Darkling/General Kirigan/Aleksander Morozova x Targaryen!Reader
Part 1
Shadow and Bone and Game of Thrones crossover
A/N: My new story is finally released y’all! Sorry if it took a while but this semester has me in a chokehold. I will be publishing it as a series so I hope you lovelies enjoy! And as always feedback and reblogs are much appreciated and let me know if you would like to be added to the taglist! Have a beautiful day!
Summary: Imagine being the youngest Targaryen and the half-sister of Daenerys. You had lived most of your life in captivity, shut off from the world after your brother Viserys married you off to an old lord at the age of 12 as means to get rid of you for being a half-breed. You used to be a bright and free-spirited child who saw nothing but the goodness in those around you, but the experiences you faced made you grow cold and distant with a lack of remorse for the wicked. Not wanting to live the life your brother had chained you to, you ran away and finally reunited with your sister and helped her win back the throne. (Season 8 never happened) Wanting to build a life of your own, you set sail across the seas with your dragons and army, traveling far and wide before venturing into foreign land in a place called Ravka where you stumble upon a kingdom with a king who you loathe, believing him undeserving of rule. During your stay there, you cross paths with a certain raven-haired general with aspirations of his own. Will you stand alongside him in his mission, or will you take the throne for your own and rule as Y/N Targaryen, the Dragon Witch Queen of Ravka?
Warnings: vulgar language, mentions of rape and abuse and suicide, mentions of abuse against a minor, mentions of incestuous themes, violence and gore, sexual themes. This series will have some dark themes so please read at your own risk.
Notes: slow burn, angst, enemies to lovers trope. Flashbacks are in italics.
Flashback takes place in Pentos 4 years before Daenerys’s marriage to Khal Drogo. Reader is 12 while Daenerys is 13.
“Something doesn’t seem right.” You muttered out in a faint voice. A frown was painted on your features as you stood by the balcony overlooking the sea that touched the coast of Pentos, watching the small waves caress the sandy shores while your fingers traced along the cracks and grooves that lined the stone handrail.
"Whatever do you mean?” Your sister Daenerys asked from behind you while she brushed through your hair.
“Why is Viserys having us dress up?”
“Well he said we’re having important guests.”
“Yes but I don’t understand what that has to do with us.”
"I don’t know. I’m sure it’s important with whatever he is doing.” Daenerys shrugged as she separated parts of your hair for a braid, running her fingers through your lengths lovingly before interlocking them with each other. She had always loved your hair growing up, believing it to be unique to the Targaryen line who were known for their silver hair. You had instead inherited your mother’s skin and her hair, which was a rich y/h/c that cascaded down your back. If one were to see you amongst your siblings, they would not have recognized you as a Targaryen if it weren’t for your eyes. Like the famous dragon riders of long before, you shared their purple orbs that had passed down generations, a proud symbol of their Valyrian heritage. While Daenerys’s eyes were a striking color of violet reminiscent of the flowers themselves, yours were the color of amethysts with flakes of gold that resembled a bit of the fire that embodied the dragons of your name. Despite being the bastard child of Aerys Targaryen, the Targaryen blood still ran through your veins, and the talk of you and your sister’s beauty had reached lands as far as the eye could see.
“Am I being sent away?”
“What? Of course not! What gave you that idea?”
“He’s mentioned it before. I know that he hates me for being a half-breed.”
“Don’t say that.” Daenerys sighed, tying off your braid before resting her hands on your shoulders. “I don’t think Viserys is going to send you away y/n.”
The sound of the door creaking from being opened echoed through the room, and as you turned towards it, you saw your older brother Viserys waltz in, a confident grin plastered on his face as he stridden over to the two of you with a bundle of dresses draped over his arms. “Ah. There the two of you are. I bring gifts from the North.”
“The north?” Dany looked at him with her brows knitted together in confusion. “From who?”
“Our new guests of course. This one is for you Dany.” He handed her a dress before turning to you. “And this…..is for you. Pretty isn’t it? Feel the fabric, fine wool from the north.”
You gave Viserys a quizzical look before eyeing the bundled up dress that was draped over his arms with much skepticism.
“Well go on. Touch it.”
You reached a hesitant hand towards the dress, twisting the dark gray fibered fabric that was trimmed with embroidery between your fingers with a distasteful look on your face. “It’s rough.”
“That’s because it’s wool. It’s meant to keep you warm against the cold.”
“But why? It’s not cold here.”
"Because dear sister.” Viserys moved a loose strand of your hair behind your ear before placing his fingers under your chin with a smugness hidden behind the fraud paternal gaze that masked it. “You are getting married.”
Your face paled in reaction, your eyes widening at his words while every inch of your skin turned cold.
“M-married?” Daenerys stuttered in disbelief, her voice small, afraid to raise her tone at him in fear he’d lash out like he had many times before to keep her amenable. The violets of her eyes which were usually bright, now grew dark and flickered with the thoughts that ran through her head. “To who?”
“A wealthy lord in the north. Well,” He rolled his eyes in disappointment. “Not wealthy enough but still. He paid quite the price for this one. Now she can finally be off my hands.” Viserys stared down at you with coldness in his gaze, his grip on your chin only getting tighter as his nails started to dig in to the skin there, causing you to wince. There was something behind the pale lilacs of his eyes that mirrored just a flicker of the past, of your father, The Mad King. You had never met your father, for he had died before you were even born. But you had heard plenty of stories through Viserys and others, and you could have sworn you saw that same madness in your brother in this very moment. But there was also something else that you couldn’t quite put a name to, something you were still too young to quite understand even though the sense of it unsettled you. It was a look that you had often seen whenever he was in the presence of Dany. Though there was that same bit of lust hidden behind them that he shared for Dany, a look that disgusted you whenever he glanced upon your sister, there was also contempt, a hatred that only filled them in your presence despite the brotherly smile he put on.
“The north? You’re sending her to the north? You-you can’t.” You heard Dany whimper beside you while you glared back at Viserys, your nails digging into the skin of your palms.
“I’ll do as I please. And this one is going to do as it is told. Aren’t you half-breed?”
“But you can’t.” Daenerys pleaded. “She’s only 12. She’s just a child.”
"And so are you. Quiet Daenerys.” Viserys snapped at her before turning back to you. “You. Undress, now. I need to make sure Lord Pythias is getting his coin’s worth.”
“But-” You quivered.
“Now. Before I do it myself.”
Your hands trembled as they fumbled with the buttons of your dress, tears forming in your eyes as you did not want to bare yourself in front of your brother. You were filled with resentment towards him, your fingers itching to claw those foul eyes out from his skull so that he could never look upon you or Dany ever again. But your fear had overcome your anger, and so you did not have the strength nor the courage to do such a thing. “Viserys please don’t make me do this.” Your lip quivered as you lowered your gaze to the floor, your hands clutching your dress over your chest once it dropped down your shoulders.
“Viserys please.” Daenerys begged, pulling on the sleeve of your brother’s tunic. "Marry me off. But not y/n.”
“Quiet Daenerys.”
“You can’t do this! She’s all that I have left. Please don’t send her away!” Your sister cried out, the sound of desperation in her voice stopping you from letting your dress fall to the floor.
“I said quiet!” Viserys hit her with the back of his hand, causing Dany to tear up as she held her reddened cheek.
You fumed at the sight of him striking out at her, your nostrils flaring and your breathing quickening. You don’t know what came over you as you bared your teeth and attacked your older brother in blind fury, it was almost as if all that abuse that you had endured, bottled up inside had finally boiled over. “Don’t touch her!”
Viserys was caught off guard of you lunging yourself at him as he watched you with wide eyes. His hands were held out in front of him as he tried to fight you off until you brought your hand down at him and scratched him across his face.
“Agh! ……….You hit me. Why you little bitch.” He stood stunned for a moment from the stinging pain on his cheek, touching his face to see blood on his fingertips.
You stepped back in a mixture of fear and disbelief, coming into realization of what you had just done. “Viserys p-please. I’m-I’m sorry.”
“How dare you! You little half-breed whore!” Viserys’s face distorted into rage as he threw you to the ground and hovered over your form, pinning you down while repeatedly hitting you across your face with the back of his hand. You cried out in pain from his violent strikes, writhing under him as the ring that he wore on one of his fingers sliced across your face in small cuts. “You’ve made a big mistake you little slut! You have woken the dragon! And now you’re going to pay for it!”
“Viserys stop! Please!” Dany cried out as she fell to her knees with tears streaming down her face as she tried to reach out for you.
“What in the name of Westeros is going on in here?” A loud booming voice was heard approaching the area.
Viserys stopped with an annoyed expression, turning towards the door to see Illyrio Mopatis appear in the room. “What?”
“Have you lost your senses? Lord Pyhtias wants her untouched, not a single mark on her. What will he think when he sees this?” Illyrio huffed once he saw you pinned beneath your brother, your skin flushed scarlet with small drops of blood trickling out from the tiny cuts that lined your face, along with a deeper cut that had formed on your lips. You squeezed your eyes shut against the tears that ran down the sides of your face and burned against your newly formed wounds while you held your arms up to shield you.
“The little bitch opened her mouth.” Viserys got off you and stood to his feet, looking down at your shivering form with pure disgust before calmly telling Illyrio. “I’ll just tell Lord Pythias the bitch fell down some steps. After all, her being a virgin is what matters to him most.”
“Heavens sake. Get her cleaned up and dressed. They should be here any moment.” Illyrios voiced, shrugging the whole thing off before walking away.
“Get her dressed and ready Dany.” Viserys ordered with a clenched jaw. “And you, half-breed, do not disappoint me, or else I’ll have Pythias and his men take their turns with you in front of the whole city to get what I want.”
Daenerys quietly watched him leave the room before rushing over to your side, her face filled with worry as she helped you up from the floor. “Shh it’s okay y/n. I have you.”
You sobbed into your sisters shoulder, tears pouring down your face as she cradled your trembling form in her arms, rocking you back and forth and softly singing you a lullaby while tears streamed down her face as well. The both of you were hurt, terrified, and neither of you wanted to let go knowing what was to happen.
The wedding had come much sooner than you had wanted as you stood in the dining hall with your sister and Viserys beside you, waiting for your future husband to arrive. Both you and Daenerys wore the dresses gifted to you, the heavy fabric of the north scratching against your skin, something that you were not at all accustomed to from being in the weather of Essos. Your face had been washed off of the blood, and though the wounds were not deep, the pain of it was still there, stinging beneath the clear ointment that your sister had applied. Your eyes were glassy, lifeless, nor was there a single thought amongst them as you stared out at the tile floor of the hall. You prayed to the gods for some miracle, anything, wanting it to be the sudden death of Lord Pythias and his men, wishing for a great storm to come and bury his ship at the bottom of the sea and drown those that sailed it. But the gods worked not in your favor, for just a few moments later, one of the servants entered to announce the arrival of the Northerners.
You blinked out of your lifeless daze, looking up from the ground from the feeling of your sister’s hand grabbing yours. And as you looked towards her profile, you saw a frown sitting on her lips. Her skin which was normally pale, was now almost as white as the hair that sat on her delicate head. You opened your mouth to say something, but closed it quickly after sensing Viserys straighten up beside you.
“Remember what I told you sweet sister.” You heard him say in your ear. “You wouldn’t want all his men having you for themselves now would you. After all, one word from me and I’m sure Lord Pythias would be more than eager to act upon it.”
“No.”
“No what?” He clenched his jaw, his hand tightly pinching the flesh of your arm and causing you to wince. “I need you to be clear.”
“I promise I’ll obey.”
“Good.” Viserys smiled with a nod in approval as he retuned his hand back to his side. “It’s a good thing you and Dany are pretty, even though you’re just a half-breed. I would sell the two of you to every man in the world and let them fuck you if it meant me getting the throne.”
“May the gods gift you a crown of fire.” You muttered under your breath.
“What was that?” Viserys hissed.
“I said, dear brother, may the gods gift you a crown of fire. A crown fit for a dragon, for fire cannot kill a dragon.”
“A crown of fire fit for a dragon.” Viserys smirked at the thought, his eyes glossed over with his own delusional ambitions, oblivious to the darker meaning you had behind it, and that you had meant it more as a prayer of vengeance that the gods might soon fulfill rather than a tribute to his honor. “I like that. I hope that you might one day see it dear sister, to see me with the crown I so rightfully deserve.”
The three of you turned at the sound of scattered footsteps echoing off the walls, the clicking of boots tapping against the floor like hooves against dirt, getting louder and louder. And as you looked towards the entrance with panic written in your eyes, you saw a group of men enter the hall led by a short older, rather stout looking individual in the front with another man walking beside him. Their clothes were dark and gray, devoid of any color and character, a stark difference to the vibrance of Essos that you were so accustomed to. The boots of the men were still caked with the mud from the North, tracking the dirt all over the floors as they went. And they carried with them their house banner, a symbol of a boar. Your fingers tightened around the cold hand of your sister, your jaw clenching as you watched the man leading them get closer and closer to where you stood with your siblings, his form swaying with each heavy step until finally stopping in front of Viserys.
“Lord Pythias.” Your brother nodded his head respectfully. “It’s an honor to have you join us.”
“The pleasure is all mine Viserys!” Lord Pythias patted your brother’s shoulder before gesturing to the man that had remained at his side since you saw them enter through the doors. “This here is my personal bodyguard and advisor Sir Bjorn Maurinus from Braavos.” Lord Pythias spoke in a voice that was throaty and wheezy, as if he were struggling with each line he spoke, the sound unpleasant to the ears and what one would describe as the snorting of a hog.
The man whom Pythias had just introduced remained unmoving, giving Viserys just the slightest nod that barely went noticed. Bjorn Maurinus was a tall man of a lean figure of age 47, and there was a certain sharpness about his stature from the hook of his nose to the deep browns of his eyes that made you curiously drawn to his character, for there was not a single sign of emotion nor change of expression in the impassiveness of his face in the time that he was there. Your eyes caught the glint of the handle that belonged to his sword that sat at his hip, and as you lowered your gaze, you noticed that his left leg had been cut off below the knee, where a wooden limb had now replaced it. Bjorn had noticed you staring at his wooden leg, and with an unpleasant twist of his thin lips and a scowl in your direction, he pulled his cloak over to cover it.
“Well well well, this must be my new bride.” You heard Pythias draw out his words, looking over to see him disgustingly leer at you with a lick of his pale and chapped lips, the way a predator would his meal. His irises were a dull gray, lacking any sign of warmth or compassion in them, reminding you of the blades of daggers and swords that were used to cut down men. And his eyes themselves were toad-like, sitting far apart from each other on his face and bulging out of their sockets.
“Indeed. Come sweet sister.” Viserys waved you over. “This is my youngest sister y/n. Your new bride-to-be. What do you think?”
“She’s pretty, really pretty.” Lord Pythias came over to grab your jaw, lifting and turning your face to each side as if he were inspecting cattle. It took everything in you to not flinch and shrivel away, even the mere smell of him made you feel ill. And now that his face was a mere inches from yours, the sight of him disgusted and horrified you. Viserys had noticed the way you recoiled and in response grabbed you with a flare of his nostrils, gripping your arm firmly between his grasp to keep you in place. From the pressure Viserys was applying around your arms, you were sure the prints of his hand would leave a bruise in its place. Lord Pythias was much older than you, a man in his 50s with thinning hair whom you thought had no business marrying a girl of your age. You could tell that he had not bathed in days, the smell of him was absolutely rancid and turned the contents of your stomach making you feel nauseous. He reeked of ale and beer and it was evident in his breath from the way he breathed so heavily on your face. And from the way the whites of his eyes and his skin tinted of yellow, it was clear that he drank often. His hands had not been washed either for there was dirt underneath his fingernails as you could feel the grime on them just by him touching you, and you were definite they would leave a trace once he removed his fleshy fingers from your face. “Her face is cut up.” Lord Pythias gave a disapproving look.
“Yes, well,” Viserys cleared his throat, “my dear sister can be quite graceless at times and fell down some steps.”
“Hmph. I wanted her pretty for the ceremony. Is she a virgin?”
“Oh of course, she hasn’t been touched by a single man, I made sure of it. I’m sure your lordship finds that agreeable.”
“Oh yes.” The man smiled at that. “And what of her figure? Has she grown into her womanly curves?”
“No, not yet, she turned twelve just a few months ago.”
“Good. Good. I’ll take her.” Lord Pythias dropped his hands from your face before turning to his bodyguard. “Bjorn, hand Viserys his gold.”
You watched with unsteady breaths, your heart pounding in your chest as if it were to burst through this very second and leave you dead in order to save itself as you fixed your gaze on the leather pouch that contained your weight in gold be handed over to your brother. Tears threatened to spill from the corner of your eyes and your knees trembled beneath the skirt of your gown. It felt as if your legs were in the process of giving out underneath you, and if it weren’t for your sister, your surely would have collapsed to the floor. You felt powerless, trapped between the walls that would soon become your life. The gold was a declaration of your imprisonment, an emblem of your dying freedom, and there was not a single thing left to save you now.
“Perfect.” Viserys smiled, weighing the pouch of gold in his palms. “Illyrios, bring in the guests will you. It’s time that my sister got married.”
The wedding ceremony had been short and forthright, not a single ounce of elaborateness or emotion in it as you were cloaked and joined at the hands for the tying of the ribbon. It all seemed like a fever dream as it passed, just a blur of the senses as you now sat at the dining table for the feast. Lord Pythias had been seated beside you, drunk from his many glasses of wine and howling with laughter as he shouted boisterously amongst his peers while Sir Bjorn Maurinus sat quietly on your right. You had not touched your food during the whole feast, your face wooden as your stared down at your plate, occasionally flinching in repulsion each time that Lord Pythias placed his meaty hands on your thighs. You found yourself staring time and time again at the knife that was placed on the table in front of you, lined up perfectly with the other silverware, the silver glinting across your eyes in a beam of light. You found yourself drawn to it, as if it were calling out your name for that sweet escape, just that quick swipe of the blade and it would be over, all of it. It had not even been more than two hours in the time that you were married, and you already dreaded it, wanting nothing more than to end it here, right now. As if suddenly overtaken by a trance, you found yourself reaching for the knife, closing your fingers around the cool metal until a voice stopped you.
“What do you think you are doing?” Sir Bjorn’s spoke from beside you, his voice thick with the accent of Braavos from the roll of his r’s.
“I’m-I was going to eat.”
“The girl lies. That’s a load of horseshit if I’ve ever heard one.” Sir Bjorn pulled the goblet to his lips, taking a sip of the dark wine. “I know that look girl.”
“I-I don’t know what you mean.” You turned towards him only for him to prevent you for doing so.
“Don’t. Keep your head forward. Now tell me. A girl turns 12 and weds a cunt old enough to be the father of her father. You had not touched your food since it was placed before you. You and I both know what your intentions are.”
“Is it so wrong then? It’s my life to take.”
“The girl wishes to die then.”
“…………Yes. I-I don’t want to live through the wedding night.”
“So. The girl wishes to die and never see her sister again, instead of fighting and living to see another day.”
“If I fight, I put my sister at risk.”
“Not if the girl dances with her enemies.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the girl is patient, she can live to see another day.”
“How?”
“One step at a time.”
You caught slight movement at the corner of your vision, shifting your eyes ever so slightly to see Sir Bjorn lower his hand to offer you a small vial.
“Take this. Keep it in the folds of your sleeves. And do not let a single soul see it. Understand?”
“What is it?” You dropped your hand to your side, making sure to keep your eyes forward as you took the small glass vial in your hand,, feeling the contents swirl inside as you stuffed it in the sleeve of your wedding dress.
“When he takes you to his chambers on his ship tonight, offer him a glass of wine and pour a drop in. It will keep him unconscious until sunrise and he will not remember a thing.”
“And then what? How long am I supposed to keep up with this act?” You questioned, but to no avail, for when you turned to look at him, he had returned to his meal and avoided your gaze, his face once again that unreadable expression as if the conversation had never happened.
The sun had started to set upon the horizon, casting the sky in brushstrokes of reds and oranges that reflected against the waters of the earth, painting the sea the color of blood as far as you could see. The scene almost looked ominous as you stood by the docks, waiting for Lord Pythias’s men to board the ship until it would eventually be your turn to step onto the wooden plank that lead to it. The cloak that Lord Pythias had gifted you was wrapped over your shoulder, the furs of the collar tickling against your cheek from the light breeze as you huddled against Daenerys, the two of you holding on to each other as if it was the last thing left of your mortality.
“I don’t want to go.” You stared out, scowling at the sight of Viserys and Lord Pythias laughing with each other, the two men that singlehandedly ruined your very existence and will to live.
“I know.” Daenerys spoke softly. She had tried so desperately to not weep in front of you, but it came to a point that she could no longer hold back the tears as they poured down her face.
“Daenerys……if I don’t make it back.”
“What are you on about?”
“I’m being serious.” You turned to her with tears in your eyes. “By the time the ship sails, I will be on my way to the North. None of us have been there, and it is far from here. Gods know what will happen to me. I might never see you again.”
“Don’t say that.” Daenerys shook her head frantically as she held you tighter. “The gods will bring us back together.”
“You don’t know that!” You snapped. “You-you don’t know that. Gods. I-I-can’t do this. I can’t get married to him.”
“Y/n!” Viserys voice rang out as he called out to you. “It’s time for you to go to your new home!”
New home. You scoffed at the thought. You were positive your new home would end up becoming the death of you. You stared into the violets of your sister’s eyes with widened eyes of your own, watching the tears roll down her pale cheeks before throwing yourself in her arms and sobbing into them. “Daenerys, I can’t do this alone. I can’t do this without you.”
“Y/n. Y/n.” Viserys’s voice became louder as he walked up to the two of you with an annoyed expression on his face. “It’s time to go. You wouldn’t want to keep your husband waiting now would you?”
“No. I don’t want to be his wife.”
“Y/n, what did I tell you.”
“Brother please.” You tried to reason with him but yelped in pain as he grabbed a fistful of your hair.
“Listen here you little half-breed cunt!” Viserys hissed as he pulled at your hair to make you look at him.
“Ow! Viserys you’re hurting me.” You clawed at his hands to free yourself from his grip.
“I don’t give a damn! That man paid good money for you. And you’re going to keep him happy by being his little whore, or I swear on my mother’s grave, I will let you rot in the North while every single man there fucks you like the little bitch that you are, and you will never see your sister again!” Viserys snarled in your ear before ripping you away from Daenerys and dragging you away to the ship by the back of your dress.
“Y/n! Viserys please!” Daenerys fell to her knees as she watched you get further and further away from her reach.
“Dany!” You craned your head back to look at your sister, your cheeks wet with your tears as your feet struggled to keep up with Viserys’s steps.
“This is your last warning half-breed.” Viserys stood you on the deck of Lord Pythias’s ship. “There is no one there to protect you now. Do I have your word?“
You stared up at your brother, seeing the coldness in his eyes. "Yes. You have my word.”
Viserys smiled at your answer, pushing a loose strand of your hair behind your ears before stroking your cheek with his finger. “Good. That is all I ever wanted sweet sister, your obedience and your loyalty. I promise, when I am king, I will bring you back home so that you, Dany and I could finally be together, where we belong.”
For a moment, you swore you saw that old part of Viserys, of what used to be your kinder, younger brother who did everything that he could to take care of Dany and you. You fluttered your eyes closed against your tears as Viserys placed a soft and lingering kiss to your forehead, your body aching with the emotions that filled you as you watched your brother step back onto the dock.
“Lady y/n.” You heard Sir Bjorn step up beside you. “Right this way please.”
You followed the man to the end of the ship, stepping onto the back deck as the ship started to set sail. It felt as if you no longer had the ability to cry, the tears that had streamed down your face just a second ago, now dried up from the air as you stared out at where your sister stood next to Viserys on the dock. Your expression matched hers as the wind blew against you, blowing back the braid that Dany had done that morning as you clutched the cloak closer to your frame. The ship started to sway beneath your feet against the waves as it began to set sail, leaving the shores of Pentos. The glass vial felt heavy in your sleeve as you stood unmoving, your eyes never leaving your sisters as she became smaller and smaller the further out you went into the sea until she became just a speck in the horizon. And when you could no longer see any remaining sign of her, of the one person you cared about, you turned away, not knowing if you would get out alive to ever see her again.
captain of her heart: scarlett & aleksander’s adventure
warnings: sexual harassment, aleks comes with his own warning, mentions of death briefly, smutty times, p in v sex, unprotected sex, rough sex
word count: 3.7k
author’s notes: Well here is chapter one of scarlett and aleksander’s adventure! I have been working on this for awhile and I am so excited to finally share it! This wouldn’t even be possible without @clint-aww-no-barton for everything she has done. I really hope everyone enjoys this story and please please let me know if you want to be tagged in updates which will be coming every Friday at 7pm. (I am going to be tagging people from the last fic of Alek’s I posted if you want to be removed in the future please let me know!)
The night was falling slowly. The sun had started its descent, coloring the world in orange, yellow and purple light. Scarlett walked around the bar, lighting candles in the windows. The crowd had dwindled to nothing in the weird hours of the evening but as soon as the night took over, the tavern would come alive again. Men and women out to forget something in the bottom of a glass or in the arms of a stranger. Scarlett leaned against the now open door, watching as a few locals bustled about. Many ships were tied off at the dock, bobbing in the water as the waves came in. She took in a deep breath, salt air filling her nose and lungs.
Scarlett had long since grown used to the small island life. She had been here her entire life but as her eyes gazed at the glowing horizon, she longed for so much more. She had been lonely for awhile, the feeling not really hitting her until she was older. No one really stayed here. They came and went all too quickly.
The island sat in the middle of the Caribbean, a small supply port for ships to restock and get a few nights of rest on land, before continuing on. The only people who actually lived here, owned various, shops, warehouses and the few taverns and inns. Along with herself and her parents. The Ships Rest has been in her family since her father was a child. Even from a young age she had worked, sweeping the floors and helping her parents, always knowing she would one day inherit it.
She let out a small sigh, taking in the view of the ocean one last time, before she turned and went back inside. The fireplace crackled, with a cauldron of soup simmering on its stand. She stationed herself behind the wooden bar and began to clean glasses, in anticipation of the evening. As soon as the sun disappeared, people started to flow in. The night went on, busy and bustling but Scarlett didn’t mind. She smiled and talked to the regulars as she served drinks and food. People came and went. She rented a room or two above the bar, and it was common to see couples disappearing up the stairs hand in hand, laughing.
The night started to slow down. Scarlett looked up from cleaning to see a group of men coming in, clearly already drunk. They sat down at two of the large circle tables that took up almost all the space on the floor. One banged a first on the wood loudly.
“A round of beer and food wench!” He yelled loudly.
“Come right up!” Scarlett gave them a tight smile but rolled her eyes as soon as her back was turned.
She quickly filled glasses and sat bowls of soup with fresh crusty bread on a large round carrying tray, and expertly weaved her way towards them. She handed out beers and sat the bowls on the table before the man who had ordered, grabbed her ass.
“Now what’s a pretty thing like you doing working all by yourself?”
Scarlett jumped back with a scowl.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.”
She snapped back, earning a laugh from the rest of the men.
“Oh come on now honey, why don’t you sit right here and we can all show you a good time,” he patted his lap and another man stood, blocking her from escaping back to the bar.
Scarlett’s heart pounded in her ears. They were the only ones in here and there was no one to save her from these men. They were laughing, pulling at her dress, disgusting comments rolling from their tongues. She could feel the panic creeping in, as she looked frantically about for a way out, a scream clawing its way up her throat.
Then Scarlett could have sworn out of the corner of her eye, the candles scattered in the windows flickered, before the door banged open. They all jumped and everyone’s eyes turned. The man strolling in looked like he walked out of the night itself. He was dressed from head to toe in all black, with midnight dark hair and eyes. Scarlett could have sworn shadows moved around him like ink. The buttons of his shirt were undone, exposing lightly tanned skin. He was beautiful. She gulped, realizing this could be their captain. They had buttered her up and pushed her around, readying a lamb for slaughter.
“I would suggest you leave the lady alone,” he paused steps away from the group.
“What you going to do about it, lubber?”
The man smirked, a sparkle in his eyes. He was tall but definitely not as massive as some of the men around her. As if on cue, several other men entered the bar and circled the group. The sailors that were harassing her began to shift and look around nervously. Her eyes met the black eyes of the stranger.
“Come here darling, they won’t touch you again,” he held a hand out.
Scarlett hesitated for a moment before she started to move. Like a spell had settled over everyone, the men parted to let her through, not moving another inch as she stopped in front her savior.
“Get out,” he spoke, his voice like a whip crack as his eyes held hers.
They were quick, not even bothering to finish their beers, as they scrambled out leaving her alone with this man and his crew. Silence filled the building and Scarlett could swear he could hear her heart pounding.
“Aleksander,” he extended his hand out between them and she looked down at it like it was a foreign object.
“Scarlett,” her name came out a whisper as she placed her hand in his. As their skin touched, it felt like a flash of lightning went through her whole body.
“Beautiful name, very fitting,” he smiled as he brought her hand to his lips gently.
“Thank you.”
He let out a chuckle as he finally broke away, her hand slipping slowly from his, leaving her breathless. She shook her head and turned, noticing the mess the last group had left behind. She started to tidy up, grounding herself in the familiar task.
“If you will all give me a moment I’ll get you beer and food. Please take a seat,” she gave the rest of his crew a warm smile, her eyes glancing from under her lashes at him as he looked around.
“You have rooms to rent?”
“Um yes. There are ten of them but two have been taken for the night.”
“We’ll take them all,” he tossed a bag of coins on the bar. “That should cover the rooms, the beer and food.”
She absently nodded, busy gaping at the bag bulging on the counter with more than enough coin. She set into motion, fixing them drinks and bowls of soup and bread. Each member thanked her and it was odd. They all looked so ruthless yet they were strangely polite and well spoken, a rarity.
“So are you part of a merchant ship?” She questioned as she handed out the last of the drink and food.
Most of them laughed and Scarlett’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion.
“Something like that,” one of the men answered, a smirk on his face, as if sharing some private joke.
She could feel Aleksander’s eyes on her as she studied the crew and then looked over at him. He sat separately, at a small table towards the back, one leg propped up on a nearby chair, once again seemingly one with the shadows. She quickly looked away and took the tray back behind the bar and started to nervously clean.
“Uh I’m closing the kitchen down, but you lot take your time. Your room keys are sitting at the end of the bar when you’re ready to go up.”
She gave them all a small smile before continuing to clean in silence. She listened to them talk and kept glancing over at the man whose darks eyes still watched her every movement. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore and stomped over to him.
“What do you want?” Her voice had more bite than she intended
“I can’t watch a beautiful woman?”
She flushed slightly and looked away. From the corner of her eye she saw him stand and glide closer to her. He leaned on the wall next to her but a breath of space between them.
“Where are the best places for supplies around here?”
“The whole island,” she let out a scoff. “That’s all this place is. Every building holds something different but it’s all supplies for people passing through.”
“That’s all anyone does? Pass through? What about you?”
“Pretty much. I’ve been here my whole life. My father’s father had this place and so it was handed down.”
“And your parents?”
“Oh they passed away several years ago,” she paused and looked over at him, those eyes taking in every expression on her face.
“You want off this island don’t you?”
No one had ever asked her that, though she knew the answer. The guilt she felt at even the thought of leaving what her parents had left her, a place of importance to them, settled in her gut like always. But she wanted nothing more than to see the world, to have an adventure.
“Yes I do. I’ve been in the same place my entire life. I want something different. I want to see the world.”
She stopped and looked out the window at the moonlight dancing off the waves and let out a soft sigh through her nose.
“But maybe one day I’ll get my chance.” She went back to cleaning.
“You may get your chance sooner than you think.”
It was the last thing he said before he pushed off the wall, took a key and went upstairs disappearing. Scarlett watched him go, her stomach fluttering slightly. The desire to follow him up was almost unbearable, but she had things to do. When she looked down at the keys, she noticed he had taken the one to the room next to hers. She licked her lips and shook her head before getting back to work.
Aleksander’s crew dwindled away, the last man going upstairs well into the late hours of the night. Scarlett finished the last of her chores and blew out the candles, making sure all the doors were locked and secure, before she too went upstairs. She could hear soft snores through the hall as she made her way to her room. Just as she pulled her key out and was about to unlock her door, the one next her opened and Aleksander stepped into the doorway, leaning on it.
“Do you need something?” She asked softly as she looked at him, her heart picking up.
“To talk to you.”
He turned and went back into his room, leaving the door open as an invitation to her. She felt that pull again and found herself walking into his room before she could stop herself. The second Scarlett was fully across the threshold, the door shut behind her and Aleksander had her against it, caging her there. She gasped and looked up at him already panting slightly.
“Tell me yes,” his voice was deep, a rumble of thunder.
“What?” The word a mere breath.
“Tell me I can kiss you, take you,” his mouth was so close his breath fanned across her face.
“Yes,” it came out so pathetic and desperate but she didn’t care.
This mysterious stranger had walked into her bar and defended her. He watched her every move as he lingered in the shadows. He made her feel safe and on the edge of the world all at once. His hand came up to her face cupping her cheek, his thumb settling on her chin, his fingers just barely in her hairline before his lips crashed against hers like ocean waves on the shore. She melted into him, kissing him back with just as much need.
He was as hungry for her as she was for him. There was no telling the last time he had been touched by a woman, and it had been a long time since Scarlett let a man take her to bed. Clothes flew across the room, their lips only parting in desperate gasps for air. He lead her to the bed, the back of her legs hitting the mattress before she was laid on it. He towered over her, dominance dripping from him. Her fingers threaded into his dark locks as his hands started to wander, kneading at her breast before continuing down to her wet center. He smiled against her neck, where his lips sucked at her delicate skin, as he found her already dripping with want for him.
“Aleksander please,” she pleaded as he moved his fingers in lazy circles over her clit.
He lined himself up and pushed inside of her with a grunt. She let out a moan, his lips crashing back down to hers to swallow the noise. He pounded into her with no mercy. All quick thrusts, hands and mouth everywhere they could reach. It was a desperation to touch and be touched, to reach their highs as quickly as possible. Scarlett never gave any warning before her head went back, letting out a moan as she came, and grasped his cock within her walls. He let out a groan, his face falling to her shoulder biting at her neck softly, as he came undone.
Scarlett couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this good. She let out a soft sigh and Aleksander raised his head to look down at her. His eyes seemed to search her face as his fingers brushed her hair back. They laid there like that for a moment basking in each other like lifelong lovers, before it seemed to click for the both of them that they were strangers. He pulled out and turned on his back next to her. She stared at the ceiling panting, trying to catch her breath.
“It’s been a long time for you?” She turned her head at his sudden question, already finding his attention on her.
“It has. Like I said, most people just pass through. There have been men here and there but it’s been a while.”
She turned on her side and he pulled her to him which shocked her. She had figured he would throw her out of his bed once he was finished with her. His fingers began to idly caress her shoulder and she watched his face.
“Let me come with you.” The words were out of her mouth before Scarlett could stop them.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
Scarlett sat up, anger already pushing her blissful, happy feeling away.
“We’re pirates darling. The life is too rough for a delicate creature such as yourself.”
The words were almost sweet and normally would have made Scarlett’s heart flutter, but now they made her furious.
“Then what was that earlier? Asking me if I wanted off the island?”
“I can’t ask a simple question?”
“Not when it gets my hopes up that someone could finally get me off this godforsaken island.”
He stared at her for a moment as he sat up.
“It’s not happening. It’s too dangerous.”
Scarlett’s feet hit the floor before he could get the sentence fully out of his mouth.
“Where are you going?” His voice sounded almost…wounded.
“Back to my room,” Scarlett started trying to pull her dress back on wondering why she was even bothering.
“Please don’t. Stay.”
“Why should I? For you to be gone in the morning?”
“That’s how it’s supposed to work.”
She turned to him then, having given up on getting dressed. He wasn’t wrong and deep down she knew nothing was going to come of this. She had let her hopes get the best of her for a fleeting moment, and now they’d been crushed. She might as well let him hold her until she fell asleep. She let out a sigh through her nose and crawled back into bed. Aleksander was next to her in seconds pulling her close. Not a single word was exchanged between them the rest of the night.
The morning sun flooded the small room and woke Scarlett from her sleep. She blinked slowly as the room came into focus around her and she knew she was alone. Aleksander was gone. Scarlett let the night before play in her head and she let out a sigh at her own stupidity. She crawled out of bed and gathered her clothes before sticking her head out of the empty hallway. She could still hear distant snores so not everyone was gone. She moved quickly to her room where she washed the night off and dressed. She quickly made her way downstairs, the only sign of Aleksander even being there was his room key sitting on the bar. She picked it up and ran it between her fingers before putting it away.
She started in on her morning chores, getting food ready and the fire going. She opened the windows letting in sunlight and air through the room. She was just bringing up more beer when the door opened. She peered up from her spot to see Aleksander swaggering in, bags hitting the floor by the door.
“My crew not up yet I assume?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Scarlett didn’t look at him as she went back to work on the days preparations. She had made bread and popped it into the oven earlier that morning, now she pulled it out, bringing it around to the counter to cool. Aleksander had settled himself in a stool on the other side. She glanced up at him, finding him watching her, those dark eyes following her every move.
“Will you stop that?”
“Stop what?” He knew, amusement danced in his voice.
“Watching me.”
“I’m trying to memorize you. I’m not sure when I’ll come back through here.”
“Well you wouldn’t have to memorize me if you would just let me go with you.”
Scarlett’s eyes darted up at him, more anger filling her words than she intended. Aleksander stayed silent his eyes locked with hers once again. Footsteps on the stairs to her right, broke their contest of wills and they finally looked away from each other as a few of his crew started down.
“It’s about time you lazy asses got up. We have a lot to load, so let’s get to it.”
Aleksander stood and without another word stepped away to join his crew. She watched him, her jaw set, before she went back to what she was doing. Once they had exited the tavern she stepped to the window and watched them carefully, trying to see which one of the ships they went to. She took note as Aleksander made his way out to the furthest jetty and walked to the large ship at the end. She looked back at the tavern glancing around the building she knew, the life she knew. Scarlett knew in that moment she was about to leave it.
The rest of the crew slowly made their ways from their rooms, keys thrown on the bar. After the other half and their captain had loaded their supplies, they all filled the room and Scarlett served them breakfast. She bid them farewell with a nod of her head knowing she could sneak upstairs for a few moments while they where still here. She took the stairs quickly and all but ran to her room. Her hand just grasped her door handle when out of the corner of her eye she saw Aleksander closing in on her.
“Wait,” he stepped up to her in quick strides before stopping next to her.
She turned fully to look at him and as she opened her mouth to speak his lips crashed into hers. He kissed her like it was the last thing he would ever do on this earth. He backed her into her door and she melted into him once again. Scarlett couldn’t help it, the man clouded her thoughts, made her dizzy, made her forget everything. He kissed her until her lungs screamed before he finally pulled away panting.
“Goodbye Scarlett.”
“Goodbye Aleksander.”
The words were a whisper as he pushed off the wall and she watched as he turned the corner leaving her sight. She snapped back to the plan at hand and moved quickly. She packed a small canvas bag before she quickly wrote a letter. She came down the stairs and was out the door in a flash not one single person in the tavern looked her way. Scarlett made her way across the street and a few buildings down. It was a herb shop a nice lady, she had known since she was young, owned.
“Scarlett dear, how are you?” She called in her normal cheery voice.
“Mrs. Morgan listen I have to go suddenly. Um do you think Mr. Morgan could look after the Ships Rest? I wrote anything he needed to know in this letter. There is plenty of money for anything he may need.”
Scarlett’s words came out in a rush and confusion filled the woman’s face.
“Well, I don’t see why not. Is everything alright?” She took the letter from Scarlett’s fingers.
“Oh yes! Just have some business I need to deal with. Thank you so much!”
Scarlett barely heard her say goodbye before she was out the door and making her way in a run to the docks. She kept her eyes open and moved swiftly as she stepped onto the deck of Aleksander’s ship. It was beautiful but there was no time to take it in. She looked back seeing the crew and the man himself filing out of her tavern. He stopped in the door and looked back for a few moments, and she watched him briefly before lifting the hatch she had found. She quickly climbed down the steep stairs and was relieved to find the under deck of the ship was fully stocked, a perfect hiding place.
summary: scarlett lives a quiet life on the island she is forever stuck on. that is until a mysterious stranger from the shadows steps into her life and draws her in for an adventure of a lifetime.
rating: nc-17
disclaimer: all warnings will be stated before each chapter to keep from spoiling the adventure.
if you would like to be tagged in this series please let me know.
summary: scarlett lives a quiet life on the island she is forever stuck on. that is until a mysterious stranger from the shadows steps into her life and draws her in for an adventure of a lifetime.
rating: nc-17
disclaimer: all warnings will be stated before each chapter to keep from spoiling the adventure.
if you would like to be tagged in this series please let me know.
