The Cursed Doubloon

by B. T. Love

  “No, not at all. You’re just somewhat of a different pirate, that’s all.”

  “And how is it that I am different?”

  “Well, first off you look very clean. And secondly you use the words of a pirate, but you don’t really sound like one. Pirates growl everything; you still sound proper.”

  “Would you like me to start growling?”

  “Heaven’s no, not to me at least. But feel free to speak as unintelligently as you can when you are in the presence of Keelhaul and his crew.”

  “I will try my best, but it’s a hard habit to break.”

  My father approached us casually with his hands laced behind his back and his captain’s hat sitting high on his head. He gave Ladarius a once over. “Ye be ready fer this, Lad?”

  “Aye, Captain.”

  “Good. I be dependin’ on ye to be gettin’ me Melody back. Don’t be messin’ this up.”

  “Don’t worry. I can be quite convincing, especially to a crowd of drunken pirates.”

  My father nodded. “Do ye be havin’ a plan?”

  “Well, after working my way over the rocks I’ll go straight to the tavern to seek out Keelhaul. I’ll approach him dead on and tell him I am interested in joining his crew.”

  “And ye be thinkin’ that will work?”

  Ladarius pondered his question. “I may have to treat him to some rum first, just to get on his good side. And I’ll talk him up, tell him how much I’ve looked up to him and wanted to work beneath him on Hades Halo. He’ll most likely have his ego stroked and fall victim to my compliments.”

  “Well we’ll be waitin’ fer yer return to this very spot.”

  “Aye aye, Sir.”

  My father grunted and stood quietly for a moment before bringing his hands around to the front of him. In his grasp was a leather belt which held a curved sword and a flintlock pistol. “The crew be puttin’ their money together and be gettin’ ye this.”

  Ladarius’s eyes widened. “A cutlass and a pistol? For me?” His eyes were shining as he took it from him and laced it around his waist. “It’s perfect. Thank you all so much.”

  My father huffed under his breath and flipped around, taking the spot next to John and joining him in his spying.

  Ladarius smiled. “I really look like a pirate now.”

  “That you do. You look very handsome.”

  His smile slowly faded and his eyes met with mine. “I will miss you, Grace.”

  “Yes, I will miss you, too.”

  “Will you walk with me once more before I leave?”

  “I would love nothing more.”

  He held his arm out and I took it, resting my hand against the solid bicep hidden beneath his shirt sleeve. We strolled along the length of the ship in silence, breathing the sea air in and out, both of us dreading his soon departure.

  When we got to the stern he stopped. “I want to give you something,” he said, reaching into the pocket of his trousers. He pulled out his hand and opened his fingers. The other pearl tear was sitting in the center of his palm.

  “You want to give it to me?” I asked with shock.

  “Yes.”

  “But why? You only get two in your lifetime.”

  “Because you deserve to have one.”

  I smiled and dropped my eyes to his palm once again. “It’s beautiful. Are you sure you want to give it to me? You already gave me the rose-colored pearl.”

  “Yes, and you deserved that as well.”

  “You never told me what your gift actually meant. You told me you loved me for the first time that night, I assumed it was a symbol of your love.”

  “It is,” he nodded. “But, it’s much more than that.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes. In our realm a rose-colored pearl is a symbol of everlasting devotion. They are taken quite seriously.”

  “Everlasting devotion? You mean that you will love me forever?”

  “Yes but it’s also a symbol of our bonding together. When a merman gives a mermaid a rose-colored pearl and she accepts it, it means they are forever in union and belong to one another. No one else can ever break that bond or even try to. It’s, in a sense, a marriage proposal.”

  I pulled in a pleased breath of air. “A marriage proposal? And I didn’t even know it. You mermen have strange ways of going about things.”

  “That is true,” he agreed with a smile. “But you are unaware of our customs so the fact that you accepted it didn’t bond us necessarily. But now that you do know . . .”

  “I gladly accept.”

  His cheeks lifted with a grin. “You do? That’s wonderful!”

  “Yes, it is wonderful. But your brother was clearly unhappy about you offering it to me.”

  “Forget about my brother. This is about you and me. I love you, Grace. I want you to know how deep my love for you goes.”

  I carefully took his last pearl tear into my fingers. “I love you too, Ladarius. And I will hold this pearl for safe keeping and use it when it is right.”

  He pulled me against his warm body and kissed me deeply. He was always serious with his affection but this time it was much different. I sensed something else about him—a worry, a fear. He kissed me as if it were to be our last.

  His lips left mine and I hugged him tightly. “Please come back to me, my Ladarius.”

  * * *

  I never was one to chew my fingernails, but Ladarius’s departure was nerve-racking. It had been two days since he had left, and every second that passed seemed like an eternity. Did Keelhaul and his crew see through his charade? Was he being tortured or even worse, was he dead? I tried to spy on Hades Halo through my father’s spyglass but I couldn’t make out much. The one thing I was grateful for was that Keelhaul’s ship never left port. Maybe his selling was quite profitable in that little town and he was taking a rest from sailing for a few days. Either way, I prayed that Ladarius would return quickly so I could know he was safe.

  Night fell on the end of the second day and I retired to my tiny candle-lit quarters after the last pirate went below deck. Lying on my bed, I took my two treasured pearls out of my nightstand drawer and held them to my chest. What wonderful gifts they were. “Please be safe, my love,” I whispered while cradling them in my palm, acting as if they were some sort of portal to speak to Ladarius.

  A thump vibrated the deck outside. I quickly stashed the pearls back in the drawer and sprung up from my bed. My first thought was that Ladarius had returned but there was also the possibility that an enemy had come aboard, perhaps one of Keelhaul’s men. I reached between my two mattresses and pulled out a small dagger—my only weapon—and crept carefully across the room.

  “Grace,” a voice whispered.

  I pulled open the door to see Ladarius standing solidly in front of me with a black sack clutched tightly in his hand. “Ladarius!” I cried out, throwing my arms around him with happy tears welling up in the corners of my eyes. “I was so worried! I was afraid they had figured out your plan!”

  “I’m perfectly fine,” he said with a smile in his voice while pulling me against him with his free arm. “It was a challenge at first working my way onto the ship but I finally did it and I got Melody back.”

  I pulled my head back with disbelief. “You did? How? Where is she?”

  “She’s in here,” he said while lifting the sack for me to see. “She sure was a feisty little one when it came to putting her in here. She bit me right on the knuckle.”

  “I cannot believe it! You actually did it my love!”

  “Yes, now let’s go take her to your father. I can’t wait to see his face when I show him.” He grabbed my hand and we took off down the deck, stopping close to his room when we heard the familiar drunken snore. “You think he will wake up?”

  “We will make him,” I grinned. I slammed my palm against the wooden door. “Father! Father wake up!” Not wanting to waste any more time I pushed it open. There he was, passed out cold with one leg hanging off the edge of his matt
ress. “Father! Wake up this instant!”

  “What?” he snarled. “Leave me be.”

  “Melody is back!”

  “The curse be puttin’ fog in me path so me ship—”

  “Father!” I hollered next to him while giving his cheek a gentle slap. “You’re dreaming. Wake up and see what Ladarius has brought you!”

  His left eye cracked open and adjusted to the candle light that flickered in his window. “What it be? Is Lad back? Did he bring me Melody with him?”

  “Yes, Captain,” Ladarius answered. “She is safe and sound right here in your chambers.”

  His other eye opened and he sat up in an instant, looking for his bird. “Where she be?”

  He held the bag out in front of him. “In here.”

  “Melody?” My father’s voice was desperate as he took the bag from his grasp. The creature inside stirred around as he pulled away at the knot and opened the sack. Melody flew out in a panic, her loose feathers scattering around the room. “Melody! Oh, me Melody!”

  Ladarius and I exchanged smiles at seeing the delight in my father’s eyes, which were now glistening. It took a few moments for the parrot to calm down but once my father grabbed her and patted her head she seemed to realize where she was.

  He moved the panting bird to his shoulder. “Good job, Lad. Ye actually did what ye told me ye would do. Ye’ve earned me respect.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” he replied with a confident nod. “I would do anything to be with your daughter, Sir.”

  “Well ye be havin’ me blessin’, I can tell ye that. And I be treatin’ ye to a round of rum when we get to a safer place. Right now we need to be weighin’ anchor and leavin’ this place. Surely Keelhaul will be an angry devil when he be realizin’ his stolen bird be stolen away from him.”

  “Aye aye, Captain. I’ll wake the men and get them to ready the ship to leave port within the hour.”

  “Nonsense! Ye did well enough to earn yerself a much needed rest. Take the night off and visit with me Gracie. I be alertin’ me men meself.”

  “As you wish,” he said, bowing out and leaving the room while flashing me the whitest of smiles.

  I came to my father’s side and scratched Melody’s cheek. “See Father? I told you Ladarius was a friend.”

  “Aye, Gracie.”

  “And now you have the secret to your hidden treasure back. What a wonderful thing it all is.”

  “Yes, that be so.”

  Melody’s beak opened and closed as she gulped the sea air. “I do believe she is thirsty. I’m sure she’s been through a lot these last couple of days. You better make sure to give her some water.”

  “That be a good idea.” He gave her a sideways glance and smiled lovingly at her. “Does some water be soundin’ good me Melody?”

  My downturned smile was followed by a quiet sigh as I took in the sight of his loving devotion for his bird. Gone were the days when my father looked at me the same way. Maybe if I were to be a link to his hidden treasure then he would look at me so lovingly. I tried my best not to take it personally. He was a cursed man, after all.

  “Well, goodnight Father. And goodnight to you as well, Melody.” I gave her another scratch and left the room to find Ladarius.

  The curtains to my room were open while I had waited for Ladarius’s return, but now they were closed. Candle light flickered melodically behind the delicate fabric. I knew he was in there, waiting for me. I pushed open the door and smiled at the sight of him sitting comfortably on the edge of my bed. “You’re growing a beard,” I delighted.

  “It’s not much of a beard yet,” he said with a smile. “It’s just stubble really. Do you like it?”

  “Yes, I do actually. It’s quite masculine.”

  “Was I not masculine before?”

  “Oh, enough you,” I grinned. “You always have to challenge me don’t you?”

  “Yes, but you like to be challenged.”

  “I do.”

  He stood and pulled the bandana off of his head, his face growing serious, and I took an unsteady step backward. I don’t know what made me do that really, it wasn’t purposeful. His manful presence in front of me and the look in his eyes made me feel woozy, like the looks of him alone could knock me off of my feet within seconds.

  He took note of my odd movements. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his face morphing into a look of concern.

  “Um, nothing. Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Are you afraid?”

  “No,” I scoffed. “Of course I’m not afraid.”

  “Then why would you move away from me?”

  “I, I don’t know.”

  “I can tell when you’re not being honest with me.”

  “I am being honest. I’m most certainly not afraid of you.” He took a step toward me and my foot moved once again. “Oh, bloody hell!” I yelled.

  Ladarius laughed. “What is it? You’re acting so strangely, as if you are afraid of my approach.”

  “I’m not afraid . . . I’m, I’m nervous.”

  “Nervous?” His laughter subsided and he nodded with understanding, his lips curving into a content smile. “So, I make you nervous?”

  “Very.”

  “Well I would say that’s a good thing. Although, I don’t want you running away from me.”

  “I won’t run away from you, I can promise you that.”

  “That’s good to know. And since you like a challenge maybe your next one can be to stay still as I approach you.”

  “Uh, yes. Okay.”

  His boots quietly echoed off the walls of the tiny cabin as he walked the few steps it took to rest in front of me. “You won that challenge,” he said.

  “Yes, well, as you know, I like a challenge and I like beating them.”

  “What else do you like?” he asked, his deep voice barely above a whisper.

  His words stopped me from speaking. He was so close yet I couldn’t bring myself to touch him. His attractiveness literally paralyzed me, left me jailed inside of my own body with my desires. I had kissed him many times in our relationship and every time I felt lightheaded and excited. But tonight, I was overwhelmingly overtaken by his presence. My appetite for his body crippled me. I wanted to devour him.

  “Well, are you going to say anything my Grace?”

  “I, I can’t really find the words I wish to speak.”

  A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “There’s not much time before we will leave this place. Will you take a swim with me?”

  “A swim? At this hour?”

  “Yes, I’m quite dirty as you can tell. And don’t worry, I will keep you warm.”

  “Alright,” I nodded pleasantly. “Let’s go take a swim.”

  Eight: A Merman’s Love

  Hand in hand we waded into the sea while the sounds of my father’s crew scurrying around on deck disturbed the night air. The cold water stung at the tips of my toes and soaked into the bottom of my dress like it usually did when I swam late with Ladarius. He looked handsome with his hair tousled from the removal of his bandana and his gold hoop dangling from his ear, he himself dressed in nothing but his trousers.

  I shivered as the water reached my chest. “It’s very cold this evening. I should move around a bit more to get warm.”

  “Would you like to race me to that rock?” he asked, pointing to a tiny slab poking out of the surface.

  “That sounds like a nice challenge. Although you’ll most likely win I’m sure.”

  “Yes, you’re probably right.”

  “Hey,” I chuckled while splashing a handful of water at him. “There’s no need to agree with me so quickly. I am a fine swimmer, just not as fine as you.”

  “I am fine, aren’t I?”

  I shook my head and rolled my eyes with a smile. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you and your wittiness back. Now, get ready to race.” He nodded and waited for my count. “Three . . . two . . . one . . . go!” I took off with a splash, swimming as quickly as I
could toward our goal while working hard to pull the weight of my ocean-drenched dress behind me. After a moment I realized Ladarius was nowhere around. Did he go under water? I stopped and treaded along, looking around to spot him. “Ladarius? Where are you?”

  “I’m over here,” he called out, laughter filling his voice. He was very far behind.

  I pushed my hands through the water in his direction. “What’s wrong? Are you trying to trick me or something?”

  “No, I can assure you I’m not. I just realized I have never tried swimming with two legs before. Thankfully I can still touch bottom where I’m at. Swimming like a human is actually quite hard.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, that’s nice,” he laughed in return. “Make fun of the poor merman who’s only had legs for a few day’s time.”

  When I reached his side I worked at hiding my smile. “What exactly did you do when you began to swim?”

  “I’m not telling you; you’ll just make fun of me some more.”

  “Oh, the unfortunate merman with the handsome face and the body of a god can’t take a little joke?”

  “Body of a god?” he repeated while pulling me against him with pride. “You think that of me, do you? Don’t you think you’re going a little too far?”

  “No, not at all. You’re the fittest man I’ve seen in my lifetime. Your body is amazing, like you were chiseled from fine stone . . .” My words trailed off quietly as I realized how easily I was going on about his attractiveness. I didn’t know what it was when I was in the water with him but I was so much more at ease, much more comfortable flirting and getting close. My only reasoning was that most of my relationship with him had taken place in the water. When he was a merman I always knew he could never possibly make love to me so it was easier to become comfortable in my advancements toward him. But when he stood before me as a man I shivered even more with desire. In my room earlier that night I knew he could consume me at that very moment. I became like a school girl, shy and awkward. That’s not what I wanted at all.

  “Chiseled from fine stone?” he went on, trying to continue the conversation past my sudden quietness. “That can’t be true, or else I would be sinking in the water as we speak.”