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440mxs-wife · 3 months

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Treasure Quest, Chapter 9: The Truth Comes Out

Pairing: Captain Dean x Rhaya Payton (OFC) Other Characters: Captain Crowley, Lucifer, Benny, Jack (mentioned). Lord Darius Payton, Lord Ashton Kane, Damon Sharpe, Connor (OMC's), Captain Keira, Carissa Payton, Darcy (OFC's).

Word Count: 4921

Warnings: A bit of swashbucklin' in the church, defending honor. Mention of murder (Carissa + Isabella's backstory). Some separation anxiety leading to a bit more of Rhaya's self-doubt and self-isolation, Karma finally comes around for Stepmother and Annoying Fiancé. (also some great nicknames for the Annoying Fiancé).

Series Summary: Rhaya Payton is the daughter of the governor of Ochana. She grew up listening to her father tell her stories of pirates and treasure maps. At a gala one night, her stepmother, Carissa, announces Rhaya’s engagement to Ashton Kane, a wealthy nobleman. Only problem is, no one checked with Rhaya first. After overhearing plans made by her fiancé, Rhaya decides to go on the run and stows away on Captain Dean’s ship. What will happen when he finds her?

This Chapter: So, who is it under the veil....?

Lots of secrets are revealed in this chapter, both with Lord Ashton and Lady Carissa, starting with a nugget of truth from an unlikely source. Captain Dean and Rhaya inch ever closer to each other, each learning that their feelings for the other are not unrequited. After a short reunion, Captain Dean has to leave Ochana, but promises to return. As the separation goes on longer than expected, Rhaya begins to doubt Captain Dean's word. Her father grows worried for her, then receives notice that a new player has emerged, and decides to throw a banquet in his honor. Who is the new mystery man? Tune in to find out....Enjoy!

A/N: To all of you who have read, liked, reblogged, commented, or interacted with this story in any way: thank you. There will be one more chapter to wrap things up for our favorite captain and governor's daughter. It has been my pleasure to bring this story to life for you, and I appreciate you all. ❤️

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"WHERE IS RHAYA?!?" Ashton thundered.

When the veil was lifted, the bride standing at the altar was not the same one who had fainted earlier and stopped the ceremony. No, it was Darcy who had taken Rhaya's place, wearing the horrendous wedding gown chosen by Carissa. And she only hoped that enough time had passed to allow Rhaya and the others involved to leave the church.

Ashton grabbed Darcy's arms and yanked her forward until they were almost nose-to-nose. "Where is she?" he demanded again.

"Let. Her. Go. NOW." Lord Darius glared at Ashton until he released his grip on the young woman's arms. "Darcy, I need you to tell me where my daughter is," he pleaded.

Darcy debated whether or not to tell the governor about his daughter's location. Though she was dependent on the governor for her livelihood, the safety of her friend was more important. Thus, she remained silent and did not respond.

"Please, Darcy. I need to know if she is at least safe and hasn't been kidnapped," he implored.

"Lord Darius, I can assure you that she is safe and in good hands, though she is no longer in this building," she revealed. "Please understand that I hold you in the highest respect and consider you my family. But for her protection, I will not reveal her whereabouts."

All parties glared at each other in silence while they tried to decide on the next move to be made. Amused laughter broke the stalemate, as necks craned to determine the source. Lucifer rose from his seat and sauntered over to where the groom and his future in-laws were gathered. As soon as Lord Ashton's eyes landed on Lucifer, his anger exploded.

"YOU!! You were supposed to keep my bride from escaping, yet she managed to give you and your men the slip! What the hell kind of pirate are you anyway, that you can't seem to keep track of a woman for crying out loud?!? Your reputation makes you out to be some kind of ruthless sea captain who'll do anything to get what he wants. 'Ruthless'? HA! I'd say more like, 'worthless'," Ashton spat out.

Lucifer's hand moved quickly to the grip of his sword, but he did not draw it. "Have a care with your words, Your Lordship. As I recall, you sought me out when your bride left you the first time. Therefore, if anyone should be worried about a 'reputation', I'd be concerned about your own," he pointed out. "Lest you find out firsthand exactly how ruthless I can be," he added darkly.

"Oh come on, Lucifer, we all know you're not going to waste your time teaching a lesson to some pompous, arrogant jerk," a voice called from the church's open doorway. "He doesn't deserve a woman like Rhaya anyway."

Ashton's head whipped around at the comment, determined to learn who made it. His eyes narrowed as they landed on Captain Dean Winchester, whose arms were crossed over his chest. A lazy smirk graced the captain's face, almost daring Lucifer or anyone else to make a move against him, but knowing that no one would.

Dean was wearing a black leather jacket, left open to show off a crisp, white tunic under it. The shirt was loosely laced at the top to show off the medallion hanging from a solid gold chain. His black trousers were tucked into his knee-high boots, and a red sash was tied around his middle. A brown leather belt was buckled over the sash, with his sword securely fastened to it and a knife tucked into a thigh holster.

"Who, exactly, are you and what business do you have here?" Ashton demanded.

"I am Dean Winchester, captain of the shipping vessel The Black Diamond," he declared. "My purpose here is to ensure the safety and well-being of the governor's daughter, Rhaya. We met when I discovered her as a stowaway on my boat. In the time we spent together, we became such good friends that she confided in me the reason she ended up hiding on my ship."

A glimmer of understanding crossed Ashton's face, which morphed into a sneer. "Ah-ha! You mean you kidnapped Rhaya and held her for ransom on your ship, away from her loved ones," he retorted. "Your only goal was to keep her long enough to collect on the 50,000 gold pieces, except Lucifer beat you to it."

"I didn't ask for any ransom and don't know anything about 50,000 gold pieces. None of that makes any difference to me. No, I know she ran away on her engagement day because she overheard her fiancé reveal his true intentions for her. Such as, once married, it was his plan to steal some treasure map from his father-in-law and collect on it. Then, at some point, he would arrange for his new wife to meet with an 'accident'. One from which he would make sure she would not survive," Dean explained coolly.

"Lies! Absolute fabrication, and I will suffer this indignity no longer!" Ashton shouted, drawing his sword. "Defend yourself, sir, as I will with my blade. Mark my words, I shall be vindicated against such slander!" He lunged forward, slashing at Dean's midsection, the tip of the weapon narrowly missing him.

Dean drew his sword as well, with the intent to protect himself against Ashton, but not to inflict any lethal wounds. He was mostly successful in blocking Ashton's attacks, only sustaining superficial injuries as the two of them roamed about the sanctuary.

In one particularly heated exchange, Dean turned quickly and lost his balance, then fell on his back into the front pew. Ashton lunged forward, his knee on Dean's chest pinning him down to the bench. The nobleman hovered over Dean, his blade aimed straight at the captain's chest. The two men stared at each other, Dean noticing the extreme level of anger and hatred in his opponent's eyes.

"ENOUGH!!" Everyone looked up to see that Rhaya and Keira had returned to the church in time to prevent the fatal blow from being struck. While everyone was distracted, Darcy snuck out of the church to let her know what was happening inside. "Get away from him, Ashton," she ordered.

"Rhaya," Dean whispered. He took advantage of Ashton's momentary distraction to shove his opponent away and scrambled away out of range of his sword.

As he hit the floor, Ashton broke out of his trance and hurried to his feet in an attempt to re-ignite the conflict with Dean. "NO! He told everyone in here a preposterous story about me stealing from your father and then arranging to have you suffer a deadly fate. How could you believe such lies, Rhaya? You know I'd never do anything to hurt you," he pleaded.

The sound of someone clearing his throat drew everyone's attention to the side door of the church. "I don't think that's entirely accurate, Lord Assbutt," Crowley smirked. "I have someone here who can corroborate Dean's version of events." He moved aside as two members of his crew stepped forward, with Damon Sharpe being held in restraints between them. "Caught him trying to sneak out of here to avoid prosecution."

After recovering from the initial shock of seeing his daughter returned to him a second time, Lord Darius approached Crowley's prisoner. "Is this true? Did Ashton plot to steal from me and kill my daughter?" he demanded.

When he didn't answer, Crowley forcefully nudged Damon's shoulder, nearly making him lose his balance. "Yes, it's true, and Lady Rhaya was smart to run away. Ashton hired Lucifer to find Rhaya and bring her home, only he wasn't too specific as to how it was to be accomplished," Damon remarked. At this detail, everyone looked around for Lucifer, but he was nowhere to be found.

Damon continued. "After your daughter ran away, we searched through your study. We found where you'd hidden the map, but it had already been removed."

"That's because once I overheard you two idjits and your plans, I had to make a break for it. I knew all along where my father had hidden the map, and I took it with me when I fled the mansion. I intended to find the treasure on my own. Instead, I made a deal with someone I trust a hell of a lot more than Lord Assclown. I have no doubt that by now, the treasure has been found and is long gone from its hiding place, but in good hands," Rhaya assured the group. She caught Dean's eye and gave him a soft smile, which he returned.

Lord Darius raised an eyebrow at this turn of events, only barely suppressing a smile and filing the information away for later. While Damon was relaying his part in the scheme, the governor's guards were slowly positioning themselves to arrest Lord Ashton. With a nod from Lord Darius, his men grabbed the groom and dragged him to the dungeon, kicking and screaming the entire way. Damon was escorted as well, but with much less resistance.

Carissa whipped around to face Rhaya, her face full of fury. "Do you realize what you've done? You made your fiancé look like a fool, this time by leaving him at the altar, and now he's been arrested!" she screeched.

"What I've done? What about what you've done?? You announced my engagement without consulting me first, so of course I ran away. When I was forcibly returned by Lucifer, you moved up the wedding date and chose that--that--hideous wedding gown for me to wear. Then, as if that's not enough, after everything you've heard about Lord Pain-in-the-Ass, you still take his side?"

"You are a selfish and ungrateful brat, just like your mother!" Carissa seethed. "We used to be friends before she got married and moved away. It was then that I realized she never cared about me. She only pretended to be my friend until she got what she wanted, no matter who got hurt along the way."

"You're lying, Carissa! My mother would never have intentionally hurt anyone!" Rhaya vehemently defended.

Carissa scoffed. "Believe what you want, but I knew I had to get even. I arranged an invitation to the governor's mansion as a respite from some 'personal issues' in my life. That allowed me to get close to Isabella and your father so I could drive a wedge between them. I wanted her to lose that which was most precious to her. At first, nothing I tried was working. Therefore, I had to resort to more....aggressive measures."

Lord Darius' face grew pale. "What are you saying, Carissa?" he whispered.

"I made sure I had access to Isabella's meals, drinks, and snacks when they were served. Little by little, Isabella started to get sick from what I was adding to her food and drink. From there, it was only a matter of time before her illness reached the point of no return." A dark smile twisted her lips as she recalled her endeavors.

It was one thing to suspect her stepmother of such a horrible act of murder. However, it was quite another to have the perpetrator confess her crime and show no sign of remorse. "Y--you poisoned my mother?" Rhaya gasped, to which Carissa simply nodded. "How could you do that?? I loved my mother, but you don't care, do you?? Because for you, it was all just a means to an end! If you had only gotten over your stupid jealousy and let her and my father live out their lives together," she sobbed.

"Now Rhaya, dear, you know I could never have done that. I had to get your mother out of the way so your father could see her true character. And with you being so stubborn and unladylike, I had to find someone who was willing to put up with you long enough to get you out of the picture. Thus the engagement to Ashton, who assured me he could keep you on a tight leash. Although you made a mess of that too, didn't you?" she growled. "I see I'm going to have to take matters into my own hands once again."

With a loud snarl, Carissa lunged forward, her hands outstretched to try and grab Rhaya by the throat. At the last minute, the governor's guards seized Carissa around her waist and pulled her out of reach. They dragged her to the dungeon, with a wild, crazed look in her eyes as she howled to be let go.

Dean rushed to Rhaya's side, both to comfort her and keep Carissa away from her. As soon as he got within a few steps of her, she flung herself at him. He quickly caught her and closed his arms around her and held her against his chest. One hand rubbed up and down her back to soothe her, while the other stroked the back of her head. He whispered in her ear how he was here for her, that she was safe, and he wouldn't let anything hurt her.

Lord Darius quietly observed their interaction as the captain comforted his daughter. It was clear that they had become quite close in the time she spent aboard his ship. He made a mental note to meet with Dean in private to determine the nature of their relationship.

As Rhaya's father, he wanted to know the captain's intentions towards his only daughter. The governor smiled, feeling as if he was witnessing the beginning of a new love story, and decided that it deserved to be celebrated. At some point, though, he would also have to deal with his own feelings about Carissa's betrayal, but that was a problem for another day.

"Well, if there are no more criminals to be hauled off to the dungeon, I say we should all return to the mansion and sort some things out, hmm?" Lord Darius suggested.

Everyone chuckled and murmured their agreement as they climbed into the waiting carriages. Dean opened the door to one of the cabs and grinned when Rhaya slid her hand into his so he could help her inside. At first, she sat on one seat, while he sat on the other. Once the carriage was underway, Dean moved to sit beside her. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she nestled into his side, closing her eyes when she felt his lips softly brush her temple.

As the carriage traveled the road between the church and the mansion, Rhaya tilted her head to catch Dean's gaze. "I've missed you so much," she murmured. "All those nights we spent together, staring up at the stars and talking?" She snuggled deeper into his side. "Mmm. It's been far too long since we've done that," she sighed.

"I've missed you too, sweetheart. And....I'm sorry," he mumbled against her skin.

Rhaya pulled back in surprise. "What on earth do you have to apologize for?" she asked.

Dean's gaze dropped to the floor. "Because I....I didn't protect you, which allowed Lucifer the opportunity to grab you and force you to come back," he remarked.

"There's nothing you could've done to stop Lucifer. I gave in because they were going to hurt Jack and Kelly if I didn't. I was returned home, unhurt, to my father, where I was safe. Except for Carissa, anyway. I suppose the worst part of it all was having to listen to Lucifer for the entire voyage home," she muttered.

Dean laughed at her assessment of the situation and tucked her into his side again, with a bit tighter grip around her shoulders this time. He heard her sweet sigh of contentment and closed his eyes, with his head resting on top of hers. The movement of the carriage lulled them both to sleep, one which the footman was reluctant to disturb. The creaking door caused Dean to stir in his seat, then he gently nudged Rhaya awake.

Upon exiting the coach, Dean held his hand out to assist Rhaya as she stepped down. Her hand was still in his when they walked into the mansion and were greeted by several of the staff. They had heard about what happened in the church, and were secretly glad that the wedding did not go through. Lord Darius had already arrived and given instructions for the staff to prepare rooms for his guests.

Captain Crowley was escorted to his own room, with his and Dean's crew members bunking together in pairs or threes. Rhaya had already left for her room to freshen up, when Dean was approached by a staff member, informing him that Lord Darius wanted to speak to him. He agreed and followed the path to the governor's study.

***

The evening began with a feast in honor of Dean and Crowley, to whom Lord Darius was grateful for their assistance. Ashton, Damon, and Carissa were in the dungeons for the time being, with their fates to be decided at a later date. Lucifer was long gone, with Connor's guards confirming The Red Dragon's departure.

Dinner gave way to dancing, where most of Rhaya's dances were saved for Dean, to no one's surprise. She twirled around the floor with Benny, who was a surprisingly good dancer. Jack was a little more awkward in his movements, but Rhaya didn't seem to mind. There were a few dances with her father, but as expected, the majority of her time was occupied by Dean.

The festivities lasted until just after midnight, at which time everyone said goodnight and retreated to separate quarters. Lord Darius gave his daughter a hug and a kiss to the top of her head and bid her goodnight. Over her head, he caught Dean's eye and his stern gaze softened before giving him a wink and heading to his room.

Holding hands, Rhaya and Dean walked to her bedroom door. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Dean. I thoroughly enjoyed dancing with you. Had no idea you were so talented," she teased.

"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me, sweetheart, but I'm sure lookin' forward to showing you," he replied. One hand rested on her hips, tugging her closer to his body until it was almost flush against him. His other hand trailed up her side, his fingers ghosting their way up her arm until his hand was cradling her face. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, which drew Dean's attention and he was overcome with the urge to kiss her.

Dean began to slowly lean closer, his eyes constantly searching Rhaya's for any signs of resistance and finding none. He paused a fraction of an inch before their lips would be touching, still allowing her the chance to back away, but continued to hold his attention. With an almost imperceptible nod from Rhaya, Dean smiled as he prepared to close the gap and find out exactly how soft her lips are.

"Hey, Rhaya, Dean--oops," called Keira from in front of her room. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt....whatever. Goodnight!" With a knowing smirk, she dashed inside her room and hurriedly closed the door behind her.

Muffled from his head resting on Rhaya's shoulder, Dean groaned. "Goodnight, Keira," he ground out. This caused Rhaya to giggle and when Dean lifted his head, he was grinning as well.

"I'll make sure and get even with her sooner or later," she promised. "See you in the morning?"

"Absolutely, darlin'," he remarked. "I'll have to meet you down at the docks, though, because I need to return to Alcaria. There are some things I must take care of; however, my word is my bond that I will come back to Ochana for you."

Rhaya's face fell at the mention of another separation from Dean. "You're leaving? But you just got here," she pouted. "Do you really have to go so soon? How long will you be gone?" she asked, tears threatening at her lash line.

"It shouldn't take more than a couple of months to put everything in order in Alcaria, then I swear I will be back for you, my angel," he vowed.

She thought for a moment or two then gave him a sigh of acceptance. "Two months isn't too long, I suppose," she conceded. "You won't forget about me if some other woman comes along, right?" she wondered.

Dean hooked his finger under Rhaya's chin and tilted her head up so he could see her face. "Not a chance, sweetheart, because you are absolutely impossible to forget. And there is no other woman in the world for me except you," he finished softly.

Rhaya gave him a watery chuckle. "There's no other man in the world for me except you," she responded. After several more seconds passed, she pushed up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight, Dean," she whispered before stepping around him to enter her room. She gave him one last shy smile before closing the door.

Dean's fingers brushed his cheek, which still tingled a bit where Rhaya's lips had kissed him. A goofy smile broke out over his face, knowing the woman he loved returned his affections. With a spring in his step, he continued on his path to his own room, eager to fall asleep and dream of Rhaya.

***

Early the next morning, Dean and his crew made their way down to the docks and prepared to sail home to Alcaria. Hugs with Benny and Jack were exchanged, with each man reluctant to leave Ochana so soon. The chefs were kind enough to send baskets full of breads, muffins, cookies, and other treats, which were appreciated by all.

Saying goodbye to Dean was the last thing Rhaya wanted to do, but she knew he had to leave. As she lay in her bed that night after the banquet, she realized how much she had grown to love him in their short time together. In her mind, he was a part of her future in so many ways, and she couldn't imagine her life without him. However, because she loved him, she had to let him go. She had to have faith that if he returned, then he would be hers forever.

Dean had done some soul-searching that night in bed as well. When he'd first met Rhaya, he thought she was some spoiled and entitled member of the so-called ruling class. Every day, every moment spent with her since then has been the real treasure. She wasn't brought up to be a fragile, delicate, wisp of a woman who needed a man to cater to her every whim. She was an independent woman, strong yet kind, a testament to the way her parents raised her.

"I wish you didn't have to go," Rhaya remarked, her voice thick with emotion.

"I know, darlin', I wish I could stay and spend more time with you," Dean replied. "But I will be back in two months. I have some business matters to settle in Alcaria, then once that's all out of the way, I will return, my sweet girl," he whispered. His hand cradled her face, his thumb caressing the apple of her cheek. He gave her a soft smile as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.

The two of them stood on the docks for what seemed like hours, with Dean gently swaying with Rhaya in his arms, her head resting on his chest. He never wanted this moment to end, because it felt perfect to keep her close to his body and in his warm embrace. Finally, Benny reluctantly approached the couple. He informed his captain that they needed to leave soon if they wanted to sail during the most daylight. He gave Rhaya a quick smile then left her alone with his captain.

Rhaya gave Dean one last squeeze then pulled back a bit out of his embrace. This time, it was her hand that reached up to caress his stubbled cheek. "Hurry back, hmm? I'll see if I can maybe send messages through Keira. Hopefully your paths will cross at some point, right?" she gave a watery chuckle.

"I promise that if she stops by Alcaria, I will make sure that she doesn't leave without a message from me to you." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. "You are the absolute best thing that's happened to me in such a long time. I am so happy you came into my life, Rhaya. I will be back for you, darling."

"I'll be waiting," she whispered. She closed her eyes as Dean pressed a kiss to her forehead. He gave her one last embrace before backing away from her. A shiver went up her spine at the change in temperature without him by her side. She watched as he walked up the gangplank to the ship and handed off his bag to Jack. He hurried to the rail to catch one final sighting of her, his face breaking into a smile when he finally made eye contact.

As the ship left port, Rhaya stood rooted in her spot on the docks. She was determined to remain in place until she could no longer see Dean waving at her from the stern of the ship. Tears continued to streak down her face, but she made no effort to wipe them away. At some point, Darcy joined her in watching The Black Diamond sail away, her arm draped around her dearest friend. Eventually, the ship disappeared into the horizon, and the two women solemnly returned to the comfort of the mansion.

***

The first few weeks without Dean seemed to pass quickly, mostly because her father kept her occupied with business matters for Ochana. He sought her opinion on certain subjects and she was allowed to sit in on a few meetings with his council members. Darcy tried to keep her busy as well, doing whatever she could to shift Rhaya's focus away from Dean's absence.

In the beginning, Keira was able to pass along a few messages between the captain and her sister. The missives helped to banish the melancholy feelings they each held at being apart from one another. However, as the weeks seemed to drag on, fewer and fewer letters were passed, until at one point they finally stopped.

When that happened, Rhaya tried to ignore the doubts creeping through her mind, the ones telling her that Dean forgot about her. She fought them back, replacing those thoughts with the memories of being in his arms and sharing tender kisses with each other. She remembered how it felt to dance with him at the party given by her father after her wedding to Ashton fell through.

As time wore on, it was becoming more difficult than others to banish the fears. Especially the ones that told her that the reason he hadn't yet returned is because he found someone else to make a life with. The time they'd spent together on his ship and the memories made there were becoming more distant in her mind. She confined herself mostly to her room, only emerging for meals, or the occasional council meeting when her father requested her presence.

Around the two and a half month mark, Lord Darius was becoming more and more concerned about his daughter's self-imposed isolation. He quickly called a meeting of the heads of staff, Connor, Darcy, and fortunately, Keira was due to arrive any day. He suspected that Rhaya's misery had quite a bit to do with a certain green-eyed sea captain. His thoughts drifted back to a conversation he'd had with Dean about his daughter.

>>>Flashback<;<<

The governor poured himself and his guest a glass of whiskey, then took a seat in the wingback chair opposite of the captain. Dean had a feeling that this meeting with Lord Darius would have occurred at some point; that it was less a question of "if", rather than "when". The governor's opening volley got straight to the heart of the matter. "So, Captain Winchester, tell me about your relationship with my daughter."

Dean chuckled nervously at first and after taking his first sip, he gave the governor a rundown on how they met and got to know each other. He talked about his first impression of her and how it compared to what he thought of her now.

"I'll admit, we didn't really get along at first, but eventually we found our way. She's amazing, Lord Darius. Kind, hard-working, eager to learn, and is okay with not being the smartest person in the room. Although we know she usually is." They shared a laugh.

"She's my first thought when I open my eyes in the morning and my last when my head hits the pillow at night. Of course she's a gorgeous and enchanting woman, anyone can see that. But her inner beauty is only equal to or greater than her outer beauty. And I love her," Dean admitted.

Lord Darius hummed in response. "And how do you plan to support her? I know the life of a sea captain means long stretches of time away from home and doesn't always pay very well."

He leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees. "Sir, if she'll have me, your daughter will want for nothing. My business is solid and profitable, thus, I am able to support her well." He leaned back, a shy grin on his face. "Though I'm hoping that I won't have to leave her behind very often, because she'll want to join me out on my ship. She's a very capable and intelligent woman, thanks to your encouragement of her education."

>>>End of Flashback<;<<

A fond smile briefly tugged at the corners of the governor's mouth as he recalled the conversation that occurred nearly three months ago. He wished for Keira to arrive soon, since Rhaya was out in town on a few business matters for him and would soon return. He hoped that there would be some news to share, that Keira had made contact with Dean and carried a letter from him.

A knock at the door broke Lord Darius out of his reverie as he opened the door to let Darcy in. Keira followed having just returned from her important mission. He invited both ladies to join him in some afternoon tea and fresh chocolate chip cookies. Darcy took care of serving, while the governor discussed the assignment and news from Alcaria.

"Everything is in place, Lord Darius. He'll be arriving here in two weeks, though I'm sure if he could be, he'd be flying here right now," Keira grinned. In her last visit, she learned that Dean had been made a duke, courtesy of his newfound wealth. "I think we should have a reception to announce his new title and formally introduce him as our newest trading partner."

Lord Darius stroked his stubbled chin as he considered her suggestion, finally nodding in agreement. "Two weeks should be enough time to plan for his first 'official' state visit," he replied. "We'll need to alert the staff, set the menu, make sure we have everything cleaned from top to bottom, and arrange the accommodations."

Darcy volunteered to coordinate with the various staff members, while Keira promised to keep her sister busy. Formal gatherings were never Rhaya's forté, invariably opting to keep her nose out of the process as much as possible. This time, her father arranged for her to be fitted with a new gown for the occasion. Then she would stand where she was told and greet the visitor with full charm and grace, as expected.

But this would be no ordinary state visit by a foreign dignitary and his entourage. The festivities were being held to introduce the new Duke of Rosevale, both to the world and as Ochana's latest trading partner. Not much was known about him, other than he was only recently granted his title due to his enormous and vast wealth. However, within two weeks, everyone would know the identity of the Duke of Rosevale.

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#pirate!dean x ofc #pirate!dean au #treasure quest

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440mxs-wife · 5 months

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Treasure Quest, Chapter 7: Making Plans

Pairing: Captain Dean x Rhaya Payton (OFC, eventual) Other Characters: Sam Winchester, Captain Keira, Captain Crowley, Lucifer, Lord Darius Payton and Lady Isabella (mentioned), Lord Ashton Kane, Damon Sharpe (OMC's) Carissa Payton, Darcy (OFC's).

Word Count: 5492

Warnings: Angst, Danger in Treasure Hunting with injuries, Captain Dean's self-doubt, Unwanted Wedding Plans, Still Scheming Stepmother, Still Annoying Fiancé

This Chapter: Captain Dean & Company go after the treasure, which doesn't go as smoothly as they would have liked. Meanwhile, Rhaya is stuck with Carissa's wedding plans and trying desperately to find a way to escape again. Captain Dean has business to attend to before he can rescue Rhaya, but will he be able to save the day? Tune in to find out....Enjoy!

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"Get us back to the ship!!" Dean shouted as he heaved himself the rest of the way up and into the rear of the wagon. Everyone was ducking to avoid the unrelenting volley of projectiles crisscrossing their path. Sam flicked the reins and shouted for the horses to take off.

In the bed of the wagon were two wooden boxes, along with Donna, Jody, and an injured Jack. Dean frantically looked around him to see what he could use as a weapon, when his eyes finally landed on the two treasure chests. He needed something to stop the villagers that had emerged from the cover of the jungle and were now chasing them. His only option to get them to break off the attack was to use the two treasure chests as a distraction.

>>>About 36 hours earlier<<<

The map indicated that the treasure was buried somewhere on the largest of the seven isles that made up the Crystal Islands. Legend was that the island was mostly uninhabited, except for the coastal areas. There were some small but organized settlements with homes dotting the landscape. They were generally agrarian in nature, taking advantage of the fertile soil near the coast.

Dean managed to barter with one of the clan leaders for some much-needed supplies, such as food and tools. In exchange for a share of any treasure found, he was given the use of four horses with full tack. He attached the horses to a wagon that would carry what they needed, along with any valuables unearthed in their quest. Payment was expected upon the return of the wagon and horses, to which Dean agreed.

During their preparation for treasure-hunting, Dean couldn't shake the uneasy feeling he had when his eyes fell on the chief's brother. He picked up on a few subtle hints that not every village member was on board with helping him and his crew. As they followed the map, he shared his thoughts, and everyone agreed to remain alert for any possible threats. There were enough outside forces working against them. They didn't need angry and suspicious villagers added to the list.

Using the landmarks referenced on the map, the group maneuvered through the thick jungle foliage with their gear. It wasn't long before they arrived at the opening to a cave, which was wide but didn't appear to be very deep. Before venturing any further, Dean put Jack in charge of finding a shortcut or alternate route back to the ship. In case of a quick escape, such information would be extremely beneficial.

Once inside, the group followed a narrow walkway around the perimeter of the cave's interior. This pathway led to a deep pool fed by a natural spring, which is where the treasure was found. Under the clear, blue water, several chests brimming with valuables could be seen resting on the sandy floor of the pool. Glimmering objects made of gold, silver, jewels, and other precious metals were just waiting to be brought to the surface.

After a brief celebration at their success, the crew began the work of retrieving the treasure. Through a system of ropes and pulleys, the trunks were hauled up from below and loaded onto the wagon and returned to the ship. As they worked, each crewmember entertained fantasies of what they would do if even a fraction of the treasure were given to them. It was difficult to contain their excitement and wonder at seeing so much wealth in such a small place.

Finally, the last two trunks were loaded onto the wagon, ready to start on the path back to the ship, with Sam on driving duty and Jody in the back of the wagon. Dean led the crew as they exited the cave, first scanning the dense jungle for hidden threats. When he felt safe enough to continue, Dean motioned for Sam to climb up into the driver's seat and wait for his signal. He continued to survey the area as preparations were made to leave.

A whizzing sound passed Dean's ear, and suddenly Jack screamed in pain and clutched his arm. An arrow was embedded in his right bicep, a crimson stain blooming beneath the point of entry. Donna quickly yanked the scarf from around her neck and tied it snugly around the wound on Jack's arm, trying to put pressure on it. Jack winced at the tightness, but knew it was the best way to stop the bleeding.

Donna and Dean helped the injured young man to safety by each grabbing a foot and lifting him up over the back end of the wagon. As soon as Jack's backside hit the wood, Jody tugged him off to the side, out of the line of fire. Dean then assisted Donna with her ascent, trying to cover his head whenever possible. He knew that parts of his body would likely be covered in bruises from being pelted by rocks and other small but dangerous objects. He managed to haul his body halfway into the wagon, then hook his leg over the edge as an anchor.

"Get us back to the ship!!" Dean shouted to Sam as he heaved himself the rest of the way up and into the rear of the wagon. Everyone was ducking to avoid the unrelenting volley of projectiles crisscrossing their path. Sam flicked the reins and shouted for the horses to take off.

In the bed of the wagon were two wooden boxes, along with Donna, Jody, and an injured Jack. Dean frantically looked around him to see what he could use as a weapon, when his eyes finally landed on the two treasure chests. He tried to think of how he could use them to stop the villagers that had emerged from the cover of the jungle and were now chasing them. His only option to get them to break off the attack was to use the two treasure chests as a distraction.

Dean tried to pull one of the chests towards the edge of their escape vehicle, but with the weight of its contents, it barely budged. Donna and Jody caught on to what he was doing and they shouted for him to join them behind the box to push it over the back of the wagon. Fueled by adrenaline, together they managed to move one of the trunks enough for it to tumble off the edge.

Upon its impact with the ground, the wood smashed into pieces, with glittering treasure spilling onto the jungle floor. The greedy villagers started scooping up whatever they could carry, pushing and shoving each other out of the way. By the time anyone realized there was a second trunk, it had also crashed to the ground and was demolished on impact. The villagers' attack was forgotten, which allowed Dean and his crew to safely return to the ship and leave the island.

***

Lucifer strolled from his assigned quarters in the governor's mansion to the kitchen for something to eat. Since he arrived two days ago, he'd made multiple attempts to speak with Lord Ashton in private to settle his accounts and receive payment. But each time he tried, the nobleman was on his way to another "important meeting" with the governor or something to do with the wedding.

The captain of The Red Dragon decided that today was the day he would press Lord Ashton for the payment of 50,000 gold coins. If he refused, Lucifer was prepared to settle the matter with his fists or his blade, whichever method first presented itself. He had business elsewhere to attend to and had neither the time nor the patience to wait around for Lord Ashton to hold up his end of the bargain.

At that moment, Lord Ashton emerged from his office, his eyes focused on a set of papers. His second-in-command, Damon Sharpe, was at his side, trying to shepherd him to another meeting. Perfect timing, Lucifer thought. He put himself directly in Lord Ashton's and Damon's path, giving them no choice but to see him and stop in their tracks.

"Ah, Captain Lucifer, I was told you and your crew had left Ochana," Lord Ashton drawled.

"Lord Ashton, I certainly don't know why anyone would've told you that," Lucifer smirked, then leaned close to Ashton's ear. "Especially since I haven't been paid yet," he whispered.

"Ahh, yes," Lord Ashton replied nervously. "Well, about that," he began, but was interrupted by the feel of metal against the skin of his neck. Damon had started to leap to Ashton's defense but was stopped by Ketch's grip on his arm.

"Now, you weren't planning on weaseling out of your end of the deal, were you?" Lucifer asked ominously.

"No, no, nothing like that," Ashton squeaked out as a little more pressure from the blade was brought to bear. "Why don't we, um, step back into my office, where we can discuss our business?"

Lucifer hesitated a moment before he finally removed his dagger from anywhere near Lord Ashton's throat. "All right. Lead the way, while my man Ketch keeps your Mr. Sharpe company," he stated in a tone that left no room for negotiation.

The two men returned to the office, with Lucifer locking the door behind him. Ashton shuffled some of the papers on his desk, trying to look busy while stalling for time. "So, that was 35,000 gold coins, right? I'll grab those out of my--" He had rounded the corner of his desk but was stopped in his tracks by Lucifer's hand on his chest.

"You hired me to locate and safely return your wayward fiancée, and I did exactly that. The deal was for 50,000, not 35,000. I really don't like what you're trying to pull here, Ashton, so let me assure you of something. One more attempt to cheat me out of what's rightfully mine, and you won't live long enough to regret it," Lucifer warned.

Ashton gulped at the mention of further violence, because he knew the ruthless captain was more than capable of carrying out his threat. He held out the bag of coins, but just as Lucifer was about to take it from him, Ashton pulled it back a little. The look in the captain's eyes caused him to step back in fear. "Wait. There's more where this came from, if you're interested," Ashton whispered. "A-A bonus, if you will."

"And what would I have to do in order to obtain this....bonus, as you say?" Lucifer asked.

"For an extra 25,000, all you have to do is keep my fiancée from escaping again. She has been promised to me, and I intend for us to be married. Plus, she made me look like a fool by sneaking out of the mansion and sailing off on some ship," he muttered.

You don't need your fiancée's help to look like a fool, Lucifer silently commented. To Ashton, he shrugged and said, "All right. For 25,000, I agree to your offer to make sure your lovely bride-to-be sticks around long enough to say 'I do'," he replied.

"Excellent!" Ashton quickly declared. "I'll have the staff make sure that the rooms for you and your men are serviced with clean linens and towels. If any of you want anything special, as in foods or whatever, please let me know and I will speak to the governor."

Lucifer could tell that Ashton was anxious to bring an end to this conversation, but there was one crucial point left to be made. On his way out, he stepped closer to Ashton until he was nearly nose-to-nose with him. He could see the fear growing in his opponent's eyes, which gave him immense satisfaction. "But if you try to double-cross me again, your Lordship, I will not hesitate to make good on my earlier threat." He gave Ashton a smug smile, turned on his heel and left the office.

***

By the time Dean and his crew made their way back to the ship, the treasure had been safely stowed and hidden aboard. As Dean boarded, he looked behind him to see the angry villagers had nearly caught up to them. They had broken out of the dense jungle and were headed for the docks. A few of the warriors had launched their spears and arrows towards the retreating vessel in an attempt to stop her, but she had already sailed out of range. The weapons either landed short in the water or clattered harmlessly on the deck.

Once the ship was well underway and a safe distance from the island, the med kit was pulled out and Jack's wound was dressed. Everyone else escaped with mostly minor injuries, mainly cuts and scratches from being grazed by arrows or bruises from thrown rocks. A change of clothes was also in order for anyone still wet from diving for treasure in the cave.

As Jack was being patched up in the infirmary, Dean paced outside, wondering how he was going to explain this to Kelly. Deep down, he knew it wasn't his fault, but as his captain, Jack was still his responsibility. When Rowena was finished with her healing duties, she poked her head outside and told Dean that her patient wanted to speak with him.

Before Dean could apologize, Jack mentioned that he didn't blame his captain for what happened. He understood that this was a dangerous mission in uncharted territory, but that he agreed to go because of his friendship with Rhaya. Soon the two men were laughing, especially when Dean pointed out that his scar might give him an advantage in the pursuit of young ladies.

The closer they got to their destination in Ochana, the more apprehensive Captain Dean became. The better part of his life had been spent at sea, first on his father's crew, where he worked his way up through the ranks. After Captain John passed away, Dean assumed the captaincy of The Black Diamond and added a couple of new members.

Dean thought about the life Rhaya had growing up, the daughter of a governor. As such, she was practically a member of the nobility, part of the upper class. Someone like that was more accustomed to lavish estates, gourmet meals, the finest fabrics for designer clothing. And what exactly did he have to offer her? A rootless existence, where he was away at sea more often than not, simple meals limited to the supplies onboard, and garments better suited for life aboard a ship.

"I thought I might find you here," a voice from behind him startled him out of his dreary internal monologue.

"What's the matter, Keira, can't sleep?" Dean replied.

She chuckled. "Not really. Trying to come up with a plan to get Rhaya out of her predicament with Lord Ass-hton. Anytime his father had a meeting with the governor, Ashton made sure to tag along so that he could be around Rhaya. He made his intentions toward her quite clear. He believed that he deserved the best. Since he considered her as 'the best', he declared that they would be married one day. Rhaya shut down that line of thinking rather quickly, though. She wasn't interested in marriage to anyone, let alone Lord High-and-Mighty."

"I'm sure that was a blow to his oversized ego," Dean grinned.

"Oh, you know it was, because he stopped tagging along with his father after that. We only saw him briefly at state-sponsored events, such as Ochana's centennial ball and various holiday galas. Then Carissa made that ridiculous announcement that they were engaged. Darcy told me Rhaya was furious and begged her father to undo it all," Keira related.

"But....if it's not Lord Asshat, Rhaya deserves to marry someone who can give her that kind of life. Not someone like me," he muttered.

Keira rolled her eyes at the captain's last comment. "Listen to me. The kind of lifestyle and attitude represented by Lord Jerk-Ass are not who she is, and it's not what's important to her. This whole 'prim and proper, lady-like' agenda is being pushed by no one but Carissa. Lord Darius and Lady Isabella didn't subscribe to that stuff. They encouraged Rhaya to think and stand up for herself, to practice in the art of defense, and know that she is inferior to no one."

"That's all well and good, but it doesn't mean anything when she would be giving up so much just to be with me," he protested.

"Are you saying you're not deserving of her? That you're not worth the effort? Because I think that's Rhaya's decision to make, don't you?" Keira shot back.

Dean dropped his gaze to the deck as Keira's comments were stingingly accurate. "Keira, you know what kind of life we lead. Traveling from port to port, sometimes only staying home long enough to re-supply, then it's back out to sea on another job. And the dangers we face when we're out there, like storms, illness, injury, even attacks from our enemies. She shouldn't have to put up with that in her everyday life," he finished softly.

"Captain, I know my sister. What you just described is exactly the way she would want to live her life if she was allowed to choose. The only reason she hasn't been out on the open water with me on my ship is because of her concern for her father in the clutches of her stepmother. Now, we have a little more than two days before we reach the port of Ochana and we still need to come up with a rescue plan. You still with me on that?"

Dean considered Keira's remarks about what Rhaya wants her life to look like. Back at Harvelle's, he mentioned to Sam how he could see her accompanying him on jobs. How he wouldn't have to leave her on land while he worked, that she could be his partner in every sense of the word. Why was he having second thoughts all of a sudden?

Maybe he didn't yet know what name to give his feelings for her, but that didn't mean they were of any less importance. He was certain about one thing, though. There was no way he was going to let Rhaya marry Lord Ashton Kane. Dean would not allow the light in her eyes to become dim for any reason. "You're right. Let's get the others and see what we can come up with."

***

In the days leading up to the wedding, Rhaya was spending more and more time in her room, away from Carissa and her plans. All of the pomp and circumstance surrounding all aspects of the wedding was giving Rhaya a headache. She made herself available for her dress fittings, going over the menu for the reception, and designing her bouquet. She left everything else up to Carissa, though the one aspect she didn't mind was the cake tasting. The pastry chef had been with the governor since Rhaya was young. After sampling the various options, she knew this detail was in good hands.

Two days before the wedding, Rhaya was sitting on the bench in front of her bedroom window, a book in her hand. However, her mind was not terribly focused on the pages in front of her. The words were swimming within her vision, and she was certain she'd read the same passage about ten times. Her mind was racing with strategies and half-baked escape plans that all involved sneaking out of the mansion again to avoid having to marry Ashton.

A knock at her door broke Rhaya out of her thoughts. She hoped it wasn't another one of the "consultants" coming to ask her about something wedding-related. When she saw it was Darcy, she grabbed the young woman by the hand and swiftly pulled her into the room. Before closing the door, Rhaya checked up and down the hallway. She was relieved to find it deserted, which meant that Darcy had not been followed by Carissa, Ashton, or anyone associated with them.

"Rhaya, what is going on? Are you okay?" Darcy asked.

"No, Darce, I'm not okay. Carissa moved up the wedding date, so I have to get out of here, because there's no way I'm going to marry Ashton. Especially not when my heart belongs to someone else," Rhaya murmured.

Darcy moved to sit beside Rhaya, facing the headboard and gave a deep sigh. "I thought something was different about you since you got back. Is it this Captain Dean, hmm?" she smirked, then gasped as a thought entered her mind. "Are you in love with a pirate captain?"

Rhaya sat up straight as her eyes widened in shock. "What? No, no. No. Wait--maybe," she confessed. "I don't know what to call it, Darcy, but right now, part of me feels like it's missing. This wedding business isn't the only reason I'm miserable. It's also because I haven't seen Dean in two weeks and I'm afraid that maybe he's moved on and forgotten all about me."

A look of sympathy crossed Darcy's mind as she patted Rhaya's hand. "Nonsense, there's no way that man has forgotten about you. I'm sure he has some business to attend to, after which he'll be headed back this way to rescue you from Lord Ashton."

"Maybe," Rhaya reluctantly replied. "Anyway, enough about that, what were you coming to talk to me about?"

Darcy mentioned that she stopped by to check on how her friend was doing with all of the unwanted wedding preparations going on. She listened to Rhaya talk about her gown, the flowers, and the ever-increasing guest list. Darcy's thoughts drifted back to the message she'd received the previous day and wondered how such information would fit into an escape plan.

"And I told Carissa that I wanted to dye my hair blue before the wedding, so I'd have my 'something blue'," Rhaya declared.

"Mmhmm, that sounds like a good idea," Darcy murmured.

"I knew it! You haven't been listening to me!" Rhaya pouted, though her tone softened when she saw the look of concentration on Darcy's face. "Hold on a minute, are you all right? What is it?" she asked worriedly.

This seemed to break Darcy out of her trance, as she shook her head to clear it. Then she flashed Rhaya a tired smile. "Nothing, honey. I promise I'm all right. Hey, can you show me what your dress looks like, or do you want it to be a surprise?"

"No, you can see the monstrosity now if you'd like," Rhaya muttered. "It's hanging over there, on the hook next to my wardrobe. You can even try it on if you want, we're practically the same dress size."

"I think it would bring bad luck if I did that," Darcy replied. She removed the dress from the garment bag and held it aloft to inspect it. The strapless bodice was made of white chiffon, ruched in a crisscross pattern. There was a beaded crystal band that sat at the waist, then it gave way to a full ballgown skirt. "The top part of your dress is certainly beautiful, Rhaya. Only....is the bottom part supposed to look like--?"

"Like someone stitched together a bunch of huge roses made out of white tissue paper? Because that's what it looks like," she supplied wearily as Darcy nodded. After a beat, both women dissolved fully into laughter for a few minutes until Rhaya had a sobering thought. "How could she do that to me, make me wear something so hideous? A girl only gets married once in her life, and wearing that dress is not a memory I want to have of that day."

"I know, sweet pea. I don't know what she was thinking either, but I have a feeling that all will work out for you in the end," Darcy replied. She motioned with her arms and laughed softly as Rhaya got comfortable with her head in Darcy's lap. As she stroked Rhaya's hair, she considered the communication she received from Keira. The message was simple: Mission accomplished, we're on our way.

***

Dean and Keira sailed back to Alcaria to pick up her ship and the rest of her crew, then she would sail The Aurora on to Ochana. The key was to stall or even stop Rhaya's wedding to Ashton long enough for Dean to get his affairs in order. He and his crew would then sail The Black Diamond to Ochana. Once there, he would reunite with the beautiful stowaway who constantly occupied his thoughts and had also captured his heart.

When Dean first took over as captain, he began to set aside a portion of his wages to buy a piece of land in Alcaria. Eventually, his dream was to build a house on the land, complete with horses, chickens, and perhaps some cows. Up until he took on this "treasure quest" on behalf of his father, he had pictured himself alone in this scenario.

Lately though, whenever he pictures his home on this stretch of land, he no longer imagines living in it alone. Now there's a woman, and she's leaning on the porch railing, waiting for him. Long, wavy strawberry-blond hair pulled back in a braid, dark chestnut eyes with thick, fluttering lashes and a soft smile on her face. A smaller figure was running up to the porch, arms outstretched. The newest addition to the vision was almost in focus--

"Dean, are you almost ready to go?" Sam's voice rang out from the other side of the door.

His brother's voice broke through his reverie and Dean took a deep breath. "Yeah, one second, Sam." He checked his appearance in the mirror one last time. Satisfied with the results, Dean left his room to join his brother. He clapped his hand on Sam's shoulder and grinned. "Let's go see that man so I can sign those papers for my little slice of paradise."

***

The night of the wedding rehearsal went smoothly, with everyone playing their respective parts. Of course Lord Darius proudly escorted his daughter down the aisle to her fiancé, who stood waiting with an air of arrogance about him. The governor gently placed Rhaya's hand in Ashton's, then retreated to take his place at Carissa's side.

While the officiant explained what would be happening during the ceremony, Ashton focused on Rhaya, a self-satisfied grin on his face. In less than 24 hours, she would belong to him, along with the sizeable dowry provided by her father. Soon he would get his hands on The Shadow Pirate's treasure map and recovered the precious items. Too bad his new bride will be unable to share in the wealth, he thought smugly to himself.

Rhaya somehow managed to tolerate Ashton long enough to get through the rehearsal ceremony. The toasts at dinner were harmless enough, with a few exceptions from Ashton's friends and business associates. There were comments that strayed into eye-rolling territory, but weren't exactly crude. They referred to Rhaya as the "little woman" and how she would be an "excellent bearer of sons" for him, which grated on her nerves.

Fortunately after dinner, Ashton excused himself to mingle with the guests, leaving Rhaya alone at their table. Her father stayed to chat with her for awhile, until Carissa drew him away, with a reminder of his promise to dance with her. Just before Rhaya was about to return to her room, a familiar face approached her table.

"Good evening, Lady Rhaya. I see congratulations are in order," the man remarked as he took a seat next to her. "I also understand you've recently returned from a voyage at sea."

"A good evening to you as well, Captain Crowley. In answer to your question, yes. I have been returned to my home and my fiancé by Captain Lucifer," she replied. "He was rather insistent that I come back."

"I see. Yes, Captain Lucifer can be a rather persuasive man. Tell me, did you meet any other interesting people on your journey?" he asked.

A bashful smile graced Rhaya's face as she thought of the time she spent with Captain Dean. "Yes, I did. I, um, sneaked out of my room and stowed away aboard The Black Diamond," she confessed.

Crowley pretended to be shocked. "Why, that's Captain Winchester's ship! And he didn't banish you to an uninhabited island or make you walk the plank?" he exclaimed.

"No, no, nothing like that," she laughed. "I explained that I was running from my engagement to Ashton, and we reached a sort of agreement. He allowed me to remain on board his ship, while I earned my keep by serving as a member of his crew. We became friends along the way. At least that's how I think of him," she murmured, her hands twisting nervously in her lap.

Crowley nodded his head in understanding. "Rumor has it that Captain Dean 'acquired' a map for the treasure of The Shadow Pirate," he commented. He cast her a sidelong glance, as he wanted to see her reaction.

Rhaya momentarily dropped her gaze to the floor before meeting Crowley's once again. "Can you keep a secret?" she asked softly. When he nodded, she explained how she took the treasure map from her father's study and brought it with her on Dean's ship. She mentioned their mutual plan to retrieve and split the treasure between them. With it, they could each determine their own destinies and not have to live a life that was planned for them.

"Do you think he found it? The treasure, I mean?" Crowley inquired.

"I haven't heard from him since the night before Lucifer and his men took me and brought me home. I would assume he continued on his quest for fame and fortune," she shrugged. "In any event, I hope he did find it, and that it was what he was looking for," she replied. "I suppose I shall see him soon, even if it is just to complete our 'business transaction'," she added with a sad smile.

At her words, Crowley couldn't help but wonder if finding and sharing a cache of valuables between them would be enough for Rhaya and Dean. That perhaps the real treasure was something they would find in each other to complete their own puzzle. "My lady, Captain Dean is an honorable man. For a pirate, anyway," he muttered. "I'm certain that should he succeed, he will honor your agreement and deliver to you your fair share," Crowley assured her as he stood. "Before I take my leave, may I have the honor of dancing with the bride-to-be?"

Rhaya sent him a genuine smile and rose from her chair. She took his offered hand and gave him a small curtsy before responding, "I would be delighted, Captain Crowley."

For a man who spent a good deal of his time away from land, Crowley was quite skilled at guiding his partner across the floor. When the music ended, he bowed as she returned the gesture with a curtsy. Before he departed, he took Rhaya's hand in his and pressed a chaste kiss to the back of it. "Don't settle for second best, my lady," he murmured as his eyes quickly darted in Ashton's direction. "You deserve to receive nothing less than what your heart desires." With a final bow, he bid Rhaya farewell.

***

Shortly before midnight, a ship pulled up to the port in Ochana and dropped its anchor. A figure clad all in black maneuvered along the docks in search of a particular ship and its captain. The new visitor to Ochana found success in the man standing next to his ship, a lazy smirk gracing his lips. The two quickly conversed, and with a nod, they each went their separate ways. The captain returned aboard his ship, while the mystery figure headed towards the governor's mansion.

As the minutes ticked by, Rhaya's dread about her wedding day continued to grow. She had been unsuccessful in figuring out how to escape the mansion and her groom-to-be. She was a little perplexed by Darcy's behavior earlier in the evening, but pushed it out of her mind for the moment. Rhaya took a deep breath and closed her eyes, desperately willing sleep to come.

The black-clad figure moved among the shadows to avoid detection by the security force that seemed to have been doubled since she last visited. From memory, she located Rhaya's bedroom window which was fortunately open. She effortlessly climbed the trellis attached to the outside of the mansion, as she had done so many times before. With only a small creak, she opened the window a bit more and eased her way into the room.

Rhaya heard soft footfalls approaching her bed and prayed that it wasn't Ashton in a drunken state and confusing her room for his. She lay absolutely motionless in her bed with her eyes squeezed shut and the blanket up to her chin. Her heart began to race when the intruder padded over and stood next to her bed. Before she could utter a word, a hand clamped over her mouth and her eyes flew open in terror.

"Shhh, relax," the figure cooed. At hearing the stranger's voice, Rhaya began to relax but was not without questions.

"How did you get here? How long are you staying? Never mind that, I'm getting marr--" Rhaya tried to explain but was interrupted.

"Simple, I'm here to rescue you, Sis," Keira replied with a mischievous look in her eyes.

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Tags:

#pirate!dean x ofc #pirate!dean au #treasure quest

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