A Pirate's Wish

by S. E. Smith

  A Pirate’s Wish

  A Seven Kingdoms Tale 7

  S.E. Smith

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank my husband Steve for believing in me and being proud enough of me to give me the courage to follow my dream. I would also like to give a special thank you to my sister and best friend, Linda, who not only encouraged me to write, but who also read the manuscript. Also to my other friends who believe in me: Julie, Jackie, Christel, Sally, Jolanda, Lisa, Laurelle, Debbie, and Narelle. The girls that keep me going!

  * * *

  And a special thanks to Paul Heitsch, David Brenin, Samantha Cook, Suzanne Elise Freeman, PJ Ochlan, Vincent Fallow, L. Sophie Helbig, and Hope Newhouse—the awesome voices behind my audiobooks!

  – S. E. Smith

  A PIRATE’S WISH: SEVEN KINGDOMS TALE 7

  Copyright © 2020 by S. E. Smith

  First E-Book Published March 2020

  Cover Design by Melody Simmons

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  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission from the author.

  * * *

  All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations are strictly coincidental.

  * * *

  Summary: An investigative reporter on the story of a lifetime discovers more than she bargains for when she attracts the attention of the mysterious Pirate King who follows her home.

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  ISBN: (Paperback): 978-1-952021-09-1

  ISBN: (eBook): 978-1-952021-08-4

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  Romance (love, explicit sexual content) | Fantasy | Saga | Urban (Partially) | Dragons & Mythical Creatures | Royalty | Contemporary | Paranormal (Magic) | Multicultural

  * * *

  Published by Montana Publishing, LLC

  & SE Smith of Florida Inc. www.sesmithfl.com

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  Additional Books

  About the Author

  Who’s Who in the Seven Kingdoms

  Isle of the Elementals – created first

  King Ruger and Queen Adrina

  Can control earth, wind, fire, water, and sky. Their power diminishes slightly when they are off their isle.

  Goddess’s Gift: The Gem of Power.

  * * *

  Isle of the Dragons – created second

  King Drago

  Controls the dragons.

  Goddess’s Gift: Dragon’s Heart.

  * * *

  Isle of the Sea Serpent – created third

  King Orion

  Can control the Oceans and Sea Creatures.

  Goddess’s Gift: Eyes of the Sea Serpent.

  * * *

  Isle of Magic – created fourth

  King Oray and Queen Magika

  Their magic is extremely powerful but diminishes slightly when they are off their island.

  Goddess’s Gift: The Orb of Eternal Light.

  * * *

  Isle of the Monsters – created fifth for those too dangerous or rare to stay on the other Isles

  Empress Nali can see the future.

  Goddess’s Gift: The Goddess’s Mirror.

  * * *

  Isle of the Giants – created sixth

  King Koorgan

  Giants can grow to massive sizes when threatened – but only if they are away from their isle.

  Goddess’s Gift: The Tree of Life.

  * * *

  Isle of the Pirates – created last for outcasts from the other Isles

  The Pirate King Ashure Waves, Keeper of Lost Souls

  Collectors of all things fine. Fierce and smart, pirates roam the Isles trading, bargaining, and occasionally helping themselves to items of interest.

  Goddess’s Gift: The Cauldron of Spirits.

  * * *

  Notable Quotes

  ”It is how we deal with what we are given that defines who we are and who we are to become.”

  * * *

  ~King Ashure Waves~

  The Legend

  * * *

  The realm of the Seven Kingdoms was created after a fight between the Goddess and her mate divided the world into two realms. Now she rules over one while her mate rules over the other.

  The Goddess first created the elements of earth, wind, fire, water, and sky. Then she created the Elementals to control these fundamental forces and the Isle of the Elementals to be their home and stronghold. To her first race, the Goddess gave the Gem of Power, a physical representation of creation itself.

  The Dragons were next, born of her fiery love for all her creatures. She gifted them with the Dragon’s Heart, a red diamond containing a piece of her heart. It holds the dual essence of the dragons that allows them to shift.

  Then the Sea People were created, and they were given the Eyes of the Sea Serpent, so that a single ruler could hold dominion over the realm’s entire ocean.

  The Orb of Eternal Light was given to the Isle of Magic. The Giants were given the Tree of Life. The Cauldron of Spirits was given to the Pirates and the Pirate King became the Keeper of Lost Souls. The Monsters were given the Goddess’ Mirror.

  Each gift contains a piece of the Goddess. Whoever controls all the gifts could then control the Goddess. If one piece were to be destroyed, it would be a mortal wound to the Goddess. That would mean the death of their world.

  The Kingdoms will continue in peace and harmony as long as the Goddess’ gifts are never used against each other. Should they ever do so, the Seven Kingdoms would cease to exist.

  Synopsis

  A person’s eyes are the window to their soul…

  * * *

  Tonya Maitland learned early that life could either be an adventure or a tragedy. She left the tragic part of her life behind a long time ago and now focuses on the adventure. Her attempt to be one of the best investigative reporters of all time is taking a bit longer than she had planned, but all of that changes when she travels to the small, sleepy town of Yachats, Oregon.

  * * *

  Ashure Waves, King of the Pirates, is also the Keeper of Lost Souls. Despite all the souls within him, the emptiness he feels is suffocating. The ‘gift’ that was passed down to him feels more like a curse. When a drunken wish upon a magic mirror shows him what his heart truly desires, he is both torn and determined to find the woman revealed in the mirror—even if it means leaving the realm of the Seven Kingdoms.

  * * *

  Tonya’s keen eyes discern far more about Ashure than he intended, and he fears the consequences could be dire. When the Pirate King gets close to this street-smart, strong-willed investigative reporter, hilarity ensues! Will Ashure be able to protect Tonya from becoming another lost soul, or will he have to abandon w
hat his heart truly desires in order to save her from himself?

  * * *

  Internationally acclaimed S.E. Smith presents a new action-packed story full of adventure and romance. Brimming with her signature humor, vivid scenes, and beloved characters, this book is sure to be another fan favorite!

  Prologue

  Centuries Before Present Day

  Seven Kingdoms

  * * *

  Ashure Waves slipped the items he had just stolen into his pocket and tipped his hat to several pedestrians on the crowded cobblestone street as they passed by. A wide variety of prospective shoppers filled the marketplace on the Isle of the Giants, providing him with ample opportunities to keep his slight-of-hand skills sharp.

  He fingered one of his prized possessions, a ring made of gold with a beautifully polished amber inlay. Sealed inside the amber was a speck of dust said to have been captured upon the creation of the Seven Kingdoms. He didn’t believe that, but it would be a good tale to tell when the time came to sell the ring.

  He drunkenly hummed under his breath as he made his way back to the pirates’ Flagship, the Sea Wasp. His captain, the King of the Pirates, Simon Black, had sent a missive asking that he return early. Ashure hoped it didn’t mean that they were about to depart. He had made plans with a rather voluptuous Giant currently living above The Cyclops’ Tavern.

  “Dull name for a tavern,” Ashure chuckled as he staggered down the dock. “She could have named it… ‘Aye, Eye Tavern’… or ‘The Single-Eyed Cyclops!” he loudly proclaimed as he stopped in front of the Sea Wasp. “Oh, but all Cyclops have just one eye, don’t they? That’s no good.”

  He gripped the gangplank’s rope handrail, thankful for the added support, especially when his foot caught on one of the raised wooden strips that were meant to keep a person from slipping, and he leaned dangerously over the rope. He blinked several times at the dark water below him, then swore when he saw one of Nali’s nasty little Sea Monkeys grinning at him from the piling underneath. A shudder ran through him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have pilfered a bottle of Nali’s best brandy from her ship last week. He had been warned that the Empress of the Monsters had a wicked sense of humor, but, well, when opportunity presents itself….

  “I’ll return it the next time I see her,” he promised. “I did leave her a lovely shell necklace in exchange for it.”

  “Ashure! The Pirate King is waiting for you in his quarters,” Bleu LaBluff called to him from above.

  Ashure frowned, wondering for the hundredth time why the Pirate King wanted to see him. He wasn’t an officer. Hell, he wasn’t even a very good pirate! He shook his head, hoping to clear it a bit. Even amongst the crew he was something of an oddball, and he had been an outcast from the non-thieving folk since he was old enough to reach a pocket.

  Ashure looked at Bleu with a wide, sloppy grin. “Of course the Pirate King wants to see me. Everyone wants to see the famously fabulous—fabulously famous—Ashure Waves,” Ashure stated with an awkward bow at the waist and a fling of his arm.

  Bleu walked down the plank and grabbed his arm when the movement almost sent him through an unprotected gap in the rope handrail. He awkwardly patted Bleu on the shoulder when the man muttered a curse as he turned Ashure in a tight circle and pushed him in the right direction. Ashure clumsily saluted and stumbled across the deck. Around him, he could hear snickers from the few men still on duty.

  “The First Officer will have him scrubbing the decks in the morning if the Pirate King doesn’t take his soul tonight,” one of the men muttered.

  Ashure scowled but didn’t turn to face them. He had heard rumors about the Pirate King since he was old enough to wipe his own nose. His father—at least the man he thought was most likely his sire—used to threaten to send him to the dreaded Pirate King, the man who would suck out his soul and keep it trapped forever. His mother had laughed and said the Pirate King wouldn’t waste his time with someone as weak and worthless as the thin-boned dock rat she seldom called ‘son’.

  By the time Ashure was seven, he had lost both of his parents, and eventually, he started living aboard one of the pirate ships of his own free will. Still, whenever life became so terrible that he thought he would die, he escaped to one of the many isles. He had made part of his living from backbreaking work, but there had also been stealing and conning to make ends meet or simply to find pleasure in the world. That was why he never stayed in one place for very long. Whether on land or at sea, it had always been a pirate’s life for him.

  Ashure pulled open a door and descended a staircase. He was almost to the bottom when he slipped and barely saved himself from a nasty fall. Pulling himself upright using the handrail, he straightened the shirt sleeves under his dark red coat. He also touched his head to make sure he had not lost his new hat, decorated with a brilliant blue, green, and purple plume from one of Empress Nali’s Thunderbirds. He hissed when a spark of electricity from the feather zapped the tips of his fingers. Yes, the hat was still there, feather and all.

  Running his hands down his face, Ashure cleared his throat and blearily focused on the door at the end of the corridor. This would be his second face-to-face meeting with the Pirate King. He doubted the man would remember their first meeting. He had changed a bit since then. He shook himself and slapped his cheeks in an effort to sober up a little before he faced the leader of the Pirates.

  “Please, Goddess, let him want only to thank me for scrubbing the decks so well,” Ashure muttered.

  He stopped outside the door and raised his hand to knock. Before he could, the door opened by itself. Ashure stood outside, unsure of what to do next.

  “Come in, Ashure,” Simon Black commanded in a deep, raspy voice.

  Ashure stepped into the room. He glanced over his shoulder when the door shut behind him. As he scanned the Captain’s ornate quarters, he itched to explore the contents. He turned when he heard Simon’s low, harsh chuckle.

  “You are a most unusual pirate, Ashure,” Simon commented by way of greeting as he rose from his seat behind the massive dark mahogany desk.

  “It is better than being a usual one—sir—your Majesty,” Ashure retorted before he winced.

  Simon laughed until he started coughing. Ashure watched as the old pirate took a shaky breath and leaned back against the desk. Then the Pirate King looked him up and down while Ashure stood stiffly. He braced himself for Simon’s harsh retort.

  “You have a good heart, something that the pirates need,” Simon reflected.

  “Sir?” Ashure said, confusion lacing his voice.

  Simon gestured to the chair in front of a small fireplace. Ashure walked over and sat down, warily observing as Simon poured two glasses half-full of bourbon from a crystal decanter. He accepted the proffered glass but didn’t drink. His mind was clearing, and his gut was beginning to warn him that something terrible was about to happen.

  With glass in hand, Simon sat down in the chair across from him. Ashure watched as the Pirate King downed half of the drink before moodily staring at the magical fire in the fireplace. Time passed as the Pirate King became lost in thought, and Ashure remained quiet, waiting.

  “Do you remember the first time we met, Ashure?” Simon finally asked.

  “I was rather hoping you might have forgotten, your Majesty,” Ashure grimaced. He lifted his drink and took a sip, thinking that this sounded like the beginning of a goodbye, and perhaps being drunk would make whatever was coming slightly more pleasant. “Oh! This is almost as good as the Empress’s,” he breathed. “As good—I meant to say ‘as good’,” he quickly amended.

  Simon leaned back in his seat and laughed again. “And that is what makes you an unusual pirate, Ashure Waves. Not only have you kept your goodness alive, but you speak the truth.”

  “Not always,” Ashure hastily replied. “There are times when lying is kinder—and wiser.”

  Playing with the glass in his hand, Simon was silent for several more minutes. As the clock on the fireplace
mantel ticked, Ashure felt sweat beading on his neck.

  “You were a lad of about six or seven the first time we met,” Simon murmured.

  “Nine—I was nine, your Majesty. I was rather small for my age, but as you can tell, I’ve since grown,” he added.

  Simon stared into his eyes for a moment before he quickly looked away again and nodded. Ashure frowned at the Pirate King’s very brief glances. It was as if the man didn’t want to look at him directly as they talked.

  “Nine, then. You were working on the docks carrying supplies twice your size. You were very innovative for someone so young. You didn’t jostle or drag the items, you recruited help from Nali’s monsters—and they did the work, which was amazing. I watched you for half the day. You worked the crowds, pick-pocketing items, but always slipping something that was of value to you into the pockets you picked. You sweet-talked the merchants into giving you jobs that you did with relish no matter how hard or small they were, and you shared your meager earnings with the monsters that helped you, giving them food when it was obvious you needed it more than they did,” Simon shared with a sigh.