She shoved at his chest, but it was a gentle move—playful. Oh, how she wanted to indulge his wishes. There was nothing she wanted more. But breaking open his wound was out of the question. “Not until you’re better.” Tink kissed his jaw as he sighed in resignation.
It’d been days since their escape from theKraken, and he was on the mend, but she wouldn’t risk him, not for all the treasure on the Cerulean Seas. She bundled up the last of the used bandages in a soiled cloth and turned back to the pirate idling behind her.
“Speaking of Smee,” she said, “we should get on deck. We should be nearing home soon. Might even be able to see the cove by now.”
“Home?” His wide-eyed stare had her mirroring his expression.
The word had just slipped out. “Home,” she said again, rolling the word around on her tongue, tasting it. “Yes.” Something blossomed in her chest, and she smiled up at him. “Home.”
She’d struggled for months to make it home to the Sylvanna Vale, and though it was still out of reach for her, she’d managed to find another one—completely different, yet home all the same.
Together, once Hook had dressed, they ventured out onto the deck of theJolly Roger. Friendly smiles greeted them, waves, a wink from Sage.
All their friends—their family—had made it through the battle with theKraken. Tink beamed at the crew, savoring the sight of their happy faces, of people who cared for her, loved her even. That sight never failed to bring a grin to her face. Her chest swelled as she took them all in.
Barley struck a chord on the mandolin, much like the one Tink had played at the bars to earn some coin. “This is a new one I heard in Tortuga,” he said to the crew members gathered around. They all celebrated their victory and voyage home. Rum flowed as freely as their smiles. As Tink and Hook ascended to the helm, Barley began to sing.
“There once was a girl named Ella. Who caught the eye of a fella. A prince, no less. Saw her distress.”
Someone gave a dramatic, swooning sigh.
“Poor dear. Bullied and shamed. Her stepsisters to blame. She rose from cinders and soot. A beauty from head to foot.”
A chorus of whoops and whistles rang out behind them.
“Queen she became. A rise to fame. But the prince was not wise, which spelled his demise, for he believed all of her lies.”
A wry grin pulled at Tink’s lips. What wild stories humans told. After the events of the last few days, maybe someone would write one about them.
Smee lowered his spyglass as they joined him at the wheel, hand in hand.
“The cove?” James asked.
“Aye, Captain.” Smee beamed with a smile broader than the horizon. “Care to take her in?” He stepped back from the wheel, offering it to James.
James slid his hand from hers to join his first mate. Hook grinned, skimming his fingers across the spindles of the wheel. But then he halted and clapped Smee on the shoulder. “Sail on, Captain.”
Tink gasped. Smee went utterly still.
“Might as well finish out this voyage before you return command,” James finished with a wink.
Smee’s deep laugh rumbled across the deck. “Aye, aye…James.”
The two men smiled at one another, something unspoken passing between them. Tink’s heart swelled. A prickle of tears stung the corner of her eyes before she blinked them away. They were brothers, not by blood, but by choice. A bond stronger than iron.
James returned to Tink and drew her toward the railing. Land graced the horizon. Sunlight glimmered across the water, leaving a trail of sparkles guiding them in.
“Home,” James echoed again, as if he were still in awe of her words.
Color raced across her cheeks. “If you’ll have me there, that is.” She fought the urge to cover her face with her hands. What an assumption to make. He’d told her he loved her, and she him, but he hadn’t exactly invited her to stay.
Deep laughter only inflamed her blush. “If you thought to leave me now, I might tie you to the bed again.”
“Filthy pirate.”
“Aye, but you love me anyway.”
“So cocky.” She rolled her eyes as she bumped her hip against his. “But you’re right, I do.”
