Chapter 4: The Bargain of the Ghost-King

There were jagged branches clawing at her skin like skeletal fingers. Her breath came in ragged, burning hitches, and her heart drummed against her ribs with such force it felt like it might burst. She didn't know where she was going; she only knew that the farm was behind her and a predator was at her heels.

The footsteps grew louder, closer. A shadow stretched across the forest floor, long and dark. As the silhouette of the captain rounded the tree, Elena lunged. She swung the heavy log with every ounce of desperate strength she had left.

Crack.

The sound wasn't the impact of wood on bone, but the solid thud of a hand catching the blow. Kai stood there, his palm firmly gripping the log, his expression unreadable. Elena froze, her face draining of color until she was as pale as the blossoms she’d been picking only hours ago.

"I don't intend to kill you," Kai said, his voice softening as he took in her trembling form. He frowned, looking at the jagged red line on his cheek where she had cut him earlier. "I would never hurt a lady. It's... a matter of principle."

He pulled the log firmly from her hands and tossed it aside. It hit the ground with a dull thud.

"Then why are you here, pirate?" Elena spat, trying to summon her anger to mask the fear. "Why hunt me like an animal?"

"You are well aware of the reason I seek you," Kai said, wiping a fresh bead of blood from his face.

"Excuse me?" she scoffed, leaning back against the tree for support. "I don’t know a thing about you or your delusions."

"You must surely know why I’ve come all this way," he insisted.

"I don't! I’m a farmer. I live with my father, I tend the barn—"

"Yes, yes," Kai interrupted, rolling his eyes with a heavy sigh. "I am sure you are just a simple farmer girl, and that garden of yours is the center of the universe. Very convincing."

"You are mad," Elena whispered, shaking her head. "You’ve spent too much time at sea. You need professional help."

"Tell me, Elena," Kai stepped closer, his presence looming. "You’ve heard the tales, haven't you? You live in the shadow of the King. You know the name Flynt Locke."

Elena paused, her breath hitching. "The Pirate King? Everyone knows the ghost stories. The hidden hoard guarded by a restless soul. But they’re just that—stories. Myths to keep children away from the caves."

"They aren't myths," Kai said, his voice dropping to a low, fervent rumble. "I found the map. I found the cave. But the treasure is warded. Only someone of his blood can take it and become more powerful than any living king. And that someone, Elena, is you."

"You truly believe this nonsense?" She gave a sharp, incredulous laugh. "I’m an orphan. I was adopted from the Oakhaven orphanage when I was three."

"I know," Kai said simply. "How do you think I found you? I’ve gathered the documents, traced the lineage, and watched that farm for weeks. I know your history better than you do."

Horror washed over her, cold and oily. "You’ve been watching me? You’ve been... stalking us?"

"I've been ensuring my investment," he corrected. He saw her turn to run again and stepped into her path. "If you come with me—if you help me unlock that vault—I will give you a portion of the riches. Enough to buy ten farms. And then, I will send you home."

Elena froze. "And Jackson? The animals?"

"Safe," Kai promised, holding up a hand. "Jackson will remain at the farm. My men have strict orders: no one touches the livestock, and no one harms the master of the house. He has his other servants to look after him. You have my word."

Elena looked at the dirt, her mind racing. She didn't believe in pirate ghosts, and she certainly didn't believe she was royalty of any kind. But she knew men like Kai. If she didn't go, he would keep hunting her. If she went, she might buy safety for the only home she’d ever known.

"You promise to keep them safe?" she asked, looking him in the eye. "And you’ll send me home once I 'entertain' this fantasy of yours?"

"You’ll be paid, and you’ll be returned," Kai nodded. "I am a man of my word."

The walk back out of the woods was draped in a thick, awkward silence. Elena felt like she was walking toward her own execution, despite his promises. As the masts of a massive, dark ship rose above the treeline near the hidden cove, the reality of her situation finally hit her.

"What is your name?" Kai asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry?" Elena murmured, glancing up at the rigging of the vessel.

"Your name," he repeated. "I'd like to hear you say it."

"Don't you already know it, 'Master of Documents'?"

Kai let out a soft chuckle. "I'm just trying to make conversation, Elena. We’re going to be together for a few months, after all."

"Months?" Elena stopped dead in her tracks, staring at the gangplank. "Months? Where are we going, the moon?"

"It’s a long journey through treacherous waters," he explained, stopping to face her. "We’ll need to resupply. Now, please, humor me. Tell me about my crew. Do you know who you’re sailing with?"

"You're Kai," she said flatly. "And you mentioned Smith, Kuruk, Dreadful, Taserface, and Bloodbeard." She paused, her brow furrowing. "Those are the most ridiculous names I’ve ever heard. Smith and Kai are normal, but the rest sound like they were named by a child."

"Dreadful's full title is Dreadful Dan," Kai offered with a smirk.

"Is it really? That just sounds..."

"Dreadful?" Kai finished for her, laughing.

"Well... yes."

"It's the name he wants to be known by in the legends. A man has to have a brand, Elena."

She rolled her eyes, her fear momentarily eclipsed by her annoyance. "And they won't touch my home? My father?"

"I am the Captain," Kai said, his voice regaining its edge. "They obey me, or they walk the—"

"I understand. I’ve read the books," Elena interrupted.

"For a willing hostage, you have a remarkably smart mouth."

"Forgive me," she said sarcastically. "I wasn't prepared for the 'Kidnapped by Six Idiots' portion of my afternoon."

"Your life is in no danger," Kai insisted. "I told you, I don't harm ladies."

"But you won't let me go home now, either," she noted.

"I will," Kai said, shrugging as he led her toward the ship's rail. "But for now, the 'farmer girl' version of you will have to cease to exist. Follow me. This will be your home for a while."

"Do I at least get my own room?" she asked, looking warily at the dark wood of the deck.

"You'll stay in my cabin," Kai said. Elena began to protest, but he cut her off. "I’ve already had a second bed prepared with the crew's help. I’ll be sleeping there. I told you, I've been planning this for some time."

"You even had a bed made? You really are committed to this."

"Gold is a great motivator," Kai answered.

"Will I be fed? Or am I meant to live on sea salt and 'decorum'?"

Kai frowned, looking at her with a mix of amusement and exhaustion. "You ask a lot of questions, Elena."

"Excuse me," she snapped, crossing her arms. "I’ve never been kidnapped before. I’m still learning the etiquette."