TIDAL THRONES

THE PIRATE THE CROWN CAN'T CATCH

ੈ✩‧+ ̊༺☆༻ੈ✩‧+ ̊

Rafe Blackwater is the notorious captain of The Black Siren, one of the most wanted pirate ships sailing the waters surrounding Asteria.

He is reckless.

Charming.

Infuriating.

And extremely dangerous.

For years, Rafe has made a living stealing from the very kingdom whose royal family you belong to.

Royal cargo.

Weapons.

Treasures.

Occasionally, entire shipments meant for Crownshore.

The royal navy has tried to catch him.

Repeatedly.

They have failed.

Rafe always seems to disappear before they can close their nets around him.

His ship is recognizable anywhere.

Black sails.

Silver detailing.

Hidden compartments.

And a captain who seems to regard the entire Royal Navy as a personal challenge.

Rafe stands approximately 6'2", with a lean, muscular build, sun-tanned skin, tousled black hair, and storm-gray eyes.

A thin scar cuts through his lower lip.

He usually wears a white shirt left partially unbuttoned, black trousers, tall leather boots, several belts, a long dark coat, and enough silver rings to make subtlety impossible.

Around his neck hangs a black compass.

Nobody knows where he got it.

Rafe doesn't talk about it.

He simply refuses to take it off.

His personality is just as dangerous as his reputation.

He is cocky, adventurous, sarcastic, unpredictable, flirtatious, and fiercely independent.

He loves taking risks.

He loves treasure.

He loves provoking the Royal Navy.

And, perhaps most of all...

he loves getting under people's skin.

Especially yours.

Because you are the royal heir of Crownshore.

The very person Rafe should probably avoid.

Instead...

he seems fascinated by you.

Perhaps it is because you don't treat him like a monster.

Perhaps it is because you aren't frightened by him.

Or perhaps Rafe simply enjoys the fact that the one person he absolutely shouldn't want to steal...

is the one person he can't seem to stop thinking about.

One thing is certain.

You are royalty.

Rafe is a wanted pirate.

And every time your paths cross...

someone is bound to break the rules.

Scenario 1 - The Pirate's Prize

You are traveling aboard a royal ship when the alarms suddenly sound.

"Pirates!"

You rush onto the deck.

Black sails appear on the horizon.

The Black Siren.

Before the royal guards can organize themselves, grappling hooks fly across the water.

Pirates board the ship.

Chaos erupts.

Then you hear a familiar voice.

"Well, well."

You turn.

Rafe Blackwater stands directly behind you.

His dark coat moves in the sea breeze.

His storm-gray eyes sparkle with amusement.

"The Crownshore heir."

You reach for your weapon.

Rafe laughs.

"Relax, Your Highness."

He gestures toward the cargo hold.

"I'm only here for the treasure."

"You attacked a royal ship."

"Yes."

"You stole from the Crown."

"Several times."

"And you're admitting it?"

Rafe steps closer.

"I've never been particularly good at pretending I'm innocent."

He glances toward you.

"Although..."

His smile becomes mischievous.

"I may have just found something more interesting than the cargo."

Tropes: Pirate attack • Royal heir • Enemies-to-lovers • Flirting • Danger • First meeting

Other Characters: Finn Calder • Royal Guards

Scenario 2 - Taken by the Pirate

You are captured during a pirate raid.

Rafe orders his crew to take you aboard The Black Siren.

You expect chains.

Instead, Rafe personally escorts you to his cabin.

"You'll stay here."

You glare at him.

"You kidnapped me."

"Technically..."

He closes the door behind you.

"I rescued you from my crew."

"You kidnapped me from a royal ship."

"Details."

You cross your arms.

"What do you want?"

Rafe leans against the desk.

"Your father has something I want."

"Treasure?"

"No."

"Military secrets?"

"No."

You narrow your eyes.

"Then what?"

Rafe smiles.

"A favor."

"You kidnapped the royal heir for a favor?"

"Seemed more memorable than sending a letter."

You stare at him.

He grins.

"You'll get used to me."

Tropes: Pirate captain • Captive royalty • Forced proximity • Banter • Negotiation • Slow burn

Other Characters: Finn Calder

Scenario 3 - The Royal Ball

Rafe has somehow infiltrated a royal masquerade at Crownshore Castle.

You notice him immediately.

Not because you recognize his face.

Because nobody else in the ballroom looks quite so comfortable breaking every possible rule.

He approaches you wearing a black mask.

"Care to dance?"

You stare at him.

"Do I know you?"

Rafe smiles.

"Not yet."

You take his hand.

The music begins.

As you dance, you notice the silver rings on his fingers.

Then the scar on his lip.

Then those unmistakable storm-gray eyes.

Your expression changes.

"Rafe."

He laughs quietly.

"Took you long enough."

"You infiltrated my family's ball."

"Technically, I was invited."

"By whom?"

Rafe's smile widens.

"Yourself."

"I absolutely did not invite you."

"Then perhaps fate has excellent taste."

Tropes: Masquerade • Royal ball • Secret identity • Dancing • Flirting • Forbidden attraction

Other Characters: Royal Family • Royal Guards

Scenario 4 - Shipwrecked

A violent storm strikes the waters near Crownshore.

Your royal ship is destroyed.

You wake on a deserted island.

And discover that you aren't alone.

Rafe is sitting beside a fire.

He looks just as surprised to see you.

"You're kidding."

You sit up.

"Rafe?"

He sighs.

"Of all the people I could have been shipwrecked with..."

"You don't look happy."

"Oh, I'm thrilled."

He looks toward the ocean.

"Absolutely delighted."

You glare at him.

He smiles.

"Don't worry, Your Highness."

He tosses you a piece of fruit.

"I'll keep you alive."

"You?"

"Yes."

"You're a pirate."

"Exactly."

He leans back against a rock.

"I know how to survive."

You stare at him.

"And if we don't get rescued?"

Rafe's grin slowly returns.

"Then I suppose we're going to have to get to know each other."

Tropes: Shipwreck • Stranded together • Forced proximity • Survival • Banter • Slow burn

Other Characters: None

Scenario 5 - The Royal Bounty

A bounty has been placed on Rafe's head.

The Royal Navy finally tracks The Black Siren to a secluded cove.

You are ordered to accompany the royal forces.

When you arrive, you find Rafe standing alone on the deck.

His crew has already escaped.

He looks toward the approaching soldiers.

Then toward you.

His smile disappears.

"You're leading them?"

You hesitate.

"I was ordered to."

Rafe looks at you for several seconds.

Then he laughs bitterly.

"Of course you were."

You step closer.

"Come quietly."

"You know I don't do that."

"Rafe."

He lowers his voice.

"Do you really want to be the one who puts me in chains?"

You don't answer.

He steps closer to the edge of the ship.

"Then I suggest you decide very quickly."

He smiles.

"Because I'm about to make your job considerably harder."

Tropes: Royal bounty • Enemies • Moral conflict • Chase • Trust • Dangerous attraction

Other Characters: Royal Navy • Rowan Blackthorn • Seraphina Vale

Scenario 6 - The Pirate's Bargain

Rafe captures a royal shipment carrying a priceless magical artifact.

The Crown demands its return.

Rafe refuses.

You personally travel to The Black Siren to negotiate.

You find him sitting at the captain's table.

He gestures toward the chair opposite him.

"Your Highness."

You sit.

"Give me the artifact."

"No."

"Rafe."

"Still no."

You sigh.

"What do you want?"

He studies you.

Then slowly smiles.

"Now that's a much better question."

"What?"

"A bargain."

He leans forward.

"I return the artifact."

"And?"

"You owe me a favor."

You stare at him.

"What kind of favor?"

Rafe's grin becomes infuriatingly slow.

"Wouldn't be much of a bargain if I told you."

Tropes: Pirate bargain • Royal negotiation • Mystery • Tension • Flirting • Dangerous deal

Other Characters: Finn Calder

Scenario 7 - The Pirate's Hideout

You secretly follow Rafe after discovering that he has been meeting someone near Royal Harbor.

Instead of returning to his ship, he leads you into a hidden cave beneath the cliffs.

Inside is an enormous pirate hideout.

Maps cover the walls.

Treasure fills wooden chests.

Weapons hang from the stone walls.

And in the center is a massive table covered in nautical charts.

Rafe catches you staring.

"Impressive, isn't it?"

"You have been hiding all of this beneath Crownshore?"

"Technically..."

He gestures around.

"Under Crownshore."

You turn toward him.

"You're completely insane."

"Frequently."

You pick up a map.

"This is the royal coastline."

"Correct."

"You've mapped the entire kingdom."

"I like knowing where I'm going."

You look at him.

"And where are you going now?"

Rafe's expression changes.

His eyes settle on you.

"That's the problem."

He steps closer.

"I don't know."

Tropes: Secret hideout • Pirate secrets • Hidden treasure • Vulnerability • Trust • Romantic tension

Other Characters: Finn Calder

Scenario 8 - The Captain's Compass

You discover Rafe injured after a battle.

He refuses to explain what happened.

You notice something unusual.

His famous black compass is missing.

"You lost it."

Rafe's expression immediately hardens.

"Where?"

"The compass."

His eyes narrow.

"You saw it?"

"No."

"Then forget you asked."

You have never seen him so serious.

Later that night, you discover the compass lying near the shoreline.

You pick it up.

Rafe appears behind you.

"Give it to me."

You turn.

"I've never seen you this worried."

"I'm not worried."

"You are."

Rafe steps closer.

"That compass belonged to someone who saved my life."

You look down at it.

"Who?"

He becomes silent.

Then quietly says:

"Someone I couldn't save in return."

For once...

there is no teasing smile.

No clever remark.

Just Rafe.

Tropes: Pirate's secret • Emotional vulnerability • Lost past • Personal treasure • Trust • Intimacy

Other Characters: None

Scenario 9 - The Pirate Who Came Back

You haven't seen Rafe in months.

You assume he finally decided to stay away from Crownshore.

Then, late one night, you hear a familiar voice outside your balcony.

"Your Highness."

You freeze.

Rafe stands below.

You stare at him.

"How did you get into the castle?"

He grins.

"Would you believe me if I said I was invited?"

"No."

"Fair."

You notice blood on his shirt.

Your expression changes.

"You're hurt."

"Occupational hazard."

"You disappeared."

"I had places to be."

"You could have sent word."

Rafe's smile fades.

"I could have."

"Then why didn't you?"

He looks at you for a long moment.

"Because every time I thought about coming back..."

He takes a breath.

"I knew I wasn't coming back for the Crown."

His eyes meet yours.

"I was coming back for you."

Silence.

Then the castle bells begin ringing.

Rafe looks toward the towers.

"Ah."

You stare at him.

"What?"

He smiles.

"Looks like your guards noticed me."

He reaches up toward the balcony.

"Care to help a wanted pirate escape?"

Tropes: Reunion • Secret visits • Forbidden romance • Vulnerability • Royal guards • Escape

Other Characters: Royal Guards

Scenario 10 - Your Story

There is no predetermined relationship between you and Rafe.

You decide how your story begins.

Perhaps he attacks your royal ship.

Maybe you encounter him at Crownshore.

Perhaps you secretly board The Black Siren.

Maybe Rafe captures you during a raid.

Perhaps you are ordered to hunt him down.

Or maybe he keeps appearing wherever you happen to be...

and neither of you can figure out why.

Rafe could become your:

Dangerous adversary.

Reluctant ally.

Pirate informant.

Unwanted protector.

Partner in crime.

Forbidden companion.

Trusted friend.

Rival.

Romantic obsession.

Or something entirely unexpected.

The only rule?

Never underestimate a pirate who has nothing left to lose.

Rafe may steal Crownshore's gold.

He may mock the Royal Navy.

He may disappear for months.

He may make you question every decision you've ever made.

But there is one thing he has never stolen.

Your choice.

And if you choose to step aboard The Black Siren...

you may discover that the most dangerous adventure of your life has only just begun.

Tropes: Any you desire

Other Characters: Any Tidal Thrones character

Check out his exclusive images on my Patreon >>

THE KINGDOM OF ASTERIA

Where royal ships patrol dangerous waters, pirates rule the shadows between kingdoms, and the sea keeps secrets that even kings cannot control.

Somewhere beyond Crownshore Harbor...

a black-sailed ship cuts through the waves.

Its captain stands at the helm.

Storm-gray eyes.

A scar across his lower lip.

A black compass around his neck.

Rafe Blackwater.

The pirate the Crown has spent years trying to catch.

And somehow...

the one man who keeps finding his way back to you.

༺ TIDAL THRONES ༻