by Guida, ML
Heavy footsteps walked closer to them. Her foggy mind spun. She couldn’t be found like this. A wanton woman sprawled out on a bench in cell, allowing her lusty pirate to have his way with her. What was she thinking? Pirates had murdered her mother.
“Ronan,” she said, her voice too frail to get Ronan to stop sucking on her greedy breast.
The footsteps grew closer. She clenched his hair and tried to pull him off her breast, but her strength failed her, she was weak with desire. She looked at the doorway and gasped. The lantern light shined on William’s scowling face.
“Ronan.”
His harsh voice sent heat stinging Angelica’s cheeks. Tears pooled in her eyes. She pushed his shoulders. “Ronan, please stop.”
Ronan lifted his head, and his eyes had turned red again, desire reflecting them, but he furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s wrong?”
William rattled the bars. “What the devil do you think you’re doing?”
* * *
A tear slid down Angelica’s cheek, and reality slammed into Ronan. What was he doing?
“You knave.” William grabbed the keys off the wall. “I think it’s time the lass leaves before you feel the cap’n’s wrath.”
Ronan winced. Flames of shame flushed over him. He hadn’t even heard footsteps approach. “How long have you been standing there?”
He crawled off Angelica, and then stood in front of her to give her time to cover herself. He was mad because William had interrupted him, but the red haze blinding him was gone.
“Long enough,” William said, as he jiggled the keys. “You know the rules.”
Ronan bristled at William’s condescending voice.
“Aye, I know the rules, ye stuff shirt dragon.” Taking a woman out in the open was strictly forbidden aboard this ship. A rule, he’d obeyed. Until now.
“You do?” William arched his eyebrow. “I think not.”
Ronan clenched his fists. He was one step away from charging into William and smashing his smug face.
Kane entered and glanced at the two. A scowl spread across his face. “I’ll not have another row with you two aboard my ship.”
William gestured at Ronan. “You told him to kiss the lass, not ravish her.”
Angelica stepped around Ronan. Her hair was in disarray, and her skin was chafed where he’d been kissing her. She looked even more beautiful, but the sadness in her eyes doused his desire. Why had he lost such control around her? He’d only fueled her belief that all pirates were evil.
Kane’s features softened. “Angelica, did he hurt you?”
Had the captain lost all faith in him? Ronan stood taller. “I didna hurt the lass.” A lie, but how could he admit this to Kane?
Angelica braced his shoulders and push her hair away from her rosy cheeks. “No, he didn’t. I’m not sure how this happened. One minute we were kissing, and the next—” Her voice choked.
Ronan hung his head. He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen, the kiss, the ravishment. Blimey, what should he do? Comfort her, apologize? He was horrible at this, and in the end, just stood perfectly still with his mouth shut tight.
William opened the door. “He took advantage of you.”
“Like you’ve never taken anyone in the brig.” Ronan stepped in front of Angelica.
“Not my proudest moment. Which I see you’ve fallen into the same trap I did.”
“No, I didna.” He wasn’t going to let William turn another lass away from him. He’d already lost Mariah. He wasn’t going to lose Angelica, too.
William reached around him to grab Angelica. “Taking her on a bench in the brig is not being a gentleman. Angelica, Mariah sent me to fetch you.”
Angelica jerked her arm away. “Does she plan to cast another spell on me?”
William dropped his hand. “No, but she needs to talk to you.”
Angelica glanced at William, then Ronan. “It appears my choices are to stay in the brig and be ravished, or have another spell cast on me. If I have a choice, Captain, I’d rather stay here.”
Ronan thought he’d heard wrong. She’d rather stay here in the brig than go with William.
William stretched out his arm. “It’s not safe for her, Kane.”
Ronan flicked his arm away. “She’s not leaving”
Not taking his eyes off Ronan, William offered his hand to Angelica. “Aye, she is, but you’re not. Cap’n’s orders.”
“Have you both gone daft?” Kane asked. “Your fighting is trying my patience.”
But neither Ronan nor William responded. Ronan focused on his rival, ready to do battle. His heart beat faster. The slightest trigger would send them both into a brawl. William’s eyes flickered gold. Drakon the dragon had awakened. Ronan hadn’t been powerful enough to withstand the dragon’s beatings before when they fought over Mariah, but now, Zuto had cursed him—who knew what could happen.
“No. She stays.” Ronan shoved Angelica behind him. He couldn’t admit he didn’t want to be alone, alone with the dark magic inside him. Kissing Angelica had eased the hate and anger. He could taste her sweet essence on his lips. ’Twas as if he tasted the coolest and freshest water he’d ever drank in his life. It actually doused the burning anger inside him. He wanted more. But ’twas more than her kiss. She was light to his darkness.
“Do not try my patience, Ronan,” William said, as smoke escaped from his lips. “You’ll have a harder time defeating me than you did Mallory.”
William’s eyes turned pure gold. Bloody hell, the dragon was ready to do battle.
Ronan edged away from Angelica. The fight would be dangerous, and he didn’t want her to get hurt.
But Angelica didn’t heed the danger. She squeezed in between them and stretched out her arms as if she could stop a brawl. “Shouldn’t I have a say in this?”
“You don’t, but I do.” Kane cocked his pistol. “I swear I’ll shoot both of you fools in the leg, and you’ll be laid up with Doc. Savvy?”
He couldn’t look Kane in the eyes, afraid to see disappointment. Kane had always treated him with respect. They’d been through so much and were more like brothers, but the dark magic was pulling him apart. His captain didn’t trust him.
Ignoring the two men, Ronan gently turned Angelica to face him.
She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. “You intend to send me away to face the witch?”
“What? No,” he said. “I ah…”
She tilted her chin. “You what?”
He lowered his head, unable to beg her to stay. Fear and regret surged through him, and he slumped. “Go. You’ll be safer with her than me.”
“So, you say.” She lifted her skirts and brushed past him, sending a thousand chills rushing through his body. He forced himself not to move, not to take her into his arms and kiss her.
She met William’s fierce stare, facing down the dragon. “Your witch better not cast another spell on me. I have powers of my own.”
William released a low growl, but Angelica didn’t flinch.
Ronan wasn’t fooled. Her hand shook, and her voice was low, too low. As if she was forced to utter a lie. He’d terrified the poor lass. She wouldn’t be back. If William hadn’t come into the cell—hell, he didn’t know if he would have stopped. William was right. Angelica deserved better than to be taken on a bench like a common whore.
She left with William, and Kane.
Before William left, he locked the door. Ronan clasped the cold bar and watched Angelica’s swaying hips. He inhaled, trying to fill his lungs with her fragrant scent, to keep her light inside him, but the scent faded. As soon as she disappeared from his sight, his gut burned. Hate and anger pumped through him. Darkness blew over him like angry winds rushing across Ireland’s damp grass.
He wanted to cry out for Angelica, but his foolish pride refused to allow him to ask for help. Or was someone else preventing him from crying out? He slid down the metal door and leaned his forehead against the cold bars. He was a dog waiting f
or his mistress. He was lost.
Breathing was difficult. He tried to lift his arm, but a heavy weight pressed it down. He opened his mouth to call out, but no words escaped, as if he’d forgotten how to talk. He closed his eyes and couldn’t open them. He slumped against the bars, and sleep overtook him.
* * *
Ronan was back on the beach and waves washed over his bare feet, stirring fear.
His eyes blazing red and a sneer on his lips, Zuto walked over to him, holding a sleek blanket. With his opposite hand, he smacked Ronan across the face.
“Why didn’t you bed the mermaid?”
Ronan rubbed his cheek. Blood smeared on his fingers. “You mean rape her?”
The demon held up the blanket. “Do you know what this is?”
“No. Why?”
“It was your grandfather’s.”
“Why do you have my grandfather’s blanket?”
Zuto smirked. “It’s not a blanket.” He held it closer for Ronan to inspect it. “See?”
On closer examination, Ronan realized it wasn’t a blanket, but a dead seal. “So, my grandfather killed a seal?”
“You really know nothing. It’s not carcass, idiot. It’s a suit.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. “You’re saying my grandfather was a selkie?”
“Yes, he came to Ireland, shed the suit, seduced your grandmother, and well, the rest is history.”
“You’re a liar.”
Zuto shrugged. “Ask the mermaid. I told you to tell her what you saw before she was captured. I need to harvest both of your blood.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Zuto slapped him, splitting his lip. “You’re testing my patience. I want her power.”
“For you.”
“Once I do, you’ll get your hand back. That was our agreement. Or did you forget?”
“No, I didna. But I’ll not hurt the lass. You canna make me do it.”
The minute he uttered the words, he regretted it.
“You’ll pay for your insolence.”
Before Ronan could react, Zuto snapped his fingers. Ronan couldn’t move. The demon plowed his fists repeatedly into his face. Flesh split open. Unbearable pain pounded into his skull, and he couldn’t cry out, couldn’t wake up. His eyes swelled shut, and blood sprayed onto the demon’s fist. His blood.
Zuto shoved him, and Ronan fell into the surf. Salt water stung his wounds and spilled into his mouth. But Zuto wasn’t finished. He kicked him in the side, and more bones broke. Ronan cried out and choked on the sea.
More waves rushed over him, and water spilled into his lungs. His lungs burned. Hell, he was drownin’.
The demon grabbed him by the hair and lifted him out of the surf. “If you won’t take her willingly, the priest possessing the crown will force you to do it.”
* * *
Something soft caressed Ronan, and his eyes fluttered. He could barely see. His vision was blurred, and he had to try to open his eyes. Someone kissed his forehead. Warm. Luscious. Soothing.
“I shouldn’t have left you,” Angelica said, as she wiped his face with a cool rag. She had the sweetest, soothing voice.
Tears splashed onto his swollen cheeks. “Ronan, why did Zuto punish you again?”
He wasn’t in the brig. He was in his hammock in the crew’s quarters. “How did I get here?”
“You were screaming,” Angelica said. “And Kane ordered you to be taken to the crew’s quarters.”
Ronan’s cheeks and lip throbbed. Being a vampire, the bruises and cuts would normally heal within a couple of hours, but not this time. No doubt, Zuto wanted him to remember his disobedience, wanted him to suffer.
“Ronan, please tell why did the demon punish you?”
Sucking in air, Ronan held up his hand. “Let me catch my breath.” Zuto had to be lying. There was no way his grandpa was a selkie. His grandpa had been the world to him. He’d been a fisherman and would take Ronan out with him. He’d been always been the one to return with the largest catch of the day and would always bring something home to his grandma—a flower, a piece of jewelry, or something he’d made. Grandpa used to say, “The very first time, I saw your grandma, the sea was lost to me. I had to have her.” Ronan had always thought he meant he didn’t want to be a bachelor anymore, but maybe Grandpa had meant something else.
Ronan looked into Angelica’s blue eyes, wondering if she knew the answer. He wanted to ask her why he could see her sunning herself on the rock and everyone saw waves crashing on the rock, but fear tied his tongue. “Because he wants me to hurt you. In my vision, he beat me. I guess he left me something to remember him.”
“What does he want?”
He couldn’t tell her why. “Donna cry.” He brushed her tears off her cheeks. “I’ll heal.” At least, he hoped so.
Doc came up alongside Angelica. Concern filled his brown eyes. “You’ve done got a broken rib.” He shook his head. “Zuto’s never been able to do dis before wid any of us. How come he can do dis wid you?”
“’Tis black magic inside him,” Angelica said. “He has the power to summon him, and now, he can physically hurt him without ever leaving his island.”
Doc frowned. “Why did he punish you?”
Ronan put his arm on his forehead. “He was angry with me.”
Doc snorted. “Obviously. And?”
“Because of me,” Angelica whispered.
Ronan kissed her soft hand. “You’re not to blame. You need to leave, Angelica. ’Tis not safe here.”
“She’s safe enough,” Doc said.
“She’s safe from all of you, but not from me.”
Angelica braced her shoulders. “I’m not afraid.”
She didn’t know how close she was to being taken in the brig, reduced to a common whore, to satisfy the demon’s command. He released her hand and stared up at the ceiling, not able to look at her brave face. “You should be. I’m the dangerous one. I’ll keep fighting him. Refusing to follow his orders. He wants you, Angelica. I’m afraid of what he’ll do once he gets you. Go back to the sea. You’ll be safe there.”
Doc threaded a needle. “I’ll have to stitch your face. You’ll look like a patch doll for awhile.” He tilted his head toward the entryway. “Mariah’s been askin’ about Lark. Has the demon said where the lad is?”
Ronan shook his head. “No.”
“If Zuto won’t tell us where Lark is, I know someone who can.”
Ronan stilled. “Who?”
“Morgana Fey,” Angelica said.
Unease swirled in Ronan’s gut. He remembered the last time they’d been there. Morgana Fey was Mariah’s grandmother and a powerful witch. Mariah said her skills surpassed her own, but she was dying along with her ability. Morgana had predicted something evil would happen to him. He’d thought the prediction was blarmy, but things kept happening. Something was out there, something he couldn’t control.
“Since the demon’s not tellin’,” Doc said. “I’ll tell the cap’n to set a course for Tortuga.”
Running footsteps pounded down the stairs. William burst into the crew’s quarter. “Doc, we need you on deck.”
“I’m—”
William’s face was hard. “The Fiery Damsel is pursing us.”
Chapter 9
Cannons boomed. The smell of sulfur penetrated deep into the ship. Doc and William rushed out of the crew’s quarters. Not wanting to be left behind, Ronan struggled to get out of the hammock.
Angelica pushed him back down. “No, you’re hurt. There’s nothing you can do.”
“I’ll not lay here a helpless sop.”
He knocked Angelica’s hands off his chest. She stumbled. He managed to get out of the hammock and stand, but his legs wobbled. He was determined not to be a burden. He didn’t know how, but he would fight.
Cannons thundered, and the Soaring Phoenix shuddered.
“Ronan, please.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “You must lie down. You can’t even see. Your eyes are
still swollen from your fight with Sean. There’s nothing you can do. The crew will fight the Fiery Damsel.”
“I can see well enough. I’m not going to be as useless as tits on a bull. I can do something.” When she shook her head, he stuck out his chin. “Damn it. I’ll crawl up on deck if I have to. Help me.”
Angelica shook her head. “Stubborn, foolish Irishman.”
But she hugged him close, and they made their way to the stairs. Guns blasted. Smoke drifted down the steps, and the smell of sulfur grew stronger as they crept toward the surface. The ship rocked hard, and Ronan slammed into the wall. Angelica hurtled against him. She cried out.
Angry shouts and pounding steps echoed on the deck above.
Men raced past the stairs, and Ronan pressed his hand against the door jamb, trying to catch his breath. A raging headache threatened to burst through his skull, and his stomach swirled from the agony. He feared Angelica was right that he’d be more of a burden than a help in the upcoming battle. Zuto had said he’d force him to take Angelica. Had he sent Palmer after him to ensure he fulfilled his obligation? He had to warn Kane and make him send Angelica away, away from him. Forever.
“We’ve got to find the cap’n,” he panted.
“Come on then, you determined fool.”
Ronan pressed his unsteady legs to move, but he was forced to lean against Angelica. If she’d had been a smaller woman, he’d have crushed her. She was strong yet feminine. Mermaids must be a hardy lot. A woman he could fall in love with.
Bloody hell, he didn’t even know if he felt this way... Maybe Zuto had planted the thoughts. Blimey, he was losing his mind.
Together they managed to climb the steps. Up on deck, Kane stood at the star board side, peering out his spyglass at the Fiery Damsel, a three-masted Spanish carrack. Palmer must have commandeered the ship after Kane had sunk his first ship. Ever since he’d lost his ship, Palmer had vowed to sink the Soaring Phoenix to the bottom of the ocean.