by Eve Langlais
Chapter 20
Everything had changed between Darius and Shereen. He knew it but remained determined to ignore it.
How had this happened? He couldn’t even blame the sex. Epic sex, he might add. The kind that left his brain so starved for blood it started thinking crazy things. Completely out of character things like saying I love you and maybe revising his stance on commitment. Him, settle down with one woman?
An amazing woman who made him feel.
Surely it was just the stress of the situation and a lack of vitamins causing his lapse in judgment. Anything else was impossible.
Except the mental lapse kept happening, over and over, not just during the epic sex, either. When Shereen smiled at him. When she frowned. When she blushed. Talked. Moved.
Everything about her fascinated. He wanted to spend every free moment with her. He needed—
“To get off this ship,” he mumbled.
“What?” Tanzie muttered from her spot on the deck, where she’d taken apart her weapons to clean them.
Now that he’d said it aloud, he had to follow through. “After all the shit that’s gone down, we should stop for some well-deserved shore leave.”
“You want us to dock somewhere with the princess on board?” she asked. “Come here.”
“Why?” he asked, taking a step toward her. He barely missed her swinging hand. “What the fuck?”
“Just trying to slap some sense into your obviously sex-addled brain. You can’t take her anywhere in this area. She’s a wanted woman.”
“Not anymore since I collected on the Lazuli bounty.”
“Have you forgotten the other two? There’s still the one by your brother and the Duke of Coral.”
“I doubt anyone is going to be stupid enough to come after me and piss off my big brother. Roark would avenge me.” Which was kind of a cool thing. His sister hadn’t been as loyal. Framing him for a murder she committed. Poisoning his mother against him. She’d even tried to have his ship confiscated.
“Fine, that still leaves the duke. Given his greed and murderous impulses so far, I doubt he’ll back down.”
Scoffing seemed like the right reply. “The duke isn’t offering enough to tangle with my deadly crew.”
Tanzie snorted. “You are such a fish head.”
“I might be soft in the brains, but who’s kept us afloat ten years now? Huh?” He tucked his thumbs into his belt.
She sighed. “What’s the real reason you want to go ashore? Because we both know you’re happier at sea.”
“The sea helps with the restlessness.” The twitchy feeling he got when he stayed too long in one place. He still felt it at sea, but sailing to a new place at least gave him a distraction. “And that’s not why we need to stop.”
“Since I’m the one in charge of supplies, I’d know if we were low on something. So why else would you want to stop?” Tanzie pretended to think about it before drawling, “Is someone trying to run away from a certain princess?”
“I’m not running,” he grumbled. “Just looking for some space.” Because maybe then he could shake this emotional spell she seemed to have cast on him.
“You want some space, and yet every time she comes out on deck, you run over to see her.”
“I do not!” he hotly retorted, almost wincing at the blatant lie.
“Whatever. I don’t know why you’re denying it. You obviously like each other a fair bit.”
“We do. I do. But I am concerned she might be growing too attached.” He certainly was.
The expression in Tanzie’s eyes held mockery. “She is, eh? Can’t have that lovely woman clinging to you, now can we?”
“No, we can’t.” He hoped this would end the awkwardness.
“It’s a good thing you’re clarifying now that this is only a fling. As if it could ever be anything more.”
Exactly, so why did he not like hearing it said aloud?
And Tanzie wasn’t done. “The princess deserves better than a pirate.”
“Excuse me?”
Tanzie polished the barrel of her rifle as she explained. “Well, as you keep mentioning, she is high born, and while she might not have a kingdom, she does have a good family name with excellent genes. She’s pretty. Educated. Polite and well mannered. She could do well for herself if she met the right lord or lady.”
It took a moment to filter before he exclaimed, “Wait, are you saying she should hook up with someone?”
“It’s one option. She needs someone dependable. Someone who’ll protect and support her.”
“I protected her.”
“You did, and now you want to ditch her. Which means she can choose to be with someone else.”
He definitely didn’t like hearing that. “She doesn’t need a lover to take care of her. Now that she’s found her power she is more than capable.”
“Capable, yes, but flush with funds, no.”
“She could get a job,” Darius tossed out.
Tanzie smirked. “Doing what? Can you see her on the sailing boats or in the butcher shops handling meat? Perhaps she can work as a tavern wench or a maid for the very people she used to associate with.”
“She’d be a hard worker.”
“My mother always said work smarter, not harder.”
He snapped his fingers. “We’ve got the bags of Dust. We could set her up somewhere.”
“You really are determined to keep her from getting involved with someone else.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” he lied, obviously failing at hiding his jealousy. “The Dust in our hold is plentiful, and technically a good chunk of it should belong to her. Just sharing the booty.”
“Sharing?” She snorted. “Now you’re pushing it. You should stop talking before you really sound stupid. Maybe you do need some time at dock so you can get far enough away from her some of the blood will return to your brain.”
“I also need to replace my mouthy crew,” he muttered, which resulted in a deep chuckle from Tanzie.
It didn’t take long to find a little island with barely a town. No court with ladies and lords, just a mayor who was also the tariff collector for the wharf, which consisted almost entirely of small fishing boats. The Avenger towered over them all. The roads were paved in crushed seashells. The houses a motley collection of pieces probably washed ashore. Not a place a lot of people chose to stay and settle, but it did have a bar with food and drink.
Darius went with Jorah for a few pints and a bowl of stew—that Ralf would have never served. He’d left a scowling princess on board. She’d not been impressed at him leaving her behind.
“No one will know who I am,” she claimed.
“By now word has probably gotten around that you were last seen on my ship in my company.”
“Exactly, so how am I safer here? Shouldn’t I be sticking close to you? Remember what happened last time you left me alone?”
He did remember. He’d had a few nightmares where he didn’t rescue her in time.
He’d paced the cabin. “A tavern in a place like this isn’t a place for a well-bred lady.”
“I can handle bad language.”
“It’s more than that.”
Tanzie offered a solution. “She needs to get off the ship. While you go get drunk, I’ll take her to the bathing house.”
Which was a surprising thing to find on this island. Turned out it was sprinkled with hot springs that formed a natural, bubbling bath.
To placate Darius, Tanzie took a comm unit with her. He had another, meaning they could contact each other in an emergency.
Shereen tucked that gorgeous hair of hers under the ugliest cap. Her body swathed in oversized clothes. She still looked too pretty. It would never work. He should go with them. Instead, he clenched his fists as they sauntered away.
It was Jorah grabbing him by the arm and mumbling, “Da bar is dis way,” that snapped him out of it.
He’d come ashore to give himself distance.
Dist
ance!
He needed to clear his head. So he drank a lot of potent alcohol. Island-brewed rum with a nutty hint to it. It made up for the watery stew.
Best of all, along with the fine drinking, he got treated to some gossip about what had happened in the Sapphire Port City. Despite the fact they were to be docked until the morning, he ended up eschewing a night of hard drinking—the kind that saw a man waking up under a table, sometimes in a puddle of something he’d rather not examine—and hurrying back to the damned ship.
He told himself it was because he shouldn’t leave the princess alone just in case—not that she was alone, given Tanzie was with her. The real truth was he wanted to see her. Wished he’d followed her to the bathing house. The fun they could have had…
Rap, tap, knock, knock. The code had the door opening and Tanzie peeking out with a knowing grin. “Back so soon? I thought you needed some time alone.”
“Get out,” he grumbled, swapping places with her.
Shereen sat on the bed with a book in her lap. She spared him a sort of glance. Her hair was pinned loosely atop her head and still showed signs of dampness. “You’re back sooner than expected. What happened to ‘I’m returning late, don’t wait up’?”
He couldn’t admit he missed her, so he gave her a valid reason. “I heard something interesting in the tavern.”
“How interesting?” she asked. “Because all I got to listen to was women talking about babies and their bowel movements and the fact that some fellow named Kerov is extremely well endowed.”
“So am I.”
“I know. But I doubt that’s what they were talking about in the bar. What did you hear?”
“News about your kingdom.”
Her features pinched. “Did the duke get crowned?”
Darius shook his head. “Apparently, he didn’t have the support he needed. The decision over who will rule is going to be decided by a challenge.”
The book got set aside. “What kind of challenge?”
“No idea.” He shrugged. “One of strength and skill I imagine.”
She snorted. “Then the Enclave has already won.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Darius remarked. “The challenge is open to anyone.”
“How does that help?”
“You forget it’s not just the Enclave born who have power.”
“They’re just usually the strongest,” she reminded. “Do you think your brother, Roark, will try for it?”
“Doubtful. He’s got his hands full handling one kingdom. More likely he’ll make a deal with whoever wins.”
“What if they’re not nice?” Shereen asked.
“A king doesn’t care if his allies are nice.”
“Maybe he should. A proper ruler should at least love the people. The duke doesn’t care about the citizens, only power.”
“Perhaps someone will beat him in the challenge.”
She shook her head. “With my dad gone, he’s probably the strongest psion around.”
“That you know of. With this kind of prize, there will be plenty of challengers.”
“How long before this contest happens?” she asked, shoving out of the bed and pacing.
“Not long was the impression I got.”
She whirled and fixed him with a stare. “What are we going to do?”
“I know a few islands where we can lie low while things shake down in Port City.”
“Hide?” She recoiled as if slapped. “What are you talking about?”
“What else would we do?”
“We have to ensure the duke doesn’t win, of course.” She sounded matter-of-fact.
“And exactly how do we guarantee that?”
She lifted her chin. “I need to enter.”
“Are you insane?” He couldn’t help but bark.
“How is that insane? I have power now.”
“And have you managed to intentionally access it yet?” He already knew the answer since he had seen her practicing to no avail. She’d not even been able to call up a breeze since she woke.
A scowl twisted her lips. “No, but it’s there. I can feel it.”
“Even if you could pull the magic out, you don’t have the practice those entering the challenge do.”
Her lips pressed tight. “Thanks for your confidence.”
“It’s called the honest truth. An inexperienced psion isn’t going to prevail against a master.”
“Maybe. But I also can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
She had a point, so he changed tactics. “Why do you even want to go back? The court is a cesspool.”
“Not everyone in it is bad. And if I won, I could make things better.”
He actually believed she would. “You can’t seriously want to be queen.”
“Are you saying I’d make a bad one?” She narrowed her gaze on him.
“I said no such thing. But being queen is all kinds of responsibility. Not to mention it’s like an anchor. No more cruising up rivers and discovering new places.”
Her lips twitched. “Even rulers are allowed breaks. My father went on a few voyages.”
“You’ll have people plotting against you.”
She rolled a shoulder. “Then I’ll deal with it. I won’t let the duke have the crown.”
“What if we ensured someone else won instead?” He kept looking for a way to change her mind.
“Like who?”
“Does it really matter so long as it’s not the duke?”
“Actually, it does. Why do you care if I want to fight in the challenge, anyhow?”
He eyed her. “You seriously did not just ask that.”
“I did because I want to know. You’ve said it yourself. You’re a pirate. Not a man to settle down. I’d think you’d be happy I intend to get out of your way.”
And here it was, the moment of truth. The one he’d been trying to dodge, and now that he was faced with it, the answer that should have come out of his mouth was slapped aside by the reality, which was, “I don’t want to lose you. Which is why I wish you’d give up this whole taking-back-your-kingdom thing because it will make being with you much harder.”
“Were you planning on continuing to see me?” she asked, and he could hear the uncertainty in the query.
“Every chance I get. Which might not be many if you continue with this ill-thought scheme.”
But she wouldn’t budge. So damned stubborn. She was dead set on entering the challenge, despite the fact she couldn’t control her magic. Could barely summon a breeze. The only time things got a bit stormy was when he pleasured her. He could hardly do that in front of an audience during the challenge.
No matter the bad odds, Shereen appeared convinced things would work out. As she said, “When I get scared or angry, the storm comes.”
“A storm won’t win the battle.”
“Then maybe I’ll remember how to blow up my foes.”
“As I recall, the amount of power it took knocked you into a coma for days after.”
“Doesn’t matter if I win.”
“If you overextend, you’ll be vulnerable.”
“Then you’d better be ready to defend me.” She winked and dragged him to bed.
All the sex in the world couldn’t ease his tension. Couldn’t quell his fear he’d lose her. Because he loved her, the princess with a streak of bravery and nobility he both admired and hated. She showed a strength of will few possessed. A courage that would have faltered in many. Neither trait would keep her alive in a contest with skilled psionic users.
Loving her meant Darius couldn’t just sail in the opposite direction and ignore her wishes. He could only support her in any way possible. If she was going to do this, then she needed him to be his most cunning.
And fast. They couldn’t waste time, or she might miss her chance. Given subtlety took preparation and might not work, he sailed the Avenger right into Port City harbor. Fuck hiding.
Hiding would only see Shereen assassinated and quietly burie
d. Darius blared his arrival and intention to everyone who listened.
“Listen up, Sapphire citizens, I am Darius the Iron Pirate, and I’ve brought you the treasure of all treasures.” He swept his arm behind him and yelled, “All hail Princess Shereen. Only heir of King Du’mer.”
Having planned this ahead, Shereen was ready and shimmered into view atop the bridge.
Not the real Shereen. He wasn’t taking chances on a sniper. But the folks who stopped to watch didn’t know they saw a hologram.
“The princess has returned to exact vengeance for the murder of her father. She is ready to meet those who would challenge her rightful inheritance of the throne.”
The statement got attention. More and more were gathering, with one predictably shouting, “Didn’t the princess kill the king?”
In his element, a master at showmanship, Darius paced the deck, gesturing as he played to the eager crowd. “Kill her own father? Never! The heinous plot that saw your beloved king taken from you was hatched by the kingdom’s enemies. That same miscreant tried to kill the princess and, when that failed, framed her instead, forcing her to flee for her life. We’ve been chased by assassins.” Darius slashed a dagger. “Fought off monsters.” A few parries and a lunge. “We even sailed into the heart of the Lazuli lands for answers and emerged alive!”
The crowd ooh-ed.
“But the princess is done dodging her enemies. She has returned, good citizens, to correct a wrong and take her rightful place on the throne. All hail Princess Shereen, rightful queen of the Sapphire Kingdom.”
“Hail! Hail!” the crowd chanted.
News of the fiery speech soon spread, and it wasn’t long before soldiers appeared, led by a pompous fellow in armor. The real princess, who’d emerged from the cabin wearing a cloak with a deep hood, murmured, “That’s the Captain of the Guard, Infiero. Big jerk I told you about.”
“You don’t say.” Darius smiled.
The kind of smile that had Jorah muttering, “Uh-oh,” and Tanzie snickering, “This is going to get interesting.”
His princess frowned. “What are you planning?”
“You’ll see,” Darius said with a wink before dropping over the side. He hit the dock with a thud and a slight bend of his knees.