by ML Guida
“I do not know. There’s naught that can be done.”
“Aye, there is. Mariah, the witch, she can find a way to heal you. I’ll take you to her.”
She shook her head. “The witch can’t heal me.”
“Why not? You donna know this.”
She slowly stood. “He told me what I have to do to escape this fate.”
He clamored to his feet. “What?”
She glanced at him and the dark cave. “I can’t do what he asks of me. If I do, I’ll never win my father’s forgiveness.” She edged closer to the entrance of the mysterious cave. She’d never been on the island before, but it might lead down to the sea.
He sniffed and detected something putrid in the cave as if something was lying in wait. “Get away from the cave.”
She looked at him as if he were the devil himself and inched closer to the tunnel. “No.”
“Isabella, there’s somethin’ not right about that cave.” He reached for her arm.
She broke free and fled into the darkness. He chased after her. His dragon sense of smell tracked exactly where she was heading, but she was incredibly fast, faster than a human. But he kept forgetting she wasn’t a human. She was a mermaid, and he knew nothing about their make-ups except for the tiny tidbits Palmer had given him. Palmer didn’t trust his men enough to share the whole story and always wanted the wealth of power to reside on him.
Dampness flickered on Leif’s skin, and coldness penetrated his heart. There was something not right about this cave. ’Twas not an animal that worried him. There was something else here.
Isabella screamed.
His beating heart shattered into a zillion pieces, and he hurried, cursing himself for not changing into a dragon. He skidded to a stop. A pair of red eyes stared at him. “Hello, Leif. So good of you to join us.”
He couldn’t breathe—Zuto.
Chapter 9
Breathing hard, Isabella stared at the evil red eyes. She lifted up her feet, but it was as if they were encased in quicksand. She pressed her body against the cold stone wall.
“How can this be?” Leif asked. “You canna leave your island.”
“Now, the lass is trapped. Take her now. I command you.” The demon’s cold voice sent chills down her spine.
Isabella struggled, desperate to escape. Leif had said he wouldn’t rape her, but had that been a lie? She had no intention of being the vessel to produce a child for the demon to kill for its power. Not when she had one last breath.
Heavy footsteps dragged on the dirt floor, closer and closer. “I’m sorry, lass. I canna...control...myself.”
The demon released a smug laugh, pretty pleased with himself, but he’d underestimated her. Something she wouldn’t let him forget.
With the clam shell gone, she was in control of her song. She didn’t have the strength to fight Leif, but she had something better. She opened her mouth and sang a song of pure love.
“No! Stop it!” The red eyes narrowed. “Do as I say, or I’ll hurt the dragon.”
Something slammed into the wall next to her. Leif cursed, his voice gasping. More sounds of scraping, crunching, and crashing echoed in the cave. Leif cried out in pain.
Isabella hated to hear him be in such torment, but she refused to give into fear and put forth all of her power in to her song. Tingles swept over her, and her heart beat stronger, sending waves of power through her. Her voice was stronger and louder. The air in the cave lightened, and sunlight pierced the darkness.
The horrible sounds ceased, and something lay motionless on the floor.
“You bitch!” The demon shrieked as his red eyes faded.
Isabella pulled on her arms and legs. She could move! She could run to freedom and return to the sea. Maybe Father could heal her! She knew he could. She ran deeper into the cave, but a weary groan made her skid to a stop. Leif was hurt. He was a pirate, sailing on one of the foulest ships on the ocean, but he’d healed her and rescued her from the Fiery Damsel. How could she leave him in pain? He’d deserved better than this.
She rushed back to where Leif lay lifeless on the dirt floor. She knelt. “Leif, can you hear me?”
“Aye.”
His thick voice was wracked with pain, and he didn’t move. She touched his shoulder, and he released a loud hiss.
“My shoulder’s dislocated, and my arm’s broken.” He tilted his head. “Go...go...while you can. Donna worry about me. I’ll heal.”
She shook her head. “I can’t leave you like this.”
He panted hard and beads of sweet glistened on his forehead. “The demon will be back. There’s somethin’ not right about this cave. He has a link to it. I still feel his power.”
Ignoring the fear in the pit of her stomach, she gave him a determined stare. “Then we don’t have much time. We must escape while we can.”
“I canna move.” His weary voice tore at her heart.
She frowned. “You can’t walk?”
He wiped the sweat off his brow with his shaking arm. “I can, but I’m too slow.”
She clasped his arm. “Let me help you.”
He cast his gaze over her and sighed heavily. “There’s no way you can help me walk. You’re too frail.”
“Don’t underestimate me. Can you sit?”
“I think so.”
She helped him to a sitting position, careful not to bump his dislocated shoulder. “Is your other shoulder hurt?”
“No,” he panted.
“We must hurry. When we were out in the daylight, Zuto wasn’t able to track us. There must be something about this cave.”
“Help me stand.”
Isabella clasped his arm, and gritting her teeth, she helped him stand. He leaned heavily against her, and she had to brace herself to keep both of them from toppling over. It was as if she was trying to hold up a sinking ship. Together, they inched their way down the dirt floor. It was slow going. Leif had to stop and catch his breath every few feet. His warm breath brushed over her hot skin. He leaned more and more against her, pushing her away. Her arms shook as she tried to keep him from falling over. Their panting echoed off the walls.
The air turned damp, the floor muddy. Loud thumping echoed through the cave, and mist thickened the air, blinding her. She knew that sound—a waterfall. It could help in their escape. Her feet sank into puddles. Once or twice, she slipped, and they crashed onto the floor. Pain slammed into her knees, and she bit her tongue. Normally, she was so much stronger than this. Of her sisters, she was the strongest. She’d been able to open a tightly shut giant clam without breaking a sweat. Not many mermaids could do this, but her muscles were bunched up and strained as if she’d been pushing back on the hull of the ship. She’d tried doing this once before and pulled every muscle in her body. She was weary, and she fought the temptation to sleep. It had to be the poison.
She pulled on Leif’s arm, and thankfully, he was able to stand. The darkness dimmed, and she could make out his face. His right eye was swollen shut, and trickles of blood ran from his nose. Black, blue, and gray bruises covered his chest. Dampness drenched her dress, and she could hear the roar of water. Hope swelled inside her. If she could get to water, she could get them out of here. She’d only hoped she could keep carrying Leif before they both sank to the muddy floor again.
They turned a corner, and the cave opened up to a thundering waterfall. She could replenish her power and hopefully slow down the poison. “It’s a waterfall. Come on.”
He swayed. “What are you doin’?”
Isabella didn’t answer. She peered over the ledge and smiled. The water crashed into a pool beneath them. Finally, her element! Without waiting for him to answer, she shoved him off the cliff. He screamed, his arms and legs flailing.
Leif splashed into the water and sank. He couldn’t believe the wench had pushed him. He tried to claw to the surface, but agony slammed into his shoulder and his mangled and twisted arm. He sucked in water. A sharp pain pounded into his ribs. The bloody demon mu
st have broken at least three ribs. He couldn’t see out of one eye. His heart quickened. Air squeezed out of his burning lungs, replaced with rushing water. His head swam, and the surface was too far away.
Isabella swam over to him and kissed him. He clung to her and hung on tightly. Water gushed out of his lungs to be replaced with sweet air. She released him, and panic seized him, but he suddenly realized he could breathe underwater.
She flashed him a knowing smile. Her brown hair fanned out around her head, and her green eyes actually sparkled, prettier than any emerald. Her skin glittered as if she’d been sprinkled with fairy dust. The ripped gown was more like wispy lace. He forgot to breathe and choked. She kissed him again. Her lips were smooth and succulent, and the panic threatening to consume him subsided. She released him and wrapped her arm around his and gently pulled him to the surface. Ignoring the pain, he kicked his legs and burst through the water, sucking in glorious air.
The roar of the waterfall echoed off the walls. Droplets of water sprayed onto his face. A misty haze hung in the air. They were in some kind of cavern, and stalactites of every size hung from the ceiling while stalagmites sprouted out of the rocky cave floor. “Isabella?”
“I’m here.” She intertwined her arm with his. “Swim with me.”
Not wanting to be a burden, he allowed her to lead him to the edge of the pool. He clung to the edge panting, not sure how the hell he was going to climb up. His right arm was useless, and there was no way he could put any pressure on the right side of his body. ’Twas as if it had been smashed by a runaway carriage.
Isabella climbed out of the pool and put her arm underneath his armpit.
He shook his head. “There’s no way you can lift me.”
“Trust me.”
“Just leave me be.”
She frowned. “Quit being so dramatic. Can you push up on your left hand?”
“Aye.”
“Then do it.”
He glowered. “I’ll crush you.”
“No, you won’t. I don’t know how the demon was able to project himself here, but I fear we are still in danger. Now, move.”
“You’ll never be able to lift me, lass. Get out of here while you can.”
“Stop being a doubting Poseidon.” Without waiting for another protest, she lifted his arm, pulling him half out of the pool on one side. Her muscles strained, and she trembled but wouldn’t give up. “Now, crawl out.”
He hauled himself onto his side and rolled onto his back. “You’re unbelievable, lass.”
She smiled at the astonishment in his voice. She only wished her father would appreciate her instead of constantly ridiculing her.
“I know you’re tired, but we have to keep moving.”
With his one good eye, he looked at her as if she was crazy. He grumbled under his breath, and she couldn’t hear what he said, but it didn’t matter. He tossed away her arm as he stood to his full height, a broken-down pirate, determined to survive.
He took a step and stumbled.
“Stubborn pirate.” She seized his arm and draped it around her shoulders. “Lean on me.”
Thankfully, he didn’t protest, and they weaved around the stalagmites. Some of them were twice as tall as Leif and others only came to her knee. Light flickered ahead, and she prayed that was the way out. The caw of birds gave her hope, and she dragged Leif toward the entrance. He needed to rest, and she needed to figure out what to do.
She burped, and acid burned in her chest. It tasted foul and left an awful aftertaste in her mouth, as if she’d drank a gallon of octopus ink. Fear wriggled up her spine. ’Twas Zuto’s poison. ’Twas starting, and she was no closer to finding a cure.
“What’s wrong?” Leif asked.
“Nothing.”
He frowned. “I donna believe you.”
“Believe what you want. I’m just tired of carrying you.”
He stopped abruptly. “Then we should rest.”
She tilted her toward a narrowing open where a large fern grew and yanked his arm hard. “Not until we’re through.”
If he’d been in better shape, she wouldn’t have been able to move him an inch, but he stumbled and fell into her, knocking them both onto the ground, squashing the wind out of her lungs. He lay on top of her, and she pushed on his chest. Tossing his head back, he growled and his eyes turned gold. The dragon glared at her, but he raised his head and looked toward the opening.
“Can’t...breathe,” she gasped.
He rolled to his left side. They both panted for a minute.
Shots fired, and a parrot flew into the cave, flying over their head, cawing erratically.
“Are they in there? Zuto, the bastard, said they were in there.”
Leif seized her hand and mouthed silently “Palmer.”
Her heart beating maniacally, Isabella clutched his hand tight, wishing she wasn’t shaking so badly, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to be dragged back to the ship and forced to mate with Leif with Palmer and the rest of the foul creatures watching.
She glanced at Leif’s bruised face. He couldn’t see out of one eye, and he had massive bruises on his chest. His arm was twisted at an odd angle. She didn’t think he had the strength to turn into a dragon, and if even he did, with his broken arm, she doubted he could fly. Zuto was crafty and had sent his crew to retrieve them. This wasn’t going to happen. There had to be a way out of this cave besides through the opening. At least ’twas only big enough for one man to fit through.
Leif looked into Isabella’s determined eyes. She was trembling, but she wasn’t crouching in fear. She’d fight to survive.
Every inch hurt. Since his arm was broken, Dracul said he couldn’t fly. He could heal other people, but not himself. He’d have to wait until the full moon tomorrow night. A lot could happen in a day.
The opening would only allow one man to fit through.
Dracul, I know we can’t fly, but our fire still works, doesna it?
Of course.
Then transform, and let’s give Palmer a nasty surprise.
Leif gently wiggled his hand out from under Isabella’s. She gave him a quizzical look, but he gently shook his head. He rolled onto his hand and his knees, his other arm pressed against his gut. It hurt like hell, but he couldn’t let even one of those bastards in the cave. His muscles and skin contorted rapidly, faster than before.
His right wing hung limp to his side, and even in dragon form, he couldn’t open his swollen eye. The pain was twice as bad as a dragon, but Leif shoved it aside. His only concern was protecting Isabella.
“Look, ’tis Black, Captain,” Jackman said. He was a tall, slender man, a gambler who’d played against Palmer and lost. He’d had the choice of death or servitude to Palmer. Many times, he’d told Leif he thought he’d made the wrong choice. Leif hoped it wouldn’t be him he’d have to burn.
For once, luck was on his side.
“I see Zuto had his way with you, Black.” Palmer squeezed through the opening and ducked his head. “Where’s the bitch?”
Anger spewed through Leif, and he hissed. He squinted his good eye, and a stream of fire engulfed Palmer, who spun around screaming. Jackman dove to the side of the opening, disappearing from Leif’s line of sight.
A fiery Palmer took a step toward them, and Leif released another stream. Palmer dove toward the narrow doorway, screaming. Men yelled, and footsteps trampled outside, but no one crossed the opening. The smell of hair and burnt flesh hung in the air. Leif couldn’t chance the pirates sneaking back into the cave. He waddled over to the opening and swung his tail hard. A crack split over the slit, and rocks and dirt crumpled, sealing it shut. Dust hovered in the air, and then floated down to the cave floor. A pebble skipped down the heap of rock and dirt.
Isabella rushed over to him and put her arms around his thick neck. “You did it.”
She doubted me? I’m a red dragon. I protect what is mine.
We protect what’s ours.
Leif stilled
at the thought. He’d never wanted a woman. They were spoiled and demanding, and he was too busy figuring out a way to protect his sisters to care about a courtship. But this had changed since he’d met Isabella.
He slowly changed back into a man. Isabella stepped away, but he wanted to kiss her. He hurt everywhere, but her soft touch lessened the throbbing agony in his chest and his arm. He grabbed her and pulled her to his chest. Not waiting for her to protest, he kissed her, wanting to sample her womanly taste. He waited for her to beat on his chest and twist away, but she surprised him. She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him, pressing her slim body next to his.
He kissed her possessively, wanting her to know how much he wanted her. He explored every corner of her sweet mouth, wanting to brand her as his. She met his fervor and clutched his shoulders tight. He stiffened and groaned.
She immediately pulled away. “I’m sorry. I hurt you.”
“It doesna matter. Tomorrow night, I’ll heal.”
She studied his shoulder. “Sit.”
“We have to keep movin’.” He nodded his head toward the rubble. “Palmer will have his men diggin’ through the mess and send someone in to hunt us.”
“Not until I look at your arm. You need a sling.”
“We donna have time—”
She snapped her fingers. “Sit.”
’Twas not too hard to follow her order. His wobbling legs were struggling to hold him up, and the pain made him dizzy. He sat on a boulder, trying to catch his breath.
Isabella ripped a long strip of cloth from her dress, revealing a slender shapely leg. Her legs were the firmest female legs he’d ever seen, and he wanted to run his hand on her thigh to feel those feminine muscles again. She caught him staring at her leg, and he shrugged, giving her a smirk.
“You’re incorrigible,” she said, as she walked over.
“I know.”
She tied the strip around his neck. “This will hurt. On three. One....”
Leif gritted his teeth and looked into her eyes.
“Two...”