𝐁𝛐𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 | Nikolai Lantsov

16 | 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦

𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚

The warm rays of the sun peeked through the tattered tarp of our makeshift campsite, casting dappled shadows on the deck of the ship. I stirred in my hammock, roused from the depths of my slumber by a familiar scent—fresh ocean air mixed with the tang of salt and a hint of citrus that lingered on Nikolai Lantsov. The soft nudge on my shoulder pulled me from my dreams, and I groaned, squinting against the brightness above.

“Wake up, love, big day,” he whispered, his voice a melodic mix of mischief and sincerity.

I rolled onto my side, feeling the ache in my back from the hammock that swayed with the motion of the ship. Initially, I was tempted to bury my head in the thin fabric and drift off again, but in true Amora fashion, I grabbed my pillow, sending it flying directly into Nikolai's face

He scoffed, pulling it away with a chuckle that vibrated through my drowsiness. “How dare you let me sleep on this… maniac!” I grumbled, finally opening my eyes to meet those ocean-blue ones that always seemed to look right through me.

“Good morning to you too,” he replied, still crouched beside my hammock, obviously enjoying my morning misery.

“Honestly, how are you a morning person?” I scoffed, trying to muster enough energy to sit up.

“Oh I’m not. My sleep schedule is just way too fucked for that,” he said with a teasing grin that made my heart race for reasons I dared not examine too closely.

I sighed exaggeratedly, smoothing my messy hair back into something resembling order, before turning my head to the side. A shiver of anticipation ran down my spine as I recalled our recent missions, which had grown increasingly perilous. My heart raced at the thought of danger, the very air around us thick with the promise of adventure.

“What if we die today?” I whispered, the words tasting bittersweet on my tongue.

His expression changed, becoming momentarily serious. “Then I want you to remember what life was worth. And if it’s worth dying today.” His gaze locked onto mine, a gravity in his blue depths that stole my breath.

Before I could respond, he leaned in, pressing his lips against mine. It was a gentle kiss, warm and electrifying, as though all the dangers of the world faded around us, leaving just the two of us suspended in the moment. When we pulled apart, I was too speechless to do anything but stare at him, my cheeks flushed.

“Come on, get up,” he commanded playfully, ruffling my hair as he rose. “Tamar and Toyla are probably out sharpening their blades for today’s escapade, and you know they’ll roast us if we take too long.”

I quickly hopped out of the hammock, adrenaline already spurring me into action. The journey we were on was a perilous one, far away from Ketterdam's familiar streets, leading us toward untold treasure—or dire consequences. Being a privateer with a prince as a captain certainly added layers of excitement and complications to our band of misfits.

Tamar and Toyla, the Shu twins, awaited us at the bow, poppy-casual yet fierce in their demeanor. Tamar, her short black hair glinting in the light, flicked her axes playfully, her black eyes glistening with mischief. “You two took long enough. Did you have a lovely rendezvous under the stars?” she teased, earning an elbow from Toyla, who was polishing the karate swords strapped to his back.

I rolled my eyes, trying to mask my embarrassment with sarcasm. “Oh yes, nothing quite like the smells of fish and sweat to make a romantic setting,” I shot back.

“Some people just can’t appreciate the finer things,” Toyla replied, flashing a lopsided grin. “But we have urgent matters to discuss. Word around the docks is that a merchant ship has been spotted with a cargo fit for a king.”

Nikolai’s eyes lit up with interest, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind. “We’ll do it, then. If it’s as wealthy as rumored, we’ll be richer than the fortune hidden in the Ice Court.”

“What’s the catch?” I couldn’t help but ask, always wary of grand stories that came too easily.

“No catch, just piracy!” Nikolai exclaimed, puffing out his chest in dramatic fashion. “But first, Tamar needs to give us the intel on their defenses.”

The rest of the crew gathered around as Tamar laid out her plans—strategies regarding who would distract the guards, who would board the ship, and who would make sure we weren’t caught escaping. The tension simmered, each of us caught between thrill and anxiety, our fates intricately woven with the challenges ahead.

As the sun began its ascent into the morning sky, gleaming off the gentle waves, I felt a surge of courage. “Let’s seize our adventure,” I declared, and cheers erupted around me.

With a delighted heart and a fearless spirit echoing through my blood, I stood beside Nikolai as the sails were unfurled, the ship lurching forward into the vast, uncharted waters.

He caught my eye, that smirk edging back onto his face. “Together, Amora,” he said, resolute.

“Always,” I replied, gripping my weapons tight. The thrill of the chase coursed through me, and I was ready to embrace the chaos to come.

As the ship sliced through the waves, the horizon stretched endlessly before us, shimmering with possibilities—and I felt undeniably alive. Behind us lay the familiar comforts of Ketterdam, but ahead was the unknown, a sea of secrets, where adventure awaited and perhaps even love.

⎯⎯ ୨•୧ ⎯⎯