She rubbed at her dry, tired eyes as she sighed and squeezed the rough hand lying limp under hers. Grace watched his sleeping face, ever alert for signs of discomfort caused by his wounds. Thank God that Liam had returned shortly after Sebastian fainted and immediately began to save his brother. She had stayed by his side, helping in any way she could as Liam carefully removed the fragments that had shattered inside him. After hours of work they felt it was safe to move Sebastian to his bed-with the help of the men that had accompanied Liam home. When Liam finished stitching the wound closed he had looked forlorn.

“I’ve done everything for the wound that I can. I wish I had more of my remedies, but I used a lot tonight for the fire and…” That had been three days ago and Grace had not left his side since. She was sitting in a chair, clutching at his hand to ensure herself that he was still here while monitoring his breathing. The first night had been the worst as his body burned with a fever and they had to force any medicine they could find down his throat to combat the infection. With Liam’s knowledge he had been confident that it would work better than what most physicians recommended, but her heart had been racing all night and she had cried at the thought of losing him. He had been right in the end as the fever had lessened, but it was still too early for her to relax. She reached up and gently stroked the side of his forehead, moving strands of hair out of the way. She frowned and traced the scar over his eye, wishing that he would open them for her just once so she knew all would be okay. A soft knock startled her and she turned just as the door opened and Aiden came in carrying a small tray.

“I brought you some tea…” He hesitated as he looked over to Sebastian, the worry clear in his blue eyes.

“How is he?” He whispered and she tried to give him a reassuring smile, knowing that it wasn’t very convincing.

“Better. The fever has almost left his body. Soon, he’ll be up and ordering everyone around again.” She tried to joke, but her voice began to shake and she tightened her grip on his hand as she fought back tears. Aiden set the tray down and came behind her chair, squeezing her shoulder.

“He’ll make it...You should really get some-”

“No.” She interrupted, shaking her head firmly.

“I vowed to stay here until he wakes up.” She said and Aiden sighed, not fighting her decision like Liam had. Maybe he understood her desire to be by Sebastian’s side all too well. He poured her a cup of tea and made sure she took a sip before moving off. She watched him stoke the fire and walk around the room, his movements awkward. Grace could tell that something else was on his mind as his stance wasn’t as composed as she was used to seeing.

“What is it Aiden?” She asked softly and he grimaced. He looked over at her and for the first time she could see his age in his eyes. He looked like a young boy looking for his mother’s forgiveness. He came back to her side, kneeling next to her, his hand lightly touching her arm.

“Mil-Grace...I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Everything that happened is because of me.” He whispered, lowering his head and covering his eyes.

“Sebastian was shot because I-”

“Shh...It’s not your fault.” She said, reaching out on instinct and stroking his hair as she had so often done for her sister when she was little. Her eyes began to tear again, stinging as the moisture made her realize just how dry they really were.

“If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine. If I had told him about seeing Malcolm maybe this-”

Aiden shook his head and raised his eyes back to hers, his blue orbs misting.

“No. This is all because of me and my family. I haven’t had the chance to...to tell you everything. Besides with-” He broke off as he looked at the bed and cleared his throat.

“Well there just wasn’t a good time until now...but if you’ll listen...I’d like to tell you my story.” He said, his voice so soft that she almost didn’t hear him. She smiled and nodded, waiting while he fetched a second chair and joined her at Sebastian’s side. He clenched his hands in his lap as he took in a deep breath then began his tale.

“I honestly I don’t remember much of my parents. My mom ran off a few years after me and my sister were born with her lover and my dad got himself killed in some drunk brawl. That left Malcolm to raise me and my twin sister Eveline. Malcolm was fifteen and we were only six. He worked hard though and made sure we had enough to survive so it wasn’t hard to forget our situation.

“Malcolm could have abandoned us at any time, but he didn’t. He said that we were family and family should support each other. For so long I looked up to him and wanted to grow stronger so I could also help protect our sister. Malcolm was always more protective of her and I thought it was because she was more fragile, I was too young to understand the hidden changes in him. I was about...sixteen when things really changed. Eveline was growing more each day and had become so beautiful despite our livings. Had she been born a noble all others would be jealous of her and gentlemen would fight over her...She was smart too, far better with figures than I could ever hope to be. She made sure we didn’t waste anything and ran the house rather well.

“As she began to grow into a woman Malcolm’s attitude towards her began to change. He started being more affectionate with her, hugging her and complimenting her all the time. I didn’t realize...Had I, I could have...I came home from working on the docks and heard her screaming. I was sure that someone had come into our home and was attacking her. I never imagined it would be Malcolm on top of her.

“I threw him off her, shouting at him to get a hold of himself as she trembled behind me. He started talking about how no one could love her like he could and how they were meant for each other, that she was our parents’ last gift to him. He was an entirely different person than we had believed and it terrified us. When he lunged for her again I stepped in the way and pulled my work knife without thinking. It stabbed him clean through the center of his hand. As he stumbled back Eveline took a vase and brought it down on his head.

“While he lay there unconscious we were frozen, unable to think at first. But then I looked at my sister and knew I had to get her as far away from him as I could. I took her and ran, leaving our home and everything behind as we went to the docks…” He paused and looked up at Sebastian, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“That was when I made a gamble on this man. He was standing on the docks, watching as cargo was loaded onto his ship. I had seen him several times and heard people talk of how dangerous he was. There wasn’t a more fearsome captain they said. I thought that if anyone could offer us protection from my crazed brother it was this man. So I dragged my sister to him and begged for him to allow us passage on his ship. ‘It doesn’t matter where you go, just take us with you. I’ll work to pay our passage, but please...Please take us from here!’ I still don’t know what made him accept my plea, but he did.

“We sailed with him for nearly half a year and within that time I had gained a new respect for this man. He was truly intimidating, but he was also more capable than any I had seen or worked for and he never made me or Eveline feel like burdens. Eventually I had to come clean on why we were desperate to flee and he became angry on our behalf, promising to help protect Eveline so long as she was on his ship. He had no obligation to us, but he still accepted us without hesitation. It was then that I vowed to serve the man that had saved my sister’s life. That’s how we became a part of his crew and sailed with him for two years.” He stopped and looked over at her, reading the uncomfortable question in her eyes that she was trying desperately to hide. He chuckled and shook his head.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“Eveline was nothing more than another crew member to Sebastian, but he believes that makes us just as much family as blood does. When Eveline finally left the ship in Barbados, she didn’t leave alone. During the time, she had fallen in love with one of the crew, a man named Gillian. They were married on the ship by Sebastian and that was the last time I saw my sister in person. I still receive letters so I know she’s happy and I have two beautiful nieces, but in case Malcolm ever got a hold of them she kept where they are a secret. I’m not sure where she is now, but I’m okay so long as she’s safe.”

“That’s what Sebastian said to Malcolm as well, that ‘even if he knew…’ Which means he was telling the truth.”

“Yes. We have always agreed that if my brother tried to track her down we would stop him, but he was smart enough to never get caught. We almost had him a few times on the sea, but he wasn’t about to challenge Sebastian in a fight, knowing the ‘One-Eyed Demon’ is unmatchable in combat. I know the only reason he was even able to hurt Sebastian was because he didn’t care what happened so long as you weren’t hurt.” Aiden said, looking at her with a soft smile.

“Thank you...I’m glad you told me.” Grace said as she looked over at the young man and smiled genuinely for the first time in three days. She reached over and cupped his cheek gently, surprising him.

“And I think I speak for both of us when I say that there is nothing to forgive, because this is not your fault. Sebastian was right that you are like our family and I’m glad you are here with us now.” She said and watched as tears formed in his eyes as he put his hand over hers and lowered his head again, his cheeks glowing softly. He suddenly rose from his seat, her hand falling away.

“I better go check on the rest of the staff and give the men an update before they come storming in here and disturb Cap’s sleep.” He said, turning and going to the door. Grace watched him reach for the handle, but hesitate again as he looked over his shoulder at her. He smiled and gave her a quick wink that was uniquely Aiden.

“Thank you…” He said before leaving her alone at Sebastian’s side once more. She sighed and looked down at the man she loved and felt her heart squeeze with emotions caused by this new information. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek,

“How did I ever think you were a cold man? You are truly amazing my love...Now show me one more time by opening your eyes...please Sebastian, come back to me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sebastian groaned softly as he shifted, his body feeling heavy and stiff, ignoring his mind’s commands. He slowly blinked, waking fully as he took in his surroundings. It was dark, but he could tell he was in his chambers, lying in bed. He frowned as his memory slowly returned and his side throbbed uncomfortably. He tried to sit up and had to grit his teeth, hissing softly, pain lancing through him. It was a familiar sensation and he knew he would have a new scar once it was fully healed. A soft sigh made him look over to see Grace hunched over, her head resting on her folded arms. He realized that one of her hands was softly gripping his and it all came crashing over him.

He had almost died in her arms. It was just like...only this time he knew without a doubt that she was meant to be his. His fingers tightened around hers, squeezing her hand back to reassure his pounding heart that she was beside him. She stirred and sleepily lifted her head, groaning as she wiped at her eyes. Grace looked down at their linked hands and her eyes widened.

“Sebastian?” She whispered as her eyes swung up to meet his while he smiled weakly at her. She suddenly leapt up, hugging his neck tightly. He cringed and cursed at the pain that shot through his side.

“Oh sorry! I just...I’m just so relieved that...Sebastian I was so afraid…” She was leaning back now so he could see her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and he frowned as he reached up to wipe away the moisture with his thumb. She leaned into his palm, reaching up to hold his hand there, more tears flowing over his fingers.

“I thought I was going to lose you. Oh Sebastian, I love you so much. Don’t ever scare me like this again.” She whispered, her violet eyes sparkling brightly and he thought that she had never looked more beautiful. He smiled and pulled her back down to him, kissing her until they were both breathless.

“Forgive me love. Let me make up for all those tears.” He said, drawing her even closer, her body laying along his. She moaned, briefly giving in, but then drew back.

“Sebastian don’t. Your injury! We have to be-”

“I’ll never be too injured for this...” He whispered huskily against her neck, licking the base and sliding his hands along her sides to emphasize his point. Then he smiled softly, brushing at her bangs and took her hand in his, laying it over his heart.

“But all I need right now is to ensure that this is still beating strongly for the woman I love. I love you Grace.” He breathed as he kissed her tenderly, feeling her relax against him as she gave in to his attentions. When he released her lips he urged her to lay her head on his chest, hugging her tightly. He took deep breaths, taking in her gentle scent and feeling her heart beat in sync with his. Holding her close like this made him thank the heavens that he had been given another chance to make things right with her. He knew that he wouldn’t get another after this, so he eased his hold on her.

“Grace...There’s something that I have to tell you…” He whispered. She lifted her head and looked at him curiously. Her brows furrowed when she saw the look on his face.

“Grace...I-” His words were interrupted by a sharp knock that was followed by Liam opening the door. His eyes widened and he nearly dropped his bag when he saw them, but he quickly recovered and a large smile spread across his face. Grace blushed brightly when she realized that she was still lying on top of him and immediately slid off. Liam didn’t comment though as he came over and set his bag down on the floor and smiled down at his brother.

“Welcome back. You had us all worried there for a bit. It’s a good thing there was a capable doctor around.”

“Did Aiden call for Dr. Whisten?” Sebastian grumbled and Liam laughed, hugging his brother.

“Yeah, you're back alright. Now that the fever is completely gone we can relax. All that’s left is making sure the wound seals properly.” Liam said and gestured for Sebastian to lower the coverlet so he could inspect the spot in question. Grace took a step towards the door, still looking embarrassed.

“I-I should let everyone...They will want to know that you're awake.” She said, starting to walk out when he called out for her, not wanting to let her go. She stopped and looked at him, but misread why he had tried to stop her.

“I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.” She smiled and disappeared then, making him sigh and his head dropped back into his pillow. Liam raised a brow, but silently continued his work, needing to focus on what he was doing. After he cleaned and re-dressed the wound he nodded happily.

“So far it’s looking great. Now the most important thing is that you rest. No actions that could reopen the wound. So basically no continuing what I interrupted earlier.” He tried to joke, but it only made Sebastian’s frown deepen as he turned his head away.

“Hey...I was only teasing I didn’t-”

“It’s not that...I was about to tell her...everything.” Sebastian whispered and Liam flinched, cursing softly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sorry...I didn’t think beyond seeing you up finally.” Liam apologized and Sebastian sighed, looking up at the top of his canopy as he spoke his thoughts.

“I can’t put it off any longer and there’s no reason to continue hiding it. This-” He gestured to his side.

“Almost took away any future I could have with her. I don’t want anything else to be between us. I have to tell her the truth…” He said and Liam looked worried as he saw the fear in his brother’s eyes, something he rarely saw so openly.

“Are you sure? I know I was the one that said you should tell her, but with everything you’ve gone through I don’t want to see it all end.”

“Neither do I, which is why I need to do this now. I’m going to take this as a second chance to do this right and start over with her. No more excuses and no more cowering behind a patch of leather. If I truly love that woman, I need to trust her with my heart and offer all of me. It’s time I told her about our past.” Sebastian said feeling a new sense of determination fill him as he came to the final step of winning the heart he had always longed for. Liam smirked and gently punched Sebastian’s shoulder.

“I do recall someone saying that they were never one to cower in a corner.”