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Dropping down beside me, my pirate smiled.

I lost no time reaching for his chest, sliding my hands over the ink and scars. The patches of scales shimmered in the light of the full moon that was suddenly in the sky.

I missed you.

The voice of an animal rumbled above me.“I missed you too, little one.”

His mouth covered mine in a fierce kiss. The fire of our passion stoked bright. In a tangle of arms and limbs, our bodies merged. I moaned as he stretched and filled me. His mouth found my throat, fangs raking against my pulse. I lifted my hips, urging the monster to take me deeper.

The pirate thrust into me, his pace becoming wild and ravenous.

I gasped.

Something raw and powerful was breaking free inside me with each thrust, something that had been caged not just by the castle walls, but by my own fears. My nails dug into his back, scoring his skin as I clung to him, desperate to anchor myself to this moment, to him. Beneath my touch, I felt the transition between man and myth beneath my fingertips. The voices from the castle grew louder, more insistent, but they couldn’t reach me here in his arms. Nothing could.

“You’re mine,”he growled against my ear, his voice like the crash of waves against cliffs.

I’m yours. Forever yours, pirate.

The sea responded to our passion, waves climbing higher up the shore, reaching for us, caressing my toes and ankles as if welcoming me back to where I belonged. My skin beganto shimmer, tiny scales appearing along my thighs where they wrapped around his waist.

“The sea wants you back, princess,”he murmured, his pace slowing, becoming deliberate, torturous.“Your brother can’t keep what belongs to me.”

Take me away! Please.A wild sob broke in my chest.

“Hush, my beauty. Just enjoy this. Tomorrow or the next day, I’ll bring you home.”

I nodded, burying my face against the crook of his shoulder. My insides clenched tight, the pleasure tightening in my core.

“That’s it. Take all of me.”

I did.

And when I came apart, the magic of his touch shattered something inside me. My scream echoed across the beach, up the cliffs, to the castle that tried to claim me. His movements became erratic, desperate—consuming! His body tensed as he growled my name into the night. His scales glinted in the moonlight, catching silver as they spread further across his skin with each thrust. The transformation always came with his passion—the more feral he became, the more the old sea god emerged from within the pirate façade. And when he found his own release, the sea itself seemed to respond—water rushing up to our hips, foam kissing our joined bodies.

The moment was pure ecstasy.

Our hard breathing fueled the wind, chasing away the encroaching storms.

The pirate held me close. We lay tangled together, the tide lapping at our bodies. My pirate traced patterns on my skin, connecting invisible constellations of freckles with his fingertips.

“They took you,”he said, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

I nodded, watching the moon’s reflection ripple across the water. The castle guards would notice my absence soon enough. My brother would be furious.

I sent for them to fight. They didn’t help me.

“Sshhh, hush, love. It’s almost over.”

Okay.I snuggled into his warmth.

“Your voice,”my pirate said, brushing hair from my face.“It’s still locked away.”

I touched my throat. In this place of magic and enchantments, I fought for the future I wanted. This pirate was my dream come true.

I will find you.

“Sweet princess, I’ve already found you.”His hard touch pierced the veil of slumber and reassured me of his presence.