The look in Markus's eyes grew colder every day. And not just that, the color of his irises seemed to be getting darker too. Rory swore that sometimes his shadow moved independently of Markus.

Still, the changes were so subtle that he didn't dare tell Rogier. Those two had once been best friends—it felt strange for him to bring it up.

Besides, the atmosphere on board was good now that Mouse had regained his memories, and they had thrown Scias overboard without hesitation. Something Mouse hadn't fully supported, but after everything the rest of the crew had been through, he couldn't convince his captain otherwise.

"Your thoughts are far away."

Rory had been staring at the foam-crested waves and turned to Rogier. He hesitated. Yet, he brought up another issue that had been bothering him. "We're sailing to Xantian, aye? Captain North and the others want to see if they can find a ship there. They're fucking grateful for your help and..."

"I know. I talked to North about it."

Rory picked at a piece of salt-crusted rope tied around the railing. "Oh." Of course, he had.

They just hadn't talked about it. Rogier and he had only been together for a few weeks. It didn't feel like enough to stay on the Skull Crusher, even though the thought of ending whatever this was between them made his stomach twist. It felt like he had to choose between his friends and his lover.

Or maybe Rogier was more than just a lover. At least in Rory's eyes, but Rogier... Maybe he assumed Rory would go with his old crew.

"You're still not sure about staying here, huh?" Rogier asked.

Rory felt his cheeks flush. That made it sound like he thought staying was more likely than leaving.

"I get it," Rogier said when Rory didn't respond. "If you go with your mates. You've all been through so much; you're close with each other."

"But I've spent most of the past few months with you," Rory mumbled. "I just don't know..." He took a deep breath and looked into Rogier's ice-blue eyes. They radiated warmth and confidence. "Do you think this will last?"

"I can't see the future," Rogier replied, as pragmatic as ever. "I've lost a loved one before. I know how unpredictable life is. But if you're trying to figure out how serious I am about you... then I'll tell you that I see no reason why this wouldn't last. You're not just someone who warms my bed, Rory. I thought I'd made that clear."

He had. And yet... it was so hard to accept. Rogier could have anyone he wanted, and Rory was practically the youngest on board.

"I taught you how to navigate. I'm training you to be a helmsman. I didn't do that just to gift North a helmsman."

Rory smiled faintly and looked back at the sea. "It just feels like such a big step." He was silent for a moment, following a shadow beneath the waves with his eyes. "A step I want to take." With every passing second, his determination grew.

Of course, Rogier was the biggest reason he wanted to stay, but he also offered Rory perspectives that went beyond that. Becoming a helmsman felt like a step toward having his own ship, something that had always been nothing but a distant dream. But Rogier believed in him, he could feel that.

And it didn't have to happen within ten years. Not even within twenty.

They were just opportunities... opportunities he didn't want to miss.

He turned to Rogier and stood on his toes. He still barely reached Rogier's chin, something the captain was very aware of, judging by his grin.

For a moment, Rogier looked teasingly down at him before his rough fingers brushed Rory's jaw, and he leaned in to receive the kiss. Their lips had just touched when a shock ran through the ship. Rory stumbled against the railing and looked around in confusion.

The ship veered sharply to starboard, then slammed back down with a thud.

"A dragon!" someone screamed. "A sea dragon."

Rory clung to the railing.

The man was right. From the depths, a monstrous head rose, towering high above the ship, filled with razor-sharp teeth longer than Rory himself. A second and third head followed.

The three-headed dragon roared, and the smell of death wafted towards them. Rory froze. He felt Rogier, who had placed a hand on his shoulder, do the same.

The captain of the Skull Crusher might hunt sea dragons, but this one was so gigantic that a single sweep of its tail could cleave the ship in two.

Rory could only stare at the creature. Their end was so certain that his fear seemed to find it pointless to show itself.

But the three-headed dragon did nothing, staring at the ship like a dog expecting something from its master. A shiver ran down Rory's spine. It was as if his soul was sinking into a stormy sea when he heard footsteps on the otherwise deathly silent ship.

He turned around.

Markus stood a few steps behind them. A repulsive grin spread across his face. Darkness swirled around him, like an aura of pure poison.

"Markus..." Rogier's voice was hoarse. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I did what you couldn't. Removed the thorn from your flesh before it festers, infects your whole body, and eventually destroys you."

Rory clenched his teeth. He believes I'm the thorn. His gaze flicked back to the three-headed dragon. Did he control it? Was it because he made a pact with a djinn?

"You think you can take command of this ship from me?" Rogier asked. The hand on Rory's shoulder trembled with rage.

"I want things to go back to the way they were."

"We're on our way to Xantian," Rory said. "I, along with the rest of North's crew, will leave. You'll never have to see me again."

Markus snorted. "The word of a rat like you is not to be trusted. No, we'll do this differently. You're going to stand on the railing, so one of those hungry fellows there," he nodded toward the three heads, "can tear your body to pieces. Then they'll leave, and the rest can go unharmed."

"Over my dead body!" Rogier drew his sword. "You'll pay for your betrayal. You—"

Markus raised his hand. Shadows danced around his fingers. A claw covered half the railing and pushed it down. Rory grabbed the railing in shock as water poured over the deck. "This is child's play for them, Rogier. My power exceeds yours. But rest assured, you may keep your ship. Your crew. Your status as captain. All I want is for that little devil there to get what he deserves. It's time he goes back to hell."

Rory looked at his lover. There was no doubt in his eyes. He wouldn't let himself be coerced—he'd rather go down with his ship than sacrifice even a single crew member.

Rory smiled sadly. He regretted that it had to come to this, but Markus left them no choice. With a snap of his fingers, he could sink the ship, and then they would all die. Everyone he loved.

"I'm sorry." He placed his hand on Rogier's shoulder, set one foot against the railing, and pulled himself up so he could kiss him. "I know it's hard for you to lose someone again. But you'll get over it. I can't let everyone else die."

Rogier shook his head. A mist of tears clouded his eyes. "No, Rory."

"We'll see each other again," Rory promised.

He didn't know where he found the calmness, but death had never frightened him—it was a new adventure. And he embraced every adventure, even though he would have preferred to delay this one by many years.

Defeat washed over Rogier's face. He placed his hand against Rory's cheek. "Don't think I'll leave it at this."

Rory turned his face, his lips grazing Rogier's thumb. Then he pushed off and stood with both feet on the railing. Below him, the water churned, black and merciless. He lifted his face and gazed at the three dragon heads, full of spikes and razor-sharp teeth.

It wouldn't take long.

Before he could jump, the middle head lunged at him. Teeth longer than swords pierced him. A searing pain tore through him, and liquid filled his lungs. Whether it was water or blood, he didn't know.

Darkness dragged him down, with a faint glimmer of light within it.

Val. His sister.

She would be waiting for him.