Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) (5 page)

“No,” Anna shook her head slowly.

“Anna, I must finish my business here, but if you request passage on my ship, I will find a way to get you home. You have my promise.” Jake smiled gently, pulling her to stop and tipping her chin with his finger to meet her gaze. “And, no man or creature will force you where you do not wish to go.”

“It’s too far,” Anna whispered.

“You came just as far to be here,” Jake’s tone revealed his confusion. “Besides, my ship has yet to find a place too far. She’s been all over this realm and back again. If you want to go home, I can take you.”

“I wish you could, Jake,” Anna’s lip quivered, the force of her desire to return home tangible in the cool night air.

“Awe, Love,” Jake rested a hand on her hip, pulling her close in an effort to comfort.

Anna’s hands splayed across his chest. Jake braced for the press of palms in unspoken request to release his grasp, but the push never came. “I never thanked you for hiding me from the Guards earlier. You could have turned me in; I know most men would have turned me in.”

“You must not know many good men, Love.” Jake remarked.

“Then, thank you, for being one of the good men,” Anna smiled up at him.

“Anna,” Jake breathed her name, amazed at what her words did to him. He leaned toward her slowly, his lips a breath away from hers as his chest rose and swelled with the pride her words gave him. Never had a woman claimed Jake as a good man; competent, feared and intimidating, but never a good man. This small, innocent woman believed in him and Jake ached to be the man she held him to be.

“Cap’n!” A slurred voice echoed down the dock, breaking the spell pulling at them. “We are out for drink and dame, come join us!”

Jake groaned at the arrival of one of his crewmen, his presence a brutal reminder of the secrets he kept. “Not tonight, Mac.” Jake gritted out the words through his teeth, trying to slow the sudden racing of his heart. Mac was a loyal crewman and friend, but not the brightest man in his crew and definitely not the most restrained.

“Ah, I see you already have the dame,” Mac chuckled. “Good choice, Cap’n, much nicer than the one last week.”

Mac’s last sentence was meant as a whisper, but the man was too inebriated to remain at any tone below a growl. Jake felt Anna stiffen at his side and knew he had to end this conversation quickly before his secrets were offered up for her through drunken lips. “Good night, Mac,” Jake pulled Anna toward the docks, desperate to be away from his mate. Once they were far away from the ranting of the drunken Pirate, Jake risked looking down at Anna. “Sorry about that, Love.”

“He’s one of your crew?” Anna asked.

“Aye,” Jake admitted ruefully.

“He’s,” Anna paused in trying to find an appropriate word, a hint of amusement in her tone. “He’s very animated. If you’d like to spend time with your friends, I don’t mind.”

Jake shook his head, feeling his body relax at her acceptance of Mac’s drunken, unsubtle barbs. “Nay, Love. I wouldn’t submit you to the likes of Mac and my men.”

“Or, maybe you’re afraid of the stories they might tell me,” Anna’s astuteness wasn’t a surprise and Jake chuckled at her hint.

“Maybe I would rather you hear those stories from me,” Jake suggested as he pulled her closer to him to allow several men to pass by them. “Or, perhaps I just want to be alone with you.”

Anna blushed in response to his flirting, the rose in her cheeks obvious even in the dim light of evening. “I should probably go, it’s getting late.”

Jake wanted to argue, desperate to return to their closeness of minutes before, but something held him back. “Of course, I’ll walk you.”

He was silent for the return to where they met while his conscience and libido fought for dominance. Jake should pursue her without remorse or reserve, taking the release he knew she could give him. It was far too long since Jake sated his physical need and Anna was the only female he wanted just then. Yet, even knowing bedding her would end his suffering, Jake felt no desire to continue his pursuit.

While Jake knew he could convince her to stay with him, the knowledge she was unaware of his station left him cold. Jake never needed to hide his reputation to bed a woman before and the fact he was willing to do so now made him shudder.
Thank you, for being one of the good men
; her words echoed in his mind. Jake wasn’t a good man, he was a Pirate. Besides, the ache in Jake’s chest was growing stronger and he knew the only way to rid himself of the weakness was to let go of the one causing it.

Jake didn’t ask for another meeting or offer flirtatious banter on their return. He remained stoic as they said their good-byes and Anna walked away from him. With a deep sigh, Jake leaned back against the wall on which he caught Anna earlier. “What a fine time to develop a conscience, Reynolds.” His muttering was heard only by himself and the night, as Anna walked out of sight and out of his life.

Chapter Five

The day bloomed fresh and warm; the first true warm morning since the beginning of the summer cycle three weeks before. Pink and red bee-like insects buzzed around brilliant blue and green flowers, their petals resembling gems. Shimmering birds flitted about, their bodies glowing silver and their wings translucent. The stones of the castle reflected the light of the sun, making the entire structure seem to glow in the morning light.

Anna marveled at the sights of the season from her window perch. She fidgeted with the fabric of her skirt, the bright yellow color at odds with her mood. Since her meeting with Jake three days before, Anna was in a state of emotional fluctuation. His promise to find a way to take her home was made without all of the facts, but Jake’s confidence allowed a small iota of hope to bloom. Surely, there had to be another way between the realms; one which she could survive.

Conceived when they thought it was no longer possible and having been their only girl, Anna’s parents always claimed she was their miracle; an angel sent to them. Anna hated to think of the agony they must be feeling to have their gift taken so violently from them. Her brothers were surely scouring the countryside for her. Alive or dead, they would spend eternity searching for any piece of their beloved sister. And, then there was Richard.

In all of her twenty-three years, Anna’s every decision was at the mercy of two old-fashioned parents and four overprotective big brothers. Her friends, her schooling, her occupation and her boyfriends were subject to her family’s unnecessarily harsh selection process. Richard was the first man she hadn’t taken home to meet with their criticism.

Anna’s fiancé wasn’t the most romantic or passionate of men and she felt no passion for him, but he offered what she needed; freedom. Whether her choice was a wise one or a mistake, with Richard it was hers to make. Maybe she hadn’t loved Richard with the earth-shattering, mind-numbing, explosive intensity one reads about in fiction novels, but she did care for him. It was a safe, comfortable relationship; one in which Anna knew she wouldn’t be subjected to anyone’s will but her own. Still, Anna couldn’t ignore her guilt over the lack of emotion she held at losing him.

As she sat hunched in the window, Anna tried to fathom the knowledge she would never see any of them again. The thought was devastating and Anna swiped a traitorous tear from her cheek, determined not to cry another drop. Crying did nothing to solve her problems, only made her eyes painfully puffy. Whatever the cost was to return to them, Anna would willingly pay it. She refused to give up on her family.

A knock on her door heralded the arrival of Prince Char. “Good morning, Anna, may I enter?”

“Of course,” Anna managed a small smile for the man, trying to bury the pain plaguing her.

Char closed the door behind him and came to sit at her side. He must have noted her watery eyes and splotchy skin because his expression grew instantly concerned. “Are you well, Anna?”

“I’m fine,” Anna assured. “I’m just a little homesick.”

“Of course,” Char took her hand in his sympathetically. “I’m very sorry, Anna. I wish there was something I could do.”

“I know,” Anna nodded.

Char had proven many times his will to find a way to send Anna home. He commissioned Witches, Wizards and Fairy from across the realm, but his attempts failed. Still, his efforts endeared him to Anna and she appreciated his friendship all the more for it.

“I know the pain of loss, Anna,” Char comforted. “I can’t say the pain ever truly leaves, but it does ease. You will be happy again.”

Anna nodded, unable to speak through the lump in her throat his words caused. She knew Char lost his family several years before. He claimed it was an accident which claimed his parents and older brother, but his hesitation in giving detail made Anna question. However it happened, Anna saw Char’s pain was real. She was tempted to tell him of Jake’s offer to sail her around the world in an attempt to get home, but decided the offer demanded more thought before spoken.

“And, I have a surprise,” Char hesitated, his expression softening from concern to delight. “In two days, we will have a ball.”

“A ball,” Anna repeated.

“Yes,” Char stood, as if the excitement was too much to bear. “It’s a tradition for Meridelle to host a summer ball. You will meet dignitaries, royals and creatures from all over the realm.”

“That sounds,” Anna began, trying to feel the same interest Char showed, but failing. “That’s great, Char.”

“At the very least,” Char sobered at her obvious lack of happiness, “it will serve as a distraction.”

Anna nodded, his words drawing out the tears she was trying to control. She swiped at one furiously as it dripped down her cheek. “Damn it,” she whispered as yet another one trailed the first. Char took her hands, pulling Anna to her feet and against his chest. His muscular arms wrapped around her tightly, their strong bands meant to block the flow of tears Anna could no longer hold in check.

“It’s alright, Anna,” Char mumbled into her hair. “Everything will be as it should be.”

Anna stood in Char’s embrace for what felt like hours until her tears dried. She lifted her head, brushing at the tear stains she left behind on his blue tee-shirt. “I’m sorry,” Anna whimpered. “I got your shirt wet.”

“It is unimportant,” Char assured, looking down at her tenderly.

Char’s fingers pushed back a strand of Anna’s hair, fitting it simply behind her ear. He followed the movement with a gentle kiss where the strand sat against her temple. His lips lingered and Anna turned toward him questioningly.

“Char,” Anna questioned.

Char released her instantly, stepping back from her and fisting his palms at his sides. “My apologies; that was inappropriate.”

“It’s okay,” Anna forgave with a small, shy smile.

“I meant to offer comfort,” Char argued. “My familiarity is inexcusable.”

“Char,” Anna interrupted his self-recriminations. “It’s fine.”

To reinforce her point and to save him from further guilt, Anna rose up and placed a kiss on Char’s cheek. He smiled down at her, his cheeks blushing at her attentions. Char’s shyness was completely at odds with the confident Prince she came to know. The knowledge made her smile.

***

“She must be sent back!” Milla’s pink eyes sparkled with fury.

“If she is sent back, she will die,” Mara tried to speak calmly to the Fairy Council sitting around her, but she grew weary of explaining her actions.

“As long as her blood is not spilled on our soil, it doesn’t matter!” Milla screamed.

“We don’t know that her blood wouldn’t be spilled on our soil, Milla,” Mara reminded for the third time since she arrived to the opulent Fairy Council hall.

The building was a vibrant, sparkling rainbow of colored gems and stones. Its sheer massiveness was testament to the power and prestige of the species which dwelled within. Mara found the structure a bit gaudy, but her fellow Fairy insisted it was a symbol of their rightful place in the realm. Her golden eyes scanned the various Fairies around her. Some still remained in their seats, patiently listening to the information Mara presented, while others paced or flitted about anxiously at the news.

Mara hoped to keep her kin from interfering with the human’s transition to their realm while she sought a solution, but with the answer to her quest so final she had no choice. She silently cursed Mina for enacting the spell which opened the portal to the Mortal Realm. Not only had the Fairy broken several rules, she sent the entire realm into chaos and destroyed Anna’s happiness. And, to finish off her deed, abandoned Mara to clean up the mess she left behind.

“We have to assume she cannot be sent back through the portal without risk to our world,” Micah agreed. The brown Fairy looked sympathetically at Mara. “You have done all you can, Mara. It is time to assess other options.”

“What other options?” Mara asked cautiously.

“We must ensure the human’s blood is never spilled on our soil,” Micah looked around, waiting for agreement from his fellow Fairies. “I suggest a stasis spell.”

Murmurs erupted from around the room as Fairy balked at such an atrocious lack of concern for the human. Fairy worked to preserve life, their traditional belief in “happily-ever-after” was rare among the realm now, but it served them well through generations. To place an innocent living creature into a stasis spell went against everything they believed in.

“We cannot!” Marla shook her blue head furiously. “It’s an abomination!”

“The girl has done nothing wrong,” Mindy’s purple eyes flared with indignity.

“We have no choice,” Micah argued. “We must preserve her until we find a way to rectify the situation. If her blood is spilled, the realm will be threatened.”

“A life in stasis is no life,” Mara’s voice echoed, silencing those around her. “She is an innocent child who did not ask to be brought to our world. She has suffered enough.”

“Mara is right,” Mathew piped in from the doorway. The entire Council stilled at the black Fairy’s presence. The strongest and most feared of all Fairy-kind, the man didn’t usually bother himself with the frivolities of his kin.

“Mathew,” Mara breathed his name, shocked he would show to a meeting as she was he knew her name. She always had a bit of a crush on the dashingly handsome Fairy shimmering with an onyx gleam.

“Why have you come, Mathew?” Micah asked, his tan cheeks blushing brown at the other Fairy’s dismissal of his idea.

“Apparently, my fellow Fairy kin can’t handle problems without my presence,” Mathew glared around the room. “How dare any of you consider putting an innocent in stasis? You are essentially sentencing her to a half-life; to death!”

“We must,” Micah began, his brown eyes darting around the room for defense.

“If you place this girl in stasis, you will answer to me,” Mathew’s eyes grew darker, all traces of white gone from them.

“It wouldn’t matter anyway,” Mira announced. Her white eyes may be blinded to the world, but not to what resided within it. “Even in stasis, the child will not be safe.”

“What do you mean?” Mara asked, trying not to stare at Mathew.

“There are other creatures outside of our circle who wish her blood be spilled,” Mira answered. “If she is in stasis, poor Anna will have no way to flee and flee she must.”

“Why would she flee?” Mara asked. “She is safe in Meridelle; under careful protection of the Prince.”

“No, Mara,” Mira whispered. “Can’t you see?”

“We can’t see as you do, Mira.” Mathew answered. “What is it we are missing?”

“The Dark Guild is coming,” Mira warned.

“The Dark Guild is disbanded,” Micah waved off the concern, but Mara heard his voice shake.

The Dark Guild, a legendary group of magical beings obsessed with linking the worlds and reclaiming the ultimate power which once was, believed to have been lost at the time the worlds were split. They were never seen and rarely heard from, but their actions decimated the lives and happiness of many species during their time. There was no magic the Dark Guild did not have knowledge of and only a few they did not possess.

“No, they are not! And, you are foolish not to be afraid!” Mira shouted.

“What can we do?” Mara asked.

“Run, hide, send the child home,” Mira’s tone leveled, returning to her soft whisper.

“I’ve searched all over the realm,” Mara claimed. “There is no way.”

“There is always a solution,” Mira stated. “The Dark Guild would not be in such a hurry to reach the child if they did not know it.”

“You’re saying the Dark Guild knows a way to send the human back through the portal?” Mathew asked for clarification.

“How?” Mara asked excitedly, the prospect of being able to send Anna back to her family making her golden wings sparkle.

“The solution is hidden in the thoughts of the Dark Guild,” Mira spoke sadly. “I do not see it.”

“Then, we must find it,” Mara announced. “I will search again; question every creature I can find.”

“I’ll help,” Mathew volunteered. “I have contacts even you are not privy to. And, the site of the portal will need guarded. I will take my warriors there and wait for word.”

“Thank you,” Mara smiled up at him gratefully.

“You must hurry, Mara, and be careful. Dark forces are everywhere.” Mira’s eyes focused on Mara even though Mara knew she was not seen. “They will reach the child. And, when they do they will show no mercy. Not only will her blood be spilled, she will die by their hands.”

Mara sobered instantly, her blood chilling with the Fairy’s prediction. She nodded once, looking to Mathew for a moment before hastily exiting the hall. Mara had many lands to search and little time to do so. First, however, was back to Meridelle. Prince Char had to be warned; Anna was in danger.

***

The morning came with a fury. The wind blew violently, rocking boats in their moorings and slamming shutters against buildings. Dark gray clouds let loose a torrent of rain which had sensible townsfolk running for cover. Only one man, dressed in black, dared the elements. It wasn’t by choice Jake fought the weather. His patience washed away in the storm which raged for the better part of the night and he ached to land a fist against a deserving jaw. With a grin, Jake thought of which jaw he would choose.