A Pirate's Revenge (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) Page 19

  Out on deck, he whirled around and gripped his sword. Ronan was one step behind him and lunged, the point of his sword slashing William’s thigh. William was forced to guard and block during every step of the angry assault. Metal clanged.

  “What the devil?” Kane yelled. “William, how did you get out of the brig?”

  Men rushed toward them.

  “You bastard,” Ronan gritted his teeth. “What did you do to the poor lass?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” William warned. He defended Ronan’s strikes and thrusts, but Ronan was determined. He was fighting for his woman, his honor. He lunged again and again, repeatedly parrying and riposting.

  “I order you to stop this nonsense, or I’ll throw both of you eejits into the brig.”

  Amadi and three of the crew drew their pistols. William lowered his sword. Ronan raised his.

  “Ronan,” Kane warned.

  “He hurt the lass,” Ronan said.

  “William?” Kane asked.

  “I didn’t hurt her. I…” William hung his head and could not bring himself to say how he had dishonored her.

  “Damn it Ronan, lower your sword,” Kane ordered.

  Ronan glared. He had a cut on his left arm, but William had received the worst of it. A slit grazed his thigh, and blood dripped from his wrist and the slashed knuckles on his right hand.

  Kane edged between them. “Drop your weapons now.”

  William gripped his tighter but kept it close to side.

  “I said drop it, Ronan,” Kane demanded.

  Ronan moved closer, and Amadi and another crewmen grabbed his arms. He struggled and twisted. “Release me! The bastard dishonored the lass.”

  Kane raised his eyebrow.

  Heat flared over William’s cheeks.

  “Ronan.” Kane nodded at William. “He lowered his weapon. I suggest you lower yours.”

  Anger glittered in Ronan’s eyes, and he panted like a wild stallion. “Tell them to release me, and I’ll do it.”

  “Release him.”

  Amadi and the other man released Ronan but stayed at his side.

  Ronan slowly slid his sword back into its sheath.

  Kane rested his hand on his pistol. “I want to—”

  “They were fighting over me, Capitaine.” Mariah marched toward them.

  The wind blew her black hair around her face, and she met William’s unwavering stare. Hurt reflected into those violet eyes, and he swallowed hard. He wanted to apologize, but how could he give back her maidenhood? Her blue gown hid her womanly curves, her silky skin, and even now he wanted her.

  “Bloody hell,” Kane grumbled. He pointed his finger at both William and Ronan. “You two eejits need to get your lust under control, or I’ll throw you off the ship to cool you off. Savvy?”

  “But Capt’n,” Ronan argued. “He—”

  “He what, Ronan?” Mariah stomped over to him, and with each word, jammed her finger into his chest. “He did not do anything that I foolishly did not allow.”

  William turned his head and stared out to the blue sea, wishing he could turn back time.

  “I was just trying to protect you,” Ronan murmured.

  “Do not,” she said. “Trust me, I will not give myself to him again.”

  Mariah pushed her way through the gaping men and ran down the deck. William’s heart drowned in a pool of guilt. Words of denial swelled in his throat. He wanted to lie and shield her honor.

  Ronan glared. “You’re a bastard, William.” He turned and headed in Mariah’s direction.

  Kane grabbed his arm. “No, Ronan.”

  “But Capt’n,” Ronan jerked his arm free.

  “’Tis not up to you to right this,” Kane said. He nodded. “Go to her, William.”

  “He’s done enough,” Ronan insisted.

  “He’s right, Kane,” William said. “I—”

  “Go now. Before ’tis too late,” Kane said, his voice low and sympathetic.

  William sheathed his sword and hurried after Mariah. She stood on port side, her head lowered. He didn’t know what to say. How could he apologize for what he’d done?

  He cleared his throat. “Mariah.”

  “Go away, William.”

  “I wanted to apologize—”

  She whirled around. “Apologize for what?”

  “For taking advantage of you.”

  “Taking?” Tears pooled in her eyes. She slapped him across the face. “Mon Dieu! So you regret what we did, oui?”

  His cheek stung. “Aye,” he whispered.

  She slapped him again, the sting smarting his cheek.

  “I gave myself freely. I am sorry to disappoint you. I know it’s below your station to lie with a lowly witch.”

  William blinked, stunned. He grabbed her shoulders. “Is that what you think?”

  “Why else would you spurn me?”

  “Damn it, Mariah. I wasn’t spurning you. I took you on the floor like a…like a...” He clamped his mouth shut, not able to utter the words.

  “Like a common harlot? Is that what you think of me?” Her words shook, and the pain etched in her face tore his honor to shreds.

  “No never. You deserve better than me,” he whispered. “Don’t you see? You were under a spell. How could I ever believe you wanted me? How could I ever be sure ’twasn’t the dragon’s essence forcing you to give into temptation?”

  “You are such a fool. How many times do I have to repeat myself?”

  She struggled and kicked his shins. Her small hits didn’t hurt, but the pain in her eyes stabbed his heart.

  “Release me!”

  “Mariah, listen to me.”

  “No! I said…”

  He thrust his hand into her dark curls and gently coaxed her toward him. She turned her head. Careful not to force the poor lass, he began with her throat, kissing her pulse. Her struggles ceased, and she stood still. When he gazed into those narrowed eyes, he knew she was fixed for a fight. As the heat and raw sensuality filled him, he hoped she would give into him. He kissed her cheeks, tasting her salty tears. “I want you, Mariah. Always.”

  Her wet eyelashes fluttered shut, and she ceased fighting, leaning her body against him. Luscious lips parted with little persuasion. She met the slow nudge of his tongue with a sigh that he hoped rang with forgiveness. The sweetness of her mouth stirred another bout of passion.

  He caressed her back and crushed her to him, her breasts pressed against his chest. As Mariah relaxed into him, she clasped his shirt. Blood pumped through him, pooling toward his groin. God, he’d never get enough of her. For a brief moment, he imagined taking her on the deck with the wind blowing her hair behind her as she rode him hard.

  “Do it”, Drakon roared.

  The witch had cast a spell on him, one he didn’t want to break. His tongue delved deeper, plunging, venturing into the recesses of her mouth. Her musical whimpers sent raging desire thumping through William. He held her fast. She returned his kiss with the same fervor, demanding as much as he did, and he refused to disappoint. He wanted to thrust his hardened cock deep inside her. He cupped and squeezed her breast and wished he could undue her stays and brush his thumb over her budded nipple. Shite, he was losing control.

  Reluctantly, he broke the kiss and dropped his hand, hoping no one had seen him ravaging the poor lass. He buried his face in her curls, trying to focus. “Lord, lass, what have you done to me?” he whispered.

  She clung to him, her breath ragged. “I have not done anything.”

  He lifted his head and stared down into her defiant face. “Ah, but you have. Every time I see you, I want you. Your kiss, your soft touch…” He cupped her quivering cheek. “’Tis all I can do to restrain myself.”

  “Why do you need to restrain yourself?”

  He groaned. “Mariah, you tempt me more than any other woman.” Sharon’s heart-shaped face appeared in his mind, and his chest tightened. How could he say that only Mariah captivated him? His wife had been beautiful, and
he had loved her. What did he feel for Mariah?

  “Have you ever been in love before?” Mariah asked.

  “Once.”

  “And?”

  “I was married, but she died.”

  Saying those words still released the pain and grief hidden in his heart. He shook his head, trying to bury the anguish threatening to overwhelm him.

  She touched his arm. “I am so sorry. You loved your wife?”

  “Very much. She was my life.”

  His small voice faded, as if stolen by the wind.

  Mariah lowered her head. “So, you cannot love anyone else?”

  “I don’t know. Losing her nearly killed me.”

  “What happened?”

  “’Twas my fault. I caused her death.” Sharon’s lifeless eyes flashed in his mind.

  “What do you mean you caused her death?”

  “She was a lady, destined to marry an earl. But she went against her brother’s wishes and chose me.” He clenched his fist. “We married secretly.”

  Mariah ran her hand over his arm. “The brother was angry?”

  “Aye, you could say that. The bastard tracked us down and barged into the inn. We fought, but he defeated me, and I lost consciousness.”

  William turned his head from Mariah, and he gripped the railing. He could hear Sharon’s screams, ordering her brother to leave. He’d never forget the hate in the man’s eyes. How he had lunged and parried with William, putting him on the defense, slashing his flesh. William had tried to protect Sharon, but the man pulled out his pistol. Sharon grabbed her brother’s arm. The pistol went off, grazing William’s temple. He had blacked out.

  Mariah stood next to him, and she placed her hand over his white knuckles. “And when you woke, he had taken Sharon?”

  “No, she was still there.”

  “She was?”

  “Aye, her brother had slit her throat. All for marrying a poor Irishman.”

  Mariah grasped her own throat. “Mon Dieu.”

  “’Twas my job to protect her, and I failed.”

  “You are afraid something will happen to me?”

  “Aye. You need to be safe away from me.”

  She kissed his bare chest. His heart threatened to burst through his rib cage at her soft touch.

  “Can you bear for me to be with another man? With Ronan?” she asked.

  “No!” Drakon screamed.

  William dug his fingers into her shoulders. “No. I’d kill Ronan if he stole any liberties with you.”

  She pecked his lips. “I know.” She traced her finger over his chest. “Do you not understand I could not bear for you to be with another woman?”

  His lips curved up into a smile at her jealousy. Warmth spread through him, cooling his boiling anger. But she deserved better than a cursed pirate. “I’m a monster.”

  “No.” She stopped tracing her finger. “You are William. My William. My dragon.”

  “I can’t be with you, not with this creature inside me.”

  Drakon hissed.

  “Oui, you can. We will find a way to free both of you. Let me show you. Will you not trust me?”

  She clasped his hand, her thumb caressing his palm. “Come with me.”

  William opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He followed her across the deck, not sure what she had in mind. Were they going back to her quarters?

  Ronan blocked William. “Where are you going?”

  “Leave them be, Ronan. That’s an order,” Kane said.

  “Damn it,” Ronan growled. “He’s goin’ to defile her again.”

  Mariah balled her fist and slammed it into Ronan’s arm. “Comment osez-vous!”

  “I didna mean any disrespect, lass.”

  “Capt’n,” Amadi called from the crow’s nest. He pointed. “Black sails on the horizon.”

  Kane and the other crewmen rushed to the stern. William clasped Mariah’s hand and maneuvered her between rushing crewmen.

  Kane raised his spyglass and aimed it at the approaching ship. “’Tis the Fiery Damsel,” he said. “She’s released her sweeps.” He lowered the spyglass. “Mallory?”

  “Aye, Capt’n?”

  “She’s preparing to attack,” Kane said. “All hands on deck. Ready the guns.”

  Men raced to their stations, and William pulled Mariah close to him. “You should get below deck.”

  “Why?”

  “We are going into battle.”

  Amadi called out, “Load the guns.”

  Six crewmen armed each of Phoenix’s cannons, and men quickly swabbed the barrels. They added gunpowder, loosely packed in a parchment cartridge, and used a metal pricker to pack it down in the touch hole. Cannonballs were loaded, followed by cloth wads made from canvas and hemp rope and packed down with a rammer.

  The guns were rolled to the gun ports and aimed at the Fiery Damsel. Amadi walked down the line, inspecting the lay of the guns and the preparedness of the men, giving out glowing linstocks to each crew as he passed. He waited for Kane’s command to fire.

  William didn’t want to argue and gripped Mariah’s arm tight. “Retreat to your cabin.”

  She jerked free of him. “No. Hannah’s not retreating.”

  “Hannah can—”

  “Hannah can what? I’m not defenseless.”

  Sharon had uttered those same words. Her father had taught her the sword, and she had fought her brother bravely during lessons. But she hadn’t been prepared to battle her giant of a brother when he wanted her dead. The Fiery Damsel had the wind to her advantage and her sails were trimmed. She pursued the Phoenix like a bloodhound.

  Kane lifted his spyglass again. “Bloody hell.”

  William didn’t like the sound of that. “What?”

  “Palmer’s got a woman on board,” he said, lowering the spyglass.

  “Who?” William asked.

  Mariah stepped closer to William and held his hand, hers trembling. “A red-head, oui?”

  “Aye,” Kane said.

  Mariah squeezed William’s hand. “’Tis Natasa.”

  He stared into her wide eyes. “The demon we saw at your grandmother’s home?”

  “Oui.”

  William released Mariah’s hand and gripped her shoulder, turning her around. “I want you below deck.”

  “I am a witch, William. I am not afraid of her.”

  “You should be.” Sharon’s ghostly face flashed in his mind. He couldn’t bear staring into Mariah’s lifeless eyes. He’d not make the same mistake again. Tremors of fear shook his body. He suspected Mariah was in grave danger.

  “We can protect her,” Drakon urged. “Free me. Call upon me.”

  Not knowing if he truly trusted his dragon, but having little choice, William nodded. He’d protect Mariah with his life. He slid his hands down Mariah’s shoulders. “I will not let her hurt you.”

  She scanned his face. “William, no,” she whispered.

  William tore off his shirt, and Mariah grabbed his fingers. “You cannot fight her alone.”

  He shook free of her. “Kane, get Mariah away from me.”

  Kane studied him. “What are you doing? We’re preparing for battle.”

  “Aye to battle a demon. Do you think the Phoenix can defeat the powers of hell?”

  “William, you are not ready yet,” Mariah said. “Not to go against Natasa. She will kill you.”

  “No. She can’t. Trust me.”

  Kane grabbed his arm. “Are you daft, man? Natasa’s powerful, maybe as powerful as Zuto.”

  “Do you want to put Hannah at risk? Your crew?” William taunted.

  Kane’s cheek twitched. He stared at the Fiery Damsel. The distance closed between them.

  “’Tis black magic, Kane,” William said. “The darkest kind.”

  “We need to work together,” Mariah said. “Only our combination—”

  “No!” William lowered his voice. “I do not want to make the same mistake with Mariah as I did with Sharon. I’ve
a dragon spirit within me. I can protect her.”

  “You do not understand all of your powers, oui?”

  “I trust Drakon,” he said, half believing his statement.

  “I’ll not let anything happen to her. She’s my mate. I’m sworn to protect her. Call upon me now, before ’tis too late.”

  Kane grasped his shoulder and squeezed. “God be with you.”

  “No!” Mariah cried. “He will die.”

  William ignored her anguished cry and slipped off his trousers and tossed them and his boots onto the deck. Naked, he stared at the pursuing ship. Hoping he was not making the worst mistake of his life, he said, “Drakon, come forth.”

  Mariah lunged for him, her eyes filled with panic.

  Kane grabbed her shoulders.

  “No, let me go,” she insisted.

  William ignored the pain and fear in her voice. Drakon roared inside him. He did not know whether ’twas because of Kane restraining Mariah or the pursuing ship. Anger and revenge shot through his veins, muscles bulged, bones creaked and twisted. His nose contorted into the dragon’s long snout, his ears lengthened. His hair shed, replaced with blue and green scales. He tripled in size in both girth and strength. Wings protruded from his back and flapped. Crewmen staggered away.

  Not looking at Mariah, he sat back on his haunches and launched into the air.

  “William!” Mariah yelled. “No, come back!”

  But William ignored her.

  “We fight to the death.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  William spread his wings and soared into the air, refusing to listen to Mariah’s cries to take her with him. He’d vowed to protect her, and she could stomp her pretty little feet all she wanted, but protecting her didn’t include her riding atop his back and fighting a demon with a wand. He’d face Natasa. Alone.

  The wind rushed over his scales, caressing him and supporting him in a way he hadn’t appreciated before. The Fiery Damsel drew closer with men lining the deck, loading and packing the guns. Some of those guns were trained upon him. Retreating was not an option. He hissed out fire, and the men stopped, pointed, and stared. Fear permeated the ship.

  Grim satisfaction surged through him. He still didn’t know what he was going to do. Burn the ship to the ground? Turn invisible? Create havoc?