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Ainsley’s sharp intake of breath paused my story. “He couldn’t have agreed to that. Taron. Or your father.” A shadow fell over her face.
“They did. Eagerly. So, I left with Gretta. My anger fueled my behavior to the point that I caused many fights within their ranks. I’d come out bloodied, however, still swinging. Gretta found it enticing and moved me to her side so she could torture me. Send me off on missions raiding and looting—unable to stop them—because if I did, my brother would be killed. The pair decided—in their infinite wisdom—that they wished me to become a bounty hunter for their enemies—good people—hardworking, decent, loyal people.” I squeezed the railing once more before pushing off and rubbing the back of my shoulders to work out the tension growing at reliving part of my history I loathed.
“I helped as many people as I could, when I could, but ultimately forces led in my name were feared and did enough damage to disgrace the memory of my part in the Royal family and prevent me from ever returning home again.” I had long ago shed the guilt and frustration. Family was family, and regardless, whether they were deserving of my aid or not, Talon was my brother. I would certainly do it all again.
“Killian.” Ainsley grasped my hand in her own.
“I escaped her, and they let me go—the bastards had already exacted the destruction they’d sought to achieve. So yes, I was royalty—a prince. But I no longer have ties back home, no ties to the Royal Navy, only vengeance—to see Bash and Gretta destroyed—that has yet to come to pass.”
The ship bumped and rattled, hitting a feisty cloud, and Ainsley pressed into me. I stroked her hair and tilted up her chin, trying my best to give her a smile.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
I wrapped my arms around her. “It’s in the past, love.”
“It doesn’t make it okay.” The emotion in her eyes nearly drowned me.
Leaning down, I captured her lips with mine, exploring more of her than I should have standing in the middle of my ship. Her mouth parted, letting me lead as my tongue rolled over hers. Ainsley’s soft moan ignited a voracious hunger inside of me, and I gripped her closer, moving across the deck to find something to lean against so I could ravish her the way in which she deserved.
She drew away, and I pressed my lips along her jawline before trailing feather-light kisses down her neck. Ainsley curled her fingers into my shirt and leaned her head against the mast I’d practically carried her to. Our bodies flush together, we fit perfectly.
“Killian.” Her breathy moan immediately snapped my thoughts to her face.
I brought my forehead to hers and stopped ravishing the woman. Hell, I’d been planning to right here on the bloody deck of my ship.
I couldn’t, however.
Not now.
Ainsley was different, and I could restrain myself for a short while to ensure that our relationship was built on more than a lust-fueled adventure.
“Too fast?” I smirked, concealing my sincere motives for slowing down from the beautiful, blushing woman before me. Ah, that lovely shade of pink I so adored. Her demeanor, the way she moved, her spitfire nature, and most of all, her pure heart made it incredibly difficult to be a true gentleman.
Ainsley frowned and nervously bit her lip. I could practically feel the self-doubt crashing into me as she tensed in my arms.
With a quick movement, I clutched her face in my hands and kissed her with what I hoped would dispel that nervousness. When I drew away, I grinned. “I figured giving my crew a show, while enticing, may not be what you’d prefer.”
Relief flooded her features, and I’d been correct in concluding she was one who would assume the worst.
Ainsley cleared her throat, patting down her handmade attire. It appeared much different than when she’d confidently taken the deck of the Phantom Saber.
“We’ll need to obtain more garments for you if we’re to be traipsing around the continent, doing—” I paused, suddenly keenly aware that I had no idea what we’d be accomplishing on this journey, or why we were heading into Highvein in general. “Doing heaven knows what. What is the plan, mi’lady?”
Ainsley worried her bottom lip and scratched the side of her head, looking everywhere except in my direct vicinity.
“I’m, well—” The woman fiddled with her hands, winding them around one another until something seemed to snap into place within her gaze, and all fidgeting ceased. She lifted her chin toward me, a newfound courage about her. “I will tell you when we arrive.”
Before she could say anything further, the wind shifted. Distant screams drifted toward us like a ghastly melody.
I craned my neck, searching for Rek, who had taken the helm for the voyage. He was on the bridge, standing near the starboard side of the ship, and the first to regard what the rest of us would witness momentarily.
White clouds had been replaced with darkness. Ashes were floating alongside the black clouds, dispelling the beauty here.
“Highvein.” I rubbed my temples as I muttered under my breath.
Rek’s voice rang out, drawing the attention of the rest of the crew with it. “There’ll have to be a change of plans, little lady.”
Ainsley narrowed her eyes before running to the bow of the ship to stand by Rek.
I heard her gasp before I saw the carnage with my own eyes.
Rek cursed under his breath. “Highvein’s burnin’. The city is on fire.” Another scream from below accented his dark statement. “Even if we wanted to help, we’re stuck without a place to land.”
