by Cameo Renae
Sebastian took a step closer, his hand still extended. “Being on the sea can be unpleasant, especially when being held up in a box. Come with me,” he said. A smile grew on his full lips. “I promise, love. I won’t bite. Unless you want me to.”
Oh, he was good. Tall. Tanned. Handsome. Charming. He had it all, and I was sure that most women went weak at the knees whenever he was around. But as charming as the pirate captain was, I wasn’t interested in any kind of romance. Not right now.
“I’m fine,” I replied. “I just need to stretch my legs.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I’ve sent the crew to bed, and my father is at the helm.”
Was all that just a coincidence too? I cleared my throat. “You mentioned there was a storm coming?”
“Aye. It’s northwest, but if the wind continues to push us forward, we could very well outrun it.”
I nodded, still terrified of being on a ship in the middle of the sea.
“Don’t fret, love. The ship is my home, and the sea is my yard.” His arm was still stretched out toward me. “Come, let me give you a tour. A bit of fresh air will do you wonders.”
His offer was too good to pass up. I needed to get out of this room . . . this cage. I glanced at Sabine, wondering if I should tell her I’d gone. But she was sound asleep, and Markus was gone. If he could roam the ship, why couldn’t I? I had the captain’s permission and was being escorted by him. Besides, this was a ship. There was nowhere I could go that they couldn’t find me.
“Let’s go.” I grabbed hold of Sebastian’s hand, and with a brilliant smile, he led me out.
The swaying of the ship was throwing me off balance and making me sick. But Sebastian kept walking like he was on solid ground.
“It takes time to get sea legs,” he said, folding his arm around my waist, steadying me. I allowed him, because I knew I’d probably fall or bump the walls on the way out to the deck.
“My parents used to sail to Merchant Port in Hale every month, but I’d stay back. I was always frightened of the sea,” I said, trying to make conversation.
“Why?” I felt his eyes on me but kept mine on the exit.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s because the sea is so enormous and filled with all kinds of scary creatures. I’ve heard the horror stories.”
“Ahh, yes,” he exaggerated. “I’ve lived on the sea for over twenty years. I’ve been in the heart of hurricanes, wrecked on rocky coasts, and have even seen a few monsters of the deep. And yet . . . I’m still alive.”
“The gods must favor you,” I said.
He hesitated, his eyes finding mine with a feline grin on his face. “Maybe they kept me safe for this very moment.”
Oh, yeah. He was good. I wondered how many times he used that line on other girls.
We exited the hall and a crisp breeze curled around me. I paused and drank it in, relishing the feel and briny smell of it. The sky above was clear, and the stars were shimmering.
Sebastian’s arm tightened around my waist. “Come,” he said, his eyes on me, as if he were enthralled by my moment of freedom.
I let him lead me to the deck which was considerably larger than the one on my father’s ship. The wooden floorboards were worn, but the ship was in good shape.
“How did you become a sailor?” I asked.
He led me to the railing, where I grabbed hold. “I suppose you could say it was destiny. My father was a fisherman, and when he was old enough, he became captain of Morbeth’s fleet. He met my mother on shore, not in a tavern, but in a small shop that sold bread and pastries. She was a baker. It was the smell that lured him in, but her looks and charm held him there.” There was a glimmer in his eye. “It wasn’t long before they were wed, and not long after, I was conceived onboard his ship. I was born on one too.” He chuckled, his eyes went distant. “My father was a seaman, so it was natural I became one. I spent most of my life on the sea. It’s a different world out here.”
He grabbed my hand and led me to the forecastle—the deck just above the bow of the ship—where I clutched the edge tightly, making sure I wouldn’t fall. Sebastian stood next to me, with the endless sea before us. “All this,” he declared. “It’s all mine.” I studied him as he gazed out into the dark waters, the wind whipping through his hair, and I saw a glow in those eyes. He truly cherished the sea and loved his life on it. “I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”
“You’re extremely fortunate, captain. To be living a life you love,” I said, shifting away.
“Aye. That I am,” he replied, his intense gaze settled on me, warming my cheeks. “And what about you, Calla?”
I sighed deeply. “My life is in shambles. But not long ago, I’d had a simple and mostly quiet life. A life I was content with. A life I could have loved for a long time.” I peered back at him, and there was a deep furrow in his brow. “That life is gone, vanished as if it were all just a wonderful dream and has been replaced with horror and nightmares.”
His warm hand covered mine. “I don’t know the details of what you’ve been through, love, but I am sorry. You’ve weathered many storms, and I trust that one day, you will live a life you truly love.”
“I hope so. If I can survive this seasickness first.”
He laughed, and I relished the sound. A sound of joy with no care. It seemed like a lifetime ago when I felt true happiness.
Sebastian stepped behind me, his strong fingers kneading my shoulders. “You carry such heavy burdens.”
His fingers were magic and felt so good. Amazingly good. I moaned as he hit all the right spots, his warm chest pressed against my back. With swift hands, he twirled me around, his hands grasping the railing on either side of me, locking me in place.
I swallowed, my insides knotting. I just needed to come out for a breath of fresh air, and now, I was fastened against the bow of the ship by the young and handsome captain.
“You’re beautiful, Calla.” He was close. So close. His lips, a breath away, was making it hard to breathe. The warmth of his mortal body seeped through my clothes, straight to my core. Trouble. He was so much trouble.
“Sebastian,” I responded softly, my body and mind melting.
Lust darkened in those dangerous, sea-blue eyes. “We are but two lonely souls adrift in the midst of a dark and endless sea.”
I planted my palms on his chest. “Captain, please.” If circumstances were different, I would have given in. But I couldn’t. Especially with Markus somewhere on this ship. If he discovered us, he’d probably take off Sebastian’s head.
Sebastian paused, then his eyes softened. Taking a step back, he shook his head, an almost embarrassed grin on his lips. “Well, that’s quite an unusual feeling.”
His expression caused me to laugh. “I guess you’ve never been turned down before.”
The dimpled grin was back on his handsome face, his fingers combing through his hair. “I can’t say that I have.”
“Believe me, you are tempting, captain. But the timing . . . it’s all wrong.”
He nodded this time, taking another step back. “I understand. The deck is yours to roam for the next few hours. Use this freedom wisely.” He bowed his head and shifted to walk away.
“Where are you going?” I called after him.
He paused and gave me a look that would make any woman strip bare. “To douse myself in cold water. You wicked, wicked woman.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I waited until Sebastian disappeared and then waited a few more minutes after that before I moved. This was the perfect chance to test my ability of water manipulation. Glancing around the deck, I made sure it was empty before I stepped closer to the railing, looking over the bow of the ship.
Holding up my left palm—the one with the water tattoo on it—I heaved my hand forward, willing the water to move.
The black waters ahead of me exploded, like something enormous had fallen into it from above. Water shot high into the heavens. The ship plunged forward into the void I�
��d created, dropping down before snapping back up again. The entire boat creaked and cracked as it leveled off.
The water that had burst into the sky showered down on the deck, soaking me completely.
Gods above!
I looked at my palm, confounded by the power that existed within. It seemed to be just as potent as the flame.
Voices started shouting below. I had probably woken the entire crew.
I sprinted as fast as I could across the deck and down the hallway. When I came to our door, I threw it open and lunged inside, slamming it shut behind me. I froze, hearing voices shouting outside. Pressing my ear against the door, I listened to what they were saying. They thought they were under attack.
I was so concerned about what was going on outside the door; I didn’t notice Markus and Sabine standing behind me. I turned to find both pairs of eyes fixed on me and my wet, trembling frame.
“What the hell did you do?” Markus growled, his black eyes tightened.
“I—I went for a walk, and . . . well—”
Three sharp raps on our door made my body tense. I closed my eyes and sighed before slowly turning the doorknob and opening it.
Sebastian was standing at the doorway in knickers and a half-buttoned tunic, exposing a tanned, muscled chest. He pressed one hand on the doorframe and leaned toward me, examining my soaked frame from head to toe.
“Love, I leave you for one minute—one—and my ship feels like it’s being split apart. What happened?”
I gulped and offered him my best innocent look. “I—was just enjoying the fresh air.”
“Mm-hmm,” he hummed, lifting a brow. “I don’t know what you did, or how you did it, but you woke my entire crew and scared the shite out of them.” After a strained moment, his laughter permeated the cabin.
Had he cracked? “Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes.” He reached out and seized my hand, still chuckling, with a smile on his face. “Thank you. I’ve been wanting to give my crew a surprise exercise but didn’t know how to go about it. You’ve managed to do it and assured me they are still worthy of working on The Damned.”
I gave a half-witted smile. “You’re welcome?” I opened my mouth to say something else, but snapped it shut and kept quiet.
Sebastian’s eyes softened, a crooked grin on his mouth. “Please, love. Promise there will be no more surprises in the dead of night.”
I freed my hand from his and placed it over my chest. “I promise.”
He winked and stepped away, his eyes still on me as he strolled down the hallway. “Sleep well, Calla,” he called, before disappearing into his quarters.
I didn’t want to close the door, because I knew I’d be sealing myself in with Markus. If Sabine weren’t here, I would have probably taken the captain up on his offer to share his room for the night.
Sucking in another deep breath, I closed the door and faced him. His eyes narrowed with pressing questions, his arms crossed firmly over his burly chest.
“I—I.” I was bumbling. But it wasn’t my fault. I’d just found out I possessed this new and untamed power and had to find out what it could do. But I guess curiosity got the best of me . . . and everyone else on The Damned. “I just needed to get out of this room and breathe some fresh air. But—”
“What happened to the ship?” he asked. “I nearly fell out of my hammock.” He turned and aimed a finger at Sabine. “And she rolled halfway across the floor.”
How could I explain this? “Well . . . I needed to know if what Sabine said was true. I had to test out the theory I can manipulate water. And . . .” I shrugged and gave him a toothy grin. “I can.”
Markus’s brow furrowed again. He and Sabine glanced at each other, then back at me.
“What did you do?” Markus asked, this time with a deep sigh.
“I didn’t break the ship. I just . . .” I began to tell them what happened. Seeing the water outside of the porthole. Meeting the captain in the hallway, and when I was finally alone, I tested my new ability.
They remained silent, taking in my words.
“I wish I was there to witness it,” Sabine finally exhaled, with a look of amazement. “Your gift is incredibly powerful, and you haven’t even begun to tap into its full potential.”
A growl erupted from Markus. “You are forbidden to use your powers on this ship,” he ordered, using his deep and commanding voice. “It’s too dangerous. Too raw and untamed. You cannot throw it around without knowing what it can do. You need to bridal it until we find someone who can train you.”
I nodded. “Which is why we are heading to Incendia. Maybe there is someone still there, or a book, or something that can help me?”
Markus stopped me on my way back to my bed. “You shouldn’t be alone with the captain either,” he murmured.
I grinned at him. He was worried. “Don’t worry about me. I can handle the captain,” was all I said.
That was that.
The next few days were spent cooped up in the stifling room. Sebastian made sure to deliver hot food from the kitchen for Sabine each night, and I was happy to watch her eat.
She and Markus played cards every night before bed and their laughter and snarky banter were welcome sounds. They tried to get me to play, but I couldn’t focus. The magic inside my bones wanted to be set free. It warred against me, making it hard to concentrate on anything.
And being stuck in the cramped room only made it worse. I felt like a caged animal. The heat was smothering, the air suffocating, and the boat—rocking back and forth—was nauseating. I felt like I was slowly going mad.
We’d been sailing for a week, and the days were dragging. We had outrun the storm, but there was another brewing, even closer. And, as luck would have it, the wind died.
“I suggest you prepare for a rough night,” Sebastian spoke, having turned up at our cabin. “The sea might get a little choppy.” He turned his eyes to me before narrowing them. “You don’t look well. Is everything okay, love?”
“Since I’ve walked onto this ship, I’ve been nauseous,” I admitted.
Sebastian extended his arm and I hesitated. “I have something that can help you.” His eyes went to Markus. “I’d like to take her to get something for her sickness. She’ll be safe and I vow to have her back momentarily.”
Markus growled and shot me a narrowed glare. I could tell he didn’t want me to be with Sebastian alone. He knew his type. Handsome, flirtatious, and promiscuous. And our first impression of him confirmed it.
“You have my word,” Sebastian added.
I smirked at Markus, thumbing back to Sebastian. “You have his word.”
With Markus’s wary nod of approval, Sebastian led me back down the hallway, into his quarters. We walked past the small office and into his bedroom. When I entered, I no longer felt like I was on a ship.
His room was spacious. Three times the size of ours with wide windows that looked over the rear of the ship, and a view of the sea beyond. Windows that were cracked open with fresh air circulating freely.
His king-sized bed was neatly made and covered with extravagant, plush bedding.
“Go ahead. Lie down,” he said, gesturing toward his large, welcoming bed. “I’ll just be a moment.”
“Where are you going?”
“To whip you up a special tonic for sea sickness.”
“But I can’t—”
“Don’t worry, love.” He winked. “I’m not ignorant of what you are.”
Of what I was. No longer a simple mortal.
Sebastian paused at the door. “The bed is yours until you feel better. I won’t get in it . . . unless you want me to.” Another wink and he was gone.
I chuckled to myself and sat on the edge of the bed. It was soft, molding to my form. So much more comfortable than the hard floor I’d been laying on. I leaned back, just on the edge, and gods, it felt like heaven. I turned to my side and realized the bed was large enough to fit four men.
So not fair.
Sebastian returned a few minutes later carrying a drink. “Here.” He offered it to me. “Trust me, it’ll make you feel better.”
I sat up and took it from him. It was warm and forced my incisors to lengthen. It was blood, a tall glass, but there was a hint of something else.
“Whose blood is this?” I dared to ask. Then I caught him putting pressure on his right forearm.
“It’s the least I can do.” His brow rose, a smile brightened his handsome face. “Now you’ll get to say you’ve tasted the one and only Captain Sebastian Salloway.”
“Ahh,” I breathed. “And this is a good thing?”
“A rare thing.”
“Rare?” I questioned, thinking back to the woman who was in this very chamber when we arrived.
“Aye. You, Miss Caldwell, are the only person I have—or will ever—incise myself for,” he claimed with a devilish smile. “Not even the King of Morbeth was given such an offer.”
“Then I humbly accept this rare and selfless gift,” I said, raising the glass. “Cheers.”
He winked. “Cheers, love.” His smile remained, his eyes intently watching my every move.
I put the rim to my lips and sipped. Gods, it was delicious. So wonderfully rich. I hadn’t realized how weak or on the brink of starvation I was. Although I appreciated Sabine’s blood, it was never enough.
The thirst grabbed hold of me, but I was aware of it, and kept it at bay. I wasn’t about to embarrass myself in front of the captain.
In no time, I’d emptied the entire glass.
This blood—Sebastian’s blood—felt different from Sabine’s. It was somewhat magical. My breath quickened as the fluid slithered through my body, instantly strengthening my limbs, and taking away the nauseous feeling.
