Eden's Pass

by Kimberly Nee

  “What are you doing here?”

  “You shall see in a moment.”

  Finn twisted to stare at the door as the scraping grew louder. The door swung open with a squeak of protest and her heart ceased to beat as Captain Iñigo Sebastiano filled the doorway, illuminated by the moonlight behind him.

  He looked furious, sword drawn, clothes dirt-spattered and wrinkled. A dark shadow of beard covered his jaw and his mustache was no longer tidy, but scraggly and in desperate need of grooming. His eyes glinted with a fury unlike any she’d ever seen before, and he spoke not a word as he stood there, glaring down at her.

  She stared for a long moment, wondering if her eyes toyed with her, if her exhausted mind played tricks on her. He looked solid enough though, and her heartbeat quickly sped up to match the now-joyful flutter in her belly.

  “Captain?” she managed, wincing again at how weak she sounded.

  “Pequeña tonta,” he growled, stepping completely into the cell. “You little fool.”

  Tears flooded her eyes, despite her efforts to blink them back, and relief flooded the rest of her body. Unfettered joy coursed through her veins as he drew to a halt beside her pallet and knelt.

  Without thinking, she pushed up against the pallet, throwing herself toward him, into his arms. They came up to wrap about her at once, cradling her close as she clung to him like a child waking from a nightmare. Relief overwhelmed her and she broke down, unable to hold back the tears spilling over her lower lashes.

  “Tú estás segura,” he whispered, tightening his arms about her as she sobbed into his shoulder. “You are safe, my lady. Come and let us take our leave of this place at once.”

  “I cannot believe you are truly here,” she whispered brokenly, momentarily forgetting about her sour stomach as she breathed deep, savoring his deeply musky male scent. “How-how did you even know where to find me?”

  “We’ll not discuss this now. The others are waiting and time is short.” He rose to his feet, still holding her, and then set her back on her own.

  Despite her will to stand upright, her knees buckled. As she sagged into him, Iñigo swore beneath his breath and lifted her once more. “Has that bastard been starving you as well?”

  “Aye. A chunk of bread and water that can only barely be called such,” she whispered, fighting off the lightheadedness threatening to consume her again. “I’ve been ill, I’m afraid.”

  He glanced down at her and she fought the urge to shrink down before him. She must look beyond haggard, even without much light. His eyes blazed with a bright fury she’d never seen before, confirming her suspicions.

  “Captain? We must go. Now.”

  Her heart rose higher still at the familiar voice. “Ennis?” she whispered, glancing up at Iñigo. “Ennis is here as well?”

  “Aye. But we’ve no time for reunions. We must go. Now.” He swung her into his arms with little effort and she barely had the strength to clasp him around the neck. Still, she managed to, snuggling into him as he automatically drew her nearer.

  He spoke not a word as they left the hole, but only held her tight. Fighting to remain awake, she managed a weak smile at both Ennis and Diego, along with a half-hearted, “I thank you,” before slipping into unconsciousness.

  Iñigo barely contained his fury as he looked around the small, stifling hot cell. It was what he imagined Hell to be like, only without the fire and brimstone. The walls were bare, the floor was bare, save for a thin, ratty pallet, and the only source of light came from a melted lump of beeswax, which might have been a candle in a previous life. A dented, empty tin cup was the only eating utensil, and the thick, soupy air was rank with odors he chose not to think about. As far as he was concerned, they could not get Finn out of there soon enough.

  His attention came back to the inert woman in his arms, and the three anxious people cluttering the cell’s entrance. Looking up, he faced three pairs of impatient eyes. “We needs get her to the María,” he growled, carrying Finn toward them.

  Adeline hedged closer to him, casting a wary eye upon him. “May I come with you, Captain? If Master Tobias should learn I aided you… It would be ghastly, the price I’d pay.”

  Iñigo sighed at her soft-spoken request. When had he become soft-hearted, weak enough as to give in to a pair of sad dark eyes? And yet he would. The girl had made a great sacrifice in helping them and he could not, in good conscience, send her to a certain death for her sacrifice.

  Diego grinned, cutting in before Iñigo could answer. “I think we might find room for one other soul, my lady.”

  Ennis let out an impatient hiss. “May we take our leave now? I’ve no desire to have come this far, only to be caught now.”

  Iñigo shifted Finn in his arms. She was incredibly light, even though she was deadweight at the moment. Worry fluttered in his belly, the need to get her safely aboard the María gnawed at his insides. “Aye. The sooner we get away from this hell, the more soundly I shall sleep.”

  Apparently, knowing she’d soon be free of enslavement gave Adeline a burst of courage, for she shoved past the men, whispering, “I will get us back to Bridgetown safely.”

  Iñigo exchanged glances with Diego. “Know you a shortcut?”

  “I do. It will cut our travel time in half and reduce our risk of being caught. But—” her voice became low with warning. “We must be very quiet, for we will be passing directly behind the main house.”

  “Lead the way,” Iñigo told her, shifting Finn carefully to avoid jostling her. As they began moving, he glanced down at her. Even in the faint moonlight, there were dark smudges beneath her eyes, even deeper hollows beneath her cheekbones. Her skin was pale and clammy, and fresh fury burned in his gut. The urge to seek out Tobias Eden and make fish bait of him almost strangled Iñigo with its intensity.

  They moved silently and swiftly and Iñigo didn’t breath easily until they were safely ensconced onboard the María once more. Finn didn’t stir as Iñigo tucked her into his bed and left his cabin long enough to go to the galley and order a bowl of broth heated and brought up for her.

  It was a long night, as he dragged over one of the chairs and sank into it, waiting for her to wake. He remained awake, watching as she slept restlessly, thanking God as the winds picked up to fill the María’s sails and the ship pitched gently as they moved. At daybreak, Iñigo peered out the window to see they’d left Barbados for good, cutting through the calm seas and leaving the island a small speck in the distance. Finn remained asleep the entire time, barely stirring when Iñigo carefully undressed her down to her rough linen shift.

  The bowl of rich broth sat on the table, long gone cold as Finn slept on. He remained there, immobile in his chair, mind awhirl as he watched over her like a mother eagle protecting its young.

  When Finn opened her eyes, it was a relief to see the sun’s pale gold rays. It was no dream. He did come for me. Her sigh was involuntary, but her smile wasn’t as Iñigo suddenly appeared, sinking down onto the edge of the tick. He gently smoothed her hair away from her face. “A sight for exhausted eyes, my lady, seeing yours finally open.”

  “Where am I?” she whispered, reaching up a still-shaky hand to rub her left eye.

  “Where you belong. Aboard the María.”

  Unexpected joyful tears stung her eyes, but she was too exhausted to try to hold them back. If they fell, they fell. She did not care. “Is this a dream?”

  “Nay, love.” He bent to sweep a feathery kiss over her temple. “It’s no dream.”

  “Thank the Lord.”

  He straightened up, still stroking her hair. “Are you hungry?”

  “A bit.” She moved to sit up, only to have him clamp a hand onto her shoulder.

  “Stay where you are,” he told her firmly, rising to his feet. “I shall return in but a moment.”

  His leaving filled her with a sudden, inexplicable panic. Without thinking, she seized his hand. “Nay. Please, don’t.”

  His smile was gentle, as if he un
derstood why she reacted to strongly. “I promise you, love, you are safe now. We have left Barbados far behind and we’ll not be going back any time soon.”

  “Please.”

  He sighed, but reluctantly sunk down beside her once more. “My lady, you needs eat. You are but all bones.”

  She didn’t care when her voice quaked as she whispered, “Captain…”

  Another sigh. “Very well.”

  “I thank you.”

  “Do not thank me yet, my lady. We’ve yet to discuss the circumstances which brought you to that hell to begin with. And trust me, discuss it we shall.”

  She didn’t miss the low warning growl in his voice, and tried hard not to shudder at it. His eyes were dark amber, glinting with a hint of anger, and he was still disheveled, which certainly must have added to his irritation with her.

  “I am sorry,” she whispered, smothering a yawn with one hand. “I have no explanation save for idiocy.”

  “We’ll not discuss it now, Finn. You need rest to regain your strength back ere we do battle over your breaking your word. And I am most certain it will be a battle.” His eyes softened, his hand coming down to curve against her cheek. “You will follow my orders or else. Understand you this?”

  She nodded. “I do, Captain.”

  “Good. Now, you will remain here whilst I fetch you breakfast for a change. If I find you out of this bed, I promise you, lady, I will take a switch to you.”

  Finn grinned, her spirits rising once more. “And how, pray tell, will you find one in the middle of the ocean?”

  Despite his obvious irritation with her, Iñigo smiled. “You would be amazed at what I can do when I set my mind to it,” he told her, bending forward to brush her lips with a gentle kiss. “Rest now. I will be but a moment.”

  “Aye, Captain,” she replied, snuggling into the softness of the pillow as he rose and moved to the door.

  “It’s high time you learned to obey without question, Finn,” he growled, though his smile took the scolding from his words. “I will be back in moments.”

  “I will be here.” She watched as he disappeared from the cabin, and her smile remained even after the door closed. She didn’t doubt he was furious with her, nor did she blame him, but she had come home. She was safe once more, and it did wonders for her in ways she never would have dreamed possible.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Her stomach rumbled loudly as the wonderful, hearty aromas reached the cabin before Iñigo did, and her mouth fairly watered as he entered the cabin with yet another tray. It was only another bowl of broth, but to her, it was akin to a grand feast. She sat up, moving to swing her legs over the side of the bed as Iñigo set the tray on the table. “It smells heavenly,” she murmured, rising on unsteady legs to cross to the table.

  “Allow me,” he said, moving to catch her elbow.

  She tried to shake him off. “I am fine.”

  “My lady, enough with the bravado,” he scolded softly, refusing to release her arm. “You collapsed into me last eve. I know that it’s not possible you’ve recovered fully since then. There are no prying eyes here and you’ve my word. I’ll not breathe a whit of this to a soul onboard.”

  She wanted to argue with him, her pride almost demanded it, but exhaustion set in and she was terribly shaky. Nodding, she replied, “Very well.”

  He smiled, guiding her toward his vacated chair. “It’s the first time I do believe you’ve given up gracefully, my lady.”

  She scowled up at him as she sunk into the chair. “I’d not count on it happening again.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll do my best to remember that.” He settled across from her, eyes lingering on hers as she picked up her spoon to dip into the broth. As she brought it toward her lips, she stopped, frowning as she said, “Why do you stare?”

  “Am I?” he asked mildly, arching one ebony brow. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  Heat built in her face. “Well, you are.”

  “Forgive me.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Is that all?”

  “Is that all what?”

  “Have you no witty remark to cut me to the quick? Surely I must look dreadful. I do hope you’ll allow me a bath before too long.”

  “My lady, you have the blackest circles beneath your eyes that I have ever seen and you are whiter than any corpse on this earth.”

  She scowled again. “I thank you for the compliment.”

  “But you are also still the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes upon.”

  This she had not expected and the heat flared again. Lowering her spoon, she said, “I beg your pardon?”

  He gave her a half-smile. “You heard me correctly. Death warmed over and still the most beautiful lady I’ve ever beheld. It’s most impressive.”

  Her belly knotted at the gleam filling his amber eyes. “I do not know if I should take you seriously or not.”

  He shrugged, rising once more. “That I cannot tell you. It’s up to you. You can take my words at face value, or you may second-guess them. It’s your decision.”

  She frowned as he turned away, crossing the cabin to tug open the armoire. Her belly rumbled again, though it wasn’t the same terrible roiling as earlier. She dipped the spoon into the thick broth and lifted it to her lips to sip. It was heavenly, to say the least, and she couldn’t help but close her eyes and savor the hearty liquid.

  In between spoonfuls, she lifted her eyes to see Iñigo had stripped off his dirt-spattered, wrinkled shirt, and retrieved his shaving items as well. Remembering the fate of his silver lather cup, a smile tugged at her lips. He’d never once mentioned it, had never asked her what happened to it, and when she remembered its fate, the urge to giggle swept over her.

  He moved away from the armoire, to the washstand to set down another lather cup, his razor, and the soap needed to whip up the lather. A mirror hung from a nail in the timber behind the washstand and he adjusted it before setting to work whipping up the soap.

  The broth forgotten, she watched him instead, admiring the sleek smoothness of his bronzed skin, the way the muscles beneath bunched and rippled with each movement. The heat sweeping through her now had nothing to do with embarrassment.

  She continued to watch, fascinated as he brushed white foam over his cheeks, along his chin, and down his neck. She smiled, unable to keep from asking, “Isn’t that my duty?”

  Iñigo paused, and she held her breath, waiting to see how he’d respond. He grinned at her over one shoulder. “I think it is probably best I do it this time. I have an aversion to having my throat slit, be it an accident or not.”

  She had to agree. Her arms were almost too heavy to lift and she certainly couldn’t imagine maneuvering a blade over such a vulnerable area. “No. I don’t suppose I could fault you that.”

  Turning away again, he set down the cup, lifting his razor in his left hand. Without hesitation, he zipped the blade down his left cheek, then his right, taking care not to nick his mustache as he did. With equal aplomb, he scraped the coarse, black whiskers from his chin and his throat. No blood dotted his skin when he finished, and she had the maddest urge to cross to him and caress his newly smooth skin, to nuzzle her cheek against it and savor how soft it would feel.

  He glanced back over at her again. “Entertaining you, am I?” he asked with a grin, swiping at missed flecks of foam with a linen towel.

  She only smiled. “I’ve never truly watched a man shave before now.”

  “I only hope I did not disappoint.”

  Her flicker of embarrassment was quickly tamped down by the smile accompanying his words. Shaking her head as a pleasant warmth filled her, she said, “I do not think that possible, Captain.”

  “Is that so?” He draped the towel over one shoulder, stepping around the timber to grin at her. “Mayhap I should be thankful?”

  “Are you teasing me?”

  “I am.” His eyes dropped to her bowl, still a third full. “Finish.”

&nb
sp; “Aye, Captain.” She ducked her head back down and concentrated on the broth whilst he finished dressing. When she’d finished, she sighed. “It was delicious.”

  He closed the armoire, turned to face her, and wrinkled his nose. “Broth? Delicious? You were not jesting when you said you’d had nothing but bread, were you?”

  “I was most definitely not. And to call it bread was to be generous.” She shuddered, wondering what had happened when Tobias Eden learned both she and Adeline had gone missing. “Captain?”

  He paused in drawing on a fresh shirt, this one a crisp, white linen. “Aye?”

  “What became of Adeline?”

  He smiled, hearing the note of concern in her voice. “You’ve nothing to fear, my lady. She is safe and sound, tucked away in her own little cabin, bound for St. Philippe, just as we are.” He cocked his head slightly to one side. “Think me such a beast, do you, that I’d allow her to take the fall for my actions?”

  “Of course not. I was merely curious.”

  He came around to place both hands on the back of the chair across from her. “I ordered Guillermo to heat water for your bath, my lady. Think you’ve the strength to bathe yourself or shall I assist you? After all, it’s only fair of me to return the favor, is it not?”

  She smiled even as heat crept into her cheeks. “There was no way I could have told you the truth, Captain,” she murmured, refusing to look away from his knowing stare. “I had to keep masquerading. I knew it would not bode well for me otherwise.”

  He grinned. “Ah, but had I known a lady was scrubbing my back, I might have had a swoon of my own.”

  Her blush burned hotter still. “Liar.”

  He circled the table, laughing softly as he moved to stand behind her. Leaning close, he let his lips brush her ear as he whispered, “We shall never know now. Shall we?”

  Her eyelids drooped at the first flutter against her earlobe and her voice was airy as she murmured, “I suppose not.”

  He growled gently into her ear, his lips skimming down over the warm slope of her neck, over her collarbone. “I’ve missed you, mi dama hermosa. My bed has been far too empty since you disappeared on me.”