Sofia woke up to the sound of waves crashing against the ship's hull. She was in Ryker's quarters, the bed soft beneath her. Ryker lay beside her, his chest rising and falling with his breath.
She remembered the night before, the wedding, the kiss. Her heart skipped a beat. What had she done?
Ryker stirred, his eyes opening. He smiled, his scar twitching. "Good morning, wife," he whispered, pulling her close.
Sofia's heart pounded. She was trapped, wasn't she? Trapped in a life she didn't choose.
But as Ryker's lips met hers, she felt a spark of...excitement? Fear? She wasn't sure.
The door creaked open, one of Ryker's men standing in the doorway. "Captain, we've spotted a ship on the horizon."
Ryker's eyes narrowed. "What flag does she fly?"
The pirate's face was grim. "The flag of the Royal Navy, Captain."
Sofia's heart skipped a beat. The Royal Navy? Her father's men?
Ryker's grin was back. "Perfect. Time to test our new alliance, wife."