Page 116 of The Worst of Them

Most of these thoughts had occurred in her beastliest moments when she had hated herself and her life the most. Though even on her best days, there was no life she despised more than Morgyn’s for all her wicked manipulation and cruelty toward Cecily and so many others.

Watching her die, however, was as alarming as any sudden death—and so quick that Cecily might have missed it if she so much as blinked.

Blood exploded from Morgyn’s head, her body crumpled, and she fell back into the sea. Save for the sound of her body hitting the water, the ship was silent.

Only after she had vanished did Cecily’s stomach bottom out. Not for joy or delight, but for the shock of it.

Morgyn, her villain, her enemy, was dead.

Cecily was surprised to feel no pleasure in her death, only a strained relief that she would no longer have to worry about preserving her own life against Morgyn’s whims.

Jack turned on his heel and returned to the deck, his gun still in hand. “Any objections?” he barked at the crew.

The new sailors watched in fear while seasoned crew merely turned away, lowering their gazes in respect. Fiero said nothing.

“Good,” Jack snapped. “Back to work.”

Cecily remained rooted in place, and Hester released her as the sailors burst into motion. Jack stalked closer, eyes still glittering with malice, but Cecily held his gaze.

The woman I love, he’d said, and her heart repeated it like a chant, savoring the words and decking the corners of her mind with them as though they were banners to hang over every thought and feeling for the rest of her life.

When he reached her, he slid his hand to the nape of her neck, a public declaration that she was his. “I’m sorry you weren’t the one to do it,” he said, but he didn’t sound sorry at all. “The new crew needed to see what happens when they cross a Copson.”

She might’ve told Jack she loved him then, but Jack leaned down to press his lips to hers. He was breathing hard, and so was she as she leaned into him. Then someone called his name, and he broke away.

“We’ll speak once we reach better waters,” he said. “I’ll find you.”

And though she knew she was first in his heart, there was much work to tend to before they began the long conversation they needed to have.

…the woman I love…

Cecily made her way to the galley, where Stede greeted her with an elated, “Glad you decided to come back, lassy! You’re lookin’ mighty well.” Then he gave her a pile of potatoes and a very sharp knife before telling her about visiting a man in Tortuga who was older than anyone had a right to be.

“Strange things in these waters,” he said, “but I told ya all about that. Saw a mermaid though, just off the port when we left. Black fins and quick as a whip.”

Despite her eagerness to escape before, the Fortuna Royale felt welcoming in a way she had never imagined it could be. She settled into the hominess and told Stede about her own adventures, gleefully satisfied to watch his eyes glimmer with interest when she shared about the Witch of Tortuga and her haunted forest that ate an entire regiment of Spanish soldiers in a single night.

“Must’a been a sight,” he said reverently. “Soon you’ll have more stories than me.”

“I certainly hope not,” Cecily replied. “No one’s tales are better than yours.”

He winked. “I’m still collectin’ ‘em as long as the good Lord’ll let me.”

All day, they worked, serving lunch and then preparing dinner. She didn’t see Jack, but her thoughts constantly strayed to him, turning over his words and all that had happened that morning.

…the woman I love…

He came for her around supper.

“Where have you been?” she asked as he approached the galley. She eyed his windblown hair, his prowling steps, the knives on his strong body, and the gold ring glinting on his finger.

This morning he’d been wound with anger, but now he looked more at ease, his face composed and stoic. But when he met her gaze, the affection in his eyes made her toes curl in her boots.

“Maybe you don’t remember,” he drawled, “but new crew is quite a bit to manage.” He stopped before her, bringing with him the smell of wind and sea. “I look away for a single moment and someone could take my sword or sneak off to somewhere they shouldn’t be.”

Her heart beat faster. Husband, it seemed to whisper. He rescues me. He loves me.

“Perhaps they’re flirting with you,” she suggested.