The sea was endless — a rolling, heaving mirror of blue that swelled and rocked with no mercy.

  Nexya was dying.

  Or at least, she insisted she was.

  She lay across a crate on the deck, skin pale, face flushed, one leg dangling over the side as the ship groaned under another wave.

  “If I die… burn my boots. Don’t let sea demons touch ‘em…” she moaned dramatically.

  Ko Mala perched nearby, chewing dried mango. “That’s not even how sea demons work.”

  Rell tilted his head. “You weak?”

  Nexya glared weakly up at him. “Shut… up… jungle boy.”

  “You fall on box,” he said, crouching. “Box win.”

  “Box is evil.”

  Thessia walked past, arms crossed, smirking. “She’s been like this since dawn. We hit rough water once, and now she thinks she's cursed.”

  “Am cursed…” Nexya mumbled. “By motion.”

  The day passed slow, with gulls shrieking and the children playing games below deck. Thessia found Rell sitting alone near the railing as sunset painted the sky.

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  “You alright?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Water… strange. But sky same.”

  She stood beside him. The wind caught her cloak.

  “I’ve been meaning to say something,” she said, not looking at him. “About before.”

  He stayed quiet, letting her speak.

  “That kiss. I didn’t regret it. Still don’t.”

  Rell blinked. “Not mistake?”

  Thessia smiled faintly. “No.”

  Silence passed again.

  “I feel,” Rell said softly. “I not know how. But I do.”

  She turned toward him.

  Their hands brushed on the rail.

  Then — softly, slowly — they leaned in.

  Their lips met again.

  This time, no confusion. No desperation.

  Just warmth.

  And then—

  “PIRATES! OFF THE STARBOARD!”

  A scream shattered the moment. Nexya sat bolt upright, pale and furious. “I KNEW IT!”

  Black-sailed ships surged from the mist, chains and grappling hooks ready.

  “Battle stations!” someone yelled.

  Rell growled, eyes flashing.

  “Always… bad timing.”

  He cracked his knuckles.

  And leapt.