Romeo and Juliet

What came next was something that had surprised us all. The test that would show whether Quetzalcoatl approved of us or not, had Bondi walking over a fire. The task itself was dangerous, and something that that pirate wouldn't do.

Bondi was far from being the type of pirate that would do something like that. He didn't seem like the type to be a selfless person who would let himself be harmed. Which was why, when he agreed on the condition he was allowed a bucket of water, I was surprised.

I wasn't the only one.

Instead of pouring the water onto the fire, like anyone else would have, he ducked his boots and holey soaks into the bucket. My nose had wrinkled at the veil scent that swifted off of his feet. Only Goran had tried to talk him out of doing the challenge.

The rest of us just watched.

It came to not only us, but the clan as well, that Bondi had not burned himself. Walking over fire, or even the burning coal they had, should have done something to him. It was a miracle that he had come out unscathed.

We learned after that, that Quetzalcoatl was not a person, but some type of serpent god they worshipped. Which was not only odd but sounded ridiculous.

Who worshipped a serpent?

It has been three days since then. After Bondi had won, we were able to return back to the destroyed Undead Beauty. Why they called themselves that made sense with how the ship now looked.

The clan of Kulan had made sure to come each and every day that had passed. Bringing food and gifts. Though they had no wood that they could give up to help with repairs, Masque said all he needed was a week and he'd have the rudder fixed.

I didn't know whether to believe him or not. Just how did he plan to fix the rudder? And did he not plan to fix the rest of the ship?

The sooner we were away from this island, the better I would feel.

By the time the fourth day passed, the crew was looking much better. At least, it didn't seem like they were on the verge of dying. Jacob also looked almost happy, unobservant to the cold glares the pirates around him was sending to the clan. William had caught on to them, however.

Saul was the one who had to put his foot down to stop them from attacking. They were in no shape and Saul knew that. They were only starting to get over the sickness and just started to eat again.

He had managed to get Ethecatl to let us take Rambrect's body so that we could give it a proper pirate burial. This had helped keep the others in the crew from doing anything stupid. Well, at least most of them.

Captain Velwyn wasn't so easily moved and he didn't back down. He was always at the ready, waiting for Ehecatl to come to the ship. Challenging him to matches to see which of the two was more superior.

His ego took a few beatings, but once Captain Velwyn was feeling better, he started to win. It made him stop acting as foolish or jump without thinking things through. Juliet had explained during one of the games that what Captain Velwyn was doing was lesser versions of what a pirate game could look like.

I had to wonder about that.

It was by the fifth day the reason for them coming so much became clear. The reason why Ethecatl and his clan never got the hints or turned away from the unfriendly vibes. I was a small distance from the ship, staring at the ash-filled water.

The sound of hammering and cursing would echo to me, giving me a reminder that it wouldn't be much longer before Marques, and the others, repairs would finish. He said we could leave that day, before nightfall, if everything went according to his plan. The mood had become brighter at that, though behind it, I could still feel the blood lust.

They wanted blood for blood, and I doubted we'd leave before that.

A sound from behind me had caught my attention. I turned, feeling the small hairs on my neck raise. My eyes landed on Ethecatl walking towards me alone, his other clan members continuing on towards the ship.

I hadn't talked to him since that day.

"Ethecatl is happy to see you." He stopped before me, his lips pulled into a smile. "How are you liking, Kulon?"

My eyes never left him. Something felt off to me that day.

"It has a lot of ash," I answered.

He nodded, raising a hand to point behind him. "It is Quetzalcoatl will and protects Ethecatl's clan."

Why hadn't he continued to the ship? I wasn't Captain Velwyn and didn't have a game I wanted to play with him. I wanted nothing to do with his clan.

Not after they killed Rambrect and never attempted to apologize. I wasn't Saul. I couldn't forgive nor could I just push it off.

I didn't dare take my eyes off of him.

"Ethecatl has decided that you will no longer be mateless." His words had me taking a step back in wariness. "Quetzalcoatl had approved of this when Ethecatl asked."

My fingers dug into my palms.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

Is that what he meant? Did he think that Captain Velwyn wouldn't care? That he only had to ask his God?

Was this how others outside of Carlisle did things?

Ethecatl frowned. "Ethecatl thought you would be more pleased. You are mateless. Your Captain even said this to Ethecatl."

"He has a big mouth. Why don't you go see my Captain? I'm sure that he would talk to you about it and explain what he meant. He really doesn't like it when someone tries to convince one of his crew to leave."

I was at least guessing that Captain Velwyn didn't like that. It was hard to say with me only being on the ship long enough for it to go to one town. What I did know, that the crew was protective of whoever joined it.

Even if that person wasn't a pirate for more than an hour.

"Ethecatl has already gotten Quetzalcoatl approval. You will no longer be mateless." He didn't move towards me but he didn't back away either. "You should be happy."

"No. I am not going to become anyone's mate. We, the people who aren't even from this island, don't go around calling someone mate or mateless. Not everyone has a mate." My words raised slightly as I took a step back, almost into the ashy silver sea. "You need my permission and I'm not giving it."

Maybe it was because of the amount of words that I said that had been the cause of the delay. That he didn't know of them and had to assume what I meant from the words he did know. Or maybe, he was sizing me up to see what I would do.

Whatever the case, I watched as his face slowly twisted into anger.

"Ethecatl needs no one but Quetzalcoatl permission."

I wanted to look towards the ship. I wanted to see if Marques or one of the others were still repairing that side. The sound of the hammer reaching us did me no good with pinpointing their location.

I was too far away from them to hear if I called for help.

"So much as touch me and I will kill you," I hissed, my hands falling to my side.

Where was that knife I tried to buy off of Romeo? Oh, right, he refused to sell it to me because he hadn't gotten over me threatening him with a mop.

I had nothing to use to defend myself with. Sizing him up and shifting myself so I didn't have my back to the water, I was sure I could take him. He didn't look like he would move fast and I could use his height against him.

Ethecatl watched me, his eyes hard and anger still on his face. "Ethecatl is leaving."

Relief didn't settle into me until after he turned and walked away. In the direction of the ship, but it was still away. My knees felt weak but didn't fall in.

Maybe he did understand that my threat wasn't something to take lightly. I had always made good on it, the faces haunting me reminded me of that each time I fell asleep. Slowly, I rubbed my face before looking out at the sea.

Why couldn't we leave at that moment?

Sighing, I made my way to the white ship as well. The ash crunched under my feet. Reaching where they had managed to pull it onto the shore, I spotted Captain Velwyn already playing some sort of game with Ethecatl.

Feeling eyes burning into me, I looked at the other Kulons that were around. None of them seemed to be staring at me, nor was anyone else from my pirate crew. Maybe I was imagining it.

Reaching the ladder, I climbed up it, finding Juliet staring down.

"What are you doing?" I asked her once I was over the ledge.

She sighed, looking at me. "Do you think love is real?"

Her question caught me off guard. "I think so," I said, as I smiled slightly. "Ya, I'm sure it does."

"Are you in love?" Excitement suddenly lit her voice up.

Laughing, I shook my head as I thought about George. "No, I'm not in love. Why the question, Juliet?"

A sigh escaped her as she looked back over the ship. I waited for her to talk on her own without pushing for the answer.

"Lorena mentioned that the person she loved was waiting for her. It reminded me of why I joined Captain Velwyn with Romeo."

"You and Romeo joined together?" I asked, leaning against the railing.

"Ya. Our families hated each other, but one day me and Romeo met and things just clicked. I was twelve then. At fourteen I was supposed to marry someone to help my father and secure my family, but neither me or Romeo wanted that. A week before the wedding, Captain Velwyn came and all but whisked us away."

I tilted my head, staring at her. "So you love Romeo?"

She barked out a laugh, shaking her head at me. "What? Him? No. No." A sigh escaped her. "There's nothing wrong with him, but he really doesn't float my boat."

"Then how did Lorena mentioning the person she loved reminded you of the reason you joined?" I asked.

She nodded. "I want to find someone but being the sea calls to me and I don't have any skills besides that of a pirate."

I patted her shoulder. "If you really find love, then it won't matter what skills you have. I'm going to go rest. I have nightwatch."

"Alright." I started to walk away before she stopped me again. "Hey, Rachel? What did Ethecatl want with you?"

Pausing, I looked up towards the blue sky.

"He wanted to know how we were enjoying his island. And if I knew what Captain Velwyn was planning to challenge him at today." It wasn't the full truth but since nothing happened, I didn't need to add fuel to the fire.

"I wish we could leave already."

I agreed with her before I went to find an empty hammock. I found the crew quarters empty, glad that I would be able to get some nice peaceful sleep. The hammering was nothing more but a buzz that helped tell me what we were getting closer and closer to being ready to leave.

Laying down, I placed an arm over my eyes and tried to rest.

That night was complete darkness. The moon was missing and it was colder than normal. I carried one of the few lamps around, trying to keep my body warm from the thin coat that I wore.

Bondi, Wiley, and four others were keeping watch with me. More than we would have out on the sea and I couldn't blame Saul from doing that. Bondi at least made sure the others didn't try to sneak off and do something.

I was by the helm when a splash of water came.

"What was that?" Wiley asked.

Looking in the direction, I found nothing but darkness. "Don't know. Berawyn is on the ground. If it's something, she'll call out."

"Ya." He rubbed his arms. "I hate nightwatch. I'm a navigator. I don't do this."

I shook my head at him. "Well, you do now. I'm going to go down and check to see if Berawyn found anything. Will you be okay with no light?"

"Go, I'll be fine. The light doesn't help anyway."

Nodding, I walked down the stairs. The light didn't go as far as I would like it, illuminating whatever it touched in yellow. I found the side ladder, using it to climb down to the ground.

Looking around, I didn't spot another light. Berawyn had been the second one to take a lamp with Bondi being the one to take the last we had. I should see a light.

Shivering, I walked in the direction I heard the loud splash. It had been a different noise than the waves were brushing against the shore.

"Berawyn?" I called out.

A crunched in ash had me turning. Still, I saw no light.

"Come on, Berawyn. I was warned you liked to scare people during nightwatch. And I thought it was bad enough during the day," I grumbled the last part to myself. "Stop messing around."

She didn't say anything back to me. I took a deep breath. Maybe she had gone further than I thought.

Turning, I rubbed my arm as I started back to the ladder. I felt better being on the ship. I didn't feel as exposed as I did right at that moment.

But the crunching of ash grabbed my attention. Someone was growing closer to me. My lips twitched. At least I could hear her coming.

"Glad to know you're out here. Did you find anything?" I asked, turning in the direction of the approaching footsteps.

There were no signs of light. Maybe it had gone out on her?

"Hey!" Wiley's shout came from above. "Berawyn and Bondi are up here! They found us some warmer coats so hurry up and get back up here!"

His words echoed behind me. I tensed as the figure stopped right before the light. If Berawyn was on the ship, then who was right in front of me?

I lifted the lamp higher, my heart racing, as I figured out who was standing in front of me. A large hand wrapped around my mouth from behind, my cry muffled.

The lamp fell, going out.