“Kaspar? Can you hear me?”
“Cody,” he mumbled, head rolling weakly against my palm. “Where are you, Cody? Don’t…”
His words slurred together, fragments of consciousness breaking through the fog. I held him tighter, afraid he might slip away again if I loosened my grip.
“It’s me,” I whispered, voice breaking. “I’m here.”
“Max…” The name escaped his lips like a prayer. “Max…”
Behind me, Willy snorted. “Max? Who’sMax?! Sorry, Reaper, sounds like you’ve got competition.”
“Shut up, Willy,” Ariella hissed.
I barely registered their exchange, my entire world narrowing to the man in my arms. Tears spilled freely down my cheeks,falling onto Kaspar’s face like rain. I didn’t bother wiping them away or hiding them from the others. Let them see. Let the whole damn ship see.
Slowly, painfully, Kaspar’s eyes flickered open. Those emerald depths, bright as the first shoots of spring after the harshest winter, found mine and held. In that gaze lay entire worlds—pain and fear giving way to recognition, then relief so profound it stole my breath.
In all my years sailing the endless skies, I’d never seen anything more beautiful than those eyes opening again.
Ariella, Willy, and Murray be damned, I brought his mouth to mine. I kissed him with everything I had, pouring all my fear and relief and love into that single, desperate connection.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless, Kaspar lifted a trembling hand to my cheek. His fingers traced the wetness there, a weak smile touching his lips.
“Max,” he whispered, voice hoarse but stronger now. “I knew you’d come. I knew you’d save me.”
“Ohhh,” Willy breathed. “I see.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Ariella muttered.
I gently stood, gathering Kaspar’s limp form in my arms. His weight felt right against my chest, like he belonged there. Like we were two broken pieces that somehow fit together perfectly.
“I’m taking him to my room,” I announced, my voice raw but steady. “Ariella, go sort the crew out. Get the bilge rats on mopping the blood off the deck. Throw everyone who supports Viper overboard if they’re not going to pledge loyalty. And most importantly, ensure that we’re left alone.”
Kaspar’s head lolled against my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck. Each exhale was a gift, a reminder that he was still here, still fighting. I tightened my grip, careful of the wounds on his back.
Ariella nodded, her face set with determination. She took three large strides toward the door.
“Wait,” I called after her.
She turned, one eyebrow raised. “What?”
A certainty had shifted into place inside me.The Black Wraithneeded a captain who would protect their crew, not sacrifice them. And I needed someone at my side I could trust completely.
“Ariella Tavendale, will you do me the honor of being my first mate?”
Her eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across her features before her face broke into a smile.
“It would be my honor, Captain,” she replied, the title rolling off her tongue as if she’d been waiting to say it. “It would be my honor.”
26
Kaspar
My body ached, my veins felt like they were on fire, my head was pounding, but my heart was warm.
Max had come for me. He’d saved me, like I’d hoped he would.
And now he was carrying me through the ship… where anyone could see.
