by ML Guida
But she met his fierce thrust and moved her hands down to cup his balls, stealing his desire to command. The scent and feel of her tight sheath caressing him, draining him, propelled him into insanity, and he plunged into her over and over, driving long strokes into her, allowing the fierce sensations to consume him completely. She wrapped her long legs around his hips, pinning him to her. She was amazingly strong.
He clenched his teeth, trying to hold on when every part of him wanted to release, but her pleasure came first. He needed to spill his seed outside of her. There was no longer anger or fear or pain manipulating him. There was only Isabella, his other half, and the sanctuary of pleasure she provided.
With each long stride, the throbbing in his right arm lessened, and the numbness in his swollen fingers diminished. Broken bones and torn muscles healed—all because of this woman.
Isabella arched her back, screaming. Her release was a sweet melody to his ears. He kissed her, wanting to brand her as his. He didn’t know if it was magic, all he knew was that he wanted her. “I’ve never been with any woman like you.”
At the last minute, he pulled out, but spilled his seed onto her thigh. He hoped he hadn’t gotten her pregnant, but hopefully their coupling had broken the spell. Zuto had said that she’d be dead if they didn’t mate. He’d never said that she had to be with child to survive the poison.
She ran her fingers down his spine. “And I’ve never been with a man.”
He slowly raised his eyebrow, thinking all that she’d ask. Little virgins never knew what to do the first time.
She broke out in a teasing smile. “My brave pirate. I’ve only been with undines, but none of them pleased me like you. You gave me something I’ll never forget.”
Chapter Eleven
Panting loudly, Isabella lay spent with Leif’s head on her forehead. She sighed peacefully, caressing his leg with hers. “I could stay like this forever.”
“Aye, ’tis a definite temptation.”
His long hair brushed over her shoulders, and she ran her fingers through his locks. “The cuts and bruises are gone.”
He took her hand and kissed her palm, sending tingles up her arm. “Thanks to you, my lady.”
The light in the cave dimmed. “I think the sun is getting close to setting,” she said.
“As much as I’d like to stay here, we canna. The crew is huntin’ for us and will soon discover where we’ve gone.”
Isabella studied the rocky walls looming up to the mouth of the volcano. ’Twas at least a hundred feet high and would be nearly impossible to climb. Weariness settled into her tranquil muscles. “Can you fly?”
He rolled off her, and disappointment flooded her. Cold flashed over her naked body where his warmth had been, and she shivered. Her thigh was wet where he had shed his seed. Most men wouldn’t have cared if they would have gotten her pregnant, but he’d been careful. She just didn’t know if it had been enough. They both should have been stronger and resisted each other, but something pushed them together.
The demon had wanted her to become pregnant. What if the poison had another power—such as making sure she was with child? Her chest tightened. No, it couldn’t be possible. It wouldn’t be possible. Her fear was making her mind race into the impossible.
Leif sat on his haunches and bent and flexed his right arm, muscles rippling. “My arm is no longer broken. I can fly.” He stood and offered her his hand.
She clasped it, and he pulled her to his large form. He wrapped his strong arms around her and kissed her, stirring desire again. She clutched his shoulders, marveling at how the tiniest movement revealed the power within his sinews.
“When we have escaped the demon, I promise someday we’ll spend all day in bed discoverin’ each other’s secrets, but for now, we must flee.”
She slid her hands down his shoulders to the large pectoral muscles. He gasped, and she smiled up at him. “I’ll hold you to that promise, dragon.”
He gave her a soft peck on her nose. “Aye, you’d better.” He released her and walked over to her discarded clothing.
She sighed, dreading having to put back on the torn and stained shift and dress, but she’d no intention of running around the jungle naked with the crew of the Fiery Damsel hunting her. Leif helped her put on her shift and tie the laces on the back of her dress. She lifted her hair and was amazed at how nimble his fingers were in tying the stays. “How old are your sisters?”
“They’re nineteen.”
She glanced over her shoulders. “Twins?”
“Aye, but different as night and day.”
She turned around, glad she was getting him to talk about his past. He seemed so determined to keep it secret. “What are their names?”
“Gwendolyn and Gracelyn. Gwen can make you laugh and is adventurous, always gettin’ into mischief. Grace is more solemn and thoughtful.”
“You miss them, don’t you?”
His eyes darkened, and his smile faded. “’Tis better I stay away. Let them think the worst of me, but at least, they’re safe.”
She tilted her head. “They don’t know you were cursed, do they?”
“Like I said, woman, the less they know the better.” He whirled her around and pulled her hard to his chest, his grip cruel. “Promise me if you ever meet them you’ll not tell them about my curse?”
“Ow,” she said, as she pushed on his large hand. “Leif, you’re hurting me.”
“I’m sorry.” The tension in his hand eased. “I’ve been afraid of somethin’ happenin’ to them.”
He put both his hands on her arms and gave her the most pleading look that all she could think about was a wounded puppy.
“Promise me?”
“All right, I promise. Now, release me.”
He abruptly did as she asked, and she stumbled.
She glared, rubbing her throbbing arm. “Don’t ever touch me like that again.”
“I’m sorry.” He ran his hand through his hair; the veins in his temples tightened. “’Tis been so long I’ve kept the secret from them. I couldna bear it if they forsake me for my foolishness.” He dropped his arm and hung his head. “They’re the last of my family. They’re my heart.”
His voice was so low, Isabella could barely hear it. He treasured his sisters like she did her own. She couldn’t imagine anything worse than Angelica and Penelope rejecting her. It would be worse than Father’s rejection. “They will never hear it from me.” She took his clenched fist and unwound his stubborn fingers. She kissed his palm. “Leif, they need to hear your secret from you. Nothing good will come of a secret. Secrets kill.”
He pulled his hand gently out of hers. “We havena much time.”
She clucked her tongue. He was a stubborn man, used to guarding what was his, but she feared, for all of his good intentions, that this confidence would come back to haunt him. “Where shall we go?”
“I need to get you to the Soarin’ Phoenix. The captain will protect you. They’re the only ones powerful enough to defeat Palmer.”
Suspicion—icy and cold—whisked up her spine. “What about you?”
“I’ll draw them off. As long as they think you’re not with child, they’ll pursue me.”
“What if I am?”
“You can’t be. I pulled out in time.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“If you are, ’tis somethin’ they must never know.”
“The demon knew when Angelica was pregnant. He’ll know with me as well.”
“Like I said, the only way to keep you safe is on board the Soarin’ Phoenix and far away from me. We canna be together, lass, until this is over. We canna mate again. ’Tis too dangerous.”
With that statement, her heart clenched into a thousand knots, wishing he was wrong. But he wasn’t.
Leif transformed, his muscles bulging, his skin turning from bronze to deep red, his eyes changing from green to gold. A lethal red dragon stood before her, its wing span wider than three longboats tied together.
The dragon tilted his head to its side, and Isabella quickly climbed onto its back, glad not to have its sharp talons digging into her shoulders.
Leif leaned back onto his haunches, then launched into the air. Wind soared over Isabella, and she squeezed her legs tight against his body, her hands tightening around his thick neck, but she knew she shouldn’t fear. Her dragon would never let her fall.
They burst through the mouth of the volcano, and Leif swung around. Below them, pirates were climbing the mountain and searching the jungle. Palmer was in a little clearing not far from the mountain, but he wasn’t alone. A dark-haired woman was gagged and tied up, sitting on a stump.
Palmer was still badly burned. The right side of his face was black and charred and both hands were curled into claws. Another tall pirate stood next to the woman, and he held a short ugly blade.
“Leif,” she said, as she patted his neck. “Palmer has Mariah.” She looked for William. He’d never let the love of his life be captured by his hated enemies. She hunted for William, fearing he was wounded or worse dead.
Suddenly, Leif shrieked and arched his back as if he’d been shot through the heart. It was the most agonizing and pitiful sound she’d ever heard. She looked frantically for any blood on his sides and moved her hand under his chest to feel for wetness, but there was none. He dove toward Palmer and the pirate like a speeding arrow, and Isabella had to wrap her arms tight around his neck and clench her legs tightly to keep from falling to her death.
As they whizzed toward Palmer, Isabella realized ’twas not Mariah. Mariah had violet eyes. This woman had green, the same color as Leif’s. There was only one answer. She had to be one of Leif’s beloved sisters. His worst nightmare had just come true.
***
Leif’s beating heart leapt in his throat, and he let out a stream of fire that lit up a grove of trees leading to the little clearing. Palmer had Gwen, his brave and courageous sister. Her eyes widened in terror as he approached.
Palmer’s skin had turned black and bubbled like shriveled up paper. The man was in pain and wouldn’t be able to heal for another couple of days, but his word was still law.
Dennis Kirkland, the ship’s copper, was with Palmer. He broke out in a toothy smile that did nothing to improve his pockmarked face. He would do anything to please Palmer—murder children, rape women, anything to save his own scurvy skin.
Palmer motioned with his clawed hand.
Kirkland grabbed Gwen’s arm and hauled her in front of him, a knife underneath her throat. But instead of wearing a bodice, petticoats, and a skirt, she wore a shirt and breeches. Why the devil was she wearing men’s clothing? Had they raped her?
Do not lose control, Dracul said. ’Tis what Palmer wants.
“Aye, come down here, ye flying lizard. Ye burned me for the last time. Your bitch sister sliced me with that there knife, and I plan to do the same to her.” He flashed Leif a victorious smile that crinkled his tight skin.
The bastard must be in agony but refused to admit it.
Palmer tilted his head, and Kirkland pressed the blade deeper into her flesh. Blood trickled down her throat. She had a cut lip and a nasty bruise on the left side of her cheek.
Lady luck abandoned Leif again. Nothing would give Kirkland more pleasure than to kill his sister. Kirkland had always competed with Leif to please Palmer, but no matter what he’d do, he’d always come out the loser.
Palmer’s left burnt hand had a bandage wrapped around it. Gwen had done this? Palmer must be mocking him. Not many men could best him in a knife fight, especially his kid sister. She wouldn’t know which end of the blade to use. If Kirkland did Palmer’s bidding and killed her, they’d both wish for a thousand deaths for what Leif would do to them.
We must get Isabella away from here, Dracul said. She is in danger. Listen to me.
But Leif ignored him. He wouldn’t abandon his sister. He’d failed her once; he wouldn’t do it again. He landed in the clearing with Isabella still on his back. He curled his lip into a snarl and snorted black smoke.
“You fry me again...” He hobbled over to stand next to Kirkland. “And you fry your sister, Black. The choice is yours. Give us the undine, and you can have your wretched sister.”
Gwen crinkled her brow as if she thought Palmer had been out into the sun too long and baked his brains.
He leaned close to her ear. “Aye, wench. ’Tis your brother in dragon form. He’s part of me crew. I told ye he can also turn into a vampire. His heart is as black as mine. Would you like to know what your brother’s done while a member of my crew? His deeds would cause your toes to curl and make ye turn green with horror.”
The look of revulsion in her eyes split Leif’s beating heart in two. His will crumpled. All his careful planning to keep his sisters safe had been for naught. Gwen had somehow discovered that he was a pirate on the worst ship in the Caribbean and talked Grace into following him out here. If she’d stayed in Tortuga, she’d be shopping and laughing with her friends, flirting with local lads, not bound and gagged by a man who didn’t value life. To Palmer, she was a pawn, easily discarded to get what he wanted.
The thick jungle leaves quivered, and sticks broke. Slowly the crew of the Fiery Damsel emerged from hiding, their swords and pistols drawn. Even if he released a stream of fire, Gwen, Isabella, or both would be dead, whether from a slit throat or a pistol shot.
“You’re surrounded, Black. Ye might be able to take some of us out, but are ye willing to bet the lives of your women on this?”
Gwen lifted her back heel, ran it down Kirkland’s inseam, and stomped on his foot hard. Kirkland howled and loosened his grip on the blade.
She surprised the hell out of Leif. He’d never taught her how to fight.
Gwen shoved his arm away from her face and ran.
He’d never taught her how to fight. What was she thinking? This was an island. And there was no place for her to escape. All exits were blocked by his crew mates, including Jackman. His tall friend motioned for Gwen to come toward him, but fear blinded her. Leif cursed. She didn’t know Cé and wouldn’t trust him. Could he blame her?
Jackman was taller than most of the men. He wore his blond hair pulled back in a tight queue, and he held his cutlass in his other hand. He had black tar under his eyes to keep the sun from reflecting off the water and burning his eyes. Shirtless, he wore only his leather baldric, and his breeches were tucked into his tall boots. To Gwen, he’d look like any of the other scallywags.
Leif was in dragon form and had no way to urge her to run toward Cé, but maybe he could help her. He swung his tail, knocking the men down next to Jackman. Jackman took a step toward her, but he wasn’t fast enough.
Kirkland seized the back of Gwen’s hair, whirling her around, forcing her to stand on her tippy-toes, pressing the blade deeper into her tender flesh. “That wasn’t very smart, wench.”
“Leif, is it true what he says?” she said, her voice strained. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Ah, there’s many things he didn’t tell you. Do as Palmer says, Leif.” He licked the side of her cheek. “Or watch me pleasure your sister, slow and hard.”
Leif hissed, and the men stopped encroaching them, some diving behind trees, others falling onto their stomach. The blood drained from Kirkland’s face, and his hand that held the blade shook. Leif sniffed, smelling their fear, but not Palmer’s. Even burnt to a crisp, the bastard knew Leif wouldn’t risk killing his sister. How had the bloody fiend found her? And where was Grace?
“No,” Isabella said, her voice strong and loud. “You will not kill her, vermin.”
“You open your mouth and sing, I’ll have Kirkland gut her in two, I swear.”
Palmer’s voice growled, but Leif could detect the fear beneath it. Droplets of sweat trickled down Palmer’s temple, leaking into his muddied left eye.
Despite her fearlessness, Leif could feel Isabella trembling on his back and turned his head. Her eyes were just as wide as Gwen’s, but she’d s
et her jaw tight. Pirates had killed her mother, and now, the man she’d lain with was now contemplating betraying her. He didn’t have much of a choice. Gwen had naught to offer Palmer, but Isabella was another matter. He wouldn’t dare hurt her unless he wanted Zuto to slowly peel his skin off his gloating hide.
Leif bowed his head in defeat, afraid to meet Isabella’s eyes. She’d never forgive him for this. She’d healed him, and now, like Judas Iscariot, he was going to hand her over to their enemies with a kiss, but he didn’t see any other way to protect both women.
You can’t be serious, Dracul said. She’s our mate.
But Gwen is my sister. I can’t let her die.
Isabella is pregnant. I can sense it.
Then Palmer wouldn’t kill her.
Yet.
Leif would find a way to save Isabella, even if he had to fly into hell to win her back.
“Transform, ye bilge scum.” Kirkland grabbed Gwen’s breast, squeezing hard.
Gwen cried out, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Leave me alone!”
The bastard would maul her right in front of Leif and then toss her to the others. Lust flickered in their shining eyes.
Isabella slid off his back and petted his neck, her soft hands trembling. “Transform, Leif.” Defeat hung heavy in her small voice. “I promised I would not allow anything happen to your sister, and I meant it.” She held her head high as if she were in the royal court. “’Tis me you want, fool. Let the girl go.”
“You’re in no position to bargain,” Palmer said.
“No?” She nodded her head toward Leif. “I have a dragon who can take me to safety at any time. You’d lose your prize, Palmer. Do you really want to face Zuto empty handed?”
A shadow of fear flickered in Palmer’s eyes then vanished, but he wasn’t fooling Leif. Zuto was a cruel and heavy-handed master. Disappointment was met with punishment, punishment that made even Palmer think twice about deceiving him.
“We have an accord. Kirkland, lower your blade.”