The Lady and the Pirate

by Bernadette Rowley

  “And I would still have been disappointed!”

  “Would you both stop this bickering?” Katrine had taken off her boots and was massaging her feet. “Honestly, you make my ears ache.”

  Esta snapped her mouth shut to quell the retort that hovered on her lips. Katrine was right. She was spending too much time fighting. It would do no good antagonizing her rival. She would sit back and await her chance to seize the advantage.

  Sam broke through a particularly dense patch of undergrowth and found himself on the rim of a huge grassy bowl. The sun was setting over the far side of the basin. He squinted against the glare, trying to make out the landmarks on the other side. Excitement prickled his scalp. The grassy bowl fit with the topography marked on the map. This could really be the right place. If it was, there would be a crack or crevice on the western side that led into a cave and the resting place of the prize.

  Lady Moonlight came up behind him. Her perfume engulfed him, adding to this strange awareness he had for her. He clenched his stomach against it and tried to ignore her proximity.

  “It fits the map,” she said into the silence. “Almost exactly.”

  “Light torches,” Sam said. “We’re going down.”

  “Now?” Esta asked.

  So much for ignoring her!

  “Yes, now.” Sam moved around, collecting dry sticks and larger firewood. “If you wish to be useful you can collect more wood while I get this started.”

  “Shouldn’t we make camp and tackle this in the morning? It will be dark soon and that will be dangerous.”

  “Stay here if you wish but I’m going down. That treasure has lain there long enough.”

  Lady Moonlight frowned. He was intrigued to know what was going through her mind. Was she hoping to delay him so she could sneak down with her men and spirit the treasure away? She hadn’t a hope of doing that. If she got past him and the Lenweri here, she had another lot to face back at the ship. Perhaps the lady hoped to find the treasure and take a sample for herself. No, none of that was possible, even in her stubborn mind. He shook his head, sick of trying to second guess her.

  “Wherever you go, I too shall go,” she said. “Be it on your head if one of us falls in the dark.”

  “The Lenweri will see us safely down as long as they don’t allow the torches to destroy their night vision. You’re welcome to come, unless you’re too tired, of course.”

  She pulled her shoulders back and raised her chin at him. “I could walk all night, Captain.”

  Sam couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. Walk all night indeed! She was dead on her feet and truth be known should be having an early night after yesterday’s head injury. But he would not be the one to tell her that.

  Esta’s frustration simmered. They had spent all day hacking their way up this mountain only to have to forge a way down this animal trail. Katrine worked in front of her again, her boundless energy getting under Esta’s skin as usual. They spent the entire night in the descent and, as the eastern sky lightened behind them, Esta stepped from the track and collapsed on the grassy floor of the bowl.

  She lay on her back in the damp grass, staring up at the sky, vaguely wondering if she would ever move again. Her head throbbed, her feet ached and the bandage around her forehead was wet with sweat and blood. She had scratches on every exposed piece of skin and a myriad of bites from the midges that had assailed them during the hours of dark. Samael approached and nudged her with a toe. She turned to him, ready to snap his head off but instead, was distracted by the sight of his chest gleaming in the faint light of dawn. He had loosened his buttons and was mopping his face and chest with his bandanna.

  “You did well, ladies,” he said. “That was as hard a trek as I’ve ever been on.” His eyes ran down her body and Esta’s face heated.

  He cleared his throat. “I thought we would rest here for several hours and then tackle the crossing after a late breakfast.”

  Esta didn’t wish to agree but she couldn’t move another muscle if her life depended on it. “That would be welcome,” she said. Her black wig itched like the devil. She would have given anything to be able to remove it right now. Samael watched her, seeming lost in thought. “If you don’t mind, Captain,” she said. “I’ll get some sleep while I can.” She sat up and began laying out her bedroll. By the time she had finished, Samael had moved to the far side of the camp and was making a fire. Esta fell asleep next to her sister, dreaming of a long hot bath and a decadent scalp massage.

  Sam stood before a crevice in the rock face on the western side of the bowl. The location fit the map—this had to be the opening to the vault that held the treasure. He lit another brand in the fire and stepped toward the dark cleft. A hand reached out and grabbed his arm.

  “Wait,” Lady Moonlight said, staring fixedly at the fissure.

  “What is it now?” Sam asked. “Do you wish to argue more about who wins and who loses out of this?”

  She sent him a withering look. “When we found the map and key, there was a spell cast over them. This place could be guarded by one as well. If not here then there may be one further in.”

  Sam turned back to the opening and swallowed down his fear. He didn’t like magic of any kind, although Lady Star made it seem rather entrancing. “Lucky we have your sister to investigate for us. Lady Star?”

  The woman in question stepped up beside him. “I see no reason to help you when you have said you won’t include us in the spoils. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

  Sam huffed out a breath.

  Of all the manipulative, rotten…

  He should just barge in and hang the risk but that would be stupid. Still, there may be no threat and then he would have handed part of the treasure to the women for no reason. It wasn’t right! He had earned this.

  “Well, Captain?” Lady Moonlight said. “My sister has a point, don’t you think? Or would you like to risk death by entering without her help?”

  Sam looked to the heavens. “What did I ever do to deserve the company of two conniving women?”

  Lady Star smirked but her older sister merely stared at him, arms crossed and awaiting his decision.

  “Fine,” he said. “Lady Star, would you be so kind as to check for spells before we enter. I will cut you and Moonlight a share of the booty, say ten per cent?”

  “Say fifty per cent and we have a deal,” Lady Moonlight said.

  “You leave me speechless, woman,” Sam snapped. “This is what you planned when you insisted on coming only I didn’t see it until it was too late.”

  “Believe what you will,” Lady Moonlight said. “It doesn’t change the fact that you need us.”

  Sam ground his teeth, refusing to look at her and desperately seeking a way not to give in. There was none that he could see. “Deal,” he said. “Fifty per cent share but only if you discern and disable at least one magic trap.” That condition was pure genius.

  Lady Moonlight didn’t even consult her sister but nodded slowly. Boy, she was arrogant—totally unilateral in her approach to situations. By the look on her sister’s face, it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  Sam nodded back. “Good. Now, Lady Star can you work your magic so we can progress?”

  Lady Star stepped toward the crevice. Eyes closed and palms outstretched. She advanced slowly until her hands touched the rock. Not a thing happened that Sam could see. She opened her eyes and muttered words that made no sense. Still nothing…

  “Let me go first.” She walked through the crevice and disappeared into the dark. When Lady Moonlight tried to follow her he held her back.

  “Wait,” he said, every nerve in his body screaming at him to follow the young witch to ensure she was safe.

  “Take your hands from me, Captain,” Lady Moonlight snapped. “I don’t need your protection or whatever it is you are trying to do.”

  “It wouldn’t hurt you to let someone close once in a while, lady.” Sam said, refusing to remove his hands. The brown eyes that peered up
at him were fearful.

  Of him? “Do you trust anyone?”

  She snorted. “Trust? How could I trust you? You robbed me of the keys to this treasure.”

  “Why must it always come back to that? You’re alive because of me. Surely that has earned me a measure of trust?”

  The look she sent him was even more wary. “Why do you care? After this, our paths need never cross again.”

  “I don’t know.” It was a fair question. He shouldn’t care but he did. It hurt him that she wouldn’t allow him closer. He didn’t even know her real name. “Perhaps I think it sad that you don’t even trust your sister?” If he had a sibling, Sam didn’t think he would disregard then as easily as this lady did her sister.

  “I do trust her.”

  Sam raised his brows. “Do you?”

  She turned away. “Of course I do.”

  At that moment, they were saved by Lady Star’s return. “It’s safe for now. I detected no spells.”

  Sam smiled at her. “You could have told me you thwarted a dozen spells and how could I have proven you didn’t?”

  Lady Star tilted her head to one side. “I don’t lie, Captain. My sister on the other hand…let’s just say you are fortunate I’m the one with the magic.” She turned and slipped back inside before Lady Moonlight had a chance to respond.

  “Well?” Sam said.

  “I do not lie,” the lady snapped.

  “Seems to support the lack of trust theory I proposed earlier.” Sam lit a brand and passed it to her.

  “Oh shut up,” she said, following her sister through the fissure.

  Esta entered a narrow slit through the solid rock of the hill. Katrine was just ahead, her torch bobbing in darkness that seemed to eat up the light. Samael grumbled behind her—something about foolhardy women. There was no room for him to squeeze past and take the lead so he would have to stay where he was. A handful of Lenweri brought up the rear, the remaining force from the Silver Lady having been left behind to guard the entrance.

  He was wrong. She could and did trust. Didn’t she? His words ate at her, challenged her. His very presence was an assault on her independence. When he was near, she found her ears tuning to him, her eyes drawn to him, her body urging a closeness that did not make sense.

  She knew little of him except he was handsome and brave and loved his parents. He appeared to be a good captain who looked after his crew. Was he a man worthy of her trust? More integral, was his earlier question—did she actually trust anyone? Katrine? When it came down to naming names, who made that list?

  Esta was shocked to find that she could not place anyone on that page. So shocked, she stopped dead in the passageway. Samael walked into her. His hands reached out to prevent her fall—warm hands, capable hands, attached to strong arms that enfolded her waist and pulled her back against his chest. A tingle ran right through her and she rested for a moment in the circle of his embrace, wondering what it would be like to be cared for by him.

  “This is hardly the place for a romantic interlude, Moonlight,” he whispered against her ear.

  Esta was so shocked she couldn’t speak for a time. “That is the furthest thing from my mind I assure you, Captain.” She pushed away and his hands slid from her hips ever so slowly, almost a caress. Esta shivered, her thoughts conjuring his hands in other places on her body. She sensed he was gifted in the art of pleasuring a woman while she was a complete novice. Excitement bubbled through her and she experienced an aching regret as his fingertips slipped away.

  Get a grip on yourself you ninny!

  Years of denying herself the company of men must be catching up with her. Now of all times, she could hardly afford to be distracted by Samael Delacost’s striking face and wandering hands.

  They resumed their trek. Katrine’s torch had disappeared but Esta discerned a lightening of the passage. That was surely impossible. She hurried forward, concerned for her sister and what she might find up ahead.

  The passage opened out into a circular chamber. In the center was a huge stalactite balanced over a small pond. Sunlight streamed down though a fissure in the roof. Light struck the stalactite and radiated in all directions. Katrine stood gazing at it and Esta hurried to her side.

  “I was worried for you,” Esta said.

  Katrine smirked. “I can look after myself.”

  Again Esta was struck by the edge to Katrine’s voice as if something ate at her. Esta wished she would come out and say what was wrong, not jab and niggle. She didn’t have time for games.

  Delacost joined them. “Beautiful,” he said. “That can’t be ice, it’s not cold enough. Is it crystal?”

  “Yes,” Katrine said. “I believe so. It’s the site of the treasure. Now hush so I can determine how to defeat it.”

  “It’s guarded then?” Samael asked, sending a look at the Lenweri that had them spreading out through the chamber.

  “I’ll let you know if you give me some space.”

  Samael moved away from the edge of the pool and stood beside Esta, close enough for her to feel the heat coming from his body. His hand brushed hers and she jumped. It was just a chance touch but the charge that surged between them was real, not imagined. He looked down at her, excitement blazing from his eyes. A smile quirked his lips and Esta was drawn toward them. A shiver ran through her as she fantasized about those lips on her skin. His pupils dilated, eyes dipping toward her mouth and Esta panicked. She swallowed several times but found no voice. Finally she took a step away from him. The only way to deny this man was to stay remote, both physically and emotionally. He could never be anything but a nuisance to her. She had to remember that.

  Instead, Esta focused on Katrine, taking a deep breath and wrapping herself in calm. She wasn’t very good at calm. Little frissons of fear tripped around her body and she didn’t know if it was the crystal or the man beside her firing her nerve endings.

  Katrine appeared to be in a trance, her hands outstretched. The crystal began to pulsate, sending waves of blinding light into the chamber. Esta raised her hands to shield her eyes but even so, her skull throbbed in time with the light.

  “Lady, are you well?” Samael took a step toward Katrine.

  Esta pulled him back, the muscles of his forearm firm beneath her fingers. “If you interrupt, you could endanger my sister or yourself.”

  He looked down at her. “You do trust her then?”

  “It seems in some things, yes I do. This is her area of expertise and she is good, very good.”

  “It’s a strange trade to get into,” Samael said.

  “Hush.”

  Esta stared with rapt attention as the pulsations of the crystal increased in frequency, and then closed her eyes when she could no longer look upon the gem. She could see the flashes of the rock through her eyelids and her skull ached but she could feel nothing else. She would give anything to be able to do what Katrine could.

  A cry rang through the chamber and Esta opened her eyes to find the crystal’s light had engulfed Katrine and the two pulsed in ever frantic beats. She was no longer certain that Katrine could handle the magic contained within this space.

  Esta hurried to her sister’s side. “What can I do?” she asked, squinting against the light.

  Katrine’s face was contorted with the strain of the battle she fought. Is she losing the fight? “Katrine, what can I do to help?” Her voice was low, urgent but free of the panic she struggled to control.

  “Take Delacost…stand on the other side…hold hands and I’ll direct part of the flow into you. You may be able to diffuse it.”

  Esta turned immediately, grabbed Samael by the hand and pulled him around to the ledge opposite Katrine. The crystal hung between them. “Ready.”

  “Ready for what?” Samael’s hold was tight on her fingers. “Is she in trouble?”

  “She is, Captain. Are you willing to take some of the light so that she may win through?”

  “Of course. Is it safe?”

  Esta liked
the way he immediately agreed before asking about the risk. “I don’t know. I don’t like what it’s doing to her.”

  They had no more time to talk as they were engulfed in a blinding beam of light. It speared through Esta and it was as if another heart beat within her. She gritted her teeth, took a deep breath and tried to welcome as much as she could into her body. All her joints ached, her toes curled in her boots and her hair stood on end. She had nothing to spare for Samael, all her being focused on handling the light within.

  As suddenly as it came, the light winked out. Esta sagged as it left her and collapsed sobbing against Samael. He took ragged breaths into his body and seemed not to be aware of her. Eventually his arms wrapped around her and Esta breathed in his spicy scent. Surprisingly, it calmed her.

  When she raised her head, Samael was looking down at her, fear in his eyes. “I think we nearly died, Moonlight. Remind me of that the next time you drag me into the fray.”

  With his words, they both looked for Katrine. She had collapsed on the far side of the pond. Esta’s fear took her breath as she ran around the rim to her prone sister. Her hands flew to Katrine’s chest and she felt a steady heartbeat. She collapsed across her sister, relief that she was alive overwhelming everything else.

  “Is she…?” Samael asked.

  “She’s alive,” Esta said, her face wet with tears.

  “She won’t be so for long if you squash her chest,” Samael said. “Sit up so I can check her breathing.”

  Esta pushed up, embarrassed and berating herself for her stupidity. He was right, damn it. Katrine might not be out of the woods yet. She watched as Samael examined her sister, checking her breathing and feeling over her for hurts.

  “She is breathing on her own but it’s shallow,” he said. “Her heart is strong enough and the only wounds I can find are these two small marks on her palms.” Samael showed Esta the burns, at least that was what they looked like.

  Esta removed her cloak, wrapped it and lay it under Katrine’s head. She took her sister’s hand. It was cold, except for the area of the mark which was still too hot to touch. “What can we do for her?”