Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) (11 page)

“Anna,” Char called out as he approached, seeing the shadowed figures lying just inside the brush where Jake left them. “What happened?”

“Nothing happened, I’m fine.” Anna lied, figuring she owed Char a few for those he offered her. Without another word or glance at the men around her, Anna strode with swift purpose toward the Crimson Jewel. She ignored the sounds and movements of the men at her back, Anna’s only concern to reach the safety and silence of her bedroom. She was far too confused and conflicted to remain among people.

***

“She was attacked,” Jake informed the Prince after he saw Anna was safely aboard his ship.

“Attacked,” Char’s shock only succeeded in raising Jake’s already barely controlled rage.

He had no sooner found Anna than he lost sight of her. In his desperation to remain unseen, he allowed too much space between them. Jake hated to think of what her attackers had planned if they’d been allowed more time. He paced the dock as Char nodded his Guards away.

“We need to talk,” Char sighed deeply.

“I’ll say,” Jake was furious at the Prince’s negligence. The man allowed Anna to walk alone on unfamiliar streets after dark. There was no excuse for his idiocy.

“Not here,” Char looked around anxiously.

Jake stopped pacing, his attention focused entirely on Char. “Navigation room,” Jake was short with the man, but his voice lowered so as not to be overheard.

Char nodded and followed him back to the Crimson Jewel. Jake ignored his drunken crew as he led the Prince to the navigation room and closed the door behind them. Forgoing the wooden chairs, Jake leaned on the large desk, crossing his arms and waiting for Char to speak.

The Prince paced for a few moments before he began, “There was an attack,” Char admitted.

“Aye, I know, mate,” Jake raised his eyebrow. “I was there.”

“No,” Char licked his lips and stilled; his eyes severe as they focused on Jake. “Last night, after I had you jailed, there was an attack.”

Jake slanted his head, “What do you mean?”

“You were right,” Char sighed. “Anna may be in danger.”

Jake stood up straight at the information, his temper lost. Char ignored Jake’s warnings of possible danger. And, when Jake’s concerns were proven, still chose to keep the information secret. “You should have told me!”

“I didn’t believe it to be relevant,” Char mumbled.

“Nay, you didn’t want to admit you were mistaken to a Pirate!” Jake accused. “Do you believe it relevant now?”

“Obviously,” Char admitted sarcastically.

“And, this stop in Andrello?” Jake demanded. “What was its purpose?”

“I was to meet with Mara for an update on what news she had,” Char admitted.

“Mara,” Jake pressed for explanation.

“The gold Fairy,” Char clarified.

“And, what does she have to say?” Jake tried to reign in his anger, but failed if the Prince’s expression was indication.

“She was delayed,” Char spoke softly. “She sent word to continue south and promised she would meet me along our journey.”

“Of course, she did. Then for the remainder of our journey, you follow my orders, Highness,” Jake held up his hand to prevent the argument he sensed when Char opened his mouth to interrupt. “Let’s start with Anna never leaving my ship!”

“How was I to know she was still in danger?” Char questioned. “We are far from my lands. Surely tonight’s attack was random; drunkards taking advantage of a woman alone.”

“If you believed that, you wouldn’t be speaking to me now,” Jake growled. “Danger doesn’t follow the boundaries of your lands, Highness!”

Jake didn’t wait for the Prince to speak again. He exited his navigation room to find Sully and two of his men waiting outside, obviously curious about their Captain’s hasty meeting with the Prince. “Everything alright, Captain?” Sully asked.

“Shove off!” Jake ordered. “We’re leaving!”

“We’re leaving now?” Char questioned.

Jake’s expression was cold and dangerous as he turned on the man. Having seen the look on their Captain’s face before, his men wisely disappeared to do the task they were set. Char cowered beneath Jake’s glare, his obvious guilt and shame showing the man had at least some sense. “If she were with me, she would have been safe!” Jake gritted out through his teeth. “We leave, now, and we don’t dock again until we know who is behind this or there is a damned good reason to do so!”

Jake expected an argument, but the Prince wisely decided to remain silent. He gave a single nod of agreement and turned away, clearly anxious to be out of Jake’s presence. Jake took the wheel with more force than he generally did, punishing the wooden rungs for his rage as they once again set out to open water.

Chapter Eleven

Anna sat in the chair inside her quarters, her knees hugged tight to her chest as she looked out at the Ocean from her window. It took her some time to grow used to the constant rocking of the ship but now Anna felt it lull her into a peaceful trance. For the first time in weeks, she felt safe and relaxed. Since the attack two days before, Anna kept to herself, only venturing out of her quarters for meals and a few minutes of fresh sea air on occasion. After shedding many tears that night, Anna woke the next morning with a renewed sense of self-preservation.

Losing her family left a gaping hole in her chest but enough of her tears had been spilled. The positive of her situation was she could do what she wanted. The only problem, other than the obvious loss, was since she allowed others to push her around for so long, both in this realm and from where she came, Anna wasn’t sure she knew what she wanted. Even when she did make choices on her own, they always turned out to be miserable experiences and nothing as she expected. Before coming to the Mystical Realm, Anna had her family to turn to when things went wrong. Without the buffer, she had to be certain of her choices and prepared to face what consequences came from them.

Truly, the best course was for Anna to take a step back from people in general and reevaluate what it was she wanted. She shut herself off, refusing the comfort offered by Char, the friendships of the crew and the subtle flirtations from Jake. Anna wasn’t ready to choose where she went from this point forward, but it was a decision she would make without anyone else meddling. Her mood was interrupted by Sully at her door, but Anna didn’t mind. She smiled slightly at the older man who was her only companion since their miserable stop in Andrello.

“Good morning, Anna,” Sully grinned widely. “Would you like a tour of the ship?”

Anna’s smile widened at the man’s familiar offer. Every time he entered her room, Sully would ask if Anna wanted to see the rest of the Crimson Jewel and every time Anna refused. It was for this reason his jaw dropped when Anna spoke, “I’d like a tour.”

The former Pirate sputtered for a moment before catching himself and grinning. “Of course,” Sully bowed regally. “Right this way, my lady.”

Anna took Sully’s offered elbow and allowed him to escort her out onto the deck. The surprised faces of the men onboard were almost comical as Anna squinted at the brilliant sunlight streaming down on them. She didn’t blame them for their confusion, as Anna was crystal clear of her desire for solitude over the past two days. Anna knew most believed it was due to the attack in Andrello as there were no secrets kept on a small ship between a crew so close. She allowed them their assumptions, unwilling to discuss her mental confusion with men she barely knew.

Anna stepped gingerly over the grated cargo doors in the center of the main deck and around the main mast. She looked up at the large silvery sail above her, marveling at how it shimmered in the bright sunlight of the morning. In front of her, to the stern, were two flights of steps on either side leading up to the wheel where Jake stood. His eyes locked on her for a moment before Sully pulled her toward the small hall and another set of stairs between the first two.

“Down here, we have the galley and the vault,” Sully informed her as he pointed to the doors for each. “That there is the Captain’s quarters.”

Anna was relieved when Sully led her down the stairs and away from Jake’s view. The next level down was the cargo deck and Anna could see up through the grate in the center of the ceiling to the main deck above. “This is where the crew sleeps,” Sully informed, showing Anna his own Quartermaster’s suite which looked much like her own bedroom and another singular suite at the center of the ship. To the bow were two dual bunk rooms where other crewmen slept and to the stern were guest quarters where Char’s Guards were staying.

Two more sets of stairs led down into the steerage area of the ship. “Down here is the rest of the crew’s quarters,” Sully pointed out two more rooms to the stern which were lined with bunk beds and trunks. To the bow was a large, barred in area Anna recognized as a cell.

“You have a jail,” she mentioned.

“Aye, the brig,” Sully nodded. “Come, I’ll introduce you to the crew.”

Anna followed the man back to the main deck and the mass of men in the center. Most gave up on the blue fleet uniforms in favor of their own select wardrobes. A very large man, well over even Jake’s impressive height stood as Anna approached. She eyed him slowly, imagining him to be over seven feet tall. “Wow,” Anna couldn’t help her response as the red-haired man stared down at her.

“Anna, this is Dane,” Sully introduced the giant. “He only looks scary, I promise you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dane,” Anna extended a hand to the man, amazed when his massive palm enfolded hers.

“Miss Anna,” Dane greeted in a voice deeper than Anna expected.

A thought struck her suddenly and she had to ask, “Are you a giant?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Dane answered with a grin.

“This is our Navigator, Peet,” Sully continued introductions, pointing out an average man with thick-rimmed glasses. His blonde hair was unkempt and stuck out at odd angles from his head, but his brown eyes gleamed with intelligence behind the lenses.

A gray-haired man stepped forward and held out his hand, “I’m the ship’s medic.” Anna heard a hint of slur in his words and wondered if the man was already drinking so early in the morning. “Everyone just calls me Doc.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Doc,” Anna looked to several other crew men before accepting a seat among them.

Several men offered stories of their exploits on the sea, telling of incredible lands and peoples they met. Anna listened intently, enjoying the colorful way the men spoke, as if each word were an epic legend. Each was a better storyteller than the last and Anna was enthralled in their tales. Anna marveled at the comradery and laughter the crewmen shared, relaxing in the comfortable atmosphere they created. Eventually, Sully came to sit beside her on the hard wooden bench.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” he offered.

“I am,” Anna smiled at him.

“Good,” Sully remarked. “I know the crew can be a bit intimidating at times.”

Anna laughed at the older man’s concerns, “I have four older brothers, Sully. I think I can handle a few reformed Pirates.”

Anna looked at the men surrounding her, realizing with a jolt they reminded her of the brothers she left behind. The knowledge brought a pang, but it was also a balm, calming the aching she’d suffered in her chest for weeks. “Anna,” Sully interrupted her thoughts. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Anna said softly, realizing for the first time since her arrival in the realm, she spoke honestly.

“Course the lass be fine, Sully,” Doc shouted over the others, his tone hoarse with alcohol and age. “She be among the finest men in the realm!”

“Aye!” Several crewmen shouted as they rose up metal and wooden cups in a cheer.

She remained in the company of the crewmen for the rest of the day. Anna sat amidst them during dinner, loving the friendly banter and tossing of food across the table on the cargo deck. Char and his Guards chose to eat elsewhere, the brash manners of the crew clearly too much for their civilized values. Anna didn’t mind the attitudes, feeling more at home than she had in a long time.

A thought came to Anna and she turned to Sully, who sat at her side. “Sully, isn’t Jake going to eat?”

Sully smiled knowingly at her, “I’m not my Captain’s keeper, Anna, Jake eats when he chooses to.”

“Oh,” Anna dropped the subject, but couldn’t help to wonder if he avoided the meal because of her presence. Anna was clear she didn’t want to spend any time in his presence; perhaps a bit unjustly. It would not surprise her if Jake declined his meal to obey her wishes. The Captain was nothing if not chivalrous.

After most of the men finished and the sun started to set, Anna found herself staring up at where she knew Jake to be. Through the day, the men told stories of Jake’s heroism and kindness to them. From taking in lost causes to defending those who didn’t truly deserve his defense, Anna suspected the crew was intentionally trying to soften her opinion of their Captain. It was working.

Anna ascended the stairs to the stern castle, where Jake still stood at the wheel. He didn’t seem to notice her approach until Anna stood only a few feet from him. “Anna,” Jake’s tone was surprised. “Is everything alright?”

“Fine,” Anna stood next to the wheel. “You weren’t at dinner.”

“I wasn’t hungry,” Anna nodded at Jake’s excuse, a silence falling over them.

“I never did thank you, for saving me the other night,” Anna shifted uncomfortably. Jake looked shocked at her gratitude. Anna’s guilt over ignoring him since the attack grew. She was overwhelmed and a bit intimidated by his brutality, but Jake saved her and he didn’t deserve her coldness. “And, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry,” Jake prodded.

“What you did to those men, how you stopped them so easily, it was, you were,” Anna’s words were hesitant and she left them open ended.

“I frightened you,” Jake finished for her. Anna nodded in response, feeling bad for the wince her motion brought to Jake’s features. “It wasn’t my intent to scare you.”

“I know,” Anna assured. “And, you didn’t deserve my rudeness these past few days because of it.”

“I understand, Love,” Jake smiled. “I haven’t exactly shown you reason to trust me of late.”

“Yes, you have,” Anna ducked her head before looking back up at him. The shock she saw in his eyes was painful to view. “Everyone is entitled to their secrets, Jake. It was unfair of me to condemn you for keeping yours.”

“Anna,” Jake began, but a heavy jolt interrupted his thoughts.

The unexpected and violent rocking set Anna off balance, sending her plunging forward. Jake caught her easily, pulling her to his chest with one arm while his other hand remained on the wheel. Anna gasped at the contact, having forgotten how hard his chest felt when she was pressed against it. The wind picked up around them, but Anna ignored the incoming storm, her eyes focused on Jake’s. The strange heat she felt when in his presence returned, unfamiliar and unwanted, but present none the less.

A sense of desperation settled over her and Anna pushed away from Jake’s hold. “I should,” she started, but couldn’t find the words to finish.

“You should get below decks,” Jake’s voice seemed thick, but Anna brushed off the thought. “It isn’t safe on deck in a storm.”

“What about you?”

“I’ve been sailing a long time, Love,” Jake assured with a smile. “I’m a bit sturdier on my legs than you.”

She almost snorted at his statement, wondering if he knew how her knees shook when he touched her. Deciding to allow Jake to dictate this one last action, Anna nodded and turned to escape the stern castle, avoiding looking back to the man who confused her senses. Anna hadn’t felt such desire for a man before and it caused guilt to rise in her throat. If she hadn’t been sucked into a portal, Anna would still be with her fiancé. Safe, predictable Richard never left her feeling breathless and always allowed her to control every facet of her life and their relationship. Anna thought her life with Richard was what she wanted, was even ready to make it a permanent arrangement, but now she questioned. Even if she could find a way back to her world, Anna doubted she would be content with the man she chose after all she went through.

***

Jake watched the Prince pace his navigation room, the man’s body vibrating with anxious concern. “We have no choice, Highness,” Jake stated. “We need to know who wishes her harm.”

“And, who’s to say this informant of yours would know?” Char argued.

“I guarantee it,” Jake assured. “If there is something evil happening, Andre Marrow will know about it.”

“You said Anna would be safe on your ship and, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right,” Char stopped pacing and ran a hand through his hair. “Docking is a mistake. We need to keep moving.”

“Moving where, mate?” Jake asked tiredly. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d happily sail the seas the rest of my life, but this isn’t solving anything. Besides, your Fairy may be trying to reach you. Perhaps, she has news.”

He was tired of feeling useless and running from an invisible enemy. Jake needed to know who was after Anna so he could end the threat before any mistakes were made. Jake watched the Prince drop into a chair on the opposite side of the desk. He too debated the wisdom of his choice to dock but when he remembered Andre hailed from the small seaside town of Everett, Jake altered course immediately. Jake knew his informant would be travelling home for the remainder of the summer as he always did. If he was lucky, Jake would catch the man in town.

“Anna doesn’t leave the ship,” Jake repeated his plan to the Prince. “I go to land alone and meet with Marrow. I find out what I can and we come up with a plan from there.”

Char nodded in agreement as Jake knew he would. The Prince really didn’t have a choice in the decision, but Jake wanted to inform him of the plan before the man did something foolish. Jake couldn’t risk the Prince growing angry or anxious and removing Anna from his ship. “When do we arrive?” Char asked.

“We should be docked within the hour,” Jake informed him before returning to his post at the helm.