by ML Guida
His arousal hardened, pushing against her thigh and she stiffened. He wanted her. But he was a man and men desired women, regardless of their feelings for them. Hadn’t her two older married sisters, Theresa and Madeline, warned her of this? They were both married and living in London, living the life father wanted for them, living like good Christian women. But she wasn’t her sisters. Neither Theresa nor Madeline possessed her powers, either. Unlike Hannah, they were father’s favorite and thus, married men of their choosing.
Wait.
What was she thinking? Marrying a pirate? As if Kane was the marrying kind. But did she care? No. Once again, she broke all of Father’s rules—don’t use her powers, don’t dally with scoundrels, don’t be brazen. Kissing a pirate, a sinful, delightful pirate was breaking rule number two. She wrapped her fingers in his thick hair, pinning him to her mouth, not wanting to break off the kiss. His hand skimmed down her stomach and slipped up inside her shirt. He cupped her breast, his thumb brushing her nipple. She moaned and he deepened his kiss. Her hands caressed down his shoulders and she pulled him closer, gripping his back. He winced and stiffened.
“Did I hurt you?” She dropped her arms to her side. What had she been thinking? She stabbed the man last night and now, she was ravishing him. “I’m so sorry.”
“’Tis nothing, lass,” he insisted, but his face paled. Sweat trickled down his face and he wiped his forehead. He closed his eyes and tilted forward. Hannah grabbed his bicep with both hands to keep him steady.
She glanced over Kane’s shoulder. Doc stood nearby with his arms folded across his chest and a frown pasted on his face. “Capt’n.”
Kane growled, “What ’tis it?”
“You need to be back in bed. I can see you swaying an’ you’re about to fall overboard.”
“I don’t need a doctor,” Kane insisted. “Kane,” Hannah half smiled. “Yes, you do. Come on. You’ve got to go back to bed.”
He stared at her. “You’ll keep your promise?”
She lowered her voice. “You mean about William?”
He nodded.
“I promise.” She gave him a quick peck on his lips, wanting more, but Kane needed rest. “Come on Doc,” she said, “Help me.”
Doc hurried over and they both helped Kane wobble back to his cabin.
“You’re bleeding,” Doc said. He got Kane’s shirt off and rolled him onto his stomach.
This was her fault. She should have insisted Kane go back to his cabin, rather than giving into her own selfish needs.
“Is it bad, Doc?”
Doc shook his head. “Needs to be stitched again. I’ll be back.”
Blood dripped down Kane’s side. She grabbed Kane’s shirt, held it over his wound and pulled his hair away from the flooding stream. Kane moaned.
“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled.
“Hannah,” he gritted his teeth. “I’m immortal. It’ll heal. ’Tis my choice to get up.”
“He’ll be fine, Hannah,” Doc said upon returning. He sat on the edge of the bed. “You look a little pale. Get some air.”
“No, I want to…” her voice faded as Doc's needle pierced through Kane's flesh.
“Hannah, go,” Doc ordered, his voice firm.
Hannah nodded and exited the cabin. She wanted to stay, but the gushing blood turned her stomach. Aboard her father’s ship, she had stitched lashes and cuts on her father’s crew and not once had she gotten sick or flinched from the work. But she hadn’t stabbed the men, either. Nor did she have the same overpowering feelings for them as she did for Kane. She refused to name those feelings and pushed them far behind. What good would it do her? After tomorrow, Kane would be gone from her life.
Up on deck, the ship sailed toward a cove. Her heart sank. Kane stoked so many feelings within her and she couldn’t imagine life without him. How had it come to this? A hurricane of emotions flooded her and she couldn’t discern what she felt for him or maybe too afraid to admit she cared, too afraid to ask if she could stay.
Hannah put her hands on the railing. A long shadow fell across the ship as the Soaring Phoenix sailed into a cove, between two rocky cliffs. The cove was wide enough for one ship. Any ship entering would meet the Soaring Phoenix head on and meet a smoldering death. Did Kane plan on dropping her and her father off here? Was Saint Kitts far from the cove? Did she mean anything to Kane? She dug her nails into the railing.
The palm trees swayed and the waves slowly washed up on the white unspoiled beach. Sea gulls flew overhead and two white storks stood on one leg. Lush green ferns and flowering bushes crowded the jungle.
“Weigh anchor,” Sean Mallory called.
Men ran along the deck, grabbing the moor lines and dousing the sails overhead.
“Hello Hannah.”
She jumped, put her hand on her chest and turned. “Oh, William, I didn’t hear you approach.”
“What are you doing?”
“Just looking at the crystal water and the island. Is Saint Kitts far?”
“No, ’tis less than ten miles from here, but we’re hidden in this cove.”
“I have no say in the matter.”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t want to go to Saint Kitts.”
“You can’t stay aboard this ship. ’Tis not safe.” His harsh voice startled her.
“Because of the tension between you and Kane?”
“’Tis the least of the worries. You’re being hunted, Hannah. You must get a ship in Saint Kitts and head back to England where Palmer and Zuto can never find you.”
“You don’t know my father.” She chuckled wryly. “He wants me to marry Jacques D’Aubigne. I doubt he’ll heed the warning. My uncle’s the governor of Saint Kitts and my father will insist we are quite safe.”
“Then he’s a fool.” An eclipse drew over his features. “Have you ever met Jacques D’Aubigne?”
“No.” She swallowed, not liking the scowl upon his face. “But you have?”
“He’s more of an acquaintance. The devil incarnate.”
She moistened her lip. “He’s not a good man?”
“No, he used to be a ruthless pirate. He was a slave trader and captured slaves from Africa and sold them. Palmer used to help him with his trade. ’Twas quite lucrative until Kane sank his ship. I don’t understand why your father wants you to marry him.”
She shuddered. Another pirate? A former slave trader? “Well, I don’t understand why Kane is sending me to marry him.”
“Lass, Kane isn’t sending you to marry Jacques. He’s sending you to Saint Kitts to secure passage to London.”
“First, he tells me to stay away from you, but then, he sends me to marry another.”
William narrowed his eyes. “He told you to stay away from me? Why?”
She shrugged. “He says I’m putting a wedge between you.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
She stared at him. Damn. Kane was just as bad as her father. Why should she follow his rules? After tomorrow, she’d be faced with her worst nightmare of being chained to a man she didn’t want to marry. “I can do what I want.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “Good lass.” He trailed his hand down her arm and she took a step back, not wanting him to caress her, the way Kane did. Only Kane created an inner core of desire. With him, she fell into a bottomless chasm of desire. She still couldn’t fathom Kane was turning her over to someone else someone by the look of William was ruthless, evil. How could Kane do this? She wanted to beat him with her fists. Shake him. Do something to make him change his mind. Avoiding William’s questioning look, she gazed back at the beach. “’Tis so lovely. So, white, pure.”
“Aye, lass.” He skimmed his knuckles against her cheek.
She pulled away. “Don’t touch me so.”
His eyes widened, dropped his hand and sighed. “Some of the crew is going to shore for spring water and hunting. Want to walk along the beach? Do you good.” A mischievous sm
ile came across his lips. “There’s a nearby waterfall where you can go swimming if you like.”
She frowned, her foolish words earlier betraying her. “I don’t know.” She chewed on her cheek. Would Kane be mad? He deserved it after what he did.
“I promise you that you’ll be perfectly safe.” William bowed.
“Are you sure?” She bit her lower lip as a cold knot formed in her stomach.
William stood. “Aye, the waterfall’s absolutely beautiful. The running water will revive you.”
Hannah glanced down at her grimy shirt and breeches and gazed up at him. “You know, William, I’ll take you up on that offer.”
He beamed. “Good. I’ll make the arrangements.”
Hannah shuddered, but she refused to change her mind. She wanted to prove to Kane she didn’t care what he thought. Besides, she had to get used to being with other men, since Kane was discarding her. A lump formed in her throat and she pushed it down.
Within a short time, William escorted Hannah to the edge of the railing where she climbed down a rope ladder into the longboat. Amadi steadied her as she stood in the wavering vessel and escorted her to the rear of the boat. After William joined them, Amadi rowed toward shore.
Hannah huddled to the side of the boat. Why had she agreed to do this? She thought about going back, but after tomorrow, she’d never see Kane again. Before she descended into her father’s world, she wanted one more taste of freedom of doing what she wanted before she was chained to a man she didn’t want. Besides, she wasn’t alone with William. Amadi was here.
She peered over the boat into the clear blue water. Long leafy plants swayed underwater. Black and silver striped fish chased each other around purple and green corals. Small thin, orange fish glided in groups spinning in circles. She streamed her fingers through the warm, fresh water and sighed. The fish were freer than she was. Free to swim where they chose. Free to mate with whom they chose.
Amadi reached the shore. Waves lapped against the white beach. A breeze rumpled the palm trees and rustled the round bushes of mallows, glossy fronds, and feathery ferns in the jungle. Inhaling their sweet fragrances, the coiled muscles in her shoulder lessened with each breath she took. “’Tis beautiful.”
William jumped out of the boat and offered his hand. “Thank you,” she murmured.
He smiled, pulling her gently out of the boat. “This way.”
Still gripping her hand, he led her into the forest with Amadi following close behind. Parrots cawed overhead and toucans squawked. Her boots sank into the moist leaves littering the jungle floor. Running water roared nearby. With each encroaching step, the sound vibrated louder. When they reached a clearing, the lush foliage diminished. Water cascaded down from a rocky cliff into a blue pool, pouring over the sides of the rocks and forming a stream winding into the forest. Ferns, ginger and colorful bushes surrounded the pool. Ambling over to a bush, she sniffed the sweet subtle fragrance of a large trumpet shaped orange flower, wanting to bathe in the scent.
At the edge of the pool, William tossed his weapons onto the ground, unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on top of his weapons. He whisked off his boots and yanked down his trousers. Hannah’s cheeks heated and she kept her eyes on her boots. What was she doing? She glanced at Amadi who sat scowling on a log with his arms crossed over his chest.
William dove into the pool. Droplets of cool water splattered over her. William splashed water at her, drenching her boots. “Come on in Hannah. It feels grand!”
Swinging his head back, his wet hair clung to his broad back. His muscles rippled as he wadded in the water. Definitely handsome, but he didn’t ignite the same feelings as Kane. Her mouth ran dry, thinking of Kane swimming naked in the water.
Amadi tilted his head toward William. “’Tis all right, poppet. He’ll behave himself. I’m here to ensure he does.”
William filled his mouth with water and squirted at Amadi who glared at him when the side of his arm got drenched. He stormed over to another log. Tilting his chin and setting his jaw tight line, Amadi sat glaring.
“Come on Hannah.” William backstroked in the pool. “I promise you, you’ll like it.”
With Amadi nearby to stand as her sentinel, she decided to indulge in the moment. She whipped off her boots, her toes sinking into the cool ground covered with fallen ferns. She slowly pulled her trousers down, but chose to leave on her shirt and chemise.
“Hannah, I’m not going to hurt you.” William made the sign of the cross over his naked chest. “On my honor, I promise.”
Giving him a shy smile, Hannah edged her way to the pool. She inserted her right toe into the water and shivered. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. Where did this rebellion come from? If someone would have told her she’d be swimming with a beautiful half-naked man under a waterfall, she’d have scoffed. She remembered William’s kiss and thought about kissing him. Heavens, she must be ready for bedlam.
Without thinking of the consequences, she plunged into the pool. Cool water took her breath away. She popped out of the water. “’Tis freezing.”
“Ah, you’re just being a baby,” William chided.
Holding her breath, she dove underwater, circling him and kicked water into his face. He slammed his palms into the pool, spraying water onto her backside. Her smug satisfaction disappeared when he seized her ankles. She jerked her feet, burst above the surface and spit out water. Strands of her thick hair shrouded her face. She parted her hair with her hands and stared into his laughing face. “You cur,” she splashed him. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Laughing, he backstroked over to the waterfall. Sitting under the falls, the water plastered his hair to his naked back. “Hannah, I dare you to try this.” He winked. “So, are you coming?”
Hannah wadded over to the waterfall and sat on a rock. Water pelted down her head, shoulders and back, she sighed as the tension melted. “William, this is divine.”
“Aye, ’tis relaxing.” His tone failed to match his words. She glanced over, and he turned his head away. “Your a shirt um…”
She frowned. “What about..?” She looked down. Her face burned hot, and she wanted to crawl under one of the nearby rocks. Her shirt formed against her, revealing her flat stomach and her rosy nipples. She might as well have been naked. Had Amadi seen too? She glanced over, but he appeared to be staring into the jungle.
Not wanting to know, she jumped back into the pool. Water darted up her nose and she gagged. Her lungs filled with water.
A strong hand hauled her out of the water. William patted her on her back. “Are you all right?”
“Um, uh, yes, I’m fine, sorry.” She slipped back down into the water, unable to meet his eyes. He must think her a hussy. What would Kane say? Why did she have to be so foolhardy?
William swam alongside her and she recoiled. On the other side of the quiet pool, in the shallow water, she kneeled and squeezed the water out of her hair. She kept her head down. “This is beautiful, but maybe we should go back soon.”
“Oh, we can stay a little longer,” he urged.
Kane wounded and lying in bed came to her mind. She mumbled, “I’m going to dry off.”
She climbed out of the water, shook out the excess water in her shirt and stretched out on her stomach onto a long flat boulder at the edge of the pool. She closed her eyes and let the sun heat her skin. Maybe she should not have done this. Why had she agreed to go swimming alone with William? Admit it. I wanted to hurt Kane.
The rock warmed her wet shirt and bare legs and doused her anger. She dozed, but woke with a start. She turned her head to William swimming in the pool. His gaiety had vanished and looked uncomfortable. She yawned, “You’re going to turn into a prune.”
“Aye,” he answered wearily. “That I am.”
Hannah caught sight of his manhood. He was definitely aroused. What was she thinking? William was a pirate. This had been a mistake.
Amadi stood. “Time to go back to da boat.”
&nb
sp; “Yes, I’m ready to go.” Hannah grabbed her breeches, socks and shoes, and slipped them on. Her shirt and chemise had dried and she no longer looked like a hussy.
Getting out of the pool, William immediately laid out on a rock.
She peered over her shoulder. “Are you coming William?”
He didn’t answer her at first. “I’ll meet you at the boat in a few minutes.”
Amadi motioned. Hannah hurried after him, trying to keep up with his long strides. The birds chirped and chattered in the trees overhead. Her boots crunched broken twigs. A branch smacked her in her face, disturbing a small brown furry animal hanging upside down—a bat. Hannah stopped. The horrors of the last few nights rushed over her and she trembled, putting her hand on her pounding heart. The bat screeched and flapped its long webbed wings. She sighed and dropped her arm. The creature’s eyes were black, not red.
Amadi stopped. He glanced over his shoulder at her and frowned. “Are you all right?”
She grabbed his bicep with her small hand. “Ah, yes, let’s just get to the boat.”
Grabbing her hand, he escorted her to the beach. “Hannah, nothing can get you. Not when I’m around.”
Taking a deep breath, she stopped trembling. “Amadi?”
“Aye, poppet?”
“Who’s Sharon?”
He halted at the edge of the jungle. “What?”
She glanced over her shoulder to make sure that William wasn’t behind her. “William called me Sharon the other night. When I asked him who she was, he fell silent.”
He glimpsed back into the jungle. “She was his wife.”
“What happened to her?”
“Dead. Her brother killed her.”
Hannah stepped back. “Why?”
“Because she married an Irishmen.”
She flinched. “How horrible!”
Amadi’s brows pulled into a wary frown. “Hannah, don’t bring her up to William.”
She shook her head. “I’ll not say anything.” How much tragedy could one family endure? Were the Irish and British so different?
They stood on the white beach with the bright sun shining down. Even though her clothes were dry, her body shivered from a cool breeze rushing over the beach. Sea gulls flew overhead. Orange and red parrots cawed in the thick brush. William came loping out of the jungle. His handsome smiling face caused her heart to clutch. How could her countrymen be so selfish? Was the Fiery Damsel the only reason why they were sending her to Saint Kitts? Did they resent her heritage too?