Page 82 of Found at Sea

“Kris, what say you?” Kellan asked once the shouts died off, motioning to the first mate.

“Mages aren’t welcome anywhere,” Kris said and his brows pulled together as he considered something. But then his ruggedly handsome face spread into a grin. “But neither are pirates. Folks shun us both, and the crown wishes us all to be in Davey Jones’ Locker, dead and forgotten at the bottom of the sea. Tig’s right. Alek’s one of us.”

“Anyone else wish to voice their opinion?” Kellan asked, crossing his arms. It drew my eye to his biceps, and I swallowed the small lump in my throat. I couldn’t wait until all of this was over and we could spend the day tangled in each other in bed.

“Aye,” Dax said, stepping forward. His dark hair was windblown and his smile was veering on cocky. “I say he’s shown his loyalty not only to you, but to the crew. I cast my vote for him to stay.”

Kellan narrowed his eyes at Dax, and I wasn’t sure why. It was as if he didn’t trust him. They’d had that argument when we’d been on the island, but that was a while back and they hadn’t quarreled since then.

“For those in favor of Alek remaining with us, say aye,” Kellan spoke.

“Aye!” the men shouted in unison.

Without saying anything more, Kellan turned and walked up the stairs to the upper deck, taking the helm. He pulled his compass from his pocket and studied it before turning the wheel slightly to the left.

As the crew cheered and animatedly spoke to Alek, I followed after the captain.

“That went well,” I stated once beside him.

The breeze ruffled the longer part of his hair, and I watched the strands fly in front of his face. His expression remained stern as he stared ahead, but his free hand moved to my lower back.

“Indeed,” he responded. “I spent so many years keeping the truth about Alek from them, when they would’ve accepted him all along.”

“Know what I think?” I asked, peering up at him. “At the end of the day, we’re all just a gang of misfits who found their home with each other. Family. I never felt like I belonged anywhere until you swept me away into a life of piracy. You gave me the life I’d always dreamed of having, but never knew how to get.”

“I distinctly remember you saying you were press-ganged to join my crew.” He narrowed his eyes, and my heart sang at the playfulness showing through his mismatched eyes.

“I do not recall that,” I lied, hiding my smile. “Where to now?”

“Farther north.” Kellan gave me a lopsided grin before focusing back ahead. “We have a goddess to see.”