Glancing back at Iñigo, it was to see a muscle leap in his jaw and his eyes glint with what appeared to be a murderous rage. Wondering what could cause such rage, she asked, “And what happens now?”
“My dear boy—” he turned toward her, outwardly calm, save for his glinting eyes, “—surely you did not just ask me that inane question. What think you happens?”
“You will face them.” It was not a question. They would engage the newcomer in battle. A flutter of apprehension, mingled with excitement, rippled her belly. It was a risky question, but one she had to ask. “Will you allow me my steel?”
Iñigo's surprise was clear as his eyed widened. “Allow you your steel?”
She nodded, anticipation already bubbling through her veins, her hands almost trembling from it. There was nothing she’d ever wanted as passionately, though she tried not to let on. “You said yourself I would be an asset to your crew.”
“And you’ve been in my company a mere week, Finn. Think you I am so mad as to allow you your weapon?”
Finn turned back to the window, her eyes drawn back to the growing ketch with the mottled gray-blue sails. “Captain, you have nothing to fear from me. I am in your service through no wish of my own, but it isn’t as though you snatched me from a life of leisure, of a higher station, and forced me into servitude.
Know you this, I will be an asset, should it come to battle. You need only trust me. Know this, you need fear nothing from me.”
“And think you I fear you at all?”
She snorted. “Of course not. But I am offering to assist you. You said yourself that several of your men were wounded in the battle with the Smiling Jack. I am more than a mere cabin boy. I know you don’t believe me, but Beauregard saw fit to release his ship to me eventually and even you yourself saw what I am capable of, did you not?”
“Aye. I did. But—”
“Nay,” Finn shook her head, holding up a hand. “Nay, there is no but, Captain. I offer you my assistance. We both know I am amply skilled with my steel. You would be a fool to not make use of me.”
More than anything, she wanted to be involved, wanted to feel her steel in her hands once more. She wanted to prove to Iñigo she was every bit as capable as any one of his men. Mayhap then he’d return her steel for good. Mayhap then—
“Finn?”
“Captain,” she whispered, no shame, no embarrassment, only steely resolve and determination. “Allow me this and I’ll not ask for another thing the rest of my time onboard this ship.”
She didn’t care if she begged, didn’t care that it made her seem weak. Her steel was almost in her hands. It was apparent in the indecision in his eyes, in the way he sighed before slowly tipping his head. “Very well, Finn. I will allow it. But,” he added ominously, “know you this—should you decide to try to raise your blade to me, I will make damn certain my men understand they are to cut you down at once.”
“Of course,” she replied, excitement and blood-chilling fear swirling through her, making her hands, her arms, her entire body tremble with anticipation.
“You must give me your word, Finn.”
“I give you my word, Captain.”
“Very well. Come along, Finn.” He glanced up toward the ceiling. “Dios mío, do not let me regret this.”
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
It’s all about the story…
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mainstream
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Red Hots!
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
Young Adult
www.samhainpublishing.com
Beauty Tempts the Beast Page 25
