my life is some damned game to him. "I'm sorry," I say to my former companion, though I'm quite certain it's me she owes the apology to.

She shakes her head. "Later." And then, to my distaste, she turns to Lloyd. "You should know, Sir, that I am done with being talked about as a prize for a man."

"I'm sure you are," Lloyd replies. "You are a very spirited woman as I can see. Matthew was not wrong."

"What do you even want with him? He's not even that special." I roll my eyes and send her a pointed look.

Lloyd sighs and turns to his men. "Load them up. I need them back to London by tomorrow evening. Do you understand?"

They men affirm themselves and grab us. With both of our hands bound, it's practically useless to try and struggle, but that doesn't stop my dear companion from shouting obscene words at our captors. Not like the situation could get any worse for me.

No, that's not true. I should know by now that things will always get worse for me.

(A/N: AHHH SUCH AN INTENSE CHAPTER. I honestly forgot like half of the stuff that happened in here because it's been like two months, but oh well haha. I've gotten into more of a groove with writing again, and I'm close to being finished with chapter 11! By the way, if you're looking forward to them getting to Paris, we've got a loooong way to go ;)

Replies!

Despicable Margo: HAHA She's just a kid lol I mean, we were all kids once. Haha most chapters will have trigger warnings for swearing, but I'm not going to put one on every chapter. You could probably some more trigger warning chapters in the next few, though, haha!

TurquaTortle: Omggg he is hot. I gotta watch it now lol. You can always tempt me to watch stuff with hot guys, okay. Ikr Louis is so old now. HE'S NOT A LITTLE BABY ANYMORE NOOOO. OMG SAME OKAY I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HOW FATHER/SON IT IS BC LOUIS NEEDS FATHERLY SUPPORT IN HIS LIFE AND TRÉVILLE IS JUST WONDERFUL! Haha I love Juliet too, okay, she reminds me of myself tbh even though I was shy af at that age. HAHA same tbh. I'm a sucker for gentle men that like children. Omg Yes Aramina is the best, such a mom friend. I absolutely love her.

blueheart: Haha Juliet's name is such a coincidence actually, but it really does fit her well! Yeah, I totally agree! (not saying that's how it will end though! haha) After everything they've gone through I think they needed a break from all this love stuff.

Lasting Violet: Yep, and it suuuucks. I don't want Louis to marry some random girl but erghhh. (I may be the author, but trust me, I don't get any say in what happens.) Honestly, I love Juliet. She's sassy af and I love it. Hahaha let's just bring random kids into the palace for bonding HA I'll consider. ;)

eirinistamath: AHH Thanks! Unfortunately, I can't update more than once a week because I'll get behind, so I'll have to stay on my once-a-week schedule.

PrincessGeekelle: I knooow. Louis my bby.

Decembra1998: Ughhh I know the poor baby. Lol it wouldn't be weird. Probably. Tbh I'd just randohug him. Hahaha

Thanks for reviewing!

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