The Sea's Rough Magic

by Alicia C Graybill

  “Henry!” He cried the name aloud out of reflex, swallowing more water in the process. He knew better, of course. He’d lived long enough aboard ship to know that drowning was an easy thing to do. He was still struggling, albeit weakly, when he felt a hand close upon his own.

  He tried to see who was holding him but it was too dark here and he could feel his lungs swelling painfully. He could sense that whoever had him was a strong swimmer, pulling him easily along. Without warning, he felt sand, firm and cold, beneath him and

  fresh air threaded its way into his lungs. At the sensation, like a small plant’s roots creeping into freshly loosened soil, he began to cough. Someone turned him on his side and slapped him on the back. He vomited the sea water he’d swallowed, bringing up the

  fancy meal he’d enjoyed at the Governor’s party as well. More coughing ensued. Finally, his head pounding, he turned to look up into the eyes of his rescuer. Henry’s eyes.

  “Henry?” He gasped, reaching for the man dripping above him.

  “Aye, love,” Came the reply. “’Tis me. Took me long enough t’ find ye, din’t it?”

  Aaron experienced a sharp pain in his chest and left arm, the burning agony slicing up into his jaw after a moment. “Don’t matter now. Ye came t’ take me away, didn’t ye?”

  Henry didn’t answer, just ran his fingers through Aaron’s hair. He smiled and Aaron smiled back at the sight of the gold teeth in Henry’s mouth. He remembered Henry getting those teeth knocked out defending his Captain’s honor one night in Petit Goave. He felt Henry brush his lips across his forehead then slide his arms around Aaron to draw him even closer. Aaron felt something slimy brush against his leg and only Henry's strength kept him from pulling away.

  “Ye took good care of Ike, love,” Henry muttered softly, nuzzling against Aaron’s temple. “Ye kept him alive an’ ye gave him a fightin’ chance. Considerin’ what was, ye could do no more. ‘Twas never yer fault, Aaron. Do ye remember that night?”

  For a moment, Aaron’s head felt unbearably light. There were so many nights; which one could Henry be asking about? And then, as if the taste of Henry’s lips triggered it, he knew which night it was: about a fortnight after they’d brought Angus McSwain aboard. He stretched up to kiss Henry as the memory returned to him.

  Lying in the Captain’s bunk, Henry was snoring lightly. Aaron lay awake, though. He shifted over in the bed and patted Henry’s arm. “Love, we need t’ talk.”

  Henry cracked an eye open. “Mermaids an’ frogs, Aaron, can’t a man get some sleep?”

  “It ain’t right,” Aaron remembered telling him. “There’s somethin’ wrong ‘bout that McSwain. He-He makes me think of one o’ them sea-snakes, the ones what make yer arm tingle when ye touch ‘em, savvy? We need t’ be rid of ‘im. We can make Benson first-mate, eh?”

  “Ye’re as fickle as a two-shilling whore. When I said that near a month ago, ye told me we needed someone from the Indies, who knew the area. ‘Sides, none o’ the crew can navigate, remember?” Henry’s eyes closed. “It’ll be all right, Aaron. Just give it time.”

  Aaron remembered that night and looked up into the amber eyes above him. They were set on him with a heartbroken look. He swallowed hard and felt a tear form then roll off his face. “Ye’re not here t’ take me with ye, are ye?”

  “No,” Henry was undoing the buttons on the waistcoat Aaron wore and loosening the laces of his shirt so that he could brush his hand across Aaron’s exposed flesh. “I’m here t’ tell ye t’ be happy and love yer navy man. Ye been through things mos’ people couldn’t live through an’ ye deserve t’ be with the one that makes ye feel loved. I wish I could take ye with me, Cap’n, but I mus’ return now t’ where I was. ‘Fore I go, though, I have a little gift fer ye, hmmm?”

  He produced the ring from somewhere—Aaron couldn’t be sure—and slid it onto Aaron’s right forefinger. Aaron stared at it blankly, watching the emerald wink in the moonlight as the waves had, then looked up into Henry’s face. “Where did ye get this?”

  Henry shrugged. “Don’t matter. ‘Tis back where it belongs now, eh? Jus’ remember, ye only need t’ look on it an’ I’ll know you think of me. Touch the gem an’ I’ll come t’ ye. Ye’ll never be alone again.”

  For a moment, Aaron was at a loss. He reached out to place his hand on Henry’s cheek. “Don’ leave yet. Make love t’ me once more?”

  Henry gave him a bittersweet smile. “Wish I could, darlin’, but I can’t. Best I can do is this.”

  Henry’s hand, still damp and chilled from the sea, opened his breeches then touched his manhood. Briefly, Aaron shivered and pulled away from the touch but Henry persisted. Within seconds, knowing from experience what gave Aaron great pleasure, he had provoked a response from his Captain. Aaron arched his hips into the sensations that Henry’s hand inspired. Henry leaned down to draw Aaron’s groans of delight into his mouth. When Aaron climaxed, Henry shuddered, a strange smile upon his face.

  Aaron could feel unconsciousness creeping up on him. Blackness that had precious little to do with the night sky was forming at the edges of his vision. He tried to reach for Henry again but his former lover just shook his head.

  “Sleep now, Aaron. I’ll hold ye and keep ye safe until he comes fer ye. Jus’ rest now,” Henry’s arms wound around him and he was pulled tight to the lean frame. With a sigh, Aaron did as he was told.

  )O(

  James found him on the beach, soaked to the skin and unconscious, moments later. What truly frightened James was that he appeared dead. James would never know what prompted him to tell George the driver to take the beach road since they had taken the shorter inland way to get to the Governor’s home from Rum Harbor. All he knew for certain was that he was indebted to whatever spirit or deity it was. He lifted Aaron and carried him across the stretch of beach to the carriage. The driver’s expression was one of deep suspicion and alarm. Once he had Aaron secured inside, he seized George’s collar and glowered into his eyes.

  “You saw nothing, do you understand? My wife walked home uneventfully though her dress was ruined by the salt air on the way. Is that clear?”

  For a moment, the dark-skinned servant’s eyes grew troubled then he shrugged. “As you say, sir. I saw nothin’.”

  “Good,” James answered and released him. “It’s been a very late night. Don’t bother to come to work tomorrow. I’ll make sure you see an extra shilling or two in your pay, hmm?”

  That put a smile on George’s countenance. “Yes, sir, as you wish. Thank you, sir.”

  James crawled into the carriage then said, “We must hurry. I don’t like the pallor of her face. Go as fast as you dare.”

  James pulled Aaron into his arms and stroked his thumb across Aaron's cheekbone, terrified at the chill in his flesh. "Aaron? Love, can you hear me?"

  Aaron didn't answer and James felt a sick ache start in his gut. Aaron had decided to repay his debt to the Lash, a debt that by all rights he truly didn't owe. I hope to God that he loved you as much as you love him. I was such a fool to think that Chambers could possibly--. God's blood! I always wondered why you never tried to escape. Now I understand. You thought--no, you still think you deserved that torture. James wanted to strike something, to lash out and relieve the anger that boiled inside. It didn't matter what Aaron had ever done; there was no way any sin he committed was worthy of that horror.

  When the carriage pulled up at the front of the house, James had the door open almost before they had stopped. He lifted Aaron out of the cab and strode briskly up the stairs to the door. He set Aaron on his feet while he fumbled the door open. He was about to step inside when he heard the voice.

  "Sir, d' ye want me t' fetch the doctor?" He glanced back and saw George was standing at the foot of the stairs, his eyes plainly concerned.

  James shook his head. "Not yet. Let me get her upstairs and into something warm. Thank you."

  "Very well, sir. G'night then," He paused then added, "Hope she's feelin' better soo
n."

  "So do I," James answered and lifted Aaron back into his arms.

  He took Aaron immediately up to their room, stripping the ruined clothes off him and placing him on the bed. He opened the chest at the foot of the bed and drew out all the blankets and quilts therein. He put them over Aaron and went to the hearth, stirring the embers and bringing the fire back to life. He added a log or two then went to get Aaron a brandy. He returned with a bottle and poured some into Aaron's cider glass. He then lay down beside Aaron on the bed.

  "Aaron? Love, please wake up," James stroked the still-damp hair back off Aaron's face. He had to swallow hard to be able to breathe and leaned down to kiss Aaron on the cheek.

  Bundled into their bed with all the blankets he could find piled atop him, Aaron seemed exceptionally small. It didn't help that there was a distinct bluish tinge, almost like bruising, about his lips. He'd held a mirror to Aaron's nose as soon as they'd arrived and he was breathing but not well. I must send for the doctor, James thought but the notion made him ill. If it was to be discovered that Aaron was not Erin, . . . He shut the thought off abruptly. The consequences be hanged--Aaron needed medical care and he needed it now. He started to rise from the bed when the blue eyes fluttered open.

  "James?"

  Gratitude and relief flooded through him but Aaron's face was still unnaturally pale. "Rest, love, please. You aren't well. What happened?"

  "The Lash came t' visit me," Aaron managed to say then gasped for air.

  James felt a shiver run down his spine. He was about to ask Aaron something else when his lover's right hand emerged from the layers of blankets and covered James's. Adorning the index finger was a silver ring with a ruby mounted in a skeletal fist. James had never seen anything like it before. When he touched it, though, something jolted through him and he released it. James looked into Aaron's eyes for an explanation only to see Johnson grin wickedly at him before closing his eyes and returning to sleep.

  )O(

  Chapter 54:

  Divided Duty

  When James Dunbar received the missive, in Governor Robbins's own hand, he knew he had no choice but to go. He spoke to Aaron before he left but he wasn't sure his spouse understood. He was still ill from his misadventure the night of the party. But he knew Aaron would tell James to go do what was necessary. Especially when he learned that Abigail Robbins was in danger.

  What he didn't tell Aaron was who was responsible for endangering the girl. As it was, James was not looking forward to this encounter. Ike Stern had become a monster and James felt responsible for it. It would almost have been amusing if it hadn't been so sad but Aaron also felt as if he had some hand in the matter. The two of us wracked with guilt because of a foolish boy doing something rash, He mused, but he knew it was more than that. He also felt as though he had more responsibility in the matter because he was afraid Ike Stern would be able to win Aaron's heart away from him. His head told him that he was an idiot for even thinking of such a thing but his heart could not be convinced.

  "Commodore, we're coming up on the coordinates given. Your orders, sir?" Henry Hyde, captain of the Swift, knew damn well what James would say but they went through the ritual anyway.

  "Take in sail and drop anchor. Put up the white flag but have her guns ready, just in case. I don't care for the situation," James knew his uneasiness was more than being parted from Aaron while he was ill.

  "Sail ho!" Called one sailor to the starboard.

  James turned to see a ship on the horizon. To his dismay, a second set of sails then a third came into view. Beside him, he heard Captain Hyde mutter a curse word. James couldn't entirely suppress a smile at the reaction because it was the same as his own. "Steady, Captain. They are pirates, after all."

  )O(

  "Know her?" It was McSwain's voice and Aaron realized he was dreaming again. McSwain had him by the hair and he was gagged and bound on the deck of the Maid. They were watching a girl who was kneeling on the deck, her hands red and bleeding from the prayer-stone she was scrubbing the deck with. "She says she knows you."

  Aaron looked more closely at her face and realized that, yes, she did seem familiar. He couldn't speak through the gag but just thought his answer. 'Abigail Robbins, James' fiancée once and the daughter of Port Royal's governor. What's she doing here?'

  "Whaddaya think, whelp? She's servin' aboard a pirate ship! But swabbin' the deck ain't her speciality, ye know," The scene changed abruptly and someone had pinned the girl to a bunk and was raping her arse. She cried quietly and gagged every so often but the scoundrel allowed her no quarter. "Pretty sight, ain't it?"

  Aaron longed to turn away, the sight of this assault recalling to his mind everything he had lived through on the Maid. 'No, please stop this! I don't want t' see anymore.'

  McSwain laughed just as the rapist finished, withdrawing from the girl and leaning down so he could speak into her ear. "Jus' remember, lass, ye're still a virgin. I kept my part o' the deal. Let's see how yer dear father does."

  At that the pirate turned so that Aaron could see him. Aaron felt his gorge rising when he recognized Ike Stern.

  "Aaron?" The voice that woke him nearly paralyzed him. His bed was empty, as was the room he occupied. Panic set in. Where was James? "Aaron, are you all right?"

  Aaron pushed out of the bed and started for the farthest corner of the room from the door. He'd only gone a step or two when the darkness rushed in and he collapsed. He came to as someone was arranging him on the bed. Another person drew the blankets up over him and applied a cold compress to his forehead.

  "Where-Where's James?" He asked, looking at the man and the woman in total confusion. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew them both but the names wouldn't come. "Is-Is he all right?"

  The man smiled gently. "He's fine. The daughter of the Governor of Port Royal was kidnapped by pirates and Governor Robbins asked James to oversee her safe return, remember?"

  Aaron shook his head, barely able to draw in air let alone speak. The blue-eyed man spoke to the woman softly and she nodded before retreating. After she was gone, the man took Aaron's hand in his own. "You're very ill, Aaron, some sort of fever. We're sending for a physician to help you get well, which is why we don't have you in your own room. We can explain you as a friend of the Dunbars should questions arise, all right?"

  Aaron whimpered as he fought for air, his eyes drooping closed. He realized he must have drifted off when he woke and a young man with a shock of red hair and a neatly trimmed mustache was peering at him through a magnifying glass. He tried to struggle away when he felt a hand restraining him.

  "It's all right, this is the doctor. He wants to help you, do you understand?" It was the blue-eyed man and he was sitting beside Aaron on the bed, one hand easily keeping him from getting up.

  Aaron nodded finally and surrendered to their calm, self-assured demeanor. He drifted off again and when he roused from that, he heard the doctor speaking. "I suspect he'll be all right in a few days but do keep him warm and quiet. I'll send a boy out with some medicine for him but he's rail thin. Please make sure he gets regular meals, especially broths and the like. He has no reserves to draw upon so a relapse could potentially kill him. I'll be back tomorrow to see if he's improved."

  "Thank you, doctor," The blue-eyed man replied and escorted the physician from the room. He returned after a moment and pulled the compress from the water, wringing it as hard as he could before laying it across Aaron's forehead. "You must get better, mate. I shudder to think what the Commodore will do to me should you not feel better when he gets home."

  "Sorry," Aaron managed to whisper, feeling like he was misunderstanding something.

  "Don't be," The man replied. "I have to return to my duties now but I'll be back later. Beatrice will take care of you while I'm gone, all right?"

  Aaron nodded but seized the man's hand, squeezing it in an attempt to convey his appreciation. The man smiled at him and patted his hand before drawing away. Aaron was aslee
p before the door closed behind him.

  )O(

  Chambers stretched then drank down the dregs of his coffee. Dividing his time between his own duties and Aaron's sickbed was difficult but he feared what would happen if he didn't. It was nearly time for tea and he intended to ride out to Rum Harbor to check on Aaron. The physician had been, quite frankly, horrified at Aaron's condition, barely able to believe Aaron was still alive as ill as he was. Chambers had simply shrugged but he knew the only reason Aaron remained among the living was James. He'd seen the look in Aaron's eyes when he'd asked about James and knew the truth.

  He was contemplating asking for another cup of coffee when he heard Andrews speaking in a much louder tone of voice than he normally did. "I'm afraid you cannot--!"

  "Nonsense! I insist he see me. This is outrageous!!" The woman's voice was not familiar to Chambers but that was of no consequence. Abruptly, the door slammed open and a lovely woman in her late 30s entered. There was something familiar about her but Chambers couldn't place it. "Commodore, I must protest!"

  "I'm afraid, madam, that Commodore Dunbar is not here at present," Chambers said as he stood with every ounce of military bearing he had in him. "He is not even on the island."

  "What gall! He hasn't had the decency to pay a call upon me and my visit here is coming to a close. We were nearly relations, you know," The woman's attitude gave Chambers pause.

  "May I tell the Commodore who has been to see him this day?" Chambers kept his voice low and steady.

  "Lady Elena Wendover, sister-in-law to Port Royal's governor and aunt to his former fiancée Abigail. What manner of nonsense has him off gallivanting about the ocean now?" She assumed a seat as if the office were hers, not James'. "Chasing 'pirates' again? Or is he up to a bit of buggery with one? I heard about his situation with that pirate a few years ago. Simply indecent!"