Serah’s POV:

I whipped around to face Perryn. “Why did you just do that?” I demanded.

“Do what?” He asked.

“You know what. Give up your responsibilities. Give the kingdom away. Ruin your entire life.”

He smirked, “I don’t think I have ever told you this, but I am an expert liar and great at hiding secrets.”

“That’s…comforting…” I said slowly, “But what’s your plan?”

“Hide away for a while. When everyone thinks I’m dead…boom! I come in and shock them all. Take over my kingdom, kick Louis out and yeah, all that fun stuff.”

“Great.” I said dryly, “Fantastic plan.”

Then I turned serious. I looked at him, forcing him to keep my steady gaze, “Do you think Louis will hold his side of the deal?”

He took a moment to think. I immediately took note of his hesitation, my gaze becoming instantly wary.

“I don’t know.” He finally admitted, “I think he will. He’s never been the type of guy to break deals or promises.”

I nodded quietly, then turned to the alleyway again, “Let’s go.” I said simply.

I glanced back over the cliff before heading into the alleyway. The sun had set slightly and I now realized how long we had sat together on the cliff. I also realized how much I had told Perryn. Everything. I had told him everything. And he hadn’t judged me.

Now I just had to tell my crew.

I bit my lip in concentration as we started down the alley.

A sudden snicker beside me made me turn.

Perryn was watching me, a smirk on his face. Then he loped his arm casually around my shoulders, “Has anyone even told you that you look cute when you concentrate?” He asked.

I smoothly flipped my hair over my shoulder and sent him my most brilliant smile, “Oh they have.” I said sweetly, “But none of them survived until the next day.”

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He smirked again, and this time, I got a good look at his face. I remembered the first day I had seen him thinking, ‘dang, he’s hot’.

His eyes were emerald green with small flakes of gold in the center. They sparkled with a constant glow of amusement. His wavy, rugged brown hair had grown longer in the short time that we had known each other, and it fit him.

Without thinking, I jumped onto my tiptoes and placed a kiss on his lips. Instantly, his arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me into the air until I giggled against his lips. He swung me in a circle, laughing along with me.

I sighed as we settled down, nestling my face into the crook of his neck contentedly. He hummed happily as we stood together in the empty alleyway, the sun setting on our worries.

Finally, he spoke, “I’m happy.” He said simply.

I hesitated a moment. I still had many troubles in my life, many worries and struggles. But I was happy in all of it, “Me too.” I said finally.

As much as I regretted it, I pulled away from him after a while. Instead I laced my hand into his and started down the alley once again. This time, we made our way out of it. The market was no longer busy, only a few people still strolled along amongst the street vendors. “I didn’t tell anyone where I went.” Perryn admitted as we scanned the marketplace for a familiar face.

“It’s okay.” I replied, “They either went home or Chippers.”

“What’s Chippers?” He asked.

“It’s like the island’s best restaurant.”

“Oh.”

“Have you ever been to one?” I asked suddenly.

“What?”

“A restaurant.” I hesitated, then said shyly, “I know it’s not really something that royals go to.”

He shrugged, “Not really. I mean, the kitchen staff makes good food.”

I nodded quietly. We walked, still hand in hand towards Chippers. It was just outside the market square. As I swung through the door I was greeting with noise from all directions. In one corner of the restaurant, two old sailors were sharing seafaring tales with other sailors, exaggerating on the small bits of the stories and laughing heartily along with each other. I pulled Perryn towards the bar, where we both sat down.

Dahlia, the bar maid, instantly approached me, “Hey, if it isn’t my favorite pirate captain.” She said happily, her green eyes sparkling. She looked at Perryn, “Who’s your handsome friend?”

Perryn blinked then looked to me for help.

“This is Perryn.” I said simply, “Dahlia, did Colt, Liz or any of the others come by here today?”

She winked at Perryn, who surprisingly blushed underneath her gaze, then turned back to me, “Hmm…Colt and Liz? Nope. But Lydia, Scarlett and Kat did. Along with some fish bait apparently. They came by about five hours ago, for dinner.”

I nodded, “Alright, thanks.”

Dahlia nodded, “So…the usual?”

I nodded, “For both of us.”

She turned and vanished into the crowd of servers to get our orders. Perryn opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by a sudden yell in the crowd.

I tilted my head to watch as a sailor was thrown across the room, slamming into a barrel of mead…which promptly exploded, covering all that were with a five foot radius in it. A cheer went up through the crowd as I recognized the man to be a part of Uthera’s crew.

A young man, only about fifteen years old, pulled a girl around his age onto a table, raising her hand in victory, “And that’s how it is done, ladies and gents.” He said proudly.

Immediately applause sounded throughout the room. The girl looked around, a smug grin on her face.

I instantly disliked both of them.

“Would anyone else like to challenge the greatest pirate of all? Captain Hurricane!”