Page 88 of Escaping Pirates

“You saved her and for that…I can never thank you enough.”

“I love Elena,” Harlan answered simply. “And she saved me just as much as I saved her. I would do anything for her, and that will never change.”

“I believe you,” Father replied. He clapped a hand on Harlan’s shoulder. “And if there’s anything I can do to repay you, you only need to name it.”

“You’ve already given me more than enough,” Harlan said with a smile, glancing at me. I beamed at him. I’d never imagined such a joyful reunion. But standing between my family and the man I loved most in the world, with a future wide open before us, it finally felt real.

Harlan and I walked around the perimeter of town later that evening. My family’s new home was situated at the edge of town, close to the ports but still only a twenty-minute walkto the castle. I’d intended to stay with them longer, but once their bags had been taken in, my parents and siblings had collapsed into their beds and instantly fallen asleep. Harlan and I had snuck out, quietly closing the door behind us so they could rest and recover from their journey.

A nearby bakery sent out wafts of the delicious smell of pastries fresh from the oven, and I inhaled deeply. “There’s a smell that will tempt bears out of that forest,” I said, waving a hand at the woods beyond.

Harlan laughed. “There aren’t many bears in this area. It’s more likely to be bandits, if anything. The forest is full of them. See?” He pointed at a wanted poster, and I recognized Roderick Vane’s scarred and bearded face. “Just as dangerous as bears and probably more likely to harm someone.”

“I recognize him,” I told Harlan, squinting at the poster. “Tyrone had dinner with him one evening and he wanted to import some crates.” I puckered my lips. “Whatever is inside cannot have been legal.”

“Don’t worry about it. I have my rangers that are part of the Nightsworn,” Harlan told me firmly. “They handle capturing people like him.”

“Not if I get to him first.” Gil’s casual voice came from behind me. I jumped, unaware that anyone had been nearby. Gil tore the poster from where it had been nailed to the post, looked at it, then rolled it up and tucked it into her jacket. “This looks like a mission I’d enjoy.”

She bobbed along the thin, winding dirt trail toward the tree line, her short, golden hair winking out from beneath her cap. If I hadn’t known her identity, I would have still assumed she was a young teenage boy. She truly was a master of disguise. I hesitated, wondering if I could call after her, but Harlan gently squeezed my hand. “If whatever Gil’splanning is illegal, then the Nightsworn will handle it. Let’s just enjoy our future together. Come on. Let’s go plan our wedding.”

Without looking back at us once, Gil disappeared into the deep, dark woods.

THE END