Cassian gripped Marina’s hand, desperate to give her some kind of reassurance. He could tell from the way her eyes slowly dilated and her palm felt clammy, she was worried. 

She’s trying to hide, but she’s failing so badly it’s almost funny. 

Lanterns and candles cast dim flickers around the captain’s cabin. Deep greens and blues colored the walls in sea story tapestries. A stained-glass window made rainbows dance across the floor. Cassian led Marina in and helped her into a seat in front of the detailed, sturdy captain’s desk that was already laden with a feast. 

“It’ll be okay. You won’t have to perform any favors,” Cassian whispered as he sat. A look on her face told him she didn’t believe him. 

Damn that bastard, Lucian! I look forward to the day my sword meets his heart. His rage, hatred, and need for revenge boiled up from the depths of his soul. A fist clenched at his side. I will punish Lucian for all his crimes. That isn’t a promise. It’s a threat.  

Captain Aquilla walked in, and Marina tensed up. A blind man could see her reaction. Even though she was skilled at hiding her feelings, her facade didn’t fool him. He put his rage aside for now. There would be time later. Right now, she was all that mattered. 

“Marina, pleasure to meet you.” Captain Aquilla’s resonant baritone prompted Cassian to sit up straighter. He motioned for them to eat. 

It had the opposite effect on Marina, though. She sank to her knees in front of him, but his weathered hands guided her into a chair with a look of amused horror. Cassian’s jaw dropped as he realized what she was about to do. 

“I don’t know what my son has told you, but I trust he’s said you’re safe here,” Captain Aquilla said with a slight twinkle in his bright green eyes.  

Marina’s mouth gaped as she sat. “You never told me Captain Henry Aquilla was your father!” Marina slapped Cassian’s shoulder in what he could only explain as mock anger. 

Cassian just laughed and shrugged. “Can’t blame me if a letter gets lost at sea.” He dodged another swing from Marina. Then he saw her glare and instantly sobered. “Okay, so maybe I didn’t. I’m sorry, darlin’.” Cassian said, putting his hands up in surrender and flashing a boyish smile designed to melt through her anger. It wasn’t as if he intentionally kept it from her; he honestly thought he had mentioned it in a letter or two. 

Captain Aquilla just laughed at the pair as he sat down and poured wine from the decanter. “Eat, both of you.” He himself helped himself to food. 

Cassian followed suit,  taking bits of salted pork. Marina hesitated. Leaning over, he gave her a slight nudge from his shoulder to urge her to take what she wanted. 

“Now, we have some things to discuss. First, we’re goin’ after Neptune’s Fortune.” Captain Aquilla said. Cassian’s eyes glinted with the promise that the treasure would bring. 

Marina gasped, dropping grapes to the floor. They rolled around as the ship rocked on the waves. “Neptune’s Fortune’s a myth,” Marina whispered. 

Flickering light made the grin on Captain Aquilla’s face seem sharp and mysterious. “Nay.” He leaned forward to catch her gaze. “I thought so at first, but I learned that Port Victoria might be a good place to start.” 

Cassian nodded in agreement as he leaned back into his chair. “If there were to be information, it’ll be there,” he said, chewing a bit of meat. “It’ll be nice to see Port Victoria again,” Marina said between bites.  “You really think people will know about the jewel?” 

“Aye, darlin’. A treasure such as Neptune’s Fortune has many tales and rumors swirling about it. I’m sure we’ll find something,” Cassian said.  

Captain Aquilla nodded. “Of course, there’s some that say it’s magical. That only those of Neptune’s line could find it.”   

Cassian snorted in disbelief. “Neptune’s line? Really?”  He’d heard the port rumors about Neptune’s mortal heirs, but he never put much stock in the cries of drunk men. 

“I’ll drink to that boy. Tis the fancy of many pirates to be king of the seas. But I promise you, behind every legend, there’s a truth,” Captain Aquilla said. 

Cassian glanced at Marina, who’d started to actually enjoy the food now.  Good. She was looking far too thin. The sun will be good for her, too. Proserpine rising from the depths of Pluto’s domain, she is my Venus no matter what.  

He couldn’t help but watch her select the rich foods with a new sense of freedom. There was a variety of meats, fresh fruits, and Cassian recognized the Fae-blend when he tasted honeysuckle notes and bitter rose hips from his own goblet. 

She lifted the wine for a second taste. He hoped she’d be careful; it was already difficult to fight the urge to kiss her luscious, coral pink lips. It had been far too long since he’d felt the softness of her palms against his skin, the way her mouth felt on his own as they kissed. He just burned to touch her, hear her, sacrifice himself at her altar. She was Venus in the flesh. 

I wonder if she still tastes of sugar and vanilla. Or if her hair smells of coconuts and honey, and if she’ll sound like a chorus when she calls my name in the height of pleasure. By Gods, I love that sound! 

Cassian shifted even more as he felt the heat pooling deep within him. It was all he could do not to pull her from her chair and drag her back to his cabin. To hell with the treasure. He had his love with him again and needed to make up for lost time. 

Her hair brightens in the candle flames. I can see her hazel eyes glow in the light. Gods, she’s mine. All mine. My true treasure. The way her hair feels as it fans against my pillow. The way her body moves at my command. 

“And as I was saying, Marina’s safe as long as we announce your marriage.” Captain Aquilla’s voice was like being plunged into an ice bath. It brought Cassian out of his daydream like a hurricane crashing into the ship. 

“You’re talking about the Code?” Cassian asked, shaking the last bits of his mental fog away. He’d file that for later. 

“The Code?” Marina’s lip jutted out in confusion.  

Cassian ignored Marina’s pout for now. “Are you sure, Father? It could be risky.”  

Captain Aquilla sighed like he was weighing options. Marina still scrunched her face in shock and confusion. 

“Do you have any better ideas? She’s safer on the ship, and you know the Code says any unmarried woman on a ship can be considered for the crew. I doubt you want to risk Marina to that,” Captain Aquilla said. 

“Can’t you just declare me off limits?” Marina asked.  

Cassian took her hand. “Father could, but if the men get drunk or there’s a skirmish with another ship, it could get lost. The Code is something all decent pirates abide by.”  

“Aye. It’s the safest. The crew will leave her be and accept her as one of them if you two are married.” Captain Aquilla agreed as he opened a drawer from his desk. He pulled out two gold bands. One had a sapphire stone flanked by two diamonds at the center, and the other was a signet ring with a matching sapphire. 

“Put these on. Congratulations, my boy. You have a wife.” Captain Aquilla said as he opened the ship’s register. He marked the marriage in the log. Nothing could dispute it now. 

Cassian put the ring on Marina’s finger, and before he let go of her hand, he kissed it right over her ring. 

“My love.” He smoldered as his voice dripped in velvet and honey, knowing full well it made her squirm in anticipation.  

Marina smiled at him. She took his ring and placed it on his finger, steady but clearly echoing his own need to rush out of the cabin as her eyes darkened with desire. “Mine,” she echoed back.   

The air in his father’s cabin felt entirely too thick. As the heat climbed, he bit his lip and started to shift closer to her without realizing. 

“Report back in the morning. We’ll make the announcement tomorrow, but go celebrate.” Captain Aquilla threw them a knowing look.  

Cassian didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed Marina’s hand and practically ran out of the room. Time itself felt too slow as they rushed to the cabin that was now theirs. She’s mine. My true treasure.  

When they reached the door, he pinned her against the wood and kissed her, hard, needy, and commanding as his body pressed against hers passionately. His only thoughts were with her and worshipping her fully. 

She responded with just as much passion, taking her own desire from his demanding kiss, nipping at his bottom lip with her teeth while their tongues danced a tango. He fought to reclaim every fraction of her flesh before his burning lungs forced him to pull away. Every dance of his fingers reclaimed skin others had experienced too intimately, but he shoved those thoughts aside and smiled into her darkened hazel eyes. His chest heaved with gasps of precious oxygen. Pursuing the opportunity for what it was, Cassian opened the cabin and guided her in before locking the door to the crew and the night. 

They’d talk about this later. Right now, they had better things to do, and Cassian had full intentions of making good on some of those promises he’d written in letters years ago. 

Editor: Shannon Hensley