Lucas walked a bit closer during her explanation, but when she pat the place next to her, he shook his head and took a seat across from her. He was still tense, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. She spoke of him liking the water, and of her fear of it. But he related. Lewis was scary, but Simone was scarier.

“You’re both really scary,” he admitted aloud. At her mention of books, though, he seemed to perk up. “I…I’ve never read anything. I liked the story though,” he said with an actual excited smile. “What happens next? Does the hero make it?” The light faded from his face, though, and he got quiet. “Is it dumb that I…enjoy it that much?” He seemed almost ashamed. “Sorry…I really shouldn’t…”

This was the abuse rearing its ugly head. Perhaps it would be better if he just left it at that. This wasn’t his family, and he was intruding. “I’ll just…” He wanted to leave. “I think I’ll go explore the castle for a bit. He jumped up, and ran down one of the halls, disappearing into the interior.

—

Lucas’ heart was beating fast. What was wrong? He wanted a place to belong, but he didn’t deserve it, not here at least. He would tell Lewis that he wanted a boat to Benin, and be on his way. He would be out of their hair, and away from the potentially dangerous bird lady.

She didn’t seem so threatening, though. She was sad…just like the woman staring at the moon. Lucas crouched down, and ran his hands through his hair, pulling at it anxiously. “I don’t….” He sniffled. “I probably hurt her too…but…” He was afraid. What was he supposed to do? Their offer seemed genuine, but did he deserve it? Would they turn on him after he said yes?

He stood up, still shaking but feeling a bit stronger. The boy continued down his path, and found a large set of double doors. Curious, he opened it, pushing into the room beyond. When he set his eyes on it, he gasped and froze.

The main library sprawled out in front of him, books as far as the eye could see. It had a strange, but pleasant smell about it. He closed the doors behind him, and went to the first bookshelf on the right. He pulled out a book, and blew the dust off from the first page. It had been some time since it was last opened, but it was still in good shape.

The words meant nothing to him, and he frowned. Of course he wouldn’t be able to magically read, but the fact that this many books existed was incredible. Lucas had no idea that anything like this room could possibly even exist. “All of the stories….” He spun around, getting another look at the room.

“So many stories.” the boy grabbed a stack of books from the table, and found himself a comfortable nook near a window. He opened the first one again, looking at the words and letters, memorizing their shapes. Each page, slowly. It didn’t take him long to notice that they repeated themselves. I can learn… He smiled.

Soon, though, as he flipped through the books, he found himself growing tired. It had been a long, draining day, and the next thing he knew, he was out. For once, he didn’t have nightmares of the pirates beating him. For once, it was a pleasant dream of books and warmth.

“No, I love reading too. It kept me alive during dark times.” She wasn’t sure if he could read but she shared with him her thoughts. “Take your time. I’ll be here for a while.” She offered a smile. He would need time to open up.

Once she got all the children into bed she explored the castle trying to find out where Lucas had gone. It actually caused her to panic a bit once she hadn’t found him. In the library though, she found him passed out. She smiled a bit and ran her hand through his hair. It was gentle and not enough for him to notice her. She was sneaky like that.

Simone was gentle as she picked him up and carried him up the stairs. The butler helped her get him settled into a room. It was a room done up like the sea. Simone had chosen a variety of different themes. This one seemed to fit him quite well. She tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead. “Good night Lucas. Sleep well.”

In the morning, the butler was the one who came to get him. “Master Lucas, the Missus would like to inform you that there is a second library as well. A smaller one not that far from this room if you choose to keep it. Everything in here is yours. You’ll have a set of fresh clothes and she hopes you like them. Though it was last minute when she got them and they didn’t have much in your size. She is having breakfast down with the children if you would like to join her.”

The boy woke up in a strange room the reminded him the the ocean. Somehow, it even smelled a bit like it, and as he sat up, he wondered where he was. The butler came in, informing him of both the library, and of breakfast below. Before Lucas could really grasp what was happening, he was alone again to tend to himself. He stood up, and walked around the room, looking at the love and care that went into the construction of the room. It was a far cry from a dank and cramped space below deck.

The leviathan took his time getting dressed and headed down to breakfast. When he walked in, he noticed that a place had been set for him away from Simone, but still close enough that he could converse if he wanted. Why are they bothering to accommodate me like this?

The door burst open from behind, causing Lucas to jump a little. The silver haired man, Lewis, came in with a grumble and a yawn as he strode past the boy and to his family. He gave Simone a quick kiss, and then sat next to her, leaning back into the chair. He looked tired, but worse, he looked pissed off.

“Oh don’t mind, young Lucas,” the butler said. Once again, the boy jumped, surprised at how the butler had snuck up on him. “He’s quite happy to be home. And he was worried.”

“How…can you tell?” Lucas asked.

“Well, he’s not covered in blood. And he’s not going straight to bed. If I were a betting man, I’d say he wanted to see if you were okay.”

Lucas glanced at the assassin, who turned his attention to the food that was in front of him and scarfed it down. Once he was finished, he scooted his chair over to help the small girl, Fiori, with her food. The little girl was a glutton, and with how tiny she was, both Lewis and Simone were taking care of her.

“Is there…” Lucas said. Lewis paused, and looked up, causing the boy to stop.

“You were saying?” Lewis asked. “Go on.”

“Is there a place in Benin…that can teach me to read?”

Lewis scoffed. “They’re a bunch of superstitious morons. So probably, but I doubt it would be worth the pay.” He glanced to Simone. “She’s a great teacher though…”

The boy gulped. “…I see…”

Lewis sighed, and wiped Fiori’s face. “Simone…why don’t you read him a story like you did last night.”

“How did yo-”

“Just the two of you. In the garden. I’ll take the kids to Jayou for the day,” Lewis said as he stood up. “They could use a playdate with Nyssa and Piper. And I’m sure Izzy needs….socializing….” He twitched. “That girl…she worries me…:” He shivered, and then smiled. “Sound good?”

“Don’t I get a sa-”

“Sound. Good?”

Simone smiled up at the butler before kissing her husband’s cheek. Fiori was staring at Lucas but also playing in her food. There was laughing from Mira as she scarfed her food down. Once she was done she yelled she was going out to play in the water and Simone sighed. “NO. WATER. IN. THE. HOUSE.”

“Por qué,” Mira tilted her head.

“No. Water. Inside. The. House,” both Lewis and Simone were in tune. “And no whales.” Again together.

“Multa,” the girl looked disappointed.

Simone smiled at Lewis while he talked to Lucas. “I agree I worry about Izzy too. I don’t mind really.” She smiled up at Lucas now and passed the handkerchief to Lewis once the one he had was dirty. “You are such a messy eater~” She chuckled.

Once the kids were all settled in for Jayou Simone frowned, “I wish you would go take a nap before you went.” She was so worried and kissed him. “You guys be good for Daddy okay?” She kissed all of them and kissed Lewis big time.

Once they were gone she looked at Lucas. “What kind of stories do you think you would like to hear about?” She was getting a blanket. “We can go get as many books as you wa—” She paused. “That son of a bitch dropped the kids on Leilah and went to sleep…”

Lucas was flustered, but the way that Lewis was speaking made it so hard to interrupt. He had no intention of having a story time with the crazy bird lady, but before anything could happen, Lewis was gone. Simone seemed excited about the whole thing, but Lucas was apprehensive and with good reason. Still, he was confused when Simone suddenly stopped what she was doing, and had a reaction that made absolutely no sense to the boy.

“I’m…sorry, what?” Lucas asked. “How do you…know?” He cocked his head to the side.

“I remember the pirates always telling tall tales, but I’ve not heard any real stories. Just legends of treasure and other pirates really…” He smiled. “What about your story? Of how you and Lewis met? He seems dangerous…and he works at night. Is he a spy? An assassin? Some badass ninja versus pirate thing?” The boy definitely had an imagination despite his fear. “I heard there was a famous ninja who went around slaying pirates…”

He paused, realizing how much he was talking and how excited he had gotten. Immediately he shrank down, muttering. “Oh…sorry. I didn’t mean to…I’ll be quieter. I promise…”

“Lewis and I are one in the same person,” Simone looked at Lewis. “Lewis killed me to set me free and he brought me back to life. When he did that it bound our souls together. Therefore we can see and hear what each other is doing and we can communicate long distances.”

Simone smiled at him and took his hand and pulled gently. “You can talk as much as you want with me, Lucas. I’m not going to tell you to stop. I’ll tell you the long story of how Lewis and I met. You are old enough for me to tell you the whole story.” Not even Dala had heard the uncensored version of it. Out in the garden, she told him the long narration of her and Lewis.

She told it just like a good book with different voices and she moved her hands. She was good at weaving stories. The butler came out once it started to become night and wrapped her in a shawl. “Thank you,” she smiled up at him and then looked back at Lucas. “Then I asked Lewis to marry me just before he killed me. He was thinking why not? He would be rid of me soon… At least that’s what he thought he would want.”

There was a sudden voice from behind Lucas, who was sitting across from Simone. A lamp illuminated the area as Lewis walked out, adding his voice to the story that had been being told through the day.

“We were married within a day of planning. A bunch of our…friends came together to make it happen. It was a tad bit much,” he said as he sat down next to Simone. Per the Goddess, Simone and I were two idiots who couldn’t just say what we wanted to each other. And she was…sadly right.” The assassin sighed. “I fulfilled my end of the bargain and killed her, but well…within a month I pretty much lost it.”

“Surprise, surprise…the emotionless assassin actually had a heart,” he said with a somber smile. “I pretty much begged Lady Angela for a second chance, and I got slapped for it. Little fun fact…don’t wake up any of the Gods if you ever end up in their realms. It’s a bad idea.”

Lucas blinked, but stayed quiet. Lewis wasn’t as good at telling stories as Simone, but he had his own unique spin to things. It was just weird hearing it in a dull tone.

“Anyway,” Lewis continued on. “Lady Angela worked her magic, and because Simone was stubborn and refused to move on…she was brought back as a phoenix. Which….as you can tell, is pretty fucking great.”

“Language,” Lucas said, and then immediately clapped his mouth shut.

Lewis smirked. “Snarky kid…”

Simone smiled up at Lewis and gave him a kiss once he was next to her. When Lucas corrected Lewis she smirked and chuckled. “Snarky indeed. You would fit in just fine Lucas. You don’t need to apologize to us or watch what you say. That is unless it is completely disrespectful aside from calling Rhenakos a dick~ You’ll meet him soon enough since we’ll head to Jayou for health check-ups. I would really like Leilah to treat you and check you over.”

There was a concerned look on her face, “Leilah is one of the nicest people ever so you don’t have to worry about her. She is an alchemist by trade but she also dabbles in medicine thanks to her mother being a physician.”

There was a breath that Simone sucked in and she looked at Lewis. “Lucas, we would like you to stay with us and become part of our family. I’m not saying you have to be near me all the time but I can teach you to read and get you a fine education. You’ll be safe here and you’ll be able to do whatever you want as long as you are safe doing it. When I told the pirates you belonged to me it was to scare them off and it wasn’t something I wanted you to take to heart. I was owned for more than a millennium and I was abused throughout that time before Lewis saved me. I am fully aware of the life you’ve led up to this point and that’s why I would like you to stay.”

Her hand rested on her womb for a moment as her fingers tapped across it, “I’m sure you’ve noticed that none of our children are the same race as us. You are a smart kid, that much I can tell. The truth is my ability to have children was taken away by my abuser after he killed my children and we haven’t found a way to get it back. Instead of trying, we decided to adopt children who are in need of homes. Children like you. I’m aware you didn’t ask for a sob story and I’m not asking you to feel sorry but you are old enough to understand and know why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Listening to the story was something else. The ups and downs, and the insanity of it all was something incredible to hear, and he had to remind himself that it had all happened. At least, if what Simone was saying was true. He was a little startled when Lewis came in, but he settled back down once the man sat next to his wife, and finished the story.

There was a flurry of emotions that Lucas was dealing with though. On one hand, he understood where she was coming from. They wanted to make sure he was safe. On the other hand, Simone terrified him. And the thought of being at the mercy of some strange woman as she poked and prodded him, even if it was a health checkup, was not appealing in the slightest.

“I….I appreciate it,” Lucas replied uneasily. “But I think…I’ll be leaving tomorrow, and heading to Benin.” There was uncertainty in his voice. “I’m sorry…I just…” There was so much here that he wanted to see and learn, but he felt as though he didn’t belong.

Lewis cocked his head to the side, looking at the boy curiously. “Well…if you change your mind, you’re always welcome here…” He shrugged. He would never force it on anyone. “I’ll arrange for a ship tomorrow. In the meantime, you can sleep in the same room as last night.”

And that was that. Lucas said his goodnights, and headed back to the room. It was all he could do to hold it together, and when the door shut behind him, he fell back against it, sliding to the floor. Tears were welling up in his eyes, and he had no idea why. These people…they were nice, so nice…but why waste it on him? There were kids who were in far worse situations…he was already too broken.

“I’ll just…get out of their hair…and they can go on with their lives…”

Simone was disappointed but it couldn’t be read on her face. “It’s as Lewis says. You’ll always have a home here if you want it. The castle is big enough that we can afford that much even if it’s just a temporary safe haven for you. The island will always be safe as long as we’re here.” Simone nodded to Lewis and looked up at Lucas, “We can give you some silver to start with as well. You won’t get anywhere without it. The clothing in the room is yours to keep as well. I’m not going to send you off into the world unprepared.”

Once they got him to her room she handed him a warm blanket, “Sometimes the nights here get a little cold so take this just in case. If you use it, you use it. Good night Lucas.”

Simone and Lewis got their kids into bed and spent time with the babies before getting them down. IT was dead into the night when the first cannon fire happened. The hooting and the hollering was what alarmed some of the house help sent them screaming up to the room, “MISSUS, MASTER.”

Simone jolted out of bed and swung open the door, “What is it?” The panic alone was enough to make her realize this was serious. They had woken the kids up.

“Cannon fire missus. It appears like a ship docked on the other side of the island. We see torches in the distance Madam they appear to have made their way onto the island coming near the castle.”

Simone shot a look at Lewis before bolting out of the door. “Have the house help gather the children. Go down into the wine cellar. Calm them down,” she yelled her orders as she ran barefoot in just her nightgown down the stairs. She stopped briefly to look at Lucas, “Go down into the cellar with the other children. I’m not going to let them have you over my dead body or theirs. Whatever happens first.”