Thane DrogosFirst stop: Rapier Port.Where would a pirate who just came into a shitton of money go? Men like Charles Burmingham were predictable. Deplorable. He would go to the largest pirate colony, brag about defeating me and my crew, and then fuck his way through an entire brothel.While we were en route, Sam spent the entire time hunched over the side of the ship, hurling her guts out while Rio rubbed her back. Gunner had taken up the role of first mate while Desmond recovered. Bells waited on Des hand and foot, doing everything in her power to help him heal. We still didn't know if he'd walk, but we'd cross that bridge when we got there. Doc was optimistic though, but that didn't hold much leverage in the mouth of a drunk.One-Eye's husband was a miracle worker when it came to farming. Even in scorched dirt, he manages to get seedlings to form. Hope. Seedlings gave us hope for a future at safehold. My mother stood beside me, excited almost. As if she couldn't

Thane DrogosSeeing Evelyn again, after an excruciating month, felt like coming up for air. I had been dragged beneath the waves, smothered in darkness and icy water, fighting my way back up to the surface. Then I saw her.In a white dress that didn't suit her at all, a shawl over her shoulders, hiding all of her skin. Her face was hidden from me behind her veil. She marched down the aisle to a man that wasn't me. A man that didn't deserve her. Richard wore a crown atop his head, but it wasn't lost on me how hard he gripped Evie's arm like she would run at the first chance she got.My fingers played the keys, but my eyes wouldn't leave her. Her shoulders were set back, chin held high as if she walked toward the gallows. Pure resignation. She accepted her fate. But she wasn't broken. In an act of defiance, she shed her shawl, revealing her scars, the mauve claw marks from the siren attack. The dress dipped down in front, showing off the freckles sprinkled across her collarbone. The

Thane DrogosAfter catching up with the ship, I emerged from the water, shifting, the dragon returning to its place right under my skin. Evie stared up at me, no longer afraid, but fascinated. Life had come back into Evelyn's face. Her adoration for me was clear all over her face.Finally, I felt whole again. That Evelyn-shaped cavern in my chest vanished. I dressed in my cabin, eager to get back to Evie. I think she'd enjoy some of the changes I made in my cabin for her to make it our cabin.I met Evie on the upper deck, looping my arm around her waist while she engaged in friendly conversation with Rio, a cup of bourbon in her hand. Celebratory drinks.We joined other crewmen in joyous conversation. The crew seemed as satisfied as I felt. Justice had been served. Both Robert and Charles paid the price for their sins.It wasn't over.Not by a long shot, but I'd take the victory before planning the next move. This time against Richard and Beatrice Stanton. Rio left

Thane DrogosEvie swiped her blunted cutlass at me, meeting me strike for strike when we sparred right outside our cabana. The sand between our toes. Glimmering waves crashed against the coast behind her.Her blouse dipped past her collarbone, revealing the valley of her breasts where a tri-claw scar marred her skin. I hardly thought of it as a flaw, only a reminder of her courage. Despite how small and delicate she might seem, she was fearless. A warrior honing her skills.The sun lowered in the sky, just over the horizon, casting her in a warm orange light.Without sunlight, we couldn't train much longer, but that didn't slow Evie down. She was becoming quite adept with a sword, confident enough to deflect my attacks and react with a carefully timed counterattack.We had arrived back in safehold about a week ago. Everyone welcomed Evie back with open arms. Even Desmond, who wasn't bedbound anymore even if he did have to use a wheelchair. He could wiggle his toes, but ove

Evie StantonThane eyed me intensely as I signed the marriage certificate. Desmond sat next to me, signing as our witness while Katarina prepared the paperwork and officiated to make it legally binding.I knew my parents would refute it, so we had to do everything possible to make it iron-tight. I passed Thane my quill for him to sign next to my signature. "Are you sure you don't want a traditional wedding?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.He already knew my answer. "Honestly, fuck weddings," I grumbled.Thane made a throaty noise, eyes flickering with amusement. "White dresses never suited you anyways," he agreed cheekily. Desmond wheeled out from under the desk. "I still wish I could've been there. Sounded like a good time.""You always did love a little chaos," Thane retorted.At his statement, Des grinned. Katarina, on the other hand, didn't share the same lightheartedness. She had opted to go with us back to Avalon. It couldn't be easy, but she wa