Chapter 2- The Pirate
ARWEN POV
The moment her body hit the sand, the winds stilled.
Not completely. Just enough for me to feel it...that ripple through the ley lines, the air magic prickling like lightning in my skin. The sea didn't crash, it bowed. The storm that had been brewing offshore stuttered mid growl.
She was here. I had no idea who she was, but she was here. It felt right, down to my bones. I hadn't felt this good since I escaped my disgusting families royal prison.
I leapt from the ship before the crew could even toss the ropes. My boots hit the sand with a thud, my shadow stretching long beneath the setting sun. She lay sprawled at the water's edge, a mess of blood and glitter and raw fucking divinity. Was she a Goddess? An actual goddess!? Curled in a mortal frame and barely breathing.
And all I could think was, She's so fucking small. My heart beat in my throat rapidly and my blood hummed with something ancient as I felt the pull to her like a damn magnet.
Small, and yet the power rolling off her was unlike anything I'd ever felt. Like the moon had cracked open and spat her out on the sand just for me.
I didn't expect to feel it. The pull. That bond.
But gods damn it, my heart clenched the moment I saw her. Even with her cheek in the sand and her ribs shifting weird like she might've cracked a few in the landing… she was mine. I blew out a ragged breath as I ran my hands through my wild black hair.
I approached slow, hands up, heart hammering. "Easy," I whispered, more to myself than her.
The woodland creatures flanked her like guards. A ferret bared its tiny fangs. The fox bristled and shimmered with magic. The pigeon? It glared. At me. Like it was deciding whether I was worthy.
"Of course she has a fucking magical entourage," I muttered.
I knelt beside her, brushing the sand from her cheek. Her skin glowed faintly under my fingers, like moonlight wrapped in rage. I could feel her power trying to stitch her back together already.
The bond whispered again, warm and ancient. "Fuck me…" I breathed. "What the fuck is happening?"
I gathered her gently in my arms, lifting her with as much reverence as I would a holy relic. She groaned once, her body tense even in sleep. Ready to fight even in unconsciousness.
"Don't worry, love," I murmured. "I'll kill anyone who tries to hurt you." I meant every word. I would protect this woman until my dying breath. My resolve steeled inside me. Nothing would touch her.
As I turned back toward the ship, the creatures followed. All of them. The jellyfish hovered beside me like a judgmental balloon. The fox pressed against my leg. The damn pigeon took perch on my shoulder like I'd been promoted to celestial Uber.
"My ship's gonna reek," I muttered, shaking my head and grinning like a mad man. I already knew I would tolerate anything just to be next to this woman. A couple creatures were nothing.
I carried her onto the ship and straight to my quarters, barking orders at my crew with one eye and one goal: get this goddess warm, safe, and alive. The crew all stared at me like I'd gone mad, but I didn't care.
Later in my private quarters after I had creepily watched her sleep for hours.
She woke up with a scream. Not a pretty one. Not a polite little gasp like the pampered nobles I'd once grown up around. Nope, she came awake like a goddamn battle cry.
She surged up in my bed, eyes wild, hair a halo of tangled fire, fists clenched like she was ready to rip someone's throat out with her teeth.
I was already beside her, crouched low and hands raised. "Easy, kitten," I said softly, keeping my voice calm. "You're safe."
She didn't believe me. I saw it in the way she scanned the room, how she clocked the door, the dagger on the wall, the fucking parrot outside the porthole. Tactical. Trained.
A fighter. I nodded my head in admiration. This woman had been trained and would be an asset.
"You fucking touch me and I'll rip your goddamn spine out through your dick," she snapped, eyes wild and fists clenched and glowing.
Gods, her voice. Like smoke and honey. I grinned before I could stop myself. "Noted. But you'd have to buy me dinner first."
Her eyes narrowed. "Who are you? Where the hell am I?"
"Name's Arwen. This is my ship. You crash landed on a cursed beach in the middle of nowhere, and I'm the sexy bastard who dragged your half dead ass out of the surf before the magic scavengers could pick your bones clean."
She didn't relax. But she blinked those giant, gorgeous brown eyes. Once. Twice. Then whispered, "The creatures?"
"All fine. Sleeping on my damn rug and shedding magical bullshit everywhere."
She exhaled, barely. But it was there. The smallest, tiniest fracture in her terror. I watched her like I might watch a wild animal, because that's what she was. Wild. Wounded. Divine.
She smiled, the tiniest hint of a smile. Full lips slightly turned up as her eyes sparkled. She said softly, "I'm Rhiannan...." And then her pretty brow furrowed tightly. She looked up at me in fear, "I don't remember anything else!"
I moved towards her and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, she tensed slightly, looking at me in confusion. I could tell she was feeling the pull of the bond and had no idea what it meant.
"Rest now," I said, offering her a waterskin. "I'll explain everything when you're ready."
She didn't take it. But she didn't throw it either.
Which was progress.
Rhiannan POV
I woke up somewhere between "what the actual fuck" and "I will burn this entire floating wooden monstrosity to the sea floor."
The sheets were soft. The air smelled like salt and cedarwood. My body ached like I'd been hit by a lightning bolt, and judging by the burn marks on my soles, maybe I had. I sat up with a groan, my hair a tangled, wind kissed disaster. My skin was kissed by magic and sun, and I was...not dead. Not exactly thrilled, either. I tested all my limbs and was surprised to see all my scratches had been healed. Hmm. Maybe having magic wasn't so bad.
The ship creaked beneath me, and I realized I was moving...on water.
"Awesome," I muttered. "Abducted and on a boat. This just keeps getting better."
The magical creatures that had saved my ass were curled around me like a security system. The fat pigeon cooed threateningly as I stood. The fox thing bared its tiny fangs. The orange ferret on the pillow? Judged me silently. I didn't ask for an enchanted petting zoo, but apparently they were ride or die now.
I stumbled out into the hallway and was greeted by polished wood, golden lanterns, and the scent of cooking fish. My stomach growled like a demon as my nostrils flared, sucking in the delicious scent. Food first. Questions later. Murder much, much later.
I made it to the kitchen without stabbing anyone, which I considered a win, and eyed my surroundings with caution, noting all weapons and exits within seconds. My training would definitely come in handy here. I gasped softly as a few memories floated through my brain. My previous life. Earth. Growing up, the war. I grabbed my head and blinked furiously as tears fell down my cheeks.
I took a deep breath and settled myself. At least I had a little more information on who the fuck I was.
The kitchen was a cozy chaos, smoked fish, freshly baked bread, some kind of fruit that sparkled like it had opinions. I grabbed a plate, muttered, "Don't judge me," to the magical creatures trailing me, and stuffed a roll in my mouth like a starved goblin.
The cook was a broad shouldered fae with horns and a permanent scowl, and he raised an eyebrow. I raised mine in return as I inspected him closely. I had never seen anyone with horns. It seemed this world was full of creatures I had never seen before. Where the hell was I?
"You one of his?" he grunted as he deftly sliced vegetables and they flew into a pot on their own.
"One of who's?" I snapped through a mouthful of buttered roll.
"The Captain," he said, jerking his chin toward the deck. "Arwen. Saved your skinny ass."
Skinny ass? I nearly choked, eyes narrowing as I retorted hotly.
"Oh, trust me, buddy," I said, pointing at him with a knife. "The only thing he saved was his own conscience."
The fae snorted. "Aye, you've got teeth. He'll like that."
I didn't respond. I just kept eating while my brain did somersaults. Captain Arwen. The name scraped against something deep in my chest. A flicker of...something. Not memory, exactly. More like instinct. I didn't know him. Not really. But I felt something. A pull. A tether I hadn't asked for. I growled to myself. Just what I needed.
After stuffing my face and stealing a few magical fruits for later, I wandered up to the main deck. That's where I saw him.
Standing at the helm like he owned the stars, Arwen looked like the kind of bastard poets wrote about. Black leather. Wind in his wild dark hair. Golden muscles that almost looked fake. No denying it. The man was sexy sin brought to life, and the reaction it caused in me was not one I was pleased with. The sun caught the glint of his eyepatch and the gold at his throat. His aura screamed predator, but not the kind that wanted to harm me.
No, he was the kind that wanted to protect me.
Which was infuriating. I could protect myself thank you very damn much. I turned away from him with effort and began to explore. May as well familiarize myself with my new surroundings.
As I walked the deck, sailors gave me curious glances. A few offered smiles or subtle nods. Whispers drifted.
"She doesn't remember anything, poor thing."
"She fell from the sky."
"They say the Captain broke a blood oath to rescue her."
I growled low in my throat. "I can hear you, you know." Nothing infuriated me more than folks talking about me while I was right there. I glared at them all, daring anyone to challenge me.
There was only silence. I nodded approvingly. I still had it bitches.
I leaned on the railing, watching the sea. It was almost too much. Very little memory. No clue what the hell I was really, just flashes and bits. No idea where my team was, or if they even existed anymore. And this...bond? That electric thread humming between me and the sexy pirate Captain? I wanted to rip it out and examine it under a microscope.
Instead, I dug my fingers into the wood. I wanted the rest of my memories. I wanted answers. I wanted to scream. Instead, I whispered to the wind, "Who the fuck am I? Why the fuck am I here!?"
Behind me, the creatures pressed close, offer
ing silent support. I patted them all softly, thankful for the comfort. The only thing I knew for sure?
Whatever this was...it wasn't the end.
It was just the beginning.