by ML Guida
“I know ’tis silly.” She wiped her cheeks and pushed her hair behind her ears. “But I have never left my home since…since Paris.” Her words faded.
He wrapped his arms around her. “I felt the same when I left Ireland, but I didn’t have a choice to leave. You do.” He turned her around. “You can go back now, Mariah. There’s no shame in it.”
“Oui, but there is, William. Grand-mère has foreseen it. If I go back home…” She stared over at the mountains. “My brother dies. I am not afraid. Live or die, my destiny has been dealt to me.”
“William,” Hannah called. She had become comfortable on the Phoenix, dressing the part. She wore her hair braided and Kane’s tunic and trousers. Kane had offered to tailor them to her size, but she insisted on wearing the breeches rolled up. Her cutlass was on her hip, and inside the rope that held her pants was her trusty dagger.
A shudder ran through William, and a hiss whispered in his ear. Transform. Take Hannah to our master. Now.
He shook his head, and the words died. Where had that come from? Master?
“This must be Mariah.” Hannah stared down at the dog. “And who is this?”
“This annoying mutt is her familiar, Solstice,” William answered.
“She’s not a mutt,” Mariah said. “She’s a spaniel.”
Hannah knelt and rubbed Solstice’s ears. The dog responded by licking her face. She laughed, tilting her head back. “Oh, you are adorable.”
William stepped aside. “Mariah, this is Hannah Knight, the captain’s lass.”
Hannah smiled and stood.
“Bonjour,” Mariah said.
“Welcome aboard the Soaring Phoenix,” Hannah said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You have?”
“Of course,” Hannah gestured. “From Kane and Ronan.” Hannah peered at her closer. “William has been telling you to stay back and hide?”
“Quoi?”
“He was always threatening to lock me in the brig or ship me back to England. ’Tis his way.”
William folded his arms across his chest. “Why thank you, Hannah, such a lovely introduction.”
She shrugged. “You know ’tis true.”
Kane came up behind Hannah and slipped his arms around her waist, snuggling her against his body. “Are you causing trouble, lass?” He winked at William.
“Aye, she is,” William said.
Kane nuzzled Hannah’s neck. “Ah, you’re a handful.”
She patted the side of his cheek. “Only to you.”
He sighed and released her. He looked over Hannah’s head at Mariah. “So, are you ready to disembark?”
“Oui, je le suis.”
Solstice wagged her tail.
“I can see you are, Solstice,” Kane said. “Never had a dog on board, but Morgana thought ’twas important she come. William, take Mariah and Solstice below so they can get settled.”
“Exactly where are you expecting to put her?” Hannah asked.
“Why?”
She put her hand on her hips. “Not in the crew’s quarters.”
“She can’t sleep in our cabin,” he lowered his voice.
“I didn’t say she would,” Hannah said. “But I doubt Mariah wants to sleep with a bunch of uncouth pirates either. I’m going to give her a corner of the crew’s quarter where she’ll have some privacy.”
“I do not mean to cause any trouble,” Mariah said.
“You’re not,” Hannah said. She grabbed her hand. “Come on, I’ll help you get settled.”
“I need my bag,” Mariah said.
“I’ll come with you,” William said.
“You will not,” Hannah said.
She flicked her hand, and William winced. She drew on her power, and the bag slid off his shoulder before he could grab it. Hannah snatched it, handed it to Mariah, and smiled sweetly. “Thank you, William.”
“Hannah,” he warned.
“When she is settled, I’ll let you know.” She looped her arm through Mariah’s. “We’ll be back soon. Smile, William.” A furry broom sweeping the deck, Solstice followed and sniffed.
Mariah looked over her shoulder and shrugged. William headed after them, but Kane grabbed his arm. “Leave the lasses be, brother. I suspect Hannah’s excited to have a female around. A lass needs female companionship.”
He glanced at Kane’s smirking face and shook his head. Sharon’s pale, listless body flashed in front of his eyes, and his stomach clenched. “Kane, I don’t want Mariah to—”
“End up like Sharon. I know. But then think of this, William. Palmer knows where she’s at. If Lark turns, she’s as good as dead anyway. With us, she’ll be safe on the Phoenix.”
William’s stomach twisted into tiny knots of doubt. “I hope so.”
Kane strode to the stern, away from the busy crew members, and stared out to sea. William followed and braced his hands on the railing. The cool breeze blew his hair, and salt lined his lips. He scanned the clear horizon. “But for how long, Kane? Palmer’s out for blood. An eye for an eye. Now there’s another demon. One more evil then Zuto. How can we expect to defeat them?” He hung his head, studying his boots. He’d made one mistake after another. He’d failed to defend his mother, failed to protect Sharon, failed to kill Zuto, and failed to convince Mariah to stay home.
Kane grabbed the back of William’s neck and gave him a brotherly squeeze like he used to when they were kids. “We’ll defeat them, brother, or die trying.”
A seagull cried overhead, and William raised his head, remembering what ’twas like to fly as a dragon and how much he’d liked it. Soon, he’d have to face his beast and try to control his ravaging hunger. “I need a drink.”
Chapter Seven
Mariah held her bag close and followed Hannah down the ladder to the crew’s quarters. She fingered the stone hanging around her neck that had hints of gray flecks spotted through the white. Time was of the essence. She needed to conjure a spell to find Lark before ’twas too late. But first she needed a place to store her belongings away from prying eyes, especially William’s.
Although Mariah detected muskiness as they stepped onto the stairs, the air was not stale, and the stairs were swept clean. Brass lanterns and the railing were polished, and walls were washed. The capitaine kept an orderly ship. She followed Hannah through a door into the crew’s quarters. Rows of hammocks swayed back and forth. Blankets and pillows lay on top, some neat, others disheveled. Trunks lined the back wall. She couldn’t help but wonder which trunk was William’s and which hammock was his.
“So, how long have you been aboard the Phoenix?”
“About two months. ’Tis my home, and I would not want to be anywhere but here.”
“Because of Kane.”
Her cheeks reddened, and she smiled. “Yes, I love him. His crew has become more like family. They accept me.”
“Meaning yours did not, oui?”
“Except for my grandmother,” Hannah said. “But she possessed the same powers as I did. We’re both descended from a gypsy queen that had this power. We cannot perform spells or anything, so we are not witches. My abilities scared my father and my sisters. I was the outcast, someone to be feared. Kane has always accepted me. Not everyone does.”
Mariah chewed on her lip. “What about William?”
“William accepted me but condemned my abilities like my father did.”
Chills slithered down Mariah’s spine. “Oh.” Memories rushed in of fleeing France from the people who had condemned her family for being witches. Her parents had sacrificed their lives for her and Lark to live. She wiped away angry tears, not wanting Hannah to see. How could Grand-mère think she would want to be with a man who would tie her to a stake and burn her alive?
“He tends to be overprotective. He’s lost many people in his life, and this colors his world.”
She cleared her throat. “Like who?”
“’Tis not for me to say. You’ll have to ask him.”
�
�Your father’s still on board the Phoenix?”
Hannah’s eyes moistened. “Yes.” Her expression saddened. “But he’s not the same man he was. ’Twasn’t just the torture. Palmer broke his spirit.”
“Meaning?”
“He sits up on deck and stares. He walks with a cane now, and his hands are crippled.” She lowered her head. “I tried healing him, but my power can’t heal broken bones.”
“I am sorry, Hannah. If I had known, I would have asked Grand-mère to send some herbs to help mend his bones.”
“You could heal him?”
“Oui, I’m a witch. Remember?” Solstice nudged Mariah’s hand. Mariah glanced down and stared at the spaniel. “I do not have the elixir. I have something better. Solstice. She is comforting.”
“What do you mean?”
“She is my familiar, and her presence can be comforting, sometimes even healing.”
“My father’s never been good with animals.”
“Solstice is not every animal. Let her try.”
Hannah smiled and wiped a rogue tear off her cheek. “Thank you.” She put her hand on her forehead. “I’m feeling a little dizzy.”
“You are? Do you need to sit down?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine in a minute. I think it’s being around you. I can feel your power.”
“You’re a sensitive, and this makes sense.”
Hannah knelt beside a large truck and rummaged inside. “I’m not finding what I need.”
“Maybe I can help ye, lass?”
A tall black man entered the quarters. His long, black hair escaped from underneath a red scarf bound around his head. His brown eyes glittered with laughter, and Mariah could not help but smile. He held a rolled-up white canvas underneath his arm.
Hannah whirled around. “Mariah, this is Doc. He’s one of the kindest men on board this ship.” She pecked him on the cheek.
Doc’s dark cheeks reddened. “Kane told me what you done be up to, lass. I done gone and found ye some canvas.”
Hannah took the canvas and she and Doc stretched it out on the floor. “’Tis from one of da torn sails. Sewn up. ’Tis not long enough to do da Phoenix much good. Kept it for possible repairs when we go into battle. It’ll work to give da lass some privacy.”
Three more pirates came into the cabin, carrying nails and a hammer. Within minutes, they had hung the canvas around a hammock in the corner of the cabin, away from the rest of the crew. ’Twas enough privacy to do a spell. Mariah was given an empty trunk to store her belongings.
“Merci,” Mariah said. “I cannot believe all the trouble you have gone through for me.”
“You’ll find these pirates have hearts of gold,” Hannah said. “You’ll never have to worry about your safety, even during the full moon.”
The men shifted uncomfortable, glancing at each other.
“You’re safe, lass,” Doc said. “We don’t kill those we feed upon. We’re not Palmer.”
She nodded. “Oui, certainement.”
“They’re telling you true.” William walked into the crew’s quarters. “Why, Doc, you and the men have outdone yourselves. But I don’t know if it will keep out the smell.”
Doc raised his eyebrow. “Smell?”
“Apparently, we lads are uncouth. Isn’t that right, Hannah?”
“Come on.” Hannah’s face reddened and slipped her arm into Doc’s. “I want to find Kane. We should be ready to leave soon.”
Hannah and the men took their leave. Solstice curled up on the floor. Mariah and William were alone.
“I know ’tis not a room,” he said. “’Tis either this or the brig.”
She smiled. “’Tis fine.” She was anxious for him to leave so she could conjure a spell and try to contact Lark. He studied her with his perceptive eyes, and she fidgeted with her hands, afraid he’d received the dragon gift of reading minds. “Anything else?”
“Are you well?”
“Oui.”
“Liar.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You do not know me well enough to call me a liar.”
“Aye. I do.” He stepped closer. “I’m beginning to learn how you’re feeling. Did you know that your eyes change color based on your mood?”
She backed up and her legs brushed against the hammock. “You noticed?”
“I notice many things about you Mariah.” He reached out and pulled her closer. “I notice your female scent of lavender, the way your dress outlines the curves of your body, your pouting lips. Your sexy accent. The way you carry yourself. You’re not afraid of men whistling at your or facing a wounded dragon. You speak your mind. Your determination—strong yet feminine. I notice everything there is about you, lass.”
All this time, she’d thought he resented her determination since he always wanted her to stay back. “You like my determination?”
“’Tis frustrating and annoying, but aye, I admire it. I admire you.”
Unable to breathe, she waited, wanting to taste his lips again, wanting to sink into his maleness. Cursing herself for wanting to kiss a man who detested her magic. His lips captured hers. She should be pressing her hands against his chest and pushing him away, insisting he stay away from her. Instead, she molded her traitorous body against him, her hands clutching his strong arms. Protective arms held her, and she felt safe, secure. ’Twas a falsehood. How many witches had died trusting a man who they’d thought accepted them, only to find themselves locked in a witch’s dungeon? She was the fool, the worst kind of fool. She knew the dangers, and still she kissed him, exploring his mouth, wanting to know the secrets he possessed.
William’s kiss deepened, and Mariah forgot all about Grand-mère, about leaving her home, about being tossed into a dungeon, about facing a demon. All that mattered was his kiss, his lips. Her heart quickened, and she ran her hands over his back, his muscles rippling beneath her touch. He was gentle and fierce, a warrior. Fearless but protective and tender. No man kissed like he did. Or at least, the ones she had kissed. They had been mere boys still not coming to their own. William was a man, a man cursed, a man determined to get what he wanted. And he wanted her.
His hand moved up her dress and slipped into her bodice, his thumb brushing against her nipple. She trembled at the touch. His caress sent her into a whirlwind of hot sensations—blood thumped between her ears and her skin burned like molten fire. Her dress was too confining, and she wanted to feel his callous hands on her naked skin, stroking her, teasing her. And those lips. Lord, what she wanted him to do with his lips was sinful. She needed to stop. Needed to remember what he was—a man who denounced magic.
Stop.
The word screamed in her mind. Her body ignored her mind, and her lips failed to form the word, only allowing a soft whimper, laden with sweet desire. She had never wanted this before, had always pushed men away. Maybe he was the one casting the spell.
Murmured voices carried down the hall, and William broke the kiss. He grabbed her arm and whipped her inside her canvas room. Cool air rushed over her breast. She glanced down at her dress, and heat washed over her cheeks. Her nipple peeked out of her dress. She twirled around and shifted her bodice over her exposed nipple.
“I’m sorry,” William whispered. His male presence took up the small space.
She stiffened and glanced over her shoulder. “Pourquoi?”
He gently squeezed her shoulders. “When I’m around you, I lose control.” His voice shook with emotion. “I don’t see how I can listen to you when you’re trying to teach me how to control the dragon, when all I want to do is kiss you.”
His words touched her. Maybe Grand-mère had been right about William. “So, you’re beginning to trust magic?”
The tenderness fled his eyes and wariness replaced it. “No, I don’t. Magic only leads to heartache and despair.”
How could he be tender one moment and the next an arse? “The dragon’s an animal. Like you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Y
ou can master it if you can lower yourself to believe in a menial witch.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he said, his voice sincere and his eyes intense. “’Tis…” He hesitated and tightened his lips.
“What?”
“I’ve learned…not to trust magic.”
“Why? Because of Kane?”
“Not because of him. Magic corrupts.” Bitterness laced the last two words. Pain flashed in his eyes, and he blinked, then it vanished. His eyes hardened, and he motioned with his hand. “Look at Palmer and Zuto. ’Tis why your brother’s enslaved.”
“You’re wrong. Magic is not corrupt. Men are.” She jabbed her finger into his chest. “Get over it. You’re a magical beast.”
“Unlike you, I didn’t choose this. I was cursed.”
“That’s what you think I am? Cursed?”
He clamped his jaw tight and turned away. She had the sudden impulse to slap her fingers across his face. “You need to start accepting your curse. Dragons possess magic, and if your emotions dominate you, you could unknowingly release these powers on those you care about most.”
Not that she was one of them.
***
William wanted to shake Mariah into listening to reason. Her flashing eyes threw daggers into his heart. He glared. “One of those powers is a hunger so fierce that the only thing I want to do is consume anything in my way. You could become a midnight snack.”
Solstice growled. William glowered.
“Solstice.” Mariah grabbed the dog’s collar. “I am not afraid.”
The lass could barely control her damn dog, let alone go up against demons. “Well, there’s no accountability for being ignorant.”
“Mon Dieu!” She lifted a closed fist as if to strike him. “I am not ignorant.” She slammed it down, hitting her thigh. “I know what I am doing.”
“You’re from a small little cottage outside of Tortuga. Sheltered from the real world. Sheltered from war. Sheltered from torture and mayhem.”