Page 38 of The Sky Pirate's Stowaway
“What?”
“The sky…” I gestured at the vast expanse around us, at the endless sea of stars above and the dark ocean of clouds below. “This is everything I ever wanted. Since I was a child, I’d climb the tallest trees just to feel closer to it. Used to drive my mother mad with worry.”
I expected the mention of my dead mother to bring with it the familiar sadness, but it didn’t. Ghost shifting closer might have had something to do with that.
“There’s nothing like being up here. No walls, no boundaries. Just endless possibilities in every direction.” My voice softened. “The first time I flew… it was like finally finding home. Like every piece of me that never quite fit, suddenly made sense.”
“But you’re a pirate now,” Ghost said. “Surely that’s not what you dreamed of?”
“No. I dreamed of being a captain. Of having my own ship, choosing my own course.” I ran my hand along the wooden railing. “I was in Sunada’s Imperial Fleet once, for a spell. The military… they owned you. Every decision, every route, every breath controlled by someone else’s orders. Up here? We’re free. Truly free.”
“Even with Viper as captain?”
I smiled wryly, swallowing down my words about what I truly thought of our delightful leader. “My grandfather—my mother’s father—was a captain. In fact, he eventually became—” I caught myself. Ghost didn’t appear to be the sort to have any kind of clue about politics or the noble houses, but I couldn’t risk oversharing.
My grandfather had been Fleet Admiral of House Eldritch’s forces, commanding the largest fleet in the Sunada Kingdom. The same house whose colors I once wore with such pride, before everything went wrong. Before I’d fallen for a captain with a silver tongue and eyes that promised forever. Before I’d learned how easily love could be weaponized.The only small mercy was that my mother died before my fall from grace.
“Someone very important?” Ghost finished with a smile. “Well, I’m sure he’s proud of you, wherever he’s looking down from.”
I stared at him. Was he joking?
“Proud?” A harsh laugh tore from my throat. “Yes, proud of his grandson becoming a murderer. A monster aboard a pirate ship that throws innocent merchants overboard. Who burns ships and leaves crews stranded in the endless sky to starve.” My hands clenched into fists. “The great Reaper, who breaks arms and cracks skulls to keep the crew in line. Who watches silently while Viper tortures prisoners for information.”
The memories crashed over me like waves—the screams, the begging, the sound of bones breaking. The way new crew members flinched when I walked past. How many lives had I destroyed? How many families torn apart?
“I’ve killed more men than I can count to save the crew. Good men. Honest men just trying to feed their families.” My voice cracked. “And for what? So Viper can add another trinket to his collection? So we can waste it all on drink and whores in the next port?” My breath came in ragged gasps. The stars blurred above me as my chest tightened. “Both my grandfather and my mother died believing I was a hero. If they could see me now—”
Ghost’s hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist. The touch shocked through me, anchoring me back to the present. I moved to pull away, but my other hand betrayed me, catching his before he could retreat.
We froze. His skin burned against mine, pale fingers stark against my tanned wrist. The night air seemed to still around us, carrying only the sound of his breathing—quick, shallow pulls that matched the rapid rise and fall of his chest.
“Hi.”
Ghost and I sprang apart like we’d been struck by lightning, scrambling to opposite sides of the crow’s nest. My heart hammered against my ribs as Ariella’s cheerful face appeared above the ladder, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief in the starlight.
I shot her my most intimidating glare, but she just grinned wider.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize I would be interrupting,” she said, not sounding sorry at all.
“You’re not,” I kept my voice steady, professional. “Do you need something?”
“To be honest, I was just coming up for a chat, but I can see you’ve replaced me.” Her smile turned teasing.
I sighed heavily and shifted further across the wooden platform. “Come up.”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’ll catch you tomorrow.” She disappeared back down the ladder as silently as she’d arrived.
Ghost’s brow furrowed. “Replaced her?What does she mean?”
Something in his tone made me look over—was that…jealousy?!The thought sent an unexpected warmth through my chest.
“Ariella’s the only person aboard this ship I consider a friend,” I explained. “The only one I can be myself around. Or at least… she was the only one.”
The last part hung awkwardly. Ghost seemed to be lost in thought all of a sudden, looking past me.
I cleared my throat. “You need to understand something. The Reaper can’t have friends. Can’t show any weakness. The crew needs to fear me, or everything falls apart.”
Ghost met my gaze, his eyes sparkling with understanding. “So what you’re saying is, if we’re to continue this…friendship”—his lips twitched on the word—“we need to be more careful?”
