Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (89 page)

Manus tucked his hands into the sleeves of his tunic and paced the room.

“What is it you wish from me?”

“I would see you marry my daughter. However, given her protest, I would seek her wishes.”

“I have already done so.” Nicolaus swallowed. As much as he disliked her marrying a neighbor, he would not keep her bound to him when she had no desire to. “She confided that she wished to return home.”

Manus tilted his head and started to speak but Jasen interrupted. “Did you tell her you love her?”

Before he could answer, he spied Chloe hovering outside the door in the courtyard. Her face was pale and she worried her fingers together. “Excuse me,” he said as he slipped past Asher. The man's looming presence followed him. “What is it, Chloe? Has the babe taken ill?”

She bowed, and then shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks. “No, it is Ada. She went to search for Galen at the port and has yet to return.”

Asher rushed back into the
andron
. Nicolaus squeezed her shoulders. “How long ago did she leave?” Chloe hiccupped on a quiet sob. “Chloe?”

“Shortly after you returned from your walk.”

“What has happened?” Manus and his father said at the same time.

“It seems Ada went in search of Galen, a young orphan boy,” he added for Manus and Asher. He tilted his head toward the sky. “She's been gone near an hour. Too long for my liking.”

Manus nodded his head. “Shall we search for your bride?”

Nicolaus liked the sound of the words, but his heart refused to accept them just yet. When he found her, he would declare his love for her and once again give her the choice of staying with him or returning home with her father.

He took off running down the path.

Perhaps, she'd become lost, or even angry over being sent away while they discussed her future and had decided to find a quiet place to think. Ada may be obstinate, but she was not one to hide during trials. She'd proven that when she cared for the injured on his boat in the midst of her seasickness. Something told him she was in trouble.

He only prayed she'd not been taken out to sea by a band of thieves.

Chapter Twenty-Three

A
da kicked at her abductor's shin, but he yanked her back by her hair and tossed her to the planks. She clamped her hand to her head to halt the throbbing as she scooted against the side of the boat. Galen glared at the man who'd caused her harm. She pulled the boy down beside her and wrapped her arms around him. “We should not anger him further.”

The sailors busied about the deck, heeding the commands of their captain. Ada arched her neck and tried to look over the edge. Sighing, she sank down. Her insides quaked in fear, a fear she'd never known in the presence of Nicolaus, not even when he'd carried her on board his vessel. The captain's shadow loomed over them and she glanced at him. A soiled cloth covered half his face, leaving one eye unsheltered. Fresh wounds, barely scabbed over, marred his forearms.

“You'll fetch a nice coin.”

She scowled. “I already have a master.” Perhaps that bit of knowledge would cause the captain to release her and Galen.

He threw his head back and laughed. “I would challenge him for the rights to you, unless of course he does not care. What sort of master would allow a prize such as you to roam the port unattended?”

Heat rose in her cheeks. Nicolaus had warned her of the dangers, and yet because she did not heed them she was captured by an unsavory sailor. “Nicolaus, son of Gavros.”

His laughter died. Ada glanced up. The man's eyes narrowed. “Brother of Jasen?”

She furrowed her brows and then nodded. The captain rested his chin against his fist and smiled as if he'd found a bag of silver. “He'll pay a heavy ransom for you, especially after what he did to me”

Ada shook her head. Nicolaus had already spent a king's ransom to rescue her from Ashkelon's slave trader. She would not ask it of him, not when he needed coin to search for his sister. Her only hope was her father. She shivered. Rarely had her father parted with his riches and she doubted he'd do so now.

The captain snapped his fingers and motioned for the man who'd taken her to approach. “Do you know who this woman belongs to?”

The sailor tilted his head while he looked her over. “No, Captain.”

The captain burst into laughter. “You've done well, Joseph.” He glanced at Ada, his eyes narrowing to slits. “I'd come to speak with your master about some unfinished business between us. However, I had little hopes of success. With you in my hands, I do believe I may have a chance.” He crossed his arms over his chest and turned toward Joseph. “Inform the crew we leave now.”

“Captain, what of the men who remain on shore?”

The captain swung his arm out and grabbed hold of his man's tunic. “Do you wish to face the wrath of Nicolaus in his own port, surrounded by his men? If you recall, the last we saw him he was none too happy with us. Just look at my face. He even threatened to hang us by our toes for all the vultures to feast upon, and now we have something which belongs to him.”

The man paled several shades and his eyes bulged as he glanced at Ada. The knot below his chin bobbed. “He'll kill us.”

“Ay, if we do not leave now. If I lose my head because of your lack of haste, I will order yours to be lost, as well.”

Ada's eyes grew wide. The blood drained further from the sailor's face, and he looked to be ill. The captain spoke of Nicolaus as if he feared him. The captain knelt in front of her. She leaned away from his foul odor. “Did my man cause you harm?”

She shook her head as Galen spoke, his childlike voice carried over the planks. “The captain will kill that man for pulling Ada's hair.”

Ada clamped her hand over the child's mouth. “Do not provoke him, Galen.”

The captain ruffled Galen's hair and then laughed as he rose. “I have no doubt that he will, boy. No doubt he's killed greater men for lesser offenses.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. The Nicolaus she knew and loved could not be the fearsome man this sailor spoke of, could he? The man she knew was gentle and kind. Compassionate. Although she'd seen hints of his temper, he had never raised a hand to her. It was hard to fathom he'd cause harm to this man, unless he done something like take Nicolaus's sister.

If the captain feared Nicolaus then why were they leaving port? Why not return her and Galen? Perhaps this captain intended to lure Nicolaus and cause him harm for the threats he'd made to the captain. Tears pricked the backs of her eyes.

Ada reached deep into her soul for courage. “It would serve you well to release us before you leave.”

Reaching down, he gripped her chin, forcing her to look into his soulless eyes. His calloused fingers squeezed, bruising her flesh. “Your master has something that belongs to me, and I would retrieve it. Besides, I would not miss another chance to capture the deadliest captain of the Great Sea, not after what he's done to me.”

Ada sucked in a sharp breath, the salty air stinging her lungs. Had this man caused the scars slashing Nicolaus's back? The man straightened once again. “He cost me a lot of coin and my pride when he freed my slaves, tormented me and stole my map.”

Ada recalled the small piece of leather with pictures drawn on it, but knew if Nicolaus had taken the map it was for a good reason. “You stole him, did you not?”

“Ay,” he said as he grinned. “My men did. Right from his ship. Stole his sister, too. I could not pass the chance to humble the great Sea Dragon. After years of service with Nicolaus I never thought a woman would be his ruin, not even his sister.”

Ada pressed her palms against the planks and stood. She laid her palm on his arm. “You know where Desma is?”

His upper lip curled. The corner of his eye twitched as he glanced at her palm against his arm. He jerked back a step. “No.”

“You stole her, and you do not know where she is?”

His gaze roamed over her, from head to toe and back again until he stared into her eyes. “Ay, I stole her. That does not mean I kept her.”

Ada shivered. Her hope at finding Desma plummeted to the bottom of the sea. Queasiness rocked her back on her heels. What sort of fate had this man sentenced Nicolaus's sister to? The same Nicolaus had rescued her from? “What kind of a monster steals a man's sister and sells her into slavery?”

“I am no different than Nicolaus, son of Gavros.”

“No greater falsehood has been told.” Her heart told her that truth about Nicolaus, even if the fear in their eyes when speaking of him lent to an unsavory past. He was no longer that man. She caught sight of Nicolaus approaching the wharf. Even from this distance she could tell it was him. Knew by the hardness of his jaw. He squeezed past men carrying crates and then stopped to speak with several young boys.

“I've no time to convince you otherwise.” The captain gave her a slight shove, forcing her to stumble before she landed on her backside. “Watch her,” he said to Joseph, and then he walked away.

She stood back up and shifted her gaze around in search of Nicolaus.

“What are you doing?” Joseph grabbed hold of her upper arm. “Where did the child go?”

Ada swiveled around. The child no longer sat at her feet. Had he fallen into the water?

“Galen?” She pulled from her captor and rushed toward the side of the boat. Wrapping her fingers over the rail, she climbed onto a wooden crate and looked down, and then to the right leading out to the sea before looking toward the shore. The men hastening along the wharf were many. How was she to find a child? “Galen!”

A man walking toward the shore snapped his head around.
Nicolaus.
She inhaled a sharp breath. A mixture of emotions flitted over his face as he squeezed between several men carrying merchandise away from the boats. Her pulse stuttered to a halt, and she shook her head. He couldn't board this vessel, not alone. “Nicolaus, no! No!”

Joseph yanked her away from the side. “You are going to get us killed.”

At the moment she didn't care, she would do anything for Nicolaus to not suffer the abuse he had at the hands of the man who now held her captive. The captain called out a command and the boat lurched, causing Ada to stumble. She fell to the planks. The boat lurched again and again as a shipman released the rope keeping it moored. She climbed to her feet. Her gaze flew to the wharf, seeking Nicolaus. She breathed a sigh of relief even as her heart sank. His arms were held by Jasen and her brother Asher. But where was Galen?

Dropping to the planks, she buried her face into her hands and shuddered. Nicolaus had asked her what choice she'd have, and if she could go back she'd tell him the truth. She'd tell him that if she could have anything her blood would be pure; Greek even. She'd tell him if there were no bounds keeping them apart she would wish to become his bride and to love him for all of her days.

Now it was too late. She choked back a sob and lifted her face to the sky. Perhaps, she should thank God for taking the decision from her, for she would not have to endure all that her mother had, loving her master. Nor would she have to endure her sisters' abuse.

The captain's voice boomed over the rolling of the sea. The vessel rose and dipped as it fought against each wave. Once again Ada's stomach churned. Once again she was left wondering about her future. However, although she should be, she wasn't angry. At least Nicolaus was safe from this man. Yet she was disheartened that she'd never again face the man she had come to love.

* * *

Nicolaus struggled against his brother's hold as the boat rowed away. He didn't need to see the name on the vessel or the distinct red eye at the front of the bow. The wicked grin on the captain's face was enough. If David didn't have Ada in his possession, Nicolaus might have even taken pleasure at the sight of the bandage covering part of his face. Every scar marring his body burned. It was as if he was once again being flayed. He should have killed David when he had the chance. The Sea Dragon would have done so and more. Nicolaus pulled his arm from Asher's grip and then glared at his brother. “You should have let me go.”

Jasen's hand came to settle on his shoulder, but Nicolaus pushed him away. Shaking his head, his brother drew in a breath and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself.”

Sacrifice!

“You would not understand. Having her by my side makes me a better man. It's as if the sun shines all hours of the day. Even when she is contrary.” Fifty oars cut through the waves pushing ashore. Once David reached the open sea, there would be nothing to stop his former tormentor from escaping. “You have no idea what he will do to her, especially if he knows she belongs to me.” Belonged to his heart.

He raked his fingers through his hair and darted his gaze toward Asher, pleading with him for understanding, but his eyes remained blank. Did Ada's brother have no care for her?

“I know what he did to you, and I'd not have him do it again.”

“I have seen David's treatment of his female slaves. Trust me when I tell you, what he did to me is nothing compared to what he will do to her.” Especially after what Nicolaus had done to David.

A hand came down on his shoulder. The touch shocking considering it did not belong to his brother but to Ada's. “I would like nothing more than to swim after them. However, wisdom tells me that even if I were to come close to their vessel I would not live long. Nor would you, my friend. His archers would not allow it.”

“Asher is correct, Nicolaus. We know where David ports. I know of his home. We must devise a plan.”

Every muscle in his body tensed. A plan would take time, time he did not have if he was to rescue her before David discovered Ada belonged to him. If he had not already.

“Ay, we will retrieve your bride, Nicolaus.” Asher removed his hand from Nicolaus's shoulder. The way his voice quavered did not leave Nicolaus confident.

The air filling his lungs halted at the knot in his throat. Many times he'd felt alone, had done things alone. Survived alone, fought alone. Failed alone. Although he still did not trust his brother at the moment because of his association with David, he loved Jasen and had no doubts of his loyalty. But could he trust Jasen to help rescue Ada? Especially since his brother had hired David to take Desma. The fact that Nicolaus had been taken, too, had only been a consequence of his brother's action. One Nicolaus would not change given Desma was far from Knosis.

“I do not think David will deny my request for Ada. Although, it may cost some silver, he never has before.” Jasen said.

Nicolaus stared at the boat as it shrank in the distance. “I fear it will cost much more than a few silver coins.”

“What are you not saying, Nicolaus?” Jasen asked.

“I was not the only one who escaped his captivity.” The longer he stood here staring at the vessel carrying his heart away the longer it would take for him to prepare his men and make chase. He turned to walk away. They'd need their fastest rowers. He thanked the Lord both his and Jasen's men were ashore.

“What madness is it you speak, Nicolaus? I was there. My memory recalls you being tied and beaten to near death. I did not ransom another soul that day.”

“No, you did not.” Waves lapped against the wharf, bathing his feet with their salty spray. He drew in a breath as the scars marring his body ached, reminding him of their existence. “Why do you think I was beaten with such harshness? Because I had tried to free others from David's cruelty.”

He would not hang his head in shame, not even with his brother's eyes watching his departing back in disbelief. Nicolaus had broken a code, a code among merchants. A man did not interfere with another man's slaves. However, in his defense, he had not been acting a merchant, but a slave. And slaves did what they could to survive, especially under the treatment of cruel masters such as David. What would his brother think once he knew helping several of David's slaves escape was the least of his transgressions? “Besides, dear brother, I returned right after Father issued his challenge. And as you will soon see, David did not fare well.”