Secrets and the Sea

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Whiskey Creek Press www.whiskeycreekpress.com

Copyright ©2008 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

CONTENTS Published by WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press: Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 About the Author For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore **** 3

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

CATHRACA: SECRETS AND THE SEA by Camryn Cutler WHISKEY CREEK PRESS www.whiskeycreekpress.com

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Published by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS Whiskey Creek Press PO Box 51052 Casper, WY 82605-1052 www.whiskeycreekpress.com Copyright © 2008 by Camryn Cutler Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including 5

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBN 978-1-60313-367-8 Credits Cover Artist: Nancy Donahue Editor: Kate Scott Printed in the United States of America [Back to Table of Contents]

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT CALTHRACA: SECRETS AND THE SEA "Kate Lamb always wanted to take a vacation hiking in the Alps but she never expected to end up in a completely different world from her own. In fact, she ends up in a world where slavery is a common occurrence and women are rarely free to live their own lives. After being captured, she is purchased in the slave markets by Esteban Magalia, for a reasonably low price, considering she's a hellion who refuses to bend to the rules of a slave. In order for Esteban to enjoy his new slave, he must first earn her trust but how do you instill trust in a woman who refuses to agree to be his slave? "Secrets and the Sea has a unique blend between fantasy, historical romance and piracy on the high seas. I couldn't put this book down and spent hours holed up in my room, eagerly reading. Kate has a strong personality, unwilling to be the victim and stands up for herself, even when she probably shouldn't. Esteban has the heart of a gentleman, although he fights his dark pirate side that wants to take what he perceives as his. The blend of these two characters makes for exciting fireworks, even as the flame dies down and the passion ensues ... With a quick pace and unique storyline, Ms. Cutler has written a keeper that is instilled with a sense to historical poignancy and true love. Overall, I enjoyed it." Francesca Hayne Just Erotic Romance Reviews Rating: 4 Stars 7

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

[Back to Table of Contents]

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press: www.whiskeycreekpress.com Calthraca: The Tiger Tengri Khan, requires a wife to inherit his kingdom. Used to taking what he wants, he finds his mate and kidnaps her. Princess Adama Fawkes is strong and determined, she is a formidable match for the man who has no idea she will melt his frozen heart and seize his very soul. Calthraca: Adamare Adama Fawkes, now queen, is kidnapped by a ruthless bounty hunter. To make matters worse, her daughter is missing. Adama must plan an escape. Kesim Trasain is a powerful sorcerer placed in the court of the Basaltic Empress. Sent to aid Adama, he does not yet realize that she is the woman fated to be his. Calthraca: Surrender Love He had been her first lover. When Tengri-Khan, died, Adama had wanted to die with him. Now older and wiser, Adama has found her fated love in Kesim. They thought their journey was over and they had earned some peace. But fate had other plans. Black Angel in Torrid Teasers Volume 35 Isobel Carter finds herself in and unlikely position; captive upon a Spanish galleon and bed wench to a pirate. Alejandro Garcia Ramirez, has shown her incredible pleasure, but 9

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

desires her complete submission. Can she resist the will of the Black Angel or will she be consumed? Calthraca: The Fox Adama Fawkes has loved three men in her life but a new trial faces her. When Kesim and Adama are forced to return to Lyros, what they do there will determine the course of their lives forever. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Dedication This book is dedicated to my best friend Kristen. Although you're no longer with us, I think of you often and I know you're proud of me. I wish I'd told you how much I loved you more often. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Chapter 1 Kate Lamb brushed a fallen blonde lock from her forehead and looked up at the clock. The stress from her last day of work before her vacation started to ebb away immediately, and she smiled—it was ten minutes to five, almost time to leave. She closed the portfolio in front of her, an ad for a new ISP called Delcom. It featured a scantily-clad model, reclined on a red sports car and read Crazy, Sexy, Fast! An upstart internet provider, the company promised to do well since it had gone public, and she briefly wondered if she ought to buy some stock on the ground floor. Maybe when I get back. Hopefully her work on this campaign would solidify the new vice president's position she'd been given this week. Working insane hours and having no social life had rewarded her with the promotion, and she knew crazier hours and even less personal time would be the way to keep it. Of course, the incredible vacation she was about to take was part of her bonus for all her hard work. Mr. Bline—Matt, she corrected, had been so impressed he'd given her what he'd called 'a small incentive reward', but to Kate it was a dream vacation. A walking trip through the Swiss Alps. An avid hiker, she'd dreamed of one day doing this trip, and now it was finally a reality. Her plane would leave Newark at nine tonight, and she'd be in Bern by tomorrow morning. 12

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

It amazed her how well Matt knew her. Instead of a fancy luxury vacation, he'd arranged this walking trip from one hostel to another until she reached Montreaux, where she'd stay in one of the finest hotels on the continent. Never in a million years would she have guessed that he knew about her hobby, but she supposed it went with the territory, knowing one's employees. After shutting down her computer and locking her files, she moved from her new, mostly empty office out to the common area. Linda, the secretary for the entire office, sat with her headphones on, reading from a glamour magazine. She was young, maybe twenty, with a sweet face and a nice personality. She went to school part-time and worked here full-time, and Kate liked her despite the difference in their ages. Around them, she noticed the other artists and personnel getting ready to leave for their weekend, too. When Linda saw Kate, she removed one of her earbuds and smiled. "Getting ready to go?" "Yes, I am ... God, I can't wait!" Kate set her keys on the shelf in front of Linda who stashed them in her desk drawer. "Remember, only Mr. Bline has access to my files, okay?" Linda nodded. "What about your emails?" "He's got my password info, and I auto-forwarded everything to him, plus I'll be able to check from the hostels when I arrive." "You're so brave to do this trip alone. I mean, I don't think I could go to a foreign country by myself. I'd be too scared." Linda shuddered and closed her eyes theatrically. 13

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

"It's really not a big deal; I've traveled by myself before," Kate replied. "Yeah, but I'd keep thinking of that movie, you know? The one where those people get killed while they're on vacation in Europe?" Kate rolled her eyes and briefly considered telling the girl that she was in more danger going to the parking garage, but decided not to. "Yes, I know the movie. Don't worry, Linda, I'll be back in two weeks, and I'll bring you some Swiss chocolates." "Thanks, Kate. Have a safe trip, okay?" "I will." Kate moved away to the elevators and paused briefly outside Mr. Bline's closed office door for a moment then decided to knock. "Come in!" he called and Kate opened the door. "Mr. Bline, I mean ... Matt." Kate smiled nervously. "I just wanted to thank you again for this. Well, the vacation and the promotion and everything." Matthew Bline was an attractive man in his late thirties. Tall, auburn-haired and tan, he radiated waves of power and attraction that Kate found hard to resist. She imagined most women had the same impression. Worst of all, she suspected he knew it. He was warm and charming and funny. Articulate, educated and most definitely married. Really, too bad all in all. He reclined back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head and grinned at Kate. "Don't thank me. You earned this." "Well, still, it's very generous of you." 14

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

"Let's see how generous you think I am when I'm working you to death with three or four projects and a deadline." Kate couldn't help but smile at that; she knew he wasn't kidding. "So, it looks like I'll be seeing you in Montreaux." Kate paused for a moment. "You will?" "Yes, I'm going on vacation, too. One of my stops is Montreaux, so I'm sure we'll run into each other, at least at the hotel." "Oh, but I forwarded my mail and everything to you," Kate said lamely. "That's all right, it'll be a working vacation. Unfortunately, I don't take many that aren't." This was news to Kate. "Will you and your wife be doing some skiing?" "No, my wife will be on her annual Caribbean cruise. Maybe we can have dinner while you're there?" "Ah, yes ... maybe." Okay, am I crazy or was that a proposal? "You'd better get going or you'll miss your flight," Matt said. He grinned and Kate wasn't sure why it suddenly made her uncomfortable. "Yes ... Thanks again, Mr.... uh, Matt." He raised a hand and Kate exited the office, cursing herself for having gone in there to begin with. Kate stepped into the elevator and hit the lobby key. She hoped that he hadn't taken their conversation as some kind of veiled hint. Riding the elevator down, she continued to turn the whole incident over in her mind. At last she emerged into 15

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

the huge and opulent lobby of Matox and Bline Advertising, moved to the revolving door and hailed a cab. Kate sat in the cab and exhaled, putting the conversation out of her mind. She was going to Switzerland! Kate arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare. Unfortunately, the desk agent told her that the flight she had hurried to catch was now going to be delayed for two hours. Kate sighed and dragged her backpack across the airport concourse to the small convenience store. She hadn't bothered with any luggage aside from her pack, so there was no need to worry about baggage. One less thing to get screwed up. She decided to kill some time by prowling through the magazine rack. The first one she picked up was heavy, glossy and expensive. She leafed through it, making unconscious faces at the ads. Some she thought were pretty good, others she recognized from her firm, but most of them were just awful. After leafing through three or four more, she replaced the magazine she held and moved to the bookshelf. She picked out a light romance novel, less than two hundred pages, something simple to read on the flight and destined to be left on a bench in another airport. On her way out she also added a bottle of migraine tablets and a can of energy drink to her purchases, then found a seat and waited. When she finally arrived in Bern, there was a car waiting for her. She'd surprised her hosts by only staying an hour before heading off on the first trail. She dashed up the stairs 16

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

to the common bathroom and quickly changed into her hiking gear: heavy boots; shorts; a tank top and a long-sleeved blouse which she wore tied around her waist. She'd joined the other hikers for a quick breakfast, then thanked the owners and headed out the door. Kate hiked along a shaded path clearly outlined on her day-tripper's map. She laughed a little at the title. It reminded her of the Beatles tune, and she hummed the song as she walked. She shivered at the cold breeze and rubbed her shoulders to warm them, but didn't bother to put on the shirt; she knew she'd warm up quickly with the exertion of the walk. The other hikers had assured her this was a beautiful path and they were right. She took out her digital camera and snapped a picture of a particularly striking vista. She could see a tiny village in a secluded valley, its church spire reaching heavenward, framed by the snowcapped peaks behind it. That shot would make a great print, and she knew exactly where she would hang it in her new office. The little camera beeped at her, letting her know she'd nearly exceeded the available memory on the stick, and she made a mental note to upload the pictures to her Picture-Pail account when she got to the next hostel. Her plan was to hike the thirty miles to that hostel, arriving early in the evening, having left just past dawn. As she continued along the path, she heard what sounded to her like chanting or singing coming from somewhere nearby. She kept moving, fully expecting to see the people at every turn, but didn't encounter them. She knew that sounds 17

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

tended to carry in the mountains but it was unsettling to keep hearing people, yet not seeing them. Kate continued along the rocky path, kicking gravel along in an unconscious cadence to the chanting. It was hypnotic and she was lulled, not really paying attention until the voices began to get louder and she stopped. Looking around, she discovered she'd covered several miles without really even knowing it; without observing the views or the woods around her, something very unlike her. That disquieting realization made her more uncomfortable than the cold breeze and she shivered again at a chill that ran up her spine. Were they following her? She turned her head in the direction of the voices, half expecting to see someone watching her, and recalled the conversation she'd had with Linda before she left. Stop it right now. You're creeping yourself out! Kate's fear slowly faded to irritation at her own paranoia. She hadn't come all this way to have her vacation ruined by a bunch of singers, and she wasn't about to allow a case of the creeps to do it either. She decided to investigate the voices and settle her nerves once and for all. Still a note of prudence rang through her, and she decided there was no reason to barge in on people who might not be doing anything at all sinister. She'd just find out what was going on, then leave them in peace. She made her way down the rough embankment, into the trees that lined the path. Instinctively she knew the group was nearby, but they were far enough from the trail that they couldn't be seen through the thick brush and trees. 18

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

She cautiously approached, and as she did the voices became clearer. She could now make out both male and female tones and realized there were quite a number of people ahead. They stood around a fire in a circle, hands linked, chanting their song. As though the scene weren't ominous enough, all of them wore long, black, hooded robes and Kate stopped quickly. She looked around, noticing the forest was quite a bit darker than the path, and that unwelcome sense of fear tugged at her again. This was a really stupid idea. She stepped behind a large tree and leaned into the rough bark, holding herself up for a moment, gathering her thoughts. Maybe she ought to just get back on the path and get the heck out of here? What if they were doing something sinister? Was that something she really wanted to witness? Not to mention the fact that she probably placed herself in danger with her rash decision. Okay, I'm just going to back out of here slowly and quietly before anyone sees me, and then move along. The voices began to grow to a deafening volume, and she stepped backward, convinced that despite their singing, the merest twig snap would alert them to her presence. Focused on the group before her, Kate had only moved a few cautious paces backward when a hand fell hard on her shoulder. She shrieked and whirled to face her assailant. He was at least a foot taller than her, his face hidden in the shadows of the deep hood he wore. Kate screamed again, but before her terrified brain could force her legs to move, she was lifted and thrown over his shoulder. 19

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Unfazed by her kicking and fighting, he carried her to the circle. The chanting stopped then, and faster than she could register what it meant, the man threw her into the center of the group. She fell backward, aware that she was going to land in their fire, but was unable to stop her descent. The only thought she had before she blacked out was that it wasn't a fire at all; it was something else—something she'd never seen before. **** Kate awoke alone in the woods. Disoriented and frightened, she slowly gained her feet and checked herself to make sure she wasn't injured. She hated the shaky feeling in her legs, but didn't seem able to make it stop. She didn't have any injuries aside from a few cuts and scratches, and she let out a deep sigh of relief. Kate glanced furtively into the dark woods, convinced that every sound she heard meant they were returning, but there was no one around. She scanned the clearing where all the people had been only minutes before, and it appeared that no one had even been there at all. She decided that she'd feel a lot safer if she got back on the trail. Her backpack was on the ground near where she'd been thrown, and she hooked it over her shoulder, then hastily moved back toward where she thought the path was. As she walked, she turned over what had happened. The people had been chanting and singing, then stopped when the man had thrown her into their fire circle ... but it wasn't a fire. She hadn't gotten a terribly good look before she hit the 20

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

ground, but it appeared to have been some sort of blue glowing disk, something strange and almost alien. She glanced around nervously once more, still unable to shake the fear that gripped her. Kate had been walking for nearly half an hour when she realized the ground beneath her feet was rumbling. Above her a flock of small birds took flight, frightened by a growing noise, something huge moving rapidly toward her. She hastily stepped back off the path just in time to avoid being trampled by dozens of men thundering by on horses. They were all dressed in a strange sort of uniform and carrying swords and banners. She watched them pass, entirely confused. Had she wandered into a group of reenactors? Maybe a movie set? When the last of them had passed, she moved cautiously back to the side of the road. This vacation was quickly becoming a nightmare, and she couldn't wait to find the next hostel. Checking her compass, and accounting for where she'd last looked at it, she made a rough guess as to where she needed to go and began to follow the road as it headed west. Since the horsemen, she hadn't seen another soul and she was struck by the quiet peace here. Earlier, before she'd come across the hooded singers, she'd passed other hikers and tours, but now, there was no one. According to her estimation, where there should have been towns, there was nothing but trees and rocks. She knew she couldn't possibly have gone that far off the trail and she checked her pocket GPS. It beeped stupidly at her and she 21

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

rapped it against her palm a few times before stuffing it back into her pack in frustration. Instead she pulled out her map, found a stump to sit on, and studied. Her pedometer told her she'd walked twenty-two miles, and she should have arrived in Montreaux by now. Kate looked at the great expanse of fields, mountains and forest before her. "This is definitely not Montreaux," she muttered. She looked around one last time and decided her best bet would be to continue west. "Worst case scenario, I end up in France, and then I'm going to have the biggest most fattening dessert I can get my hands on." Kate stood and stretched, then began to walk again. She stopped about two hours later and ate one of her dehydrated packs. It wasn't crème brulé but it would do. Katherine was an experienced hiker, and having traveled most of the major parks and trails in the United States, she'd been eager to accomplish this trip through Europe, but now she worried this may have been a very bad idea. The gnawing fear of being attacked again had abated, but she was still puzzled over what it had all meant, and why had they thrown her into their circle? As darkness began to fall Kate realized she'd have to spend the night out here. She stepped down from the road and into the woods looking for a suitable spot to bed down. Once she decided where to sleep, she made a quick fire and laid out her bedroll, then located a small stream nearby and replenished her water supply, carefully adding tablets to make it potable. 22

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Finally she sat, and when she did, that shaky feeling returned. She'd managed to stave off the fear by keeping busy, but as it got darker, she worried more and more about who or what might be lurking in the darkness beyond her fire. "Pull it together, Katherine," she said. "You haven't gotten where you are by falling apart over every little problem." She forced herself to calmness, and lay down upon her sleeping bag, convinced she wouldn't get any rest. When morning came, Kate awoke to sunshine filtering through the leafy canopy above her. Birds chirped in the trees and the air was warmer than it had been yesterday. She couldn't believe how soundly she'd slept. Must be the mountain air. She then began to break camp. Kate walked. There was a huge amount of wildlife here, and after she'd been startled by yet another deer crashing through the bushes, she guessed she must have wandered onto a game preserve or wildlife sanctuary, although none were visible on her map. She was heartened and kept watch for whatever passed for a game warden there. She took a break near noon and wrote in her travel diary, then ate another of her dehydrated packs and checked her supplies, figuring she would be safe for another two days— three if she were frugal. She had planned the solo trek to take her three days and was already into it by almost a full day when she'd run into the ... What the heck were they anyway? The weird hooded people. 23

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

She spent another night in the woods, and finally on the third day, she encountered a couple driving an ox cart. "Pardon me," she called. "I'm lost. Could you point the way to Montreaux?" They looked at her for a moment, and finally the man spoke. "We do not know such a town. You are on the road to Kirn." "Kirn? Oh ... okay, good." At least it was a town. "Do you know how far?" "Maybe four leagues and I suggest you put your skirts on. There are sailors about." He looked her up and down then slapped the oxen on the rump and they began to move again. "Wait!" Kate exclaimed, and they stopped once more. "I don't have any skirts." The woman looked at the man and then moved into the cart. She rummaged about for a moment and found an old skirt. It was long like hers, nearly to the ground and dyed a dark russet color. "Here, take it." "What do I owe you for this?" Kate took the skirt and smiled slightly. "I'd have that pin on your blouse." Kate looked at her vest; it was the small gyroscopic compass she carried. She had a larger one in her pack and wouldn't need this one. She unfastened it and handed it to the woman who smiled. "Thank you again," Kate said. She watched them leave and shook out the woolen skirt. It was clean and smelled a bit like 24

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

cedar. She pulled it on over her shorts and buttoned it at the hip then pulled her belt around her waist to help hold it up. Kate turned and flared the skirts a bit then shook her head. Her hosts had told her some of the customs here were a little rigid, and it was often easier to just go along. "At least I'll fit in," she said to no one. She walked for another five or six miles and heard the noise of the town before she actually saw it. Kirn, she discovered, was a fishing village, a seaport. What she couldn't believe though was the sight of the ships. Before her were schooners with tall masts and sails. Sails? Do they still use sails? How far have I walked? She continued down the road and got a closer look at the people. They were all dressed in costume, skirts and pantaloons and breeches. "I must have wandered onto a movie set." Maybe the farmer had said actors and not sailors. Her French wasn't that good, so perhaps she'd misunderstood. She knew she needed to find someone who spoke English and heartened by having a plan, she made her way into the town. There was safety in numbers and Kate felt more confident than she had in two days. She would just find the director or someone; anyone who could help her sort this situation out and get her to her hostel. She saw people "working" at "jobs" but didn't see any cameras anywhere. No one spoke to her or looked at her strangely; she figured she must fit in well.

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

She approached a woman in a wooden booth, crates of noisy chickens stacked behind her, and several small children played nearby. "Excuse me. Can you tell me where the director is?" Kate asked. "Director?" "Yes, you know the guy who says 'action' and 'cut'?" The woman looked at her pityingly, as though she were mad. "I do not know what you speak of. Are you hungry?" She held up a loaf of bread. "No, thanks." Kate looked around. She had walked onto a movie set, right? What else would explain the odd clothing and old-fashioned buildings? The lack of cars? Confidence and a plan had emboldened Kate, but as she wandered about town she had no idea she was being followed. When she moved away from the vendors, two men came up behind her. Kate nearly jumped out of her skin as a hand touched her arm. The incident with the hooded figures was still painfully fresh, and not far from her mind. Coupled with her confusion over where she was, Kate wasn't at all as calm as she wanted to believe. Now it was two men who grabbed her before she could yell for help, dragging her into a nearby alley. Panic clarified everything for Kate, and she saw a man who turned and walked away, unwilling to assist her. "Help me!" she shrieked, but no one came to her aid. 26

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

One of the men produced a rope and tried to bind her hands but Kate fought him hard, punching and scratching. She screamed and thrashed, but the other man grabbed her wrists and held her while the first one tied her. In the end the two men were simply too strong for her to fight alone. Once they'd gotten her tied hand and foot, they carried her to a cart and dumped her into it, tossing her pack beside her, then climbed into the wagon and began driving. Kate continued yelling at them, swearing a blue streak. After numerous attempts to quiet her with threats of violence, the first man stopped the cart and the second climbed in beside Kate and pulled out a long silk strip. "Don't you dare gag me, you son of a—" He wrapped her head tightly and she glared at him. He grinned down at her, showing a set of distinctly rotten teeth, and she turned her head, disgusted. They drove over long roads full of ruts and bumps, and Kate's back was in agony from the constant pounding against the rough planks of the cart. After several hours she leaned to her left, attempting to find a comfortable position, then lay down and closed her eyes. She must have dozed because when she awoke, it was fully dark and they had stopped. The goons came around to the back and yanked her from the wagon. Kate kicked her bound feet out at them, striking one in the face, gaining a little grim satisfaction at the pained groan. The other man jerked her out of the back of the cart and struck her hard across the cheek. She made a muffled cry and the one she'd kicked grabbed her by the hair. 27

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

"You will behave or we will beat you." He slapped her again, not as hard, but hard enough to emphasize his point. "Do you understand?" She nodded, snuffling as tears coursed down her face. Fear and anger clashed inside her but there was nothing she could do. The helplessness of her situation had settled in. The second man bent, pulled her over his shoulder and carried her down a path to a short pier and then aboard a small clipper ship. Kate twisted and turned trying to escape, but she knew her struggles were useless, even if she managed to get him to drop her, she couldn't run. Her abductor did drop her, none too gently, upon the floor of a small cabin then exited, locking the door behind him. There were several other women already aboard and most were about her age or a bit younger. All of them looked as terrified as Kate felt. Through the night they sat waiting to find out what would happen, some of them crying softly. When dawn began to color the sky, the clipper rocked and shuddered, creaking loudly as they took the tide. A few hours later someone entered the room. An older, matronly woman approached them; behind her one of the men entered and began to untie the girls. "My name is Almah. I am the head mistress." The woman spoke English and Kate snapped to attention. "You will all be taken to use the head, and then we will discuss what is going to happen to you. After which we will eat." 28

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

One by one, the women were taken to a rudimentary toilet that was little more than a hole above the water at the stern of the ship, and then brought back to the room where Almah had opened the shuttered windows to let some light in. The tension in the small cabin began to thicken as they waited to be told exactly what was going to happen. Kate watched them all sitting like sheep and decided to act. "What is going on here?" she demanded. "You are all being brought to Tartak where you will be sold as slaves," Almah explained. "What? Are you insane? I'm not a slave. I'm an American citizen and I demand you let me go." "Protest is pointless and futile," Almah said. "Your fate has been determined." "The hell it has! I'm not going to take this." Kate stood and opened the door then stepped into the short hallway up to the ladder to climb to the deck. She emerged to bright sunlight and squinted as she looked around. She saw they were far out at sea. No land was visible from any direction. "What do you think you're doing?" It was the man whose nose she'd broken. He strode to where she stood upon the deck and grabbed her by the arm. "Let go of me!" she batted at him and he tightened his grip. Wordlessly he dragged her down below, and then threw her into the room once more, slamming the door shut behind him. "How's your nose? You jerk!" Kate rubbed her arm. "If you will just try to calm down, and listen, I will explain," Almah said. She was calm and collected which upset 29

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Kate further. She knew this woman was used to hysterical girls, and right now, that was exactly how she felt, alone, and a little hysterical. Kate looked at her with tears in her eyes. "I don't belong here," she said sadly. Almah sighed and caressed her cheek. "None of us do; nevertheless, here we are." She turned and addressed them all. "This is what will happen; you will all be taken to Tartak, a country in the south. You will be put up for sale in the slave market by our owners, Raji and Abdallah." Once more her knees felt weak and rubbery, and Kate sat heavily. Owners? Put up for sale? Oh God, what the hell have I gotten into? Sudden shrill beeping startled everyone. Kate looked around for her pack and slowly stood. Picking it up, she reached in and pulled out her travel alarm clock. She touched the off button and looked around. All of the women were looking at her. She held it up and smiled a little as the girl closest to her backed away. She stuffed it back into her bag and sat again, holding her head in her hands. Almah began again. "Yes ... as I was saying, Abdallah and Raji will sell you. Those of you who are virgins will be auctioned to special buyers." Some of the girls began to cry, and Kate felt momentarily sad for them until she realized she was in the same predicament, and she wanted to cry for herself. Instead she took a deep breath, trying to shake the surreal, disconnected feeling; the shock that threatened to overtake her. 30

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

"The others will be sold outright. If you cooperate, you will be treated gently; if you resist you will be punished." She looked sharply at Kate. When they arrived at their destination, a port city that was surrounded by land that was hot and desertlike, they were taken to a low, dusty building in town and hustled inside. A man whom they said was a physician examined all of the girls. He poked and roughly probed and pinched everywhere, leaving Kate humiliated and horrified. From there, her days took on a monotonous pace of being trotted out and shown off, then sent back to the women's area. The people she was shown to did not wish to buy her. Apparently blonde women were considered ill luck. Her glares and snarls were probably a deterrent as well. Abdallah ordered her moved from the relative comfort of the women's area to one of the small dank cells normally used for men. When they came for her, she fought them like a shrew, kicking and trying to bite anyone who touched her. She might be unable to escape, but she certainly wasn't going to roll over and let them sell her like a piece of meat. Kate put up a good fight until one well placed blow to the jaw rendered her unconscious. She awoke in a small dark room two days later. Her hands were bound above her head with a strong leather cord. It was thin and dug into her skin painfully. She stood flat on her feet, and when she tried to move or shift her weight, she felt the cord sink in another fraction of an inch. Unbidden, her mind ran back to the man Abdallah had brought to see her earlier, or maybe the night before? She 31

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

couldn't recall; time seemed to have no meaning for her anymore, she didn't even know how long she'd been a prisoner. A sharp tang of fear leaped into her mouth at the thought of him. Waves of malevolence had radiated from the man; he was terrifying, and horribly scarred. Kate knew instinctively he had wanted her, and he planned to hurt her. The way he'd looked at her, like a wolf contemplating its next kill, made her want to start begging for her life, and somehow she knew he'd enjoy that. Kate could hear the movements of people approaching and she was paralyzed by fear. What if it was the man? Slow tears began to roll down her cheeks. How the hell had she gotten into this mess? She decided that the only way to get through this was to toughen up. When she showed fear, it was a weakness she didn't want them to see, and when she was strong, it frightened them somewhat. Apparently, they weren't accustomed to strong women. Kate took a deep breath and stuck her chin out defiantly, despite her inability to move any of her bound limbs. She could hear someone speaking close by and concentrated on listening to what they said. It wasn't difficult as they were coming closer. Two sets of boots stopped before the door to the dark little cell where she was held. "This one has a strong resistant streak, Captain. I do not think she will suit your needs." It was Abdallah. "I do not care if she is truculent; I simply need a wench for the admiral. It will be up to him to subdue her. I only want to bring him a woman who is disease-free and not terribly hard 32

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

to look at," the slaver's companion replied. His voice was deep and he had an accent, which sounded somewhat Spanish. Blessed relief flooded through her; it wasn't the scarred man. "Well, she is clean, and her face is lovely, but I still do not think she will suit." "Let me see her and I will decide." "Of course, Captain. Let me bring her to you." Abdallah opened the cell door and stepped inside. He reached over her head and unhooked her hands. "If you attempt anything, I will beat you, and then give you to the guards," he whispered. "Do you understand me, Altyn?" She glared at him, narrowing her eyes. "My name is Katherine," she hissed and he shook her hard in reply. "Yes, dammit, I understand," she gasped. He took her by the elbow hard enough to leave a bruise and then walked her out into the corridor. She blinked at the harsh daylight and lowered her eyes. Sharp fear, so strong she could almost taste it shuddered through her body, and she nearly turned back to the safety of her tiny cell, but Abdallah held her. The captain wasn't the man from the night before, but still she couldn't bring herself to look at him. He stepped forward to where she stood and she cringed away, hating herself for it. Undeterred, he reached out and took her chin, forcing her face upward. She squeezed her eyes closed, trying to tell herself that this wasn't happening again. He turned her face to the left and the right, using his other hand to gently 33

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smooth her tangled hair from her cheek. Kate, taken offguard by the tender gesture, opened her eyes just a crack, but still couldn't look into his face. The captain narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, considering. He glanced at Abdallah, who had a distinctly uneasy look upon his face and wondered what it was that could be making the slaver so nervous. He decided to make him sweat a little more. God, he hated the slave markets. "I have several other girls you might like better, sir," Abdallah said quickly. "Commodore Romanov has made an offer on this one already." "Have her turn," the captain said, ignoring his comment. He stepped back away from the woman, crossing his arms over his chest, and appraised her openly. **** Katherine shuddered. Despite her fear, that voice flowed over her like warm butter. It was low and full of restrained power but soothing, and a small flame of comfort flickered within her. It almost felt as though he was trying to calm her fears. Abdallah pulled her around to turn and then yanked away the filthy rag of a dress she was wearing. Unable to cover herself, fresh tears started to fall and she took a deep breath, attempting to regain some composure. None of the other prospective buyers had ever asked to see her naked before. Once they saw she was blonde, they always 34

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said no. This new humiliation was another blow to her already bruised psyche. "Turn," Abdallah ordered. She turned slowly, holding her arms out at her sides as he'd told her to do, trying desperately not to cry harder. The captain did not seem to care and merely examined her, running a big hand up her side and feeling her ribs, then caressing a breast, ignoring her outraged gasp. "Is she a virgin?" "Our physician says no, but she is not well used either." The captain took her face in his hand once again and lifted her chin. "Look at me," he commanded softly, and as much as she wanted to, Kate could not resist that voice. She raised her eyes slowly and looked at him. The man was simply drop-dead gorgeous. After being confined with these dirty, smelly, violent men, he was like a breath of fresh air. He was tall and lean with dark skin and long hair, a short beard and mustache over a wide, full lipped mouth. He had a strong jaw and high cheekbones, but what made her heart stutter in her chest were his eyes. They were blue; light icy blue—utterly arresting and compassionate. She swallowed hard, hoping her heart would start beating in its normal rhythm again soon. She blinked, tearing her gaze from his and recalled exactly what her position in this little endeavor was. She narrowed her eyes, mentally daring him to buy her, because no matter how handsome he was she planned to make his life hell if he did. 35

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He worked hard to control his features, but Esteban was just as stunned as she obviously was. When Abdallah had suggested the blonde girl, he had been less than interested. He disliked the slave markets and intentionally avoided them. He would not have been here at all had it not been for Admiral Fargut. The man wanted a slave girl, someone to dress him and wash him and basically be there to relieve his lust when he was at sea. Many of the high ranking naval officers kept a woman for such needs. It was an entitlement that came with rank. He could have kept a girl himself if he had chosen to do so, but until now he'd never wanted to. Her form had appealed to him immediately—those curves were dangerous to a man's control—but he hadn't missed the silent challenge she'd issued with her defiant look. She was different from any other woman he'd seen, and that made her even more intriguing. He'd already decided this woman was not going to the admiral. Her body was perfection, large firm breasts, a high round ass, and long, tanned legs he thought would only look better wrapped around his waist. Ultimately, he was won over by her eyes. They were green; deep jade green with flecks of gold. The lashes that fringed them were as beautiful as her eyes themselves. They were blonde at the tips and dark at the root making her eyes look even bigger than they really were, and still wet with her tears.

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"Cover her," he said quietly and the slaver moved to put the wrap back on. "She is terribly thin, Abdallah." Esteban struggled not to appear too interested. "She has refused to eat, Captain," the man floundered. "The admiral would like a girl with more flesh upon her bones." Abdallah nodded miserably. "She gives you trouble?" Esteban asked. "She has been nothing but a burden since she was brought from Kirn." Esteban rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You said Romanov wanted her?" Abdallah nodded again. "I will make you an offer, Abdallah. Bring me a nice, plump fahise. A clean girl with dark hair, and I will take this one as well. She will serve me and if she continues to be resistant, my men will enjoy a light-haired girl. An Andalosian will make it sweeter for them." He paused. "I will give you twice what Davich offered for her." Abdallah's face lit up when Esteban offered to take the blonde as well. Two sales! He knew he could ask anything for the girl now, but he dared not take advantage of the captain's generosity. Esteban was known for paying for all of his goods promptly with gold, unlike the commodore who insisted upon credit. For his part, Abdallah was only too glad to finally be rid of her. Blondes were bad luck. "Have them bathed and ready to travel by three. My ship will take the tide at dusk," Esteban said, turning to leave. 37

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Katherine watched him go through lowered lashes. Serve him, what did he mean by that? What the hell was an Andalosian? He stopped as though he could hear her thoughts, and turned. "Does she have a name?" "It is—" "Katherine," she spoke before the slaver could use the hateful Altyn. Esteban walked back and looked down at her. He tilted his head thoughtfully and cupped her chin again. "Yes. Katherine." He smiled at her and she swallowed hard. Esteban looked back at Abdallah; the man was scarlet with restrained rage over her impertinence. "Make sure she is unmarked," he added darkly. He released her and left. Esteban made his way back to his ship through the cobbled streets of Mucevher. "Katherine," he said under his breath. He loved that name, it fit her perfectly. He knew the slaver called her Altyn, he'd heard him say it earlier, it meant golden. He also knew she hated it, and he smiled at her courage in speaking up. She was willful and proud; he'd seen her humiliation at being examined naked before strange men, and that bespoke modesty in her former life. He liked that. She obviously was not some trollop Abdallah was trying to foist upon him. The fact that Davich Romanov wanted her made the deal that much sweeter and he would have paid triple for the girl, just to know he'd taken her from the Andalosian commodore. 38

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They had unsettled scores, and Esteban relished every opportunity he had to make Davich's life difficult. He turned his thoughts back to Katherine. He could barely wait to have her in his possession. She had a body and a face made to be loved and he would be happy to oblige. The more he thought about her the more aroused he became and he laughed aloud. He wasn't some green boy who'd never touched a woman, yet he found himself eagerly anticipating having her in his bed. Being Silanian, he had no troubles over her hair color. Tarks were an odd bunch with many strange superstitions, but for him, the thought of all that beautiful blonde hair spilled out across white linen pillows, her perfect body writhing upon the bed as he pleasured her made him half-hard already. He shook himself. It would be delightful. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 2 "You are incredibly lucky for all that you are an ill omen," Abdallah said as he guided her away from the tiny cell. She did not reply she simply hurried as he nearly dragged her along. "You will allow the bath women to clean you and dress you, and then you will be sent to your new master." They stopped before a set of doors which he pushed open. "I am not a slave." "Tell that to Captain Magalia." He sneered and shoved her inside. "He seems to think you belong to him now." The door closed behind her and the bath women hurried forward to her. Kate looked around at the bath and sighed with relief. After being bound for days, she was grateful to be fussed over. They first brought her to a steam-filled tiled room and removed her filthy wrap, then rubbed her with warm oils to remove all of the dirt from her body. As they poured warm water over her, she watched her dirty skin return to its normal color, and was amazed at how filthy she really had been. They then led her to another room with several large marble tubs, they had her step down into a deep tub of hot water and she sighed with pleasure as the warmth soothed her sore muscles. "It feels like the day spa at home," Kate commented to no one. 40

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The ladies looked at each other but said nothing. The other woman in the tub with her was younger and a bit rounder with a dusky rose complexion and exotic brown eyes. She had long curly hair that reached nearly to her waist and a lovely smile. Before Katherine could speak, the girl spoke to her. "Are you not excited to be going to our new masters?" she asked. "Not particularly," Kate replied. "You would rather stay here with Abdallah?" Kate laughed. "No, I guess you're right." "My name is Aria," the dark girl said, smiling. "I am Katherine." "They told me you have seen your master already. Does he look like a cruel man?" Katherine could hear the fear in Aria's voice. "He doesn't look cruel, no," she said. "He's quite handsome." Quite handsome? He was incredible! She knew his body had to be as nice as his face, not that she had any intention of finding out. "Anything is better than Abdallah with his rotten teeth," the girl said. "Ugh, no kidding." Kate smiled, already liking her. The bath women washed both women's hair and then helped them from the tub and to a pair of benches where two young eunuchs began to massage them. "Oh, this is nice," Katherine breathed as her masseur worked out the tension in her shoulder. "If I'd known about this I would have come here a long time ago." Aria laughed. "You are a strange woman, Katherine." 41

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Kate turned her head and smiled at her. Stranger than you know. She closed her eyes then and let the servant continue rubbing out the knots in her muscles. She was lulled until she was nearly asleep and roused only when a little girl approached and began to brush her hair out. Aria was already gone. The ever-present bath attendants led her to a room where another woman waited. The lady looked her over critically. "Blonde ... humph. Well, let's see what you look good in," she huffed. She held up a swatch of green silk. "No." Next came gold. "Definitely not." She paused and narrowed her eyes at Katherine and then turned. She left the room and after a few moments she returned with another garment. It was a long silk caftan in dark sapphire blue with gold embroidery at the hems. She slipped the keyhole over Katherine's head and let it fall nearly to her knees. Kate put her arms through the armholes and felt the rich fabric, luxurious and infinitely more comfortable than the rags she'd been wearing. The lady then handed her the diaphanous pantaloons to match. After Katherine had put them on and tied the strings at her waist and ankles, the woman had her sit down and then braided her hair. She tied it off with a silk ribbon that matched the caftan. When she finished she handed Kate a pair of kidskin slippers done in the same blue as her clothes. A long scarf and veil were brought out and covered her head and face. 42

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They brought her back to Almah, whom Katherine hadn't seen since she left the ship. Almah placed a cloak over Katherine's shoulders. "Now you are presentable," she sniffed and Katherine smiled at her motherly tone. "Thank you." "Good luck, child," the woman said and kissed her cheek. Katherine was led to a litter and helped inside. Aria was already seated inside as well, wearing a black cloak similar to hers. She smiled at the girl who looked a bit scared. They were carried to the harbor and they could hear the sounds of the working waterfront, men shouting to each other, wooden ships bumping against their moorings. The litter was brought directly onto a ship and they were ushered to a large room and then left alone. Katherine waited and heard the key turn in the lock. They were prisoners again. She took off her cloak and veil. "This is just ridiculous," she muttered throwing the garments aside. Aria did the same, pulling off a silvery veil. She was dressed in a violet sleeveless bolero jacket with darker pantaloons and silver slippers. Kate looked around and saw the room they were in was large and well furnished. There were several low divans and tables, and a large desk with a leather chair. The room was paneled in dark wood, but oil lamps swung and glowed, making it warm and inviting.

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Against the back wall was another door and she walked over to it, and then pushed it open. It was the captain's bedroom. She walked in and looked about. A big bed dominated the majority of the floor. It was placed with the head against the windows, which overlooked the sea. In the room there was also a tall dresser with a real mirror and a genuine sea chest. "Just like the movies," she said. "Katherine? Please come out. He may not wish to have you in his room!" Kate sighed and left the room. "You're right." "It is a big bed, though," Aria said thoughtfully. "Stop it," Kate snapped. "I am not sleeping with him." "Who said anything about sleep?" Aria giggled. Kate shot her a quelling look. "I mean I do not plan to have sex with him." "Well, I would say his plans are probably more likely to be followed," Aria remarked slyly. Katherine opened her mouth to reply when they both heard the click of the key in the door. Esteban opened the door and entered his wardroom. Aria dropped to the floor in a submissive bow, but Katherine remained on her feet looking directly at him, determined to stop being afraid, despite the now familiar rubbery feeling in her legs. Esteban stifled a grin, amused at her defiant posture, though he wasn't about to let her know it. "Aria, please rise." He extended his hand down to her. She got to her feet and moved beside Kate. "You will go with Quima. She will show you to the women's area." He indicated 44

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

a small woman who had been standing behind him since he entered, but had been blocked from their view. Kate couldn't tell if Quima's wrinkled old face was caused by her age or by the sour countenance she seemed so comfortable with. The unbroken relief map of crevices and canyons was marred by a large port-wine stain. To Kate she looked something like a combination of an apple-face doll and a muppet. "Quima is the headmistress upon my ship. She manages all the women, from the slaves to the whores." He looked at Katherine. "You will obey her without question." Katherine crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "Go now, Aria," he ordered, and Kate wondered if anything ever came out of his mouth that didn't sound like a command. Aria nodded and left accompanied by the venerable Quima. When Esteban and Kate were alone he moved behind his desk and sat looking at her. "What do you want from me?" She was glad they were alone. Now she'd see if she couldn't convince him that he needed to free her. She wasn't exactly sure what he wanted from her, but she had a pretty good idea. "Sit down." She opened her mouth and he spoke again. "I said sit down. Do not make me repeat myself." She quickly sat upon a nearby divan. Undeterred, she began again. "Listen, Captain ... I don't belong here. I'm not even from this land." If he could at least leave her where she'd been abducted, she might be able to find a way back to the mountain. "I'm an 45

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

American citizen. I know there must be someone looking for me by now and if you'll just bring me to an American Consulate or Embassy..." He leaned across his desk and clasped his hands together, watching her as though she were some sort of exotic creature he'd never seen before, and she shifted on the divan uneasily. "You know, when I paid for you, Abdallah cautioned me that you were quite possibly mad." He watched her reaction, then sat back. "I do not know this place you speak of, and I have sailed every ocean known to man." "I'll tell you what's mad. Mad is being abducted and sold into slavery. And as far as your not knowing America, I don't suppose you've considered that you're not as well traveled as you think you are." How in the world was she going to explain where she was from, when she wasn't even sure where she was? She decided to take a different approach, maybe she could reason with him. "So, what if you just dropped me off back in Kirn, and we'll put this whole unpleasant episode behind us?" He stood then, and she followed him with her eyes. He acted as though he weren't even listening, and her annoyance began to overtake caution. "You know, it's rude to ignore someone when they're speaking to you." Esteban moved to a small table and picked up a crystal bottle. He poured them both a drink and walked back to her. "Here." He handed her the glass and she took an experimental sniff. He sipped his first and she took a small sip as well. It was wine, very good wine. "It is Minalosian wine. Some of the finest in the world," he commented, savoring it as he sipped again. He moved and 46

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sat upon the divan beside her, fingering a lock of her hair. "You are very fine as well." Nervously she moved away from him until she was against the arm of the divan. She gulped the wine and set the empty glass on the table beside her. "I don't think this is a good idea," she said quietly. "Maybe you could just bring me back to Kirn. I-I would be very grateful." He looked at her and turned his head a little. She was very unusual. "I have no intention of bringing you back to Kirn." He smiled, revealing a set of strong white teeth. "You belong to me now." "I do not belong to anyone," she said stiffly, irritation giving way to anger. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Come here and kiss me." "What? Are you crazy? You can't ... I mean ... I'm not some..." she sputtered, struggling to find words. He grinned at her discomfort. Had she immediately done as he'd asked, he would have been disappointed. He enjoyed her bantering remarks, and was utterly enthralled by her spark. Kate stood then and moved away from him. He watched her, then slowly rose and followed. Looking around she realized there was nowhere for her to go. She moved to the bedroom door and opened it, then closed it quickly, turning to face him. She definitely did not wish to be there. "Oh shit," she muttered. 47

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Then he was right there, pressing her against the door, just barely touching her. Kate took a deep breath and looked up into his face. He was enormous, close to a foot taller than she was, and huge. She could feel his taut body pressing against her, and suddenly her mouth was very dry. Oh, my God. Kate exhaled a long shaky breath. "You wish to go to bed?" He grinned. "No," she groaned. He drew his hand slowly up her side, as he'd done before. She was painfully thin and he would have to remedy that soon, but for now he only wanted to touch her and establish his position, and hers. He cupped her breast stroking her nipple with his thumb, and then bent his head to hers. "I will take that kiss now." She turned her head and looked at him, then raised her fist and punched him as hard as she could in the jaw. He staggered back at her blow and his eyes flashed in anger. "Dios!" he exclaimed, "You hit me!" "I'll do worse if you touch me again!" she hissed. He gingerly touched the rapidly rising lump on his jaw and grimaced as he looked at her. He could see her breasts heaving with each breath as she moved back into the wardroom. She was petrified and it took a great deal of courage to do what she'd just done. He couldn't wait to get her into his bed. He smiled. "You are a very disobedient slave." Slowly he approached her, closing the distance between them. "I am not your slave!" Kate backed up but there wasn't much maneuvering room and she was stopped by a divan. He 48

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reached her and she raised her fist again. Expecting this, he caught it easily and pulled her down over his lap as he sat upon the divan. She brought her other hand up and he took that one also. Now he held both of her wrists by his side, immobilizing her. He brought his free hand up and then down, spanking her backside hard. "Ouch! You bastard!" she yelled. He spanked her again and again, ignoring her cries and threats and names, until she finally was reduced to tears. "Please stop!" she cried. Her hair hung down obscuring her face, muffling her words. He paused. "Please what?" "Please ... sir?" she tried, sniffling. "That is better." He let go of her wrists and lifted her, then carried her to his bed. Spanking her and having her submit to him made him want to throw her down and take her right then. He was so aroused his entire body ached with need. He wanted to soothe that ache within her, but he knew he couldn't. Not yet. There was something about her that appealed to him beyond just her face and her body. Perhaps it was her unique way of speaking to him the way a man would, or the way she pretended to be unafraid when everything about her told him she was terrified. Right now, it didn't matter. He had plenty of time to figure out what it was about her. All that mattered now was that he calm her fears. He'd established his position. 49

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He laid her face down upon his bed and pulled her silk pantaloons down, admiring her bright red backside. "No!" she wailed and tried to squirm away but he held her firmly, placing one hand upon her neck. "Be still." Defeated, Kate buried her face and lay crying into the pillows. He relaxed his grip on her neck and with his other hand he reached to the drawer near his bed. He withdrew soothing cream, which he smoothed over the redness upon her backside. She stiffened at his touch, and then relaxed a bit when she realized he was not going to invade her body. "We must have an agreement, Katherine," he said after a few moments. "What?" she asked miserably. "I will not hurt you, if you do not hurt me. Because, as you can see, I will hurt you quite a lot and I do not wish to do that. Do you agree?" He still held her neck. "Y-yes." "Yes what?" "Yes, sir." Instead of releasing her, he bent closer to her and licked around the shell of her ear and she made a low moan. She tried to turn her head from him but he tightened his grip. "Now I will have my kiss," he whispered against her face. She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She would allow him to kiss her, but she wouldn't respond. Perhaps he'd lose interest and leave her alone! 50

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He turned her head and tipped it back, then pressed his lips to hers. She clamped her lips together in a tight, thin line. He smiled against her mouth. "So that is how it will be?" He released her neck. She didn't reply. He carefully pulled her pantaloons back over her bare backside, bent and kissed her once more and then left the room, locking her within his bedchamber. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

Chapter 3 Esteban made his way to the upper deck. The sun was setting and the ship was ready to take the tide. His first mate, Manuel, rushed to him and gave his report. "All is ready for departure, Captain," he said finally. "Good." Esteban moved away from him and climbed to the bridge; he watched as the crew cast off and the tide began to pull them out to sea. The sails were unfurled and caught the first gust of wind, moving them rapidly toward the open ocean. His ship, Viceroy, was the swiftest and most heavily armed of her class in the southern seas with more than twenty sixteen-pound guns. Presently she was low in the water loaded with freight and valuable cargo. He planned to rendezvous with the Lyrosian fleet near Dolcit, a Silanian port. He would present the admiral with his gift, trade his goods and then, hopefully guarantee his continued good standing with them. He did not need the Lyrosian fleet hunting him. It was bad enough the Basaltics and the Andalosians wanted him for piracy. Technically he was a freebooter, but he was cautious and kept the Lyrosians, the Minalosians and the Qasslians happy by not attacking their ships. He stayed upon the deck until nearly midnight. When he was satisfied they were well out to sea, he ordered the lanterns extinguished and they sailed on in the darkness, 52

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

drawing no attention. Manuel stood beside him overseeing the other sailors who worked below, and caught Esteban as he brought a hand to his forehead, massaging his temples, but said nothing. The captain did not wish for the crew to know of his headaches. "Take over and call me if there is trouble." He spoke quietly to his mate, and then moved below deck. Katherine had moved from the bed when he locked her in. She rifled through his things looking for a weapon so she could protect herself. Unfortunately there was nothing, not even a brass candlestick she could brain him with should the need arise. Her backside was still sore, but not as much as it had been before, and she knew she was more upset over the humiliation of being spanked like a child than she was hurt. He would be back though, and she would have to deal with him. She stood looking out of the grand windows near the bed. The sea was huge and black. If he thought she was simply going to lie down and spread her legs he was sorely mistaken. She would fight him like a hellion and he certainly wouldn't want her then. He'd have to let her go ... wouldn't he? "Yeah, or he'll toss you overboard," she said to herself. "No, I'd give you to the crew first." He spoke from behind her and she shrieked. "Jesus!" "No—Esteban." He turned, walking from the room.

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He took off his frock coat and hung it over the back of his chair, then unfastened his belts. He had a dagger and two pistols, which he laid upon his desk. She watched him warily as she came and stood in the doorway. He moved with a lithe grace that belied his size. In her experience, Kate had always noticed larger men tended to move in a more lumbering manner. Esteban most likely had learned his surefootedness as a sailor. He ignored her and opened a small safe near the floor. He put his knife and guns within the safe and closed it, locking it firmly. She knew he'd done that for her benefit. "How is your ... backside?" He stifled a small grin as he sat in his chair. "It's fine," she replied stiffly. "Good. I think you may have loosened a few of my teeth, though." She blanched. "You aren't going to spank me again, are you?" He smiled wanly. "No, I was joking." She let out a long sigh of relief. Until now, she hadn't realized how very scared she was. He was looking at her again and she stared right back, refusing to lower her gaze, examining him as he did her. He wore two gold earrings, one in each ear. They gleamed mellowly in the dim light. "Come here," he said finally, indicating the divan. "Sit down." When she hesitated he added, "Please?"

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She came all the way out into the room and sat upon an ottoman lightly, trying to put as little of her weight upon her backside as possible. Upon closer examination, Kate realized he looked exhausted; deep shadows had begun to gather under his eyes. "We started out badly, Katherine. I apologize. My name is Captain Esteban Magalia; this is my ship, Viceroy." "You're an officer; isn't it in your oath to be gallant and gentlemanly ... or something?" He grinned. "If I were a naval officer, I suppose it would be. However I am not a member of any navy." "You're a pirate, aren't you?" she demanded. "Dammit. I should have guessed." "You are quite knowledgeable for a woman." "Yeah, I've been told that." Sarcasm edged her reply. "You speak strangely," he commented. "Where are you from?" "Pawtucket, Rhode Island." "Excuse me?" "Nowhere you'd know," she sighed. "The slaver said he purchased you in Kirn. Are you Andalosian?" "I don't even know what the heck an Andalosian is." She sighed. "May I have some wine?" "Yes, you may." He smiled a little. She moved to the table where the wine was and poured a glass. "Would you..." She paused and took a deep breath 55

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steadying herself, trying to accept the role of servant. "Would you like some?" "No, thank you, Katherine." He had wondered if she would offer it, and he was pleased that she had asked. He took a deep breath of his own and closed his eyes. Slowly he lowered his head to his hands. He'd felt a headache coming all night and dreaded it. For the last month, he'd been tormented by infrequent but incapacitating headaches and nothing the physicians did helped very much. He knew that soon he'd want to vomit, and that any light or sounds would cause him agony. Sometimes he would hallucinate, experiencing phantom sights, sounds and smells. The headaches were painful and terrifying. As she sipped the wine she turned and looked at him. "Are you okay?" "Okay?" he repeated. "I do not know that word." "I mean, are you well?" She set the glass down. "No, I have a blistering headache," he said quietly. "Can't you take something for it? Oh, never mind." She wished she had her pack, and then decided to ask. "I don't suppose old Abdallah sent my pack along with me, did he?" "The bag you mean?" He was massaging his temples. "Yes, I think so. He said you were an ill omen and did not wish to keep any of your possessions." "Great!" He opened one eye and looked at her. "Are you a witch, Katherine?" 56

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"Witch? No, I'm not a witch," she said. "But I know a few things. Do you want me to help you with that headache?" He looked up at her all the way now; something like hope lit his features. "Can you truly help me?" "Well, I think I can. It sounds to me like you have a stress headache. Where is my pack?" He indicated a small shelf near the door and she walked over to it. Sure enough, there it sat, untouched. She opened the pack and pulled out a can of energy drink and a brand new bottle of over-the-counter migraine tablets along with one of her supply of chocolate bars. She swallowed back tears that had leaped to her throat and eyes as she recalled buying them at the C-Store at the airport. She pulled herself together; dwelling upon how she had come to be here wasn't something she wanted or needed to do just now. Kate poured the energy drink into a glass, and then shook out two pills. The candy she set on the desk for the time being. "Do you get these headaches often?" "Not often, but enough to dread them." He spoke quietly as he watched her. She handed him the glass. "Drink this." He made a face at the unnatural green color of the liquid in the glass. "You're joking." "No, trust me." "You would have every reason to poison me." "You're right, but I won't." She lifted the glass and took a sip. "Trust me. I get headaches all the time." 57

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He took an experimental sniff, then sipped and grimaced at the sour flavor, but went back for another. She grinned and handed him the pills. "Swallow these." Once more the doubtful expression clouded his face. "Esteban, I will not hurt you. We agreed, remember?" He took the pills and swallowed them both, and then sat back. "I do not feel any better yet." She could hear a petulant tone creeping into his words. "Men are the same everywhere, apparently," she muttered. "Just wait, okay?" She moved behind him and placed her hands on the back of his neck massaging the muscles and rubbing upward along the cords to the back of his skull. He made a low groan. "Do you want me to stop?" "No, no..." She kept going, rubbing the stress from his neck until he was nearly purring under her hands. "You really ought to lie down," she said. He jerked awake at her voice; he'd nearly been asleep. "Yes, you're right." He moved to stand and she steadied him. "I'll help you. Those pills can kick your ass." "What?" he said faintly. He'd never met a woman who spoke the way she did. "Never mind." She smiled. She got him to his bed and pulled off his boots as he sat swaying slightly. "I feel very strange." He began to fumble with the laces on his shirt. 58

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"Yeah, like I said, that medicine is powerful," she replied. "Let me help you with that." She helped him pull his shirt off. His chest and back were broad and muscular with a soft thatch of dark hair, tapering to a flat well defined stomach and trim waist. His body was spectacular, just as she thought it would be. She looked at the buttoned flies of his breeches and decided to leave them alone. "This is not how I planned the night." "Oh, I'm sure." "Will you rub my neck again?" He sounded very tired and she knew he'd be asleep soon. "Yeah." She climbed up beside him and rubbed his neck and his shoulders until she felt his breath even out and slow down. "You'll feel a hundred percent better in the morning," she whispered and pulled the comforter up over them both. She could have gone to sleep on the divan, but seeing him in pain, and the way he had seemed so vulnerable, softened her feelings for him and she decided the comfortable bed was probably a better choice than the couch. She fell asleep facing his back, breathing softly upon him. Esteban awoke with the dawn and was surprised to find Kate snuggled against his side. He recalled entirely everything that had happened the night before and he was actually somewhat surprised to be drawing breath today. He'd been afraid she had poisoned him, so quickly had her medicine worked. Normally when he had a headache, he was unable to arise from his bed for at least a day. Today he felt entirely healed. 59

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He looked at her sleeping in the crook of his arm. She was truly beautiful with the sun coming in to light her features. He bent his head and kissed her lips lightly, surprised when she brought her arms around him and kissed him back. He let her deepen the kiss, her tongue delving within his mouth to duel with his, then caressing his head with her hands. He lowered his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer, reveling in the feeling of her soft warm body against his. She smelled so clean and fresh he wanted to bury his face in her hair and just hold her. Everything about her appealed to him and he could barely believe how much he wanted her. When their kiss ended, she whispered, "Esteban..." and his cock leapt to attention hearing his name come from her sultry lips. He brushed her locks from her face, and bent his head to kiss her once more when her eyes opened, then focused. "Oh—oh!" she exclaimed and scrambled backward until she fell over the side of the bed with a painful thud. "Ow!" He looked at her upon the floor. "Are you alright?" "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded. "I was kissing you." She got her feet under her and stood. "You were trying to take advantage of me while I was asleep!" "I was not! You kissed me back!" he protested. "Well, I was dreaming." She looked away. "You were dreaming of me." He broke into a broad grin. "Tell me about it." He looked at her and noticed the swell of her breast through the thin caftan, and a tantalizingly erect nipple was clearly outlined. 60

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"No—and I can't help what I dream." As she began to straighten her clothes, she noticed his gaze and crossed her arms over her chest. Quickly, she changed the subject. "How's your headache?" "It is gone. You are a gifted healer." "No, I'm not. I just get those headaches a lot." "There was another medicine you did not give me." "No, there wasn't." "Yes, yes there was a flat wrapped package," he held his hands about six inches apart, "perhaps this big." "Oh! You mean the chocolate." She laughed. "It's not really medicine. It's candy." "Candy?" "A treat, you know ... a sweet?" "And this helps with headaches?" he asked. "Sometimes." She walked out to his desk and picked up the candy bar, unwrapping it as she returned. "Here, try some." She broke off a piece and bit into it, relishing the sweet flavor and then handed him the rest. He watched her and did the same. Esteban's eyes widened as he tasted the candy. She laughed. "It's good, isn't it? Swiss chocolate is the best." "I have never tasted such a thing." He ate another piece, then handed it back. "No, you finish it. It isn't really breakfast food."

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He lay back on his bed and placed the candy on his chest, breaking off small pieces and enjoying each one. She laughed at him. "Hey, is there a bathroom I can use?" she asked. "A bathroom?" "I have to ... you know," she replied awkwardly. "Oh, you mean the necessary—behind the screen." He pointed to an ornate screen in the corner of the room. She looked at him doubtfully and then moved in that direction. There was a commode, which was clean, and as badly as she had to go, very inviting. While she used the limited facilities, he finished the candy and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor of the last piece. There was a knock on his bedroom door and it opened revealing a large buxom redhead, carrying a tray. "Esteban, darling, Manuel told me you had one of your headaches, and I thought I would come to see if I could help." She moved to his bedside and sat down. "That won't be necessary, Rachel. I feel fine," he replied, sitting up. "My mother always said a strong tea of onions and boiled pig hearts worked wonders for a headache." She uncovered a cup with the floating remnants of porcine organs and onion skins. The smell of which wafted to Esteban's nose and made him cringe. "Truly, Rachel, I feel fine." "Nonsense." Kate had heard the entire exchange. She wondered briefly who the woman could be, and what her relationship with 62

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Esteban was. At first, she thought maybe the woman was Esteban's wife or girlfriend, but now it didn't sound as though they were anything more than casual acquaintances. She heard the description of the concoction Rachel had brought, registered Esteban's obvious disgust over it, and decided to save the poor guy. She came out and adjusted the caftan. "That is much better," she sighed theatrically. "Good morning." She smiled at the other woman. Rachel's reaction was immediate, and Kate saw a flush of anger tinge her already overdone cheeks. "Who is that?" she demanded. Kate approached her and held out a hand. "Katherine Lamb, pleased to meet you." The woman looked at Kate's hand then back at Esteban. "You did not say you were bringing another girl on board except the whore for Fargut." "I do not answer to you, Rachel," Esteban replied, his tone dangerously quiet. "Perhaps you should go back to the women's quarters?" Rachel threw Kate an evil look. "Ugly and skinny ... your standards are dropping, Esteban." She stood and turned, leaving the room in a flounce of petticoats. "Did I come in at a bad time?" "No, Rachel thinks she has exclusive rights to my time and my bed," Esteban answered. "Pay her no mind." Kate picked up the tray and grimaced in disgust at the nasty potion, then dropped the napkin over it again before setting it aside. 63

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"Thank you for helping me." He held out his hand in invitation to her. She climbed upon the bed beside him and lay down. "You're welcome." Laying beside him she felt lazy and comfortable. It was odd, that she'd find any comfort with a man who considered her his slave, but everything had been odd since she'd woken up in the forest alone. Esteban spoke and broke into her thoughts. "I have been at sea since I was twelve years old, and I have seen many places," he said. "But where is Pawtucket, Rhode Island?" She laughed. "Trust me, you wouldn't know where it is." He nodded, accepting her answer for the time being, happy to have her within his embrace once again. "You've really been at sea since you were twelve?" He closed his eyes and relaxed; he knew they would not require his presence upon the decks for a little longer. "Yes." "But what about your parents?" "I was orphaned when I was ten. I had a relation in Tartak who thought the sea would be a good education. He signed me onto a packet ship as a cabin boy to the first mate. He was a good man who taught me many things and did not find little boys attractive." He smiled at her. "I have been at sea ever since." She moved a little closer to him, enjoying the pocket of warmth he provided around her. "How old are you?" "I am thirty years old," he said. "Now it is your turn, since we are answering questions. How old are you?" "Don't you know you never ask a girl her age?" Katherine smiled. 64

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"No, I did not know that," he replied seriously, and she laughed. "I'm only kidding, Esteban. I'm twenty-seven." "How is it you do not know what an Andalosian is, but you speak the language and were taken in Kirn?" he asked after a moment. "I'm speaking English, and you are too." She examined him closely, trying to decide if he was trying to fool her. "What is this Ing-lish? We are speaking Andalosian." Esteban knew some of the words she'd been using were strange, but mostly she'd been speaking Andalosian, and he had as well. "Esteban, what on Earth are you talking about?" He jerked, surprised at her words. "What do you mean? Explain." He'd heard the word Earth before. Again she tried to discern if he was joking. "I'm speaking English ... it's a language..." "No, no ... What is this Earth?" "Ah, the planet we're on, duh. Jeez, Esteban, it's just an expression." Kate had a sudden odd chill run down her spine. Even way back in time, thousands of years ago, she knew they called Earth, Earth. "You know, Earth ... third planet from the Sun, Milky Way galaxy ... What we call our world?" She trailed off when she saw nothing even close to comprehension on his face. He regarded her for a moment, then spoke quietly. "Our world is called Calthraca, not Earth. It is the sixth planet from the sun." 65

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"Yeah, sixth planet, right." She snorted. She stopped abruptly when she saw that his expression had not changed. He was serious, and looking at her as though she was losing her mind. Maybe she was. "You were joking, weren't you?" "No. We live on Calthraca, not Earth. Though I have heard of this place." Kate shook her head, trying to figure out just exactly who was crazier, him or her. "What do you mean you've heard of it?" "I met a man once, he was a large fellow; his name was Morgan, I believe. We shared a drink at a tavern in Bellad. He was riding the ferry to his home in Adjiban. At the time I thought perhaps he was merely telling tales, but he said his master was a powerful sorcerer. One who could travel between worlds and that he had been to Earth." She looked at him as though he were telling her a story. "Are you lying to me?" "No, Katherine, I am not." "Can you take me to him? Maybe I can get home," she said. "Get home?" "Yes, back to my own world!" "This is your home," he said slowly. Unease was creeping up on him. "No, you don't understand. I don't belong here," she said desperately. "You belong wherever I decide you belong." "Please ... Esteban ... I..." Her throat tightened and the tears, which never seemed very far from the surface, filled 66

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her eyes. "Is it sex? Is that what you want? I'll do whatever you want. Just take me to him; I must get back." She moved to take off her caftan. "No, Katherine. It is not sex, it's ... no." He picked up his shirt and boots and left the room hastily, locking the door behind him, then leaned against it and closed his eyes. She threw herself at the door and slid to the floor crying. "Please! Esteban, please, don't keep me here!" He could hear her on the other side sobbing. When she had suggested leaving a wave of sheer panic had arisen within him and made him take flight. He couldn't defend himself from her pleas, yet he did not want to lose her. Not yet. She stirred something within him he didn't understand. He couldn't release her until he understood, until she showed him. He pushed off the door and left the sitting room, pulling his boots and shirt on in the corridor, unable to listen to her sorrow. Kate sat upon the floor in his room, rocking and crying. All the fear she had held within her for so long, the homesickness, the sorrow and worry came forth in a terrifying flood of emotion. She'd hoped he would understand and take her to the person who might get her back to Earth, but she should have known he was just a pirate, a man with no conscience. He owned her and that was all he cared about. "Fine," she muttered weakly, sitting up and wiping her nose and eyes. "Fine. I'll just have to get there myself." She began to plot her escape. 67

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Later in the day, Esteban sent one of his mates to her with food and drink, and the girl Aria to keep her company. Kate had composed herself and vowed she would not allow him to see any more emotion from her. When he returned late that night, she heard him enter the wardroom, but didn't bother to get up. Esteban opened the door to his bedroom and looked in. She was lying on his bed, apparently asleep. He turned and got himself another glass of wine, steeling himself to speak to her. He had already consumed two bottles. He was drunk, tired and his muscles ached. He longed to have her soothe them for him, but didn't dare to ask her. It was true she belonged to him, but really she wasn't the type of a woman who was owned by anyone. He finished his wine and moved to his bed where he sat and pulled his boots off, and then his long shirt. "Are you awake?" he asked quietly. "Yes." "Roll over." She did and looked up at him. "I want you," he said gruffly. "Then take me," she remarked dispassionately. "I belong to you, remember?" "I can't do that. It would be wrong." He sounded vaguely insulted. "Why would that stop you? Keeping me as your slave is wrong, too. You're a pirate; you rob and rape and kill. 'Yo-hoho and bottle of rum'." She felt herself gearing up for a good 68

Calthraca: Secrets And The Sea [A Calthraca Novel] by Camryn Cutler

argument, and wasn't about to let his hurt feelings get in the way. "I could beat you and bind you." His voice hardened. "Then do it." She rolled back over, ignoring him. He leaned over her back and pressed his lips to her temple. "I would have your love, Katherine," he whispered in her ear. A tiny spark ignited within her as his words caressed her face. "Forget it. Get off of me." She squelched that fire. "We have a long trip ahead of us," he said. "Perhaps you will reconsider?" "I really doubt it." Roughly he turned her onto her back and lay over her body once again, balancing himself on his hands. "Tell me what you dreamed." "No." He bent his head and kissed her, sliding his tongue into her mouth, then pulling back when he felt her teeth. "Don't you dare bite me," he slurred. "You're drunk." "Yes, I am, isn't that what we pirates do? What was it you said? Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum?" He chuckled at throwing her own words back at her. "Yeah, right." She looked away from him. He lowered himself to his left elbow, until he was lying beside her with his chest almost atop hers. Esteban slid his hand down her body, stroking her through the sheer silk 69

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pantaloons and she gasped, arching under his hand, trying to push him away. "Don't..." "You do not like it?" He cocked his head. "Just leave me alone, okay? You want me to serve you, then fine, I'll wash your socks or whatever, but you don't get me. It doesn't work that way." He brought his hand up and held her chin. "I get it all, Katherine. That is the way it works." Low and dangerous, that voice caught her attention like nothing else could have. He ground his lips down upon hers until she moaned and gasped, opening her mouth for air. He took possession of her then, sweeping his tongue into her mouth, kissing her hard. She groaned as his hands roamed over her, touching her between her legs again, then moving up to cup a breast and stroke a nipple. An unexpected surge of desire flared up within her at his touch, and she groaned once more. The hand she'd brought up to strike with, hovered over his back for a moment, longing to caress him as well, before she bunched it into a frustrated fist and dropped it back to the bed beside her. Esteban could feel her heart hammering in her chest. She was terrified and he relaxed; he didn't want her to fear him and he wasn't about to rape her. He laid his head beside hers, sliding his hand back between her legs to continue stroking her softly. He only wished to ... touch her.

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Soon his movements slowed and finally ceased as he fell asleep. She heard him snoring softly and she picked up his wrist, removing it from her crotch. She exhaled a long pent-up breath. "Terrific. Now I'm all heated up, and you pass out." She dropped his hand and rolled over to her side, nestling her backside into his belly. At least he'd keep her warm. Again, she could have moved away and gone to sleep on the divan, but something about him cried out to her, despite his actions earlier. He was a strong man, a self-assured man, but there was a vulnerability to him that she sensed immediately. Something she was sure no one else picked up on, and to her amazement, she found she liked him a little. She knew why he wouldn't let her leave. He needed her. The things she'd instinctively felt about him, the compassion, the gentleness ... she brought them out in him, and she suspected it was something he didn't understand yet. "Ain't it great to be needed?" She sighed. For now, something needed to be done about the tingle of desire she still felt. Slowly she let her hand trail down between her legs and began stroking, circling her now rigid clit, and inhaling softly as she recalled her dream. She had dreamed of him making love to her, his broad chest above her, running her hands over his firm muscles. She'd imagined how it would feel as he placed soft kisses upon her mouth and breast, and then lower ... Kate brought herself to a quick climax, moaning softly, finishing what he'd started, and then relaxed into sleep. 71

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Behind her, Esteban closed his eyes and smiled. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 4 The next morning when she awoke, Esteban was gone. Quima sat staring at her from the chair in his room, a small dark slave girl behind her. A large oaken tub sat steaming invitingly. "Is that a bath?" she asked. "Well, I don't plan to cook you, so I suppose it must be," Quima said in a surprisingly high voice. Katherine laughed out loud. "Captain Esteban ordered it for you. Come along, get in." Katherine scrambled out of bed and peeled off her caftan, handing it to Quima. The older woman handed to the girl to wash as Katherine climbed into the hot water. "Oh, dear God, this feels good," she breathed. Quima smiled and then moved to begin washing her back and her hair and then handed her the soap, letting her wash herself for a few moments. "You are a deep sleeper," she remarked. "It's not something I'm particularly proud of," Katherine admitted sheepishly. She'd always slept like the dead. When Kate was finished with her bath, Quima helped her from the tub and led her back to the bed. She opened the windows letting in the warm air and sunlight. "Sit here until Tika returns with your clothing. I'll have the men come and remove this," she said. Kate sat as Quima instructed, wondering what came next. 73

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Next came breakfast, fruit with warm bread and cheese. When she was finished and dressed, Quima had a sailor escort Kate above decks for some fresh air. She squinted in the bright sunlight and looked around, spying Aria already seated upon a large crate, enjoying the sun. Kate sat beside her new friend. "Well?" Aria asked. "Well what?" "Katherine, you have been locked in his rooms for two nights. All of the women upon this ship are dying to know why you have remained within the captain's quarters and what you've done to keep his interest so." "All of the women? How many women are on this boat anyway?" Kate asked. "Besides us, there are eight women, whores, who live upon the ship for the sailors. I do not know how many female slaves are here," she answered. Kate turned her face into the wind allowing the salty air to lift her hair and sighed. "I don't know. All I know is Esteban wants to keep me ... the bastard." "Yes, he is indeed a rogue," Aria smiled, "but do you not find him attractive nonetheless?" "Are you kidding? He's probably the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on." She cast her gaze up to where she knew he was standing and shook her head. Esteban caught her glance but acted as though he had not seen her. He had been watching them from the bridge deck since she emerged earlier. She looked incredibly beautiful to 74

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him today; her face lovely and fresh as she turned it up to the sunlight. He thought about how he'd acted last night. He had been a complete ass, and felt embarrassed frustration not just for his behavior but for the emotions this woman evoked in him. Esteban was not normally the kind of man who worried if a woman was offended by his behavior. Unfortunately, the majority of women he'd been with as of late were whores and occasionally a tavern girl. Kate was obviously miles above them in her class and social standing. The sun did not mark her skin and her hands were not scarred as though she worked hard, but soft and small, yet strong. He flexed his jaw where she'd punched him then smiled. Perhaps she might be a lady of means in her world; possibly a duchess. He would have to ask her. Esteban was not ignorant of the ways of the nobility; it had simply been so long since he'd lived that life, he often forgot. His mind wandered back to last night in his bed when she had used those small, soft hands to bring herself pleasure, then snuggled back into him, thinking him asleep. He shook himself from that thought; it was a struggle to dampen his arousal. He wanted her, no ... he knew he must have her. "I just do not understand you," Aria commented. She had a handful of beads and shells she was polishing with a small rough cloth. "What don't you understand?" Kate asked. She looked away from the deep azure of the sea. She could have sworn she saw a whale spray in the distance. 75

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"I do not understand how you can so obviously find him attractive, yet continue to resist him." "Okay, I do think he's handsome. I'm sure he'd be fantastic in bed, and God knows he makes me hot, but I just don't know if I can trust him." "Trust? Has he harmed you?" Aria asked. "No, well not really ... after I punched him, yeah. He spanked me," Kate admitted. Aria resisted the urge to laugh. "But he hasn't been cruel to you, has he?" Kate sighed. "Aria, where I come from ... women don't just let any man have sex with them simply because they aren't beaten. Women aren't owned." "Where I come from they are not either." Aria smiled. "I like you, Katherine. You are obviously a woman of some breeding, perhaps a lady ... but you must realize, this is no longer your old life." She gestured around them. "You may have been a free woman before, but now you belong to him. Do not make the mistake of believing he will not take what he wants, if he tires of your resistance." Kate sat and looked at her for a moment. "You aren't like the other women. You've been educated." Aria smiled and crossed her legs tailor style. "When I was abducted, I was on my way to meet my husband." "Your husband?" Kate asked, somewhat surprised. "Yes, I come from Silania. Arranged marriages are common there. I had been wed since the cradle to a young man from the northern coast. I was educated at the finest schools in Silania, and my family is part of the royalty." She 76

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smiled again. "So no ... I am not some silly female like the others." "But ... if you're royalty, why don't you tell Esteban? He might take you home! Offer him a ransom!" Kate exclaimed. "Home to what, Kate?" Aria asked softly. "My family would be shamed, and my husband most certainly would not want me. I have been used by men as a whore." Kate looked at Aria and her eyes filled with tears as her hopeful look crumbled. "That just ... sucks," she finished lamely. Aria leaned forward and embraced her tightly. "Do not weep, my friend. I've long since reconciled myself to my fate and that is my point. You need to accept your life as it is now." She released Kate and sat back a little. "Things will be fine. Do not fear." Kate thought for a long time about Aria's words. She was so resigned to her fate, she didn't seem unhappy at all, simply accepting what was to be. She envied her that serenity; but Kate couldn't bring herself to do the same. It was different for her ... she could go home, there was no family to shame, no husband or boyfriend waiting for her—in fact, there was no one at all. She'd lost track of time when she'd been held in the slave market, and had no idea how long she had been in this world. She knew it had to have been a long time though, and sometimes she wondered if anyone had bothered to look for her at all.

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When she left Aria, she returned to Esteban's room, avoiding the positively filthy looks she received from Rachel and the other women. She shook her head, tempted to confront them, but decided not to. It wasn't as though she'd asked to be brought here. Kate entered his bedroom and opened the large windows above the bed again, letting the sea air come in, then lay down and fell asleep. The powerful sun left her drained from the heat of the day. Some time later, she wasn't sure how long, she was awakened by people moving in the wardroom. She slipped from the bed and opened the door a crack. Two men were setting up a tray of dinner upon a small table. Her stomach rumbled hungrily at the enticing smells coming from the wardroom. There were two places set, and she briefly considered just taking some food but she was unsure if Esteban wanted to eat with her, so she waited for him. It wasn't long before he entered. Esteban removed his coat and hung it upon the back of the door, and then looked around for her. She opened the door to his bedroom and came out somewhat hesitantly. "Good evening." She looked beautiful with the flush of sun upon her face. "Hello, Esteban." "I thought perhaps you would like to share dinner with me," he began. "And I, ah ... I wished to apologize for my 78

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behavior last night. I was less than a gentleman." He sounded uncomfortable and she realized this was difficult for him. "You're forgiven," she said gently. "We've all done stupid things after getting drunk." "Thank you." He grinned. "What's for supper?" "Sit down and we'll find out." He pulled her chair out and held it until she was seated, then sat across from her. Lifting one of the covered dishes, she saw it was a platter of braised vegetables and meat on kebab skewers. Another dish revealed curried rice and fresh, warm, flat bread. Katherine served him first, and then waited. "You may eat, Katherine. I invited you, remember?" Esteban said, forgetting for a moment that she was, in fact, his slave. "Thank you." She began to make herself a plate. She ate and savored each bite. The food was delicious, like nothing she'd ever eaten. He watched her, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "You are enjoying the food?" He picked up his glass and drained it, then poured more wine. "Yes, it's very good," she replied. They hadn't spoken since last night, and she felt the strain acutely. "Tell me about your world," he said after a particularly awkward silence. "My..." "Yes, tell me about it." Kate sat for a moment, thinking. What would interest him? She set her fork carefully beside her plate. "In my world, we 79

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have vehicles which we use to move about over long distances. They are called airplanes, they fly through the sky and a person can travel thousands of miles in a matter of hours." He smiled doubtfully. "Everyone does this?" "Well, no..." She stopped. "Most people drive cars." "Tell me about cars." "A car is ... well it's sort of a cart with no horse." "And everyone has one of these?" he asked. "Nearly everyone, yes," Kate replied. "How does a car work?" "There's a motor that powers them." She struggled to explain how a motor worked. "Let me show you something." Standing, she moved away from the table to the corner shelf where her pack was. She carried it back to the table and set it upon the floor, then sliding her chair closer to him, she reached into the pack and rummaged about for a few seconds. "Look at this." She held up her digital camera so he could see the small screen. Kate turned on the power and the small LCD flashed to life, making him jump uneasily. He smiled nervously at her then looked at what she showed him. On her digital camera, there were pictures of the airplane she had arrived on, the airport, all of the touristy shots she'd taken while she was in Switzerland; the cute Swiss villages, cars upon the cobbled streets, long shots of the Alps, and finally a solitary church spire. Esteban was speechless looking through the tiny device. Not simply because of the pictures, but at the camera itself. 80

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"May I see that?" he asked. "Yeah, sure." She handed it to him. "Take a picture." He held the camera up and turned it over in his hands, examining it. "How do I take-a-pitcher?" he asked. "You hold it like this..." She turned it so he wouldn't flash himself in the eyes. "Then look at the little screen. Aim at something and press this button." "This is more complicated than a flintlock, Katherine. It will not explode in my hand, will it?" He was only half teasing. "No." She grinned back at him. "Just hold it like ... right, just like that. Aim..." He pointed it at her and she smiled. He pressed the button and the camera clicked, then flashed. "Now, look at the screen." She leaned over to him, pressing her breasts against his arm. "God!" he exclaimed softly, entirely shocked and forgetting how good she felt against him. He wasn't convinced this wasn't some sort of witchcraft. "Let me take a picture of you," she said. He handed her the camera and she told him to sit back. "Now, smile." He grinned rakishly and then blinked as the flash blinded him. "Here, look," she said. Esteban took the camera and saw himself in the tiny window just as he had with Kate before. "What's wrong?" Kate asked when she saw his face. "What sort of sorcery is this?" he asked her quietly. "Sorcery? It's not sorcery. It's called technology." She was somewhat insulted. "Come on, Esteban, you're obviously 81

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smarter than that. You don't actually believe in sorcery, do you? There's no such thing." He looked at her intently for a moment. "Perhaps in your world there is no sorcery; but here, in my world, there is." "I'm sorry," Kate said, a bit more firmly. "I just don't believe in such things." "You do not?" She shook her head and Esteban crossed his arms over his chest. "Then please explain to me how you came to be in Calthraca?" She stopped then, entirely stumped. "I have no idea," she said faintly, her eyes filled with tears. "But I'm sure there's an explanation." "Come here." He pulled her gently. She leaned into him and he placed his arm around her. "There are many things you will have to come to accept in my world," he said softly. "I do not know of your Earth, but from what you have shown me, it is far beyond our time." She nodded miserably. "Perhaps it is not a bad thing to live in a simpler world?" She turned her head up to look at him. "You don't understand—it's my home." "Do you have a husband and children in your world, Katherine?" he asked. "No. My parents died three years ago. I was an only child. I'm not married, there's no one." She was staring into those incredibly blue eyes, searching them, helpless to stop herself. "Then we are alike, you and I," he whispered. He bent his head and lightly brushed her lips with his, enjoying the way her eyes closed slowly. "Alone." 82

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"Yes," she breathed. "I suppose we are." Unable to resist, he kissed her then, gently, pressing his lips to hers. He felt her shift, and her lips parted slightly, her tongue brushed his lips and he kissed her more firmly, gathering her in and taking possession of her mouth. His tongue danced and entwined sensually with hers. She could taste the sweet wine he had drunk, and she was nearly dizzy with the power behind his kiss. She could feel the stirrings of passion deep within her, the same as last night and her heart pounded excitedly in her chest. He broke the kiss and lowered his mouth to her throat and the tops of her breasts. She sighed deeply, enjoying the feel of his mouth and lips upon her, his strong hands caressing her, softly crushing her breasts. Despite the nearly overwhelming pleasure running through her, she pushed him back. "Stop. Please. Just ... stop." He stopped and looked at her, puzzled. "What's wrong?" "Nothing ... everything ... I'm sorry. I just can't." He nodded wordlessly. She could see his jaw tighten as he struggled to contain himself, and she prepared for a possible attack. Instead, Esteban rose and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Kate sat in her chair and raised a hand to her eyes, surprised to find herself shaking. She had wanted him, despite the fact that he was a pirate and a slaver, and maybe even a killer as well for all she knew. She had wanted him, and her body had screamed yes, but her brain screamed no more loudly, and she couldn't do it. 83

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She hated that she was so drawn to him. He had a raw sex appeal that made her hot all over simply looking at him, but she couldn't help but feel it was wrong to want him. To want someone she barely knew and worse someone who claimed to own her. It was true, he had a vulnerability that was painfully obvious to her, but wasn't it possible she was wrong? Nothing had been normal or felt right since she'd arrived in this world, so, what if she'd just misjudged him? She couldn't say she was willing to trust her instincts as she so often did, and that frightened her. Esteban made his way slowly along the corridor to the door at the very end. His aroused body ached and demanded to be satisfied, but he quashed his lust firmly. He knocked once then opened the door. The women in the room looked at him, surprised, and then broke into wide grins. "Esteban!" Rachel exclaimed, moving to where he stood and running her hand up his abdomen to his chest. "Who will it be?" He looked at all of the women in the room, so eager to please, and none of them remotely appealed to him. "Aria," he said at last. The other girls pouted and turned away, but the dark girl, Aria, came forward. "My lord?" He took her hand and led her from the room to a small bedchamber along the starboard side. He lit a hanging lamp and she sat upon the tiny bunk. She untied her top and began to remove it. He turned to her and stilled her hands then stroked her cheek, brushing her curls from her face. 84

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"Aria, I do not wish to sleep with you." He slowly sunk to his knees before the stunned slave girl. "I need your help." **** Esteban returned to his rooms shortly before dawn. He entered the wardroom and found Kate asleep upon the divan. Bending, he easily lifted her and placed her upon his bed, then laid a chaste kiss upon her lips. He washed his face and changed his shirt, then left her, but not before glancing back and catching the sunlight upon her features. He struggled with his own desire and once more resisted the urge to simply take her, then went abovedeck. Kate awoke a little while later, surprised to find herself upon his bed. She left the room and moved to his wardroom where supper had been replaced by breakfast. Fresh eggs, in an omelet with cheese and mushrooms, warm biscuits and ham, along with melons and grapes in a bowl. She ate hungrily and looked up at a sharp rap upon the door. "Come in," she called. The door opened revealing Esteban. "Did you sleep well?" he asked as he entered. He closed the door and moved behind her to a small table with juice and glasses. "Yes, thanks." Once more the awkwardness fell between them. "Did you?" Kate turned in her chair to face him. "No, I didn't." He poured himself juice and said nothing more. 85

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"Oh." Unsure how to proceed, Kate turned back to her food, but her appetite was gone. He looked so good today, better than usual, dressed in black leather breeches and a white shirt. His color was high from the sun and the wind, and his hair was unbraided. She briefly considered what it would feel like to run her hands through all that thick hair. Esteban watched her for a moment then stepped behind her. He set his glass on the table and rested his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. He felt her tense under his hands, and then relax slightly. He had talked with Aria for most of the night, and she'd told him of Kate's fear, her worries that she could not trust him. He hadn't considered it before, but it made sense that her hesitation was due to lack of trust. He'd simply assumed that she would want him the way he wanted her. Since she'd been in his world, she'd been treated harshly and terrorized. He'd blindly added to that terror himself, and he regretted it. Esteban had given it long consideration and found that in addition to wanting her physically, he felt a tenderness for her that he didn't normally feel with other women. He had an irresistible urge to protect her despite her brave façade. Perhaps, as Aria suggested, he should try to romance her rather than making demands she was unable to meet. "Katherine, I will not hurt you. Relax, you are too tense." "I ... okay." She hung her head forward a bit and he rubbed her neck and shoulders.

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"I know you were treated harshly at the slave market. I hope you do not fear me, or worry I will treat you the same way?" She groaned as he pressed his thumbs into a particularly hard spot and shuddered when she felt his lips touch her there, soothing the pain. "No, I'm not afraid of you, Esteban." He continued massaging her neck and she closed her eyes, enjoying his strong hands on her muscles. He was warming her and relaxing her more than she had been since she'd come here. As he worked, she thought about how much she longed to be held and comforted. True, she barely knew him, but from what she'd seen, he wasn't a particularly violent or evil man. He was caring enough to apologize to her when he'd acted like an ass, and that was more than most of the men she knew were willing to do. With him standing so close and touching her, a strong wave of desire ran through her. What would it hurt? Deciding, she stood and faced him. "You want to sleep with me, don't you?" she whispered. Esteban looked down into her face and a small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I want to make long, slow, passionate love to you. I want to hold you and comfort you, and make you feel safe again, but only if that is what you want, Katherine." He brought his hands up to either side of her head and bent, gently touching her lips with his. 87

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"I'm not a whore." She wasn't sure precisely what he was expecting, but she didn't have a whole lot of experience at this, despite her age. "I know." He pushed a lock of her hair back over her shoulder. She was so beautiful it made his heart ache. Kate swallowed and stepped into his embrace, hugging him tightly around the middle and resting her head on his chest. Please God, let me be right about him. I haven't had much luck lately, and I could really use a little bit right now. She moved away from him toward the bedroom and he hesitated. Esteban knew if he went in there with her, he would take her. It was that simple. He'd managed to dampen his desire for her so far, but he didn't think he could hold out any longer if she changed her mind. She turned back and gazed into his eyes. "Come with me now." He blinked and looked away. "Katherine, I will not be able to stop." He hated the hesitation in his voice; the indecisiveness was maddening, and unlike him. "I know." She took his hand once more and tugged gently. He let her lead him into his bedroom. Kate closed the door and Esteban stood motionless as she slid her hands around him, moving to face him once more. "I want to see you." He pulled the ties on his shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. She leaned in and kissed him, pushing his shirt back while 88

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letting him deepen the kiss, but stepping back when he moved to embrace her. He pulled the buttons of his fly and dropped his pants. Standing before her naked, he held his arms out at his sides, displaying himself as a slave would—the way she had. "God, you are so well made," she breathed. He had a broad, muscular chest, a flat, defined torso and long, powerful legs. In short, he had the type of body men spent months and years in the gym to achieve, the sort that women lusted for. She ran her gaze downward. His cock was nestled in a thick mat of hair that grew from his chest down. Katherine raised her eyes to his and stepped into his embrace. She cupped him and he groaned at her touch, then closed his arms around her. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Yes, Esteban, I want you." She kissed his chest, circling one of his nipples with her tongue, smiling at the shudder she felt run through him. Her free hand explored his back, tracing the long firm muscles there. Her other hand continued stroking him gently and she could feel him rising further. He bent his head and took her mouth in a kiss that was in turns frightening and thrilling in its intensity. Pulling her in tightly, he kissed her long and hard and her legs gave out, something she thought only happened in cheesy movies and trashy books, but he was there to catch her and hold her up and she made a small desperate sound as he scooped her into his arms and laid her upon the bed, then kneeled beside her. 89

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He took the two sides of her caftan and pulled slowly, tearing it down the middle. The thin silk parted like the water before his bow and he bent his head to suckle her breasts, nuzzling into her softness. Be gentle, go slowly. The words sounded over and over in his mind even though every fiber of his body begged him to take her hard and fast. He fondled one breast while he sucked the other, loving the way she arched slightly as he drew hard on her nipple. Kate made a small sound, pain and desire combined. She felt completely safe, and his sexy attentions were making her wetter by the second. He brought his hand down lower and slipped within her cleft. He made a lustful growl and her hips moved upward to push him deeper. Obliging her, he ran his fingers within her folds, tracing lazy circles around her clitoris. He wanted to taste her, to suckle upon that tiny button of her sex. He wanted to hear her scream his name. He moved slightly to her entrance and pressed one finger gently within her. "Dear God, you are tight," he said roughly. He wasn't sure he wouldn't hurt her when he penetrated that tight sheath. He slowly removed his finger then tasted her, and smiled at her shocked look. Her eyes widened as she watched him, never suspecting how hot it would make her to watch someone taste her! He chuckled quietly, then moved down her body, kissing her soft breasts and stomach. Moving lower he pushed her thighs apart, revealing the honey-colored curls that concealed 90

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her treasures. He slowly drew his tongue along her soft slit and she gasped when he touched her. "Ah! Oh ... my God, yes!" She was shocked at what he was doing, but wasn't about to make him stop. She watched him move to take her with his mouth. Kate's hips moved seemingly on their own, rocking to meet his tongue and lips. He pushed her thighs farther apart as he pressed deeper, nibbling her labia, darting and teasing, licking a hard arch around her clitoris, finally dipping his tongue within her sheath, teasing until she was nearly whimpering. "Ah..." He hesitated and she pulled his head back down, "Don't stop!" She peaked then, releasing a long high-pitched sigh, nearly crying at how incredibly good it felt. She squirmed under him as he lapped at her juices, causing sharp darts of pleasure to continue shooting through her. "Oh, sweet," he murmured. His cock was rock-hard and nearly painful but he was enchanted by her reaction to his lovemaking, savoring her every sound and movement. He knew she would be exquisite. He rose over her and kissed her mouth, dueling with her tongue. "Do you taste how sweet you are, Katherine?" he breathed. "Like wild honey." "Yes..." she moaned. She trembled at the onslaught of sensation. She'd suspected he would be a good lover, but she had never anticipated just how good he would be. This was easily the most erotic experience she had ever had! Every nerve in her body was alight and firing rapidly. She could feel 91

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everything, from his intimate caresses to the cool breeze coming through the slightly opened window. The tiny hairs on her arms stirred, making her shiver. Esteban shifted his position, dragging her attention back to what he was doing. He moved over her and nudged her thighs with his knee. "I do not wish to hurt you," he murmured. "Just do it, Esteban." He took her hands in his, lacing his fingers through hers, drawing them up and resting upon his elbows above her. There was no way to escape hurting her slightly, he knew, but perhaps he could lessen it. "Look at me," he growled. She looked up into his incredible eyes. "Tell me where you are from." His long hair hung down, tickling her face, and his golden earrings gleamed mellowly in the dimness. "What?" She couldn't fathom why he wanted to know this all of a sudden. "Your home, tell me about it," he said gruffly, startling her. "I told you ... it's called—" He thrust hard, striking the mark on the first blow. Her eyes widened at his entry and she caught her bottom lip with her top teeth, inhaling sharply. He groaned at the sight of her eyes sliding shut, passion and pain mingling. Her pleasure made this even better for him. He seated himself deeply within her on the second thrust. His hips found a comfortable fit within the wide embrace of her thighs and she arched to accommodate him further. "Mmmm," he exhaled. "Oh yes, I recall now." 92

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He was huge—bigger than her first lover, her ex-boyfriend, the only other man she'd ever been with. Tears had sprung to her eyes and one rolled down her cheek, but she held his gaze. "Oh, good." She took a ragged breath. "Am I hurting you?" he asked, his voice full of concern. "Only at first ... I'm fine now," she breathed. He let go of her hand and reached to touch that tear with his thumb. He kissed her cheek softly and bent his head to her shoulder. Even as ready as she had been it was still painful for her, he knew. She was as unused as Abdallah had promised, and he regretted having hurt her. He moved slightly to his side, drawing his hand down between them with a tenderness she never would have expected. "Dear God, Katherine," he groaned. "You are as tight as a glove," he breathed raggedly in her ear. She felt his hands stroke her; her own hands had twined themselves in his dark hair, caressing his head and his face as he dipped to kiss her again. His hair was as thick and luxurious as she thought it would be. Esteban ran his tongue along her upper lip and hers slipped out to tease at him, then retreated back into her mouth, begging him to follow. The brief pain from his initial thrust had quickly faded and Katherine took a deep breath. "Esteban ... you are so good at this." She sighed and felt his laugh.

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Between them his fingers had begun to busily work her, circling and stroking. Her breathing now shortened to barely audible pants and he knew she was close. He lowered his head beside hers, running his chin along her cheek and jaw. "Come for me, Katherine," he growled in her ear. His commanding tone had returned. "I ... ah..." He pressed her rigid clit and she groaned as she came again, basking in the glorious sensation. She'd never had a climax with a man actually within her, never mind on command. Usually she'd do it for herself, and then get him off. Esteban was not going to give her that chance, she could tell. He was most assuredly the captain of this ship. Her body arched into him and he could feel the powerful muscles of her sheath clenching silkily along his rampant cock, squeezing him hard. He gazed upon her face, taking in how lovely she was. The deep rose of her skin was even more pronounced and her eyes slid shut as she let her passion sweep over her. Esteban loved her reaction to his lovemaking and closed his eyes as well. Taking another deep breath, he tried desperately to keep from peaking himself. He made an experimental thrust and she moaned under him, a slight pained sound; still it was smoother than he expected. "Esteban, please..." she whispered urgently. He grinned down at her. "Such a greedy girl." 94

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He moved slowly, agonizingly, taking his time and savoring every second of their passion. With every thrust, the flat plane of his groin pressed into her clitoris, stimulating her further and she began to peak once more. He drew his length from her and she moaned softly, almost sadly at the separation of their bodies, and then inhaled sharply as he plunged back within her. Her hips thrust back to him, welcoming his body to hers, begging for more. They moved together that way for long moments, the tight grasp of her hot sheath gripping and releasing him felt glorious and he had to grind his teeth to keep from exploding like a boy. Kate brought her hands up as he rose over her, letting him watch her stroke her own breasts, pulling and twisting at the nipples, feeling sexy and hot as he made a deep male sound of appreciation. "You are incredible," he growled but she barely heard him. She was spiraling upward toward orgasm again, hardly able to believe how turned on and excited she was. Her prior assessment of his skills was right; he was an amazing lover and his stamina was unbelievable. She could very easily get used to this. He continued to move slowly upon her until he felt the slight change in her body. He couldn't name what it was; it was more of a feeling to him, something vague that signaled she was once more approaching a climax. He knew it almost before she did. Esteban had an amazing empathy for women; he did not simply fuck them like other men. He genuinely loved them, all 95

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of them; their unique softness, and scent, their eyes, their hair. It was important to him that his lovers be entirely satisfied before he sought his own completion. He found sex so much better when both parties emerged sated and exhausted. She arched under him again as he moved roughly above her. She was going to come again, she could feel it rushing over her. "Ah..." As though she had spoken his name he turned his head sharply and looked down at her. His eyes widened slightly, amazed that she had such strong reactions to his lovemaking, then returned to the half lazy look he'd had since he entered the bedroom. "Yes, come now," he said, his voice low, husky, demanding, and fully expecting to be obeyed. "Let go." She inhaled sharply at his words and her hips bucked into his, hard. "Ahh, Kate, you are so beautiful..." He smiled as he watched it overtake her. She arched slowly, and he moved to his knees to gain leverage; there was no need to increase his speed, not yet. He looked down at where their bodies were joined—the sheer eroticism of watching made him harden further. At his words her mouth had come open as though to speak, but no words came out. She swallowed convulsively and her whole body spasmed. He groaned out loud and lowered himself to his hands as her muscles clenched him like a fist. "Esteban ... Oh God..." 96

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He brought one hand under her and held her loosely around the shoulders as she shuddered, bracing himself upon the bed with his other arm. Now he would find his own completion. He increased his speed, bending to her taking her mouth in a possessive kiss. She whimpered and kissed him back, and the tiny submissive sound galvanized him further. Esteban knew he wouldn't be able to hold back much longer. The musky woman scent of her that had fueled his arousal all along was even more pronounced, driving his primal need to take her and make her his forever. He thrust his pelvis into hers, penetrating as deeply as he could. She gasped sharply again, whether in pain or pleasure he did not know, it was far too late to worry, all thoughts of gentleness were now gone. He could feel the tingle of his approaching climax, and growled, pouring forth within her body. Esteban pulled her up to take as much of him within her as he could manage, claiming her, making her his. Kate clung to him, fully there, reveling along with him in passion as he found completion. At last, he let her down and moved slowly above her until he had nothing left. His breathing was ragged and he was entirely drained. One of her hands came up to caress his face gently, like a small white dove. He caught it with one of his and kissed her palm. She smiled up at him tiredly, her eyes already half-closed with sated passion. 97

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He moved from her body and lay close, holding her around the waist and pulling her to her side so he could look into her beautiful eyes. "Katherine, that was..." She swept her sea-green gaze across his handsome face and placed her fingertips against his lips. "Yes, it was." She bent her head to his chest and then fell quietly asleep, listening to his steady heartbeat and needing only his warm body against hers. He dropped a soft kiss upon the top of her head and gathered her in and then Esteban fell gratefully into the depths of sleep himself. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 5 Dawn found them tangled together, arms and legs wrapped around each other at impossible angles. "Captain!" Esteban jerked himself awake at the voice of his first mate, Manuel. "Yes, what?" "Sir, four Andalosian ships have been sighted to starboard, and they're hailing us." Katherine groaned slightly and began to disentangle herself from him, then sat up. "I'll be up in a moment," he said, swinging his long legs over the side of his bed. He reached for his leather breeches and pulled them on. She watched him walk to his wash basin where he quickly washed and dressed. He bent and pulled on his boots, then lifted his belt and put a dagger along his back before he shrugged his coat over his shoulders. "I want you to dress and stay belowdecks," he said to her. He glanced at her ruined caftan and grinned in spite of himself. "Quima will bring you something to wear." Kate sat in a puddle of quilts. She was so very desirable and sleepy that his body begged him to crawl back in bed and love her again. Instead he bent and pulled her forward to his mouth, kissing her deeply. "Be safe, Esteban," she whispered when they parted. 99

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He looked at her for a moment then nodded and left the room, pausing at his desk to pick up his sword and pistols. With her kiss still a fresh memory upon his lips, he made his way above. No one had ever cared enough about him to admonish safety, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. In any event there wasn't time to consider his feelings for long. As expected, there were four Andalosian ships close enough to read his colors and they would all know who he was by now. If there was any fortunate side to this situation, it was that the clustered ships were not all clippers. There were three carracks—cargo ships, lightly armed, and slow as mud. They were most likely laden with goods from Tartak and Silania. The ship Esteban was most concerned with was the speedy little clipper he could see preparing to flee. The crew was moving hurriedly upon the decks, hauling sails and tightening everything down for flight. "Take out the clipper. Then train the heavy guns on the carracks. One shot across the farthest bow," he ordered and Manuel scrambled to convey his orders to the gunners. Once the clipper was gone, he knew he would have to deal with the three carracks. They usually carried twenty guns, each ten pounders, but he was wagering they would not have all twenty guns aboard. They rode too high in the water, and the arrogant Andalosians would never expect to be accosted so close to the coastline. Well, they'd approached him. He hadn't been looking for plunder. 100

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By firing a single shot across the bow of the farthest ship, he would send them a powerful message. None of them were safe within this range, and none could outrun him now. Barely five minutes after his initial orders, two shots boomed deeply from the gunwales of the Viceroy. One flew long and true across the bow of the farthest carrack. The second one struck the low clipper broadside and split it nearly in half. He turned his attention from the sinking ship to the carracks. He could see men scrambling on the decks and one by one, three white flags ran up their masts. Esteban smiled. The booty from the three ships was remarkable and quite valuable. Manuel brought him the ships' lists and he read what their cargo was. Iron and gold from Tartak and silk and spices from Silania. There was also wine, olive oil and wool from Minalos. Pleased at the take, he knew they would make a fat profit. He'd sell the ships at Dolcit and unload the rest of the cargo in Carador or Lyros. Everyone would share in a percentage of the plunder. Esteban ordered his crew to pare down the crews from the captured ships to only the minimum—just enough to sail the ships under the watchful eyes of his own men. The remaining crew members, officers and those they had fished out of the ocean from the sunken clipper were secured in his brig upon the Viceroy. He'd make a profit on them as well. He would let the Lyrosian navy conscript them, or let 101

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them buy their freedom. Either way there would be money from them. Once everything was stowed and ready to be moved, he gave orders to be underway again. He stood upon the bridge watching his men and thinking about the woman in his bed. A sailor nudged his arm and he turned quickly to look. It was Katherine. She was dressed in his breeches and loose shirt and was barefooted like the other sailors. She had tied her long hair up into a braid and wore one of his old hats. "Katherine?" She grinned happily at him. "Wow, Esteban, this is incredible," she marveled, looking around. "It's just like the movies." Regaining his composure he stepped over to her and took her by the elbow. "What are you doing?" he hissed. "Did I not tell you to stay belowdecks?" "Yes, you did. Ouch, you're hurting me." She jerked her elbow away. "You also told me Quima would bring me clothes, and she wasn't around, so I borrowed yours." He began pulling her toward the hatchway doors. "I ought to spank you again," he growled. "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out here? Do you ever listen?" "What do you mean, dangerous? You're out here. You won, right? How is it dangerous?" He stopped and looked at her. "I am not sure if that was three or four questions." "It was three." She smiled sweetly. 102

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"Arrrgh, impossible woman," he muttered and kept walking. When they reached his quarters he pulled her in front of him and closed the door with his foot. He didn't say anything; he just let his gaze roam over her from head to toe. Finally he shook his head and moved to take the hat from hers. She shook her hair down and all the moisture left his mouth. "Ah..." he began, and then realized he didn't know what he wanted to say. He held her by the arms and pulled her close, kissing her deeply. When he released her he brought a hand up to caress her cheek. Kate opened her eyes slowly, almost dreamily, and covered his hand with hers. "That was a very nice kiss," she said faintly. He grinned and began to untie the front of the shirt she wore. He was incredibly aroused and the sight of her, so sexy and desirable was hard to resist. Lust after combat wasn't something he normally felt, but just the idea that she was here and his made his cock throb. He made a concerted effort not to simply tear her clothes off. "It is unsafe for you to be on deck when there are Andalosians or Basaltics about. I am considered an outlaw to them, and my ship is fair game." "And these guys were Andalosian?" she asked slowly. "Yes." He kissed the spot where the tops of her breasts were just slightly exposed. 103

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She sighed as he pushed the shirt back off of her shoulders. "I ... I didn't know it was dangerous," she whispered as he moved to pull the flies on the pants she wore. "I know." He bent his head and kissed the tip of her nipple, then ran his tongue around the aureole, enjoying the way her skin puckered. She made a small sound. He pushed the pants down and she stepped out of them and into his embrace, naked and warm. He swallowed hard at the sight of her and bent to lift her, cradling her in his arms. The idea of her being lost or even worse, captured, made his stomach turn. She was his and no one would touch her as long as he drew breath. "What would happen if they caught you?" she whispered. "They would hang me." He began kissing her neck. "What would happen if they caught me?" She wasn't really listening now, focusing instead upon what he was doing to her. "When they found you were my woman, they would ravage you." He set her down upon the big bed. "And there would be no mercy." He lay on top of her now, forcing her to lie back. She felt his cock, a solid presence against her thigh in the tight pants he wore. He ground himself against her. "Oh," she whispered and surrendered to him again. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 6 They made Dolcit in fourteen days. By that time what had started out as merely a way to find some comfort for Kate had become a heavily emotional and physical relationship. They spent every free moment together, which was not often, much to Kate's displeasure, although she did have Aria to talk with. In two weeks Kate and Esteban had learned more about each other than either of them had ever known about anyone else. There was a genuine chemistry that was blatantly obvious to anyone who looked. They had shared intimate details about their lives, and their dreams, and Katherine had tried to explain further to him about her world, but she didn't think he believed her. He raised his eyebrows in surprise and laughed outright when she told him about cruise ships that traveled from port to port loaded with rich passengers, and he asked her to tell him more. As much as she could she also explained the modern navy to him and how ships were gunned. "I wish I could see your world," he said quietly one night after they had made love. The oil lamps had been trimmed and glowed magically. They had turned to look out at the stars upon the ocean, and were tangled together sleepily. "More than just the pictures." "I wish you could too." She sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't even know how I got here, much less how to get back. Much, much less how to bring anyone with me. I guess I'll just have 105

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to keep playing Scheherazade for um ... nine hundred and some-odd more nights." She giggled when she realized he had no idea what she was talking about, noting the strange half-smile on his handsome face. "You confuse me endlessly, Katherine." He pulled her closer and pointed out at the stars. "Do you know the constellations? Are they the same here as in your world?" he asked. "I know the big dipper and the little dipper," she started. He shook his head. "We do not have 'dippers' here." He sat up slightly and pulled a pillow under his head, then pointed out the window again. "Look there—do you see the cluster of four stars with the brightest one beneath?" "Yes, I see it." "That is Argriar, the Centaur. To the west, in the lower side of the sky, can you see one bright star followed by four more red stars?" He pointed. "I see it." "That is Volceptus, the winged serpent." He lowered his hand and watched her looking at the stars. Kate blinked and yawned. "Oh excuse me, I'm sorry." She laughed. "Tell me a story from this land, Esteban." He looked at her for a long moment, then spoke. "I will tell you the story of Santiago." She settled in more comfortably against his side. "Once there was a young boy named Santiago Cristóbal. He was a good boy, well loved by his parents, the Condé and 106

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Condéssa of Diamánde. He lived a happy life surrounded by four sisters and two brothers; Santiago was the baby. "One day, Santiago was out riding with the head groom, learning to ride a proper horse, not a pony as he'd had for so long. He learned well and wanted to show his papa what he could do. When they returned to the villa, they found a massacre. Andalosian ships and sailors had attacked his home while they were gone. His parents and his brothers were killed, and his sisters carried off. The groom, loyal to the end, concealed Santiago in his house to protect the boy, calling him his son. "Santiago was very sad and cried for his mama and his family, and the poor groom felt so badly for the boy that he searched high and low for some relation, anyone to take the child." "Oh, that poor baby," Kate murmured. She was dropping off to sleep. "After a year of searching, an old great-uncle was found. He was the Grand Vizier for a Tarkir prince. The uncle did not wish to be burdened with a child, but felt some loyalty to his sister's daughter, and took pity upon her son. "Never realizing the child was of the nobility, he arranged for Santiago to become a cabin boy upon a packet ship, which traded along the coast of Tartak and Silania." He paused and slowly raised a hand to wipe his eyes. Katherine had fallen asleep, but he kept on talking, feeling the need to tell this story. He needed to give it a voice, to make it real again. 107

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"The boy grew into a man and became a ship's captain. He used means, both fair and foul to advance himself and became known as El pirata sediento de la sangre but in his heart, he will always be Santiago Cristóbal, El Condé du Diamánde." **** Dawn broke fiery gold, red and orange waking him slowly. He basked in the sunlight and the comfort of her warmth and softness against him as she slept. He loved her. He knew he'd loved her from the day she'd helped him with his headache. Her kindness to someone who did not deserve it stirred feelings in him that he had never experienced for anyone. Esteban had spent a great deal of time making love to women. He'd had his first whore when he was fourteen, but he'd never been burdened by emotions over them. They served a purpose, and it felt incredible to have his body joined with a willing and eager partner, but he'd never experienced the feelings for them that he had for Kate. Waves of fierce protectiveness washed over him when he thought about her being away from him. She had asked him if she could go to town with some of the women when they docked and he had flatly refused, saying it was too dangerous. The truth of it was that he felt nauseated by the idea that she could be taken from him. It was purely selfish. He knew he could never bear to be parted from her, and although she had stopped talking about returning to her 108

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world, he still wanted some way to bind her to him. Maybe if he got her with child she would be forced to stay. Perhaps he already had. He looked down at her still asleep in the crook of his arm, a slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she dreamed, and Esteban shook his head sadly. He couldn't do that to them. A child needed a safe home, and a secure life. The life of a pirate was hardly safe and secure. Nonetheless, he loved her, and if she truly wished to go, then he would have to let her, but first he would ask her to be his wife. Later that morning, Esteban found Manuel standing upon the wheel deck of Viceroy, watching an approaching pinnace. He handed his captain a telescope. Esteban lifted it to his eye scanning the horizon, searching for the small schooner, and at last resting briefly upon the flag of the ship. A golden snake wrapped around an axe upon a red background— Andalosians. He smiled. The pinnace was fast. Her captain obviously knew these waters and felt confident in traveling unaccompanied, and Esteban wondered if they had spotted his colors yet. "Make ready. I want that ship." He swung down from the wheel deck. Manuel nodded and moved to the ship's master, giving him Esteban's orders, and soon the ship was turning, tacking in the direction of the oncoming pinnace. Viceroy closed the distance and Esteban noted she was a transport. Perhaps there would be a ransom. 109

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As during any battle, the men worked together as a welltrained unit. Those assigned to the guns moved belowdeck and the remaining sailors continued to maneuver the ship to an attack position. Soon they were ready to fire and a warning shot boomed out over the bow of the smaller ship. Esteban preferred not to destroy the smaller ships he took if it was at all possible because they were valuable and easy to sell. This would be a simple capture. Much to his and everyone else's surprise, the pinnace fired a volley back, striking Viceroy above the middle deck, punching a hole through the hull, starboard aft. Esteban heard the surprised shouts and screams of those below and turned to look back at the other ship, narrowing his eyes. They were preparing to fire again. He'd counted eight guns when he looked earlier and all eight were trained upon them now. "Take down her mast, prepare to board, and check the damage below!" Esteban shouted. His crew scrambled to obey. He caught a sailor who passed him and pulled him face to face. "Go below and make sure my woman is unharmed. Move her and the others amidships, into the corridor." "Aye, sir." The sailor nodded vigorously and ran for the hatchway. Another shot thundered through the air, and Esteban braced himself upon the rail for the impact. Below, Kate and Aria had taken refuge in the wardroom. They hoped they were safely out of the range of the 110

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cannonballs. Kate felt only slightly safer with another room between them. At that moment, a sailor burst into the wardroom and called to her. She turned as the volley of four rounds struck the ship, rocking it hard. Kate, unprepared for the concussion of the blast, was flung into Esteban's desk, striking her head before she fell to the floor. She heard the young sailor and Aria cry out in surprise as well. Before she could regain her feet, another volley struck them broadside. **** A chain-shot from one of Viceroy's demicannons sailed long and true, striking the mast of the pinnace. It exploded into thousands of deadly splinters and shards, leaving a blasted stump. Esteban could hear the cries of the men aboard the smaller ship as the sails and rigging collapsed upon them. "Come about and ram them!" Esteban yelled to the master who nodded gravely. He swung them about once more and slammed broadside into the side of the now-crippled pinnace. Like spider webs, the grappling hooks and lines flew across to the other ship, holding her fast to Viceroy. She was theirs. Esteban, along with his boarding party of eleven men, leaped across to the other ship, immediately encountering a small but fierce group of regular army soldiers ready to repel them. "There must be something valuable aboard this ship." Esteban heard one of his men say to another. Inclined to 111

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agree, he didn't have much time to consider it, as he was engaged by a large, axe-wielding seaman as soon as he set foot upon the pinnace's deck. Esteban backed up, trying to find a clear path, but he was blocked by a large stack of crates. The sailor swung his weapon in a vicious sideways arc, which closed the gap between them with deadly efficiency. Esteban leaped back and upward onto the lowest crate and narrowly avoided being sliced in half. The man growled fiercely and attempted another swing. Esteban brought his cutlass down across the axe handle, and this coupled with the ferocity of the swing drove it down into the deck where it stuck fast. The sailor realized his weapon was now useless and instead seized the pirate captain by the throat with both hands. Esteban dropped his sword and drew back to punch the man in the belly. The sailor woofed out a breath and bent slightly. Esteban threw his head forward, smashing the other man with his forehead, which had no effect. Axe man grinned at him but loosened his grip, giving Esteban time to manage a gasping breath and draw his pistol from his belt. He pressed the muzzle under the man's chin and pulled the trigger, then shoved his body back. Stepping over his dead assailant, he was approached by another sailor at once. The skirmish was brief but fierce and the pirates were eventually victorious. After clearing the decks of the dead, the fallen sail and other debris, the pirates lined up all of the remaining officers 112

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and soldiers aboard the pinnace. Currently they were seated upon the deck, most in various states of injury. Esteban was furious. He moved to the captain and crouched before him. "Why did you not simply surrender the ship?" he demanded. "Were these deaths necessary?" "I had my orders," the captain said grimly. "Your orders have lost you your ship and your freedom." Esteban shook his head and stood. The other sailors had formed a loose chain and were currently transferring the wealth of the pinnace, ironically named Royal Ransom, to Viceroy's hold. A commotion from the hatchway grabbed his attention, and he looked in that direction. Manuel and a few of the other pirates were leading people up from belowdecks. A tall older man with sandy blonde hair wrenched his arm out of Manuel's grasp and walked with considerable dignity to where Esteban stood. Behind him, an older woman, whom Esteban assumed was his wife, followed and hurried to his side, clutching his arm like grim death. Next came two women. Well-dressed, young and pretty, they were obviously sisters and both terrified. They huddled against the woman, who the husband had successfully pried off of his arm, and she gathered them in. Lastly, the sailors dragged forth a young man, struggling and fighting. He was no older than twenty, tall, handsome and arrogant. The pirates laughed as he stumbled and fell forward onto his face at Esteban's feet. 113

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Immediately he scrambled up, turned and glared at those laughing. "You filthy Silanian pigs!" he nearly screamed. "How dare you! Do you know who we are?" He made a step forward and Esteban took him by the collar dragging him back. It was for his own safety, although Esteban did it with none too little regret. "Easy, young master," Esteban said. "Do not do something you or your family will regret." He tugged the boy by the scruff of the neck until he backed up a few more steps. "Let go of me!" The young man twisted himself free of Esteban's grasp, turning on him. "Free us at once and I will see you do not suffer when you are executed." "Oh, you will?" Esteban replied mildly, stifling a grin. "You had no right to attack us," the boy blustered. "You'll all hang for this!" The men made a loose chorus of outrage at his comment and they moved uneasily toward him. Seeing a bad situation about to become markedly worse, Esteban turned the boy to face him once more. "Boy, I suggest you close your mouth, for your own safety." "You can't tell me what to do, you bastard," the boy spat. "Varnet, for God's sake, shut up!" The older man spoke now. "Do not say another word. I mean that." The young man, Varnet, looked at the older man, openmouthed. "Father?" The older man glared at him and he made a frustrated sound before he snapped it shut. Esteban turned to the man. "Wise advice, sir." Varnet, unable to tolerate any more insult, flung himself upon Esteban. He caught one good strike upon the pirate's 114

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jaw making him take a step backward, numbed slightly from the blow. Angered more from the boy's arrogant stance and refusal to comply than he was from being hit, Esteban quickly regained his composure. He took the boy by the shirt and punched him hard, knocking him to the deck, then placed a booted foot upon his neck. "That was unwise." Esteban drew his second pistol and aimed it at the boy's head. "Apparently you need a lesson in manners," he said. "Now get up." He removed his foot from Varnet's neck and the boy scrambled to his feet, drawing up when he saw the pistol pointed at him. "Rather than simply obeying my orders and joining your family in relative comfort, you've chosen to be defiant. This is how we deal with defiance: You will be flogged and sent to my brig with the sailors from this ship." The women made a collective wail of sorrow and the older man stood stock still, jaws clenched tightly. Esteban guessed he wanted to strike the boy himself. The two men locked eyes for a moment. "Captain," he said at last. "I beg you be merciful. He is only a foolish boy." Esteban looked at him gravely then nodded slightly. In truth, the thought of flogging the young man made Esteban more than slightly ill, but he knew that since Varnet had dared to strike him, his reaction must be swift and severe, else he risk losing the respect and obedience of his own crew. The sailors in the meantime had hauled Varnet across the deck and tied his arms around the stump of the mast. They 115

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stripped away his fine shirt and bared his back. Manuel leaped across the gap to Viceroy and returned with a cat o' nine tails, which he then handed to Esteban. The pirate shook the cat and slapped it against his leg, then flexed his jaw where Varnet had struck him. "I think ten strokes will do." "Go to hell!" Varnet yelled back over his shoulder. "Captain, I beg you, please. I'll take his place." It was the older gentleman. Esteban blew out an exasperated breath, grateful that the man had stepped in. He truly did not want to hurt anyone, but couldn't risk appearing soft either. "Cut him down and bring him here." He gestured toward Varnet. When the men dragged him before Esteban, he lifted his chin defiantly. His long hair obscured his eyes. "You would let your father stand in your stead?" he asked quietly. Varnet had enough sense to look down, but didn't answer. "You have no honor." Esteban turned to the older man. "You, sir, do have honor. Your son will not be flogged, but he will spend his time in my brig." "Manuel," Esteban said and the first mate turned. "Strip this tub, then scuttle her." "Aye, sir." Esteban approached the older man. "You will come aboard my ship and I will see you after I tend my own." Without awaiting a reply, Esteban leaped the span between the two ships and made his way below. He knew one of his men would lead the Andalosian below to him soon enough. 116

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He hastened to his quarters and found the door open. Aria was seated upon the floor with Katherine's head in her lap, holding a cloth to her head. The young sailor whom he'd sent below to check on her lay dead upon the floor, a huge chunk of wood from the gaping hole in the wall protruded through his chest. "God!" he said, shocked at the sight. "Katherine?" Esteban threw himself upon the floor before the women. "Esteban ... I'm fine," Kate said quietly, her eyes fluttering open briefly, and then sliding shut once more. "I whacked my head on the ... thing." He looked up at Aria. "Your desk," she replied. "She has been this way since she fell. I'm afraid to let her sleep. There was nothing I could do for him." She gestured toward the dead sailor. He could see the sorrow and fear for her friend in her eyes. "I will take her, go and find the surgeon." Aria stood and moved out the door after a quick look back at Kate. Esteban lifted Kate from the floor and carried her to his bedroom. He placed her on the bed and sat beside her. Looking up and to his left, he could see another gaping hole in the wall and shook his head. "Oh look, a sunroof..." Kate murmured. "Don't try to speak," he replied. "I'm fine; I just have a terrible headache." Esteban knew she would be all right; he could hear the note of irritation creeping into her voice now. Kate struggled to a sitting position and he helped her. 117

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"Where is Aria?" "She went for the surgeon." He stood to get her some water, but the decanter had fallen and smashed upon the floor. Kate was quiet for a moment; she could hear the others aboard who'd been injured. "I don't need the surgeon." She swung her legs over the side of the bed, gaining her feet unsteadily. "I've got to go and help." She took a step and leaned hard into Esteban who'd moved back to her. "No, you must lie down and rest until the surgeon sees you." "I'm fine," she said firmly. "Please let me help?" With a sigh of resignation, he nodded and she moved away from him, pausing to regain her balance against the doorframe before moving into the corridor where she met Aria along with the ship's surgeon, who looked at the bump on Kate's head. He glanced at Esteban and nodded then together all three moved off to aid the injured. Esteban summoned two of his men to remove the dead man from his wardroom, watching silently as they carried him out. He made a mental note of the repairs needed, and shook his head. Most of the damage had been to this area of the ship. It was a miracle that Kate and Aria hadn't been killed. Esteban bent and picked up his chair, which had been knocked over, then set to righting things in his wardroom. A few moments later, there was a knock upon his open door and he looked up to see Manuel escorting the nobleman from the Royal Ransom. 118

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"Sit down," Esteban ordered and the man sat in one of the leather chairs across from the pirate. "Thank you for your mercy to my son." Esteban waved it off. "Who are you?" "My name is Lord Solomon Richter. I was en route with my family to Carador. I am the new regional governor." "You are an Andalosian. How are you the regional governor of Carador?" Esteban asked with more than a little interest. "Carador is a Silanian protectorate, not Andalosian." "Andalos has annexed Carador, Silania no longer has any say. The port of Diamánde holds great value for Andalos," he replied coolly. "I see," Esteban commented. "What do you intend to do with us?" Lord Solomon asked. "Ransom," Esteban replied, watching the Andalosian. "I guessed that ... and my son?" "He'll be allowed to join you after a few nights in the hold. Perhaps he will be a bit wiser for the wear?" Esteban suggested. "Somehow I doubt that. He is an insufferable little bastard." Lord Solomon sighed. "I nearly asked you to let me beat him myself." Esteban laughed in spite of himself. Lord Richter and his family remained as Esteban's guests for three weeks. He had cautioned Kate to remain out of their sight. It would not do for anyone to know he kept his woman aboard his ship. Should anyone find out she was here, they might be tempted to use her as a weapon against him. Kate 119

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was so stunning and memorable, he knew anyone who saw her would not easily forget her appearance. Esteban had requested letters be written in order to procure the ransom, and Lord Richter had complied. The two men had formed a strange sort of friendship, strengthened by the pirate's assurances that none of Lord Richter's family would be harmed if he complied. Esteban liked the man, despite his office. He was intelligent and knowledgeable regarding the Andalosian government. He'd learned that Andalos had taken Carador in order to profit from her ports, and also to build a ship building hub. Carador's unique placement between the northern and southern seas was seen as a gateway to trade, and also an excellent point for launching warships. The letters had been dispatched by mounted messenger from the first port they had encountered. When the ransom of seventy thousand peks was delivered via return messenger from Andalos, Esteban had Manuel release each of the members of the family one at a time, upon several small but connected atolls. Upon returning to the Viceroy, Manuel delivered a message to Esteban. The Lyrosian galleon Sea Dancer and her commander, Admiral Fargut, was due to dock in the port of Dolcit in the next few days. There they would take on water and supplies and any sailors interested in becoming members of their crew. That meant anyone who was unlucky enough to be kidnapped and pressed into service and Esteban warned his men to remain aboard Viceroy. 120

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There were still a few sailors from Lord Richter's ill-fated Royal Ransom aboard, and Esteban planned to lay the offer before them. Sign onto Sea Dancer, or travel on to the Tarkir slave markets. Two days later, Viceroy made port in Dolcit. As expected the Lyrosian flagship was in port as well. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 7 Esteban summoned Aria to him. She entered his wardroom and bowed low. "Yes, my lord?" she inquired. "Aria, you will be leaving my ship today. You will go to your new master, Admiral Fargut," Esteban stated. He glanced at Kate who was seated beside him upon a small ottoman. She was drawing a sketch of him in profile as he spoke. She had already done several sketches of him in various poses, two nudes and one of just his face as he slept. She'd told him it was her favorite because he looked vulnerable and innocent in sleep, a striking contrast to his waking self. On Earth, she had explained to him, she had been a graphic artist. She did layouts for advertisers in magazines. That of course had led to a lengthy conversation about advertising, and what exactly a magazine was. Of course when she was in her world, she'd wanted to be a "real" artist, but unfortunately, art didn't pay the bills, at least not the way she wanted it to. Esteban knew she was extremely talented, and by now he'd become accustomed to her constant sketching and drawing. One of his favorite sketches was one she had done of him as he posed for her, sitting at his desk. He had been leaning across the desk on his elbows holding a pen. It had started out innocently, with him explaining 122

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something to her, and had turned into them making love upon the floor of the wardroom. Before he'd gotten up and gone to her, she had managed to capture the look of pure desire upon his face, right down to the glint in his eyes. His other favorite was a self-portrait she'd done from the mirror. She was lying in his bed, her breasts were exposed, but the sheet covered the rest of her. He could see the seductive set of her face and the alluring gaze in her eyes looking up into the large mirror. The angle she'd drawn it from made it seem as though the viewer was standing above his bed looking down upon her. She had done it early, after he'd arisen, and she still had the look of sleep upon her face. To him, she looked tumbled and satisfied, and it moved him deeply. He kept that sketch in his desk drawer, and would look at it from time to time, enjoying the way it made him feel. "It is very important to me that the admiral be pleased, Aria." He continued and she nodded gravely. "Do you have any questions?" "What is he like?" she asked quietly. Kate heard the fear in her voice and looked up from her sketch, watching Esteban now to see what he would say. "Admiral Fargut is older than me, he is perhaps forty years. He is a stern commander and an excellent seaman, but I am told he is kind to his servants. He was married for almost twenty years to a Silanian woman, and I'm told he prefers dark beauties like yourself." He grinned and Aria 123

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smiled at his compliment. "He is widowed now, and lonely. I know if you endear yourself to him, he will treat you well." Aria nodded. "Thank you," she said in a quiet voice. "You may go and prepare yourself." Aria turned to leave but not before glancing at Kate, who gave her an encouraging smile. "Are you seriously giving her to a man for his sexual pleasure so that you can be in good standing with him?" she asked Esteban when they were alone. He had turned back to a stack of papers upon his desk, and glanced up sharply. "Well, yes." "And you don't find anything wrong with that?" she asked a bit more incredulously. "No. Should I?" "Never mind." She exhaled loudly and closed her portfolio. If he didn't see it then she wasn't going to point it out to him. The contrasts in this world often stopped her in her tracks. Just when she thought she was becoming accustomed to life here, something would happen that would make her realize just exactly how far from home she really was. "Katherine?" he said as she stood. "Mmm?" She looked at him briefly then turned back to putting away her pens and charcoals. "Tell me," he said quietly. "I ... We come from different worlds, Esteban," she said, shaking her head. "Women aren't considered currency or chattel in my world." He sat back in his chair and crossed his hands over his flat belly, steepling his fingers as he considered his thoughts 124

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before speaking. "So, you are telling me that in your world, women never use sex to gain power or position?" He raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Well..." she began. "So, they do?" He grinned. "Yes, but it's their choice. We don't enslave each other." "Then it is the idea of slavery which makes your stomach turn?" "Yes. It's wrong to own another human being," she said with conviction. "It is customary in almost every land on this continent to own slaves." "Custom doesn't mean morally correct." "Morally, hmm..." he said. "You are a moral lady, my Kate?" He called her by her shortened name when he was being playful. "Well, yes." "Yet, you let a man, who is not your husband, make love to you nightly, without benefit of marriage." His blue eyes flashed mischievously. "You risk the scourge of bastardy for any child that might come from those encounters. Does that not offend your morals? Perhaps I should I marry you?" At his words, her face paled and she looked down at her hands. "That isn't a problem," she said quietly. "Why?" He softened his tone. "Because I can't have children, so there's no risk." She forced her reply to be light, then cleared her throat. "Excuse me." She stood up and moved to their bedchamber. 125

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Shocked at her words he sat for a moment, and then got up to follow her. "You cannot have children?" "Yes. I'm sorry if that bothers you. If you were looking for the mother of your sons, then you've got the wrong girl." She looked up at him. Her eyes were bright and wet and a shaky smile crossed her face. "Why can't you have children?" He took her arm gently and led her to sit upon the bed. "When I was young, I was sick. I had ... I had parts ... female parts that needed to be removed in order to become healthy again." She didn't think he would understand what ovaries and fallopian tubes were, and that she'd had one removed. He looked at her closely. "I'm sorry. I did not wish to hurt you," he said quietly. "No harm done, Esteban, unless of course you were thinking of marrying me and fathering a dynasty." She smiled. "No, not a dynasty." He grinned. "I do still wish to marry you." "What? Why? I just told you I can't have babies, so it doesn't matter that we're not married." He turned her to face him. "I am not interested in you because of your ability to breed. In all honesty, Katherine, this is not the ideal environment to raise a family, wouldn't you agree? But, I must make an honest woman of you, to satisfy your ... morals." "You're making fun of me," she said quietly. 126

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He sat beside her and brushed her lips softly with his. "No, I am not. I have never been more sincere. Will you marry me? Will you let me pledge my heart, my body and my soul to you? Will you let me make you my wife?" He gathered her in and bent his head to hers, kissing her softly, and then more passionately as she relaxed in his arms. When he broke the kiss, she sat for a moment, nearly struck dumb by his words. "Do you love me?" she whispered, closing her eyes as his mouth worked down the column of her throat. She felt the low rumble of his chuckle. He laid her back and moved beside her. "I do not think I have ever loved anyone as I love you." He stopped, his mouth just above hers. "But since we are being honest, do you love me?" He dropped another soft kiss upon her lips. Love him? She'd loved him almost from the start. No one had ever made her feel this way, not even her ex-fiancé, and she had been positive she was in love with him. She caught his eyes in her dark jade gaze. "Yes, Esteban, I love you." "Marry me then. Be mine forever ... through time and throughout all possible worlds," he whispered, his eyes locked upon hers. "Please?" "Yes." **** Later, after making gentle love to her, Esteban left to attend to matters abovedeck. He kissed her forehead and got 127

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a soft reply as he left a sleepy, satisfied Kate upon his bed. He couldn't have been happier. She'd agreed to marry him! After he left she lay there thinking, lazily tracing circles upon her bare breast, recalling all the details of their just barely concluded session of lovemaking, considering all of the things she was giving up. Plumbing, electricity, airplanes, telephones, computers ... the list could go on and on, but really, weren't those things simply conveniences? What she couldn't live without, she now realized, was Esteban. She shuddered pleasantly when she thought about his touches, and his deep voice whispering to her when they made love, and the way his tongue felt when he— "Katherine?" She shook herself from her pleasant daydream when she heard Aria enter the wardroom and call out to her. "Aria, I'm here," she said, sitting up quickly and grabbing her robe. "Oh there you are," Aria said and came in; she smiled as she saw the very disheveled Kate. "I wanted to see you again before I left." "I wanted to see you too. I have something for you." Kate stood and pulled her hair back, smiling and a bit embarrassed at Aria's knowing look. She tied her robe and moved to the large chest she kept her sketches in and opened it. She picked up the portrait of Aria she'd done and handed it to her. "I want you to have this." Aria looked at it. "Oh, Katherine! Thank you!" "Don't mention it." Kate smiled. 128

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"I have something for you as well." Aria reached into her pocket and took out a necklace of shells, stones and beads, which she had made. Every stone and bead was polished smooth. They were all done in shades of blue; from cobalt to azure, separated by a small white shell. It was a lovely, thoughtful gift and Kate felt the tears well in her throat and eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly. "I'm going to miss you so much, Aria." "I will miss you too." They embraced then, holding each other. After a few moments, Kate stepped back, smoothing the other woman's long curls under her hand and wiping her eyes. "Do you think we'll ever see each other again?" she asked. "I don't know." Aria's tone implied she didn't think so. Kate swallowed and nodded. "In that case," she went back to her chest and took out a tiny portrait she'd done of herself on a piece of whalebone, "take this." Aria accepted the gift and smiled. "I was going to give that to Esteban, but I can always do another one for him." She paused. "Aria ... he's asked me to marry him." "Oh, how wonderful!" Aria exclaimed then quickly sobered. "You have said yes, I hope?" "Of course ... but ... I feel bad for being so happy. What if I never see you again?" "Do not be sad," Aria said at last. "You have found happiness with Captain Esteban; perhaps I shall find happiness with Admiral Fargut as well." 129

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The day passed slowly and the two women talked and enjoyed each other's company, knowing it would be the last time they spent such time together. As dusk began to fall Esteban returned to his wardroom. "Aria, you should go and prepare to leave now." She nodded, then hugged Kate fiercely and left the room. Kate watched her go then wiped her eyes once more, turning back to the bedroom. "I have been invited to dine upon Sea Dancer with the admiral," he said. "Will you accompany me?" "Oh ... yes, of course." She hadn't expected him to bring her along. "You sound surprised," he remarked as he shrugged out of his coat. He laid it across the bed and then began to remove his shirt. "I didn't expect you to ask me to go." "You are to be my wife. It is only proper." He smiled. "Oh ... yes. What should I wear?" "Wear something befitting a woman of wealth," he said quietly. "You are a lady, Katherine. It is abundantly clear. Whatever gods looked down upon me and bade me to purchase you from the slavers in Tartak surely knew that. They blessed me for what reasons I cannot imagine." He began to pour warmed water into the basin to wash. She smiled at his back; he had the most poetic way of expressing himself. One of the things she had discovered about Esteban was that he was not an ignorant man. He was very well educated and introspective. "Thank you." 130

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"You're welcome." He finished washing and moved to his tall chest of drawers, withdrawing a fresh pair of hose and a clean shirt. Kate moved to the small area where her clothes were hung. She'd accumulated a number of beautiful things. "What color are you wearing?" she asked. "Black." He took out his fine black frock coat. It was done in heavy crushed velvet with silver buttons, wide pockets and deep cuffs. She pursed her lips and picked out a long emerald-colored gown with silver accents, then began removing the bodiced skirt she was wearing over her shift, and then trading it for a silk chemise. She picked up the stays and corset that went along with all of her formal gowns and made an exasperated exhale. "Let me help you," Esteban said. He had dressed in clean breeches, linen shirt and waistcoat already. "Do you know what to do?" she asked, handing him the corset. "Cariña, I have helped many a lady out of such devices. I do believe I can help you into one." He grinned. "I shall simply go backward, yes?" She smiled in spite of herself. He got her into the stays and then tied the corset tightly until she could barely breathe. "That's good," she gasped. He grinned and helped himself to a long look at her breasts, nearly spilling over the top of the tight garment. "Esteban, the gown?" she said, catching him. 131

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He lifted the heavy gown and helped her into it and she smoothed the skirt over her petticoats, while he tied the ribbons. "Lord, this thing weighs a ton," she groaned. "You look nearly perfect." "Couldn't I just wear breeches, like you?" He raised his eyebrows and made a skeptical sound. "No." Without another word, he left the room and returned with Quima. "Please do something with her hair," he said. Then lifted his frock coat and swung it over his shoulders. "What's wrong with my hair?" she asked indignantly. He reached onto the shelf and took down his best tricorn hat with the silver piping and smiled at her. "I will await you above," he said and left the room, intentionally ignoring her question. Kate sat upon a low stool and let Quima do her hair. "Is there something wrong with my hair?" "Not if you're the bed-wench of a pirate," Quima said. "But if you are the affianced of a nobleman, you need to look the part." "What?" "Esteban will tell you when he is ready." Kate threw up her hands in exasperation. "Fine. Do your worst, Quima." The older woman brushed her blonde tresses out and swept all of it up into a soft twist, fastening it with pearl hairpins and dressing that with emerald ribbons that matched her gown. 132

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She then moved to place a little rouge and kohl upon her face. Lastly she tied a black velvet ribbon about her neck. Kate touched the choker and felt an enormous stone in the center of her throat. "Now you look presentable," Quima said. "Thank you." Kate caught a look at herself in his long mirror and saw the stone was a huge, square-cut emerald set in silver. She smiled at the beautiful jewel and at how elegant she looked, then moved to join Esteban abovedeck. When Katherine emerged abovedeck, everyone stopped what they were doing and gaped. Esteban had been speaking to Manuel and glanced around noticing how the atmosphere had changed. He turned slowly and saw her standing there before the hatchway doors. Her gown and hair were perfection and she looked like the lady he knew she was. Esteban moved to stand before her, bowing in the courtliest fashion, making an elegant leg for her. In reply, Kate dipped a mostly flawless curtsy, surprising herself. He touched the stone at her throat. "Do you like the gift?" She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. "Thank you, it's incredible." A few of the sailors and the women who'd seen them laughed good-naturedly, and she smiled as well, but not before she caught the look of daggers from Rachel. Grinning, Esteban offered his arm. "Shall we?" They crossed the docks looking somewhat out of place in their finery, then quickly approached the Sea Dancer. "What about Aria?" she whispered to him. 133

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"She will come later, with an escort," he replied quietly and Kate nodded. "Hail the ship!" Esteban called. "Who hails?" An officer in a blue uniform peered down over the side. "Lord Cristóbal," Esteban answered. There was a long pause from the ship during which Katherine looked at him. He assiduously ignored her, awaiting the ship's reply. Finally, she opened her mouth to ask, but he quieted her with a squeeze upon her arm as the petty officer returned. "Welcome aboard, milord." He bowed briefly, extending his arm and indicating where they should go. Esteban nodded and moved forward, leading Kate. "Follow me, please," a young ensign standing near the doors said before leading them through. Katherine looked all around them. The ship was enormous, far larger than Viceroy. "What sort of a ship is this?" she whispered to Esteban. "This is a galleon. She is almost three times larger than Viceroy and runs four square-rigged masts. She is nearly two hundred feet long from bow to stern." He spoke quietly. "Her compliment is one hundred thirty men and she dresses out at over nine hundred tons." The ensign opened decorative doors to a wardroom that was large and inviting. "Do not forget to tell her how well-gunned we are," a voice spoke quietly behind them making Esteban turn quickly. Kate uttered a small squeak and brought her hand to her chest, attempting to quiet her leaping heart. 134

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Captain Collin Masters, the first officer of Sea Dancer and a close friend of Esteban stood behind them, grinning devilishly. "Collin, my friend!" Esteban exclaimed, genuinely pleased to see him. "How are you?" "I am an overworked, underpaid officer in His Majesty's Navy. How do you think I am?" He raised a joking eyebrow. "I'd say you are as sarcastic as ever; the sea is your mistress, as everyone well knows, despite your complaints. Besides," he added, "I've heard you say that too many times to believe you." Kate stood back, watching the two men banter. At last Esteban turned to her, holding her hand. "Captain Collin Masters, please allow me to introduce you to my fiancée, Lady Katherine Lamb." "Lady Lamb, it is a true pleasure to meet the woman who has finally won the heart of this scoundrel." He kissed her hand warmly, then turned to Esteban. "Congratulations, my friend. I had no idea you were planning to settle down. I imagine the Andalosian fleet will breathe a collective sigh of relief when they hear you are leaving the sea." "Settle down?" Kate laughed and Esteban pursed his lips. Collin heard her comment and grinned. "Yes, well. Will you be joining us for dinner tonight, Collin?" Esteban changed the subject. They had all seated themselves upon the sofas in the large wardroom and accepted the wine offered by a waiting steward. "Joining you? I am hosting you tonight, my friend." 135

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Esteban lowered his brow a bit. "I do not understand. Where is Admiral Fargut?" Masters looked down, swirling his wine in his glass for a moment. "Two months ago he was badly wounded during a skirmish with Tarkir raiders upon the ship. His injuries festered and he developed a fever. The poor man suffered for nearly three weeks before he finally died. God protect him." "Oh, how awful!" Kate exclaimed. "Quite," Esteban added softly. Collin continued. "When we sent word to Lyros, King Samuel himself returned a message that I had been promoted to Admiral, and Sea Dancer was mine to command." Esteban beamed. "Then congratulations are in order for you as well." "Thank you." Collin smiled, looking somewhat selfconscious. Kate elbowed Esteban meaningfully. What would this mean for Aria? "This puts me in something of an awkward position though." Esteban sighed. "How so?" "I was going to present Admiral Fargut with a gift I purchased for him in Tartak. I fear the gift may not be ... appropriate now." "Well let me see it and I'll decide." Collin smiled. Kate watched the two men and wondered how they had become friends. Esteban was darkly handsome and suitably devilish, overall he was slightly frightening. Collin, on the other hand, was somewhat foppish and aristocratic, 136

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seemingly harmless. He was light-skinned and haired, and while he was not as muscular as Esteban, he was easily as tall. They were starkly opposite in both mannerisms and in features, yet seemed to be close friends. Esteban looked at his friend for a moment, then stood and moved to the large double doors. He pushed them open and revealed Aria standing there. He took her hand lightly. "Come in," he said. "Admiral Masters, this is Aria. She is here to be your companion and courtesan, should you be so inclined." "Oh, that sort of gift," Collin said, before laughing. His eyes flickered over Aria who now stood before him, eyes down. "You are lovely, Aria. Even your name is enchanting." He stood and tipped her chin up to look at her face. Aria's eyes widened a little as she took in his handsome face. "Thank you," Aria said quietly. She was just as enchanted as Collin was. "Please, come in and sit with us," he invited, finally finding his voice. Aria took his outstretched hand and let him lead her to sit beside Kate. Esteban moved to Collin's side and spoke quietly. Aria clutched Katherine's hand tightly but wordlessly, and Kate smiled, knowing Aria would be just fine. The young ensign who'd showed them to the wardroom now knocked again and entered to announce dinner was being served. The two couples moved to the grand dining 137

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room and Kate sat in the chair Esteban held for her. Collin did the same for Aria. Collin addressed them. "My dear friend and esteemed captain of the Viceroy has made a request of me, and as host, it would be frightfully rude of me to refuse." He moved toward Kate and took her hand, drawing her to her feet. "Esteban has asked me to marry the two of you in my capacity as admiral. If you are agreeable to this, it would be my greatest pleasure to do so." Kate looked up into Collin's earnest face then over to where Esteban stood. He appeared more anxious than she had ever seen him. He coughed and shifted his weight, then turned his amazing blue eyes to hers. Without looking away, Kate answered. "Yes, Admiral, it is agreeable to me." "Wonderful! Let's have a wedding!" Collin marched to the doors and pulled them open. "Sanders!" The ensign now returned and stood at attention. "Sir?" "Mister Sanders, you are a witness, stand there." Collin pointed to a spot near the windows. "I've always wanted to do this," Collin confided to Aria as he moved to sit before a small secretary. He removed a piece of parchment, a quill and ink, then quickly began to scratch out a few words. He carefully set them aside, then moved back to where Esteban and Katherine stood. "Join hands." They linked hands and he began. "We are here to celebrate the marriage of Katherine and Esteban. Because they have chosen to dedicate their lives to one another, and to live as one soul, we are here to witness and 138

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rejoice with them." Collin paused and looked around, then continued. "Ah ... Oh yes ... Katherine, have you come of your own free will, without coercion or threat?" "Yes, I have," Kate replied. Collin turned to Esteban. "And you, have you come of your own free will, without coercion or threat?" "Yes, I have." Collin turned back to Kate. "Do you take this man to be your husband, through happiness and sadness, in sickness and health, through poverty and riches, forsaking all others, until death parts you?" "I do," Kate said. Her voice was soft and full of emotion. "Do you take this woman to be your wife, through happiness and sadness, in sickness and health, through poverty and riches, forsaking all others, until death parts you?" "I do." Esteban's words were strong and clearly heard. He held her hand in his and squeezed slightly as he spoke. "Do you have the rings?" Esteban fumbled two intricate golden bands that he'd purchased in the last port, from his vest pocket and placed them into Collin's hand. Collin handed them one at a time to both Esteban and Katherine. "Katherine, repeat after me, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment, a perfect unending circle." Katherine repeated his words and slid the ring over Esteban's ring finger, then gripped his hand tightly. 139

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Collin then turned to Esteban. "Repeat after me, I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love and commitment, a perfect unending circle." Esteban repeated the words then pushed the tiny golden band down over Katherine's knuckle, running his thumb over its shiny surface, swallowing the emotions which had arisen within him as he'd spoken. They both faced Collin now. "By the power entrusted to me by His Majesty King Samuel of Lyros, and my authority as admiral upon this ship, I pronounce you wed. You may now use the honored titles of husband and wife." He stood and beamed at the two of them. His smile faltered a bit when he saw they still held identical expressions of anticipation upon their faces. Sanders leaned in and whispered beside his ear. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Kiss your bride, you damn fool!" Esteban gathered her in and kissed her tenderly upon her lips, holding her firmly to his body and enjoying the way she clung to him. His wife. He broke the kiss, and as she looked up into Esteban's eyes, Collin broke the silence. "Let's eat, I'm starving." After they signed the papers, which declared them wed and Katherine freed, dinner was served. The first course of dinner was soup and when all were served they began. It was a thin, but flavorful consommé served with heavy sour cream. Kate had never eaten such soup, but found it delicious. "So please tell me, where are you from, Lady Katherine?" Collin inquired. "You look somewhat Andalosian or Lyrosian perhaps?" 140

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Kate looked at Esteban, they had discussed this possibility and come up with an explanation. "I'm from a small town along the border of Sakendahl and Andalos," she said. "Ah, just so," he replied with a polite smile upon his face. "Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the interior lands, as you might have guessed." "No, I would not imagine so." She smiled back, it was exactly what they'd guessed. Esteban stepped into the conversation. "Lady Katherine was abducted from Kirn where she was visiting relatives. I was fortunate enough to have discovered her in the care of some very dubious gentlemen in Tartak. She and Aria," he added. Collin nodded then looked at Aria. "How fortunate." When the soup course was cleared, the main dish was served, a huge braised fish with greens and rice, and several other dishes, such as steamed mussels and shrimp. As dinner progressed, they talked and ate and enjoyed each other's company, but Kate could see Esteban was edgy. She was feeling somewhat dizzy from all the wine and thought perhaps she was mistaken because outwardly, he appeared fine, talking and laughing. But Katherine was so well attuned to him by now that it was obvious to her that he was not feeling as comfortable as he was aboard Viceroy. "Esteban," she whispered as Collin was speaking quietly to Aria. He bent his head to her. "I think I'd like some air." "Of course." He stood and excused them, then led her abovedeck to the rail. 141

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Kate leaned into him heavily as the enormous ship rocked upon a wave. "I think I'm a bit drunk," she said and he smiled. "Maybe I ought to go back. I'm not feeling terribly well." "I will take you back." "You don't have to come with me, Esteban, you can stay with your friend." "Nonsense. Stay here for a moment, and I will give the admiral our apologies." Esteban returned below to the dining room where he found Collin and Aria entwined in a passionate embrace. He cleared his throat and startled them. "Excuse me." Collin rose and moved to where he stood, out of Aria's hearing. "We are returning to Viceroy; Kate is tired. I shall return in two hours to speak with you," Esteban said. Collin nodded and looked at Aria. "Make it three." "All right, three." Esteban grinned widely. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 8 He rejoined Kate above and together they made their way back to his ship. She was a bit drunk, but he knew it wasn't simply the wine that had affected her. "What is wrong?" "Nothing ... not really. I just realized Collin wished to be alone with Aria, and I wanted to be alone with you, seeing as it's our wedding night and all." She smiled up at him. Esteban grinned. "So it is like that." "Mmhmm." He led her up the gangway and spoke briefly to Manuel before continuing belowdecks. Katherine had gone ahead and opened the door to their quarters, setting her small bag upon his desk. Esteban entered a moment later and closed the door with a quiet click. She felt his hands encircle her waist and she leaned back into his strong chest, closing her eyes. Those hands slid upward to cup her breasts through the tight bodice of her gown, kneading her softly. She made a breathless sound and he bent his head to her, kissing down her neck. "You are so beautiful, my wife," he murmured. His voice rumbled through her, making her shudder. "You're going to spoil me with all the compliments," she said in a smile. "No, I won't. It's the truth." 143

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He had worked his way back up her neck and nuzzled her ear. His tongue snaked out and slowly circled the delicate shell, then dipped to pull her lobe between his teeth in a soft bite. She sighed and found she could breathe much easier. His hand slid slowly down her side, pulling gently at her laces, releasing the restraining bodice of her gown. Kate turned in his arms and kissed him deeply as his other hand released her left side. He rested his forehead against hers. "I love the way it makes you look, but I do not understand why women tolerate such bondage." He took her mouth again in a deep kiss. "I think ... "she breathed when he let her up for air, "it's the release." He grinned devilishly. "It is always the release, cariña." Still holding her gaze he pulled the last tie holding her skirt, stepping back slightly as it fell to the floor with a soft swish, and she stood before him, wearing only her garters and hose. He made a low growl and swore softly at the sight of her, a thoroughly lustful and masculine sound, which made Kate's insides quake in anticipation. Curling a strong arm around her waist, Esteban pulled her forward into his embrace a bit more forcefully. She brought her hands up his broad chest, pressing his shirt back from his shoulders, needing the contact of skin upon skin. She began tracing a line of soft kisses down his chest. 144

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Esteban shrugged the shirt off and stood enjoying the warm press of her lips upon him. He lifted her, carrying her the few steps to their bed where he laid her back and positioned himself directly above her, balancing his weight upon his hands. She smiled up at him and he grinned, then slowly lowered his head and kissed her softly. She brought her arms up and encircled his neck, drawing him down. With a quiet groan, he rolled over onto his back, pulling her with him until she was lying stretched along his body, her weight slight and pleasant upon him. Katherine grinned wickedly, feeling his solid length pressing against her belly. She wiggled a bit, causing him to suck in a sharp breath. "Holy God!" She moved up and then down slowly, stroking him through his breeches, watching his face and enjoying the power she had over him. His eyes, which had closed when she moved, came open a little and a brief gleam of blue showed through. "Katherine..." he breathed. "Please..." She moved to unfasten his breeches, pulling them down until he could kick them off. She stroked his erect cock, licking the head slowly, knowing it would drive him wild. While she was considering all the delicious things she wanted to do, or have done to her, she felt his strong hands upon her waist, and he lifted her easily, pulling her above him. She opened her thighs and lowered herself upon him and both of 145

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them groaned in unison as her tight sheath enveloped him, gripping his rigid cock firmly. "Oh yeah..." she whispered. He held her waist and thrust up within her. "You are perfection." He lost his words and uttered something entirely guttural and foreign. Katherine didn't know what he said, but the lustful tone made her insides churn excitedly. Esteban reached up as she found her own rhythm upon him, crushing her breasts softly, teasing her sensitive nipples, and then tugging her forward so he could suckle her. She sighed when his hot mouth touched her, and he made an appreciative sound which further fueled the building climax within her. When he removed his hand from her other breast and began to fondle her sex, she moaned heatedly and then went rigid. She grasped his chest with her hands, and a small grunt escaped her lips as her hips bucked forward. When she came down from her peak, she shuddered and lifted her head to look at him. "You are breathtaking when you come." He could still feel her muscles rippling, spasming upon him and he inhaled deeply at the sensation. Kate didn't answer. She dropped her head weakly again. She was helpless to resist him and he knew it. He felt her sheath contract once more, just slightly as though begging for another release. While she was still regaining her breath, he lifted her and sat up, pulling her to her feet with him. He stood facing her and bent his head to kiss her; his lips and tongue nibbling her lips teasingly. 146

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Kate clung to him, still unsure of why he'd put her on her feet. He reached up to trace the length of her arm with his fingers, tickling her a bit, then took her wrist, turned her to face the bed, and pushed her slightly so she fell onto it with a startled gasp. "Esteban?" He positioned her now so her body was bent at the waist with her feet upon the floor, facing the windows and the open ocean. Esteban slid his foot between hers and moved her legs farther apart. He stepped in close and she could feel him rock-solid against her thigh. Bending, he whispered heatedly in her ear, "Watch the sea ... See how she moves, arching to meet her lover the shore ... Her cries of completion echoing upon the voices of the gulls..." Katherine watched the hypnotic movement of the sea and sighed heavily. "I'm going to take you from behind," he breathed. "I cannot wait to hear you cry out again." He curled a strong arm around her waist and grasped his cock with his right hand, tracing it along her soaking cleft. Kate squirmed in his grasp and he tightened his hold, leaning into her, pinning her with his weight. Kate was an amazing lover, constantly thrilling him with her freshness and eagerness and he enjoyed nothing more than making passionate love to her for hours, but she also had a strong independent streak. Often she would balk at 147

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letting him lead her, even when his intention was to enhance her pleasure. "Do not move," he growled in her ear, nipping at her neck as he bent over her back, his voice deep and masculine and so powerfully sexy. A small whimper escaped her lips and she closed her eyes against the shudder that rolled through her. Esteban resumed pressing his cock slowly into her body, inch by inch, in an agonizingly slow process. He brought his other hand down to tease at her clit, but never long enough to make her come. He'd tease then stop, then tease a bit more. Kate wriggled back, trying to force him further within her. He stopped moving and stood still, making her groan in frustration. "Esteban, please. You're killing me." "Yes, but only with passion." He remained unmoving, only slightly stroking her throbbing center. "What a delightful way to die." He uncurled his arm from her waist and placed his free hand upon her hip loosely. Kate could feel him still just slightly within her, nowhere near as deep as she needed. He bent over her again, his breath soft upon her face, and she moaned. "Patience..." She could feel his bigness stretching her, feel his pulse throbbing through him and into her, and wondered how he could keep his composure so well. She pressed into him again and once more he stopped moving. "Will you stop fighting me?"

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"Yes ... anything ... yes. Please," she groaned. She had raised herself up on her hands, leveling her back. He lifted his hand from her hip and pressed her flat to the bed once more. "I like you submissive," he growled, then brought his hand up to her shoulder. He plunged forward all the way, pulling back and burying himself in her soft heat again, reveling in the sensation. "Oh my God!" she cried, her voice muffled by the bedding. He thrust into her body in long smooth movements. His teasing and her heightened arousal had combined to slicken her tight sheath, making his strokes deep and long and wet. He moved over her slowly, taking his time and extending their pleasure further than either of them thought possible. "Esteban..." she breathed, turning her head to speak. Her long blonde hair fell across her face and he reached to brush it aside, revealing her flushed cheeks and half closed eyes. Kate's mouth was partially open and her breath exited in soft pants which accentuated his thrusting rhythm. "I love you so much," she finally managed to get out. Her words made him burn white-hot and he made a low growl deep within his chest. He removed his hand from her cleft where he had continued teasing her, and gripped both of her hips tightly now, thrusting forcefully, driving her body higher. Kate gasped as she began to peak. "Yes ... Yes!" He leaned low over her back. "Katherine, my love. I cannot live without you. I must have you always," he whispered quickly in her ear. In the heat of the moment, he unconsciously spoke Silanian, his native tongue. 149

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Esteban reveled in the soft clenching of her hot sheath upon him as she came. He'd never experienced the sensation as clearly with any other woman as he did with her. Somewhere, back in the recesses of her mind where the sensations she felt were secondary, Kate marveled at Esteban's talented lovemaking. His unerring mastery of her body and her incredible passion for him always seemed to combine explosively. He knew exactly what she desired, and flawlessly provided for that desire, never making demands upon her he knew she wouldn't or couldn't meet, but he always unwaveringly gave her what she sought. She realized she wished to please him just as much as he pleased her. Abruptly, she moved away from him and he groaned aloud as his still fully engorged member slipped from her body. "Katherine, what is it?" he said quickly. He was unprepared for her movement and had been nearly at his own climax. She turned, going on all fours upon the bed. "Come here." Her voice was low and sultry, and he moved closer to the bed almost without thought, as though his body was responding to her of its own volition. Her eyes were huge as she moved toward him, like a feline. She rose up on her knees and embraced him, pulling his head forward in a long heated kiss while he kneaded her breasts roughly, his desire almost unbearable. She brought her hands to his shoulders and began to push him downward, and he complied, suckling her breasts and laying her back.

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"Lower," she said quietly and he proceeded farther down her body, dropping a trail of kisses down her breast to her abdomen and across her belly. He reached the soft golden triangle between her thighs and nuzzled her until her legs parted and she placed a delicate foot over each of his shoulders. Esteban took possession of her then. He could see the moisture upon her soft pink folds, and flicked his tongue out, tasting her honey. "Oh..." she whispered. "Oh yes," he answered, his voice nearly a growl. His hand came up to spread her lips farther apart and teased at her clit while he moved closer and began to lick her slowly. She writhed under him, moaning softly, then more loudly as his tongue penetrated her, thrusting within her as deeply as he could. He continued licking and thrusting back and forth as she squirmed deliciously beneath him. "I'm ... Ahhh." she exhaled and her back arched. He felt her hands twine in his hair, pull just briefly then release. They moved to the bedding and gripped it tightly. "Oh my God ... Yes!" Esteban chuckled and continued licking at her slick passage. He could hear her breath, hitching and jagged above him, and he knew he could continue holding her this way indefinitely. Instead he had another idea. He moved over her body so his stiff cock was above her face. She immediately opened her mouth and took him deeply within and began to suck. 151

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He shuddered and placed his hand gently upon her thigh. "God, Katherine..." he groaned as she began to move up and down the length of his great shaft. She circled the head with her tongue then began to lick his heavy sac, making him moan. He moved his hips slowly when she took him fully within her mouth once more, thrusting gently. He could feel her lips and tongue and occasionally her teeth along his rigid member and realized after too short a time he would not be able to take much more when he paused. He heard her whisper, "Don't stop." He bent his head to her one last time and took her pulsing clit between his teeth, gently pulling upon her until she moaned softly around his throbbing cock. He sucked hard and slipped one long digit within her sheath. She made a muffled scream, shuddering into another orgasm. He withdrew from her mouth then and moved quickly above her. He wanted to enter her quivering pussy while she came. Esteban thrust himself deeply into her body and pulled her up in a crushing embrace. Her sheath contracted hard, welcoming him as she moaned and brought her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a deep kiss. In only a few powerful thrusts he reached his peak and inhaled deeply, pouring forth within her body, then collapsed weakly beside her, all his nerves tingling with satisfied passion. His eyes closed, Esteban felt her move to rest her head upon his chest. She liked to listen to his heartbeat after they made love, and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, holding her. 152

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"I love you," she said quietly and slowly he felt her relax into sated sleep. Esteban loved the feeling of her lying across him, and he stroked her arm gently. He noticed her choker was still tied about her slender throat and smiled, pulling the ribbon slowly, removing the jewel and setting it beside them on the table. He thought about what she had done, taking him within her mouth the way she had and he could scarcely believe she'd done it. He thought perhaps he would have to instruct her, but it was clear she needed no tutoring there. The idea made him smile; he was thrilled and incredibly ... somewhat aroused by it. What he most wanted to do now was curl up with her and fall into sleep himself, but he knew he must speak with Collin. When he was certain Kate slept deeply, he moved away from her and found his clothes. Abovedeck, he heard three bells and hastily dressed, pulling his boots on in the hallway outside their quarters. "I will return shortly, make ready to take the tide," he said to Manuel, and then made his way to Sea Dancer once more. Esteban climbed to the deck and spoke directly to an ensign who nodded and then left him. After a few moments Collin emerged through the hatchway door grinning widely. "Esteban, my friend," he said. "Never could I have imagined such a delightful bedmate. I cannot thank you enough."

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Esteban smiled at his friend, even though he was completely exhausted. "I'm glad you are pleased. Aria will suit you perfectly." "What can I do to repay you?" Collin asked. He bent and lit a thin cigar offering one to his friend. Esteban knew Collin would guess his motivation behind the gift of the slave girl. "My intention was to petition Lyros for a position for my ship and crew within His Majesty's merchant fleet." Collin looked at him for a long moment. "And you want me to endorse the request?" Esteban shrugged. "I wanted Fargut to do so. I did not wish to impose upon our friendship. Now, however, it seems I have no choice." He looked out at the dark water and smoked, quietly considering how he wanted to approach this. "May I at least ask why?" Collin continued. "Because," Esteban exhaled, "I already have the Andalosians and the Basaltics hunting me. I deal with them to stay safe, but none of my crew or myself like doing so. If I had the pennant of Lyros, I could stay safe within southern waters. The Minalosian, Tarks and Silanians would not dare pursue me, or at least they would honor their peace treaties and not turn me over to the highest bidder." Collin nodded as he spoke. "Do you wish to gain the pennant, but still continue your piracy? You know I cannot do this thing for you under those circumstances." Esteban faced his friend and smiled. "Collin, piracy is an ugly word. Merchant ships bring more profit than privateers, and it would benefit both myself and Lyros were I to have her 154

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protection. Naturally, as a good subject, I would be required to destroy any Basaltic or Andalosian vessels I encountered. I'm certain that King Samuel would have little worry over any salvage recovered from warships which I may sink ... if a generous portion was sent to his coffers." Collin grinned. "Naturally." He tossed the stub of his cigar over the side. "I know the Condé du Diamánde would also be more than willing to aid Lyros in whatever endeavors she may have as well," Esteban added meaningfully. He took Collin's hand and placed a velvet bag full of jewels in his palm. The young admiral turned his hand over and felt the weight of the bag then slid it into his pocket. "In that case, I shall send word of your request to my father at dawn." Esteban nodded and Collin looked at his friend. "I can't help but wonder that the lovely Lady Katherine might have had a great deal to do with your sudden reformation?" "I have been thinking about it for some time," Esteban answered honestly as he looked out at the gently rolling sea, thinking of what he'd whispered to her earlier. "But yes, she was the deciding factor." "Good. I'm happy for you ... Diego," he said quietly. "Have you told her who you really are yet?" "Not yet. I shall when we reach Carador. For now, she loves Esteban Magalia. Santiago Cristóbal means nothing to her, and where she is from, I am positive, no one knows of El Condé du Diamánde." "Aria says you bought them from a Tarkir slaver?" 155

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Esteban nodded. "I was merely searching for a body servant for Fargut and for what reasons I cannot tell you, I bought them both. Perhaps it was fate." "My lord?" The two men turned and saw Aria standing at the hatchway door wearing a long blue robe. Collin raised his arm to her, and she rushed to his embrace. "Forgive me for interrupting, I did not realize Captain Esteban was here," she said. "Do not trouble yourself. I was leaving," Esteban said. He shook Collin's hand. "I thank you for everything, Admiral." "It was my pleasure, Captain." Collin grinned. "Captain? Please give Katherine my love?" Aria asked. "Yes." He bent and kissed her cheek softly. "You also have my thanks." She smiled and watched as Esteban made his way from the ship. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 9 In the port city of Mantilla, Katherine waited for Quima and the other women to leave the ship. They were off to explore the shops and stalls of the merchants, as they usually did when Viceroy made port. Esteban had forbidden her to go with them. He maintained that it was too dangerous. Kate had collected a little bag with coins in it and she wanted to buy him something. She had never given him a gift for their wedding. She had no plans to sit by while the other women left, and when she was certain no one was watching, she slipped from the ship and caught up with the other women. She was wearing a pretty dress that came to her ankles, which had an indigo bodice with onyx buttons and a white shift beneath; the full skirt was dark gray cotton. She had braided her long blonde hair. She wasn't as comfortable as she felt when she wore breeches, but the skirts made her look feminine and pretty, and Esteban seemed to like them, so she humored him. In the city, she'd been amazed at the variety of goods available. She told Quima she wanted to find a nice gift for Esteban, something useful and beautiful. The older woman had been shocked that she had defied Esteban, but agreed to help her, knowing that if she was with Kate, Esteban might not be too angry. 157

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Together they'd explored the shops and finally Kate decided upon a desk set. It was box of ivory pens with metal nibs and a silver inkwell that sat in a swinging cradle, making it perfect aboard the ship. It came with a blotter and shaker done in filigreed silver. They were beautiful and heavy and ideal for him. She had the shopkeeper wrap the gifts while Quima went to check on the other women. The shopkeeper gave her the packages and she smiled her thanks, then exited the shop, looking around for the older woman. She hadn't gone more than a few steps when a blow to the back of her head dropped her to the ground, unconscious. When Kate came around her head throbbed sickly. There was a man sitting near her. "Esteban, what happened?" The last thing she could recall was arguing with him over something. "I am not Esteban. My name is Davich." She moved to sit up and discovered her hands were bound above her. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded. Davich moved closer to her. "I made a deal with Esteban," he said. "You were given to me, and I released him and his ship. I didn't want to, but you are simply delectable. I could not resist." "Esteban would never do that. He loves me." "Oh, he does? He was quite eager to save himself from the gallows ... It didn't take him long to offer you." "I don't believe you," Kate insisted. Davich grinned, a feral, lustful sneer that lit his scarred face. "Believe whatever you like, but you're the one who 158

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married a pirate ... The man is a lying murderer, and the next opportunity he gives me, you can be sure I'll see to it that he swings at the end of a rope." He stood over her and she began to thrash, trying to free herself. "You've never seen him mistreat a woman before? Perhaps you simply decided you were somehow better than them, and he would never do such a thing to you?" "No, that's not true!" But her thoughts turned to the first night she'd been aboard his ship, when he'd spanked her. It was possible that that the only reason he hadn't done it again was because she'd complied with his orders ... what if she'd kept refusing him? "No? He is a killer, is it such a difficult leap to believe that he would betray you?" He reached out and caressed her face. "Don't touch me!" "You really are quite a little handful aren't you?" He leered, ignoring her struggles. He touched her breast, moving closer until his scarred face was plainly visible. Oh God no! Kate realized then who he was. It was the man from the slave market, the one who'd scared her so badly. Now she was in his control. "Please, don't do this..." "Don't? I plan to do this quite often. You belong to me now," he said and kneeled upon the bed, taking off his jacket. "I've been told you were a hellcat in bed. Let's see what you can do." ****

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Kate reached out and picked up the heavy wine bottle by the neck. She took a deep drink and then poured the rest out onto the floor. When she heard Davich in the hallway she moved behind the door and waited. She knew she would only get one chance. He unlocked the door and pushed it open. "Katherine?" Kate had been Davich's captive for almost a month, and as the days had turned into weeks with no sign of Viceroy or Esteban coming to save her, she became more and more convinced that Davich had been telling her the truth. Unbidden she recalled the times that Davich had beaten her, taunting her by asking, "Where is your husband? Why hasn't he come to help you? Where is the man who supposedly loves you so?" Now was the time to make her escape. If she did not take the chance, she might never get another opportunity. She had overheard him say they were within a mile of the coast, a place called Salgren, and she recognized the name from Esteban's charts. Davich, as usual, had ordered supper served in his rooms and the cooks had already set up the table before he arrived. She'd been wracking her brain trying to think of a way to get off this damned floating prison, when her gaze rested on the wine bottle upon their dinner tray. Davich would kill her if she failed to knock him unconscious. Kate rushed from behind the door and smashed the wine bottle down as hard as she could upon his head. She couldn't have hoped for a better reaction. 160

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Davich, never expecting her to assault him, fell to his knees then flat onto his face, unconscious. In the total silence that descended after she hit him, it was all she could do not to scream in triumph. She dropped the shattered bottle, quickly closed the door and rummaged through his things, stealing a pair of breeches and a shirt. She then snatched a pouch filled with gold pieces from his dresser, and her gaze rested upon the bonds he had so often used upon her. She hogtied him with the heavy metal shackles, the ones that had pinched and cut her wrists raw, then threw the key out the porthole window. When he groaned she stuffed a gag into his mouth. She hoped he choked. Kate stood then spat on him and turned away. Silently, she made her way to the upper deck, and seeing no one close by, she flung herself over the side, landing with a quiet splash in the sea. Sputtering, she surfaced and began to swim for the shore. **** The town of Salgren was a bustling port filled with sailors from several different countries. She saw some she instantly recognized as Lyrosian; light-haired and fair-skinned, they spoke a language close to Andalosian. There were the customary Tarks, Minalosians, and Silanians as well as a few of the loud, rough and rude Andalosians who crewed Davich's ships. She'd learned quickly why the people of the southern lands disliked the Andalosians so, but the ones which both frightened and intrigued her by 161

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far were the Qasslian sailors with their strange reptilian eyes and their cool demeanors. They were inscrutable and almost Asian in their quiet dignity. "Speaking of dignity," she muttered quietly. She had spent the night in a lean-to with a goat and a sheep and a few fat chickens. She had hay in her hair, and other ordure adhered to her, but she didn't care. She was away from Davich, and closer to the man who could help her get home. She cleaned up at a public well as much as she could, warily keeping an eye open for any of Davich's sailors who might be on shore leave, or worse, sent looking for her. She decided she needed to find something to eat, and then get out of this town as soon as possible. She scanned the harbor, looking for Davich's ship, praying he'd simply left, but she was not so lucky and her heart leaped into her throat when she saw not only the Eleana Aru, but also Viceroy in port. "Oh my God..." she whispered. "I've got to get out of here!" She looked all around herself. Panic tightening her chest, she felt as though she were surrounded. Her rational side took over then, and she stopped and closed her eyes. "What you need to do is get control of yourself this minute!" she admonished. She took a deep, shuddery breath, trying to calm herself. When she opened her eyes again, she looked around and saw there were several shops and open stalls where she could purchase any number of goods. As she scanned the booths, she noticed no one looking at her at all. Her stomach growled 162

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ferociously and she decided it was safe enough to eat before she left. She moved closer to one of the vendors selling some sort of roasted meat. It smelled delicious and the vendor, a woman with bright, black button eyes, told her it was lamb. Kate bought three pieces then added two thick slices of bread which she wrapped around the meat, making a delicious if somewhat messy sandwich. She paid the woman with one of the gold pieces and received several silver pieces in return. She ate and walked, trying to blend in. She paused outside of a tavern and realized at once that standing here in plain sight was a terrible idea. At least fifty men crowded the bar, drinking and smoking, fighting and laughing. A pair of Silanian sailors made a few dirty comments about women in breeches, wanting to act like men, then laughed and half carried her, struggling and kicking through the door and into the tavern. She turned, thinking to leave and saw four sailors from Eleana Aru entering. They had not yet seen her, but she couldn't risk going back that way and was forced farther inside. Fortunately, Kate was small enough to avoid being noticed by the men, but she nevertheless was jostled, like a salmon in a brook, to the bar where she stopped and looked about, terrified. Her eyes came to rest upon the man directly across from her. "Esteban!" she said in a gasp, and the man beside her looked around. "Esteban? Where?" 163

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He was seated alone at a table near the back of the room facing the door. When Esteban heard his name, his blue eyes cast about and landed where she stood, then grew wide when he recognized her. "Kate!" He leaped to his feet and rushed around to where she stood. Kate hesitated for a moment then ducked under the bar and ran for the back of the tavern to escape. Nearby, three bounty hunters who had stopped to drink had overheard Esteban's name. They drunkenly decided it would be a good idea to detain him. They were mistaken. Two of the men grabbed him by the back and arms. Esteban struggled against their hold, his only concern was getting to Kate. Why did she run from me? When the first man swung a heavy fist at his face, Esteban automatically ducked and the man swung over his head. Selfpreservation warred with his urgent need to reach his wife. Esteban was an excellent fighter. Trained by a ship's captain when he was a young boy, he was quick, graceful and skilled at fighting in close quarters. Before the man had a chance to steady himself for another shot, Esteban managed to bring his feet up and kick him in the chest, driving him backward then forcefully drove his forehead into the face of the man on his right. Around the four brawling men, the other sailors had taken notice. Some were wagering, but most were watching intently. When the man on the right let go of him to grab his broken nose, Esteban swung hard on the captor on his left, making contact, but that one didn't release him. Esteban 164

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reached to his belt and pulled his knife, planning to instead fillet the bounty hunter. This man, who was not quite as drunk as his companions, let go of Esteban and managed to leap back at the last second, sparing his intestines from being spilled upon the floor. He held his hands up. "I don't want any trouble," he sputtered, backing up slightly. "Too late," Esteban growled, taking a step forward, enraged at being kept from Kate. They'd made the choice to detain him, now they would pay the price. Behind him the first man had gotten to his feet and jerked Esteban around by the shoulder. This time his huge fist made contact and knocked Esteban to his knees. His knife skittered across the floor into the crowd. His nose bloodied and his vision blurred somewhat, he didn't see the third man close in near enough to kick him in the ribs. He groaned and rolled to his right, trying to avoid being stepped on. They dragged him to his feet but failed to notice the old sailor who silently slid his own dagger into Esteban's hand. Esteban gripped the heavy weapon and brought it around in a clear arc slicing deeply into the belly of the man who'd punched him. Gutted like a fish, the bounty man fell to his knees with a shocked grunt. Blood gushed from his severed organs, around his hands and down his front. The second man, his brother, dropped beside him and tried vainly to hold everything in, but it was futile. The third man, now feeling entirely sober, turned 165

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and struck Esteban in the face again, furious over the loss of his friend. Esteban fell back onto a long trestle table, and then rolled to the floor. The man overturned the table and kicked Esteban in his already bruised ribs, then grabbed a handful of his hair. Esteban bent his head and reached up. He threw the man over his shoulder, quickly regaining his feet and driving his boot into the man's throat, crushed his larynx. While he gasped his last breath Esteban moved back quickly to regroup, mentally calculating how long it had been since Kate fled and whether he'd be able to find her. The second bounty man, crying and swearing, dropped his brother's body and stood, searching for the pirate. Esteban found a clear spot, then turned to see where the last bounty man was. The sailors in the bar had all closed in, effectively blocking the view while Esteban made his escape. They had seen the Minalosian Guard soldiers moving at a run for the tavern. "You've fought a good fight, boy, now go find your woman," one of the old sailors standing at the rear said, and Esteban nodded his thanks. He ran through the door which Kate had exited only moments before. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 10 Kate hurried from the tavern trying to put as much distance between them as possible. She'd seen the three men grab Esteban, and had heard the commotion, but she knew they wouldn't detain him for long. He'd definitely seen her, and her foremost fear was that he would return her to Davich. She moved away from the shore, knowing that any sailors would stay close to the docks. Moving inland, she decided, was her best bet. Part of her wondered why she hadn't simply gone to him, her heart had longed to rush into his arms, but she was so terrorized that she'd found herself running away seemingly before she'd even made that decision. She wasn't going to let herself be held prisoner again, not after what she'd been through. Katherine made her way up the white gravel road to the large villa. There was a small house with a pretty garden closer to her and decided to stop there first. She knocked upon the door and a young boy answered. "Hello." "Um, hello," Katherine said. "Is your mama here?" "She's outside in the garden," the boy replied. "I'll take you to her." The boy stepped outside. He was wearing blue knickers and a white shirt and barefooted like Katherine. He looked at Kate in her ripped breeches and dirty shirt, and then moved around her. 167

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"Mama!" He took Kate by the hand to lead her behind the house. A woman, just slightly older than Kate herself, looked up and held a hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. She was on her knees in a garden that was in furious bloom with vegetables and flowers. "Hello," she said and stood, brushing fresh earth from her hands and dress. "Can I assist you?" The woman was petite with a pretty round face and merry brown eyes. "I'm ... I'm not really sure if you can," Kate started. "I'm looking for a man named Morgan? I was told he lived around here." "Why?" The woman's face became suspicious. "Oh ... I ... It's just ... I thought he might be able to help me," Kate floundered. "It isn't anything bad. I've never even met him." The woman looked at her for a moment. "You speak strangely." "Yeah, I've been told," Kate sighed. "Look, I'm sorry to have bothered you." She turned and started away. "Wait ... I'm his wife, Sarah." "Oh, thank God." Kate sighed, and began to cry. Sarah brought her into the house and got her a cup of tea. When Kate was calm, she began to explain. "My name is Katherine Lamb. I'm from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. I'm not sure how I got here," she said. "I was doing a day trip through the foothills to Montreaux, and then I woke up here. Well not here, I guess it was a place called Andalos. I was 168

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told that your husband knew a powerful sorcerer who might be able to help me." "You came from Andalos and you're here?" Sarah exclaimed. "How did you get so far?" She ignored the parts of the woman's story that didn't make sense to her, as it was obvious she was still quite shaken from her ordeal, and perhaps not thinking clearly. Katherine sighed and explained everything from waking up in Kirn, to Esteban and Davich to how she got here. "You were Esteban's slave?" she asked. "Yes ... but he freed me. Then he gave me to a commodore from Andalos to save himself. At least that is what Davich said." "And you believed that?" "I didn't at first, but why would he leave me alone for so long? Why didn't he come looking for me?" Kate swallowed back a lump of tears. She felt somewhat guilty burdening this poor woman with her story, but she also felt comforted when she looked into Sarah's calm brown eyes. There was no judgment there. "You said Esteban followed you?" "I saw him in Salgren yesterday, but I got away. I think he's trying to bring me back to Davich to ensure his own freedom. Only Esteban would know where I would go." Sarah looked at Kate. "Did you love him?" Kate paused and looked down. Her eyes filled with tears and she didn't bother to hide them this time. "Yes." "I think there must be more to this than you know, Kate." She patted Kate's hand and gave her an encouraging smile. It 169

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was close to dusk and Sarah stood, stretching. "Let's get some supper on. Morgan should be home soon, and we can all talk then. Does that sound alright to you?" "That sounds great," Katherine said, then sighed. Katherine watched Sarah prepare dinner with no modern conveniences, amazed at how easy it looked. While they cooked, the little boy came in again. "Mama, Kesim sent down the medicine for Arn. He asked me to bring it to you." "Thank you, Lars. How were your lessons?" Sarah asked. She finished putting together some dough for biscuits and set Kate to cutting them. "They went fine. Miss Graves is teaching us about Lyros." "Very good. Take a cookie and find your brother." He stuck his hand into a large jar and pulled out two cookies. "The boys are tutored at the villa by the governess." Before Kate could reply, the door opened again and a huge man came through. He had short blonde hair and a kind face. He looked at Kate curiously. "Hello?" The little boy rushed in behind him. "I got to see the horse have a baby!" Sarah looked up at her husband who shrugged. "We were in the right place at the right time. Adama's mare began foaling this morning." "Go and wash Arn, I've got the medicine for your rash." The boy hurried out of the room and Sarah caught Kate's confused look. "We have twins." "Oh!" Smiling, Morgan bent to kiss his wife's cheek. "So tell me, who is our visitor?" 170

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Kate looked up at him and held out her hand. "Kate Lamb." He cocked an eyebrow and shook her hand. "She needs to speak with Kesim." **** Esteban grimly boarded the barge at Bellad. His horse had been taken aboard earlier and he saw the animal in a stall near the wheelhouse. The ferryman had told him a woman that fit Kate's description had taken the ferry to Adjiban shortly after dawn. It was past dinnertime now. It was her. He knew it. He walked slowly over to his horse and patted the animal. He didn't really like horses very much, but he did know how to ride. Walking was out of the question so he'd hired this horse from a blacksmith at the harbor. He recalled that he had foolishly told her the man, Morgan, lived in Adjiban. She must have looked at his charts and figured out how to get where she wanted to go. He cursed himself for still being so much in love with her, and not being able to cut her out of his heart. But a new problem faced him now—what would he do when he finally had her back in his possession? He didn't know. Obviously she didn't wish to stay with him. Maybe he should just abandon this foolish journey and get back to the Viceroy before he was apprehended by bounty hunters. They had nearly gotten him in Salgren. He'd seen her in a tavern just before the three bounty men had grabbed him. Even worse, she had seen him, and had fled, terrified. 171

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He had escaped through the back of the tavern just ahead of the guard, but by the time he'd found a disguise and circled back she'd been gone and he'd traveled on to Bellad. Tonight he noticed several men watching him intently as well. There was a huge price upon his head, and since Minalos would cooperate with countries like Andalos and BasSalaam, he'd find no safe refuge here. He couldn't go back without finding her; he loved her, dammit! That had to mean something. He could not let her go; not until she told him why she had left, until she explained what he had done to make her leave him. It was cold here at night as they moved toward the mountains and he shrugged his cloak around his aching, bruised body and then sat upon the deck next to the horse. **** Katherine awoke the next day and sat up. She dressed slowly in the dress Sarah had given her, thinking of her lovely clothes upon the Viceroy. She missed them, and Esteban. She missed him horribly, and wasn't particularly surprised to admit she still loved him too. Why had he done this to her? She hadn't allowed herself to think about him when she was aboard Eleana Aru, but now everything reminded her of him. Here she was, so close to getting home, and Esteban kept getting in the damned way. Morgan had explained to her that Kesim had left for a horse auction that evening, but he would see her when he returned, so there was nothing more to do than wait. It was plain, 172

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however, that he couldn't understand why she would want to leave. It was early, but she could hear stirring around the house. She considered what it would be like when she got back to Earth. All the questions about where she'd been for so long. It would be difficult, but she knew she could come up with a story if she had to. No one would believe the truth. Even though she had no idea of how long she'd been here, she wondered if she'd been missed. "I wonder if I even have a job," she said. Slowly she came down the stairs and walked to the door. She wanted to see the sunrise. At first, all she had wanted was to go home. When she'd been abducted in Kirn, she'd only been concerned with staying alive. Then Esteban had come and rescued her, even if it was for his own selfish reasons. She hadn't planned to fall in love with him, but after they had established a physical relationship, it had been so easy to fall into an emotional one. She'd been willing to stay because she thought they could be happy together, and they had been, dammit! At least she thought they were. When he had given her to Davich Romanov, he'd betrayed their vows, her trust and her love. She knew he didn't share her feelings. She was nothing more than a tool, a means to keep him from being hanged. She sighed and wiped tears from her face. If Kesim could help her, she would leave and never think of Esteban again. She would go back to New York and forget this nightmare had ever happened. 173

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Kate opened the door and pulled her borrowed shawl across her shoulders. In the mountains, it was chilly for summer. Closing the door softly behind her she descended the two steps to the ground and walked to the road where there was a clear spot. She sat on the grass and watched the sunrise, recalling how it looked when they were together upon the open ocean. "It is prettier at sea," Esteban said from behind her. She leaped to her feet and whirled on him, flailing madly. He fully expected her to do so and caught her hands, then clipped her jaw lightly, knocking her unconscious. He bundled her up and pulled her over his shoulder then tossed her across his saddle and climbed up behind her. Esteban could not believe his incredible luck; he hadn't expected to find her so easily. He planned to inquire at the house and had only just dismounted when he saw her exit and cross the road. It had been nothing to come up from behind and take her. The ferryman said he would be there for another hour before they started back to Bellad and Esteban planned to be on that barge. He raced back and made the barge with minutes to spare. She came around as he lowered her from the saddle. "Esteban..." she gasped when she realized where she was. "What are you doing?" "I'm bringing you back to the ship." "No, you can't!" she cried. "I found him! I found the sorcerer ... He can help me get home. Please don't make me go back!" 174

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He grabbed her by the arms and shook her hard. "This is your home," he growled through clenched teeth. "When will you understand that?" What he had wanted to say was, Wherever I am is your home, but he didn't dare. He was angry with her beyond words, and refused to show any weakness. "Hey, you ... Let go of that girl!" a man shouted to him. Esteban turned and leveled his icy gaze at the intruder. "This woman belongs to me. If I choose to kick her around the deck of this floating piece of dung I will do so," he snarled. "My apologies, I did not realize she was your slave. I beg your pardon," the man said, backing up. Kate's hope of rescue died a slow death with his words. Esteban was more furious than she had ever seen him. What did he mean she belonged to him? Had Davich given her back to him? Impossible, Davich would never do that; he hated Esteban. No, Esteban was bringing her back to him. The barge trip took far less time downstream than upstream and they were back in Bellad before nightfall. Kate was terrified of what Esteban would do when he got her back to the ship. Since he had told off the man from earlier, he hadn't spoken to her again. He pulled her before him upon the horse and rode through the night back to Salgren. They arrived just after dawn, both of them exhausted and saddle sore. When he reached the gangway of his ship they dismounted and he handed the horse's reins to a young boy standing nearby. 175

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"Take this animal to your father." He flipped the boy a coin, and the child rushed away. He pulled her up the gangway and onto the ship, and she noticed that the Eleana Aru was gone. Her relief was shortlived, however. Esteban growled, "Move," in her ear, and then pulled her toward the hatchway door. She tore her elbow from his grip and shook him off. "I know the damned way." She pushed open the door, descending the stairs to the darkness below. He locked her in his rooms, and left her alone with no food or water or company. When she had cried herself out, she climbed onto the bed before he returned, unsure what exactly he was going to do. She must have dozed because the next thing she heard was him beside her. "Get out." His voice was low and full of malice. "What?" she said weakly. "Get out of my bed. You will sleep on the floor." "The floor?" "Yes, the floor. You are a slave and now you'll see how I treat my slaves. They do not spend the night in my bed. That right is for my wife." He pulled her from the bed and she landed sprawled upon her backside. He climbed over her and onto the bed. "You bastard! You know I'm not a slave. You freed me! You gave me the papers!" She scrambled to her feet and stood beside the bed. "Where are they, Katherine?" he asked softly. 176

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She realized they were gone. Everything she owned had been gone when she awoke with Davich, even her wedding ring. "Fine," she sniffled, pulling the shawl over her shoulder. "Okay, fine." Esteban listened to her cry herself to sleep and spent the night lying awake staring at the ceiling of his cabin, alone. The next day, after he had bathed and dressed, he nudged her with the toe of his boot. "Wake up." She sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Her body ached and she was enormously thirsty. She turned her eyes up to his. "I have reconsidered." "You have?" she said hopefully. "You do not have to sleep on the floor." "Gee, thanks." "Stand up!" he barked and she moved to do as he said, clutching her shawl to herself. He jerked the shawl away and looked at her for a moment. He then bent and pulled her foot forward, producing a heavy, beaten silver cuff from his coat pocket. She knew what it was and she pulled her foot back; she'd seen enough of them at the slave market. He looked up at her with narrowed eyes, then pulled her ankle forward again holding her tightly. "No, please ... Esteban, don't." She hopped back trying to keep her balance on one foot. He slid it on and locked it in place and then stood. "You are my slave," he said. "My feelings for you were misplaced. I will 177

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not make the same mistake again. You will find Quima and she will assign you sleeping space. Then you may eat. When you have finished, you will clean this room, and then find me. Do you understand?" She nodded and he took her face in his hand. "Do you?" "Yes," she said miserably. He closed his wardroom door after she left. Manuel knocked and entered a moment later. Esteban sat tiredly at his desk and covered his face with his hands. "I swear, Manuel, that woman will be the death of me." "You may have struck closer to the truth than you know," he said. "Why?" "The commodore from Andalos, Davich Romanov? He has posted notice that should anyone find the woman, he wants her." "What?" Esteban said. "He sent a messenger to all of the ships in port. It said he had her when she was alone in Mantilla. He wants her back and has even offered to pay." "Are you saying she left me for him?" Manuel nodded slightly. Esteban swallowed sickly, saddened and angered all over again. Of all the men it could have been, why did it have to be Romanov? "How much did he offer?" "Ten thousand peks."

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"I paid more than that for her. Well, it won't happen. She's mine and I plan to make her regret every second she was gone." Esteban's hatred for Davich went to the very core of his soul. The memory of his second oldest sister, Consuelo, lived within him always. He'd found her in the possession of a group of Andalosian sailors ten years ago, one of whom was Davich Romanov. She was a haunted shadow of the vivacious and lively girl he remembered. From what he had pieced together about Davich, he knew it was the Andalosian who'd hurt his sister so badly, leaving her naught but a hollow shell, but he could not prove it. She'd committed suicide after he'd gotten her back to Carador, unable to bear living after being forced to whore herself. If he ever had the proof, he would kill Romanov without a second thought. Esteban looked at the chart on his desk and then out the window. "I want to leave with the tide." "There is another problem, Captain." "What now?" "Two men arrived earlier. They also want her," Manuel said. "Oh? It seems our Katherine is quite popular ... eh?" He shook his head. "What men are these?" "They are abovedeck, sir." Esteban sighed and got up, climbing to the upper decks. A tall, dark Minalosian man in a black suit stood beside a taller man Esteban recognized. He nodded at them. "How can I help you, gentlemen?" 179

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"Where is Kate?" Morgan demanded. Esteban regarded him mildly, but said nothing. He could see this man's tension and realized he was afraid for Katherine, but not for himself. Morgan's companion held up a quelling hand. "We seek to know if she is unharmed, and whether she wishes to leave." "I'm sorry, I do not believe we have met," Esteban said politely, despite the fact that he wanted to throw both of them overboard. "My name is Lord Kesim Trasain; I am a friend of Morgan's." Esteban nodded and introduced himself. "I am Captain Esteban Magalia." "Bring us to Kate," Morgan interjected. "Do not fear, my wife is unharmed," Esteban replied. "Your wife?" Esteban raised his hand and showed the men his wedding band. "She did not tell you we were married?" Morgan looked at him. "Frankly, Captain, she didn't mention that at all. She only asked me to help her return to her world. My own wife told me you might have her." Esteban's anger returned, a dull smolder that made his head pound. So their vows had meant so little to her that she had not bothered to tell them she was married? His head ached and his heart once more felt empty and crushed. "We ... ahem..." He cleared his throat, shocked by the emotion that had sprung up. "We were wed by Admiral Masters of Lyros three months ago." He looked at the two men. "We had a disagreement a few weeks ago, and she left 180

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me. I am hopeful we can put it behind us now. If you like, I can show you the papers, signed by both of us, and the seaman who witnessed the ceremony. His name was Sanders." His face had softened and both Kesim and Morgan could see how very much he loved Kate, and the pain he felt, even if he was not ready to admit it to himself. Kesim looked at Morgan and nodded slightly. They decided to leave things as they were. Esteban, despite his demeanor and his wounded heart, was no threat to Katherine. "No, that will not be necessary," Kesim said kindly. He'd looked into Esteban's mind and felt his pain; he also knew Esteban was not lying. Collin Masters was Adama's nephew, and knew he would not befriend this man if he was not trustworthy. "You are well within your rights to have reclaimed your wife." He could also see Esteban's sailors watching them closely. "Please accept our apologies for detaining you." He bowed shortly and turned motioning to Morgan who stopped and looked at Esteban once again. "Should either of you need any help, you know how to find us." "I do not think that will be necessary," came Esteban's clipped reply. Morgan looked at him for a moment but said nothing. He turned and followed Kesim to their horses. As they mounted, Morgan looked back at the ship. "We should have pressed him harder. He gave her away to save himself." A note of contempt touched his words. 181

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"No, he didn't." "Then why didn't you tell him that?" Morgan demanded, more than a little shocked. "Because his pride wouldn't have allowed him to believe me. He must hear it from Kate. Esteban loves her; he's not a threat." "I hope you're right, Kesim," Morgan turned his horse and moved off toward the road. Esteban watched the two men leave, then shook his head. "Cast off!" he shouted. "I want to take this tide." The crew scrambled to do as he'd ordered. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 11 A week later, they were docked again in Al Manus. A storm two days earlier had caused some minor damage and Esteban wanted it repaired before they set sail for Dolcit. Most of the crew was ashore, except Manuel and Esteban and a few others who were needed to make those repairs. Kate's week had been sheer hell. No longer allowed to sleep in Esteban's rooms, she was relegated to the women's quarters under the care of Quima, who no longer bothered to treat her with the respect she once had. The whores taunted and tormented her. "Who warms Esteban's bed now?" Rachel was the worst. She was with him often enough to make Kate furiously jealous although she didn't understand why when she hated him so. There was nothing she could do. In the hierarchy of the women she ranked very low. Now she was simply one of the slaves. Unbeknownst to her, Esteban had left strict orders, however, that she was not to be touched by anyone; she was not a whore. Today, she'd been sent to clean the galley and was constantly evading the groping hands of the cook. She turned to pick something from one of the shelves and found herself pinned against the table from behind by his heaving body. 183

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She let out a breathless scream, and he laughed shortly. "Let's see what goodies you've got in there," he said, pawing at the bodice of her dress. He managed to give her breast a good hard pinch, leaving a bruise. "Get the hell off of me, you fat pig," she snarled through gritted teeth. She elbowed him in the belly and he let out a woof of fetid breath, and then backed up. Kate whirled. "If you touch me again, I'll cut your hands off!" she said menacingly. "I see why the captain discarded you. You're a frigid bitch," he spat. "Get out of my kitchen!" Kate bent and picked up her wooden cleaning bucket. She looked at it for a moment and then flung the contents of it at him, splashing him from head to toe with filthy, cold water. "That ought to cool you off." She picked up her rags and turned, ignoring his furious bellowing. "Who's frigid now, Jack?" she muttered. She went to the top deck and got another bucket of water and then moved back down the stairs where she began washing the floors belowdecks. She moved slowly backward down the long hallway on her hands and knees. Esteban came down the stairs and saw her. One of the kitchen boys had run to him and told him about what had happened and he wanted to be sure she was unharmed. He stood and admired her backside for a long moment; the soft arch of her bare feet the gleam of the silver cuff upon her ankle, and the straining muscles of her back and arms. He inhaled deeply and dragged his attention from her, moving toward the galley. On the way by he simply could not resist 184

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giving her raised backside a slap and he laughed to himself at her outraged yelp. "Bastard," she growled as he passed, making him grin further. Esteban entered the galley and looked about, seeing the furious cook trying to dry himself off. Esteban's demeanor darkened as he watched, all good humor gone. He picked up a large butcher knife from the cutting block and approached the cook, who still had no idea of his presence. The cook was being attended by one of his assistants and looked up when movement caught his eye. "Captain, good day," he said nervously. Esteban stopped in front of him "You have one hour to gather your things and get the hell off my ship." "You can't leave me here!" "One hour." "Captain ... I was just having a little fun ... She's only a woman," the cook protested. Esteban grabbed the man's right hand forcing his arm back onto the counter and with barely a glance, brought the knife down; cutting into his wrist, drawing a thin line of blood. The cook shrieked in horror. "Silence!" Esteban snarled. He lifted the knife, sliding it up toward the cook's throat. The man closed his mouth with a snap. "I can do whatever I wish. The woman is mine. She is never to be touched by anyone except me." His voice was deadly low, and earnest. 185

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The cook was now nodding vigorously, desperate to save himself. "One hour." Esteban stepped back and drove the knife into the counter beside the cook's arm. **** Esteban swung down from the rigging over the deck, shirtless and smiling. Around him his men sent up a happy cheer. He had climbed to the top of the mast and rigged the pennant of the Lyrosian fleet himself. He had received it from Collin Masters' messenger the day before when they had met in Dolcit. They were now officially members of the Lyrosian merchant class, though technically still privateers, under the protection of the Lyrosian Navy. The sun shone down upon them, hot and sultry. They were scheduled to dock in Arom in four days to take on supplies and a load of silks from Tartak. They hadn't encountered another ship for days and Esteban should have been thrilled. The detriment to his happiness was Kate. His heart ached when he looked at her and he hadn't spoken to her since the day he had brought her back. Katherine was currently seated in the only spot of shade upon the entire damned ship. She was on the deck with her knees bent under herself, her shoulders and back aching from the constant work and her hands were cracked to bleeding from the harsh soap used to clean everything from decks to sails to laundry. Her eyes were dark and sad and he knew she wanted to talk with him, but he'd refused. 186

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She was a slave, nothing more. He moved past her to the stairs and the cool darkness of his rooms below. She finished washing the floor where she had sat and tossed the bucket of water over the side, then went downstairs herself. "Katherine." She turned. "Come and pick up this room, it is a mess," he said and then turned away. He was in his wardroom. She looked at his bare chest and back as he retreated to his bedroom. He closed the door and she thought how good he looked with the slight golden tan. "Oh, so what," she said under her breath, annoyed with herself for still having any feelings for him. She picked up papers and set them on his desk, collected wineglasses from all around the wardroom and moved to the galley with them, then returned and knocked upon his bedroom door, maybe she would get her chance to reason with him now. She heard rustling and a low giggle as she waited, finally he said, "Enter." Esteban lay upon his unmade bed, shirtless with his bare feet crossed; straddling his lap was Rachel, the busty redhead. She leaned in to kiss him slowly and deeply. Kate could hear her almost purring, and an incredible wave of impotent rage washed over her. "Ohhh! You liked that kiss, didn't you, naughty boy?" Rachel giggled, wiggling obscenely over his midsection, then thrusting her enormous breasts into his face. 187

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Esteban grinned. Kate stopped dead in her tracks staring at them, and finally squelching her rage, she cleared her throat, announcing her presence. "You may clean my bedchamber now, we will be busy soon, so move quickly," he said dismissively. She looked up and saw he hadn't even taken his eyes off of the redhead. In fact he was sliding the silk bolero from her shoulders, and began to massage Rachel's huge tits through her chemise. "Esteban, I want some wine." Rachel pouted. Kate made a face behind their backs and heard Esteban say, "Of course, one moment and I will get some." "Have her do it," Rachel said nastily. "No, I like to watch her clean my rooms." Esteban grinned, sharklike. He stood and moved past where Kate was cleaning the commode. She stood, watching him go, tempted to brain him with the brush she held, and then heard Rachel laugh a low, nasty snicker. She dropped her brush in the bucket and closed her eyes. She didn't even have the energy to defend herself from Rachel's hateful remarks. "You look so shocked to find me here," Rachel whispered. "As soon as you're gone, I'm going to show him what he's been missing. Now that you're back in your proper place, Esteban can be mine." Kate ignored her and continued picking items up, carefully folding a shirt, then arranging a pair of boots. It didn't matter what the whore thought. She was right. Kate was a slave. 188

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Still, she was baffled as to why this kept hurting her. It was clear Esteban no longer loved her, and she was upset with herself for still loving him despite it all. She wiped her teary eyes with the back of her wrist and kept working. "I must say though, I do like your choice of jewelry." Rachel sniped, commenting about the cuff on Kate's ankle. Esteban heard Rachel's hushed comments and turned to look at them. He'd fully expected Kate to pull the whore from the bed and beat her, but she only moved about cleaning and ignoring her. Sad tears sprang to his throat and eyes. This was not his Kate, not the woman he'd fallen madly in love with. This woman was defeated, her spirit broken. Katherine had always been full of energy and fire, but that was gone, and he knew part of the reason was him. He choked back his emotions and steeled himself. It was time to find out what exactly had happened between them, and why she'd left, but first he needed to get rid of Rachel. He stepped into the bedroom and raised a hand to his forehead, massaging his temples. "I have a headache, you need to leave." "What?" "Go, Rachel. I'll speak to you later. Right now I wish to rest." "Oh..." Rachel moved to Esteban's side, cooing softly. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "No, I just need to sleep."

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"I'll check on you later." Rachel kissed Esteban's cheek, then turned to Kate. "Don't linger and disturb him. Finish your work and leave." Kate ignored her. Esteban watched Rachel go and turned back to see Kate standing at the foot of his bed. Her hair had come out from under the ridiculous kerchief she wore. "Headache, huh?" she said in a low voice. Esteban sipped his wine and shrugged. "You bastard!" She flung herself at him and he caught her around the middle, dropping his wineglass with a crash. "Why do you keep tormenting me?" She was a snarling, flailing, fury in his arms and he could barely keep her from gouging his eyes from his head. If she had not been so deadly earnest, he might have found it funny. Instead he was shocked and frightened by her furious intensity. All of the anger and sorrow she had been keeping inside for the past weeks now burst forth. Once he had caught both of her arms in his hands and held her immobile she struggled mightily, kicking him in the shins with her bare feet. "Stop it ... Katherine! Stop!" "Why the hell didn't you just leave me?" she yelled. She wracked her brains for the little Spanish she knew. It wasn't his language, not exactly, but she knew he'd get the gist. "Pendejo!" she spat.

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His eyes widened at what she'd called him and he swallowed a lump of rage. "I have my reasons," he sneered. Damn the woman for having this effect upon him! "Oh yeah, I forgot, I belong to you, right? Well guess what, pal ... I don't belong to anyone!" She punctuated her words with a solid kick to his shin. "I'm not your damned slave, not yours or Davich's or anyone's!" She continued her struggles. He was positively vibrating with anger and had to stifle the urge to strike her as firmly within himself as possible. "So Romanov was not to your liking either?" he demanded nastily. He was standing very close and she wrenched her hand free and hit him open-handed across the cheek. He turned his head with the blow and closed his eyes, swallowing sickly. "Bastard!" she yelled, angry that she could not get a response from him. "Dammit, why didn't you just leave me alone?" she sobbed. "I hate you!" She pounded upon his chest with her fists, releasing her grief and rage at him and at everything that had happened to her. Esteban released her and she dropped to the floor sobbing, until finally she cried herself into an exhausted sleep. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 12 After she'd struck him, he'd left her and gone to his wardroom. He sat until the sun had set, considering what had happened between them, what she'd said. He was miserable and longed to be angry with her, to hate her for spurning him, but he couldn't. The only emotion he kept feeling was confusion—her anger was so great he truly did not know what he'd done to make her hate him ... nothing made sense. He'd lied to Rachel about his headache, but as he sat and thought, he could feel the dull thudding pain that accompanied the arrival of one overtaking him. Finally, with a sigh, he stood and returned to his bedroom. In the shadows of the dark room, she was nothing more than a small heap upon the floor, and his heart tightened seeing her so. After he lit one of the hanging oil lamps, he moved back to where she lay upon the floor. He lifted her carefully and placed her on his bed, removing the kerchief from her head and the simple dress she wore, and at last fanning her beautiful hair upon the pillows. He longed to pull her close to him and simply hold her, to soothe whatever it was that had hurt her. Reluctantly he stopped touching her hair and climbed onto the bed, curling his body around her, recalling the closeness they'd shared. Exhausted, Esteban closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. Kate came slowly awake sometime later. She inhaled and smelled his cologne, a nutty fragrance, like almonds and 192

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sandalwood. She could feel the weight of his hand on her thigh, strong and comforting, as he slowly moved upward, stroking her gently. Still mostly asleep, she moaned softly and turned toward him. He drew his hand up her side and stroked her as she rolled to her back and looked up at him. It was dark and the room was warmly lit by the fragrant oil lamp. The wick was lowered and it swung gently casting shadows upon the walls. Kate could hear thunder rolling in the distance, miles away. He touched her breast, and she arched closer, responding in spite of herself. She shivered and brought her hand up, running it across the muscles of his arm, then down his back, stroking him softly. Raising her eyes to his, she saw he was mostly asleep, and she recalled the many nights they'd made love this way, almost automatically, both of them half asleep, but craving each other nonetheless. Esteban nuzzled his face close to her and his tongue touched her neck, followed by his soft bite, and she made a small whimper. The fingers of his other hand traced a path along her cheek, caressing her softly. She took a steadying breath, entirely awake now, confusion and desire warring within her. She knew she shouldn't allow him to do this, but she wanted him so badly she couldn't seem to make herself tell him to stop. Every fiber of her brain screamed No! Tell him no! You are not his toy! But her traitorous body arched into his once more. "Yesss..." She sighed. Esteban came more fully awake at her sigh, and realized what he'd done—the one thing that had always come so 193

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easily between them. He'd been dreaming of her, and had simply begun to make love to her. More than half aroused, he wasn't willing to stop. She felt so good against him, warm and desirable, and he longed for the comfort making love to her brought him. He lowered his mouth to her nipple, then licked around it until it was a hard little bead under his tongue. When he suckled her, drawing hard and scoring her slightly with his teeth, he heard her sharp intake of breath, but she didn't move away from him and he kept on, changing from one breast to the other. At last he sat back away from her and removed his own shirt, exposing his broad chest and the bruises, which still had not faded entirely from his battle with the men at the tavern in Salgren. She saw them and shame washed over her. She'd left him to fend for himself, but oh God she had been so scared when she saw him. He knew she saw, but said nothing. He bent his head to her and kissed her deeply, dueling with her tongue. He could feel the tension pouring forth from her, but that tension was part of what had once made their lovemaking so very good. He loved to keep her constantly unsettled. Kate didn't understand why he was doing this when he didn't care for her. "I can't do this," she said quietly. He didn't reply, but moved over her and pressed his knee between hers until she parted her thighs. Slowly he lowered himself onto his forearms above her and looked down into her beautiful eyes. 194

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A far off slash of lightning illuminated him for a moment, casting him in sharp relief to the rest of the room and thunder rolled closer now. A storm was moving quickly toward them. He stroked her gently, drawing his hand down her body, then up once more, reveling in the simple sensation of touching her. He'd thought to ease his pain with her body. No one else would ever soothe him as she did, he didn't want to feel any emotions, but knew that was impossible. She was so soft and fragrant that he was nearly dizzy with the pleasure of finally having her again. As much as he did not want to feel anything for her, he was helpless. She infected him like a pleasant sickness, a wondrous obsession that ran through his veins, there was no cure and he didn't want one. Katherine was unlike any woman he had ever met. She was intelligent and talented and of course beautiful; she was fun-loving and brash but she was also demure and unskilled when it came to passion, which was something he liked. He didn't want a courtesan. His skill was enough. His fingers traced down her chest to her belly, leaving a trail of gooseflesh behind them, finally dipping to her cleft, and she inhaled as they slipped within; he began stroking her gently, drawing her clitoris from its hood to stand rigid and throbbing, and a soft moan escaped her. He kissed down her breast to her flat stomach and then lower. Esteban could do any number of things to her, but this ... this he did the best, and she knew she was lost. 195

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He drew his tongue slowly along the length of her, licking and nibbling gently. A powerful shudder rocked through her. "My God..." Tears of pleasure and sorrow sprang to her eyes and she shut them tightly as he brought her to a powerful peak. She tried to resist, tried to think of anything besides the pleasure he was giving her, but she couldn't. When she felt his sharp teeth teasing her pulsing sex, then his hot tongue swirling gently to draw her into his mouth and suck, she moaned and her world exploded in the fiery galaxy of her climax. He rose up above her as she breathed raggedly, kissing her tenderly, exploring her as though for the first time, and she wrapped her arms around his wide shoulders, kissing him back, matching his passion. He positioned himself to enter her then paused. He stroked her soaking slit with the ruby head of his cock, making her squirm. "Please don't torment me," she breathed. He bent his head to her forehead once more; face to face, scant inches apart he breathed. "Torment? No, Katherine, it is my soul in torment. You drive me to peaks I have never known, you weaken me and make me burn like no other ever has." He moved and she cried out as he thrust deep, rocking slowly against her. Kate raised her hips to meet his, arching into him, and he groaned helplessly at the sensation. He always had the uncanny ability to slow down their lovemaking. To resist both of their urges to hurtle toward completion, to hold her 196

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hostage while he plundered her at his leisure, leaving her breathless and stunned at his complete mastery of her. She was ashamed at how easily she gave in to him. Letting him lead her wherever he liked; sometimes rough, other times tender, but always masterful. An involuntary gasp and cry escaped her lips. "Am I hurting you?" he asked, and in that moment everything that had happened was gone, replaced by the love she had for him, the love that despite everything, she'd never lost. "No," she whispered. Lightning flashed powerfully, blinding him and the thunder crashed overhead, heralding a torrential rainfall, which deluged the ship, pounding the windows above him. He looked at her face and saw her eyes had closed and she was trembling. He was too far gone to stop now and moved harder upon her, driving both of them over the edge to a mind-numbing orgasm which left him shaking and crying as well. They lay together for a moment, breathing heavily. Slowly Esteban brought his hand down, touching the tear that had escaped from her eyes. He lowered his head to hers once more resting his forehead upon hers and she looked up at him. "We can't do this anymore. I can't let you take me when you don't love me." Her voice was low in the quiet room. "This isn't about love." Esteban's voice caught on the last word. It was a lie, and he knew it, but God, how he ached! He wanted to be hard, he wanted her to feel the pain he'd felt. 197

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He thought hurting her would somehow make him feel better, but instead it left him desolate and ashamed. He was far too much in love to continue wounding her. She squeezed her eyes closed again, he couldn't have hurt her any more if he'd beaten her; those words were so final. He moved off her and did not attempt to gather her in as he usually did, although it was all he wanted to do. He rolled to his back and laid his forearm over his eyes with a sigh. She lay upon her back, staring at the ceiling. The space between them was mere inches, but to Katherine, it felt like a canyon. She craved his touch, and the warmth they had shared. Once again tears sprang to her eyes and she sat up slowly, swinging her legs over the side of his bed. "What do you want, Katherine?" he asked. His voice was low, husky from passion and fatigue. The storm had moved away, and they could hear thunder in the distance, occasional flashes illuminated the dim room now and then. "What do you mean?" she asked softly. "If you want to return to Minalos, and then home, I will take you there." "You will?" she sat back down. "Yes, if you do not wish to stay with me, I will send you back. So tell me, what do you want?" "I-I want..." She stopped. Until now, she thought she was so sure what she wanted. Now, given the choice she was unsure and frightened. She looked back at him; his icy eyes were soft as he waited for her answer. "I want you to love me again, Esteban," she whispered. "What?" he asked, unsure if he had heard her correctly. 198

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"I'm sorry ... God, I'm so sorry for whatever it was that I did to make you hate me enough to give me to Davich. I don't want to go back to Earth or to Davich. I just want you to love me again," she sobbed and pulled the quilt up to muffle the sound. All of her words had come out in a dizzying rush and he lay there stunned, working out what she had said. "Give you to Davich? Katherine..." He half laughed, baffled. "What do you mean?" He looked at her back and noticed marks there, marks he had thought were only shadows earlier. He touched them gently and she cringed away from his touch. Something she hadn't done since the first day he'd met her. "Katherine, you left me," he said slowly. "I've always loved you." "But you gave me to Davich to save yourself ... when he captured you ... Didn't you?" "No, I have never been captured by Davich Romanov." "Oh..." she whispered. Her voice sounded very far away to her ears and her vision seemed to slide slowly sideways as the horrible truth sank in. He sat up quickly and caught her before she hit the floor, dragging her back onto the bed with him, and cradling her in his arms. "Katherine ... Katherine, cariña ... please," he said desperately, trying to get her to awaken. Her eyelids fluttered and she looked up into his glorious eyes, which were filled with tears. "Esteban, dear God, what happened to us?" 199

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"We have been betrayed, but we will have our revenge." He held her to his chest and kissed her forehead. "I am so sorry for the way I have treated you," he whispered. "I thought you had left me. I love you ... Can you forgive me?" She couldn't speak but nodded furiously. Tears coursed down her cheeks. "Tell me what he did to you." **** The next day when he emerged abovedeck, Esteban's face was grave and angry. He gave orders to his mate. "Pull down that pennant and find the Eleana Aru." "Captain?" "Davich Romanov's flagship. Eleana Aru, I want it, and I want that bastard brought to me in chains." "But, Captain, he is the commodore of the Andalosian Navy." "I don't care if he is Holy God Himself. He took my woman, and he is going to pay." Manuel watched Esteban's hands clench upon the rail, all knuckles white from the force he was exerting upon it. A loud crack came forth from beneath those hands and Esteban looked down as though surprised at his own strength. "Yes, sir," Manuel said. He crossed himself at the blasphemy and the extreme fury of his captain, then moved to give the orders that would take them to the coast of Andalos. "Manuel, wait," Esteban said barely a moment later. "Sir?" 200

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"You said Davich wanted her..." "Yes, he offered to pay for her," Manuel replied, not understanding what his captain meant. "Send word to him." "Captain?" "I've accepted his offer." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 13 Kate arose from Esteban's bed extremely tired. They had made love twice more after they talked, both finally finding the comfort and love they'd missed for so long. She'd told him most of what had happened, but not everything. She simply couldn't bring herself to tell him all the twisted things Davich had done to her. Esteban was murderously angry at Davich for hurting her and vowed to kill him. Telling him would not accomplish anything. They knew someone on this ship had arranged for her to be abducted. He couldn't have taken her without help. She strongly suspected Rachel, who'd always been so jealous of her, but had no proof. She rang the bell for one of the slaves to come to his bedchamber and ordered a bath. A real bath. It took more than an hour to prepare her tub, but she didn't care, she dozed upon the bed while she waited and with her eyes closed, she could feel the ship moving, turning. They were changing course. A little slave girl awakened her. "Miss Kate? Lady Quima is looking everywhere for you. Says she's going to whip the skin off your back if you don't get to work." "I'd like to see her try," Kate muttered and sat up. Her bath steamed invitingly from the center of the room. "Oh, that looks good." "Miss Kate, you can't do that! You're a slave!" 202

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"No, I am not a slave. I am Captain Esteban's wife," Kate said, "...and that is my bath." She climbed out of bed and into the hot water, sighing with pleasure. While she bathed, she asked the little slave girl what her name was. "It is Tika," the girl said, then smiled a dazzling white smile from her dark brown face. "Well, Tika, this is your lucky day." She told the girl she was now her personal maid, and freed her. "We will work out your wages later." All Tika could do was nod mutely, she was dumbfounded over what Katherine had just told her. "But you're a slave, too. You cannot free me." "Maybe I can't, but Esteban can," Kate replied, and as though she had conjured him, Esteban entered his bedchamber and grinned widely at the site of Kate lounging in her oaken tub. He had forgotten how much he loved to see her in her bath. The other women on this ship rarely bathed beyond washing in the basin. She smiled a slow wicked smile, full of lustful promise. "You forgot something," she said to him. "I did?" "Yes, you did." She raised her leg and stuck it over the side. The silver cuff gleamed wetly upon her ankle. He looked at her and at her long leg and licked his now dry lips. "Perhaps I should leave it? You look very appealing with it upon your leg, and I do so love you being my captive." "I'll wear it as a bracelet, but I want it off my leg." 203

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He reached into his shirt and pulled a gold chain over his head. A tiny key was upon the chain and he slid it into a slot at the bottom of the cuff, releasing it with a click. She held her leg up while he pulled it off. "Thank you, Esteban," she said sincerely. "I love you, Katherine." He slid the cuff into his pocket. Maybe they could play with it later. A soft noise behind him made him turn. "Esteban, this is Tika, she'll be my maid. You were always after me to get a girl, so here she is," Kate said and Esteban smiled at the girl. "I want her freed though." "Done," he said without hesitation. He'd have gladly done anything she asked of him, he was so thrilled to have her back. Tika helped Kate from the bath and helped her to dress in her favorite doeskin breeches and silk shirt, then left them to have the men come for her tub. Kate added a scarlet waistcoat with gold trim and buttons and high black boots. Esteban had moved to his wardroom and was rummaging through a pile of charts upon his desk. While there was no one about, she picked up a knife from Esteban's things and fastened it to her belt under her waistcoat. She vowed she would never be unarmed again. Kate moved to stand near where Esteban was, not wanting to have so much as a room between them. "We've changed course," she said.

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"Yes," he answered shortly, still searching. He caught a pile as it started to slide over and righted it, and then moved on to another, which sat upon the floor. "Where are we going, Esteban?" He stood up straight, holding a chart in his hand. "We are heading north toward Andalos, so I may find Davich Romanov and keelhaul him." He spoke without the least amount of hesitation. "You look beautiful," he added, attempting to change the subject. Not about to be so easily diverted, she took a step closer. "Do you have any idea what is on the bottom of this ship?" she asked. "Enough barnacles to tear his flesh to the bone." He stopped. "What do you think would be a fitting revenge, cariña?" He looked at her for a moment, then reached out to caress her cheek and spoke gently. "Do you not wish to have revenge on the man who hurt you? Because even if you do not, I must." Kate's eyes filled with tears. "I hate him. I want him dead," she whispered, finally saying it aloud. She was shocked at herself. Not because she had actually wished death on another human being, but because she had not one ounce of regret over doing so. Esteban caught a tear which spilled down with his thumb, and nodded. He returned to his desk and rolled open the chart he had found. It was a coastal map of the waters of Andalos and Lyros. He lifted his inkwell and set it on the corner of the chart, then placed his shaker on the other corner to hold it open and picked up his pen. 205

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He bent to examine the chart more closely and heard Kate make a small sound. "Kate?" He looked up at her. "Where..." She cleared her throat. "Where did you get those?" "Get what?" He looked around, then at his hand. "The silver desk set," she said numbly. Her memory slammed home with the force of a sledgehammer and she leaned into the doorframe to hold herself up. "Rachel gave them to me. She said she got them in Guzel. Why?" Without another word, Kate turned and walked to the door. She pulled it open and walked out into the hallway. "Katherine? Kate!" He stood and followed her. By the time she got to the end of the corridor to the door of the women's quarters, she was nearly running. She shoved the door hard and it flew open striking the wall with a bang. Quima looked up at her. "There you are. It's about time you showed your face. Where have you been?" she demanded. "Shut up," Kate snarled. "Where is Rachel?" "Katherine!" Esteban entered the room and tried to take her elbow. She shook him off and turned to look around the room. The other women looked at each other and finally one girl said, "She's with Manuel, above." Katherine turned with murder on her mind, brushing past Esteban and out the door, slamming it behind her. 206

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She moved to the main stairway and climbed swiftly to the top deck. Near the wheel deck she could see Rachel, her red hair and yellow gown flaming in the sun, flirting with Manuel. She crossed the deck, ignoring Esteban's insistent calls to stop, and made her way past sailors, intent upon her mission. She finally stood where they were, Rachel had her back turned. "Rachel." Rachel turned quickly, surprised at having someone behind her. "Oh, it's you," she said and turned back dismissively. "Bitch, turn around." She sighed theatrically and looked at Katherine once more. "What?" Manuel had begun to back slowly away from the women. "It was you," Kate said quietly. "You set me up." "I don't know what you're talking about," Rachel said haughtily. "Aren't you a bit overdressed for scrubbing floors?" "You gave Esteban the desk set I bought for him, you told him it was from you. You lying whore!" "Oh that ... You can have him, I don't really want him after you," Rachel said. That was all it took. Katherine was on her like a wildcat, pulling her hair and kicking her. She held Rachel's long red locks in one hand and slapped her over and over again, then shoved her across the wheel deck. Rachel went over the rail to the deck below in a flurry of petticoats and satin, landing sprawled upon her back. She 207

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scrambled to her feet as she saw the blonde demon bearing down upon her. Kate was angry beyond reason. Somewhere, back in the recesses of her mind, she could hear Esteban calling her, demanding she stop, but the new Kate, the one who'd been forged by abuse and pain and sorrow, ignored him. She sought revenge against the woman who'd caused all of this. Rachel backed up, casting about for any sort of weapon she could use to defend herself. She spotted a sailor with a pistol tucked in his belt and grabbed it. She pulled back the hammer and leveled the gun at Kate. "No!" Esteban shouted, shoving aside the people standing between him and the women. Kate rushed in and bent low, catching Rachel around the knees, driving her backwards into the rails. Rachel's hand flew upward and she pulled the trigger sending the shot up and away. The pistol flew from her grasp, leaving an acrid cloud of gun smoke surrounding them. Kate watched her lunge for another weapon, a belaying pin. She pulled it free holding it like cudgel over her head, ready to strike. Kate flung herself at Rachel who caught her one good blow across the shoulders, but it was hardly enough to stop her. Now atop the struggling Rachel, Kate reached behind herself and pulled out the belt knife she'd put on this morning. She grabbed Rachel's hair, but rather than cutting Rachel's hateful throat as she'd planned, Kate instead brought the knife down and sliced chunk after chunk of red hair as close to the scalp as she could, leaving large, bald patches upon 208

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the other woman's head. Long tufts of red blew around the deck, swirling in the gathering wind. Rachel, once terrified of being murdered, now screamed her outrage at being viciously barbered. Her hands flew up trying to bat Katherine away from her, but only succeeded in a few useless blows against her torso. Esteban reached Kate and took her under the arms, dragging her back away from Rachel who lay sobbing upon the deck, feeling her head and crying out at each new bald spot she found. "She's the one who gave me to Davich," Kate spat angrily. She threw the knife on the deck where it stuck next to Rachel. "I bought you that desk set the day I was abducted. I had forgotten everything until I saw it." Kate turned and looked at Esteban, huge tears filled her eyes. "She has no idea how lucky she is that you were here, Esteban." Kate turned and moved back to the stairs, descending belowdeck. Esteban watched her go, then turned back to Rachel. "You deceitful bitch." "Esteban, no ... it wasn't like that ... You don't understand. She isn't one of us!" His icy eyes narrowed and he moved forward to her. "Esteban ... Please, no..." She wasn't sure what he planned to do but she was positive it would be horrible. "The penalty for betrayal of this ship and her crew, which includes my woman, is death." The crew watched silently, knowing the only true justice aboard Viceroy was Esteban's. 209

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"Please! Someone help me!" Rachel begged, but her pleas fell upon deaf ears. Esteban grabbed her by the wrist and hauled her to her feet then dragged her to the rail. "Oh my God, please don't kill me!" He lowered his head to her ear and whispered viciously. "I'm not going to kill you, that would be too good for you." He forced her to the deck and grabbed her ankle, then reached into his pocket and took out the silver cuff he'd removed from Katherine and snapped it into place. "You enjoyed watching my wife live the life of a slave, perhaps you ought to experience it for yourself." Esteban left her sobbing at his feet then turned and looked at his crew; they knew he'd kill anyone who dared to speak, although none of them would. While cruel, his actions had been warranted. He knew they were aware of how much he loved Katherine. She was indeed the perfect mate for him, as her ferocious courage had just proven. For someone so close to have betrayed them was a betrayal of them all. "Quima, take her below and dress her appropriately, then assign her duties. I don't wish to see her again." The womannodded then motioned to Rachel to move. The two women proceeded belowdeck. Esteban climbed to the wheel deck and scanned the horizon. "How far to Traru?" he demanded of Manuel. "Three days, sir." "Send word, we'll rendezvous there." Esteban slid back down the ladder and pulled Kate's dagger from the deck, then descended after her. He pushed 210

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the half-open door of his wardroom all the way open. She had gone to the bedroom, and stood staring at the sea. He watched Kate for a moment. She knew he was there but did not turn. "What did you do?" she asked. "She won't bother you again." Kate turned and looked at him, great tears ran down her face, and she burst into sobs. He took her in his arms, and she went gratefully. "I will see to it that Davich suffers for what he has done to you. He will not escape my wrath, but I will need your help." **** Three days to Traru left them little time to prepare, but by the time they arrived they had a plan. Esteban stood upon his wheel deck, watching the tiny harbor come into view. This was the last port until Diamánde at Carador. Nearly all of the ships leaving the southern waters would stop here or at Diamánde itself to resupply. As the mists parted to reveal more of the harbor, Esteban saw Davich's ship, Eleana Aru, come into view. This was Romanov's flagship, the jewel in his fleet and Esteban had spent many long hours familiarizing himself with the vessel's dimensions and her capabilities. She was larger and heavier than Viceroy, running approximately thirty-five feet across her beam and at least a hundred feet along the lower deck. Eleana Aru was a heavy sloop; three-masted, she rode two hundred tons with more than twenty guns. 211

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Viceroy was a frigate with a clipper keel, built for power and speed with four masts, and what she could not overcome with firepower, she could easily escape. Esteban's hatred for Davich Romanov had already run deep, but now it ran deeper still. When he had found Consuelo with him, he'd tried to kill the man. Davich had the devil's own luck and had escaped, but not without serious injury. Consuelo had begged Esteban not to condemn his soul to Hell through murder and he had reluctantly done as she asked; a last request so to speak. His sister had never been able to recover from her ordeal and had thrown herself to her death from the turrets of their home at Diamánde. He had run to the courtyard when he saw her fall and cradled her broken body in his arms, unable to avenge her death because of his promise. Now, more than ten years later, he was no longer concerned for his soul; too many had died by his hand or upon his orders for that to matter. And because he had not erased the scourge that Romanov was from the world, his precious Katherine had also been defiled. Her wounds went deep, beyond the visible to her very core and she was forever changed as well. He crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his weight to his other foot, scanning the harbor. The Andalosian Navy hunted him, and officially, the Basaltic Government wanted him dead. He made a scornful sound. Esteban knew while they talked about hanging him, they also needed him to provide the outlawed goods, which they so desperately sought. Their ongoing war with Lyros and 212

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Qassli and their strained relations with Minalos meant they could not receive the fine imports those countries had to offer. As a freebooter, Esteban walked a high, thin wire. Davich in particular wanted him dead—revenge for the horrible burns upon his face, as though his face was somehow more important than his sister's life or Kate's honor. He inhaled deeply and moved his restless hands behind his back. Kate was stronger than Consuelo, and he knew she would not succumb to the shame of her captivity and rape; if anything she was harder now, bitter. Her innocence and naïveté were gone forever. He knew she had spared him the worst of what had happened to her, but he did not need the details to see the damage. Her sleep was thin and he had not seen her sketch or draw in all the time she'd been back. She jumped at his voice and there was a haunted look that had never been present upon her face before. She never rejected him in their bed, and he always did his best to love her gently, proving his passion for her in deed as well as word. She might be forever altered by her ordeal, but she would be avenged. Katherine would see Davich Romanov dead. Esteban would throw his body at her feet. At least then, maybe she would sleep once more and perhaps Esteban's guilt-ridden heart would find peace as well. "You look upset," she said, looking up from the lower deck. He gestured with his chin toward the harbor. "He is here." She turned and followed his gaze. The black hull of Eleana Aru was plainly visible even from this distance. 213

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She took his offered hand and climbed up, joining him where he stood. A nauseating wave of panic rose up within her at the sight of her former prison, and she did her best to quash it before it overwhelmed her. Esteban held her hand, bringing it up to his lips, he kissed it softly and pulled her close. He could feel her heart pounding through her chest. "You will be safe, I swear it." "I'm not worried for myself." She looked up at him. "Esteban, please, don't underestimate how much Davich hates you." He smiled then, but it didn't touch his eyes. It was a grim, deadly sneer, which made her blood run cold. "If he lived a thousand years, Davich Romanov could never atone for the wrongs he has done, and the harm he has caused to me and mine," he said quietly. "He has no idea what hate is." He had told her all about his sister and what Davich had done to her, and she knew Esteban's hatred ran cold and deep. "When will you meet with him?" "Perhaps tonight. I know he will send a messenger," he replied, looking over her head. Kate nodded. "I should go rest, then get dressed." Esteban pulled her to him and kissed her lips softly, but that coldness had not left his eyes. She wasn't sure she liked kissing him like that. She made her way down to the main deck. She returned to their quarters and simply stood watching the water for a moment. Tika entered and moved to her side. "Are you all right, Miss Kate?" she asked. 214

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"I'm nervous," Katherine admitted. In fact, her stomach was a tightly bunched cluster of squirming nerves, which churned sickeningly. She took a deep hitching breath and turned to her maid, giving her what she hoped was an encouraging smile. "I'm going to try and rest for a little while, Tika," she said. "Would you please see that my bath is ready when I wake up?" "Of course, ma'am," Tika said. "Good girl. I'll need your help dressing too." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 14 Traru was a prosperous fishing village at the northernmost point of Silania, neutral ground for both Esteban and Davich. The residents knew their best customers were pirates and raiders and often looked the other way when it came to the legality of what went on there. Esteban knew that Davich's arrogance, his lust for Katherine, and his pure hatred for him would make the man careless; agreeing to meet here was his first mistake. Their plan was simple—lure Romanov with the promise of a very frightened Kate, then overpower him. He planned to return to Viceroy and then dispense justice at his leisure. He looked down at his crew preparing to land, and called out to Manuel who joined him above, "If anything goes wrong, you are to bring Katherine back here. Make sure the crew is ready to weigh anchor as quickly as possible." Manuel looked at his captain. "It will be as you say." Esteban nodded and clapped the younger man on the shoulder. When they made port, they immediately received a messenger from the Andalosian, naming the inn where he wished to meet that night. Esteban sent a landing party to covertly investigate his options at that inn. They reported that although there were several Andalosian sailors around, it seemed quiet and as safe as any other port. He nodded, satisfied then moved belowdecks. 216

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Davich Romanov was not a stupid man. Cunning and sly, he'd managed to stay alive relying upon his instincts and his wits. His fatal flaw was his vanity. He had known she was the pirate's woman, but he'd never expected her to attack him the way she had. When he'd received word that she was back in Esteban's hands, and that he was willing to trade, Davich had leaped at the opportunity. Davich definitely wanted her back. The little bitch had fooled him into believing she was a docile and submissive pet, when in fact she was a scheming, conniving whore. He had been shocked over what she'd done, and he seethed with embarrassed anger when he thought of how he had to be rescued by his valet. Her escape had been bold and courageous, and he afforded her a modicum of grudging admiration, although it was most likely a simple combination of good fortune and circumstances, rather than skill. Still, he planned to make her pay for what she'd done. **** When it was nearly dark, Esteban led her from the ship, down the dock to the cobbled streets. Her hands were bound before her, secured by a thick rope and she fought Esteban's tight grasp as he led her to the inn. Davich had arrived earlier and watched them from the window in the second story above. A chilly smile crossed his face as he contemplated not only Katherine, but also Esteban under his control at last. He watched until they entered the doors below. 217

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Was Esteban truly foolish enough to have come alone? His thought was confirmed by only two sets of feet upon the stairs. Davich motioned for the two sailors he'd brought with him to move back into the shadows of the large room, then settled himself into a chair. The door opened and Kate was thrust through unceremoniously. She stumbled awkwardly and then righted herself, turning back to glare at her assailant. Esteban entered behind her and sneered at her angry face, daring her to protest. He did not acknowledge Davich, but spoke. "You offered ten-thousand peks for this bitch?" Esteban stood close to the door, and Davich knew he needed to draw the pirate nearer. He watched the pirate for a moment before he replied. "I am shocked that you actually wish to part with her, Magalia. I thought you were more of a sentimental fellow." "Do you want the woman or not?" Esteban demanded Davich stood and moved toward Kate. "Hello, Katherine," he purred. "I was saddened that we did not have the opportunity to say goodbye when we were together last." He reached out and touched her face and she jerked her head back away from him, making him laugh. "Here I thought you were such a docile and gentle pet. Now I see my little kitty has sharp claws." Kate made a disgusted sound and looked away from him. Esteban was barely able to hold himself in check, literally shaking with rage watching Romanov touch her. 218

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"Very well, you'll have your money," he said to Esteban, still looking at Kate. He moved quickly and pulled her head forward, taking her mouth in a brutal kiss, drawing blood where his sharp teeth split her lip. Kate made a pained yelp and raised her bound hands to push him back. He broke the kiss and touched her lip. "Do you know how much I've missed you, dear Katherine?" He held her by the back of her head and pulled her face forward, then darted his tongue out to lick the blood he had drawn. Katherine nearly gagged from revulsion and struggled to pull herself away. Esteban thought he would be able to withstand Romanov touching her, and taunting him, but he'd been mistaken. Blind rage overwhelmed him and he leaped at Davich. "Bastard!" Davich turned in time to see Esteban about to land upon him. Kate dropped back and tried to move away from the men, bumping into the wall behind her. Esteban reached Davich and punched him hard, drawing back to hit him again immediately afterward. Davich managed to pull back after the first blow and lowered his head, driving his shoulder into Esteban's belly, forcing him back. From the shadows, Kate saw two men emerge and reach for Esteban. She screamed and shouted a warning, then pulled her hands free from her mock-bonds. She rushed to the door and opened it, admitting Manuel and his two helpers, then turned back to join the fray, crying out sharply as Manuel grabbed her by the wrist and jerked her out into the hallway. "Manuel," Esteban barked, "Take her back to the ship. Now!" 219

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The sailor bent and lifted her over his shoulder and then bounded down the staircase two at a time. "Dammit let me go!" she cried. In the room, the two men and Davich fought Esteban and his two remaining mates. The room was destroyed as the pirates grappled with the huge Andalosians. They smashed the table and traded blows, and soon advanced to more deadly methods. The younger mate who'd accompanied Manuel died first. One of the Andalosian sailors hit him hard, and then twisted his neck violently to the right, snapping his spine. He dropped the young man's body and proceeded to aid his partner in subduing Esteban's remaining mate. Hearing the older sailor groan in pain, Esteban turned to aid him. The chair Davich swung stopped his progress. It slammed down across Esteban's shoulders, driving him to his hands and knees upon the floor where he then received the full force of the commodore's boot to his jaw. Unconscious, the pirate captain lay in a heap upon the floor beside the old sailor. All was now silent except for the harsh breathing of Davich and his two men. "Bind him and get him back to Eleana Aru," Davich said at last. "What about this one, sir?" the sailor asked. "Kill him."

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The sailor bent and grabbed the old man by the hair, then drew his knife and slit his throat, dropping the body to the floor. Davich was disappointed that he'd missed the opportunity to capture both Esteban and Katherine, but he could be satisfied knowing he now held the pirate his superiors had wanted captured for more than ten years. **** Aboard Viceroy, Kate paced and fumed. She knew something like this would happen. "Dammit!" she cursed and continued moving, unable to stop. Manuel had given orders to weigh anchor the very second he'd stepped onboard with Kate flailing and kicking over his shoulder. Viceroy was moving rapidly out to sea, rocking and groaning as she was carried by the tides. Soon, the sails billowed, filling with wind, and they moved even farther away from the port of Traru—farther from Esteban. Sometime later Manuel was on his way to speak with the shipmaster. He passed Kate who grabbed his arm and yanked the telescope from his belt, then released him. He paused to look at her, noting the extreme worry he saw upon her face, and then shook his head and continued. He felt the same way she did, but didn't have the time or the luxury of showing it. 221

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Kate shot him an evil look and raised the glass to her eye. She scanned the shoreline back and forth a few times before she stopped. There! She spotted Davich's blonde head, tall and arrogant he walked through the streets to the docks. Behind him, two men half-dragged, half-carried Esteban's limp form. "Oh my God!" She turned and scrambled up the ladder to the wheel deck where Manuel stood. "Here look!" She thrust the scope into his hands. Esteban's first mate saw his captain and swore softly. He knew if they'd captured the captain then the other men were already dead. Kate stood with her hand covering her mouth, eyes wide and frightened. "What do we do now? Davich will kill him, Manuel!" "No, doña, he will not. If the Andalosian wished him to be dead, he would have already done it. Captain Esteban is valuable alive. Dead, he's simply another pirate. Alive, he is an example." Manuel's words did nothing to calm her. "So what now? I don't suppose 'Captain Esteban' left any orders for what to do if he was captured, did he?" Her worry over his safety caused her to be more bitter than she intended. God, she wanted to vomit. "No, he did not," Manuel replied quietly. "Oh damn." Katherine sat heavily upon the floor of the wheel deck, leaning her spinning head upon her knees. She'd been positive Manuel would say yes. 222

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"Okay ... think, Katherine..." she muttered. "What if we open fire on them as they pass?" Manuel was looking at the shore again, but replied to her question. He extended his hand and pulled her to her feet. "Eleana Aru outguns us. They will be expecting an attack. That is why I am moving the ship so far away. I know Esteban would not wish to see Viceroy at the bottom of the harbor at Traru." "And there's no way Davich will ransom him," she mused, and then looked back at the rapidly receding coast. "We have to get him back." **** A bucket of cold seawater brought Esteban back to consciousness. Gasping and sputtering for air, he opened his eyes to several Andalosian sailors gathered loosely about him. It was past dawn and the sky shone bright blue around him. Seated upon the deck, his hands and arms were tied over a long horizontal rail behind him. The ropes were tight enough to cut into his skin. Nevertheless, he tested the bonds. "Don't worry, you'll not escape." It was Davich. "You're going to stay exactly where I have you until we reach Andalos or rendezvous with the Basaltic flagship, the Draga. Then we'll see you swing from either a gallows or a yardarm. It's a pity I didn't get your bitch, too. I would have liked making her watch that before I fucked her." Esteban lowered his head and swallowed sickly. He was in serious trouble, but at least Katherine was safe. Manuel had done precisely as he had ordered. 223

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Davich kicked him hard in the side and chuckled as Esteban groaned in pain, then left him, laughing as he walked away. Through the next several days Esteban was often a target to the sailors who'd pass by. They would spit upon him or kick him. Occasionally, and much to Esteban's surprise, Romanov's first mate, a man named Carzo, would wordlessly give him clean water or allow him to go to the head. But tied to the rail and exposed to the elements, Esteban felt himself weakening. His physical comfort mattered little to him; it was his heart that ached the most. He'd wanted to avenge his wife's and sister's honor, but his pride and rashness had only added to Katherine's pain. It was early, before dawn Esteban guessed, when he noticed an unusual stirring among the sailors. Several rushed past and began preparing for an armed conflict. Esteban lifted his head as far as he could and scanned the horizon, spying a ship. Thankfully it was too large to be Viceroy. Carzo and another sailor appeared before him. The first mate began to untie his hands. "I see Davich has managed to offend yet another navy." "Shut up, you're going belowdecks." The second sailor pulled Esteban to his feet. "You sound scared. Are you afraid of drowning?" Carzo spoke up. "We may drown, but you'll drown first. Caged like a rat." That fact hadn't escaped Esteban's notice, but he'd chosen to ignore it for now. 224

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"I am comfortable with the thought of my death, are you?" he asked. The sailor shoved him before the first mate answered and Esteban stumbled toward the cargo hold. He looked at the second sailor and noticed a ring upon a chain around his neck—it was Katherine's wedding band! As he proceeded down a flight of stairs, the ship began her lumbering turn. He was momentarily off balance and leaned heavily into the sailor, ripping the chain off and holding Katherine's ring. The sailor shoved him hard and he hit the wall. Esteban turned, looking for a chance to escape. Perhaps he could jump into the sea below. They wouldn't bother trying to capture him if they were about to be engaged, and he could then swim to the other ship. He felt the cold steel of a pistol press none too gently into his ribs. "Keep moving." Esteban paused and looked into Carzo's eyes, surprised to see genuine fear. He continued down the stairs, shoving the chain and the ring into his pocket. They proceeded down a corridor to a closed door, which the second sailor opened. Carzo pulled Esteban through, leading him to a barred section of the hold, then pulled that door open and shoved him through. "Give me your hands." The sailor bound his hands before him with shackles, secured the door with a heavy brass padlock and then left him alone. 225

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When they'd left, Esteban shoved a few of the parcels and crates over, then pushed a barrel under the porthole. He climbed upon it and peered out at the approaching vessel. An enormous galleon, four-masted and looming, she quickly covered the distance between the two ships. As she neared, Esteban saw the sailors aboard lift the colors upon the mast. He watched the imperial Basaltic flag unfurl and his stomach clenched. It was the Draga. Abovedeck, he heard a loud cheer erupt from the relieved sailors when they recognized the ship. They rolled the guns back into their places and suspended their battle preparations, instead beginning their boarding procedures. Esteban sat heavily upon the barrel and lowered his head. He'd known, at least on the surface, that he would most likely hang one day, but he found when faced with the very real probability of his own death, he was unprepared. Had he been captured before he'd met Katherine, he might not have been so overwhelmed with dread, and since he was being truthful, the thought brought a great deal of fear as well. He had finally found the woman he had always desired, someone he would have willingly given anything to have, and he didn't welcome the idea of his own demise. He knew that although his situation was dire, he must somehow find a way to escape. He couldn't leave her alone in this world. Esteban took a deep breath and tested the shackles upon his wrists. They were new and too strong for him to break. In frustration, he rose and kicked over a stack of crates. 226

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A loud boom sounded from the approaching ship and bare seconds later several more sounded. Eleana Aru rocked and shuddered from the impact of the cannon fire. Esteban was knocked to the floor as the blast rocked the ship. He brought his arms up over his head to shield himself from the falling cargo and splintered debris raining down upon him. In the resulting stillness that followed, he took stock to make sure he was uninjured, and then pushed several crates off of himself. He scrambled to his feet and righted the barrel upon which he'd sat only moments before, pulling it over to where it had been under the porthole. The galleon had swung about; her port side cannons faced the starboard side of the Eleana Aru. Ten heavy cannon pointed ominously out from her gunwales directly at them. Directly above those guns, five more demicannons loaded with grape or chain shot stood ready, their gunners prepared to fire. **** Manuel paced before Esteban's desk. He ran his hands through his already messy black hair, unsettling the knitted cap perched atop it, then stopped and placed his palms flat upon the surface. He took a deep breath before he spoke. "You do not understand, doña. If we attack Eleana Aru, they will sink us to the bottom of the sea. She outguns us, it is that simple. I will not risk the lives of my crew, myself or you in some mad scheme. I know Captain Esteban would not wish for me to do so." 227

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"You do not understand, Manuel. If we do not rescue Esteban, they will hang him, and I am not prepared to allow that. So come up with a better idea or we go with my plan." Katherine tried to sound braver than she felt. Manuel made a frustrated sound. "If it were as simple as that..." A young sailor knocked and then entered the room, interrupting him. "Sir, the Lyrosian flagship Sea Dancer has been spotted several leagues from our location. She has signaled to us." Manuel nodded. "Raise the Lyrosian pennant, and then signal back. Tell the ship's master to navigate to her." "Aye, sir." The man nodded and left. "Collin Master's ship ... It's here?" Katherine half stood from behind the desk. "It appears Captain Esteban has a guardian angel, doña." Manuel opened the door and held it as Kate swept by. [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 15 Several men from Eleana Aru were set into a small dory and launched toward the towering hulk of the galleon. Their counterparts did the same and the men met in the middle. After what looked like a long, heated exchange, one of the men signaled to the galleon. Both boats began to row back to their respective ships. Esteban wished he could have heard the exchange, but he guessed by the grim faces of the men now boarding from the small dory that the news wasn't good. Shortly afterward, three shots boomed from the galleon's gunwales and Esteban watched the heavy grappling hooks sail across the distance between the two ships. He couldn't understand what was going on. Why was it that a Basaltic flagship would fire upon them? To what purpose? Unless... He climbed upon the barrel and looked at the galleon once more. It was Sea Dancer! The imperial Basaltic flag had been lowered and replaced by the royal rampant of Lyros. A surge of relief flowed through him. Kate must have contacted Collin somehow and they'd engineered his rescue. That relief was short-lived, however, when it occurred to him that Kate was probably aboard that ship. As though he'd conjured her, she now appeared briefly above, her golden hair shining in the sun. Esteban's heart 229

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leapt at the sight of her, then sank. "Dammit," he muttered, cursing Collin for allowing her to be in such danger. As the two ships got closer, the activity above increased and when the hulls of the two ships finally connected with a low, hollow boom, Esteban heard the battle erupt. **** Aboard Sea Dancer, Kate prayed she'd acted before Esteban was killed. Collin had been eager to assist her when she'd explained the situation and had taken the time to tell her about the Andalosians and Basaltics. Lyros was at war and had been for some time with BasSalaam. The Andalosians were the allies of BasSalaam, therefore the enemy of Lyros as well. He also knew Esteban's history with Romanov and wanted to help for his own personal reasons. Now, she watched as the men in the dory spoke to those from Eleana Aru. They had gone to demand a peaceful surrender, which would include Esteban's release. "Romanov will never agree," Collin said as he came up beside her. "What? That would be madness!" Kate exclaimed. "It is no matter really. I'll enjoy sinking this bitch to the bottom," the admiral mused. "Collin? Esteban is aboard that bitch, in case you've forgotten." Kate's nerves were raw and she responded, irritated at his tone.

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He turned to look at her, smiling calmly. "Do not worry, Katherine. I will have him safely aboard before I scuttle her. You should go belowdeck. Things will get dangerous now." "But—" "No buts. I should have insisted you go ashore as I did with Aria and the other women, but now you must do as I say." He looked at her meaningfully. "Please?" She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Above her head, Collin motioned to his first mate. "Mister Sanders, please escort Lady Katherine below deck." "Aye, sir." Kate turned back. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Collin looked out at the Eleana Aru, but spoke to her. "See the surgeon; he may need assistance." Kate followed Sanders below and he led her through the passageway to the ship's surgery. Knocking once, Sanders opened the door and held it as Kate passed. The ship's surgeon looked up from the pile of bandages before him and scowled at them. "What is it?" he demanded. "The admiral thought Lady Katherine might be of some assistance to you," Sanders replied. "Oh he did?" The man looked irritated, then sighed in exasperation. "All right, you may assist me." Sanders nodded, saluted briefly then exited. "I don't suppose you know anything about healing, do you?" "Well, not much, but I thought an extra pair of hands couldn't hurt," Kate replied. 231

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He narrowed his eyes speculatively at her. "No, it won't hurt. You are correct. Very well, count these bandages. There should be three hundred rolls of cotton gauze and three hundred pressure compresses." Kate nodded and moved to where he stood. He stepped back and appraised her openly. "I wonder, Lady Katherine, is it common among pirates for their women to wear breeches as a man does?" She swallowed a lump of irritation. "Well, it's common where I'm from, Doctor—" "Hill, Doctor James Sutton Hill." "Nice to meet you." Kate extended a hand, which he looked at for a moment before taking. "Katherine Magalia." "Don't you mean Lady Katherine?" "Titles aren't big where I'm from," she replied. "Where is it exactly that you are from?" "Sakendahl," she said, then looked down to hide her lie. "That isn't what I'd have guessed." Before Kate had a chance to ask him what he meant by that, a loud boom sounded above them, quickly followed by two more. "That would be the hooks. We'll need to get ready," Doctor Hill commented. **** Standing atop the barrel now was useless as all that Esteban could see was the hull of the Sea Dancer. He paced the cage like a panther and finally slammed his locked wrists against the bars in frustration. The shackle upon his right 232

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wrist sprang open and he stared at it stupidly for a moment, then tried the same with his left. That lock would not release, and he was left with an eighteen inch length of chain dangling from his arm. Nearby, he picked up the sound of footsteps moving rapidly in his direction. Sudden cannon shot punched large holes in the hull and showered splintered wood around him, and he cringed. Seconds later several more shots above and a thundering crash indicated the main mast had been destroyed. He looked about and realized that water was seeping into the hold and now covered the tops of his boots. A flare of panic shot through him at the thought of drowning in this cage, especially with rescue so close. The door flew open then revealing Davich Romanov looking distinctly uncomfortable. He closed the door and leaned on it, as though catching his breath. "You have caused me more trouble than your miserable life is worth," he snarled at Esteban. "You can end this now and save your crew and your own worthless neck. Just release me and surrender. I will tell them." Esteban held his hands close together to conceal the broken shackle. Davich laughed derisively. "I think we both know that isn't going to happen." Esteban grinned. "It was worth trying." Davich pulled his pistol from the waist of his breeches. It had been concealed under his frock coat. "Perhaps if you beg me upon your knees, I won't kill you." 233

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"I think we both know that isn't going to happen." Davich stepped closer to the bars. "Would you like to hear how it was with your woman? She screamed, Magalia, and it only made me want to fuck her more." This time, despite the Andalosian's taunts, Esteban managed to choke back his rage before it boiled to the surface. He could see the light of insanity in Davich's eyes and knew the man was going to shoot him no matter what. Still he thought he might have a slim chance if he could just get him to come a bit closer. He hung his head as though defeated, then looked up. "You'll release me if I say it?" His words were quiet, hesitant. "Say it." Esteban nodded and Davich tucked his pistol into the waist of his breeches once more. He stepped to the bars in order to hear more clearly. "Please..." Esteban began. Eagerly Davich anticipated the words the pirate was about to utter. He planned to kill him anyway, but forcing him to beg would complete his humiliation. "Please..." Esteban began again, then swiftly reached through the bars of the cell, dragging Davich forward, slamming his face into the bars and breaking his nose. "Please die, slowly and painfully," Esteban growled the words through clenched teeth. Davich, taken entirely by surprise, gasped and struggled as blood flew from his nose and teeth. Esteban reached up and grasped the chain still attached to his left wrist, sliding it 234

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up until it was around Davich's neck, then used both hands to tighten it. Davich flailed madly and managed to turn himself around until his back was to the pirate whose grip was relentless. Davich was weakening. Esteban could feel him beginning to slouch against the bars, and God help him, but he was enjoying strangling this monster. With the last of his dwindling strength, Davich raised his pistol and pointed it at himself. He cocked the hammer and squeezed the trigger. The discharge was thunderous in the small room and seemed to silence everything else. Davich heard Esteban inhale sharply, and ever so slightly loosen his grip, then increase with more pressure than before. The shot had gone directly through Davich and into Esteban's abdomen. The ball ripped into his body and he felt the searing burn which followed. He gasped in pain, then violently yanked the chain tighter, more determined than ever in his task. "I'll see you in Hell, Davich." Before the bullet wound could take away Esteban's pleasure, Davich Romanov died at his hands. The pistol slid from his hand into the water, and his body crumpled slowly to the floor alongside it. Esteban released the chain and backed away, clutching his abdomen. He looked down at his bloodstained shirt and groaned. He was going to die, but at least Davich was dead as well—Consuelo and Kate were avenged. Esteban bumped into the barrel behind him and sat heavily upon the floor. The water was now at least two feet deep and 235

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covered him past his waist. He felt the sting of the saltwater in his wound and sucked in a pained breath, then laughed ruefully. Apparently his death would not be quick and painless after all. **** The battle was in its full fury when Kate and Doctor Hill left the surgery to begin aiding the wounded. As they hurried through the corridor, Doctor Hill asked her, "Are you familiar with the word triage?" "Vaguely," Kate breathed as she hurried to keep up. "When we triage, we put the patients in order by the severity of their wounds." Kate nodded. "Most severe get a red ribbon, head wounds, severed limbs and such. I'll see to them first. Non-life-threatening but serious, deep cuts, burns, blast shocked, get a yellow ribbon. Flesh wounds or anything else gets green. Black ribbons are for the mortally wounded or dead. The chaplain will see to them." He thrust a handful of colored ribbons into Kate's palm, and then climbed the stairs to the upper deck. Kate examined the ribbons, then swallowed the lump of dread in her throat and followed. When the two ships came together, several of the Andalosians leapt the gap and began the attack. The ferocity of the battle shocked Kate, who up until this time had only seen minor skirmishes which made her think of the pirate movies she'd seen.

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The wounds were ghastly and tragic. Severed fingers and limbs, deep saber strokes to neck, face and chest, burns and blasted away appendages. Valiantly, she kept her composure, aiding those she could, and briefly mourning every dead sailor she encountered. She was thankful for even the little bit of first aid training she had. It took several more violent exchanges between the two ships before the Lyrosians were victorious. Kate had no idea how many men she'd aided or how long the battle had raged, but she knew for certain she'd tied eleven black ribbons. She sat upon the blood-soaked deck, cradling a young sailor's head in her lap. She raised a shaky hand and lowered his lids to cover the vacant blue stare, then dropped her head and wept. Slowly she reached for yet another black ribbon tying it around his wrist, then gently laid his hand upon his chest. First Mate Sanders was number twelve. She looked up and saw Collin Masters leap the gap between the two ships, landing nimbly upon the deck of Eleana Aru, and as gently as possible she lowered Sanders to the deck, and followed. She took a running start and leapt to the other ship herself, stumbling briefly, and coming to a halt near where Collin stood. The admiral started briefly. "Dammit, woman, do you ever listen?" he demanded. He was cut across his uniform coat, a thin bloody line traveled up his handsome face from his neck to his temple, and several more were visible upon his arms. 237

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His hands were bloody and cut, and more blood crusted his white cuffs. Kate could definitely see his hard side now and wondered briefly why she'd ever thought him foppish. "Not when it comes to my husband," she replied. "Please help me find him." Collin sighed and shook his head. "That was my intention, you know." "Then the two of us should find him in no time." He smiled in spite of his exasperation with her. He'd seen her several times during the long battle and admired her courage. She was dirty, tired and bloodstained, and yet she'd never broken down, never shied from aiding those who needed it. Collin knew now what it was that Esteban loved about her. "Well, come along then." He helped her over the fallen rigging and several dead Andalosian sailors. "Let's find him before this bitch sinks to the bottom." Together they searched the top decks. Kate's dread mounted by the minute and she was convinced they would find him among the dead. "I think he must be belowdeck," Collin said finally. "You go to the hold, I'll check the cabins, then meet you below." He left her at the entrance to the hold. "And for God's sake, be careful." She descended the steps and waded through thigh-deep water, calling to Esteban and shoving aside floating debris. When she made it to the door at the end of the corridor, she pushed it open and entered. 238

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Immediately she shrieked at the sight of Davich Romanov's dead body floating upon its back. His face was bloated and blue, bruised to nearly unrecognizable proportions. Around his neck she could see the marks of a chain, and she let her gaze travel down to the burned hole in his waistcoat where the bullet had entered. Behind him, she found her husband, slumped to the floor. "Esteban!" she cried and moved as quickly as the water would allow to the bars of the cell. The blood which had pooled around him and mixed with the seawater was plainly visible. The water was nearly to his chest, and she watched as his head drooped into it and then came up momentarily when he jerked upward. Esteban opened his eyes at her voice. Kate stood at the bars with the most terrified expression he'd ever seen. His head drooped tiredly. "Esteban, God damn it! Don't you dare die on me!" He forced his eyes open again and focused on where she stood yelling at him. He looked over her shoulder and saw the water now pouring in from above, they didn't have much time left. With all of the strength he could muster, he spoke. "I am dying. Leave me now and get off this ship before she kills us both." "The hell I will!" Kate shot back. She turned and began searching for something to break the lock. Weakly, Esteban crawled through the rising water to the door of the cell, leaning upon his shoulder against it. 239

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Kate returned with a large wooden mallet and pounded upon the lock, but it simply would not break. She began to cry as she hammered against it. "Cariña, it is no use. Please leave me and save yourself," Esteban spoke quietly. "I've been shot." Katherine sank to the floor beside him and clutched him through the bars. "Oh God ... I'm not leaving you alone to die! It's not right, I love you..." She sobbed now, unable to finish. Esteban reached up and stroked her hair. "Please..." he whispered. "I love you too, but please save yourself." "No! If you're dying then I'll die with you. I'm scared to be alone." She searched his eyes and brought her hand up to his cool cheek. Esteban laughed, a short, pained bark. "You are not afraid of anything." His vision was clouding and he felt so cold—he knew his time was short. "Excuse me for interrupting this loving scene, but I suggest we get off this tub before she goes under," Collin Masters spoke behind Kate. "Collin! Thank God!" He stepped around Katherine, placing himself between her and the heavy door lock, then set his pistol against it. He turned his face away and pulled the trigger. The lock shattered and fell to the water beside Davich's body with a plunk. Collin examined Davich for a moment, then shoved his corpse out of the way to pull open the cell door. "Whichever 240

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of you it was who killed Davich gets a medal when we get home." Collin bent and took Esteban's right arm, pulling it across his shoulders, and hoisted him to his feet. He then bent and hauled the pirate over his shoulder. "Lead on, madam." He spoke now to Kate who rushed ahead of them and held the door. Collin rapidly made the top deck and passed Esteban's unconscious body across to his men who rushed him below to the surgery. He helped Katherine to cross, then finally spanned the gap himself. "Sanders!" he shouted as he stepped onto the deck of his ship. Kate stopped and retuned to him. "Collin, I'm so sorry. He was killed earlier. I never had a chance to tell you." Collin stopped and his face fell revealing his shock at her words. He took a breath attempting to recover his poise, then cleared his throat. "He was a fine young man." Kate nodded, torn between going to her husband and comforting her friend. "Go to him, he needs you more than I do." Collin saw her conflict and smiled sadly, then watched as she hurried below. He turned to a passing sailor, grabbing him by the arm. "Place a dozen charges in her hold and send her to hell." "Aye, sir." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 16 Kate made her way down the stairs to the surgery, dread filling her with each step and by the time she reached the door, she was convinced she would find her husband's dead body awaiting her. She stepped in and watched as Doctor Hill stood, his back to her, working upon Esteban's prone form. "If that is you, Lady Katherine, I could use your help now." "Oh, yes..." Kate was surprised into action and stepped up beside him. "Your husband has been shot through the abdomen. He's lost a great deal of blood and he may very well die. Right now, the lead ball is lodged beneath his rib. I can feel it, but I cannot reach it because I must stop the bleeding—put your hand here." He took her wrist in his gore-soaked hand and pressed it to an open spot in Esteban's gut. "Press down firmly while I tie this off." Mercifully, Kate could feel the warmth of him still. A sudden spurt of blood made her vision gray for a moment, and she locked her knees against the urge to faint. "Sorry..." she whispered, swallowing the bile that had risen in her throat. The doctor continued repairing the damage to Esteban's body and instructing her as he would a nurse. He looked up at her and spoke after a lengthy silence. "Is there any chance you know your blood type?" Her gaze flew to his. Numbly she answered, "O positive." 242

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He was from Earth! No one here had that sort of knowledge yet. "Good, we'll need to relieve you of a pint or two, then you can do me; I'm also O pos. That should be enough to get him through. I've tied off all the bleeders and repaired the damage. All that remains now is to remove the ball—and there it is." He dropped the lead ball into a metal dish beside him. The metallic clink sound surprised Kate. "How did you know?" Kate demanded. The doctor smiled as he finished stitching up the incision he'd made. "I guessed when you said breeches were common where you were from, and you had no use for titles. Besides, you have a cute little Yankee accent." He smiled. Kate's emotions were stretched taut and she burst into tears. "Come here and sit. It's all right, don't cry." He led her to sit upon the chair near where Esteban lay, and turned to get the things he needed to draw her blood. He placed a tourniquet upon her arm and she looked up at him. "You didn't get that here." "Let's just say I have my methods." He smiled again and moved to bar the door. Once he had her hooked up to an intravenous bottle, he pulled a curtain around them, then left her to check on his other patients. Above, Kate heard the detonations and knew Eleana Aru was gone. When the doctor returned he began to administer the whole blood to Esteban. "Just stay there for few moments," he said. 243

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Katherine watched him treat her husband and wondered how it was that he came to be here. At last, she mustered her courage and asked. "I passed through a portal, nearly ten years ago." "So you were pushed over like me?" Kate interrupted. "Oh no, I came through on my own. You were pushed?" "Yeah, on a hiking trip through the foothills of the Alps." He shook his head. "I know there are groups on both sides who periodically attempt to open the portals. This one must have gotten lucky." "So, how did you get here?" she pressed. He washed his hands in the basin, then pulled a chair up to where she sat. "Since I was a boy, I've always known that this world existed. I often dreamed about it, and I strongly suspect that my imaginary friends were in fact Calthracians. When my wife and daughter were killed in a car wreck, I spent several years emotionally lost, simply going through the motions of life, but numbed. After a while, I spent all of my time daydreaming of this simpler world. It had become an obsession for me, a safe haven. When I went to my bed one night and awoke in a field in Lyros, I thought I'd truly lost my mind, and willed myself back. I was frightened, but intrigued as well. Eventually, I found it was possible for me to move between the worlds freely. The last time I was there, I stocked up on medical supplies and medicine, which is why Sea Dancer has the healthiest crew upon the ocean. Most of them think I'm some sort of sorcerer, and to them, I suppose I am." 244

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Kate nodded, recalling her dinner with Esteban and how she'd shown him her camera. "I could probably take you back, that is, if you wished to go." She looked at Esteban lying there so helplessly upon the bed, and her heart clenched. Less than four hours ago, she'd been ready to die with him. She was madly in love and she knew that wherever he was, was where she belonged as well. "Can he come with me?" "Technically he can, but Calthracians weaken and die quickly in our world. It's toxic to them." If returning to Earth meant leaving him, she would never go. "No thanks." She smiled. "I'm home." He nodded and smiled knowingly. Esteban regained consciousness late the next day. He gasped in pain and tried to sit up but Kate held his shoulders, keeping him from moving too much. "Be careful, you'll open your sutures," she scolded. He lay back weakly and she brought another pillow to bolster his shoulders. "Are we dead?" he croaked. "No, we're not," Kate replied with a tired smile. She hadn't slept a full night since Esteban had been captured. "What were you trying to do?" "I hurt so much I feared perhaps I was dead and had ended up in hell. But then I saw you and knew I could not be." "You're full of it." 245

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"Do I charm you?" He wiggled his eyebrows but she could see his fatigue. "You still look tired," she said. "You look very tired as well, my Kate. Have you not slept?" "I'll go to sleep soon." She lifted his hand and kissed it. "God, I was so worried about you." "I am sorry for that." He didn't miss the emotion in her words and turned his hand, caressing her cheek. She bent to place a soft kiss upon his dry lips. "May I have some water?" "Not yet," Doctor Hill interrupted. "Let me examine you first, then you may have some." Kate hastily wiped her eyes. "Esteban, this is Doctor Hill. He saved your life." "I am in your debt, Doctor," Esteban said. Doctor Hill began his examination and was pleased to see Esteban healing well. He'd given him a huge dose of antibiotics after the blood transfusion to ward off infection, and saw no signs of it now. When he finished he looked to Katherine. "You should go and get some sleep. Your husband is doing fine." "I'll go, but I want you to call me if he needs anything." "I will." Kate nodded, kissed Esteban, then left the surgery. When she closed the door, Esteban looked up at Doctor Hill. "How long do I have?" "How long?" "Yes, before I die. How long?"

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"Oh ... I'd say you have forty or fifty years if you take good care of yourself and quit pirating," the doctor commented. Esteban stared at him. "What?" "What makes you so certain you're dying?" "Doctor, I was gut-shot. One does not recover from such a wound, so please do not humor me." "Captain, I do not 'humor' my patients. You were shot in the abdomen, yes. But your wife generously gave her own blood to save you. I might add that you're dismissing my fine surgical skills as well." He paused then, relishing the look of shock on the pirate's face. "Provided your wound does not fester, you should be up and around and fathering little pirates in no time." Esteban looked up at him tiredly. "My wife is barren, doctor, but I thank you for your candor, and for saving my life. I believe I will rest now." Somewhat shocked at Esteban's words, Doctor Hill nodded and then excused himself. **** Esteban continued healing as Sea Dancer made her way slowly toward Esteban's home of Carador, through increasingly chilly seas. No infection had settled into Esteban's wounds and his recovery was progressing normally as far as everyone was concerned. Because Kate continued to assist with the remaining patients and therefore had less time for him, Esteban had 247

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ample time to consider what Doctor Hill had said to him about giving up pirating. He was entirely prepared to give up the sea forever if that was what it took to keep Katherine safe, but he had to settle things with his crew first. Through Collin, he'd sent word to Manuel for Viceroy to meet them in Carador. He often would catch Katherine and Doctor Hill in deep conversation. When they realized he was listening, they would draw apart quickly, and Kate would always look distressed. Esteban began to wonder what sort of relationship was developing between them. "What is Carador like?" Kate asked him as they walked arm in arm around the deck of the huge ship. At the doctor's insistence, they walked at least twice a day. Esteban's steps were slow but steady. He ached to do more, but heeded the doctor's advice under threat of violence by Katherine. He left his thoughts and replied quietly, "Carador is lush and green and civilized. It is nothing like the southern countries you have seen. I am surprised your friend has not described it to you." "My friend? Oh, Doctor Hill? He's not exactly my friend." "I've seen you speaking with him so often, I thought perhaps you and he had struck up a close friendship." He couldn't help but let a tinge of jealousy color his words. "Are you jealous?" "What am I to think? My wife is suddenly spending an extraordinary amount of time with another man..." He let his statement hang between them. 248

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Kate's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You think I'm going to ... fuck him, don't you!" The thought was so abhorrent to her that she simply grabbed the most awful word that popped into her head. It was Esteban's turn to be shocked. Kate rarely used any words stronger than damn and hell. "That is a positively filthy word for a woman to use!" "It's a positively filthy thought in your head!" Before he had a chance to reply, she cut in, "Never mind!" She stormed off, leaving him standing alone and dumbfounded at her anger. Esteban, still baffled by Katherine's explosive outburst, made his way back to the surgery and sat tiredly upon his bed. Doctor Hill was there checking upon his other patients and moved to speak with the pirate. He drew the curtains behind him. "Captain, how are you feeling?" "I am well, thank you." "You'll pardon me for saying it, but you do not look well," Doctor Hill remarked. "Lay back." Esteban lay down upon his bed and allowed the doctor to examine him, but he knew his problem was not a physical one. His problem was Kate. The doctor finished his exam and stepped back. "You're fine physically. So my educated opinion would venture woman problems?" "You are amazingly astute," Esteban commented dryly.

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"Thank you." The doctor smiled. "But in all honesty, I saw you abovedeck. This is a large ship, but maybe not quite large enough." Esteban scrutinized the man for a moment. "Katherine has told me about your relationship with her." Doctor Hill looked at Esteban and was shocked to see jealousy there, but he realized how the conversations he'd shared with Kate had to have looked. "Esteban, I do not want your wife." He stated the fact plainly and with his words the pirate relaxed visibly. "And you may be happy to know the procedure Kate and I have been discussing is unnecessary, because she is already pregnant." "What? That's not possible ... she said she was barren." "On the contrary, it is possible, as I was explaining to her. Although the odds are nearly miraculous," the doctor replied. "How far along is she?" "I did a blood test on her this morning. She's less than a month along. I hope you don't think..." His pleasure at sharing the news dimmed slightly when he noted that instead of the joy he assumed he'd see upon Esteban's face when the truth sank in, he saw a spark of something close to rage. "No, I don't think you fathered the child," Esteban said quietly. "Kate was raped, Doctor. She was abducted by the captain of Eleana Aru. But if you are certain she is only a month gone, the child must be mine." "She never told me she was raped." "You have not mentioned this to Katherine yet?" Esteban asked. 250

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"No, actually I was going to wait until you were here together, but you looked like you could use some good news." "I have been unfair to my wife, and to you, Doctor, and for that I apologize. I can see you only wish us well," Esteban admitted. "I hope you will forgive my rudeness." The doctor smiled and shrugged. He turned to check his other patients, but Esteban continued. "You think I am nothing but a pirate, but you are mistaken." It was Esteban's turn to smile. "Would it shock you to know that like Katherine and you, I have my own secrets?" "I doubt you could shock me more than you already have, Captain." He hadn't expected such an admission, nor such eloquent speech from a man whom he considered no more than an unrepentant thief. Esteban laid his head back. "I am a count, Doctor. My real name is Santiago Cristóbal, El Condé du Diamánde. My house has held rule over the island of Carador for more than two hundred years." Doctor Hill sat transfixed listening to Esteban speak. No wonder he was so eloquent. He was an educated and cultured man, not simply the coarse privateer he'd thought. "My apologies for misjudging you, sir." The doctor moved to open the curtain. "Would you like me to share the happy news with your wife, or would you prefer to do so yourself?" "If you don't mind, Doctor, I'd like to do that myself." "I don't mind, however, I would like you to tell her that I still have to continue monitoring her pregnancy. The fact that 251

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she's conceived at all has defied all odds. I want this child born healthy." "As do I." [Back to Table of Contents]

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Chapter 17 Kate stayed away from Esteban until suppertime. She sat on the deck and sketched a few drawings, something she hadn't done since before Davich had kidnapped her, trying to calm herself. When she noticed the sun beginning to set she decided she'd let him stew long enough. She entered the surgery and found him asleep. Quietly she made her way to his side and simply stood looking down at him. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. A wave of sudden protectiveness washed over her and she felt the need to hold him, as though he might slip away if she weren't careful. She'd come too close to losing him. Kate sat in the chair beside his bed and laid her head upon his chest, embracing him gently. She missed making love with him and holding him this way, but was afraid it was too soon. She'd have to be content with just touching him to comfort her for now. Esteban came awake and simply lay there loving the feeling of her upon him. He missed her closeness and longed to make love to her. Wordlessly he raised his hand and stroked her beautiful hair, then rested his hand upon her back, feeling her heart beating softly within her, knowing another heart beat somewhere deeper, an echo to her own. Kate sighed at his touch, but wasn't really sorry she'd awakened him. She didn't speak, words weren't always necessary. They just sat that way for some time, enjoying the 253

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closeness of each other. At last, she raised her head and looked up to find him gazing at her already. "I am sorry, cariña," Esteban said quietly. "I have been terribly unfair to you. I simply love you so much, I could not bear the thought of another man with you." He sat up and she stepped back, allowing him to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He reached into the drawer of the table beside his bed. "I have something for you." He took her hand and slid her wedding ring onto her finger, then traced the golden band with his thumb. "You got my ring back? How?" "One of my hosts was keeping it safe for you." He smiled. "Thank you." She kissed him softly on the lips. She was sure he'd probably killed whomever it was that had stolen it, but she turned her mind from that. None of it mattered anymore. "I'd like to finish our walk; that is ... if you don't mind?" "No, that sounds nice," Kate replied. Together they circled the deck and Kate told him she'd been doing some sketches. He asked her if she would show them to him, pleased that she'd begun to draw again. "Oh yeah, they're over here." Kate led him to where she'd been sitting. She lifted the lead weight she used to hold her pages down and a gust of wind took the top sheet, blowing it out of her reach near the railing. "I'll get it." Esteban watched her climb over the crates and ropes to reach the parchment. "Be careful!" 254

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It lifted on another gust of wind and balanced on the edge of the rail. "I'm fine." Kate lunged to catch it before it fell into the water, but lost her balance and went over the side. It was her own fault, she reflected later. She'd thought she could just snatch the paper from the edge easily, but she'd overbalanced and gone over. She reached out to catch herself and her hand slipped on the wet surface of the rail; gaining no purchase, she began to fall. Two thoughts raced through her mind as she plunged downward to the dark water. She hoped it wasn't as cold as it looked, and then surprise at the huge splash she made; perhaps she was higher up than she thought. All thoughts were quickly extinguished however when she hit the water, landing flat upon her back rather than feet first, driving the air from her lungs. Kate's shocked reaction was to gasp deeply, gaining a lungful of saltwater for her trouble. Barely seconds later, strong hands grabbed her and pulled her upward to the surface, struggling and choking, her lungs desperate to expel the water she'd inhaled. She gagged and coughed, vomited seawater and gasped for air. "Katherine!" Esteban bobbed beside her, a look of extreme worry crossing his handsome face. He must have jumped in at the same time as she fell. "That explains the splash," she croaked stupidly. Esteban had run and leaped from the side when she'd gone over, before she'd even hit the water. His body had 255

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simply moved before his brain had the time to consider his actions, he had been so concerned for her. "Are you all right?" he gasped. Katherine coughed up more seawater and nodded. Esteban took her under the arm and swam one-handed to where ropes had been thrown into the water by the crew above. He tied the rope around her waist tightly and watched with concern as they hoisted Kate to the deck, then did the same for himself, climbing up the side of the galleon to where she laid. "You never told me you could not swim!" he gasped, collapsing beside her. "I can swim," she managed. "I just landed badly." He laid his head back, relieved she was unharmed. At Collin's insistence they allowed Doctor Hill to make sure neither of them was hurt, and once cleared, Esteban accompanied Kate to the cabin she'd been using since they'd been aboard. He opened the door and entered, heading directly for her bed, collapsing face down with a groan. Kate smiled and pulled his boots off. He rolled to his back and she quickly divested him of his still wet garments, pulling the heavy down comforter up to his chin. "Come here." He lifted his arm out from under the quilt. "I'm still wet, Esteban." "I don't mind. Come here." Kate lay down beside him and kissed his neck and cheek softly. They had yet to resume their physical relationship. 256

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Kate feared injuring him, but lying here so close she could feel her desire beginning to build. "Mmmm ... I am healed," he murmured, his eyes closed and he grinned slightly. "Quiet," she shushed him. She sat up now on her knees and massaged his temples. "Doctor Hill sent some medicine for you. You know, for pain?" "I'm not in pain, but think I would like to rest. Will you stay with me?" "I'm still soaked!" She laughed. "So take off your clothes." "Oh no ... If you think I'm getting in that bed with you, only to get caught by Doctor Hill or someone—" "Kate," he said tiredly. "I can keep my hands off of your body. I only wish to be comforted." "Oh ... well all right." She walked to the tall dresser across the room, and found a soft linen shirt which she brought back to the bed. She peeled off her wet clothes and left them in a soggy heap with his, then pulled the shirt over her head, letting the tails drop to her knees. "No sense tempting you." "Mmm," he agreed, smiling slightly at her words. His eyes were now closed and he hovered near sleep. She climbed onto the bed beside him, taking a deep breath and smelling the clean sheets. "Mmm ... is right." She sighed and snuggled into his side, embracing him, slipping into sleep. **** 257

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A kitten. She slept upon her side, and she was dreaming about a kitten playing with her. She smiled slowly, as the kitten batted softly at her eyelids and her lips, then roamed down her body. She smiled when its soft paws caressed her bare thigh. She twitched her knee to shoo it away as it began moving upward, and it danced back. She sighed and relaxed again into sleep. After a few moments, Kate felt the touch on her leg once more and this time it was more firm, stroking up from her knee to the soft triangle of golden curls hidden between her thighs. A low, lusty moan escaped her and she rolled to her back, toward her tormentor. This was not a kitten. She cracked one eye and caught Esteban lying upon his side stroking gently up and down her thigh, extending a finger to slip between the rapidly moistening lips of her cleft. He leaned forward and she felt his hot breath upon her and watched as his tongue darted out to touch her quickly. "Oh..." she breathed; the word escaped her lips without her permission and his eyes flew to hers, surprised. She tried to lift her hands to his head and realized she couldn't move them. The way he had raised her linen shirt, turning the tail back and pulling it beneath her, he'd also managed to immobilize her hands tightly at her sides. Katherine was surprised, they'd never played at bondage before and she was slightly aroused. When he saw the 258

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realization of her predicament upon her face, he grinned wickedly, but said nothing. She smiled a long, slow smile at him and let her thighs fall apart before him. With an appreciative sound Esteban moved up and over her, touching her face with his big hand, kissing her passionately. She felt his rigid length probing around upon her thigh and her groin and she shifted slightly, granting him entry, inhaling slightly as he penetrated her. She stared up into his eyes as he looked down upon her, silently loving her. "Should we do this? I mean, are you ready?" "Shhhh..." As always when they made love right after awakening, she felt her climax build swiftly, almost as though her body, caught off-guard, was surprised into orgasm. She drew a shaky breath and let out a high-pitched exhale, making Esteban smile. He knew her habits by now as well. "Are you close?" he whispered, bending his head to her ear and making her shudder pleasantly. "Uh ... Yessss." "Good." He thrust slowly and firmly reaching down to pull her leg up, hooking her knee over his forearm. He'd never gone this deep within her before and it took only a few of these deep strokes before she climaxed. Katherine arched, coming hard upon him. He heard her sharp intake of breath, felt her muscles clench and quickly released her leg, only to cover her mouth with his hand, muffling the loud cry she made. 259

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This act of dominance coupled with her tightly bound hands made her orgasm like she never had before. She groaned and squeezed her eyes closed, struggling a bit under his hand and grinding her pelvis into his, trying to rub her thoroughly aroused clitoris against him and come again. "You liked that?" he asked, marveling at the trust she had in him. "Naughty Katherine likes rough play, does she?" Her eyes flew open over his hand and she nodded, surprised at her own reaction. He sat back, preventing her from climaxing again, grinning broadly at her discomfort. "Not yet," he commanded quietly and she sighed. Esteban roughly pushed the shirt apart over her breasts, exposing one gorgeous globe. He bent and suckled her breast, running his tongue across her nipple, enjoying her firm yet yielding flesh. Long moments passed as he continued his erotic torture and she closed her eyes when he slipped his finger deeply into her hot sheath, eliciting a soft moan. Her body shook and throbbed as she valiantly resisted the almost overwhelming need to climax. "Now you may come," he said at last and stroked her clit firmly. She cried out briefly and he hissed when her sharp teeth bit slightly into his skin as he brought his hand over her mouth once more. Unconsciously her hips thrust up to his probing digit, desperately trying to get more from him. "Such a good girl," he said softly. Katherine groaned and rolled her eyes; shocked at her own reactions. She would never have suspected how much pleasure could be derived from being helpless. 260

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Without removing his hand from her mouth he kneeled above her and swiftly turned her onto her stomach, bolstering her with a pillow. He felt her grunt softly into his palm. "You love this, don't you?" He removed his hand and she breathed, "Yessss..." He exerted very little pressure upon her but the sight of her bound and so helpless aroused him powerfully. He nudged her thighs with his knee and she made a small whimper that nearly drove him mad, but he resisted the urge to plunge within her, deciding instead to savor her a bit longer. At first he worried about binding her, wondering if she would enjoy such games. He had a feeling she would, but now he knew for certain she found it pleasurable and it made his cock throb thinking of all the erotic ways he could tease her. Slowly he began to insert his rigid member again, and she pressed against him, moving back to meet his thrusts. Soon they were rocking together violently upon her bed, long moments passing with no more than the harsh sounds of their breathing to be heard. At last, she squeezed him hard and made a muffled sound, sending him over the edge into orgasm. Katherine heard him gasp sharply and braced herself for his powerful orgasm just as her own overtook her. She groaned and slumped under him as he thrust for the last time, shuddering his completion. When she collapsed beneath him, he quickly climbed from the bed and rolled her over, pulling her hands free of the 261

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tightly wound shirt. "Cariña, are you alright?" He stroked her cheek lightly and she opened her eyes. "Holy cow," she muttered groggily. "Did I hurt you?" She saw his concern. "No, I'm fine." She smiled tiredly. Esteban bent and kissed her softly, deepening his kiss and she moaned under his mouth. "You are incredible, Katherine," he whispered, and she raised her arms to embrace him around his broad shoulders. She looked around the room and noted it was nearly dawn. "How long have we been asleep anyway?" "Through the night, I would guess." He climbed back onto the bed and stretched out beside her, stroking and suckling one of her rosy nipples until it stood up rigidly, then moving lazily to the other. They lay together for long moments, unhurried by responsibilities, and uncaring about anyone except each other. "Katherine, it is time I told you the truth about who I am." "I don't understand..." "Let me explain. You recall the night I told you the story of Santiago?" "Yes." "I am Santiago." He waited for a moment, gathering his thoughts, then began. "More than twenty years ago, my family was attacked and murdered. My parents, brothers and sisters, their servants and anyone else who lived in the house were mercilessly slaughtered or carried off. Our belongings 262

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were stolen or burned, and the only reason I was spared, was because I had not been present when the raiders arrived." The young lord had been riding with the family groom, Xavier, and had not yet returned. When they discovered the grisly scene, Xavier had hastily removed the hysterical Santiago to his little house upon the grounds of the estate in order to protect him, sending out word that the new count had escaped, and gone to live with relations. Soon however, Santiago was overwhelmed with grief, and Xavier was forced to search the ruined casa, desperate for any evidence of living relations who could take the boy. After a year, he finally located a great-uncle who agreed to take his sister's grandson. Wisely, Xavier had warned Santiago not to tell anyone who he was and together they had created the name Esteban Magalia. The rest of the story she knew bits of. He had gone to sea and become an accomplished sailor, then at fifteen, on the recommendation of his captain, he had taken an appointment to the most elite naval academy in Calthraca, The Academy at Lyros. The naval academy had finished the young count, refining the rough sailor he could have easily become, into an officer and a gentleman. "The Academy was difficult for me. I was the butt of jokes by the other cadets and even an occasional professor. They considered me a charity. Of course, as the Condé of Diamánde and the hereditary ruler of one of the most important ports along the southern coast, my wealth was vastly superior to theirs, except a very few, but I was not 263

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without allies. Despite the fact I was an angry young man, known for brawling and fighting. My truest friend, the one I knew I could always depend upon, was Collin Masters, the Crown Prince of Lyros." "What? The admiral ... is a prince?" Esteban smiled. "Yes." "Why is he in the Navy? Shouldn't he be playing around and enjoying his prince ... ness?" she asked, making him smile again. "Lyros has a very strong tradition of national service. Everyone is expected to serve a term in the military. They have a very long and interesting history as well, most especially the Masters/Fawkes rulers." "That's all very nice Esteban ... I mean, Santiago..." She laughed ruefully. "I don't even know what to call you." "Call me Diego if you wish." "But what I still don't understand is how you could have started out as a naval cadet, and then become..." "A bloodthirsty pirate?" he finished. "You know that is not what I was going to say." "I know," he soothed, "but many believe that to be the truth." He took a deep breath and continued. "When I graduated I was offered a commission into the Lyrosian fleet as a commander. For all of my fighting, I had managed to become a distinguished officer. However, I declined. I wished to try my hand at trading. Piracy was the farthest thought from my mind." He stood up and moved to the window. "My first ship was called Saraya; she was a clipper, a trading vessel. When I 264

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encountered a packet group of Andalosian ships and their escort, I attempted to avoid conflict. However, they fired upon me. They stole my cargo and sank my ship. I was taken prisoner along with my three remaining crewmen, and held aboard an Andalosian frigate until we arrived in Tartak where we were to be sold as galley slaves. We managed to escape and made our way back to Silania, but I realized all traders were unsafe upon the southern waters, and the true pirates were the Andalosians charged with protecting them. That made twice the Andalosians had wronged me, and I was ready for revenge." He paused for a moment, then picked up her hand, squeezing it tightly. "I eventually located my old captain, and told him of my adventures. He had also been attacked by the raiders and their military escort, but had managed to evade them. I took the position of first mate upon his ship, and he taught me what I needed to know to protect myself and my ship. When he died, he left his ship to me, and with some modification, she became Viceroy." Esteban returned to look into her eyes. "After that, I began stopping and raiding any Andalosian ships I could find, and when the Basaltics became their allies, I raided and sank their ships as well." "Which is why everyone thinks you're a killer?" Kate asked. "Precisely. They let it be known that Esteban Magalia was a cutthroat and a murderer. I am wanted in both Andalos and BasSalaam, and I have no refuge in most of the countries along the coast. I suppose I am fortunate that almost no one knows my face or my true identity. To this day, when things become too dangerous, or beyond what I can safely manage 265

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alone, El Condé du Diamánde is always willing to give me safe harbor. And that is where we are going." Kate sat quietly digesting the information he'd given her. Esteban watched her, trying to gauge her thoughts, her face was perfectly neutral and he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He supposed if she were angry with him, she'd have left already. "I'm sorry I wasn't truthful with you from the beginning. I hope you understand my reasons?" "I understand ... I only wish you'd told me sooner." "I wanted to, but then you were gone, and I couldn't and after that ... I was worried you'd leave because I hadn't been truthful." "I won't leave you. I love you, Esteban." He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her deeply, and when she came up for air, she saw his eyes were moist, as though he'd wanted to cry. "I'm sorry, too. I don't know why I got so angry at you before, I know how things must have appeared to you." She swallowed. "Maybe it's because I haven't been feeling very well lately?" "Doctor Hill has some good news for us," Esteban said. "He does?" "He tells me ... you are pregnant, Katherine." "What?" She sat up quickly. "I am? How? I don't think that's possible ... I mean I was told when I was a girl that..." "There you go with the multiple questions again." Esteban grinned at her shocked response. "I imagine it happened the way it always does, but he did say that it was a miracle you'd 266

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conceived at all. He wants to continue monitoring you to ensure the babe is healthy." "So we have to stay aboard Sea Dancer?" Oh my God, a child! She was entirely shocked and had no idea what this would mean for them. "No, we will meet up with Manuel, then board Viceroy for the trip home. Probably in a week." "But ... you love the sea. You're willing to leave the sea for me? Will you be happy?" "Cariña, I am willing to go to hell and back for you, and I will be happy wherever you are. There will be no more secrets." He stroked her cheek, noting the tears which had gathered in her eyes, magnifying them. "I love you." [Back to Table of Contents]

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About the Author Camryn Cutler was born and raised in Maine. A true Yankee, she lives on the southern coast, near the ocean still, along with her husband of more than fifteen years. They have three children, a calico cat named Samhain, George the Dachshund, and their newest addition Cotton, the Siberian Husky. [Back to Table of Contents]

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