Maria eruptedinto a fit of crazed laughter. “He won’t hear you.” Her darkeyebrow cocked to the side as her sword arm tightened and raisedthe blade. “Not in time, anyway.”
She advancedquickly, savagely, hardly giving me a chance to deflect. But I keptup, bringing my blade to her time after time after time. Until myarm began to tire even more than it already was and I could feelthe ache in my bones. My limbs turned to jelly, and I couldn’t liftmy sword from the floor.
No one wascoming, I realized and then fell to my knees as I finally faltered.Too tired to lift my sword once more. Maria sauntered over to standin front of me as tears streamed down my face. I said a silentgoodbye to my baby, to Henry, and my friends who slept soundlysomewhere in that very building.
I’m sorry, Ithought. I’m sorry I couldn’t beat her.
I heard herblade raise in the air and I glanced up defiantly. I wanted tostare her in the eye when she took my life in hopes that the lightdraining from my face would haunt her for the rest of her miserablelife. However long that may be.
Her mouthtwisted to the side, ready, hungry for my blood. I braced for theblow but gasped as her body jerked forward, and a blade burstthrough her chest, spraying hot blood onto my face. Trembling, Iscampered backward, away from theswords, away from the collapsing body of my sister. She craned herneck and twisted her body to reveal the person who so boldly tookher life.
“Henry!” Icried out, the relief flooding through my voice. My eyes were onhim as he stepped over Maria’s lifeless corpse on the floor anddove for me. My body, shaking from adrenaline, fit inside hisembrace and he rocked me back and forth.
“Shhh,” hehummed in my ear. “It’s okay. It’s over. It’s all over.”
I knew he wasright, but I let Henry hold me tight as he continued to whisper thewords. Again, and again. Waiting until it finally rang true in mymind and I could accept that it really was. It was all over.
Maria Cobhamwas dead.
***
We stood onthe cliffs on Southampton, looking out over the docks and thebustling early morning traffic that busied about. We’d gatheredthere quickly, the whole crew with Henry and I. After he’d pried mefrom the floor, covered in my sister’s blood, we’d emerged to findthat the sun had come up and that we had a serious decision tomake. One that had to be made quickly. I’d gathered my things andcalled the crew outside and told them what happened.
“I still can’tbelieve that Wallace had a part in this,” Lottie said.
“Don’t blameher,” I told them all. “Maria was blackmailing her. Roselyn didn’thave a choice. Tell her that I know that now, okay?” I motioned toLottie who was fighting back tears. “Tell her?”
Shenodded.
Finn steppedforward. “Christ, do ye have to go so soon?”
I flung myselfinto his giant arms and he placed a kiss atop my head as I heard aslight sniffle come from his nose. “Yes, if Mom’s ring was from thefuture–” I choked back tears. “Time isn’t really on our side rightnow.”
The big Scotchuckled and wiped away a fallen tear. “’Tis never on our side,Lassie.”
“I know,” Itold him. “And I’m sorry. I’m going to miss you so much. You haveno idea.” I glanced around at the crew before me. Finn, Gus,Lottie, and Benjamin. Seamus and John had gone into town the nightbefore, but they’ll understand, once Gus told them.
“Augustus,”Henry spoke and held out a hand. Gus accepted it proudly. “You’rethe captain of The Queen now. She’s yours. Treat her well.”
“Aye, aye,captain,” Gus replied, holding his head high and then glancing toLottie. “We all will.”
Lottie grabbedhold, pressing me against her in a crushing embrace. “Don’t forgetme, alright?” she said in my ear.
“I couldnever,” I whispered back to her. “I love you, Lottie.”
We broke freeof our embrace and I returned to Henry’s side. “Are you sure you’llall be alright to sail back to Newfoundland?”
“Aye,” Finnchurred. “We’ll be just fine. I reckon we’ll wait out the winterhere. Git on Wallace’s nerves for a while. She owes us asmuch.”
“You’ll behappy aboard The Queen,” I said to Benjamin. “I promise. They’ll beyour family.”
He noddedsadly and pursed his lips. “I know, sweetness. I know.” He nudgedthe snow on the ground with the toe of his boot, unsure of how toreally say goodbye. I knew the feeling. “Are… are you sure youcan’t wait just a little longer? I mean… I just got here.” Benjamingrinned sadly.
I pulled theman into a desperate hold. “I wish there were more time,” I said inhis ear. “But I have to go now if I have any chance at all.”
I pulled away,reluctantly, aching with every inch I put between myself and myfriends. I had to keep reminding myself that I was leaving themwith everything they could ever need. They’d be alright without me.Without us.
I sighed. Itwas time to go, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave them. To turnmy back to the people I’d come to love. Come to call family. But Ihad to remind myself that they had each other, the ship, and enoughtreasure to last ten lifetimes.
“Go!” Finnbellowed, making the hard choice for me. “Git on outta here!”
I looked atHenry and he secured his grip around my fingers. We ran off downthe path that led to the bottom of the cliff, toward the water.When we reached the bottom, the brave man stopped and turned toface me. His dark eyes gleaming down with a mix of joy anduncertainty flashing in their reflection.
“Are yousure?” he asked me.
“Of course,” Itold him. “I know what to expect. I know where we’re going. But…are you sure? Are you ready?”
Henry held myface in his hands and covered my mouth with his. The warmth of hislips soothing my bones and filling my soul with love. My pirateking. My everything. When he pulled away, he smiled.
“I am alwayssure when I’m with you,” he said to me. “And, I’d say it’s abouttime we have our happy ending, don’t you? We deserve as
