#syranis

“And what about the stragglers?” Ghost Eye’s gravelly voice asked. He hadn’t been paying much attention if there was anything else to be said truth be told, but it didn’t stop Cero from just giving a wave of his hand.

“They surrendered, correct?”

“Aye. Pussies,” his first mate replied.

“Take their coin and send them away.”

Cerothyn overlooked the wreckage from the enemy ship and as the flames burned over the water from their oils, his mind went exactly where he didn’t want it to go. “You’re better than this,” Syranis’ voice quietly said in the back of his mind. How she became to be almost like a conscience was a mystery to him, but it didn’t make the wound hurt any less. His mind wandered further--- from her voice, to her face, and then to her touch. He looked down to his boots, a hand reaching for his gun and he quickly pulled the revolver to send a bullet flying through one of the survivors.

“Captain!”

I’m not better than this, he snapped at her inside his mind as if she could hear him; as if it even still mattered to her. His heart pounded within his chest as his crew looked at him, confusion on most of their faces but some he found smiling. He wasn’t surprised to see it was the older members of the crew, because they remembered the pirate he once was. How could any of them forget? His eyes moved to the blood that pooled on the wooden surface of the deck and a part of him wanted to shoot another. “Someone clean this up and get these bastards off my ship. Whatever means necessary,” he barked out and moved to the door that led to his quarters.

“Are we still to set sail to the island? They said there’s more ships.”

He halted in his actions and turned to look over at the young man who had asked this, silence across the ship filled the air as Cerothyn practically burned a hole through him from his stare alone. “If you think we’re not going to die trying to get to that temple before the rest of them, you might as well get off my ship now,” he stated coldly before shutting the door behind him.

“…suppose bed Galla, wed Syranis, and behead Aela since I haven’t known her that long. Sorry, lass.” 

17. Your muse clutches their hand tightly around my muse’s mouth to silence them.

He found Lantis in a drunken haze. The mage was performing several fire tricks for a group of people, many familiar faces the pirate knew even. Cerothyn sauntered up and stood beside Faer, his arm resting on the man’s shoulder to support his weight as he swayed back and forth. “How did you get this many lasses in one place, mate? Oh what I’d like to do to you,” he slurred and motioned to Syranis. “You remember that time I had you on the table? granted I had taken that one thing from Tase, but gods the way you felt under-” Lantis’ ears jolted up and quickly cut the drunk man off by clasping his hand tightly over Cero’s mouth to stop him from further embarrassing himself.

Everyone was giggling as Syranis’ face turned about 50 different shades of red. Her ears lowered and she looked around, trying to find the quickest way to exit the crowd of people. Cero was busy still wiggling his eyebrows at her and mumbling beneath the hand over his mouth. Lantis could only shake his head with disappointment. “You really need to learn to hold your doublerum better,” he mumbled to Cero.

“I’m so...sorry.”

It was all he could possibly manage after everything he put Syranis through. Screwing up would be an understatement as to what he did under the effects of the potion Tase had drugged him with. He couldn’t imagine how he would make it up to her or if he even was able to. He had been beyond cruel in not only his words but his actions as well. The pirate couldn’t even bring himself to look at her, it was too much. He knew if he felt this horrible, the pain she felt was far greater. He likely pushed the only thing close to a friend away.

Aiden waited out in the grand hall of the expensive estate, admiring various paintings as he did. He picked up one of the antique magical artifacts that was on display and turned the thing over in his hand. The man was so wrapped up in tracing the runes that he didn’t even hear the servant call for him. “Mr. Ras’vanae,” she called again. This time his slender ears lifted and he cleared his throat before stalking after her since she was already heading off through double doors to lead him to the contact that was waiting for him. The lights were dimly lit in the room and behind the desk sat an all too chipper man almost like himself, his gaze darkened as he stared at Aiden. “What do you have for me?” he asked.

“Here I thought Nikklaus was all about theatrics, I have to hand it to you. The swivel chair, dimmed lights, and even the hot servant chick. You could pass off as a real villain. I’m impressed,” Aiden replied with a small nod. “To answer your question though, a lot. So much in fact that I’m wondering what you even have to offer me in return for my time.”

“I have money-”

“So do I,” he said, cutting him off.

“...I’m going to just assume you have something in mind already?”

“Now that you mention it, I do. Your brother. He’s becoming a problem for me,” he said all too casually.

Aelen leaned forward with a smirk. “What has Lee done this time?”

There was a moment of silence and Aiden’s expression turned more serious. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, “he’s getting too close to something that belongs to me. I want you to make sure it doesn’t continue.” He was finished with Baelios’ bodyguard job for his Lolette. That wasn’t Lee’s place in his mind, especially not for his girl. He had seen the two together, chatting up like good friends, and it made his skin crawl. It was time for it to come to an end. “So what do you say Aelen, feel like making a deal with the devil?”

“Tell me everything you know about Syranis,” he answered with a smile.

I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // You’re nice // You’re mean // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

“Well, I’m just being honest, lass. You look like you need some rest or a drink. Perhaps both.” He scratched his chest and walked toward the dresser that was against one of the windows. Cero grabbed the bottle of spiced rum and poured himself and Syranis a glass. He offered it to her as he looked her over then to his bed. “There’s a chair,” he motioned to the one against a small desk in the corner and plopped down on his bed, both boots made a small thumping noise as they came into contact with the wooden floor.

“Rest assured, I’m holding up well. My ribs are a bit sore, but that’s nothing major. I’m sure the pain will pass in a week.” He reached up and carefully prodded at the large bruise on his cheek then to his busted lip. “Still bloody hurts, but that will go away too. It’s nothing I’m not used to.” He swirled his drink and took a heavy swig.

“So what happened to you?”