Chapter 259: Port Of Mariana
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Acheron sat up abruptly, a harsh cough tearing through his chest. His breath caught, and his shoulders trembled with each wheeze that followed. The door soon burst open, and Althea hurried in, her face drawn tight with worry as if the sound alone had pulled her from outside.
He tried to speak, but another fit of coughing cut him off. Instead, he lifted a shaking hand, gesturing weakly for water. Althea was already crossing the room in quick, silent strides. She poured a cup from the pitcher on the side table, nearly spilling it in her haste, and pressed it into his hands.
He drank greedily, and only when the last drop was gone did the coughing ease, leaving his breathing shallow but calmer.
Althea proceeded to adjust the pillow behind him, careful not to jostle him. He leaned back with a faint sigh, his eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. For a long moment, she said nothing, only watched the rise and fall of his chest to be sure he was truly at peace. When she stepped back, her own heart was still pounding from the fear that had grabbed her when she heard him coughing. She was thankful she was nearby to assist him.
With a worried look, she asked quietly. "Are you feeling... better? Is there something you need? I can get it for you."
But Acheron shook his head, handing the cup back to her. "It’s fine."
Even so, Althea noticed the strain behind his calm. The guilt pressed heavier on her chest.
"I’m sorry," she murmured.
The apology caught him off guard. "Hm? Sorry? For what?"
"It’s my fault you’re in this state," she said, her eyes dropping to her hands. "I... I should have been the one–"
"None of this is your fault," he interrupted softly. "Remember what I said before we boarded? I told you I wouldn’t let you fall." His lips curved faintly, though pain still shadowed his face. "I’d go through this again if it meant keeping you safe. See what I did there? I’m a keeper, aren’t I? Y’all would be bored without me."
For a moment, she just looked at him– at the exhaustion and stubborn warmth behind his teasing. Then, without thinking, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him.
The hug startled him.
He froze for a second, then slowly, his hands came up, pulling her closer.
"Just focus on yourself, okay? Forget about the rest of us. I need you to get better. You have to get better."
Her voice was soft but trembling, the kind of plea that made his chest ache. Her hold tightened, and he could hear his own heartbeat thudding in his ears. His green eyes dimmed at her words, and instead of answering, he pulled her even closer, a quiet, wordless promise.
When Althea finally drew back, her hands lingered against his cheeks, her thumb brushing lightly over his skin. She leaned forward, her breath mingling with his.
Acheron hesitated, his gaze flickering. "Wait, we don’t even know if it’s contagious—"
And she silenced him with a kiss.
His eyes widened in surprise.
For a second, his fever-blurred mind couldn’t tell if he was hallucinating again. But her lips felt real, soft and warm against his. When she tilted her head slightly, the kiss deepened just enough to steal the air from his lungs. It was cruel and perfect all at once.
Acheron’s eyes fluttered shut.
The room spun, and every pain dulled beneath a sudden surge of heat that rolled through his veins like wildfire. His fingers twitched, and every instinct screamed for him to reach for her, to thread his fingers through her hair, to pull her down against him, but his body protested, muscles taut beneath the bandages across his chest.
This... wasn’t a dream.
When she finally pulled away, her cheeks burned the instant she realized what she had done... but there was no regret. Instead, her lips brushed his once last time, teasing the ghost of a kiss before she whispered.
"That’s all you get." Her voice was low and infuriatingly sweet. "Until you get better."
And then she was gone. She turned on her heels, leaving him staring after her with a thousand unspoken things burning behind his eyes.
Acheron blinked at the empty doorway, every nerve still alive from that breathless point of contact. He lifted a hand, his fingertips brushing lips as if to confirm what had just happened.
"Am I going mad?" he muttered hoarsely, "or did she... did we actually–"
He cut himself off, a faint, helpless laugh breaking through instead. For the first time in what felt like forever, a rare glimmer of light flickered back into his green eyes.
********
The ship glided into the harbor, under a sky painted in deep shades of blue. Below, the port of Mariana unfolded like a lantern-lit tapestry.
As they neared the pier, almost everyone leaned over the rails, drinking in the sight. Even the weary ones couldn’t hide their awe. Mariana was unlike any port they’d seen.
Fishermen shouted from their docks, their voices carried by the waves, while the distant clang of a bell marked the changing of the watch. Ships swayed lazily on the tide, their masts creaking under in rhythm with the wind.
For Cora, it felt almost unreal– The laughter echoing from the taverns, the life spilling out of every crooked alley. After endless days at sea, it looked like another world. From what she saw, it seemed the dangers the true bearer was causing hadn’t made it this far yet, as predicted by them before they even diverted their route to this very place.
She scribbled something down on her chronicle. "I’m sure the little kids back in the North would love the amazing story I bring home. I wonder if we’ll meet interesting, crazy fellows here."
Leonardo stood beside her. "There’s literally one standing right here."
"Oh!" Cora looked around eagerly. "Where? Already?"
Leonardo sighed and gently rested his hand on her head, guiding her to face him. "I meant you."
Her breath hitched.
His touch was brief, impersonal– almost, but it left her pulse tripping anyway. Up close, his expression was unreadable, his tone flat, eyes cool. And yet, something beneath that calm made her chest tighten in ways she’d rather not admit.
Color rose to her cheeks before she could stop it, and she looked away. "I’m not crazy!"
"Is that the only thing you heard?"
Cora huffed softly and walked off.
Meanwhile, Esme and Donovan were already heading down the pier. She glanced back at Acheron, surprised to see him on his feet. His movements were steady enough, though the exhaustion still clung to him like a shadow.
"Are you sure you don’t want to rest?" she asked, worry threading her voice.
Acheron shook his head. "I’ve been resting all day. I’ll rest later once we’re done here."
"Then allow me to accommodate your stay here," came a voice– smooth, composed and far from familiar.
The sound sent a small tremor through Esme. She exchanged a wary glance with Donovan before turning toward the source.
Lennox stood by the side of the pier, framed by the lantern light.
"I’ve been waiting for you," he said with a disarming smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Then his gaze shifted to Leonardo, and his smile faltered.
"Leo?"