Page 16 of Inked in Emeralds (Inkbound #3)

I was good at that. Seeing patterns, noticing details, and the realization gave me a little sliver of hope.

“Ready?”

I nodded, sucking in a breath. “Yup.”

Duncan swung high; I blocked, sidestepped, and attempted to wrench his sword from his hand.

I wanted to crow with glee when I could feel his grip loosening but it came out as a strangled yelp when the toe of my boot caught on a root.

My feet flew out from under me, and I was prepping myself for a hard fall when Duncan dropped his sword and grabbed me, dipping me back in his arms.

He stared down at me, chest heaving as his eyes flicked to my lips.

“Sorry about that,” he breathed, but didn’t move.

I opened my mouth but before either of us could speak, a loud rustling broke the silence.

Hook stepped into the clearing, firewood stacked high in his arms, expression thunderous as he took in the scene. Duncan straightened immediately, stepping back and clearing his throat.

“Training,” Duncan muttered.

Hook’s eyes narrowed, jaw tight. “Right.”

Billy appeared seconds later, water skins filled. Her eyes darted between the three of us, lips curled as she soaked in the scene.

“Sounded like you guys were having fun. If Hook isn’t planning a murder right now, I’d love a turn sparring.”

Hook turned away to dump his wood onto the pile. “No murder today. Carry on.”

“Show me what you’ve got, Princess.” Billy handed me a waterskin with a grin.

I froze and blinked at her. “Wh-what did you call me?”

For a second, it was silent but for the croaking of bullfrogs from the nearby stream.

Then, she shrugged. “Princess. That’s what he calls you, isn’t it?” she added, jerked a thumb at Hook. “Hell, if I knew it was a super-secret love name, I wouldn’t have used it.”

My mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton, so I took a long swig of water before setting down the waterskin.

Sure, that might’ve been why she said it. Or, the inside of her book had told my story. The words on the page, alive…ever changing as we lived it, just like Hook’s had done, and she’d known who I was all along.

As much as I wanted to have it out and get all our cards on the table, it didn’t feel like the time was right for a big talk about trust. Not after I’d literally just led my whole team straight into an ambush.

Instead, I dropped low and prepared to spar instead. “Come on, then. Let’s do this.”

None of it was easier than it had been with Duncan, despite the two of us being much closer to the same size.

Billy was fluid and quick as a thought, eyes gleaming with mischief as she pressed me harder and harder.

Duncan shouted occasional pointers as Hook sat by the makeshift fire pit he’d built, onyx gaze locked on our battle.

Eventually, breathless and sweating, I finally managed a move Duncan taught me, blocking Billy’s blade hand by anticipating her strike, and pulling my hidden calf-dagger free to press the flat of the blade against her ribs.

Billy froze, then chuckled. “Nice.”

I grinned, victory buzzing through me…right up until I saw Billy exchange a glance with Duncan.

She’d let me win. Son of a bitch.

“Good student.” She clapped me on the shoulder. “I’m impressed.”

I tried to hold the words of praise close as I prepared a pot of soup for us to share. I had done well, considering. It wasn’t going to happen overnight, though.

I made a mental note to get some alone time ASAP.

I might still have a few tricks up my sleeve that I hadn’t tapped because I wasn’t sure how much to share around Billy.

On the slim chance I could access the power of the clock or even the jeweler’s loupe without my own magic, I could still be a force in battle…

With that thought fresh in my mind, I stayed up when Billy and Duncan went to bed right after dinner. I sat staring into the dying coals of the fire as Hook stood on guard duty no one had assigned him to.

“You really should try to sleep,” Hook murmured, not looking at me.

“I doubt sleep is possible with those monkeys making all that racket,” I whispered back. They were far away, but those terrifying howls carried. “How about you?”

“I’m fine without much sleep.”

Not sure if it was because I was over tired , or just plain over it , but something about the total disregard for his own comfort made something inside me snap.

“You’re not fine, James. Sleep, no sleep…you’re never fine. Why is that okay with you? Why do you insist on suffering when you don’t have to?”

His jaw flexed. “Because that’s what I deserve, Princess.” His gaze stayed locked on the night sky. “I’ve caused too much pain to claim peace for myself.”

The words hit like arrows, straight to my heart. “You’re so wrong. You deserve some happiness more than anyone after what you’ve been through.”

He finally turned and for a second, yearning flared in his eyes as he leaned closer. “I?—”

Billy groaned, shifting in her sleep. “Turn down the bloody music, Paddy. You’re going to wake the wee one.”

He drew back, and I could see the invisible wall already rebuilding between us. I fucking hated it but wasn’t sure I had the energy to break it down again.

It was one step forward, two steps back, and this dance was exhausting me to my core.

“You’re right. I guess I’ll try to get some rest, then.” I pushed myself to my feet, and had just turned around when I heard him mutter behind me.

“For the record…The problem isn’t your lack of muscle or magic. It’s that soft fucking heart of yours. It’s your Achilles heel, and it scares the hell out of me. If you actually want me to sleep? You’ll get it in check.”

Well, fuck you very much.

Without another word, I picked my way over the sleeping bodies to my little pallet and hunkered down with a bitter sigh. Just because he was right didn’t mean I couldn’t be pissed at him.

Especially when I was way more pissed at myself. I’d overridden both his and Billy’s concerns and nearly got us all killed. He had every right to call me on it. But he had to know that I was doing my best here. Trying to grapple between what was right and wrong…

And somehow managing to miss, every single time.

I’d never felt so confused and out of sorts in my life.

I lay back, staring at the ceiling, wishing with everything I had that Molly was here. She’d have set me straight, and fast. My gut ached as I pictured her face in my mind, and I forced myself to think of something happy.

Me, her, and the Lost Boys—including Cissy—fishing, and playing on the beach. She’d been so happy there.

I hoped she was still happy, now. Surrounded by the kids she’d longed for, Fetch looking out for her…

When I finally closed my eyes, it was to stop the hot tears from flowing. I never expected to fall asleep.

Sun warmed my skin and I blinked, smiling as I realized with a start that I was sprawled out on the deck of the Jolly Roger. Hook stood at the wheel, shirtless, relaxed, his Tideblessings glowing with magic, more handsome than any man deserved to be.

“You’re awake.” He padded over to lower himself beside me to cup my cheek. “How’d you sleep?”

“Better than I have in ages.” I stared at him and frowned. “Is this real or is this a dream?”

“It’s real to me.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I sighed, melting into his mouth, feeling safe for the first time since I didn’t know when.

He pulled me up to sit, wrapping an arm around my waist. Together we looked out at the endless, blue sea, and joy threatened to swallow me whole.

“I wish we could stay like this forever.” His smile was tinged with sadness and something cold prickled my spine. Dark clouds rolled in from the horizon, and Hook’s grip tightened around my shoulder.

“It’s coming,” he whispered, voice edged with resignation.

“What is?”

“My destiny. I’m sorry, Harmony.”

A figure materialized on deck, as if made from shadow itself. The darkness writhed and shifted until it began to take shape. A moment later, Almira stood before us, silver hair whipping in the rising wind, her single, blue eye glittering.

“It’s time.” She unsheathed a wicked sword made of glass and magic.

Hook stepped in front of me. “Do what you will to me but leave her alone.”

“No! What are you saying?” I grabbed his arm. “Fight, James!”

He turned to face me as Almira let out a snarl and thrust her sword forward, blade piercing Hook from behind, emerging scarlet-tipped through his chest.

He sagged forward and I wrapped both arms around him.

“No no no no no…” Frantic, I tried to wedge my hand between us, pressing it against the wound. It was so hot. So wet…“James—stay with me,” I begged as panic closed over me like a fist.

His voice was barely a whisper. “It’s alright, love. You need to let me go.”

Tears blurred my vision as his heartbeat faltered beneath my fingertips, slipping away. Almira’s voice was a sickening murmur near my ear.

“Being queen requires sacrifice, Harmony. That was something your mother never understood.”

Hook went limp, all the breath leaving him in one, final exhale and grief tore through me, sharper than Almira’s blade.

“No!”

I jerked awake, my cheeks wet with fresh tears. The shelter was quiet except for the low snores of Billy and Duncan nearby. Hook sat exactly as before, alive and well, by the entrance.

Relief slammed into me, so powerful my vision blurred. But it was replaced by a chilling realization. I’d felt Hook’s emotions as he died, and they were unmistakable.

Death had been a relief.

I stared at his silhouette, feeling like I was being hacked in two. As much as I wanted to save him, he didn't want to be saved. He’d warned me more than once, and diving further down this rabbit-hole of loving and hating him could only end one way;

James Hook was going to die, and he was going to take anyone who loved him down with him. Sure, I might not be underground in a box beside him. But I might as well be, for what losing him would do to me if things went any further between us.

Which meant I needed to let go…for real this time.

Even if letting go broke my soft heart.