Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

AUGUST 29TH, 1666

F ox was hatching a plan to kidnap Ga?l. First he would need a chicken…

He let half his brain wander into increasingly convoluted plans as he counted supplies and called the numbers back to Henri, who jotted tally marks down in the small notebook Robin had given them. When Robin had initially handed the notebook to Fox—seemingly forgetting that not everyone had the benefit of education—Fox had stared at it for a few seconds before informing Robin that he was, in fact, illiterate. Robin had apologized profusely, then set about drawing miniature pictures next to each word so Fox could decipher them. Ultimately though, it was Henri who could read, and Fox who could walk, so they'd teamed up to complete the inventory of the infirmary storeroom.

Fox licked his lips as he replaced the vials of some strange, green liquid back on their shelf. He called the number over his shoulder, to be met with the scratching of pen on paper as Henri recorded it. It had been a few days since Fox had run into Cyrus at the tavern, and the interaction still left a sour taste in his mouth. Since then, Cyrus had a bad habit of popping up wherever Fox was. Usually he wouldn't have even noticed. But Henri's warning and Cyrus's words about the future had been nagging at the corners of his mind.

As romantic as being star-crossed lovers on rival pirate ships sounded in theory, Fox didn't want to be apart from Ga?l. How would Ga?l keep his promise to stay together if the Siren Song and Kraken's Fury would be parting ways before long? Usually pirates could come and go from their crews as they pleased. But Fox didn't think the Deep Water Demon was that easygoing.

Hence the kidnapping.

Fox brought a vial of the next thing for Henri to read, only half paying attention. He, Henri, and Ga?l had been assigned to help Robin take inventory and restock the Siren 's medical supplies for their inevitable departure. Old Joe had decided to stay on the island and retire in luxury. That left the Siren without a physician and the Kraken with more than they needed; besides Robin, that greedy bastard Demon had two whole extra doctors waiting in the wings. Fox suspected Robin would be coming with them when the time came. But nothing was official yet. He wasn't sure why he of all people had been assigned to this particular job. He suspected that Logan was just trying to keep them all busy and out of each other's pants.

"I'm going to see if Robin and Ga?l need any help," Fox told Henri as he handed the vial back. "This is the last of it, and there are three vials." Henri nodded, recording the last of the numbers, then picked up a basket beside the low stool he sat on and began rolling bandages.

Fox left the infirmary and made his way down the narrow corridor that would lead him up to the deck where Ga?l and Robin were unloading supplies from the landing boat.

"Not long now."

Fox cursed silently as Cyrus loomed out of an open doorway. Fox was really getting sick of seeing his stupid, gloomy face.

Fox didn't respond. He tried to slip past, but Cyrus's arm shot out to block his path.

"What do you want, Cyrus?" Fox asked, not looking at his ex-fling's face. He was done playing nice. Fox wasn't a patient man, and Cyrus had already spent any goodwill Fox might have still held for him.

Cyrus smirked. How had Fox ever thought he was attractive? His expressions were so sour, and he was a selfish lover to boot. Fox supposed it had something to do with being stuck at sea for months on end .

"I want to fuck you," Cyrus said. "I would have thought that was obvious."

"And I thought I made it clear that won't be happening. So I guess we're both bad listeners," Fox snapped. He tried to push past Cyrus's blockade again, but Cyrus stepped further into the bubble of Fox's personal space, grabbing his forearm in a bruising grip.

And not the kind of bruising Fox liked to engage in on occasion, as a treat.

No. This was the kind with a real threat of violence behind it.

"You're just a little slut at heart, Fox. A few days without that arrogant bastard once we leave, and you'll be begging me to fuck you."

"Let go," Fox said through gritted teeth.

"Or what?" Cyrus sneered.

"Or you'll have to deal with me."

They both turned at the sound of Ga?l's menacing voice. Neither had heard him come down the stairs, but he seemed to have heard a great deal of their conversation. His sharp face was set in a scowl, eyes glittering in the low light. A tiger waiting to strike.

"Two against one's no fair," Cyrus joked, releasing Fox's arm. He pushed past Fox, closer than Fox liked.

"Next time your guard dog won't be here," he whispered before disappearing into the bowels of the ship.

Ga?l's expression changed from murderous to concerned as soon as Cyrus was out of sight.

"Are you okay?" Even his voice was different. Gentle. He brushed his hand down the arm Cyrus had grabbed.

"I'm fine," Fox sighed. In the moment, he'd been more annoyed than frightened, but Cyrus's parting words made his chest constrict with anxiety.

Ga?l's gaze swept over him, seeking evidence of his words.

"Who was that?" he finally asked.

"Cyrus, one of the Siren 's gunners."

"What happened?"

Fox had tried to keep this under wraps. To him, the confrontation in the tavern hadn't been a big deal. But this was. He'd had people obsessed with him before. He'd even had people fight over him. He'd never let it affect him much.

This time it was different. Cyrus had all but threatened him, and even Fox's easygoing nature couldn't push that aside. Fox didn't want Ga?l to worry about him or get jealous. And despite the deep love he had for Ga?l, they'd only been together for a few weeks after six years apart. He didn't know whether Ga?l was the jealous type, but judging by the fierce expression he'd worn when Cyrus's hands were on Fox, Ga?l was the type to jump in and defend his lover even at the price of his own safety.

Fox didn't want that. He wanted Ga?l to be happy and safe. Fox could handle it as he always had before. He was used to it. It was just an old hookup who was unable to move on. But eventually they did all move on. He just wanted to focus on the here and now, on Ga?l.

"It's nothing," Fox said nonchalantly. As he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear his sleeve slipped up to his elbow, revealing a red mark where Cyrus had grabbed him.

A muscle in Ga?l's jaw twitched. His eyebrows drew together in worry, the exact thing Fox wanted to avoid.

"This is not nothing," Ga?l said, and Fox could tell he was trying very hard to keep his tone calm. To not touch Fox and check that he was okay. "Please tell me what this is about."

Not telling Ga?l about the first argument was one thing. But lying when asked a direct question was another. Fox couldn't lie to him.

He sighed, taking the tie out of his hair and running his fingers restlessly through the strands.

"He's been giving me a hard time the past few days." That was an understatement. Fox's arm hurt but not too badly.

"Your ex?" Ga?l asked.

"I don't have any exes."

"What? I thought you said you'd slept with?—"

" Slept with ," Fox emphasized. "I've never been in an actual relationship before. That's not fun. Well, besides you, Ga?l," He flashed Ga?l a dazzling smile, trying to make him feel better. "You're very fun."

Ga?l's stormy expression cleared just a little.

"So not an ex but…"

"A…friend with benefits?" Fox squinted, contemplating whether that was the right terminology. "Fling? That sort of thing."

"And he wants you back?" Ga?l asked leadingly .

"That's the gist of it. Though he never really had me to begin with, so I don't know what his problem is."

Fox's nonchalant attitude seemed to be slowly smoothing Ga?l's ruffled feathers.

"Anyone would be crazy not to want you Fox."

"Well that's very flattering, but he's being a bit of a dick about it."

"Does it hurt?" Ga?l moved closer, pushing Fox's sleeve up and looking at the irritated finger marks that were probably going to bruise. Ga?l scowled.

"It's not too bad," Fox mumbled. "I've had worse."

Ga?l's head snapped up.

"What?"

Shit. He shouldn't have said that.

"Really, it's fine," Fox placated him. "I think you scared him off."

He could tell that Ga?l was trying very hard not to be jealous. Or to storm after Cyrus right now and beat some sense into him. He cupped Ga?l's face between his hands.

"You don't have to worry about him. I'm yours, and he can't do anything about that. What matters now is the future, not the past."

"The future." Ga?l's thumb rubbed over Fox's skin. "I have something to tell you about our future."

Fox tensed. This was what he'd been planning for. The topic that had been perpetually on his mind. How would Ga?l fulfill his promise that they would stay together?

"I asked the captain to release me from duty on the Kraken ."

Fox sucked in a sharp breath. When they'd reunited, he'd asked Ga?l if he would betray his captain for him. But somehow he hadn't expected Ga?l to actually leave the Kraken .

"What did he say?"

A small smile twitched Ga?l's lips.

"He said yes."

"What? Really?" Fox hadn't expected the Demon to give up without a fight. That's where the chicken would have come into the equation.

"Well really what he said was that he doesn't have time for lovestruck fools."

Fox snorted. "He's one to talk."

"I don't think he sees it that way." Ga?l removed Fox's hands from his cheeks, holding them in between both of his. "So I'm free to join you on the Siren , if you'll have me."

"You mean if Rowan will have you," Fox corrected. "I've already made my decision, but he's the captain."

"As if he can say no to you."

"No one can," Fox joked.

Ga?l ran his hand down the sore spot on Fox's arm, and the mood sobered.

"I just want to protect you," Ga?l murmured. He searched Fox's face. "I want to make up for all your hurt."

Fox heard the words he left unsaid. I want to make up for how I hurt you .

Deep in his chest, Fox's heart cracked a little, but was instantly mended when Ga?l pressed a quick kiss to the inside of his wrist.

"You don't have to protect me. Just love me."