Although this new, modernized version of his treasure island was as foreign to him as the rest of the 21st Century. Twice he lost his way. Sure he’d passed a crooked palm before, he carved an X in the base and trudged through the snake-like veins, bushwhacking their way toward the reward.
“Damn,” he whispered, having come upon the X again. Where the hell was the lagoon? Feeling disoriented and defeated, he stopped to mediate. It had to be here somewhere, didn’t it? Surely a few hundred years wouldn’t have drained such a monstrous body of water?
“Anything wrong Jacque?”
He tried to keep the worry from his voice as he forced a smile. “Just want to make sure we know how to get back.”
He grimaced. What should have been a few years growth of greenery since he’d carefully carved out the dirt and settled the stone markers had quickly and without warning spanned over two hundred.
After a short while, he came to a row of stones cornering a huge boulder. “Eureeka!” The remains of the first marker! And while several rocks were missing and the rest almost buried in the dirt, he knew beyond any doubt that this was indeed his personal trail of breadcrumbs.
Centuries had passed. He should be grateful it was here at all. “We’re on the right path lass,” he threw over his shoulder, squatting down and running his fingertips along the smooth gray stones. He wiped the sweat from his brow, the smell of musty earth strong in his nostrils. He opened the canteen of water and passed it to Esa, damp with perspiration from the stifling humidity. “This is where Lola’s services are truly appreciated.” He winked and added as he straightened to his full height.
“Lola’s services?” She handed the canteen back and he chugged its cool contents. The exuberant shrills emitted by the lively tourist were slowly fading, replaced by the buzz of tropical insects and crooning birds.
“Aye, services, indeed. What’s the first letter in the name lass?”
“‘L, why?”
“Ah. Thus, Lola says we venture left.” Jacque winked again and she beamed at his cleverness. He could already see her mind working in wonder as to what the other letters stood for.
“Watch ye step, love, the mud is slick there,” he warned, having just slipped in it himself. Damn, he didn’t recall having traipsed through any mud. It hadn’t been raining, at least not in the past few days. Where had the water come from? It couldn’t be the lagoon; it was still a ways into the island.
Jacque ducked under a low branch. “Watch your head,” he threw over his shoulder before leaping over a crater. He stopped to help Esa over the hurdle and noticed her legs were scratched and scuffed as she’d not thought ahead to wear britches as he had.
A little while later, her foot got stuck in a mud hole as if jinxed by his words. Luckily, he was there to prevent a nasty fall.
“Don’t you need to look at the map?” she asked, swooping to miss a branch he’d shoved out of his way. They were approaching the heart of the maze of greenery. It grew cooler, more musty and earthy the further they hiked.
“Avast, ye can look at the map whenever you want, just say the word and I’ll drop my britches.” He flashed a sexy grin in her direction.
In truth, had he been in his own time, he wouldn’t have needed the map. He’d traveled the path many times in his head in anticipation of reclaiming the precious jewel. But as the jungle had changed vastly over the passing centuries, he was glad for the security it provided.
“Mmm, don’t tempt me.” Her tone was filled with lust and made his testicles tighten. “Besides, we aren’t that far away from the tourists yet, so keep moving buster.” She nudged him forward and he chuckled.
“Aye, aye Cap’n,” he replied, picking up his pace.
The second marker rested at the base of a small, yet steep, hillside. Jacque lifted a brow. “Lola says ‘tis time to go over.”
Esa grimaced. “Over? That? Surely there’s another way?”
“If there’d been another way, I’d have taken it. ‘Tis the only way, according to the map, but if ye’d rather have another look…” He sighed and moved to unzip his britches.
“That’s quite all right; I’ll take a rain check. Onward and upward Cap’n LaFleur. I’m right behind you.”
~ * ~
An hour or so later, their stomach’s begged for a break. They dined on peanut butter sandwiches and chips, and made good use of that blanket. Their ferocious appetite appeased for the moment—and their bellies full too—they packed up and continued on their quest.
“How much longer?” Esa asked after another hour of hiking over rolling hills and through the punishing wilderness. The smaller rocks were like marbles beneath her feet at times.
“A little further. I don’t see the C-tree yet. I hope some fool hasn’t gone and cut it down.”
“The C-tree?”
“Aye love, there was a tree that grew in the shape of a half circle, resembling a ‘C’. The treasure is buried in the cove that lies directly beyond it. If we reach the waterfall, we’ve gone too far.”
“Corsair Cove.” She snickered, envisioning her irresistibly romantic pirate burying his stolen treasure. She didn’t hear anything that sounded like cascading water, but that didn’t necessarily mean they weren’t close. The forest seemed to make even their own voices take on a tranquil pitch.
“Aye?”
“Oh nothing—ugh!” Esa froze. She felt the blood drain from her face. “S-s-snake,” she managed a choked whisper as the creature slithered itself so it was hanging off a branch that Jacque had just slapped out of his way. The vile creature looked angry, as though it intended to take his vengeance out on her! Fear belted her tongue and made it impossible for her to speak another word.
“Don’t move,” Jacque warned, his voice muffled below the deafening drum of her pulse. Not that the command was necessary; she may as well have been standing in quicksand for all she couldn’t lift a booted foot.
Jacque crept ever so gingerly toward the deadly creature. With feline grace, his hand shot out and grabbed the venomous reptile just when the beast reared its ugly head back, prepared to sink its lethal fangs into her meaty flesh, and not before it nicked his arm.
She watched in stunned horror as Jacque rung the life out of the slimy reptile then tossed it aside like a used rag. He covered the small scrape on his forearm with his mouth and sucked hard to prevent any poison from getting into his bloodstream and spat onto the dirt trail.
Esa ran to his side. “My God, Jacque! Are you all right?”
He held her tight, almost crushing her against him. “I’ll live. Sorry lass, I forgot to warn ye about the snakes.” He smirked in his attempt to lighten the mood, but she could see the alarm lingering, the unshed tears huddled in the rims of those heroic eyes. He’d been afraid for her.
“Thank you Jacque, you saved my life.” She rested her head against the warmth of his chest. His heart beat fast in her ear. She lifted her face and sealed her gratitude with a tender kiss.
“Hmm, so…” He paused, a playful curl to his lips. “I guess that means ye owe me now, eh?”
Esa half snorted, half sighed. “You can ask anything you want of me so long as you get me the hell out of here in one piece!”
“Aye, love. I’ll be holdin’ ye to your word then. This way. Stay close to me.” He took her hand and led her up the narrow path.
They came to another marker, a simple boulder in the terrain. It looked out of place. As though someone had deliberately put it there. Jacque? It didn’t look as though anyone else had traveled this path in years, if ever. A chill ran down her spine. What kind of creatures loomed in such a tropical trap? Were they being watched, stalked perhaps by some ferocious rabid animal?
“Left here.” Jacque confirmed, and a gush of relief came over her.
Yes! They were getting closer. “Aye, aye Cap’n!” Esa raised a hand to her forehead in salute. It couldn’t be much further. There was only one letter left. A. What could that mean? She looked around, seeing nothing but var
ious shades of green. There was no sunlight that she could see, just umbrella upon umbrella of willowy palms and various other trees she couldn’t name. How could Jacque see his markers? It was cool and had grown eerily quiet. She couldn’t hear the insects chirp, or the whistle of the birds. How deep into the jungle had they ventured?
Jacque continued to slice his blade through the path. He stopped abruptly and she ran smack into his back. “Avast! We’ve arrived.” He took a few steps out to where the greenery fell away to reveal a mixture of sand and soil, then dropped the backpack on the ground and began stripping off his clothes. “This is as far as you go. Wait here, I’ll be back directly.”
“What do you mean, where are you going? Why are you taking of your clothes?” Surely he didn’t mean to leave her here? Alone and unprotected in this nerve curdling den of slithering vegetation!
“Last letter, cherie. Across.” He beamed and pointed at the massive lagoon just below them. “‘Tis the Lagoon of the Lost.” He reminded her of a schoolboy chasing the heels of danger with his adventurous grin.
“You’re going to swim across that?” she asked, wondering what sort of hideous creatures lived below the mystifying depths.
“Unless God sees fit to gift me with wings just now, ‘tis the only way I know to get there.” He winked, discarding boots, socks, jeans and boxers in a heap at his feet. “Care to have another peek at the map in case I don’t make it back?” The lift of a brow told her he was only half teasing as he stood naked before her.
“Not funny. Why is it called the Lagoon of the Lost? And why are you naked?”
“Er, perhaps ye ought to hold that thought until I return.” He kissed her thoroughly and held her close, as if he were almost afraid to let her go. “I don’t want to get my clothes all wet. Say a prayer the treasure is still in the cove.”
“You’re sure you won’t have just one more peek?” He chuckled when she shook her head in denial. Picking up the blade, he secured it between his teeth and made his way down the slope. He dove into the placid waters sending ripples of circles scattering in all directions.
Esa held her breath as she waited for him to resurface; subconsciously counting the seconds since he’d disappeared. She waited for what seemed like several minutes, but were in reality only seconds for him to surface. What was taking so long? How long could a person hold their breath underwater? Not more than a few minutes. She glanced at her watch, which didn’t seem to help as she hadn’t bothered to look at the time before he’d taken the plunge.
Heart dropping into her stomach, she began to fear the worst. Had he hit something after his dive and lay helpless at the bottom of the lagoon? It was wide and she thought it would take at least five minutes to swim to the other side. Just when she’d resolved to go in after him, a dark mass of what looked like hair popped up for air. He waved and proceeded in his watery quest. An exceptional swimmer, he was at least two-thirds of the way across already.
A natural born worrier, she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, thankful he was safe. As she watched intently for his head to make another appearance, she couldn’t help but wonder how he came to be such a good swimmer. And why shouldn’t he be? He’d preferred to live on ships for months on end in his time. She winced. It felt as though an arrow pierced her heart.
In his time. The truth carried as much impact as a punch in the nose. A tear trickled down her cheek. She’d almost allowed herself to forget what recovering the treasure might entail. Was that why he’d tarried in his departure? As soon as he touched his sacred stone, would he be taken from her?
It no longer mattered that she’d lost the shipping business, been betrayed by her father or that Sid had been untrue. Jacque was the smile that turned her sorrowful heart glad. The man she’d waited her entire life for.
Suddenly, she found herself hoping he never found his treasure.
~ * ~
Jacque rose from the cool water and proceeded to scale the few modest hills. The torrential falls rose louder as he drew closer to his treasure. His heart thundered as the shape of the tree grew more vivid. It no longer resembled a C and he wondered if it were even the same tree. He hoped like hell he was in the right place! He reached the rocky edge of the cove and carefully peeked over. Thank God, he breathed seeing the familiar landing not far below.
He stepped back several yards as he studied the tree. Perhaps he should climb down, for the tree looked old and decayed. He walked over and peered out again. No, he’d climb up, for once on the landing there were natural foot holes on the rocks. But on the side of the tree, he didn’t trust the terrain not to fall away and carry him to showering boulders at the base of the cliff.
There was only one way. He had to risk everything and swing from the hazardous tree if he were to have a chance at recovering his stone. Trudging back again, he took a deep breath and broke into a run before vaulting off the cove to dangle from one of the numerous branches of the winding tree. The brittle limb cracked as it threatened to give way beneath his weight.
“Damn!” he cursed around the blade in his mouth. He swung his body toward the target and released his grip, freefalling roughly ten feet, and landing on a flat mass of rock protruding from the cove’s lofty cliff.
His heart gave a thud when he didn’t immediately note the marker in the dirt wall of the cove. Where the bleeding hell was it? A simple J, carved with his wayward dagger. There was nothing but a curtain of soil. His heart raced. Of course, the elements had washed it away over time. Nothing to fret about. His treasure was still here in its resting place. It would just take a little longer to find it.
Think LaFleur! He’d buried it level with his shoulders. With the knife clamped between his teeth, he tapped along the dirt with his knuckles, searching for a concave groove in the wall. It had to be here! He tried to swallow, but his saliva stuck in his throat.
There, his hand faltered when it encountered a slight curvature in the cliff, just about chest level. His pulse drummed in his ears as he snatched the knife from his mouth and began chiseling at the questionable area, jabbing at difficult clumps until they crumbled into small pieces and fell away from the dirt. This was it! The cavernous safe he’d carved with his blade but a few years before, or so it seemed.
A thrill of joy mixed with eagerness and rose high in his chest. Just a little more digging and he’d soon be holding his coveted stone. His blood coursed faster with each handful of soot he discarded.
The tip of the knife hit a hollow in the cliff. He froze, swallowing the anxiety that leapt into his throat. His heartbeat was near deafening.
With a shaky hand, he dropped his tool and reached inside the opening, his fingers seeking the satiny feel of the protective cloth. Feeling nothing but the cool dampness of the earth, he frowned and forced his arm further into the hole, as far as it would go.
“Godsteeth!”
It wasn’t there.
His nails scrapped at the dirt, demanding the greedy cliff cough up his prize. He dug, and dug, and dug, but to no avail. His fingers, his hands grew numb. It was no use.
Something told him he could excavate the whole god-forsaken wall and still not find his treasure. “Damn!” He punched the dirt with his throbbing, bloodstained fist, causing more dirt to tumble from the gap.
Where the hell was it?
Who in Lucifer’s land could have known of his secret? Emmanuel? Impossible. Even had he known of the king’s stone, he’d not known where it was buried.
He dropped to his knees, dizzy with grief. He couldn’t breathe.
Now what was he to do? He’d been so sure his mission was to find the stone and return. So sure his family’s salvation rested on his shoulders. Was it too late? Perhaps there was no going back. His family was dead…as he, by all that was holy, should be.
Another thought occurred to him. What if his purpose in returning had nothing to do with the stone? What if he were here to save Esa? She was the best thing his shaded life could have ever fallen
upon. And he’d let her down. Now, instead of a dashing hero, she would surely think him an addled fool and a liar.
There was nothing left to do but go back. Face the music.
The money obtained from the ruby would pad his pockets quite nicely for a spell. But he could forget about a future with Esa. She wouldn’t want him now.
With a heavy sigh, he steeled himself for her disappointment and mounted the staggered stones back up the cliff.
~ * ~
Esa stood on the tallest mound and watched Jacque move with the sleek skill of a feline. He grew smaller with each leap, with each jump he took. She stiffened. Frozen in place, she was afraid to so much as breathe when he’d leapt onto a tree only to fall to God only knew where!
“Jacque!” Oh dear God! Was he all right? Panic seized her throat. Of course he wasn’t all right! How could anyone survive such a lethal plummet?
Without another thought, she dove into the lagoon, T-shirt, jeans, the whole nine yards. It took her a bit longer than it had Jacque, though she was a skilled swimmer in her own right. Something brushed her leg and she screamed. In her fright, she hesitated long enough to see the slinky coil of what appeared to be a giant anaconda. Oh my God, was her only thought before she broke her own record speed to reach the other side before she became something’s dinner.
Once there, she didn’t look back to see if the menacing serpent had legs with which to track her down, but ran as fast as a track star in the midst of a marathon. The sopping wet clothes weighed her down. She didn’t want to stop, but forced herself to peek over her shoulder. It wasn’t there. Nothing was gaining on her, no beastly predator that she could see, or hear. She slowed just long enough to peel off her clothes, leaving a trail of saturated cotton in her wake.
With the immediate threat of losing her own life behind her, she was free to concentrate on Jacque. Was he dead? The frightful question commanded her thoughts as she sprinted between the trees. If by some chance he wasn’t, he would be by the time she reached him!
She tripped over a rock and fell to her knees. They burned as though on fire and left her feeling defeated. The gate holding her tears in check broke free. She couldn’t bear to live without him. She’d lost so much already, she just couldn’t lose him. Not Jacque.
Corsair Cove Page 21