Spice Box: Sixteen Steamy Stories

by Raine Miller

  She growled and blocked the door when he turned to go. He held out the bag. “Will you see this is returned to Mrs. Pawes?”

  “Put it down. I’ll see she gets it.” The savvy captain met his eyes. “Shit. She intends to leave the ship. She’ll find a room and wait for stolen moments with you, I’m certain. I won’t stop her. You make sure she has good lodgings, she’s been a good sailor.”

  “Keep her on the ship, Jezebel, please?” He pulled out a chair and offered it to her. She sat and he took another, across from her. “I’m looking to end this curse, Jez. But I might fail. Keep Mick close, and Pawes. She dodged the curse, too. Tried to shoot me at the baths. If I lose, it might take aim at them. Keep her for at least a month. You’ve bound that ship with enough spells; it should keep them both safe.”

  Jezebel eyed him a moment, sighed. “She isn’t going to understand. She’ll fight. But you’ve kept your word and stayed away from the Quill, so I’ll do it. Mick is going to beat on her bad.” Jezz crossed her arms leaned back.

  He admired her outfit. Pure black, so dark it sucked light from the room. No color save for a bit of red trim at the sleeves and bodice. Yet she glowed at the center of it. Captain Jezebel, a formidable woman.

  “Pawes can handle Mick. Keep that wolf close to her, he seems level-headed.” Silvestri saw the bare twitch at the corner of her lips. Yes, he knew about her crew. He was well aware that Davis was from the forest werewolf pack. He knew more of her crew than she knew of his.

  She tilted her head. “Why do you care about Mick, Alan? I know you two were friends, but it’s more than that. The look you shot his way? That was pain. You two lovers?”

  Silvestri grinned. “That would fit the box you have us in, wouldn’t it, Jez?” He snorted and shook his head. “No, not lovers.” He considered if it was time to reveal the truth to her. If he didn’t come back, she’d be the only one to know. She would explain it to Mick.

  He held up his arm and used it to cover his lower face. His hand did the same for the space above his eyes. He leaned close to the fierce pirate captain. “Look familiar?”

  She froze, her eyes narrowed, then she blinked. He knew when she realized it. “He’s blood!”

  “Yes. That man he called father wasn’t his father. Nor am I. I am his elder brother. Our father was a true libertine who seduced Mick’s mother and got her pregnant. She never told her husband, but he knew, knew Mick wasn’t his. Figured it out and threw it in my face when I tried to convince the idiot to leave the gambling halls. Mick suspected Daniel wasn’t his father. Used to joke about it those months he spent risking my curse for his own greed. Neither of us thought we were brothers.” He dropped his hands. “If I disappear, my solicitor will transfer most of my holdings to Mick. Explain why, Jezebel.”

  “Nothing for Mrs. Pawes?” Jezzie looked away. She never was one to easily address sentiment. “I saw that dance. That kiss. She is desperately in love. Exactly as you are with her.”

  It did his heart good to hear the later words. But he didn’t reply to them. “What I have set aside for her will see her free to live here, a rich woman.”

  “And if you do return? Without a curse? Mick will have nothing to hold back for.”

  “He holds back for one reason now. He knows he’s wrong. He doesn’t understand it, but he knows he’s wrong. His father played him a fool and started a vendetta where none exists. I have proof of my part in keeping that idiot from dying in prison. When Mick is ready to listen, I’ll present it to him.”

  “He holds back because I make sure our ships do not cross!” She peered at him. “Don’t fool yourself that he doesn’t hate you.”

  “I believe he hates me. But he doesn’t know why. And Mick is a pragmatic man. Leave it to me, Jezebel. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a letter to write. I will send it to you on the Quill. Please, give it to her only if I do not return.”

  Jezebel stood and held out her hand. They shook. She turned to the door and reached for the bag. She didn’t turn as she spoke softly. “Why her? Why now?”

  “An Old Monster intervened. And I run out of time to break this curse or be broken by it.”

  “The Kraken brought her here?”

  “I believe so and Mama Lu confirms it. I have seen the Old Monster. Mama Lu is assisting me, to end this. I have a little over a week to see it done. I would explain more, but my luck is finally running out.”

  “How many times did you manage to meet with her?” Jezzie turned to look at him a she opened the door. “You toyed with her?”

  “It began lightly. The way most great things do. The same as with you and Mick.”

  She walked hurriedly away. She wouldn’t hear of loving Mick. Though the depth of her love glowed like the full moon in the night sky. That was Jezebel’s way, it always had been.

  He turned to the small desk, pulled out a sheet of paper and sat, considering the right choice of words to tell Emily goodbye.

  CHAPTER 20

  Emily fell asleep before the rest returned. Davis had assisted her in removing her dress, then stepped outside the cabin while she dressed in the cleanest of her sailor’s duds. He’d accompanied her to the galley, where they found some fresh bread, butter and cold, roast chicken.

  He didn’t speak, and she was thankful for that. Hours passed. They shared a bottle of rum and the drink made her sleepy, finally left her ready to return to her cabin.

  She woke to feel the ship moving. Jerking from the bed, she turned to the door, only to see Mick poised on a chair just inside her small cabin. He blocked the open door, one foot propped on the doorframe. His arms crossed, he glared at her, dark and foreboding.

  “Damn it, Mick. I said I’d leave. Let me out of here before we leave port!”

  He didn’t move, even when she took a step toward him.

  “Too late, false friend. You aren’t going anywhere until Captain Jezebel and I are satisfied. Reconcile yourself to that fact.”

  “What? You can’t keep me here!” Heart pounding, she took another small step closer to him. She reached out and tentatively pushed at his leg, blocking her way. He didn’t budge. “Captain Michael, please. I’ve been a good sailor. I’ve followed orders. I…I saved Jezebel’s life! Let me go!”

  “No.” He slowly stood, shoved the chair out the door. “Don’t try to curry favor with me. Consider your story, Mrs. Pawes. We’ll send for you at our convenience.”

  She jerked her head back just in time to miss being slapped by the door as Mick slammed it shut.

  “You bastard! Let me out of here! It happened! Nothing planned! I love him! Mick!” Sagging against the door, she tried to open it, but found it barred from the outside. She hadn’t known that was possible.

  She pounded on it. “Davis? Davis! Let me out!” She sank to the deck, astounded at the turn of events.

  “Yes, let her out, Davis. Some use your talented nose turned out to be. I wonder how many times she crawled from his bed to our ship without raising your hackles! I thought you wolves could scent a mouse from a mile away.” Mick’s derision carried through the door.

  “I’ve never met the man, Captain Mick. I knew she took a lover, but that was her business. I work your sails, sir. I’m not your dog.”

  A bark of laughter answered that. She heard boots tread away.

  “Davis?” She softly spoke to the crack in the door. “Davis?”

  “I’m here, Pawes.”

  His bare feet were visible at the bottom of the door. “You spied on me?” she asked, her heart aching. He was her friend!

  “No, I watched over you. I knew you met someone, but he made you happy. Your scent changed, from worried and nervous to calm and content. It still doesn’t matter to me that it was Silvestri. I know he made you glow. Nothing else matters.”

  “My scent?” Her head whirled. “Mick called you a wolf?”

  “I’m a werewolf. You didn’t know? It’s not a secret, Pawes.”

  Inside the cabin, Emily shook her head. “Doesn’t matt
er. I suppose. Thank you for being my friend. Can you get me out of here? Please!”

  “We’re at sea, Pawes. They won’t keep you aboard against your will for long. Be patient and you’ll be set ashore soon.”

  “I’m…scared. He is so angry,” she whispered.

  “Be brave.”

  She finally let herself cry. Again and again, she’d kept herself from a wet hysteria, but now she broke free. Curling up on the wooden floor, she sobbed. One hand held the pendant he’d given her as she worried he would try to rescue her. Worried he wouldn’t.

  She heard the crew come by, asking Davis about her. Janey tried to talk through the door, but Emily crawled back to her cot and stared into the dimness, too tired to formulate thoughts.

  Hours passed before the door opened. Davis held out his hand, offering her company. “They want to see you. Privy first?”

  “Yes.” Her fifty-three years weighed her down as she rolled off the bed. She took his hand and leaned on him. He allowed her the time she needed to freshen up. Washing her face, she stared at her reflection in the small mirror. The glorious vision from last night was gone. She’d pulled the combs free the night before and tucked them carefully into her basket. Her hair no longer shone, it stuck up at odd angles, and the gray seemed more prominent than ever before. And it was dull, lifeless. Her eyes revealed signs of tears.

  “Oh, Alan. How did this happen?” She softly spoke to her image. “Emily, what do you want? You want that man? Want to be there for him, however it works out? Well, get yourself out of here, woman. Come on! Snap out of it.” Splashing water on her face again, she swept another handful back over her scalp, smoothing the messy strands into place.

  Straightening her back, she left the privy, met Davis’ eyes and walked before him to the captain’s cabin. She was ready to face the music.

  ***

  Silvestri reached his ship before dawn, climbed aboard, and ordered them to set a course north. Tucked into his pocket was the small vial of perfume he’d removed from her sailor’s bag. It was empty, but the scent still lingered enough to bring her to mind when he unscrewed the top.

  They avoided normal shipping lanes, heading due north, and Silvestri stayed at the wheel. When the wall of ice rose before him on the third night, he let the wheel run free, and the Immortal slipped through a secret passage, into the heart of the glacier. Where she waited.

  ***

  Jezebel gestured to a chair. “Sit and eat something, Pawes.”

  Emily nodded, figuring the captain needed to be civil.

  The kidnapping bitch.

  Mick glowered at her, leaning against a cabin wall and nursing a tankard. Sitting down, she emptied the plate in front of her. She didn’t really taste anything, but eating bought her time to assess the mood in the room. Mick was still glowering at her, but Jezebel seemed almost uncomfortable. Maybe that would work to her advantage. If she could figure out how to use Jezz being off balance. When she was done, Mick moved forward, but Jezebel pointed to a chair next to her. “Sit, Mick. Let me question her.”

  It was time to be decisive. “Why question me? What does it matter? I understand I can’t stay aboard the ship. Let me go and I’ll never bother you again.”

  “Can’t do that until I’m satisfied. And at the moment we’re heading to Nassau.” Jezebel tapped on the table. “I want to know everything. Every meeting, when, how long, where. What did he ask, and what did you tell him.”

  “You have to be kidding! It’s none of your business!” Emily pushed back from the table. “Fine, I’ll get off in Nassau and take passage back to Tortuga on my own.”

  “No, you won’t. You’ll answer, and then you’ll serve as bait. He’ll come for you and I’ll have my chance.” Mick grinned at her. “Spill it.”

  “Why should I?” Crossing her arms, she steeled herself to argue. “Why is it your business? Bait? You’re a fool if you think you’ll be able to defeat his curse, Mick. This vendetta is stupid.”

  “Stupid? You don’t know all of it, Pawes.” Mick made to stand up, glaring at her. Jezebel put her hand on his shoulder to stay the action.

  “Not now, Mick. Emily, you’ll answer my questions because he is dangerous—to us as well as to you. This is not a negotiation, Mrs. Pawes.” Jezebel looked behind Emily and nodded. “Bring it here, to the table.”

  Emily twisted in her chair when Tink strode in. The tall woman carried the basket packed when Emily thought she’d just leave the ship, before she’d been shanghaied. Behind Tink were two other crew members, each hauling items belonging to Emily.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Emily prepared to push the chair back, set her hands on the table to get out the chair, but Davis moved behind her, setting strong hands at her shoulders.

  “Nothing will be harmed, or stolen,” he reassured her.

  She stared in disbelief. One item at a time, Jezebel removed everything she’d packed. The items were examined carefully, flaps lifted, papers separated and scanned, books flipped through. Her book tools were set to one side, where she couldn’t reach them. What did they think she’d do? Threaten them with a needle? Tink and the other women left the cabin before everything Emily owned was put on display. The jewelry Silvestri gave her remained on the table after the rest were packed away.

  Mick tossed another bag on the table. “Such a thoughtful man,” he said with a sneer. It was her small pack. When she saw her Teva sandals, her spirits lifted. He was a thoughtful man! No matter how Mick derided him.

  In the end, the jewels were the only thing left on display. The dress she’d worn the night before was draped over a nearby chair, along with the three shirts he’d ordered to replace those the dyers had ruined, or he destroyed when his impatience saw what she wore damaged. The shoes she’d worn to dance were there. They’d even found the first pearl pin, which she’d left secured to the inside of her pack.

  Jezebel studied the summation of Emily’s life on the ship. She pointed to the pearl. “The first gift? It’s humble-more of a symbolic gesture. The rest are much more grand—perhaps as his interest grew, so did his gifts.”

  Emily sighed. “Why? Why should I tell you?”

  “Answer us. Were these bribes—to betray us?” Mick spouted off bitterly.

  Emily brushed off Davis’ hands and stood up. She walked over to where Mick sat and slapped him. He didn’t react, but took it. Maybe he knew he’s crossed a line, Emily didn’t care. Turning to Jezebel, she nodded. “Yes, the first gift. I didn’t know who he was. He’d pulled me away from watching the vampires waltz, but not fast enough. I was blind and scared. He…when my sight returned, he was gone. I only found out who he was when I prepared to return to the ship.”

  Surrendering to the inevitable, she told them about each item. She didn’t elaborate, despite the demand from Jezebel for every detail. Now and again, Mick snickered but Emily ignored him.

  “That dance…he is a good dancer.” Jezebel touched the shoes. “I remember where I first saw these. He offered them to Mama Lu—she told him to keep them, to save them. They were special and belonged to someone else. He’d know who to give them to, she said.”

  “To Mama Lu? For a trade?” Emily asked. Was that why she’d danced so gracefully, why her feet hadn’t stumbled, or tripped? Magical shoes? Who else would recognize they weren’t ordinary shoes?

  “Mama Lu is the only woman he knew as a friend, I imagine.”

  “You remember? You were there?” Mick asked.

  “I often visit Mama Lu. My path crosses with Silvestri, Mick. Hell, I’ve known him longer than I’ve known you” Jezebel looked at Emily. “Anything else? Anything you have on you?”

  “You gonna search me if I say no?” Emily smoothed the ties of the bustier she’d worn the night before, still draped on the chair. She’d looked so vibrant.

  “Is there anything else?” Jezzie’s voice was steady.

  Emily reached into her shirt and withdrew the Kraken pendant. Mick leaned forward and put out his hand. Emi
ly leaned away and snarled at him. No damned way was he going to touch this gift.

  Jezebel took a step close and looked at the carvings of the pendant. “This matches your mirror.”

  Her mirror still lay on the table, tucked into the specially boned bag that matched the dress. Once Silvestri slid the mirror into the bag, she understood why the stays were part of the design. They provided protection to the trinket.

  “Fascinating thing, that mirror. He ever touch it?” Mick lazily asked.

  “Yes,” Emily replied.

  “He ever tell you….” Mick stood up, reached for the bag and pulled out the mirror. “Those days you searched for a portal, so intent on finding a way home. Did he ever tell you that you carried it with you all the time?”

  “What? My mirror isn’t a portal. It isn’t big enough!” Emily snorted.

  “Size has nothing to do with it.” Jezebel took the mirror from Mick and held it close to the pendant. “Same artist.” She turned to Mick. “You knew. Why didn’t you tell her?”

  He didn’t answer, just looked away.

  “Don’t condemn Silvestri for keeping the same secret you did,” Jezebel said. “You might have told her.”

  “She mixes good drinks.” He stole a glance at Jezebel from the side. “You said you’d smile every morning if you woke to a Rum Sunset. And now you have.”

  “You kept her here because she’s a good bartender? Because of a drink? At least he cares for her!” Jezebel, to Emily’s surprise, seemed genuinely angry.

  “He fucks her; he uses her.” Mick stalked to the door. He thought to escape Jezebel’s anger, Emily realized. She wasn’t even part of this argument anymore.

  Mick stopped at the door and turned to continue the battle with his captain. “Cares for her? Because he gave her baubles? They mean nothing! Remember, you told me that….”

  Emily ignored their spat and took the mirror from Jez, who handed it over without resistance. She followed Mick, pushing him away from the door, and escape, deeper into the cabin.

  Same artist? A portal? And he knew? If he’d told her, she would have left. She’d be back in California and her normal life. She probably would have never stabbed a man in the back, or been frightened of a kidnapping or…known Silvestri’s touch. She tried to fathom it, her mirror was a portal. And Silvestri knew? Mick knew.