by Patty Taylor
Our presence? His words suddenly registered in her mind. The image of the fierce black wolf that saved her from the water beast flashed in front of her eyes. Her fingers dug into his wrist while she peered at his arm. Beth sighed, confused, yet frustrated that he didn’t bear the familiar mark. “It’s not there. But I know it’s you. You’re the same man in the sketch my sister made for me. By the Goddess. The wolf. Please, don’t lie to me. You must be the black wolf that came to my rescue.”
Quinn frowned and nodded his head, his eyes focusing on her as he spoke. “Aye, I admit to being the black wolf, but I dinna know of this sketch you speak of.”
“This is becoming a bloody nightmare.” Beth closed her eyes and ran her hands through her hair. She turned her back to Quinn and took several long breaths. The muscles in her hands and arms contracting, she tried concentrating on Darby and her gardens to get her mind off the unsettling pain.
Quinn gripped her shoulders. “Ye canna stop her forever, ’tis nature’s way. We both want to help ye.”
It was working, her hands had returned to normal. Choking back tears, she turned to face Quinn, her blood burning with anger. She swallowed the lump wedged in her throat. “Is that why you locked me inside your cabin? To keep your crew safe from the hideous monster?”
Quinn’s eyes filled with pity as he stared at her. He shook his head and sighed. “It was locked for yer protection. ’Tis yer welfare, lass, that concerns me. My men can verra well handle themselves. I promise ye, the door will be locked only at night for the remainder of your stay.”
“Tell me the truth. You know what these marks mean, don’t you?” She held out her arm and rolled the nightshirt sleeve above her elbow. “Am I going stark raving mad?”
Quinn smiled, his brown eyes meeting her questioning gaze. His fingers traced the outline of her lips before brushing wispy curls from the side of her face. His touch soothed her. She placed her hand over his and braced herself, waiting for some answers.
“Ye needn’t fret, lass. Ye’re not goin’ mad. But I do think ye’ve had enough to deal with for one day.” He touched her forehead with the back of his hand. “Ye’re still burnin’ up with fever. Ye need a good rest. I promise to come by later and answer your questions. For now, it’s back to bed with ye.”
Quinn bent and, reaching behind her knees, he swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed. Kalista jumped to the bottom wooden rail. “Keep a close watch on our guest, me friend.”
Kalista primped herself and purred when Quinn petted her head.
“Please, I’m fine. I can’t sleep until I get some answers.” Beth yawned, her eyelids growing heavy. She tried resisting the exhaustion that was starting to set in.
“Aye, even wee Kalista agrees with me.” Quinn’s rich brogue drifted far in the distance. Beth struggled to open her eyes in time to see Kalista breathing a fine mist of white snow crystals over the bed like a down feather blanket. At the head of the bunk, giant conch seashells dispersed the music of ocean waves as rich vanilla and lavender scents filled the air. Her thoughts drifted off to the last time she had a massage. Her muscles and limbs began to relax and unwind.
Thunder rumbled. Like rain hitting a tin roof, water splattered against the window above the bunk. Heavy footsteps raced overhead. Voices grew louder on deck. Beth rubbed her eyes. A light film covered her eyelids like a sticky glue holding them shut.
Kalista flapped her wings. The cabin door flung open and slammed against the wall.
Beth struggled to sit up. Still exhausted, her body wouldn’t budge. Cold air brushed against her cheeks.
Something was wrong. Beth’s stomach twisted in knots. She shuddered. Something horrible was about to happen.
McGregor’s voice bellowed overhead.
“The bloody fool has jumped ship.”
Chapter 7
“Mo creach!” Quinn shouted, “Bloody Hell! What in blazes is goin’ on now?”
McGregor hobbled toward him, shaking his cane in the air. “The lad jumped overboard.”
“Finley?” Quinn pushed his way in between two men and watched the newest crewmate swimming away from the ship. “The bloody fool. ’Tis a bad storm startin’ to brew. If he doesn’t reach land soon, wolf blood or not, he’ll have a hard time survivin’ in these strong currents.”
Quinn turned and spotted Dudley standing off by himself with his head held down, staring at the deck. He strolled to the old man and gripped his shoulder. “’Tis not yer fault, if that’s what ye’re thinkin’. The lad’s still young and has much to learn.”
“He’s a bad one, Captain. I think ’twas best for all of us that he left.” Dudley tugged at the stubby gray beard on his chin. “He pulled a dirk hidden beneath his shirt on me, once I told him I was comin’ to warn ye. When I told him to go ahead and try to use it, he sprang overboard.”
“I didna understand. I thought the problem was resolved. ’Twas nothing left to fight about.”
Quinn watched the distant look in Dudley’s weary eyes. The old man frowned. “It was like a challenge to him, Captin’. In his mind, he was determined to win no matter the cost. Ye didna see the wild look in his eyes. He swears the woman belongs to him. Marked or not.”
The hairs bristled on the back of Quinn’s neck, his muscles tense. He clenched his fists at his sides and glanced at the ocean. Finley was now a distant speck on the water.
“Get back to preparin’ the ship for the storm, men. We’re all in for a rough night.” Quinn slapped Dudley on his back and darted up the steps to take the wheel from one of his crew.
Quinn clenched the wooden wheel and braced himself against the rising gusts of wind. The white caps of the ocean waves thrashed against the bow. Rain pelted against his bare chest, locks of strewn hair stuck to his forehead. He took a deep breath. Beth’s perfumed lilac scent intoxicated his senses. Even in this storm, he couldn’t get her out of his mind.
Beth wasn’t the only one that wanted answers. He was as curious about her as she was about him. Since he’d first laid eyes on her, her charming image had haunted him. His wolf wanted her. Hell, who was he fooling? He wanted her himself, even as a human. The way her warm flesh pressed against his had awakened desires he hadn’t felt in a verra long time.
Quinn decided long ago not to get burdened down with any woman or mate. He was free and loved roaming the wild seas in search of other lost souls like himself. He’d seen too many of his men lose their loved ones. Many lost their lives to greedy hunters out for pure sport. Others sacrificed their futures together with their family’s for safety. He wanted no part of it. The sea wasn’t any life for a woman anyway.
Sea Wolf was his home. And his life.
This woman was different. He realized that from first glance and the soft music of her voice casting her charms over him. She must be a powerful witch. Not only was she a beautiful enchantress, but damn if she wasn’t part-wolf to complicate matters. His wolf had detected it—spot on. She’d been born with the gift of the wolf spirit.
The Queen of the Maras must have sensed something special in this woman to hunt her down.
He frowned, and the muscles in his arms tightened. As if he didn’t have enough problems to deal with already, Finley’s actions and departure worried him as well. At least he could have kept a close watch on the lad if he was still here. His gut rumbled. Old Dudley never lied. The man had proved his alliance more than once.
Something didn’t set well with all this, and he suspected Finley not only had something to do with Beth’s attack but that they hadn’t seen the last of the young bastard yet. For now, that was the only thing he felt certain of.
Beth’s eyelids flew wide open. Something warm was bearing down on her chest. Only inches away from her chin, Kalista laid curled up sound asleep, her barbed head resting on her front feet. The dragon’s breathing was slo
w and even while the scent of fresh baked cinnamon rolls drifted under Beth’s nose.
She studied the shimmering scales. Only nature could create the meticulous fine details of the dragon’s delicate teardrop scales. Fascinated, she wondered how they would feel beneath her fingertips, she raised a finger to touch the unique creature.
Something pounded against the cabin door. Beth gasped and jerked her hand back. Kalista opened the thick film covering her eyes and raised her head. She stared into Beth’s eyes and cocked her head from side to side. The rapping grew louder. Kalista rose, releasing a shrill cry like a hawk, spreading her wings and gliding toward her bowl.
“Just a minute, please.” Beth called out, sitting up and pulling the cover beneath her neck, as she spotted the doorknob turning. “All right, you may come in now.”
Old McGregor hobbled inside, juggling a tray in one hand and balancing his wooden cane in the other while muttering beneath his breath. The boat rocked. Steaming liquid spilled over the sides of the tin mugs, sliding across the tray.
“Bloody Hell, I’ll never get used to these blasted storms.” He cursed until his gaze met hers, then he smiled.
Clad only in the extra-large nightshirt, Beth jumped down from the bunk. Her bare feet tiptoeing across the cold wooden planks, she reached for the tray. “Here, let me help you.”
She laid the wobbling platter down and grabbed for the chair that started sliding across the floor. She clutched the table. “I’m afraid I’m not used to being at sea. This is my first time on a boat.”
McGregor grabbed her arm and held the chair until she sat down. Like riding a roller coaster, the ship climbed and plunged, riding the rough waves. Beth’s stomach lurched. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table. The wind howled like a banshee seeking souls.
“The Sea Wolf’s not a boat, lass—she’s a ship. And a fine one at that. Don’t ye worry none. Ye’ll find yer sea legs soon enough. Ye’re plenty safe as long as ye’re here on board, and Quinn is her Captin’.”
Beth glanced back to the open door, half-expecting to see the handsome Highlander enter. “Quinn promised . . .” she hesitated. “The Captain said he would stop by later to clear up some questions I have.”
“I wouldn’t be countin’ on seein’ the Captin’ no more tonight, lass. Not with this terrible storm.” McGregor picked up one of the biscuits, spread honey over it, and offered it to her. “He’s in his glory right now, mannin’ the wheel.”
Beth shook her head and waved her hand in front of the biscuit. “No, thank you. You help yourself.”
She sighed, disappointed she wouldn’t get a chance to see Quinn anymore tonight. She needed answers. Her body raged with overpowering emotions at the sight of him. She had to admit, he was not only handsome, but the man stirred something deep inside her she had no control over. Even if he did turn into a black wolf, she knew she’d have to trust him.
McGregor grinned and shoved a honey-covered biscuit into his mouth. He handed her a tin of hot tea, which she gladly accepted. “Come mornin’, the sea should be calmed. Then ye can go on deck and meet some of the crew.”
Beth stole a glance at her tattered clothes lying in a bundle next to the bunk. “It looks like I’ll need a needle and some thread.”
“I’ll bring ye some a wee bit later. I still need to tend to yer arm.” He grabbed another sweet smelling muffin before motioning for her to give him her wrist. He turned her arm toward the light and began unwrapping the bandage. “Does it still pain ye verra much, lass?”
“Not since Kalista sprayed me with that snowy mist.” Kalista turned her head at the mention of her name. “Does she breathe fire, too?”
McGregor chuckled and shook his head. He tossed the last biscuit to Kalista. She made a clucking noise and swallowed it whole. “I’ve not seen the wee beasty do that yet, but I wouldna put it past her. She’s a magical creature with mysterious secrets of her own. Quinn is the only one that knows how to communicate with her.”
Beth stared at her arm. The redness and swelling was gone. The raw bite now looked like a raised emblem tattooed on her skin. She gasped and touched her finger to the mark. It was smooth with a silky feel to it. She reached over and squeezed the old man’s hand. “It’s healed. Please, McGregor, I knew from the look in your eyes the first time you saw it that you’ve seen this symbol before. Haven’t you?”
“Aye, lass.” McGregor lowered his head and sighed. He reached in his pocket for a pipe, reminding her of wee Darby. “I know the Captin’ already told ye, ’tis the mark of the Maras. Ye must have patience. Ye see, lass, ye bare many marks. Not just this one. Tis the Captin’s place to explain the rest to ye, not mine.”
Beth bit her lower lip and stood pacing the floor. Lightning cracked and thunder rumbled overhead. The ship rocked back and forth, throwing her off balance. McGregor gripped her by the shoulders and led her to the bunk. “Try to understand, lass. I will tell ye this: fate must have something verra special in store for ye. I’m afraid ye canna run away from what destiny has already planned. None of us can.”
“You don’t understand, McGregor. I was returned here to right a terrible wrong.” She wiggled and straightened herself on the mattress. With the back of her hand, she wiped the perspiration beading on her forehead. “I was born a healer to help people that other members of my family hurt a long time ago.”
McGregor cupped her chin in his calloused hand and raised her face to meet his gaze. “Och, lass. Ye must have faith. Maybe ’tis time fate has yet another surprise in store for ye.”
The storm was over. Quinn took a deep breath of crisp, salty air. A brisk breeze brushed the locks of wet hair away from his forehead. “Ye can take over now.”
“Aye, Captin’.” His crewmember Rusty stepped behind the wheel.
It had been a rough day and a long night. Sunrise was fast approaching. Quinn whisked beads of water from his chest. His plaid was soaking wet, enough to wring the water out of. All he wanted now was to go to his cabin and sleep.
The image of Beth’s lovely body sprawled comfortably in his bunk sprang to his mind. His inner wolf stirred. Blood raced through his veins, as he was eager to climb in beside her and awaken her she-wolf.
He shook the notion from his thoughts and headed toward a dark empty cabin for a good rest. Hungry and exhausted, his mind still wavered back to the woman. What kind of a Captain would I be if I didna at least check in on her and make sure her fever’s broken?
Quinn quickly pivoted and headed toward his own quarters. He clutched the jingling keys in his hand, trying not to wake her, and turned the knob. Quinn stopped short and took a deep breath.
Beth lay sound asleep on her side. His gaze momentarily glued to her slender bare legs spread-eagled across the covers. His stare traveled to the bottom of his shirt, which was barely touching her thighs. Her lavish breasts pressed against the material, rising with each even breath. Long locks of raven hair swirled like waves around her head on the pillow. He spotted the birthmark on the back of her neck. Like a raven drawn to prey, Quinn couldn’t help himself. He quietly strolled to her side, his hand stopping mere inches from her body, directly above the peculiar symbols.
Beth stirred beneath his fingers. She batted her eyelids and sighed. Her eyes flashed amber and locked with his gaze. Her hand grabbed his wrist, and her body slid to the far side of the bed, making room for him. “Wait. We’re grown adults. Besides, this is your bunk, and you did save my life. I know you must be exhausted.”
Now wide-awake, Quinn’s blood raced. He leaned over and kissed her forehead before taking a step back and unwrapping his soaking wet plaid. With a thump, it fell to the floor.
“Just don’t get any ideas. I’m still angry that you won’t take me home.” Her cheeks blushing, she turned her attention from his naked body and focused on Kalista while he climbed in beside her.
&nb
sp; “I wish I knew all the answers, lass. For now, ye must trust me. I promise, I willna do anything to hurt you. I’ll not help turn your wolf spirit until you’re ready and ask.” Quinn slipped the covers over both of them and touched her face. A whiff of lavender perfume filled the air. The amber specks in her eyes faded back to their normal blue. The closeness of her warm body sparked fiery embers in his bloodstream. “Ye willna be able to resist the she-wolf for verra much longer.”
“I want you to know something. The only reason you’re lying here next to me right now is because I’ve learned to trust my gut instincts.” Her knuckles turned white gripping the covers tucked under her chin, and her body shivered. She gazed into his eyes and whispered, “I sensed your presence. Just who are you, Quinn McCord, and why did you risk your life to save me? I know in my heart you must be the same man in my sister’s sketch.”
“I wish I had answers for us both, lass.” Her forehead beaded with sweat. “Ye’re trembling, lass. Here, come lay next to me.”
Her brow winkled, she pursed her lips, and her eyes narrowed, filled with suspicion.
“I gave ye my word. I’ll behave like a proper gentlemen.” He held his arm above her head and waited patiently for her response.”
She rolled on her side and moved next to him, snuggling her head against his throat. Her hand rested on his chest. She shivered. He tucked the covers over her back.
“And here I thought ye was just startin’ to warm up to me beguiling ways.” Quinn felt her forehead. “I want ye to know this will not be easy layin’ next to a charmin’ woman as yerself and not think about it.”