by K.N. Lee
“Right this way. Watch your step. Some of the floorboards are a bit… delicate.”
The ships wooden walls were cracked in some places and worn in others. She’d never been on a ship before and with each creak of the floorboards and the constant swaying that nearly knocked her from her feet, she wondered if it was indeed seaworthy.
She hated to be rescued from the gallows only to drown.
He stopped before a door and turned the knob, opening it for her.
“I could have done that,” Rowen said, worried about his arm.
“Hey,” he said. “I’m not too weak to open a door, miss.”
Before she went inside, she looked behind her to the cabin right across from hers.
“Is that the captain’s room?” Rowen asked as she took a step closer for a better look. The cabin was much larger than the one Gavin claimed was her own. There was a large wooden desk covered with maps and rolled scrolls. In the corner, she saw a claw foot tub and in the other corner sat a bed with a canopy.
“That’s right. You’re on a boat full of pirates. Some of them haven’t seen a woman in over a year from what I’ve heard. ‘Cept for Siddhe. She’s a mermaid and belongs to the captain.”
“Oh,” Rowen said, her brows lifting. She knew there was something different about the woman.
“I hate to speak ill of any of them, since I don’t know anyone here very well… but I’m going to anyway. You want to be where you’re going to stay safe from,” he coughed and gave her a pointed look that struck home. “Male attention… if you get my meaning, miss.”
She did get his meaning and a wave of nausea washed over her. If all she had was a wounded human and a pirate captain that looked at her with disdain to protect her from the other men, she was going to need to figure out a better way to look out for herself.
“Yes,” she whispered, turning away from the captain’s room. She glanced at Gavin. “I get it.” She nodded and stepped inside, her hands folded before her. A quick look around the room and she settled on the short bed that was pushed against the wall. There was a single crate, an oil lamp, and a chest for storing things.
Gavin sat on the chest and turned his body so that his back was pressed to the wall and his legs were long ways over the rest of the chest.
The rocking of the ship was unnerving, as was the crashing of thunder she heard outside.
“It’s storming?”
Gavin looked up to the ceiling, listening. “Sounds like it.”
She avoided staring at his bare chest. Her mother would die if she knew Rowen was alone with a half-dressed man in a bedroom.
Rowen shook her head. What did it matter? Her former life was over, and so were the trivial ideals she’d been brought up with. Her reputation was already destroyed. There was no coming back from being deemed a murderer. To add to it, the entire kingdom would know that she was a magic user as well.
Nevertheless, she was alive. Every minute that she was free from the noose was a minute longer than her prophecy foretold. Life. That was all Rowen cared about. She may have a bruise where the noose had been, but breath still filled her lungs. Whatever happened from here on out would build her new history.
Until the next prophecy presented itself.
She did something she hadn’t done since she was a little girl. She chewed her thumb’s nail and pondered how she changed the prophecy. Only a prophet could do such a thing, and she searched her memory for an instant where she’d altered things.
Gavin coughed and she stood to take a look at his bandages. A spot of blood had already seeped through the thick cloth.
She frowned as she made sure his bandages were tight enough. “I’ll have to change those in a few hours,” she told him.
“Whatever you say. I’m in your hands.”
Rowen ran her fingertips along his shoulder.
“You’re human? Aren’t you?”
Gavin gave her a sidelong glance. “What of it?”
She tore her eyes away from his half-naked body and shook her head. “You’ve no scales, is all. I’ve never met a human man before.”
He lifted a brow. “I’ve never seen a half-blood Dragon before either. Where are your scales? Can you fly?”
The ship rocked forcefully and Rowen fell onto Gavin’s chest. She held onto his neck as she steadied herself. He wrapped an arm around her and held her as the ship seemed to teeter on its side.
“Good gracious,” she said, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn’t drown. Not after everything she’d been through. But, the fear of being trapped in a sinking ship gripped her and wouldn’t let go.
The ship rocked back and seemed to settle.
Rowen looked up to Gavin with widened eyes. She didn’t let go until she was certain that everything was safe.
“Don’t worry, miss. Just a feisty wave is all.”
Rowen realized how tightly she held onto Gavin, and how close his face was to hers. She let go and hurried back to her bed. Rowen pulled her feet up. It squeaked as she did so.
“Not used to the sea, are you?”
“No,” Rowen said, a bit embarrassed by her show of terror.
“It’s all right. Most women aren’t used to it. I’m only just getting my sea legs. I’m a land kind of bloke. But, I’m learning to like it.”
“I just hope we find land and I’m allowed to go free.”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. You are free.”
“Am I?”
Gavin shrugged. “No one told me otherwise. Say, you didn’t answer me. Where are your scales, and can you fly?”
Rowen shook her head and started to calm down as the ship continued to speed across the sea. At least it didn’t tilt again.
“I’m only half Dragon. We don’t have enough Dragon blood to change and fly.”
“Oh. None of that matters on the Wandering Star.”
“Is that the name of the ship?”
“That’s right,” Gavin said. “She may be old, but she’s fast and strong.”
Thunder rumbled from above, vibrating the entire cabin. Rowen held onto her arms. “I definitely hope so,” she mumbled.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head. Captain Elian will never let this ship go down. It’s his baby.”
“I’m sorry, but my life is on the line. I’m going to worry.”
“Suit yourself.”
“What can you tell me about the captain?”
Gavin shrugged, and for the first time Rowen felt him grow cold to her. “Not much to tell. I’m only his scribe.”
“But, who is he? What kind of man is he?”
“I wish I could help you there, miss. He’s been decent to me so far. But, remember, I’ve only been here less than a week. I don’t know much more than you.”
Rowen nodded. He wasn’t going to tell anything.
That was frightening. She couldn’t help but worry about what he was hiding. She glanced at the door and noticed that there wasn’t a lock.
As if sensing the change in mood, Gavin stood. “I’m going on deck to see how things are going. I can bring you some food if you’re hungry.”
Rowen shook her head. “I’m going to get some rest,” she said, despite the fact that her stomach growled and churned with hunger.
Gavin lingered in the doorway. For a moment, Rowen thought there was something he wanted to say, and she watched him, hopeful.
Instead, he gave a nod and opened the door. “Get settled and I’ll come and check on you later. Sleep well, miss. If you can.”
Before he left, Rowen considered using her power on him and forcing the information out. Unease filled her belly. But, she couldn’t bring herself to do it, and simply watched him leave and close the door behind him.
Once she was alone, Rowen hugged her legs to her chest and tried to control her breathing. The anxiety from being kidnapped by pirates flooded her all at once.
Not knowing what plans they had for her made her skin tighten with dread.
Did they plan to sell
her? Would she end up a slave or servant in a faraway land to a cruel master, or kept on the ship to pleasure the crew?
Neither concept was comforting. All she was left with was Gavin’s reassurance that she was safe, and that her cabin was right across from the captains’.
She just wished she knew who that man was, and why he had haunted her dreams.
Chapter 18
ROWEN WAS AWAKENED by heavy footsteps entering her cabin. She sat up with a start and scrambled up to her elbows. Was it morning? She felt as though she’d slept for ages but had no way of knowing the hour.
Groggily, she beheld Siddhe standing at the foot of her bed. The tall woman put her hands on her curvy hips and peered down at her.
“Get up,” she said. “Come with me.”
Shaking off sleep, she came to her feet. She was tired, sore, and her stomach screamed for sustenance. She hesitated to follow the woman who clearly disliked her.
“Where are we going?” Rowen dared to ask.
Siddhe scoffed. “You’re better off keeping your questions to yourself.”
Before Rowen could reply, Siddhe stepped outside of her room and headed across the hall.
“Come on, girl. I don’t have all day to wait for you.” The look in Siddhe’s eyes told her that she dared not even think about saying another word.
Rowen left the small measure of safety she felt from her cabin. At least the storm seemed to have abated, and the ship sailed without bumps and dips.
Siddhe knocked on the captain’s door and turned to stare down at her. Rowen averted her eyes. There was something odd about Siddhe’s eyes, something that was unsettling, as if the woman not only disliked her, but could read what was written on her soul.
“Come in,” a muffled voice said from the other side of the door.
Siddhe turned the knob and pushed the door open. She looked to Rowen and nodded for her to go inside.
Reluctant, Rowen first peered inside. She could feel the heat coming from the brazier, and the scent of burning candles affronted her nostrils.
Inside, it was cozy. Cozier than her tiny cabin. And, as her stomach grumbled, there was food.
Breakfast.
The sight of Hard cheese, dried meat, dried fruit, and ale on the table ushered her feet forward. Siddhe no longer existed. Only her desire to calm the turmoil in her belly.
“Join me,” Captain Elian said. “You can go.”
Rowen glanced back to see Siddhe roll her eyes and slammed the door.
“Come,” he said. “Sit.”
His cabin was comfortable, home-like. Maps covered every inch of this walls, some in languages she’d never seen. Others of places she never knew existed.
He nodded to a chair across from him and she lowered herself onto it. It took everything within her to restrain herself from grabbing food from the platters and stuffing her face. She couldn’t remember the last meal she’d had. Bread and water were not enough to sate anyone’s hunger, and that was all she was allowed in Withrae Prison.
She frowned as she looked at the food, terribly upset by what she’d been reduced to. She looked to Elian, as if waiting for permission to partake of his meal.
Elian seemed to notice her dilemma, and she wiped tears from her eyes.
“I’m guessing you haven’t eaten in days,” he said, taking a bit of cheese and watching her with curious eyes.
Rowen shook her head, biting the corner of her bottom lip.
“Well, go on,” he said with a nod. “Eat up.
She didn’t need to be told twice. She took a chunk of cheese and pressed it against the hard bread. The first bite was euphoric. It wasn’t anything like what she had back at home or in the palace, but the crunch of the bread and the tangy spice of the cheese brought a satisfied smile to her face as she closed her eyes and relished the flavor.
Elian didn’t exist for a few moments as Rowen worked to calm her hunger. She ripped through the tough meat with her teeth and chewed it until softened. She drank her entire mug of mild ale without stopping for a breath.
This was not lady-like.
Rowen did not care.
She kept her eyes closed as she chewed her food and felt her belly start to fill. Then, she opened them to find Elian watching her, his chin resting on his fist.
“What is it?”
He shrugged. “Curious, is all. Tell me, who are you?”
Rowen held out her mug, and he poured her more ale.
She drank a few sips and wiped her mouth. “Who are you?”
His eye twitched. “I asked first, young lady. Don’t forget that I am the one who saved your life. You’d be half-way to the spirt world by now if I hadn’t come along.”
Rowen nodded. “True. But, I’m not going to reveal myself without knowing who you are and what you want.”
“Like I said, I saved your life. Tell me.”
“Not if you’re going to kill me because of who I turn out to be or who you turn out to be.”
In his eyes, she saw the same raw, steely wile she harbored, except his was tempered and razor sharp, and it honestly frightened her.
She held his glare a bit before she realized that he wasn’t going to budge.
Shoulders slumping, Rowen gave in. “I’m Lady Rowen Glenick of Harrow. My mother is Duchess Nimah Glenick and my stepfather is the Duke of Harrow, Brecks Glenick. My real father is dead.” She sighed and continued. “I was a lady-in-waiting for Princess Noemie of Withrae when I was accused of the crown prince’s murder. I’m innocent. But, that doesn’t matter when they need someone to blame.”
Rowen paused. Elian’s face had morphed from quiet calculation to disbelief and confusion.
“What? Did I say something wrong?”
He became withdrawn, as if lost in his own thoughts. He shook his head and returned to his meal. The silence that followed was uncomfortable. The level of tension in the room had risen to a level that heated Rowen’s cheeks.
Rowen wasn’t sure of what to do. Stay? Leave?
She guessed that her reply was suitable and took a bit of cheese. “It’s your turn, Captain. What are you going to do with me?”
Noncommittally, he shrugged and avoided her widened eyes.
“Siddhe,” he called, and the woman burst into the room. She’d clearly been outside the entire time, listening.
Rowen took another bite of cheese, not ready to end her meal.
Elian looked to Siddhe. “Take her back to her cabin. Have Gavin stay with her.”
Rowen’s jaw dropped as Siddhe lifted her from her chair by her arms.
She shot a glare at the woman. “Get your hands off of me,” she hissed.
Siddhe grinned and held her hands up. “Sorry, miss,” she taunted.
Annoyed, Rowen glanced at Elian one more time to see that he had stood from the table and had his back turned to her. He rubbed his chin and stared at his map, no longer interested in her in the least.
With a huff, Rowen left the cabin and folded her arms across her chest. Gavin came down the stairs and joined them outside of the captain’s cabin.
“Stay with the girl,” Siddhe ordered. “Captain wants to make sure she stays out of trouble. Understood?”
Gavin shrugged. “Shouldn’t be hard,” he said, giving the frustrated Rowen a smile. “She’s a good girl. I can vouch for her.”
Siddhe scoffed. “Good girl my arse,” she said, and pushed past them both to return to the upper deck.
Rowen frowned. What had just happened? She gave up her identity and learned nothing in return. Why did he become so spooked when she revealed it to him?
Sighing, she went back into her cabin and Gavin followed. Once he settled back on the chest, Rowen shut the door and turned to him.
It was time to get some answers, and she was willing to use her power to do it.
Chapter 19
THE HOURS ROLLED by as Rowen worked her charms on Gavin. She would do what she could and obtain as much information as possible before resorting to using m
agic.
He was a handsome man, and it wasn’t difficult to like him and test her flirtation on him. Still, she wasn’t there for romance. Her life was still on the line, and that’s all Rowen had ever cared about.
Survival.
“How was your breakfast with the captain?” Gavin asked.
“Unexpected,” Rowen replied as she pulled his bandage off. She narrowed her eyes as she examined his wound. It hadn’t healed much, but the bleeding had slowed. “This doesn’t look bad. Not bad at all.”
“Maybe you should have been a healer,” Gavin said, as he watched her. “You’re quite good at it.”
Rowen smiled and shrugged. “I suppose. I’m good at a great many things, but none of that matters now.” She placed the bloody bandage on the empty crate and pulled a fresh one from the basket of supplies she had him bring to her.
“Maybe it does,” Gavin said. “Now that you can start a new life. You can use what skills you have. Just a thought.”
Rowen glanced at him. He was right, if only she knew that she would be free to live her own life. That would be a dream come true.
“Maybe,” she muttered.
“So, what do you think of the captain now that you’ve had a meal with him?”
Rowen’s mouth twisted as she thought. “He certainly has the mysterious thing down. I honestly know less about him that I did before. He’s vexing.”
“To say the least,” Gavin added and they shared a laugh.
“I just have the feeling that he knows more about me than he lets on. I just want the same in return. I asked him what he was going to do with me… and he shrugged it off without a reply. How long am I supposed to live in fear?”
Gavin steadied her hand, and covered it with his own. Rowen’s brows bunched as she realized that her hands were shaking.
“Hey,” he said, softly. “You have nothing to fear. You hear me?”
Rowen flickered a look at his face. His eyes were a soft brown, and without a trace of dishonesty. She wanted to believe him.
She nodded, and he yawned. “Almost finished?”
Rowen wrapped the new bandage around his arrow wound and clasped her hands before her, taking a step back to check out her handiwork. “I believe so.”