“It’s good to see ye, Captain,” Finn greeted, joy bursting from his seams at the sight of me.
“And you,” I told the giant Scot and patted his arm lovingly. I looked to Gus. “I still can’t believe you found me.”
“We’d never stop searching,” he replied sternly, but then the corner of his mouth turned up as he glanced at Henry. “This one would never allow it.”
I laughed and squeezed Henry’s hand as he stood by my side. His very presence anchored me to the world. I felt whole when I was with the man. I felt alive. My other hand dug into a deep inside pocket of my jacket and pulled out the map. I handed it to Finn.
“This will lead us to the Siren Isles,” I told him. “Can you read it?”
My friend unfolded the weathered parchment and examined it closely. Soon, his head bobbed slowly. “Aye, I ken where this is. I can get us there.” He paused and cast his face to the skies. “Probably a week. Eight days.”
That’s what Benjamin had told me. I nodded. “Then let’s get back to The Queen and get out of here. Let’s go home.”
We shoved off the rowboat and made our way out to my ship. Finn and Gus rowed while Henry sat next to me in the middle, holding onto my hand. I realized then, he hadn’t let go since I got back. I leaned into him, basking in his warmth, succumbing to the way my happiness slowly pushed out the stress and despair I felt about leaving Benjamin.
And how Pleeman gave his life for me.
Henry had told me I was brave. But that was a lie. I’d only survived because I had help. Pleeman at first and then Benjamin soon afterward. Those two men sold their souls for decades but then did the right thing in the end. They’d helped me. I would spend the rest of my life thanking them.
I used what little energy I had left to climb the side of my ship. When I finally got to the top, I flung myself over the railing and sprawled out on the deck. Happy to be home. Relieved to be done. I ultimately gave out. A shadow loomed overhead and I opened my eyes to see who it was.
She stood with hands on her hips and peered down at me. “You must be the world’s greatest swimmer. Or the luckiest fool.”
A genuine smile spread wide and far across my face. “Hey, Lottie.”
She threw her arm down for me to grab, and I used it to haul myself up to my feet just as the others were hurdling themselves over the railing.
“I told you to come down below, didn’t I?” she mock-scolded me.
“I promise to never disobey you again,” I told her jokingly.
My friend’s shoulders lowered, and she pulled me in for a quick squeeze. “You scared us half to death. When they came back and said they’d actually found you, I didn’t believe it.”
“I know,” I replied. “I still can’t believe it myself.”
“It’s a bloody miracle!” Finn declared.
Henry, not an inch from my side, took my hand again. The desperate hold he had told me how he felt. The man was barely hanging on.
“Finn, can you set a course? Follow the map?”
He nodded once. “Aye, Captain.”
“Lottie, can you fetch me some boiled water? Enough to bathe with?” I asked.
“Sure, of course,” she replied and headed off. Gus followed close behind.
I turned into Henry then, nestling my face in his chest. I wanted nothing more to go back to my quarters, remove my dirty clothes, and spend a week in bed with him. I was tired. And I owed my body some rest.
“Take me to our room.”
“Whatever you say, Captain,” he mused and led the way, pulling my tired body along.
Once inside, Henry shut the door and I collapsed on the bed. My soft, clean, comfy bed. I almost felt bad for rubbing my grimy body all over it. I inhaled the scents of Henry and I, still woven into the fibers of the linens. Home. It smelled of home and my heart swelled just being there. I felt the mattress jostle and opened my eyes to find him gazing down at me.
“You’ve got a nasty habit of getting lost in time,” he said.
I grabbed at Henry’s black leather collar and pulled his face to mine, taking his warm mouth. My lips brushed against his as I spoke, “I knew you’d find me.”
“Of course,” he replied and kissed me again. “I would have found a way to drain the oceans if it meant finding you.”
Exhausted, I dipped my head and pressed it against his chest. He cradled me in his arms and we lay in comfortable silence until a knock sounded at the door. Henry carefully removed me from his body and stood to walk over and open it. It was Lottie.
“Here’s the water Dianna wanted,” I heard her say. “And I brought some food.”
“Thank you. The table’s fine,” Henry replied and let her in.
I craned my neck and watched her walk over to the table and set down a large tray with a steaming basin and a smaller tray on top. How the woman carried such heavy and awkward things, I’ll never know.
“Thanks, Lottie,” I told her.
“It’s no problem,” she smiled and made her way back to the door, peering over her shoulder before she left. “I’ll speak with you later?”
Of course, she’d be itching to ask me all about what had happened. But I simply couldn’t. Not yet. And I was thankful she seemed to get that. I nodded. “Definitely.”
When she was gone, I peeled myself from the bed and began to remove my clothes. Three of my five fingers on one hand were definitely sprained. I could move them, but not without a bolt of pain shooting through my hand. Henry saw me struggle and immediately had his hands on me.
“Here, let me help you,” he said and slipped my coat off. Then my boots. His eyes squeezed at the sight of my feet. “Christ, this kills me to see.”
“It looks far worse than it is,” I lied. “I just need a good wash.”
Without another word, Henry chucked off his black leather coat and rolled up his sleeves before he began removing the rest of my clothing. Every last soiled garment, until I stood there, completely naked. A blanket was thrown over one of the chairs and he guided me to sit down. Ever so gently, he took my beaten feet and placed them in an empty wash basin before filling it with fresh, warm water. The sensation of relief anchored me in the chair and I closed my eyes as I tipped my head back.
“Oh, God, you have no idea how good that feels,” I told him. “Thank you.”
Slowly, he poured more water down my dirty legs and then dipped a cloth in the basin, wringing it out on my knees and gently scrubbing the grime from my skin. He peered up at me from the floor where he knelt and smiled as he continued to work.
“No thank you is needed, Dianna. It’s the very least I can do after what I did.”
“What you did?”
Henry inhaled deeply through his nose and never faltered from his task. “I’m responsible for losing you. I’m the reason you went overboard. If I hadn’t… if we hadn’t had that fight, you would have been down belowdecks. Safe. With me.”
I sat up straight and leaned forward, pushing my fingers through his silky blonde hair and moving it from his saddened face. “Henry, look at me.” I tipped his chin upward and his eyes begged for my forgiveness. “It was not your fault. Do you hear me?” He wouldn’t respond. I gripped his chin harder. “Do you hear me?”
Reluctantly, he nodded. “I do. But it doesn’t erase the guilt I carry, Dianna.” With a shrug, he continued cleaning my skin. “Part of me was terrified to find you for fear that you’d leave me. That you wouldn’t want me anymore. I know that’s a selfish thing to think, but it’s the truth.”
I grabbed the man before me and pulled him to my naked body. “It’s not selfish. I have those same fears.” He leaned away and gazed up at me curiously. “Before… everything. You had retreated so far into your own mind about what happened on Kelly’s Island that I thought I was losing you. I worried every day that you’d leave me the second our feet touched English soil.”
Henry stretched, so our faces met. “Nothing could make me leave you, Dianna. Nothing. I’m under your spe
ll and the only thing that would break it is your word. If you wished me to leave, I would. If that was truly what you wanted.”
I kissed him desperately. “I will never want that. I belong to you.”
I felt his mouth smile happily against mine. “And I belong to you, Time Traveler.”
He stood then, helping me to do the same. My feet remained in the basin as his eyes hungrily raked over my naked form, delighting in the show. I watched him scoop up a pitcher of warm water and closed my eyes as he slowly poured it down over my head.
The warm water was like a comforting blanket, washing away my pain. Rinsing the sorrow from my skin. I moaned in delight as Henry used the cloth to wipe all over, paying delicate attention to my tender areas, and holding my gaze when his hand dipped between my legs. It was the most intimate thing I’d ever done with another human being and I felt even closer to the man than ever before. As if that were even possible. But it was.
One more pour of hot water over my head and I was done. It felt freeing to have clean water soaking through my long, matted curls and I stepped out of the wash basin a different person. A stronger person.
He leaned back, taking in the sight of me and clucking his tongue. “Glorious. I’ve yet to see your pregnant body like this. In this lighting. In its entirety.” I saw his eyes raking me over and circle around my curved belly.
I turned sideways to him and smiled as I glanced down. “I think I’m finally starting to show, and not just look like I ate too much.”
Henry began unbuttoning his white shirt, eyes on me the whole time. My heart skipped a beat when he swiftly removed the garment over his head, revealing a tall, broad, and muscled chest. My fingers twitched, wanting to touch him.
“I can’t wait to be done with all of this and build a life for us.” He was at my side. My nipples hardened as his breath poured over my skin. “A real life.”
I crooked my neck, so our lips almost set touched, mine hovering over his. Wanting. Needing.
“This isn’t a life?” My breathing quickened, and my heart raced.
Henry’s large hand slid across my torso and held me firmly to his bare chest. “No, not for a child. Not for us.” His lips trailed kisses along the naked curve of my neck. “I think we’re due to spend some time on land. Don’t you think?”
My arms flung around his neck and he led me to the bed where we fell together. “I’ll go wherever you want, Henry.”
Our palms came together, raised in the air above our heads. I admired the way they touched, they way they fit together so perfectly. Each bump and curve falling into place with the next. As if we were made from the same ball of clay and had been separated many lifetimes ago. His fingertips caressed the sensitive skin on of my palm.
“First, let’s get to the Siren Isles.” He kissed my mouth. “Then save your mother.” Another kiss followed by a grin. “Then we shall become happy landlubbers.” Henry’s blonde head dipped, and his mouth was on my skin. Everywhere.
I wrapped a bare leg over his stretched-out body. “Sounds like a plan.” My head threw back and a soft moan escaped my lips. “But, for now…”
His face tipped up and that long-lost devilish grin smeared across it. His black eyes toying with my heart. “Yes. For now.”
Chapter Thirteen
It took no time at all to sink back into my regular routine. Wake up, head to the mess deck. Morning greetings with the crew. Eat. Hang out with Lottie over tea, and then head up to my post above the stern where I could be alone with my thoughts while I watched over the ship. I worried for Benjamin, left behind to deal with the aftermath of the chaos his brother had created. I could not fail in my mission to return the siren’s heart. Three days had flown by and we bound steadfast over the deep, open waters.
I leaned against the wooden railing and peered down at my crew. Young Charlie waved up to me with a big smile as he coiled some ropes into a pile. John and Seamus, the two deckhands, worked quietly as they scrubbed the deck. They never spoke much, only when spoken to, and happily did their duties aboard my vessel. I made a mental note to get to know them better. The first few months of our journey, I’d been so wrapped up and lost in Henry’s struggles that I neglected the world around me. I’d been endlessly falling into a dark pit and forgot that I had people to be responsible for. To care about.
Gus emerged from a ladder hatch and scanned around, looking for something. His head twisted up and spotted me. With a sigh, he bounded up the stairs to where I stood and greeted me with his usual stern expression.
“Afternoon,” the pirate said.
“Hey, Gus,” I replied. “How is the ship?”
“Excellent. The mended mast is holding up nicely.” He rubbed at his short brown beard thoughtfully. “And, aside from a bit of eagerness to reach land, everyone seems to be in good spirits.”
“That’s good to hear.” I smiled contently and turned back to looking down at the crew. “It’s good to be back.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Christ, it’s good to have you back. Things are so much better. For Henry, as well. Even from before. He’s–” Gus shook his head, not sure how to explain, “It’s as if he’s woken up.”
“Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?” I asked. “I mean, he was a mess before I disappeared. I honestly had no idea how it was going to end.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Probably with one of us dead.”
Gus nodded. “Yes, it’s a good thing, indeed.”
We stood there in a comfortable silence, both staring proudly out at our ship. Our home.
“What happened?” I finally asked him. “After I was gone.”
Gus moaned uncomfortably. “Ah, I don’t know–”
“Please.”
He smacked his lips together in thinking. “Y’know, it’s hard to watch another man fall apart like that.” His fingers gripped the narrow wooden railing in front of us. “Especially one that’s like a brother. If it were anyone else, I would have thrown the likes of him overboard ages ago.” Gus shot me a sideways glance then. “But… it’s Henry.”
My mouth turned down and I nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I know.”
“We spent three days, sailing around in bloody circles. Looking for you. Or a body. A scrap of your jacket. Anything that told us we were on the right track. But the lack of results sent Henry in a downward spiral. He carried this guilt over something that had happened between you two, but he refused to speak of it.
I swallowed hard against the chalky dryness of my throat. I’d been up in the wind of the ocean too long and needed a drink, but a part of me knew it was the memory of that fateful night when Henry’s strong hands were wrapped around my throat and I had to use my blade to cut his skin. Reliving the thought, the sensation of my sword clashing with his still reverberated through my bones. I shivered and looked at Gus, urging him to continue.
“Too much time had gone by. We worried you were at the bottom of the ocean somewhere. The crew decided it was time to tell Henry. I went to your quarters one night to speak with him and found his body sprawled out on the floor. He’d drunken himself silly. Rambled on some rubbish about dying. Dying was the only way to forget it all.”
My stomach tightened. “W-what did you do?”
Gus looked at me squarely. “I beat him.”
“Wait. You what?”
“It’s the only way to get through to a man who’s that far gone. To make him feel again. The poor bugger was dead weight. I almost felt bad.”
I stared at him in shock. It was startling how Gus seemed to speak from comfortable experience and I wondered if he’d been in that same situation before, and what end had he been at. The poor, drunken, broken one? Or the man kicking some sense into the other?
“Don’t look at me like that,” he defended his actions. “It worked. Henry began to push back. He snapped out of it. Well, enough to agree that we had to head to England and fix the ship or we’d all be goners.”
“So, what made you guys come looking for me again?”
>
The pirate snorted a laugh. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Oh, please.” I rolled my eyes jokingly. “Look who you’re talking to here.”
His small brown eyes scanned the crew below while seeming to recall the right words. “Henry said he… he thought he heard a voice tell him to.”
I let out a slight gasp. A voice? Was it anything like the one I’d been hearing all along? At first, I thought it was my mother. But now… I wasn’t sure at all. But one thing was certain. It had yet to steer me wrong.
“I believe it,” I told the man.
Gus looked uncomfortable. I don’t think he believed in the magic stuff as much as the rest. Or perhaps, he just didn’t want to. “Yes, well,” he began to fidget with the thick leather belt that wrapped around his waist. “All is well now. You’re safe. Henry is happy.”
I admired how much he regarded Henry’s happiness. They were truly like brothers. Gus was as unreadable as a rock, but I’d never doubt his loyalty to his captain. His family. Which made me think of something else. I patted the pirate’s arm playfully.
“You know, you could have that, too. With Lottie.”
His response was a shifty grunt and an uncomfortable moan.
“I’m serious, Gus. Loosen up. Stop being so old-fashioned. You have one heck of a woman just waiting for you to say the word. Don’t let her slip away.”
“It’s not that easy.”
I shrugged. “Seems easy enough to me. Man likes a woman, woman likes the man. The math is pretty simple.” I made light of the situation, but he didn’t smile. “Unless there’s some other reason?”
He struggled to look me in the eye. “I’m… already married.”
I wasn’t expecting that. I always wondered what Gus’s story had been. Henry once told me bits and pieces, how he found Gus pick-pocketing the streets of England after Maria burned his ship. But that was the extent of my knowledge about the man’s past.
The Blackened Soul Page 13