Through Dark Storms (Beneath Black Sails, #4)

by Clare Sager

“From the sea we come.”

“On the sea, we live.”

“On the sea, we die.”

“To the sea, we return.”

She wasn’t on the list. She wasn’t lost, just temporarily misplaced. They would find her. He would find her. He had to. He’d promised it.

I’ll always come for you.

Because if she was gone, that was his fault. And he’d borne a lot of things in his life, done more than his share of wrong and carried the guilt of it, but this? Losing Vee because he’d left her at the top of that tower? Unbearable. Unforgivable.

“I think she might be dead,” he whispered like that might make it less true, “and if she is, I’ll never get to tell her how I… how I…”

“I love her.”

“I love her. And I let her stay in all that.”

“And now I’ll never be able to tell her or hold her or…” Talk to her. Listen to her. Walk with her. Work with her. Laugh with her. Touch her. Kiss her.

Link their magic and their very lives.

One with light. The tip of the kraken’s tentacle touched a silvery line that traced across their body. As waves of lighter and darker red flowed through their flesh, that line remained pale. A scar? One this one knows.

It rose in her like a tide, all comforting golden warmth. She loved him.

“I already am broken.”

“Vee. Vice?” He shook her. No response. “Avice?”

“I need you to wake up now.” His voice cracked as he stroked her cheek. “Please?”

Come on, you’ve got something. I know you have.

Please. I need you to help me find her.

Borikén Port

PUERTO RICO IN THE HOUSEEEEEEEE

“It’s my pin. We just need to place it on the map. We had the answer all along.”

“Even if I have to wait weeks, months… years, Knighton Blackwood, we’re doing this together.”

“You… you’ll always have pieces of him in your memories. And the way you feel for him—nothing can take that away. Not grief, not loss. Nothing.”

“I can’t hand my heart over when there’s every chance it might get destroyed. If he doesn’t wake…”

“A ship is safe at shore, but that’s not what ships are built for. Your heart is the same.”

“You’re alive, awake.” A breath shook through him as his gaze skimmed over her. “And you look so well.”

“How did I know he was the one for me?” She shook her head, eyes hot. “After everything, how can he not be?”

“Ready for your adoring fans?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth. “Ready to toss you overboard if you keep that up.” “Now, now, is that any way to speak to your host?” Vice grunted and gave him a sidelong look. “You’re a crap host: I’m still waiting on my canapés.”

Something tugged on her heart. Not something for words. A knowing. A feeling, like the sea beneath the Venatrix’s hull or knowing where her hand was in relation to her face even in the dark. It was something like spring after a long winter. Something like hope or respair. Something like home.

A voice that for weeks she’d only heard in the murk of her dreams and had lost by the time the sun rose. A voice that made her heart leap into her throat. A voice that was like spring, hope, respair, home—all those things and so many more.

Knigh Blackwood.

Vice fought a smile as fierce, hot pride bloomed in her chest. Good gods, she loved him.

This was home on sea or land. Whatever Sanctuary ended up being, she would always have a place here.

And most of all, the way he consumed her like she was air and he was a man drowning.

The kiss was everything, always, trembling through her limbs, leaving her breathless, until at last they pulled apart, just far enough to gasp for air.

“I think you might’ve tipped our hand. They’re going to know I definitely want to get in your breeches now.”

“I am gladly your subject in all things, my Pirate Queen, but let me have this.”

“Vice.”

“Queen of Pirates, Queen of My Heart, the best bounty I ever chased, the most infuriating woman I’ve ever known”—the corner of his mouth quirked—“the most wonderful, too…” His chest rose and fell under her hands. “I love you.”

He felt the same. He… “Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“That’s a remarkable coincidence, you know. I was going to say the same.” One eyebrow rose. “I’m queen of your heart?” She laughed and swatted at his chest. “You know that’s not what I meant.” “Then?” He grinned and it was the brightest thing she’d ever seen. “I want to hear you say it.”

“Even on that island, I wasn’t alone. I could feel you here still.”

“Even when I thought it was over, that was my little spark of comfort. And you came.”

“I don’t want to push you away. I don’t want to pretend I don’t feel what I feel. I’m done with all that. I don’t want anyone else, just you. Only you. Always you. I love you, Knigh Blackwood.”

“I love you.”

“I love you,”

“Right. Yes. The vote. Come on, you”—she stroked Knigh’s shoulder, still held in place against him—“let’s get home.” His fingertips stroked her waist before he loosened his grip. “I already am.”

When all he wanted was to be alone with Vee, to marvel at the fact he loved her and she loved him, and they were together at long fucking last.

That certainly wasn’t going to make any difference to his ability to make love and make her scream.