Kat's stomach twisted with nerves. After her conversation with Cage, his words continued to ring inside her, even as she sowed a torn sail with Leila. She kept chattering in Endirian, telling Kat about her family. She understood most of the words, but since she wasn't focusing, the essence of the story evaded her.

Cage was right and it hurt. She'd been so wrapped up in her victory and the righteousness of her motives that she'd failed to see that the others were not just being stubborn for the sake of it. It was true. She'd knowingly appealed to Jinx precisely because she knew her story and would see herself in Leila. And Kat was also aware Jazz would not deny her because he was in love with her. Maybe without thinking it, she'd tapped into both their weaknesses and used them against them. No wonder they were bitter.

Once it was time for dinner, the unease inside her only grew as she became aware she had to talk. And Cage had been right about another thing. She couldn't get into it with Leila there. Not because it was a secret, but because even she could tell she couldn't start a discussion about the crew's shortcomings and weak spots in the presence of a person they had refused to admit in their midst.

Fortunately, as they all gathered around the table, things seemed to have improved on their own. Jinx was joining them again, though she'd made a habit out of eating in her cabin lately, and even if she wasn't sitting in Jazz's lap, as she did before, the fact that she was there, sitting next to him, spoke volumes. It made him more relaxed, which in turn had Trix joking again and poking fun at Harrison's cooking.

Kat smiled, but kept to herself, doing her best to remain unnoticed and not ruin the mood. But once the food was gone and all that was left were empty dishes, she felt even shakier. Cage reached out and took her hand, squeezing to let her know she was not off the hook. A knot lodged itself into her throat.

"Lass," Harrison said to Leila, "I need your help with putting away the supplies."

"Oh?" Leila raised her pale blue eyes and stared, fear shining in them for some reason.

"It's okay," Kat said.

"But--" Leila cut herself off, her frightened gaze drifting from Harrison to her.

"It's not hard work," Cage said with a shrug. "We all take turns. Tonight, it's you. You'll have to become part of the schedule now that you're with the crew."

This seemed to reassure Leila because she nodded and stood. Harrison led her towards the stove from where the two of them picked up the pots, then he opened the door to clearly indicate it was time to leave. Kat had no idea why, but this tore at her, because it was obvious Cage and Harrison were just creating the setting for her to speak. It shouldn't feel as if she were betraying Leila. After all, this wasn't even about her.

"I'm so sorry," she blurted out.

Jazz and Jinx both raised their eyebrows, but Trix didn't seem surprised. Cage squeezed her hand again, in obvious encouragement. A part of her wanted to pull away because he certainly couldn't understand how hard this was for her.

"Go on," Jazz said when she stayed silent.

He knew what she wanted to say. He'd probably heard it before, in one of his visions. It made her resent him a little for making her say it again.

"I shouldn't have pushed you to accept Leila. I mean I still believe I did the right thing by saving her and bringing her with us, but I should have explained better why I wanted her on board, not forced your hand."

"You used what I told you about me in confidence," Jinx snarled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I know, and I'm sorry."

"You used Jazz's feelings for me against him."

Every word felt like a knife and it hurt more that, even if she'd gone about it the wrong way, it wasn't with the intent to hurt them.

"Look, I never meant to hurt anyone."

"And it's the only reason you're still on this ship," Jazz said. His voice was low and calm, but there was a muted fury behind it that sent shivers down Kat's spine. He raised his hand to Cage as though to force silence on him. "Cage has argued your case quite well. We can understand that your entire life has been a struggle to obtain what you want. From your father, to your finace, to even Cage who you have manipulated perfectly."

"What? I didn't--" But her words caught in her throat.

She had manipulated Cage while he was still the beast, trying her best to get him to spill his secrets. Using food and her charms to ensure her escape. Just because they'd ended up falling in love for real, it didn't erase the fact that she'd actively tried to use his feelings for her against him.

"Didn't you?" Jazz asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I did," she whispered.

Cage's hand left hers and when she raised her eyes to him, he was glancing at her skeptically.

"Don't give me that look. You saw right through me, called me out for my pathetic attempts to seduce you."

"Oh, that sounds like something I'd love to watch," Jinx muttered.

Cage grinned. "You were pretty obvious." But then, his smile faded. "Just like you were obvious here. Your diplomatic skills are lacking, sweetheart."

"As does your ability to see the consequences of your actions," Trix said. "If you're part of a crew, it's not just you against the world anymore. It's you and your crew against it all."

"Don't you like being part of something?" Jazz asked.

Kat's heart pounded so hard, it became painful. Because, truth be told, she did enjoy feeling like a part of the crew. Except she hadn't really had the feeling of belonging until she lost it. With Leila there, it became very obvious what strangers were treated like, and she and Cage had been anything but. The relief she felt with the tension gone had to mean something.

"I do. I just didn't realize I was."

"You're too cute," Trix said. "I'd ruffle up your hair if that didn't mean Cage would cut my hand off."

"I'd cut your hand off," Kat pointed out.

It drew a laugh out of everyone and the atmosphere around the table loosened up considerably. It brought a strange peace to Kat, one she hadn't felt in a very long time.

"I'm sorry again," she said. "I'm still learning. But about Leila..." She didn't want to sour the mood again, but it felt too important not to be addressed.

"She's here now, and she apparently adores you," Jazz said with a shrug.

"But why don't you like her? This is not her fault in any way."

The three marauders exchanged looks, but neither of them seemed to have a straightforward answer.

"It is definitely not her fault that she ended up here," Jinx finally said.

"But I think you've noticed we have particular taste in people," Jazz continued. "No one is outright rejecting her. But she does need to prove herself a bit more to be accepted."

"And stop squealing so much," Trix mumbled.

"Okay, thank you." Kat wasn't sure it could get any better than that and it was a start. "I mean for everything. And I hope we can resume training now. Unless I'm mistaken, we're coming fairly close to Wolfbane's den."

"True," Trix said. "And I bet you suck again. We'll pick it up again tomorrow morning."

Kat chose not to disagree and just gave Trix a smile. It was so good to see them back to normal again.

"You two should go to bed," Jinx said. "Before the little fan returns and starts squealing when she sees you kiss."

"Ugh, no, I've had enough of that," Cage said, standing and stepping over the bench. He winked at Jinx. "You two should go to bed, too. But in the other way."

"Maybe I meant it in the other way, too," Jinx fired back.

"That's definitely none of our business, Jinxy," Jazz said, wrapping his arm around Jinx's shoulders. "We should listen to the Admiral, though. We have a hard few days ahead of us."

"And nights," Trix chortled.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's get out of here before your ears start ringing."

Kat wasn't sure what he meant by that, but she was happy to wave goodbye to the rest of the crew and follow Cage out into the hallway and towards their cabins. Fortunately, the corridors stayed Leila-free and they could have a little privacy.

"I think that went well," she said once they reached the door to Cage's cabin.

"It did. I told you they needed to hear it."

"Thanks for talking me up."

"How could I not?" He heaved a sigh. "Kat, even if you're stubborn and tactless, I know what's inside your heart. I know you're good and kind and still so innocent which is why you didn't roll your eyes and scoff at us right now. But as you see more and learn more, you will let judgement go and accept people and the world as they are."

She pondered on this mixture of compliments and scolding, trying not to focus on only the negatives, because he was right. She still had so much to learn and she needed to be open for it.

"Still, thank you. It's nice to know I have someone by my side no matter what."

"Of course." He leaned against her, twisting the ring around her finger. "I'll always be there for you. There won't be one minute in this world in which you can't count on me."

She loved to hear that and she raised her face to assure him that she would always be there for him as well because he was the bravest, wisest, most amazing man she'd ever met. And if they couldn't find the infinite beyond, they'd walk through the circles of hell together. He didn't seem to need to hear it because he kissed her into silence.

The rush of pleasure was so sudden and so intense that she could to little more than moan. His hand moved to the back of her neck, sinking into her hair while his other hand slid down her side, to her hip. She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, kissing him with even more ferocity, wanting to make him feel the way she did.

His hand slipped down her leg and hooked her knee as he leaned against her. Her back hit his door and she let herself fall against it, wishing he'd lift her off the floor so she could curl around him. His kisses were like an inferno, setting her on fire.

Burn down the world.

No, not when she wished she would burn to the ground wrapped up in his love, in his passion.

Mine. MINE.

The thought felt right, true. She wanted him to be hers, to want her as much as she wanted him. She pawed behind her, searching for the handle that would open the door and lead them inside and to privacy. He grabbed her hand and pinned both her wrists above her head.

She watched him, panting, and couldn't believe how surreal he looked, how gorgeous, like the most beautiful dream in the world.

"Do you want me?" she whispered.

"Are you insane?" His voice was low and breathy, filled with obvious conflict and longing. He leaned over her and trailed kissed down her neck, on her exposed collarbone...

"Say it," she breathed.

"I do. More than anything. But we can't."

"Why, when I'm already yours, when I'd give anything to--"

Her words were trapped by a kiss, and he released her wrists to wrap his arms around her and hold her so close that she molded into him.

"I love you too much, Kat," he whispered in her ear. "Too much for it to go like this."

"I hate your virtue," she mumbled.

He laughed and pulled away, a playful twinkle in his eyes. "You'll be getting plenty of everything you want and soon enough. It won't be much longer now."

She knew that. She also understood why he restrained himself. To be honest, she didn't think she'd be that bold if she wasn't sure he could keep control and stop for both of them. It was fun while it was safe.

"Fine," she said. "I'll let you sleep."

"You need the rest, too. We have a big day tomorrow."

His words were barely out when Leila turned the corner and headed for them, wringing her hands. She stopped once she realized she was probably interrupting, her eyes wide and fearful.

"I'm sorry to intrude," she mumbled.

"It's alright," Cage said, sounding a lot more relaxed than he usually did around her. "We're just heading to bed."

Leila smiled and headed for the door to her own cabin. "Speak tomorrow, then?" she asked and from the look on her face, Kat could tell she wanted a romantic story.

"Yes, of course." She really needed to get into bed and cool down. The adrenaline still rushed through her veins and it was remarkably hard not to grab Cage and kiss him again, ask him to run his hands all over her. It would feel amazing, she was sure.

"Good night then," Cage wished them and stepped into his cabin.

Grumbling to herself that she couldn't get a goodnight kiss, Kat entered her own abode. Leila was great, but she should learn to read the room. Kat could finally understand what Cage meant and she promised herself she would do better.

Cage waited for the doors to the cabins next to his to close before he stepped back out into the hall.

His entire body buzzed with energy and he couldn't sleep even if he wanted. Not that he did, since he had a date with Trix and Alathea. Even if Trix had mentioned that he'd come get him when the mermaid showed up, Cage couldn't hang around and wait. The magic bubbled inside him and he needed to put it to good use. So he headed up the stairs and exited onto the empty deck.

There was a frigid wind coming from the east, making the sails looks like bloated ghosts. The air smelled like salt and fish and seemed to be filled with the whispers of a strom. And yet, the waters were calm and the ship floated peacefully towards their destination.

He glanced up at the starts, but they were invisible amongst heavy grey clouds. He would have liked to be able to pinpoint their location.

As it was, he had nothing but the energy rushing through his veins, filling him with exhilaration. Only now, he could identify it as what if really was. His magic enhanced by Kat's own. And because he'd allowed himself to indulge in her, it now ran rampant, wasting away. He wished he had the pebble to practice on, but he'd thrown it overboard.

His eyes narrowed taking in one of the rum barrels on deck. He brought his magic to the surface, which was remarkably easy, and focused it on lifting the barrel. It trembled and the sound of wood against wood filled the air and gave him the drive he needed to go forward. He didn't even feel the weight of it as he lifted it into thin air.

Higher and higher, until it got lost among the sails. Even if Cage couldn't see it anymore, he felt it, knew exactly where it was.

"Oh, you're here."

Cage jumped and looked from the sky to Trix. The barrel plummeted towards the deck.

"Don't spoil rum," Trix said, his voice both urgent and amused.

Cage took that to mean he wouldn't intervene, so he focused on catching the barrel before it hit the deck. It was a lot harder with pressure on his shoulders, but he managed to stop it inches from the floor. He held it for another second, then released it. It landed with a soft thud.

"I have to say, I'm impressed," Trix said. "Seing how just a few hours ago you couldn't move a pebble. What happened?"

Cage just shrugged, not really feeling like sharing the intricacies of his magical bond with Kat. "Is Allie here?"

"Allie, aye?" asked a low musical voice. "I wasn't aware we were on endearment terms."

He turned towards the edge of the ship to see Trix's mermaid darling leaning her forearms on the deck, her cheek resting on them, a playful glint in her dark green eyes. It wasn't the first time Cage was seeing her, but he was just as shocked by her surreal beauty every time. It felt somewhat unnatural and it put him on edge. Mermaids, though human looking, felt even less so than fairies.

"I'm sorry. I can call you Alathea if you want me to."

The mermaid let out a huff that sounded like bubbling water. "I'd rather you let me call you by your real name."

He smiled, even if it was strained. It was maybe weird, but he really didn't want to. "I want to ask you something."

This seemed to get her attention, because her expression morphed from pouty to curious. "And what might that be?"

"Is the sea really this calm?"

Trix tensed next to him, but didn't offer any input regarding the question. Alathea frowned, lost in thought.

"A very interesting question." She lifted herself to the edge of the deck. In a shimmer of milky fog, her fishtail turned into a pair of shapely legs with translucent skin.

Cage turned away, since she was completely naked, to give Trix the chance to offer her his shirt.

"Is it, though?" Trix insisted and Cage dimmed it safe to turn back to then.

The mermaid was indeed wearing Trix's shirt which barely covered the curve of her bottom, her attention turned to him. His toned skin shone in the moonlight, unraveling the story of his many tattoos.

"You've never asked me before, Tricksy."

"I thought we were lucky," he said with a shrug. "But I've come to realize that no one can be that lucky. The winds are restless. There is storm in the air. And yet..." He nodded towards the edge of the ship, as if to indicate the water underneath them.

Cage agreed. He'd been at sea for so long, the ability to read the weather and the currents were deeply set in his bones. He'd forgotten it for a while, what with his curse and being isolated, but the unease inside him had a logical reason. This wasn't right.

"The seas are restless," Alathea said, as if to confirm that their suspicions were grounded.

"Then why are they so calm here?" Trix looked from her to Cage, obviously demanding an answer from either of them.

Cage had thought about this and had only one reasonable explanation. It wasn't luck, it was magic. "I think it might be Cecile aiding us."

Trix scrunched his nose in disgust, but it was Alathea's shock which grabbed Cage's attention.

"Cecile? Are you speaking of High Fairy Cecile?"

Trix frowned. "What?"

"High Fairy?"

Cecile was not a high fairy. High Fairies were the pinnacle of good, protecting the realm even if they were no longer wanted. Cecile was just a horrid being who enjoyed playing with her victims, just like she'd played with him and Jazz.

"You never do appreciate my gifts."

This time, the musical voice really had Cage jumping and turning to face the mast. Seated on one of the beams, Cecile herself stared down at them, draped in storm clouds.

Even if he couldn't look away from her, Cage felt Trix stepping back, blocking Alathea from view. Cecile threw him a glance as if to memorize his features, then turned her attention back to Cage. Her full lips lifted in a pleasant smile.

"You are not correct, though, Cage. Even if I'm the cause for it, I am not doing this."

"How could you not be doing it if you are the cause?" he asked.

She shook her head, clicking her tongue. "Because someone else is doing it, of course."

Cage turned to Alathea, but she shook her head, her wary eyes fixed on the fairy. All the playfulness had gone from the mermaid, and now she looked threatening.

"What's going on?" Trix asked, glancing from Alathea to Cecile. "Are you really Cecile? The one who cursed Jazz?"

The fairy rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you foolish humans seeing curses in everything." 

She floated down from the mast and onto the deck. The grey matter around her settled into a shimmering dress with a plunging neckline and lateral slit. It seemed to be the same fluid, yet solid consistency as the veils she had provided for Cage and Kat. Trix took another step back, eying her with suspicion.

"You," Cecile said, narrowing her eyes at Trix. "Someone sure played their tricks on you."

"Another blessing in disguise?" he asked, the irony heavy in his voice.

"Oh, no. You've very obviously been cursed, and a vile one at that. Punishment done right." Cecile focused on Alathea next. "Which explains the mermaid. She is not affected by your magic. You can touch her, have a semblance of human warmth, even if from a fish."

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you," Trix growled. "High Fairy or not."

Cecile ignored the blatant show of disrespect, setting her sights on Alathea next. "But you... What are you getting out of it? Validation? Find a human who will worship you, who doesn't know who you really are? The runt of the litter."

Allie stepped forward, letting out an unearthly, muffled screech. Sharp knife-like scales erupted from her forearms, like daggers piercing skin, the same shade as the scales of her tail. Cage glanced from the scales to the blood dripping down her elbows, feeling a bit lost. Things were getting out of hand and he knew what Cecile wad capable of if challenged.

"Are you really a High Fairy?" he asked, trying to distract her.

It worked. She definitely didn't deem the mermaid to be a threat, because she angled her entire body towards him. For a moment, she stayed silent, but then she heaved a sigh as if a part of her hurt.

"That is a conversation you have no yet earned. That does not change because the mermaid has a big mouth. Let us return to the matter at hand. The sea."

Cage felt Trix and Alathea shifting, but he knew better than to turn to them and subject them to more of the fairy's barbs.

"If you're not helping us, who is?"

Cecile gave him a shrewd smile. "Why, Cage, is that a positive thought directed at me?"

Surprisingly enough, it was. "I know you want us to do this, so it would make sense for you to help."

"I wanted you to learn how to use your magic."

"I am trying, and doing better. I can move--"

"A barrel, pathetic. After over two months, you're barely moving objects."

The disdain in Cecile's voice shut him up. It hurt on some level, because he'd thought he was making progress.

"However..." She walked to him and placed her palm on his chest.

He had to focus very hard not to recoil from her touch, especially once she began circling him, her hand moving along his body. It felt degrading and he was sure she was aware of it.

"There is something that you have perfected," she muttered.

"What is that?"

Instead of an answer, she jammed the heal of her palm into his chest. The breath whooshed out of his lungs and a giant surge of energy seemed to dart inside him, like the colors of the world melting into his ribcage.

But it wasn't the colors which had left the world, but the balance. In an instant, the deck began to rock, as if massive waves were hitting the sides of the ship. Only years of experience prohibited him from crashing to the floor. Alathea, unsteady on human legs, did not have the luxury. Trix caught her before she hit the deck, a frown on his face.

"The sea," Alathea breathed. "It is free again."

"What happened?" Cage asked, trying not to sound too scared. The suddenness of the storm unbalanced him, bringing with it a bubbling terror.

"I just removed your barrier." Cecile shrugged, her face devoid of any emotion.

"My... What are you talking about?"

The fairy rolled her eyes again as if he was the dimmest person in the world. "You were shielding the ship from the storm, forcing calm on the sea around you."

"And why did you have to go and ruin that?" Trix demanded.

"Me?" Cage asked, unable to believe it. He was abysmal at magic. It was impossible to even consider that he had been using it constantly for an extended period of time. In his sleep!

"Yes, you. But I'd rather you actively use it, rather than turn it into a passive ability."

Cage would've asked more if he wasn't so aware that this meant trouble for everyone. He had no idea how to put the shield back up because he didn't know how he'd managed it the first time.

"Can you put it back up?"

The shrewd smile on Cecile's face was answer enough. "Learn how to use magic properly."

And in a swirl of stormy veils, she was gone.

I am back! And with a fun chapter which makes things better and then more interesting. Imagine that! Cage has been using magic all this time and he wasn't even aware of it. Maybe this will give him the confidence to do more.

You also get a bit of info about Allie and Trix. But not much.

Hope you enjoyed it! See you in two weeks! Vote and comment for support!