It had nearly been a month aboard The Black Siren. Emmet’s skin had darkened to a honey brown colour. The crew had accepted him as one of their own, especially Malec. He and Emmet had developed quite the unexpected relationship. It was obvious to the crew that the two young men spent some time alone together, but when asked if there was any interest towards the other, Malec would deny it but walk away blushing and Emmet would stammer and blush until he found an excuse to leave. Emmet was eventually allowed to wander the ship without any shackles on, though he still had to sleep with them. The crew nurse had started teaching him to bandage and treat his wrists to avoid permanent scars. He had noticed that many of the crew has these scars on their wrists or ankles, even a few people on board had missing limbs or eyes, some even had their lips cut clean off. Captain Sin and Malec had explained to Emmet that their ship was a sort of rescue ship. The crew of the Black Siren were mostly rescued slaves, innocent victims of tragedy, and anyone who was willing to follow Captain Sin in his mission to rescue those who needed it. Malec once even asked Emmet if he would like to go on a raid with the crew. While Emmet declined, he did watch from the side of the ship and quietly, in his heart, cheered for the crew he had come to admire after so long. The Black siren had no tolerance for those who beat and hurt the innocent. Though none were religious, all would strike with a righteous temper. Emmet came to name them The Tempered Gods of Justice. Emmet had grown to respect and live with the crew as additional guardians and found that he had been mistreated his whole life. The crew, unlike his father, found Emmet's gift of art fascinating and worked to teach Emmet to use a sword. When Emmet made simple mistakes, he feared their disappointment but was met with patience, laughter and shown how to fix the mistake. After months of learning all the crew could teach him, Emmet was unconsciously beginning to accept that he was a part of the crew and was safe on the ship.

~~~

One morning, a sharp knock jolted Emmet out of sleep.

"Malec, Sin is ordering that you bring the boy to the main cabin. Hurry up." Came a gruff voice from outside. Emmet sat up with his hair messed and curling in some places. He looked at Malec who was still in a deep sleep and snoring softly.

"Malec," Emmet shook Malec's shoulder "Wake up you bloody log!" Malec swatted Emmet's hand away and rolled over.

"Ulio piss off."

Emmet lifted Malec's eyelid, "Sorry, no, it's me, the prisoner, not your pig man." Malec stopped moving for a moment.

"He does look like a pig." Malec said, Emmet cracked a smile but pushed it down quickly. Malec got up and pulled on his boots then walked to his wardrobe and got two fresh shirts, tossing one to Emmet. "Put this on, you'll want to be presentable for the captain." He then proceeded to tie up his hair.

"Yeah, sort of need to be uncuffed first." Malec rolled his eyes and walked over, unlocking the shackles attached to Emmet's wrist. Emmet sat up and rubbed his bandaged wrist then picked up the shirt Malec had given him, put it on then his coat. Emmet had never shared clothes with anyone before so this was all very alien to him, he felt as if instead of the shirt touching him it was Malec, he felt as if it were only his thin undershirt separating his skin from Malec's touch. Emmet shivered and shook his head. That's a ridiculous thought Emmet, Malec isn't touching you it's only a shirt. Emmet put on his shoes and followed Malec out the door.

They arrived at the captain's cabin, a large room by the mess hall and under the bridge deck, they were both let in and were greeted by the captain who was sitting in a large chair behind a large desk.

"Malec, thank you for bringing Emmet, you are excused."

Malec gave Emmet a soft pat on the back and left the room. “What is it would wanted to speak to me about?”

“I know we captured you seemingly with no reason, Malec was new to the ah, Tempered Gods.” They both smiled. “I also know that over this past month you seem to be much more alive than when we first had you, you’ve grown to be comfortable with the crew much faster than expected and you’ve been allowed to walk freely.”

“I have sir. I’ve learned a lot.”

“I hope not too much, your father has sent a reply.”

Emmet flinched. Why? Why now? Why couldn’t he just leave me for dead?

“Emmet, it is your choice, no one will tell you what to do. You can stay with us, or go back, or perhaps something else entirely. I formally invite you to join us on The Black Siren. What do you say?” Captain Sin smiled.

Emmet didn’t know what to say. Father. Crew. Malec. Can’t go back. Can’t stay. Dizzy. “Can- could I take some time to think about it?”

“Of course, remember, no one is making you do anything, and no one will judge you for your choice.

“Thank you.” Emmet turned in left, nearly forgetting to open the door before he left.

~~~

Emmet walked into Malec's room, all his muscles tense and and eyes blurry.

“So what did you and the captain talk about?” Malec asked.

“He asked me to join your crew.” Emmet answered, sitting on the bench in the corner of the room. Malec shot up from his bed.

“He asked you to join our crew? But giving you back is a lot of money for him! Not that I want you to leave, I just-” Malec stammered, his sentence trailed off.

“I can’t go back to that. I’ll jump overboard before I do.” He paused for a moment. “I think I want to join your crew.”

“Really? But-”

“Look, I know that I’m going for a high price, but is it worth it? I can’t go back. I’m sorry about the ransom, but I can’t go back.”

“Why do you say ‘you can’t’? Why would you jump over board instead? I’m not telling you you have to go back.” He walked to Emmet, whose face was hid behind his hands clenching together. Emmet tensed before Malec touched him and Malec took back his own outstretched arm.

“He hurts me Malec. My father. He has beat me and has since I was very young when my mother died. I learned to only do what he would tell me. I had to ask to eat, I never slept. When he hurt me it would end sooner if I did nothing.” Emmet took his hands away from his face and looked at Malec. “I can’t go back, Malec.”

Malec knelt next to him. “We’ll not give you back Emmet. I won’t let it happen. You should have told me this sooner, if you had I wouldn’t have let anyone discuss the trade.”

“After a life like that, I don’t know who to trust. I could only tell you to save myself from going back. I’m sorry.” Emmet sighed. I’m sorry Malec, I trust you but it will take me a little while to get used to it.

“I’ll talk to the captain, he won’t let it happen. He already wants you to stay with us so I’m sure he won’t need much convincing.”

“I don’t know why you’re so gentle and nice, you’re a pirate for God’s sake. Go talk to the captain I’ll be fine.”

“You’ve been part of the crew for almost a month now. I’m not going to pretend to be the cold dark raider again. We’re partners now.” Malec stayed put for a second then stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

Malec left and Emmet got up and sat on the bed. “I’ll be here.” Emmet laid down and let the silent tears fall. Not tears for the bad memories, but tears that he had finally gotten away and was never going back. He was safe.

After a few moments, Malec stormed back into the cabin. “Emmet we have a plan!”

“That was fast.” Emmet said, wiping his face and sitting up. “What is it?”

“I know, it’s almost like the captain had it planned out. But it includes keeping you and getting the ransom at the same time. And you only have to see your father for a short moment, but you’ll be with the crew the whole time. He will not get is hands on you.”

“All right. What is the plan?” Emmet asked again.

“We’re getting married!”

“We’re what?”