Endless

A Destination

"Look!" I said to Dorian, putting aside my anger at him. "The hair is a little lighter than the Prince, and maybe his eyes are a different shape but overall he could be!"

Dorian rubbed his temples. "Ehhh," he looked unsure. He was tired, as we had been talking about it for hours. He didn't seem to see the resemblance. "I don't know Aviva. There's not much very similar."

"Come on Dorian!" I was tired too. "You've been so set on this for so long and now we actually have a chance. It's him!"

Dorian bit his lip. "You've been so set on this for so long that I think you're desperate."

I groaned and sat down on a barrel. "You're right. I am desperate. But I think I'm right, so please trust me on this one."

He thought for a while. "Okay, say you're right, then what happens?"

"We sail to London and hand in Ryder to the king. Then we get the money we've been dying for since we were kids."

"We hand Ryder in?" An idea passed over Dorian's face. "We leave him there? We don't have to see him? You don't have to see him ever again?"

My eyes rolled. "That is whats usually meant when someone says 'hand him in'. I'm not going to hand him in, get the money then steal him again." Then the idea passed over my face.

Dorian saw the idea forming and quickly interrupted. "Okay fine. We'll hand him in as the 'Prince Theodore'. Only if you promise to leave him there and we don't ever have to see him darken our ship again."

"Strong opinion." I said. "Very well. We leave him there and get the money."

For the first time in a while, Dorian smiled. "Great. When do we sail?"

***

James looked at the map while I steered. "London?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

I smiled knowingly. "We have reason to visit the king."

"The king?" James looked worried. "You're not going to kill him are you?"

I laughed as I steered the ship to a sharp right. Barrels rolled to the edge of the ship, and George nearly fell out of the crow's nest. "No not yet."

"That's comforting." He said as he gripped the railing. "Then why are we heading to the Devil's city?"

"We have something he wants. And he's willing to pay a lot for it."

"The Prince? You can't be serious. That kid ought to have died a long time ago." He said incredulously.

I nodded. "That's what we had thought but it appears he lives on."

James looked across the ship. "Alex?"

"Good lord no. The Prince is older than that. It's Ryder."

"Ryder?" James said unsure.

"It makes sense. Why else would he have been on a navy boat. They probably were trying to return him." I said matter-of-factly.

"Then answer me this. Why did he say he was a pirate? Why join us? Give away navy positions? Why say his name is Ryder? Not Theodore?"

I bit my lip, unsure how to answer. "I think he was scared we would kill him. Maybe he was afraid of getting handed in. Afraid of returning to a different home. And-" I paused. "-I think he's in love with me."

James nodded. "I thought the same. However I advise against it. I always saw you with that Dorian."

I took another sharp turn, this time angrily. "So did I." I muttered to myself. "I like Ryder." I said out loud to James. "He's okay. He doesn't play with my feelings. Not like other people."

James said nothing. He seemed to understand.

Ryder came up to the steering deck. He walked over and kissed my cheek, catching me off guard. "The others want to know what's up with the sharp turns. Half of them have fallen from their hammocks. What's going on?"

"New bearing." I said avoiding his eyes.

"Where?"

"London." James said, watching his reaction.

Ryder looked puzzled. "How come?"

"Money." I stated.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll let them know."

"I will." James said narrowing his eyes. "I'm second in command, don't forget your place."

"Yes sir." Ryder said. James left. I wish he hadn't. Now I was left with Ryder, feeling incredibly guilty. He adjusted my hat. I winced, Dorian used to do that.

"You look amazing." He said grinning.

"Thanks." I said, and still avoided looking at him. He leaned in and kissed me. I kissed him back, but when I did Dorian's face came into my head. I pulled away.

"What's wrong?" He said.

"Nothing. Just need to focus on steering." I looked down at the compass. Ryder took the hint and he walked off.

I sighed and sank down beside the wheel. Ryder had only been kind to me, but he wasn't Dorian. I didn't feel the same way about him as I did about Dorian. But Ryder was willing to love me. Dorian wasn't. Was £10,000 really worth giving that up?