Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)(19)

“And the deserving?” I ask.

“Know eternal peace, safe in the hands of the sea god,” he says, and I nod. “People come here to light a candle in memory of those they have lost. Perhaps this could be your way of saying goodbye?” he suggests.

I think over his words and walk to the middle of the room, falling to my knees on the cold stone. I pick up an unlit candle, lighting it with the tip of another and placing it down in the middle of so many others.

“I can only remember you in my earliest memories, Laura, not my mother, not my father, or even Hunter. Just memories of you holding me as I cried, of you telling me silly fairy tales, and even times you told me off for pushing my luck. You were a true parent to me, and you deserved a long life of peace. I hope the sea god is with you now, taking you somewhere peaceful. We will see each other again one day. I love you, Laura, rest well with the gods and give them trouble with that stick of yours,” I say, roughly wiping away a tear that falls down my cheek before standing up.

“I’m going to miss getting hit with that stick. I hope she has a stick in the afterlife and hits the sea god with it for keeping Cassandra from us for so long,” Chaz says, making me laugh a little. Chaz did the right thing bringing me here, giving me the chance to say goodbye, and to remember Laura as she truly was.

“Thank you for bringing me here, it’s just what I needed. You are a good friend, Chaz,” I say, and he chuckles.

“Friend? Or more like a brother who’s not related by blood?” he inquires, walking to the door and opening it as I smile.

“Brother, then.” I walk past him, waiting for him to shut the door behind me.

“Now, let’s go back to my room and sort your hands out before our girl finds you in this state,” he says, patting my shoulder.





10





Chapter Ten





Cassandra





“Where is that damn girl?” I hear Master Pirate shout, as I run into the training room with Hunter at my side. He isn’t running, just strolling behind me and stops at my side in front of Master Pirate, who doesn’t look impressed one bit. I smooth down my messy hair, untidy clothes and flushed cheeks. I woke up on the ship, knowing I would be late, but Hunter had no plan on letting me out of that bed. Not that I’m complaining.

“That damn girl is my fiancé, and unless you want me slamming my fist into your face, be more respectful,” Hunter drawls in a surprisingly calm voice. Master Pirate and Hunter stare at each other, before Master Pirate nods.

“Understood,” he remarks, looking over at me. His black hair is tied at the back of his head, and his eyes are narrowed on me like I’ve just killed his cat or something. He is still as huge as I remember, but his cloak is gone, and it shows off his impressive body.

“Have fun, I will check in on Ryland. Don’t kill Master Asshole, yeah?” Hunter requests, making me chuckle as he pulls me to him and kisses me deeply. I’m breathless by the time he pulls away and leaves me on shaky legs. Master Pirate glares at Hunter as he walks away, before turning his eyes back to me.

“What’s your first name? I don’t like calling you master whatever,” I ask him, wanting to know.

“Master Pirate is my name,” he replies dryly.

“It’s going to be your first name, or master asshole . . . your choice?” I push, crossing my arms.

“If you beat me, I will tell you my name, Cassandra,” he suggests. The smirk on his lips makes me think he believes he won’t have to tell me.

“You think you will win?”

“From what I’ve heard, you have no control. Your power reacts due to stress, which is the starting base of our powers,” he tells me, and holds his arms behind his back as he starts walking around me in a circle.

“Water is your gift, like mine, and when controlled properly, is the most powerful gift any changed one can have,” he tells me.

“Why is that? I assumed fire was the most powerful,” I comment, and he arches a blond eyebrow at me.

“Fire can be put out, while water cannot be stopped, only controlled,” he says and stops right in front of me.

“Water,” he comments, lifting both his hands up and a long stream of water steams out from them, shooting up into the air as I take a step back. The water swirls around, getting faster and faster, until it looks more like a water tornado. Master Pirate lets it go, and it falls to the floor, but he keeps one hand in the air, still controlling it as it swirls around.

“Amazing,” I say, actually meaning it.

“I can make this, but only with this amount of water. I’ve heard you flooded an entire room, am I right?” he enquires.

“Yes,” I say, folding my arms and watching as he stops the water, letting it splash all over the floor and soaking my trousers.

“Then if we can teach you control, you would be stronger than any changed one I have ever trained,” he states.

“I can't seem to call the water at will. It only responds when I’m in danger,” I explain. He nods, sitting on the floor.

“Sit down,” he instructs and I do, ignoring the cold water soaking my bottom through my trousers.

“Close your eyes, Cassandra,” he tells me, and I raise an eyebrow at him, before doing as he asks.