Page 84 of Escaping Pirates
A strange, distant sort of delicious satisfaction bloomed in my chest. “If we didn’t know what they’d done…”
“Then Istillwouldn’t feel sorry for them,” he finished. “In fact, I feel sorry for any krakens that missed out on having them for a meal.”
We stood in silence for a while longer, watching the shore. I could make out tiny boats now, sails furled in the harbor, and the gleam of white stone roads winding down toward the sea.
“I’m going to miss the Duke and Duchess of Adjoining Cells, though,” Harlan said suddenly, his voice lighter.
A laugh bubbled out of me, surprised and warm. “They were a very dignified pair with their vast gardens and indoor waterfalls.”
He smiled. “Shame Fritz isn’t here, though. He was an excellent butler and had quite the lovely baritone voice.”
I laughed harder and wiped my eyes. “We were ridiculous.”
“No,” he said gently. “We were hopeful.”
The words settled over me like a blanket, unexpected and comforting. I turned to look at him fully, his profile silhouetted by the rising sun.
“What do you think your family will say?” he asked.
I took a deep breath, heart thudding. “I don’t know. For the longest time, I didn’t trust myself to think about it at all because it was too painful. Now that I’m trying to picture it, it feels strange. They will be thrilled. I know how excited I am to see them again.”
His expression softened.
“There were days when I could barely remember their faces and thought I would forget them forever,” I admitted. “After a month, I gave up hope that Father would send anyone to rescue me.”
“I’m sure they haven’t given up hope,” he said firmly. “If you vanished, he wouldn’t stop looking. I know I wouldn’t.”
“I hope you’re right.” I looked at him. “I don’t think I could survive losing them again. I plan on talking to them every day when I get back, and I’ll never take any of them for granted ever again.”
He didn’t answer right away. Then, with a steady breath, he turned toward me, one hand gripping the rail beside mine.
“Would you consider something bold?” he asked.
I gave him a look. “I think I’ve filled my bold quota for the rest of my life.”
He smiled. “This doesn’t involve pirates or getting captured.”
“Then I’m listening.”
“Stay in Berkway.”
My heart skipped. “For how long?”
“To live.”
The world narrowed to his eyes, serious and sure. I opened my mouth, but he kept going.
“When you floated away, when I thought I’d lost you for good, it was like something cracked open inside me. I knew, right then, that I didn’t want a life without you in it.”
He was saying everything I’d ever dreamed of, and yet… I was so close to being reunited with my family, and I didn’t want to think about being separated from them for longer. If I was away from Haven Harbor, years might pass between visits with my family.
“But your life is in Berkway,” I said, unsure. “And mine… My family…”
“I don’t want you to choose between us,” he said. “So don’t. Let me bring your family to Berkway. All of them. Your father’s shipping business, his employees, your home, your roots…anything you want. I’ll see to it personally.”
“That would be a massive undertaking, Harlan.”
“I know.”
