by Celia Aaron
“You three! That ship—” I point to the Gloomy Lotus “—I need deckhands. If you stay here, you’ll perish in the Kraken’s gullet! Come with me and enjoy wine, women, and coin.”
I don’t wait for their answers. Nere stumbles in the sand. I pick her up and sling her over my shoulder. The water laps in small waves as lightning strikes on the bluff, the deep rumble of thunder shaking my chest. I walk into the low waves, pushing until my feet no longer touch bottom.
“Can you swim?”
“Yes.” Nere kicks, and I let her go. She swims out ahead of me, her strokes easy as she maneuvers gracefully through the water.
The men from the beach splash behind me as we all strike out for the ship. Movement on the deck catches my eye. I’d recognize those legs anywhere—Shade. She’s dashing back and forth, tying off the sails and readying the ship. We were both boatswains for Captain Lament once upon a time. She posed as a boy for years until her body changed and she sprouted a perfect set of tits and ass.
“Come on!” Nere swims ahead of me. I’ve never seen a person who could swim faster than me, but Nere cuts through the water with supernatural grace.
Another roar overcomes the burst of thunder, and the Kraken slips from the cliff, its tentacles grasping at stones as they give way. The wave it will set off when it hits the water is sure to drown us. I kick harder and catch up with Nere. A rope ladder hangs at the ready.
I push her up, and she grabs hold as the Kraken plummets the rest of the way to the water. It hits with a loud crash and a rumble. “Faster!” I climb behind Nere and hurry her up the ladder. We reach the top and I shove her over and onto the deck. The three fishermen ascend behind us.
I run to the foredeck and watch as the wave swells, headed right for the ship. We have only moments. I dash back to Nere and drag her to the mast. I lash both of us to it, running the rope around our waists and the wood. Shade does the same on the foremast. The last fisherman makes it onto the ship right as the wave crests, higher than the decks and moving fast.
“Hang on!” I wrap my arms around Nere. She screams as the wave crashes down, and we’re lost in a wall of water.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“WE NEED TO GET underway. Now.” I untie the soaked rope from my waist.
The Kraken flounders in the shallows, its tentacles whipping in a frenzy. It’s only a matter of time before it finds deeper water, and based on what Captain Lament said, it’ll be coming for us.
Lightning flashes and rain pelts down from the heavens. The storm’s winds should blow us from port as soon as we ready the ship.
“You all right?” I wipe the loose hair from Nere’s face. I have more questions, but they can wait until we’re sailing away from the port.
“What can I do to help?”
She’s so small that the question is ridiculous, but I humor her. “Mind the helm.”
“Helm?” She looks up and down the decks.
I point. “The wheel up there. It steers the boat.”
“Okay. I will.” She walks on unsteady legs as I scale the shrouds to the mainsail.
Shade is already loose and climbing to the mizzenmast. She ties off the sail with an expert knot. The black canvas catches the wind, and the ship strains to move, but the anchor is still engaged.
Two of the fishermen survived, though one is already bent over the port side and hurling up his guts.
“You two, weigh anchor!”
The closest man nods. I drop to the deck with a thunk and walk to him. Only inches from his face, I glare down as he shrinks away. “When I give you an order, you answer with ‘Aye, Captain’.”
“Apologies. I-I mean, aye, Captain.” He grips the front of his red top and squeezes the water from it onto the deck.
I box his ear and fist his shirt. I lift until his feet dangle and his eyes are wide. “Don’t you ever do that again. Respect this ship, or so help me, I’ll throw you overboard!”
He shakes in my grasp and tries to stutter another apology. I drop him and give him a scowl that could kill a small child.
“Aye, Captain,” he finally manages to squeak out.
I doubt these fishermen will last two days at sea, but they may as well get a taste of the pirate life before they drift down to Davy Jones’ locker. “Weigh anchor then, you crusty cock coddler! And be quick about it!”
He runs toward the bow.
I shake my head. “Aft, you idiot!”
He turns and drags his green companion with him.
The winds pick up even more as the Kraken roars and slinks farther into the bay. Time to go.
Shade hops down to the main deck as the rain sets in. “Ready to make way.”
The Kraken finally drags its gelatinous mass into slightly deeper water, and one of its eyes seems fixed on the Gloomy Lotus.
I dash up the stairs to Nere. The ship shifts, and the glorious feeling of anchors aweigh sends a ripple of pleasure up my spine. The fishermen keep hauling the anchor, but we’re ready to sail now that the metal hook no longer chains us to the ocean floor.
I unlock the helm and set course for the open sea. The rain falls in thick sheets, and the Kraken disappears under the surface as we move at a fast clip. I man the helm, Nere at my side as Shade climbs to the crow’s nest.
The storm rages overhead and the fishermen finish raising the anchor. The hiss of the water parting for the ship makes my heart swell. I’m finally where I was born to be—at the helm of the Gloomy Lotus. It would be sweeter if the Kraken, and God knows what other creatures, weren’t out to get me. But a pirate’s life has taught me that you take the good when it comes and revel in it.
“This is amazing.” Despite the rain and the danger, Nere closes her eyes and smiles as we cruise through the choppy waters with ease.
I’m still angry with her, and I need to know what the fuck is going on. But she seems to hear the song of the sea, the same one that’s played in my heart since I was a wee lad. So I let her enjoy it. If only for a few moments.
The opening to the bay is ahead, and we fly past it, the sails in full bloom.
Shade slides down from the crow’s nest and hurries to my elbow. “Can’t see a fucking thing in this rain.” She leans forward and stares at Nere, whose eyes are still closed. “We need to talk. Nere, don’t you agree?” she sneers.
Nere opens her eyes and sighs. “I just wanted freedom. That’s all.”
“What?” I steer toward starboard, heading away from Port Royal or any other populated areas.
“She’s a Nereid. A daughter of the sea.”
“Like a mermaid?” I glance at Nere’s legs, though I already know she doesn’t have fins. Seems like I would have noticed that when I was pounding her pussy.
“No, she’s a daughter of Nereus, the most ancient of all sea gods. I’ve seen her likeness in Captain Lament’s books.”
That explains her swimming ability, at least.
Shade walks around me to stand next to Nere. “Why do you have the Kraken Stone?”
Nere edges closer to me. “I don’t know what you mean.”
A sharp slap meets my ears, and Nere falls into my side.
“Shade!” I wrap my arm around Nere’s shoulders. She clutches her cheek as Shade glares down at her, murder in her amber eyes.
“She needs to talk, Cash. Right now. Before the Kraken catches up or who knows what else comes for us.” Shade points a finger in Nere’s face. “Speak, sea witch!”
I can’t say I disagree with Shade or her tactics. After all, I’d prefer that the Gloomy Lotus and I stay in one piece. But it will play better if I bring a hint of honey to play against Shade’s vinegar. I meet her eyes over Nere’s head and give her a slight nod. We’ve played this game before, many a time.
“Nere, just tell us.” I kiss her wet hair and slide my hand to her waist. “We want to keep you safe. We need all the facts to do that.”
She chews on her lip and stares up at me, her light blue eyes watering. “My father. He married me to Poseid
on. I didn’t want t-to do what…” She glances up at me and her cheeks heat. “I didn’t want to do what we did. Not with him. He has many lovers. And he doesn’t excite me. Not like you.”
Shade rolls her eyes.
I grin. “So, you’re saying I stole you from the god of the sea?”
“Yes.” Nere nods.
I burst out laughing, my sides shaking as I lean on the helm for support. I stole pussy from the god of the sea. “This is, by far, the best day of my pirate life.”
Shade crosses her arms over her chest. “This is no joke, Cash. The sea god won’t find it funny that you plucked his cherry before he got a chance.”
“I plucked it, sucked it, and fucked it.” I howl with laughter.
Shade remains unamused, and Nere’s face is now a particularly bright shade of red.
“Okay, okay.” I try to calm my chuckles, but it’s difficult. “So, that doesn’t explain why you have the Kraken Stone.”
“I took it. I thought that if I had it, then I could bargain with Poseidon to let me be free from him. Then I crept aboard the ship you found me on. But by then, Poseidon knew what I’d done. He sent a sea serpent to reclaim me and the stone.”
I nod. “That explains what happened to the ship. I knew it wasn’t a pirate attack like you’d claimed.”
“But it didn’t find me. I supposed that’s why the Kraken came. To finish the job.”
Shade’s eyes narrow. “You’re responsible for many deaths, possibly even that of Captain Lament, all because you wanted to run away from home?” Her voice rises as she glares at Nere.
“Calm down.” I sigh. “Let’s think of how to solve this.”
“She has to go back and return the stone.” Shade tilts her chin up, her wet brown hair sticking to her chest, highlighting the swell of her tits.
“No! I won’t go back.” Nere finally finds a spine and stands straighter.
Shade steps toward her. “You’d rather let the Kraken kill us and sink this ship? What a selfish little cock gobbler you are!”
“Ladies, please.” I hold a hand up. “First, she hasn’t gobbled my cock…yet. Second, we just need to figure out how best to use the stone to bargain for her freedom.”
“There is no fucking bargaining. She needs to go. I vote we dump her and the stone overboard.”
“No.”
“But, Cash, she’s going to get us all kill—”
I reach across Nere and wrap my hand around Shade’s throat. “This isn’t a democracy, Shade. I’m the Captain of this ship. I decide what we do.” I lower my voice so Shade knows I’m not fucking around. “And you will address me as Captain. Got it?”
Shade grips my wrist, but I don’t release her. Not until she understands who’s in charge.
I shake her, and she struggles to breathe. “I asked you if you understand. Do you?”
She meets my gaze. “Aye, Captain,” she croaks.
“Good.” I let her go.
She stumbles backward and takes a deep breath.
I grab Nere’s chin and pull her face around to mine. “Now, where can we find Poseidon?”
She glances to the pouch around my neck. “He’ll find us.”
“How?”
“When the stone touches the water, he can sense it.”
So many things click in my mind that I fear I’m having a stroke. My amusement at stealing the sea god’s cherry turns to rage.
“The fuck?” I want to shake her. Maybe I should have let Shade smack her around some more. “You’ve known that this entire time?”
She drops her gaze.
The stone touched the water when I rescued her. Then the Kraken appeared. It touched the water again when I dove in to swim. And then again, after we made landfall at Port Royal.
“And you know he’ll do anything to get the stone back? The whirlpool, the six-headed beast, the fucking Kraken—all because of you!” My voice rises, and I have to stay my hand, the desire to strike her almost overwhelming.
“Look who finally gets it.” Shade sits on the rail and gives me a cross stare.
“Shut the fuck up, Shade.”
Nere’s lip trembles, and I have to get away before I attack her. Shade still smirks, taunting me.
“You know what? Both of you shut the fuck up.” I stalk down to the main deck and into the captain’s cabin. It’s far more luxurious than anything I’ve ever had—real glass in the windows, a large bed, an actual closet, and two wide map tables.
I collapse onto the bed and stare at the timbers above me. What a fucking mess. I bounce my head on the mattress and try to think of a way out of this clusterfuck. I need a plan, and soon. The next time the stone touches water, there’s no telling what will rise from the deep to claim it. And Nere. But the thought gives me an idea. One neither woman will like.
I smirk as I think back to Nere’s tight cunt. At least I got to sample Poseidon’s bride before he did. My smirk turns into a laugh as a plan forms in my mind.
CHAPTER NINE
“ARE YOU READY FOR this, Captain?” Shade’s emphasis on my title is going to get her ass spanked sooner rather than later, but we have more pressing matters to attend to.
“Splash about some, Nere. Really enjoy that water.” I peer down as Nere swims effortlessly through the sparkling blue, my tether securely fastened around her waist and the satchel with the gem hanging around her neck.
“Please don’t do this.” Her hair has come loose from the topknot and glistens in the sun.
“It’s already done. Poseidon must feel the pull of the gem. Maybe he’s drawn to you, too. I don’t know. Either way, men, lift her up.”
The deckhands pull Nere from the water and set her on the sunny deck.
“Go and finish the rest of my instructions.” I wave the men away.
Shade stands at the helm, her eyes scanning the water for any commotion.
Nere shivers, and not because of the breeze. “He’ll send something horrible before he comes. You won’t survive.”
“Don’t worry about me. Nothing’s managed to kill me yet.” Taking her in my arms, I press her close to my chest. “I’m sure Poseidon isn’t as bad as you’re making him out to be. Is he handsome?”
“Not as handsome as you.” She clutches my back as Shade shoots me a sour frown.
“Of course he isn’t. But is he nice?”
“I’ve never spoken to him.” She shrugs.
“How often would you see him?”
“Not much. Like I said, he has several wives, husbands, and lovers. I’d just be one of many. But my father wants to keep his title as the Old Man of the Sea, so getting Poseidon’s favor is important to him. And, of course, Poseidon is desperate for my father’s approval.” She buries her face in my neck. “I’m afraid of him—Poseidon. I’ve heard he likes to do things, to tie up his lovers and, and hurt them.”
He’s not the only one. “Yes, he sounds terrible. But I’ll talk to him. We’ll sort it out.” I can’t tell if I’m lying. I’m going to return the Kraken Stone to save the Gloomy Lotus and my own skin. But Nere is a separate problem. Sending her to a husband she fears doesn’t sit well with me.
“Straight ahead!” Shade’s cry spurs me into action. I set Nere aside and sprint toward the foredeck.
The water bubbles, and red tinges the ocean.
“Heave to!” I yell to Shade.
She turns the helm hard against the wind, killing the sails and losing all forward momentum. We’re dead in the water, waiting for what’s next.
Tentacles appear, but smaller this time, and white. Crimson oozes toward the ship like red fingers.
Nere comes to my side and covers her face with her hands. “Oh, no, not him. Not him!”
“What is it?”
“Poseidon has sent a Great Old One. Cthulhu. He will tear this ship to pieces and you with it!”
“Hard port!” I shout.
“Aye, Captain.” Shade turns the helm and the wind catches the sails again. Slowly, we cut through t
he water and turn broadside to the writhing mass of tentacles rising.
“Heaving to, Captain.” She cuts the sails again.
I dash to the main deck and watch.
Nere sits on the stairs, a look of profound sadness creasing the skin around her eyes. “You’ll die, Cash. You’ll die.”
“No. I’ll make a deal. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll take what I want, Poseidon be damned.” I grip the rail as the monster emerges. Its face is a mass of white tentacles. Two red eyes perch at the top center. Its body is covered in scales, something like that of a dragon or giant lizard, and it has webbed hands with clawed tips. About half the size of the Kraken, it could still easily destroy the Gloomy Lotus.
“Steady, men,” I call.
The two sailors below deck shout, “Aye aye!”
The water stills as the creature examines the ship. Then, with a fierce roar, it slices through the water at a hellish pace. It’s on a direct path to the heart of the ship.
“Cash!” Nere’s teary cry barely makes it to my ears.
The monster picks up speed, its tentacles waving wildly and its claws at the ready.
“Closer,” I whisper.
It obliges, speeding closer. It opens its mouth wide, revealing more tentacles inside along with hundreds of fangs.
When there is no escaping it, I yell, “Fire!”
The strength of the cannons rock the ship and I hang onto the rail and watch as the creature is pummeled by seven cannonballs. It shrieks and slows, some of its tentacles blasted off. Green blood flows down its face.
“Now the next!”
I wait a few beats, but the men fail to fire. “The next!” I slam my hand on the rail, and the creature begins to move forward again, perilously close to the ship.
No cannons fire. Something’s gone wrong. Fuck a mermaid in the sodding arse!
I dash to the ladder and climb below the deck. The men are racking up the second cannons, already loaded with exploding ordnance. Captain Lament spared no expense on this ship’s defense.