by ML Guida
She lifted her eyebrow. “That is an interesting way to put it,” she said, her voice husky.
He dropped his hand and tilted his head. “The Soaring Phoenix is strong, stronger than the Fiery Damsel. She sunk her foe once, but Palmer’s got a new ship, and he’s bent on revenge.”
“Revenge?”
“Aye, Palmer won’t rest until the Soaring Phoenix lies next to the Fiery Damsel in a watery grave.”
“He has my brother.” Her voice was low and menacing.
He could feel the hidden power in those words as if she cast a vengeful spell on Palmer. “I know.” He wanted to hold her and whisper everything would be well, but it would be a lie. She deserved the truth, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Her brother might be lost to her forever.
He put his hand on Mariah’s lower back. “Shall we?”
She flicked her hair behind her shoulder. “Oui. Come, Solstice.”
William led the way, maneuvering her down the dock with her silly dog trailing behind.
A man wiped the sweat from his brow. “Now, there’s a real beauty.”
Another man whistled and licked his lips, his gaze slowly appreciating Mariah’s curves.
Mariah glanced at the man but didn’t even flinch. She strolled past him as if she were out on Sunday walk.
William glowered at the two men. “She’s a lady. Leave her alone.”
“Didn’t say she wasn’t, mate,” the man said.
The whistler shrugged his shoulders and went back to picking up barrels and carrying them up a plank to a schooner.
Mariah rubbed his arm. “You don’t have to be so protective. I can handle a few whistlers. I’ve lived in Tortuga for some time now and know how to handle a leering sailor.”
“Aye, but I don’t tolerate men harassing lasses.”
She flashed him a lopsided smile and laughed, dousing his anger.
Amadi leaned on a barrel as William approached with Mariah. “Trouble, lad?”
“Nothing I can’t handle,” he said.
Mariah’s eyes widened as she stared at Amadi. He usually intimidated people with his giant size, and she barely came up to his elbow. He wore a cutlass on his hip and a pistol inside his belt. His shirtless ebony skin gleamed in the sun, and his long, beaded braids were pagan and wild. William expected Mariah to huddle by his side, but once again, she surprised him and slightly bowed her head. “Bonjour.”
“Bonjour to you,” Amadi said.
“Mariah, this is Amadi.” William clasped Amadi’s shoulder. “He looks meaner than he is.”
“Mariah.” Amadi’s smile replaced his frown. “Capt’n done told me you were comin’ aboard.” He waved his arm. “Climb aboard, woman.”
“Merci, Amadi,” she said. “’Twas nice to meet you.”
Solstice rushed up the stairs.
“What the hell?” Amadi scowled.
“Her familiar,” William answered.
“Her what?”
“Don’t ask.” William put out his elbow, took Mariah’s hand, and pulled it through the nook of his arm. “Shall we?”
She scowled but allowed him to escort her up the gangplank. She was brave and not easily frightened, but she was only meeting the crew. She had not come to face-to-face with Palmer and Zuto. Then she’d embrace true terror.
Men marched up and down the plank, hastening with supplies of food, water, and gunpowder. The Phoenix was going into battle again. William steered Mariah away from the bustling crewmen. She stared straight ahead, the wind blowing her hair, covering her face, but he glimpsed wetness glistening on her cheeks. He patted her hand. “Why are you crying?”
“I know ’tis silly.” She wiped her cheeks and pushed her hair behind her ears. “But I have never left my home since…since Paris.” Her words faded.
He wrapped his arms around her. “I felt the same when I left Ireland, but I didn’t have a choice to leave. You do.” He turned her around. “You can go back now, Mariah. There’s no shame in it.”
“Oui, but there is, William. Grand-mère has foreseen it. If I go back home…” She stared over at the mountains. “My brother dies. I’m not afraid. Live or die, my destiny has been dealt to me.”
“William,” Hannah called. She had become comfortable on the Phoenix, dressing the part. She wore her hair braided and Kane’s tunic and trousers. Kane had offered to tailor them to her size, but she insisted on wearing the breeches rolled up. Her cutlass was on her hip, and inside the rope that held her pants was her trusty dagger.
A shudder ran through William, and a hiss whispered in his ear. Transform. Take Hannah to our master. Now.
He shook his head, and the words died. Where had that come from? Master?
“This must be Mariah.” Hannah stared down at the dog. “And who is this?”
“This annoying mutt is her familiar, Solstice,” William grumbled.
Mariah flicked her gaze upward. “She’s not a mutt. She’s a spaniel.”
Hannah knelt and rubbed Solstice’s ears. The dog responded by licking her face. She laughed, tilting her head back. “Oh, you are adorable.”
William stepped aside. “Mariah, this is Hannah Knight, the captain’s lass.”
Hannah smiled and stood.
“Bonjour,” Mariah said.
“Welcome aboard the Soaring Phoenix,” Hannah said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You have?”
“Of course,” Hannah gestured. “From Kane and Ronan.” Hannah peered at her closer. “William has been telling you to stay back and hide?”
“Quoi?”
“He was always threatening to lock me in the brig or ship me back to England. ’Tis his way.”
William folded his arms across his chest. “Why thank you, Hannah, such a lovely introduction.”
She shrugged. “You know ’tis true.”
Kane came up behind Hannah and slipped his arms around her waist, snuggling her against his body. “Are you causing trouble, lass?” He winked at William.
“Aye, she is,” William said.
Kane nuzzled Hannah’s neck. “Ah, you’re a handful.”
She patted the side of his cheek. “Only to you.”
He sighed and released her. He looked over Hannah’s head at Mariah. “So, are you ready to disembark?”
“Oui, je le suis.”
Solstice wagged her tail.
“I can see you are, Solstice,” Kane said. “Never had a dog on board, but Morgana thought ’twas important she come. William, take Mariah and Solstice below so they can get settled.”
“Exactly where are you expecting to put her?” Hannah asked.
“Why?”
She put her hand on her hips. “Not in the crew’s quarters.”
“She can’t sleep in our cabin,” he lowered his voice.
“I didn’t say she would,” Hannah said. “But I doubt Mariah wants to sleep with a bunch of uncouth pirates either. I’m going to give her a corner of the crew’s quarter where she’ll have some privacy.”
Mariah frowned. “I do not mean to cause any trouble.”
“You’re not.” Hannah grabbed her hand. “Come on, I’ll help you get settled.”
“I need my bag,” Mariah said.
William clutched the bag’s strap tighter. “I’ll come with you.”
“You will not.” Hannah emphasized each word.
She flicked her hand, and William winced. She drew on her power, and the bag slid off his shoulder before he could grab it. Hannah snatched it, handed it to Mariah, and smiled sweetly. “Thank you, William.”
“Hannah,” he warned.
“When she is settled, I’ll let you know.” She looped her arm through Mariah’s. “We’ll be back soon. Smile, William.” A furry broom sweeping the deck, Solstice followed and sniffed.
Mariah looked over her shoulder and shrugged. William headed after them, but Kane grabbed his arm. “Leave the lasses be, brother. I suspect Hannah’s excited to have a female around. A las
s needs female companionship.”
He glanced at Kane’s smirking face and shook his head. Sharon’s pale, listless body flashed in front of his eyes, and his stomach clenched. “Kane, I don’t want Mariah to—”
“End up like Sharon. I know. But then think of this, William. Palmer knows where she’s at. If Lark turns, she’s as good as dead anyway. With us, she’ll be safe on the Phoenix.”
William’s stomach twisted into tiny knots of doubt. “I hope so.”
Kane strode to the stern, away from the busy crew members, and stared out to sea. William followed and braced his hands on the railing. The cool breeze blew his hair, and salt lined his lips. He scanned the clear horizon. “But for how long, Kane? Palmer’s out for blood. An eye for an eye. Now there’s another demon. One more evil then Zuto. How can we expect to defeat them?” He hung his head, studying his boots. He’d made one mistake after another. He’d failed to defend his mother, failed to protect Sharon, failed to kill Zuto, and failed to convince Mariah to stay home.
Kane grabbed the back of William’s neck and gave him a brotherly squeeze like he used to when they were kids. “We’ll defeat them, brother, or die trying.”
A seagull cried overhead, and William raised his head, remembering what ’twas like to fly as a dragon and how much he’d liked it. Soon, he’d have to face his beast and try to control his ravaging hunger. “I need a drink.”
Chapter 7
Mariah held her bag close and followed Hannah down the ladder to the crew’s quarters. She fingered the stone hanging around her neck that had hints of gray flecks spotted through the white. Time was of the essence. She needed to conjure a spell to find Lark before ’twas too late. But first she needed a place to store her belongings away from prying eyes, especially William’s.
Although Mariah detected muskiness as they stepped onto the stairs, the air was not stale, and the stairs were swept clean. Brass lanterns and the railing were polished, and walls were washed. The capitaine kept an orderly ship. She followed Hannah through a door into the crew’s quarters. Rows of hammocks swayed back and forth. Blankets and pillows lay on top, some neat, others disheveled. Trunks lined the back wall. She couldn’t help but wonder which trunk was William’s and which hammock was his.
“So, how long have you been aboard the Phoenix?”
“About two months. ’Tis my home, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere but here.”
“Because of Kane.”
Her cheeks reddened, and she smiled. “Yes, I love him. His crew has become more like family. They accept me.”
“Meaning yours didn’t, oui?”
Hannah gave her an empty stare. “Except for my grandmother. But she possessed the same powers as I did. We’re both descended from a gypsy queen that had this power. We cannot perform spells or anything, so we are not witches. My abilities scared my father and my sisters. I was the outcast, someone to be feared. Kane has always accepted me. Not everyone does.”
Mariah chewed on her lip. “What about William?”
“William accepted me but condemned my abilities like my father did.”
Chills slithered down Mariah’s spine. “Oh.” Memories rushed in of fleeing France from the people who had condemned her family for being witches. Her parents had sacrificed their lives for her and Lark to live. She wiped away angry tears, not wanting Hannah to see. How could Grand-mère think she would want to be with a man who would tie her to a stake and burn her alive?
“He tends to be overprotective. He’s lost many people in his life, and this colors his world.”
She cleared her throat. “Like who?”
“’Tis not for me to say. You’ll have to ask him.”
“Your father’s still on board the Phoenix?”
Hannah’s eyes moistened. “Yes.” Her expression saddened. “But he’s not the same man he was. It wasn’t just the torture. Palmer broke his spirit.”
“Meaning?”
“He sits up on deck and stares. He walks with a cane now, and his hands are crippled.” She lowered her head. “I tried healing him, but my power can’t heal broken bones.”
“I am sorry, Hannah. If I had known, I would have asked Grand-mère to send some herbs to help mend his bones.”
“You could heal him?”
“Oui, I’m a witch. Remember?” Solstice nudged Mariah’s hand. Mariah glanced down and stared at the spaniel. “I don’t have the elixir. I have something better. Solstice. She’s comforting.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s my familiar, and her presence can be comforting, sometimes even healing.”
“My father’s never been good with animals.”
“Solstice isn’t every animal. Let her try.”
Hannah smiled and wiped a rogue tear off her cheek. “Thank you.” She put her hand on her forehead. “I’m feeling a little dizzy.”
“You are? Do you need to sit down?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine in a minute. I think it’s being around you. I can feel your power.”
“You’re a sensitive, and this makes sense.”
Hannah knelt beside a large truck and rummaged inside. “I’m not finding what I need.”
“Maybe I can help ye, lass?”
A tall black man entered the quarters. His long, black hair escaped from underneath a red scarf bound around his head. His brown eyes glittered with laughter, and Mariah couldn’t help but smile. He held a rolled-up white canvas underneath his arm.
Hannah whirled around. “Mariah, this is Doc. He’s one of the kindest men on board this ship.” She pecked him on the cheek.
Doc’s dark cheeks reddened. “Kane told me what you done be up to, lass. I done gone and found ye some canvas.”
Hannah took the canvas and she and Doc stretched it out on the floor. “’Tis from one of da torn sails. Sewn up. ’Tis not long enough to do da Phoenix much good. Kept it for possible repairs when we go into battle. It’ll work to give da lass some privacy.”
Three more pirates came into the cabin, carrying nails and a hammer. Within minutes, they had hung the canvas around a hammock in the corner of the cabin, away from the rest of the crew. It was enough privacy to do a spell. Mariah was given an empty trunk to store her belongings.
Mariah smiled. “Merci, I cannot believe all the trouble you have gone through for me.”
“You’ll find these pirates have hearts of gold,” Hannah said. “You’ll never have to worry about your safety, even during the full moon.”
The men shifted uncomfortably, glancing at each other.
“You’re safe, lass,” Doc said. “We don’t kill those we feed upon. We’re not Palmer.”
She nodded. “Oui, certainement.”
“They’re telling you true.” William walked into the crew’s quarters. “Why, Doc, you and the men have outdone yourselves. But I don’t know if it will keep out the smell.”
Doc raised his eyebrow. “Smell?”
“Apparently, we lads are uncouth. Isn’t that right, Hannah?”
“Come on.” Hannah’s face reddened and slipped her arm into Doc’s. “I want to find Kane. We should be ready to leave soon.”
Hannah and the men took their leave. Solstice curled up on the floor. Mariah and William were alone.
“I know ’tis not a room.” He gestured toward the tent. “’Tis either this or the brig.”
She smiled. “’Tis fine.” She was anxious for him to leave so she could conjure a spell and try to contact Lark. He studied her with his perceptive eyes, and she fidgeted with her hands, afraid he’d received the dragon gift of reading minds. “Anything else?”
“Are you well?”
“Oui.”
“Liar.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You don’t know me well enough to call me a liar.”
“Aye. I do.” He stepped closer. “I’m beginning to learn how you’re feeling. Did you know that your eyes change color based on your mood?”
She backed up an
d her legs brushed against the hammock. “You noticed?”
“I notice many things about you Mariah.” He reached out and pulled her closer. “I notice your female scent of lavender, the way your dress outlines the curves of your body, your pouting lips. Your sexy accent. The way you carry yourself. You’re not afraid of men whistling at your or facing a wounded dragon. You speak your mind. Your determination—strong yet feminine. I notice everything there is about you, lass.”
All this time, she’d thought he resented her determination since he always wanted her to stay back. “You like my determination?”
“’Tis frustrating and annoying, but aye, I admire it. I admire you.”
Unable to breathe, she waited, wanting to taste his lips again, wanting to sink into his maleness. Cursing herself for wanting to kiss a man who detested her magic. His lips captured hers. She should be pressing her hands against his chest and pushing him away, insisting he stay away from her. Instead, she molded her traitorous body against him, her hands clutching his strong arms. Protective arms held her, and she felt safe, secure. ’Twas a falsehood. How many witches had died trusting a man who they’d thought accepted them, only to find themselves locked in a witch’s dungeon? She was the fool, the worst kind of fool. She knew the dangers, and still she kissed him, exploring his mouth, wanting to know the secrets he possessed.
William’s kiss deepened, and Mariah forgot all about Grand-mère, about leaving her home, about being tossed into a dungeon, about facing a demon. All that mattered was his kiss, his lips. Her heart quickened, and she ran her hands over his back, his muscles rippling beneath her touch. He was gentle and fierce, a warrior. Fearless but protective and tender. No man kissed like he did. Or at least, the ones she had kissed. They had been mere boys still not coming to their own. William was a man, a man cursed, a man determined to get what he wanted. And he wanted her.
His hand moved up her dress and slipped into her bodice, his thumb brushing against her nipple. She trembled at the touch. His caress sent her into a whirlwind of hot sensations—blood thumped between her ears and her skin burned like molten fire. Her dress was too confining, and she wanted to feel his callous hands on her naked skin, stroking her, teasing her. And those lips. Lord, what she wanted him to do with his lips was sinful. She needed to stop. Needed to remember what he was—a man who denounced magic.