“No, the fae who cursed you trapped them here. Casper,it’s not your fault,”
He desperately wanted to believe her. Wanted to be free of the guilt and shame that had plagued him since his first day in Faerie. But even atonement couldn’t change the fact that he had nothing but a curse existence to offer her.
“Si…”
Her shoulders fell with a defeated sigh, and she pulled the blanket tighter around her. “I love you, Casper, but I’m not going to force the issue. If you want to take me home, take me home. But,” she added, looking up with determination. “If you don’t show up on my doorstep in seven years, know that Iwillcome after you. I will hunt you down, no matter where the Winter wind has taken you, and I will continue to chase you until the day I die.”
The little resolve he had left snapped, and in two steps he crossed the distance between them, pulling her to him in a desperate kiss. She clung to the front of his shirt, holding herself upright. Salty tears dripped down her cheeks and mingled with his own that fell. Cheers and whoops erupted from the crew around him.
He tipped his forehead against hers, whispering, “I love you. From the moment I saw you standing on the doorstep, I was enchanted. You are a brightness and fire in my world that until now has been nothing but cold and gray.”
She closed her eyes and pulled him down for another kiss. “Ghost captains are surprisingly poetic.”
“It’s the brooding,” Jem chimed in. “It brings all the deep thoughts to the surface.”
Sienna giggled, and Casper shot him a glare. “Are you sure you want to stay here with all of them?”
“Yes. Although, in the spirit of apologies, I do feel as if I should offer one of my own.” She bit her lip.
“Why is that?”
“Well,” she stretched the word out as she looked up at him archly. “Ididpromise that I wouldn’t fall in love with you. It’s not a very good start to our relationship that I broke a promise within the first week.”
He tugged her closer and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, resting his chin on her head. “I think I can extend forgiveness in this situation.”
She shivered, reminding him that she was still very wet.
“You need to go get some dry clothes.”
She hummed into his shoulder. “Hmmm. But you’re so warm.” She pushed away from him suddenly, as if burned. Her eyes were wide. “Casper.You’re warm.”
It took him a moment to comprehend her words. His head whipped over to Jem, who was smiling widely. “Jem, what time is it?”
“Just after midnight, Captain.”
Casper held his hand out in front of his face, turning it over while opening and closing his fist. There should have been a slight transparency, especially around the edges. His touch should have been icy cold. Instead, his hands were solid, and though his fingers were chilled from the cold, wet air, his palms were warm. “But that means.”
One of the John’s whooped. “The curse is broken!”
A jubilant cheer rose up from the crew. The men hugged, clapped one another on the back, and some even linked arms and danced around the deck. Casper felt like the smile would split his face as he watched. Sienna slipped an arm around his waist and pulled his arm over her shoulder.
“Casper?”
“Hmm.?’
“The curse is broken.”
“It is.”
“And it’s after midnight.”
“Yes?”
“Want to go catch some smugglers?”
He looked down at her, and his eyes locked again on the ugly rope burn on her wrist.
“Absolutely.”
