Page 120 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

We’d saved Rowan. Was it possible to change his fate and keep ours intact?

“I agree,” Marco said firmly.

“Fine.” Sasha’s tone sounded a tad unsure.

“Aye, but only if ye spend it wisely.” Caiyan held out a hand to seal his promise. Rowan clasped it and nodded his acceptance.

All eyes turned toward me. “It’s changing h-h-history,” I stuttered.

Caiyan wrapped an arm around me. “History is what ye make, Sunshine.”

Caiyan was right. “I’m in.” I smiled at Max.

“That’s my betrothed yer embracing,” Max scolded Caiyan.

I stopped short. I forgot to explain my relationship with Caiyan. Whatever that may be, he still deserved an explanation. I didn’t want to hurt Max.

Max’s eyes sparkled with a boyish playfulness, and he winked at me.

“Actually, she’s my betrothed.” Caiyan took my hands, kissing my knuckles like some eighteenth-century Duke. “That is, when I get a ring and propose for real, and she agrees to marry me.”

“I hope ye say ye will.” Max’s voice escalated with excitement.

I gazed into Caiyan’s sexy green eyes and felt his honest feelings for me warm my hands and tickle up my arms in wonderful tingles. “Since I have permission from my former fiancé, I’d say it depends on the ring.”

Caiyan pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

The door flew open. Ace stood akimbo. “Guys, the cannons have stopped. Rogers sank Vane, or the bloody bastard got away. Either way, one of ’em ’ill be coming for us.”

Thirty-Nine

Our party of misfits gathered on deck making ready to scour Bone Island for the King’s key. Ace handed me a knapsack. “This has some of those biscuits in case you get hungry.”

“The ones hard as hockey pucks?” Sasha leaned over my shoulder to see the contents.

Ace wrinkled his nose. “I’ve only got so much to work with, doll. Pretend they’re Pillsbury. There’s fresh water in a skin, too.”

“Don’t you want to come?” I closed the knapsack and looked up at Ace.

“Bloody ’ell, no. Islands of this sort contain big, bushy thickets, spiders, snakes, and all sorts of wildlife I prefer to avoid. Besides, someone has to stay aboard and keep watch.”

Black Bard smiled wide at Ace. Ace gave me a wink. “I’ve got me lucky undies, remember?”

We rowed ashore carrying shovels, lanterns, fresh water, and the rock-hard biscuits, leaving Ace and the crew behind to keep a lookout for Rogers, Vane, Mortas, or whatever else might threaten our mission.

We were on the last step of solving our mystery. The King’s key had plagued our grandparents and families for centuries. This was our time.

Ace was right about the island. We bushwhacked our way through a thick landscape, stopping for a water break when we found ourselves at the highest point of the land. The white stone beneath our feet told me we had found the skull.

“There.” Rowan pointed to a spec of sails in the distance. “’Tis the naval fleet. They’re pacing at a good clip, so I imagine chasing that scoundrel, Vane.”

“That’s good news,” Marco said. “Now we only have to worry about Mortas.”

“Why would Captain Crunch strand hisself on a deserted island?” Max wanted to know.

“He’s no stranded,” Caiyan answered. “But I doubt he jumped home. He cannae get the King’s key withoot us, but he’ll try for it.”

“You can time travel withoot a ship?” Max’s face filled with intrigue.

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