Through Dark Storms (Beneath Black Sails, #4)

by Clare Sager

Explosive energy that burned through the rot, shrieking, scorching. It obliterated any hint of yellow, any brokenness, any weakness, any thought, any direction, any her, any him, any… any… anything… Everything.

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.

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

“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.”

Knigh shook his head. “Thirty minutes.” “Twenty will do.” Her voice came out breathy. “No”—he squeezed her hand—“I definitely need thirty.” He wanted to make her cry out his name as many times as possible. “At least.”

“A compass rose over my heart.” He traced her fingertip over its black lines. “A key for my north.” He touched her finger to the tiny key at the north point, then kissed her palm and held it up. Light from the stern window silvered her padlock-shaped scar. “It’s a promise in ink and blood that I’ll always come back to you.”

got this to remind myself of hope, of respair, of all I would do to get back to you. No sea too wide. No cost too high. No risk too great.”

“You’re evil.” His eyes lit up. “Only to you. Only for you.”

She reminded us to temper intellect with kindness, to marry firmness with fairness, and to always, always sing.”

Can’t I just keep you to myself forever, away from everyone and anything that might hurt you?”

“I was wrong about Father and about Mercia. But I’m not wrong about you.” The intensity in his eyes held her still, but her heart thudded, solid and loud. “I have faith in you, Vee.”

am more than happy to submit to you in any way you wish. I am yours, whatever you wear, however ladylike you do or do not wish to be, whatever ‘wifely duties’ you wish to perform or to ask of me.” His grip tightened. “When I become your husband, I promise I’ll still be the same man I am now.”