Pirate's Witch

by Jessamine Rue

“I think you’re exactly what you want to be,” Kylar says, prowling along the bars between our cells. “And yes—you’re a beautiful little whore.”

“A woman empowered is a beautiful thing. One to be worshiped, not feared.”

She isn’t only soft, after all—she has edges, and shadows, and pain. One of us is going to die, and I revel in the beautifully gruesome tragedy of it. Fate is a whore for pain.

The six of you existed just fine without me before—you’ll survive without me again. And I can die happy, knowing you’ll be alive and free and in love with each other, even though I’m gone.” “You’d really give yourself for us?” he says, low. “It would be my greatest joy.” My whisper is intense, my face tipped up to his, my lips grazing his mouth. “I’ve not done much to be proud of in my life, but freeing you—that would be something worthwhile.”

He strikes the wheel with his palm, so sharply that I jump. “Belay that! I won’t allow it.” He snatches back his hat. “We’re taking you to a safe port where you can begin a new life. We have more than enough treasure in the hold for you to become anyone you’d like to be.” “All I want to be is a pirate’s witch.” I take his hand in mine.