Stolen By Black [manxman]

Chapter Five

Silence loomed over the ship as the anchor released, grounding itself in the depths below. They'd put down far enough outside the parameters of the Sunken City to avoid any mishaps that might occur once it was unearthed.

As they'd sailed closer to the city, counting down the days, Jeb had fallen ill. Mile by mile, he'd worsened. Now his skin was a sick shade of white, which contrasted harshly against the dark shadows under his eyes. It'd taken longer to reach the Atlia waters than Jeb had estimated. If Jeb did not receive the Ambirio flowers by sundown, he wouldn't make it to sunrise.

The sun had already begun sinking in the sky, pinks and golds painting the clouds to usher in nightfall. Jeb was in his quarters, not well enough to stand on deck, and Matilda had taken over, navigating the Midnight Thief to the Sunken City. Thankfully, they'd be able to pull up right at the outer edge of where the city would be under the water. While most spells were set to redirect ships that came too close to it, Althea had ensured the Midnight Thief would be able to pass. Vesper drifted back and forth between Jeb and Matilda, relaying information and preparing to leap back into the sea to resurrect the city.

Heading below deck for the last time, Vesper went to tell Jeb that they'd arrived and that he would return soon. Without knocking, he entered Jeb's quarters and found him curled up on his side of the bed. He looked small and fragile, unlike Vesper had seen him before. Despite only knowing him a week, Vesper could tell nothing about this was natural to him. Jeb was gentle and kind, but nothing had ever made him seem like he would bend or break, like he was small or weak.

The dread, guilt, and anguish that overwhelmed Vesper when he thought of Jeb's death took the breath from his lungs and made his stomach churn. Jeb was an extraordinary person. He was adventurous, intelligent, kind, and a fantastic lover. The thought had circled around in Vesper's mind for quite a while, but he finally knew that he wanted to stay aboard the Midnight Thief and continue adventuring. More than that, Vesper wanted to keep exploring with Jeb.

While Vesper had no intention whatsoever of returning home, he hadn't thought much of how he would find a companion or transportation for further exploration. If he stayed with Jeb—if Jeb permitted him to stay—that would be taken care of.

Vesper perched on the edge of the bed, pushing a lock of blond hair out of Jeb's face. "Hey," he murmured, his voice echoing through the small room. "We're at the Sunken City."

Jeb hummed, acknowledging him.

"John and Ainsley are coming to get you in a few minutes, so you can be on deck when I return. I'll bring the flowers right away. Once you're better, we can have a look around, okay?"

Humming again, Jeb barely cracked his eyes open. "Thanks," he said, voice hoarse with sleep.

Vesper smiled and leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. "My pleasure, Captain." With one last look at Jeb, he patted his hand and returned to the deck.

"How was he?" Matilda asked, brushing a wayward strand of scarlet hair from her eyes.

"Not good. I'm going now." Matilda started to protest, but Vesper cut her off. "If I don't go now, I'm scared he's not going to make it. We don't have any time to waste."

She sighed, nodding. "You remember where to go?"

"Yes." She'd reviewed the plan with him at least five times in the last two hours. If it hadn't sunk in by now, it wasn't going to. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Vesper started stripping, only stopping to remove the key to the city from his pocket as he walked over to the side of the ship. "Keep him alive."

Matilda nodded. "Aye."

Vesper pursed his lips, finished undressing, and then jumped off the side of the ship. As soon as he hit the water, his body morphed. Legs turned to a tail, gills reappeared along the sides of his throat, and his vision cleared. The water no longer stung his eyes. Vesper took a breath and blinked, glancing around as he sank farther into the depths.