Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

But the moment they reached the surface, Jake froze, completely dumbfounded by the sight before him.

”What...?”

There in the distance...

...A familiar thick black smoke rose into the sky.

The once-peaceful town was now raging in flames.

Many buildings were burning fiercely, and the distant sounds of screams and clashing weapons echoed through the air.

The strong metallic smell of blood filled the morning breeze... much stronger and thicker than before.

Jake’s expression turned grim as he scanned the surroundings.

He hadn’t heard any explosions at all during the three days he had been focused entirely on bonding with Grace underground.

”Could it be something else happened...?” he murmured, confusion and wariness mixing in his voice.

And this time, the chaos felt fiercer.

The scent of blood in the air was heavier, almost suffocating.

From time to time, powerful pressure clashes emanated from the direction of the town center.

Jake couldn’t help but curse his luck.

”Dammit... Why do those two nobles have to pick a fight on the exact day we have to leave?”

Today was the day the Vivian Merchant Caravan was preparing to depart, and they had planned to leave the island with them.

Now, if they wanted to reach the port, they would have to go straight through this warzone of a town.

Jake wasn’t sure if the Vivian Merchant Caravan had postponed their schedule, but he quickly shook his head.

”With someone as powerful as Garrick serving as their captain of the guard, the Vivian Caravan is definitely not simple. They must have their own strength,” he muttered.

The two nobles should know this even better than him.

Provoking or involving a powerful neutral third party like the Vivian Caravan during their conflict would be extremely foolish.

And for some reason, his Instinct skill was telling him not to... miss this quest.

With a sigh, he turned toward Grace and tried to ask for her opinion.

”Grace, what do you—”

But his words slowed as he saw her expression.

Grace stood completely still, her beautiful golden eyes wide and dumbfounded as she stared at the raging flames.

The firelight reflected brightly in her eyes, giving them an almost hypnotic, otherworldly glow.

Her face was pale, but there was something else there... a strange mix of shock, recognition, and deep unease.

”Grace...?” Jake called again, gently squeezing her hand.

Then she blinked slowly, as if snapping out of a trance. ”Y-Yes?”

Jake frowned deeply, as concern clear in his voice as he turned to face her fully.

”What’s wrong? You look so pale.”

Grace quickly shook her head, forcing a weak smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

She gripped his hand a little tighter, her palms slightly sweaty.

”I... I’m fine. Just... surprised. I didn’t expect the town to be like this when we came out. It’s scary...”

But then she glanced back at the raging flames for a brief moment before looking away.

Deep inside, Grace’s heart was pounding.

’That flame... that color and feeling... It’s Julian’s solar-flame.’

She recognized it immediately.... the distinctive crimson-gold hue and the overwhelming, oppressive heat.

But for some reason, she didn’t want to tell Jake...

...Not yet.

Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was the lingering trauma from her engagement and everything Julian had done to isolate her.

...Or perhaps a part of her still wanted to handle this herself... to prove she wasn’t the weak, crybaby from the past anymore.

She leaned closer to Jake, hiding her unease. ”Let’s just... be careful. Okay?”

Jake studied her face for a few seconds, clearly not fully convinced.

’What an obvious liar.’

He could tell Grace was full of unease, whether from her body language or his own gut feeling as a man.

Then he gently cupped her cheek with his hand, forcing her to look at him directly.

”Grace.”

His voice was low, steady, and filled with quiet strength.

”I know you’re hiding something. Your eyes can’t lie to me anymore... not after everything we’ve shared these past days.”

He brushed his thumb softly across her cheek, his gaze warm yet serious.

”You don’t have to carry it alone. Whatever it is... no matter how dark or heavy, I can take it-No, I want to take it with you!”

Grace’s golden eyes trembled.

The gentle but powerful words pierced straight through the walls she had tried to keep up.

Tears welled up instantly, spilling down her flushed cheeks.

”Captain... Jake...”

Her voice broke.

She buried her face against his chest, clutching his shirt tightly as a fearful whisper escaped her.

”It’s... it’s Julian. Those flames... they’re his. I recognized it right away. He’s here... and he’s probably the one behind all of this.”

”Julian?”

Hearing that unfamiliar name for the first time, Jake looked a bit confused.

Grace took a shaky breath and pulled back just enough to look at him, her eyes still wet with tears.

She spoke quickly, giving him a short but painful summary.

About Julian Vance Solaris and the powerful Solaris Family.

How she was forced into an engagement with that man, how he psychologically tormented her for years, isolating her from everyone, and how he brought her to this island on purpose.

”He enjoyed breaking my spirit. He kept saying he would ’train’ me into the perfect wife. And this island... he brought me here on purpose. He wanted to separate me from the mainland and slowly break me down completely in a place where no one could help me.”

Grace’s hands trembled as she clutched his shirt.

”I ran away the first chance I got. That’s how I met you... But now he’s here. Those flames are definitely his. He must have decided to burn everything to force me out.”

She looked up at Jake with tear-filled golden eyes, voice barely above a whisper.

”I’m sorry I hid it... I thought I could handle it on my own after I grew stronger.”

Jake looked at her for a moment, processing the information, then gave a wry, gentle smile.

He reached up and wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb.

”Silly girl...”

His voice was low and warm, carrying a hint of amusement and deep affection.

”No matter what happened in your past, no matter who that bastard Julian is... you’re still Grace. My Grace.”

He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

”You don’t need to become stronger alone anymore as we will grow stronger together. And if that possessive bastard wants to burn the whole island to take you back... then we’ll just escape this place. And once we’re stronger...”

Jake’s eyes sharpened with dangerous resolve.

”...Then we will make him burn and pay back all of your suffering.”

He pulled her into a tight embrace, one hand gently stroking her back.

”So stop apologizing. You’re not weak. You’re mine now, and I protect what’s mine.”

Grace’s tears fell harder, but this time they were mixed with relief and warmth as she buried her face in his chest.

The heavy trauma from Julian that had haunted her for years suddenly felt much smaller... almost insignificant now that she had Jake by her side.

His warmth, his strength, and his unwavering acceptance wrapped around her like a protective shield... and it became addictive, like a drug she never wanted to quit.

She clung to him tighter for a few moments longer, breathing in his scent, letting his presence chase away the last shadows of fear in her heart.

When she finally pulled back, her golden eyes were clearer, shining with renewed confidence and deep affection.

Seeing that look, Jake smiled and gave her one last gentle forehead kiss before releasing her.

”Good. Now let’s move and stay sharp.”

”Yes!”

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