Alexandre's sword was already drawn before they got above deck. He had no doubts that Wallace would meet them there, and he did not disappoint. The man stood tall at the stern while they stepped out into the dim light by the bow.

"How nice of you to allow us to catch up so easily, blood pirate."

His eyes moved to Alexandre, making him straighten his back with self respect. It was something he hadn't felt in a long time, especially while in Wallace's care.

"I see that you've brought me back my whore, too. Well, I have no use for it any longer so it can follow you to hell since you seemed to enjoy it so much last night." 

Alexandre had to force himself not to flinch at the man's words. That was how Wallace worked. He demeaned you and got beneath your skin, then used it all against you when he needed, or wanted, certain things.

"He was mine to begin with, so I do believe you have no right putting such a title on him," James said as he slid an arm around Alexandre's waist, then pulled him gently to his side. 

"Alexandre is one of the most noble men I have known throughout my years. He gave his freedom and bent his will to save his crew. Those are not the actions of a whore."

"How touching."

Judging by the sound of Wallace's voice, he didn't find it emotional in the least.

Ignoring the man's words entirely, James took a step forward and lazily unsheathed his weapon.

"Do not waste anymore of my time, human. Draw your blade."

Wallace smirked and shrugged, doing as told as he stalked toward them. Alexandre got ready to attack with James, but before he could, James calmly lifted his arm, tapping his chest gently.

"You will not fight my battle."

He didn't want to let him go against Wallace by himself, especially since he had a strong feeling that Wallace had plenty of spells on him already, but he also wouldn't argue. Instead, Alexandre started toward three of Wallace's guards. Considering he had stood by the terrible man for the past several months, he knew he would not care if his men were cut down. All he was ever concerned about was his own well-being and profit. His men, however, were loyal, and would gladly step in to save him from James. He couldn't have that...

There was no hesitation in James' actions as he lunged. He would not give Wallace the first move since he did not know which spells he had on himself. When he didn't bother blocking his blade, James knew right away that the first spell was a protection barrier. It was a simple thing and fairly easy to break, but it took a few swings. Those swings, however, could leave him wide open for an attack. So, he immediately withdrew, reading the situation just fast enough to block the swing that had been aimed at his own abdomen.

Their swords clashed together loudly before James shoved Wallace away. He may have magic, but he was still a stronger creature. He also didn't seem to have a strength spell on him this time, either. It was odd, but that was how it went with magic. Some spells didn't mesh together well. 

Not wanting to give him a chance to recover, James lunged again, hissing with anticipation. His blade hit hard, but the spell broke the attack before it could harm his opponent. That was alright, though, at least he was wearing down the barrier.

Wallace tried to return an attack of his own, but James managed to dodge any dangerous strikes. His sword did clip his wrist, but that was nothing to him.

"Not bad, blood sucker. I am honestly surprised you are still standing. Must have fed from that whore of yours," Wallace taunted. 

James scoffed, a smirk on his face as he replied, "must you speak so much? My ears are becoming pained."

"Aw, I apologize... I shall remove them to spare you such discomfort!" Wallace shouted right before his body blurred, then vanished.

A speed spell?

Where he would reappear was obvious, making James whirl around just fast enough to block the blade swinging down from above. He had to actually focus his strength to keep the weapon from coming down the last few inches to meet his face.

"You are an insane man to have such a spell cast upon you!"

"Am I? I think the added speed has put you off your skills, Captain." 

"It will tear your human body apart," James replied honestly.  

"I am strong, I will survive. You, however, will not." 

The man's knee came up at a speed far too fast for James to be able to block safely. He took the hit to his ribs with a slight wince, but managed to stop the sword swinging toward his thigh. Their blades slammed together again and he took his chance, slashing out with his right hand's claws. It was a risk leaving his sword in such a compromised position, but he couldn't let the chance to strike back slip away.

His claws struck true, breaking through the barrier just enough to force Wallace to jump back or take the hit directly. James heard boots beginning to move all around him, but none of Wallace's humans seemed to bother with them. They were, however, going after Alexandre. His love was already bleeding from several wounds, but he did not see his steps falter as he moved, telling him that he was at least not injured badly enough to cause issues in his fighting ability yet.

I need to finish with Wallace faster, before my love is struck down.

"Wallace! I tire of this," James growled as he lifted his blade once more.  

"Then by all means, die, devil!" 

The man charged him, his speed spell making his image blur once more. James allowed his own speed to come into play this time, vanishing before leaving a plume of smoke in his wake. He was glad that Wallace had not changed his rash way of fighting. He did change his spells often, but the man never thought ahead when in the heat of battle. 

Thus, he was stumbling through the smoke when James turned and let loose a tornado of flame, the magic shooting from his hand quickly forming a whirling funnel of fire around the human.

Of course, Wallace still had magic on his side to help him, but he'd forgotten that James did as well. Perhaps he had not thought that he was strong enough to use it after last night, but he was sorely mistaken that he would roll over so easily.

James turned when Wallace didn't emerge from the flames, his eyes falling upon his lover. Alexandre was standing, barely, but he was alive. As soon as his eyes rose to meet his he gave him a tired smile that made James' stagnant heart beat.

Are you alright, love?

He nodded, panting as he straightened. 

James didn't need to hear him speak the warning he meant to say in the next few seconds, though, because the moment his eyes began to widen he spun around and forced all of his magic through his hands towards an attacking Wallace! 

"Stay down!" James yelled as he felt his power draining with the amount of force he was putting into the blast.  

Wallace staggered into him, even as he lit him aflame. He supposed that he thought he would be able to burn him with his own fire, but he was sorely mistaken. His magic could not harm himself. He still did his best to hold onto him, though, even as his body burned away in the inferno. 

"You wished to send me to hell... I welcome you to take my place there," James said as the reflected flames danced in his eyes.  

Little Ari was, surprisingly, quite the swordsman... though still a bit clumsy. He tripped over his own feet twice, forcing Desden to block incoming attacks for him. He took several gashes and a few stabs for it, but he would never regret helping him.

When the last human attacking them fell, he turned to the young man and pulled him into his arms with a content sigh. There had not been too many left to deal with on the ship they were on. No doubt, most of them had gone after his father.

"Desden, y-you're bleeding!"

"Mhm..."

Ari started mumbling something else when Desden leaned over and pressed his mouth to his.

Be quiet, love. I am fine and I wish to enjoy my spoils.

He felt him heat up in his arms, making his mouth stretch into a smile against Ari's.

You are so cute.

"I-I am a man!"

"Indeed... and may I take this courageous man to my bed tonight?"

That immediately had him stuttering, then in an instant his face was buried in his shoulder.

"I love you, Ari."

"Sh-shush..." 

Heh.

Alexandre watched as Wallace's body crumbled to the floor of the boat. He had survived the initial attack and tried to catch James off-guard, but he didn't bet on the blood pirate reading his expression so quickly.

Are you alright, love?

His lips quirked up into a smile as he jumped down to the main deck, watching as James calmly approached him. All of the weaker humans were dead, even though he had not intended to harm anyone but the blood captain on his current journey...

You cannot choose whom you love...

"Love?"

James chuckled, the deep sound making Alexandre step forward, closing the last bit of distance between their bodies. His arms wrapped around his waist with little hesitation as Alexandre let his head rest against his shoulder.

"This did not work out as planned."

"I apologize that I am not dead... but my son is standing aboard the other ship just across the water. I could not let myself fall while he is still of this world."

The news that his son was alive did not surprise him much. Desden was extremely smart and the fact that he had survived being taken by Wallace just made him more impressive.

"You've got yourself one hell of a son."

"Yes, indeed I do."

Alexandre spared a glance over at the other ship, grinning when he noticed Desden quite literally making the best of poor Ari's mouth. If Ari hadn't grown some during the months they had been apart he may have had to go over there and speak with the other vampire.

You would not be able to have a talk about sex with them.

"I-I would just warn Desden!"

About what, love?

"A-about stealing Ari's modesty..."

Okay, he wasn't even sure if he believed himself on that one. Especially when he felt James' hand slide down along his back and into his trousers.

"We are pirates, love..."

Alexandre leaned back just enough so that their lips could meet in a brief kiss before moving forward once more to settle himself against his lover's firm chest.

"...modesty is the last thing on our minds."

-End