by Eve Langlais
“After we resupply at Tawa, we will make haste for your uncle.” Because he couldn’t help a certain curiosity as to who was willing to pay so much. It was risky, but if he could find a way to perhaps make the broker believe Shereen was dead…that would make things a lot safer for his ship and crew.
“Really?”
The hope in her lilting reply ignited something in him. If he looked past her stringy hair and pallor, she was quite pretty. “Yes,” he offered with a smile. “And for the length of our voyage, I will even offer the use of my cabin.” The bed was large enough for two, and he’d only have to share it a week at the most.
Her expression brightened, and her smile proved warm. “You are too kind.”
His treacherous first mate smirked.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the way.” Darius sketched a bow and glared at Jorah after she swept past. He mouthed, “You’re so dead,” and slid a finger over his throat.
Jorah laughed.
No respect. None at all. He should make the lot of them jump off the ship.
The hall didn’t prove long to navigate, and yet despite that, he somehow unluckily managed to ensure every one of his crew saw him with the princess. Clyde watched the gauges on the engines. Aquata, her green hair shorn short, watched the sonar and the few viewing ports underwater for anything that might cause damage. Ralf, with his four arms and single eye, headed to the kitchen with a hunk of meat over his shoulder, prepping for their next meal. The only one Darius didn’t see was Tanzie. He’d hunt her down later and glare at her, too, for her part in this.
Emerging onto the deck, Shereen halted and took a deep breath. Her eyes closed, and she inhaled again. Some of her pallor eased.
“Haven’t you ever sailed before?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Only a few times when I was little. Father said I was so sick each time he didn’t have the heart to keep making me.”
“But you are King Du’mer’s daughter. The mightiest water wizard known. How can you be allergic to the sea?”
Her nose wrinkled. “I guess I take after my mother’s side.”
A queen no one spoke much about she’d been dead so long. The king never remarried.
“I’m happier sailing than on land,” he admitted.
“I wish I could enjoy it,” she said wistfully. “Despite my fear, I’ve always been fascinated by the water.” She approached the rail and gripped it to look over the edge.
“Watch yourself,” he warned. “The ocean will kill you if you give it a chance.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m on your ship.” She slewed a glance at him. “I’ve heard say you control the storms and the monsters.”
Laughter barked from him. “If by control you mean I’ve successfully fought and won.”
As if knowing they spoke of the dangers of the sea, a rare swell rose as something below the surface rolled. The wave rocked the ship, and she blanched, gripped the rail, and leaned over.
He waited until she was done dry heaving, nothing left to come up, before saying dryly, “Done feeding the fish?”
She managed only a wan smile. “Jorah keeps saying my sea legs will kick in any day now.”
“Doubtful. I’m surprised he hasn’t given you something to help with it.”
Those slim shoulders shifted as she replied. “He has. The entire crew has given me tricks and tips to try. Even concoctions. Nothing has worked.”
He frowned. “Nothing?”
“Guess I’m special.” Another soft attempt at a jest that fell flat.
“Let’s see if maybe sleeping in a proper bed helps.” He swept a hand and guided her to the door of his room at the rear of the iron cabin.
The door unsealed with a crank of the wheel that kept it watertight, and she stepped in before immediately whirling, effectively blocking his entrance. She clasped her hands. “Thank you so much for doing this. I am so glad to see the rumors about you are untrue.”
“Rumors? What are these rumors you keep referencing?” he asked, wondering if she was awed by his prowess. Perhaps even titillated by being with a famous pirate such as himself.
“The ones that claim you’re a cheating scoundrel who uses and discards women more often than your fancy waistcoats.” She looked right him as she said it, no hint of meekness in her gaze.
“I don’t cheat. Often.” He smiled.
“Not going to deny the other part?” she said with an arched brow.
“The ladies who grace my bed are willing and understand our arrangement is temporary.”
“Speaking of temporary, I do thank you for the loan of your cabin. Good night, Captain.”
Before he could discern her intent, she shut the door in his face.
Chapter 3
Darius stared at the door. His door.
Behind it, his bed. In which she would be sleeping. Alone. How had that happened?
His gaze narrowed. Not how, who.
Irritated—and ego slightly bruised—he stomped to the bridge to find the two culprits pretending to sail the ship. Tanzie and Jorah both studiously ignored him.
Darius crossed his arms over his chest before saying, “Were you ever going to tell me we were harboring a fugitive?”
“Yeah,” Jorah mumbled.
“When?”
“Looking for da right time.”
“Is there ever a right time to tell your captain you’re putting his ship and its crew at risk?” Anger simmered inside him. Did they not understand the kind of bulls-eye they’d just painted on his ship? Their ship, too. This was their home.
“Sorry.” Jorah rubbed the toe of a giant-sized foot. The chagrin rolled off him.
Darius eyed Tanzie. “Anything you’d like to say?”
“Don’t be getting pissy at me. He did it.” Tanzie tossed the first mate overboard.
“And you abetted,” Darius stated.
A grin stretched Tanzie’s lips. “Never could resist a damsel in distress.”
Therein lay the problem. Much as Darius liked to be badass, he was also the type to damned well offer aid to someone in need. Especially a pretty princess.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and directed his next question to Jorah. “Care to explain, in more detail this time, how this clusterfuck happened? Where the fuck did you find her?”
“Well, dere was dis wave and it went sploosh!” Jorah clapped his hands and exploded them. “And dere she was, dis little soaked girl who needed help.”
“And you couldn’t say no?” Darius complained. “The proper response would have involved walking away.”
But Tanzie knew him too well. “Stop with the grousing. As if you wouldn’t have offered her a place on this ship if you’d been the one to run into her.”
“What I would have done isn’t the real problem here. I’m more concerned about the fact you hid it from me for days!” So many days since they’d sailed from the Port City and he’d not had the slightest clue. It just went to show he needed to rest. He was usually more attuned to his ship.
“We didn’t want ya freakin’ out,” Jorah grumbled.
“You are so stressed these days,” Tanzie complained.
“Needs ta get laid.” Jorah’s suggestion brought a tightening of Darius’ lips.
“My cock is fine, thank you. My back, though, won’t be happy sleeping in your rock-hard bed.” He glared at Jorah.
“Why my bed? You da one who gave yours away.”
“I thought I’d be sharing it, not locked out of it.”
Tanzie was the one to snort. “Fuckin’ idiot thought the princess would crawl into bed with him. She’s a lady, not a whore.”
The rebuke stung, mostly because he had been selfish. “Never said she was. But I can’t be locked out of my room. My clothes are in there.” Along with his own privy. Privilege for the captain. The crew shared a full bathing room and a partial below.
“I’m sure she’ll let you in to grab things.”
“I want my bed,” he growle
d.
“Boohoo. You’ll survive a few nights out of it.” Tanzie had no sympathy.
“A few! Do you realize the risk her presence puts this ship in? There is a massive bounty on her head. People are looking for Princess Shereen. They will come after her.”
“And?” Jorah drawled. “We’ve protected plenty of treasures before.”
A good point. “Maybe, since you’re so determined to be her hero, she should move into your space.”
Tanzie flicked him. “Stop sulking because she didn’t immediately spread her legs for you.”
“Not sulking. Plotting my seduction.” He wasn’t actually, but he knew it would drive Tanzie a little crazy.
“Don’t you dare mess with her,” Tanzie snapped.
“No touch,” Jorah admonished with a reminder of a fist that was the size of Darius’s head.
“Are you both seriously telling me who I may or may not seduce?”
“He thinks he can seduce her,” Tanzie snorted in an aside to Jorah.
Jorah chuckled. “Doubtful.”
“I accept the challenge,” Darius stated.
Tanzie sputtered. “This is not a game. Leave her alone.”
“What’s wrong? A moment ago, you seemed sure it couldn’t be done. How long do you think it will take before I get her to adore me?” Darius posited.
“Adore ya ‘til ya dump dem. Ya’re not da one dealing with da tears,” Jorah grumbled.
“I don’t understand why they cry. I never promise them anything.”
“Maybe not yet, but I hear your brother’s daughter claims you’re going to be an important man with daughters,” Tanzie said slyly.
The reminder had him squirming. “Never gonna happen.”
Jorah snickered. “Four daughters. Damn, dat’s gonna be fun ta watch.”
“Keep laughing. The Avenger is going to have a much smaller crew after our next port of call,” Darius snapped.
“Oh, lighten up. Your precious little niece told me I was going to give up chasing skirts and marry a man. As if that would ever happen.”
Darius eyed Tanzie. Her love of the female form was well known. Perhaps his niece Charlie was just spinning them all a story. “Don’t try and change the subject. I’m still mad.”
“That’s fine. Be mad. It’s only a few days to the Topaz Isles, and then you’ll get your bed back,” Tanzie placated.
“Assuming we go there.”
“Ya said ya would,” Jorah remarked.
“I’m a pirate. We lie.”
“Not this time you’re not. You will take her to her uncle.” Tanzie spoke firmly.
“Taking her anywhere means we’re getting involved. What happened to staying out of politics?” he groaned.
“You’re getting old. Time you took a stand,” Tanzie declared.
“I am not old.” Thirty some years put Darius in his prime. And screw the gray hair he plucked last week.
“If you’re not old, stop being a pansy and help us ensure a seamless transfer. Have you even thought of what not only smuggling the princess out of the city but placing her safely with her uncle will do for our reputation?” Said with a sly smile.
“We can raise our prices.” He smiled. “We’ll plot a course to the Topaz Isles after we visit Tawa.”
“You can’t be serious,” Tanzie hissed. “That’s the last place the princess should be going.”
“Only if people know she’s on board. Which they shouldn’t unless someone opens their mouth. At least now I know why you were trying to talk me out of going,” Darius declared.
“We knew you’d figure it out eventually.”
“And do da right thing,” Jorah added.
“The right thing involves keeping this ship safe. Which is why we’re going to Tawa. I am going to have a chat with a certain broker.”
“To tell him what?” Tanzie inquired.
He’d had a moment now to think about his options. To devise a plan that would minimize risk to his ship and crew. “I am going to convince the broker that the princess they’re all looking for is dead.”
They docked the next day, and while his crew handled securing the ship and paying the port fees, he visited his cabin. Shereen wore breeches and a shirt, the fabric loose given Tanzie’s much more muscular build. Shereen could use some clothes. Darius made a mental note to tell his second to purchase some items.
“Did you sleep?” he asked, more to be polite than anything. He’d barely managed a wink, the chair in his bridge not exactly a comfortable recliner.
“Yes. Thank you. Are we docking?” she asked, glancing at the wall as the metallic thunks and jerks indicated the tug had clamped on and brought them into the receiving area. A tight fit when the Tawa port was busy.
“We are, which is why I’m here. You need to—”
“Why is your eye glowing?” She canted her head.
“It’s the mechanics inside it.”
“You mean it’s not real?” She started to reach then tucked her hands to her stomach. “It looks so real, though.”
“I was lucky to find someone with a strong skill in psionic mechanics to make me one.” Although, it should be noted, he did rock the eye patch and sometimes wore it just to make an impression.
“So it’s like a machine and you can see with it?”
“Aye.” He still remembered losing it, in a robbery of all things. The last time he’d drunk to the point of passing out while alone. He’d woken to being stripped of his things and fought. Not very well apparently.
“That’s marvelous.”
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, princess.” He winked with his good eye.
She blushed.
He enjoyed that more than he should, meaning his next words emerged a bit gruff. “A few instructions while we’re berthed. One”—he held up a finger—“do not leave this room. At all. For any reason.”
“I wasn’t planning to. I’ll make sure no one sees me.” Her rapid acquiescence didn’t stop the orders.
“Two.” Another finger popped free. “Do not peek from the windows. We don’t need someone seeing you.”
“I know.” She rolled her eyes.
He gritted his teeth. “Three. Don’t open that door for anyone but me.”
“What about Tanzie or Jorah?” She just had to question.
“Open only for me or them,” he huffed.
“Why would anyone else come knocking?” she asked, her head tilted to the side.
“I don’t know why, but if it happens, be quiet and pretend no one is in here. Easy?”
She nodded but chewed her lower lip. “Tanzie says it’s dangerous for us to be here.”
“It is, but only if people become aware you’re on board.” At the fear in her gaze, he softened his tone. “Just follow my instructions and everything will be fine, princess.”
“Unless we’re here because you’re planning to sell me.” She stared him dead in the eye, no longer as frightened, showing a core of iron.
“I can’t turn you in. My crew would kill me,” he grumbled. “We’re here so I can try and deflect the hunt.”
“How can you do that?”
“If rumor gets around that you’re dead, the people looking will move on to other things.”
She gazed at him, and he noted the light smattering of freckles across her nose. Her pallor had diminished somewhat since he’d last seen her. “What will happen if I’m turned in do you think?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You said two of the bounties want me alive.”
“They do. One of them is being offered by my own brother. King of the Marshlands.”
That caused a crease in her brow. “Your brother put a bounty on me?”
“He’s probably offered a reward as a way of getting you into his city for asylum.”
“He’d do that for me?”
Roark had a more noble streak than he liked to admit. “Roark liked your father.”
Her lips turned down. “I miss h
im.”
The soft admission hit him hard. He could see the loneliness in her. The grief. Only an asshole wouldn’t react. He reached for her, meaning to give a comforting hug.
She danced out of his reach. “I believe we are docked. You should probably go do your thing.”
She really wasn’t interested. To his annoyance, he still was.
Leaving the princess, he waited for a moment until he heard the door latch, and then he strode across the deck, his heavy boots thumping on the steel plates. Given there was a possibility they might have to leave quickly, most of his crew remained on board. Jorah was in the iron bridge watching for trouble. Others were performing quick maintenance and keeping the ship primed.
Tanzie joined him, looking fierce with her scowl and her hair braided tight to her scalp. She wore sabers by her side. No firearms. The Tawa port authority had rules against them. The island allowed very little mechanical technology onto its shores. No computers or electronics of any kind went past the customs area. The only weapons that made it to shore were the kind wielded by hand, which ranged from short daggers to swords and spears. Whips proved to be popular as well.
The island itself was a perfect circle that went from sandy golden beaches to lush greenery that rose into a long dormant volcano, the hollow bowl of which was filled to the brim with water. The lake was said to be so crystal clear and fresh, that it could cure all ills. If you could afford it.
Bordering the lake was the Citadel where the Emperor of the island lived. In rings layering the mountain, amidst the massive jungle trees, perched large homes, spread apart from each other. At the base of the volcano, the houses clustered closer together with the areas past them cultivated into gardens with fruit trees and vegetable plants interwoven with paths leading to the beach. A paradise that sustained itself.
Visitors were constrained to a few areas unless they had verifiable permission from the palace to be there. The broker—buried in the market, where no one was allowed to hawk their wares above a whisper—was one of the acceptable locations for visitation. Darius strode past the richest fabrics, the most intricate hand-shaped jewelry, the tastiest smells. It was the racks of clothes that had him gesturing to Tanzie. “See if you can find a few things.”