Max hadn’t wanted to switch rooms, but after he’d had to go into Viper’s room to use his desk, look at navigational maps, read the ship’s logbook, and a million other things, he’d finally agreed that he needed more space. So I’d volunteered to oversee moving Viper’s junk out and Max’s stuff in.
I couldn’t carry anything heavy yet, but I was able to do the small stuff and direct people to place things in either room, throw them away, or add them to the sell pile.
We were going to have a ton of random things and lots of taxidermy to see off once we finally landed. Hopefully, we could find some buyers; otherwise, Viper’s trophies would be trashed. Max didn’t seem to care which as long as he never had to look at them again.
We’d reach Gearhart in Asteris in two days, so I was helping organize, not only with Viper’s things, but anything else we’d picked up along the way that we wanted to sell. Max wanted to hire some new aeronauts once we stopped since we’d lost so many between the sand kraken and the mutiny. I was hopeful that we’d get some good people to join us.
Maybe then I wouldn’t be the newbie onboard.
“Ghost?” Max’s voice called from the aft quarterdeck.
I looked up at him and couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, Reap?”
His lips twitched. “Are you up for climbing to the crow’s nest?”
I was sure the surprise showed on my face, but no one was paying attention to us—well, no one but Ariella—so I didn’t care. “Uh, yeah. That should be fine.” As long as I wasn’t bending over too much, I could do it. “What about all of this?”
“Willy can take over.” He gestured to the crow’s nest. “Can you take watch so Greybeard can help with some of the heavy lifting?”
I nodded. “Sure thing, Captain.” I shot him a grin that he returned. I kinda loved calling him that, and although he’d seemed hesitant at first, he was clearly pleased. He was our new captain, and a damn fine one at that.
Greybeard climbed down, and I slowly made my way up the rigging. My wound twinged when I climbed into the crow’s nest, but it wasn’t too bad at all. Hopefully, that meant it’d be fully healed in no time.
Pulling out my telescopic, I scanned the skies for any sign of other people, but I didn’t see a single soul for the three hours I stayed up there alone. I wasn’t entirely surprised when Max’s head popped up over the ledge, but I couldn’t help the big grin on my face as soon as I saw him.
“I was hoping you’d join me up here.” I sat on the edge of the nest and patted the spot beside me.
He smiled as he finished the climb and sat down, our legs dangling between the railing spindles. As soon as he was settled, he leaned over and planted a quick kiss on my lips. “I love that I can kiss you anytime I want now.” And he’d been taking full advantage of that fact every time he was close to me.
Many crewmates were surprised by our relationship, but after seeing Max—the Reaper—take down someone as vicious as Viper, no one had questioned him. When he wasn’t around, I got some looks and a few questions—along with a feware you crazys—but no one was being cruel about it. In fact, there were more people who seemed… almost pleased that their captain had someone than not. I’d caught quite a few secret smiles aimed my way.
We weren’t being overly affectionate in public spaces, but no one said a word about me staying in his cabin every night, and no one questioned it when I smiled at him from across the deck.
His comment made a little happy laugh bubble out of me. “Me too.”
“Are you doing okay? Did climbing up here strain your back?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine. What about you? How’s everything going down there?”
“All good. My stuff has officially been moved into the captain’s quarters.” He shoulder-bumped me. “Your stuff has too.”
My gaze snapped over to him. “It has?”
His cheeks flushed, and he refused to meet my eyes. “I hope that’s okay? I should’ve asked first, but I was hoping you’d want to stay with me in my new—oomph.”
He caught me when I flung myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and squeezing tight. “Yes! Of course I’ll stay with you. That sounds… amazing. Wonderful.”
He kissed my hair. “I think so too.”
When I sat back, I kissed his cheek before picking up my telescopic and scanning the horizon again. We were quiet for a few minutes, both of us enjoying each other’s company in a way we hadn’t been able to when Viper was still captain. This was calm and peaceful and not filled with worry. We didn’t have to keep looking over our shoulders, waiting to be caught, waiting for an evil man to separate or hurt us for having the gall to form a relationship.
“So… I’ve been thinking…” Max trailed off for a few seconds. “What, um, what do you think aboutThe Black Wraithpicking up your sister and nephew in Sunada and flying them to Asteris? We’re heading back to Embergate after Gearhart, and then coming back again. Although we might have to stop at one of the islands along the way. And if they’re with us, we’ll lay low and avoid any battles. But I was just thinking it might be nice to haveyour family onboard. Of course, I understand if you don’t want them here because, well, pirates, but—”
“Max.” I cut off his rambling, staring at him in awe. “Are you serious?”
His cheeks flushed again. “You don’t have to bring them on. It was just a thought, and—”
“Max.” I cut him off again.
