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"Never!" Jabari cried. "We'd as soon eat our own rot before bending for anything."
"Unless we're bending with a pretty little?—"
"Enough," I cut in before Engèli got out of hand. Engèli and Jabari slapped hands, grins showing all of their teeth before they returned their attention to me. Nyala's eyes—one sky blue while the other was a bright aquamarine—bristled under the sôlight as they narrowed at our mates. She crossed her arms, tapping a booted foot while silently fuming at Engèli and Jabari.
"Will you two shut up so we can get off this rotting ship?" She sucked her teeth, looking away. "Childish. So bloody childish."
Nyala muttered something under her breath. I couldn’t hear her, but the crew closest to her busted out laughing. As curvaceous as she was hot-blooded, I knew well. Nyala's temper was nothing to tame. I prowled on before she snapped.
"Nya’s right. Shut it. We're all ready to be off."
Engèli snorted but grew silent, with Jabari following suit.
"You've got your loot. What's yours is yours. And no, you don't have to share."
A round of cheers broke out among angels who were faster at pillaging Urnael's ship than the rest. The crew, who remained on the Ashweaver, and didn't loot at all, grumbled like younglings ready to throw a tantrum. I shrugged them off. They'd get over it.
"Spend it as you wish. Lavish in your pleasures. You've earned it."
A raucous cheer exploded. Even Nyala joined in, spreading her wings and clapping them. As they cheered, I floated down to join them. These angels had been hardened over many cycles. They were forced into living life at sea. They pledged to stay by my side and have proven their loyalty since. I swelled with pride, looking at them as they shouted and danced, ready to cause havoc once they were free of the ship.
The moment the anchors dropped, and we safely docked, I took off, leading the charge. I floated across the connecting ramp from ship to pier, landing on hardened, cloudy earth. My crew followed suit, keeping pace as we split the sea of onlookers in half. Gossip broke out like the plague as soon as the onlookers saw my face.
"Blighted skies! It's him, isn't it?"
"Isn't that the High Prince?"
"High Prince? Fool. He's a bloody pirate, and the worst of them all."
"He is the uncrowned heir."
"As handsome as he is cruel, I've heard he is."
"If he's here, won't be long until the Crown follows."
I ignored them all and continued my languid flight until I came to perch in front of sandy doors, freshly polished, barricading the roar of chatter and lawlessness inside.
"Don't just float there, Cap. Let us in."
Engèli grunted, no doubt his stomach urging him to hurry and satisfy his needs. I chuckled under my breath, shook my head, and pushed the door open. Blaring music blasted my ears. The heavy scent of old skywine flooded my nostrils.
I settled to my feet, striding into the Darkwing Kiss. My home away from home. Most especially because it remained unchecked by King Izakaya. I thought of the king and my insides knotted. With yearning? With unrealistic hope? It took effort, but I shoved the emotions down.
A large palm on my shoulder stole my attention. I turned to find Engèli watching me, a sober expression lining his concerned face. His royal and ocean blue eyes were burning.
"He misses you, too, Cap."
"Nothing but rot." I looked away, unnerved at how well Engèli knew me. "Bastard of Avari is my reputation for a reason."
I shook off the suffocating desire for home and forced myself to regain my composure.
"I'm good. A few pints of the wretched stuff and all of this will turn back into what it really is." I looked at Engèli. "Memories."
Engèli frowned, seeing right through my bluff.
"Sure, Cap. If you say so," Engèli suddenly snapped his attention to something behind me. "Look who has been waiting on you, Cap."
I turned and smiled. Across the chamber floated an angel fairer than most found in all of Avari. Her face was round and her skin was bronzed like earth. Her multi-colored green eyes burned with desire, her short frame sauntering towards me leisurely. She was curvy, enticing, and exactly who I wanted to see, and hold, at this moment. As she crossed the tavern, she gave me a small, ensnaring smile that stripped me of breath. Of any present sense.
