by Tina Donahue
“No, but Tristan always gave them shelter and food so they could rest before they returned.”
He’d expect the ones here to do the same for his crew. Tristan was hell bent on everyone behaving honorably. Vincent had no use for niceties. Every second here made his skin crawl. “What’s the longest they stayed?”
“No more than two days.”
Wasted time. Unless he used it to interrogate those who sailed here as he had the islanders who’d led him to Tristan.
Many had died in that quest.
He didn’t doubt several would perish during this one.
Chapter 13
Netta climbed the hill, Aimee beside her. Wind lashed their hair, cloths, and the tall grass. Sun warmed cool ocean air.
The Lady Lark bobbed on gentle swells, waiting for her crew. Tomorrow morning, Heath would leave for Faucon.
Netta shivered as she would when lightning flashed or thunder roared. Loss and heartache had filled her dreams. Upon awakening, she tried to capture the pictures in her mind to ward off whatever trouble approached. The images remained elusive. Her dread mounted. She hid her alarm from Heath.
He promised to return, wanting to be at her and Aimee’s side for a lifetime. Netta believed him. She’d felt the same about her parents, relatives, and friends. Then fate arrived and took them away on a day like this. One meant for love not ruin.
Nothing had been the same for her and Aimee until Heath landed on this isle.
At the hilltop, she gripped Aimee’s hands. They lifted their faces to the seamless blue sky, the goddess’s home where she looked down on them. Aimee had argued against praying for Heath’s safety. Even mentioning a problem could rouse evil spirits. Best to be quiet so they couldn’t find him.
Netta didn’t know what to believe. She feared the destructive ones who brought storms, sickness, and death. Yet she couldn’t allow Heath to leave without the goddess’s protection and guidance. That could result in disaster he wouldn’t survive.
Trembling, she prayed more fervently than she had when the pirates had taken her. Then, she begged for death to be with her parents again. Instead, the goddess had spared her. Netta had railed against the cruel decision not realizing how wise it was. Someone had to protect Aimee.
She hugged her twin.
Aimee clung to her. “Everything will be all right. He will return. He loves us. Tell me. Say the words.”
They caught in Netta’s throat. Darkness tormented her. Snatches from her dream came back and faded like smoke, too quick to grasp.
Aimee clutched her harder. “Say something. Stop frightening me.”
“Heath will return. The goddess must listen to us this time. She will. We can speak to the priest’s god too. He may help. We have nothing to fear.”
Aimee wilted against her, accepting words Netta wanted to believe but feared might prove empty.
A bird squawked. Leaves rustled. An animal squealed.
“Netta? Aimee?” Heath asked. “What are you doing up here?”
He padded through rippling grass that reached his knees. A stiff breeze tugged his hair in every direction. His bronze skin glistened beneath the sun.
Netta ran to him. She wound her arms around his torso and rested her cheek near his heart. Its powerful thunder calmed and aroused her.
Aimee settled behind Heath, hugged him, and squeezed Netta’s arms, desperate for reassurance.
He patted her hands and kissed Netta’s forehead. “Are you worried whether the Lady Lark is fit for sea? Is that why you’re up here? To look at it?”
“Oui.” Netta couldn’t tell him the truth. If he worried about her dreams, that might cause him more trouble. “We wanted to see how it looks.”
“You’ll have a better chance tomorrow before I set sail. I’ll take you two on board if you want. Show you around.”
“No.” Aimee held him harder and dug her fingers into Netta. “Pirates said a woman on a ship brings bad luck.”
“Not Tristan, I hope.” Heath chuckled. “He’s too wise for that superstitious nonsense. To find him, Diana sailed from England to Madagascar on the Lady Lark. She and Tristan are quite alive. Say you’ll let me show you the ship. That will ease your worry greatly.”
Until he left here. Netta wasn’t certain she could watch him go. His absence would become too real. “Must we speak of this?”
“Not if you don’t want to.”
“Hold me.”
Aimee made a pained sound. “Me too.”
He gathered them in his arms.
Netta kissed his chest and dipped her hand to his sex. Nothing warmed her more than his hard shaft and firm sac. Both came alive within her embrace.
Aimee pushed Netta’s hand aside, her usual deference lost beneath brutal need. They required him equally.
“You tempt me too much.” He sank to the grass, bringing them with him.
Within the fragrant blades, they undressed.
Hidden dew cooled Netta’s skin. Heath’s lips on her breast, his hand between her legs made her burn. She couldn’t kiss him deeply enough, nor could he do so with her.
He freed his mouth to claim Aimee’s.
Empty without him, Netta took his cock fully into her mouth.
He squirmed and grunted, the sound faint from his tongue between Aimee’s lips or hers between his.
Salty fluid seeped from the tiny opening in his crown. Soon, Heath would release his seed, though not in her mouth. She wanted him inside her. She ached for his child and hoped Aimee would have an infant too.
Before Netta could release him, he broke free of Aimee. “Enough of that.” He clasped Netta’s shoulders. “I want your cunt.”
His rigid shaft slipped from her lips and grazed her chin. “Fill me.”
“Me too.” Aimee kissed his biceps. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Aimee’s sorrow tore at Netta’s heart. “Heath can love you first after I make a soft bed for you.”
She spread her purple cloth and Aimee’s yellow one over matted grass and rolled Heath’s breeches to form a pillow.
Aimee kissed her cheek. She settled on the sweet-smelling growth and opened her arms to him.
He smiled at Netta then entered Aimee swiftly, his strong body tense with passion, muscles gleaming in the light.
Netta drank him in, enthralled by his potent masculinity, surprising grace, and wondrous scent. Yet nothing bewitched as his tenderness did. It made him more powerful.
He laced his fingers with Aimee’s. They gazed at each other and smiled, their complexions ruddy, breaths rough, skin moist. With each hard thrust, his hair swung. Their tapping bodies made alluring music that stirred Netta’s soul.
Aimee lifted her chin and closed her eyes. She squeezed Heath’s fingers so tightly hers blanched.
As she sped toward release, he fought the same, jaw clenched, shoulders bunched.
Aimee cried out.
Lemurs raced through the branches. An animal darted about in the grass.
Heath stilled. Breathing hard, he brushed his lips over Aimee’s. “Merci. Je t’adore.” I adore you.
“And I you. Love Netta now.”
“I fully intend to.”
Arms wide, she encouraged desire and kissed him leisurely, a slow exploration of his mouth and tongue. A lovely way to savor the man he was and give him a chance to rest.
Heath didn’t allow her gentleness for long. His impassioned kiss stole Netta’s breath and thoughts, leaving naught except indecent need.
They mated like animals and strove to get deeper, closer, to become part of each other’s being. No matter how well, long, or much he loved her, Netta would never be sated or free from wanting more. He’d captured and claimed her readily. His smile, laughter, respect, and love toppled the walls she’d built around herself faster than any threat could.
> He was too wonderful for this merciless world.
He had to return to her and Aimee.
Netta’s release pounded into her. Heath’s pleased shout announced his.
Together, they floated down. Sated but not finished with each other.
* * * *
Excellent weather held the following morning, a few puffy clouds on the horizon. Island men gathered at the hidden cove to help Heath prepare the Lady Lark for departure.
Netta and Aimee stood on the bank, arms around each other, faces down.
He eased their hair off their shoulders and froze at his stupid action. If anyone saw him being too friendly, Aimee and Netta would endure their people’s unkind words, or worse, while he set sail. He stepped back and crossed his arms. “Sure you don’t want to board and have a look?”
With any luck, it would calm them. Neither had slept much last night. When he woke at dawn, they were outside, breakfast already cooked and cooled. While he ate and they didn’t, he drew a map in the dirt to show the route he’d take. He’d explained tides, wind patterns, ocean currents, everything he could think of to give them a better understanding of why men did this without concern or regret. Traversing London streets was far more dangerous given the multitudes there, including equally depraved nobles and commoners. Out here, people were rare.
Nothing he’d said had any effect. They listened without comment.
Same as now. “Come and take a look with me, please. It’s quite safe.”
Netta pressed closer to Aimee. “We can stay here.”
Tristan approached and tipped his head. “Ladies.” He took a brace of pistols from his shoulder and handed them to Heath. “These are yours. The islanders will bring their own arms. There are additional weapons aboard the ship should you need them.”
Aimee and Netta dashed away.
Heath wished Tristan had used an earlier moment to give him these and to make such a dire pronouncement. “Thank you. Excuse me.”
He caught up with Netta and Aimee. “The weapons are simply a precaution, nothing more. The same as how you avoid snakes by staying on a known path rather than traveling through deep brush. Danger is all around but that doesn’t mean it will come close.”
“Heath.”
Adamo. Given what he’d been through with Canela, he couldn’t have agreed to take this journey.
Heath held up his hand. “I’ll be with you in a moment.” He bent down to Aimee and Netta. “Stay here, please. I’ll return shortly.” Heath joined Adamo and shook his good hand. “Are you accompanying us?”
“No. I wanted to give you this.” He untied a cord from his waistband button. A medallion dangled from the leather, intricate symbols carved into the wood.
“This is excellent work. You’re quite skilled. What do the carvings mean?”
“They offer good luck. When you wear this, it keeps demons away. Male and female.”
He had to mean Canela. Given what everyone here said, Heath suspected he’d soon meet Medusa in the flesh. “Thank you, my friend.” He embraced Adamo and lowered his voice. “Please see that Netta and Aimee are well during my absence. In helping them, we’ve all become close.”
“You love them.”
Heat crept up Heath’s neck. “We’re friends.”
“Your eyes say more. So do theirs. Both are good women and need a brave man. My heart smiles for your good fortune.”
“Merci. Others might not feel the same.”
“The women you mean.” He made a dismissive noise. “Who you love is up to you, but I promise to keep my tongue. So will Zola. We can visit Aimee and Netta every day and feed them so much both will be fat by the time you return.”
Heath laughed. “You’re a good man. I look forward to working with you in the coming days.”
“We can help each other.”
Anyone who called these people uncivilized was a damn fool.
Islanders carried food onboard. Enough for the crew and the other natives to tide them over until their yields improved. Tristan also provided horses, pigs, chickens, and cows. Diana had thrown in silk cloths for the women, new breeches and linen shirts for the men, and several cribs for the babes that Heath had built.
He suspected she was behind Tristan’s extreme generosity, not wanting the Lady Lark or anyone here to depart these shores again for a long while.
Heath itched to leave so he could return. He’d once considered commanding a ship to be a man’s greatest goal. He knew better now. Serving his family as a good husband and father mattered far more.
He stepped out of an islander’s way and bumped into Michel. “Sorry.” He shook Michel’s hand. “Didn’t expect to see you here. How is Ourson?”
“Proud of his papa.”
Heath wasn’t certain what Michel meant and simply nodded. Yards away, Orson danced in place next to mama Esme. He waved at Heath.
He returned the greeting. “Would you and Esme mind if I showed Ourson the ship?” Heath should have thought of that earlier. “I’m sure he’d be delighted.”
“I showed him before you came here.” Michel colored slightly. “I should have asked first, no?”
“Absolutely not. It’s not my ship, and I’m sure Tristan wouldn’t mind. Did Ourson enjoy himself?”
“Oui. He wanted to see where I would sleep during the voyage.”
“You’re coming with us?”
“To tend the horses, but also for another reason.” He leaned in. “I want Ourson to boast about me as he does you.”
Heath regretted befriending Ourson, coming between him and Michel. “You’re his papa. There’s no greater man on earth to a son. I’m a poor substitute. You don’t have to take this journey to prove anything.”
“I want to come if you can allow it.”
“Of course.” He clamped Michel’s shoulder. “Another friend on board is precisely what I need. May I have a word with Ourson?”
“If he gives you time to speak.”
Heath chuckled and motioned Ourson over.
He couldn’t keep still. “The ship is so big. All the islanders’ houses would fit inside with enough room for the stone house and courtyard.”
“Aye. But size is no match for brains and good sense.” Heath tapped his head. “Like your papa has. Only a skilled man could get horses onto a ship. The animals frighten easily. Without Michel, I don’t think I could make this journey. I’m not as brave as he is.”
Ourson took his papa’s hand. “He protects me and mama all the time. He can carry more rocks than you ever will. He can lift a horse in his hands.”
Michel laughed. “A foal, not one fully grown.”
“You can. I know it. Show Heath your muscle.”
“My what?”
“Like this.” Heath held up his arm but barely flexed.
Michel did the same.
“Squeeze your fist, Papa. As hard as you can.”
He did and produced an imposing bulge.
Ourson clapped. “My papa is the strongest man in the world.”
Heath pointed. “And always will be.” He put out his hand. “Shall we shake like men and say our goodbyes?”
Ourson squeezed quite hard.
“You’re nearly as strong as your father. Well done.”
Tristan joined them. “Are you close to leaving?”
“Only a few more things to do.”
“Then I’ll say my goodbye now so I can return to Diana and Merry.” He shook Heath’s hand and surprised him with a firm embrace. “You’ve earned my respect and trust. I’m proud to call you friend.” He stepped back and waited until Michel and Ourson had left. “Promise not to do anything foolish. I wouldn’t want to deal with Aimee and Netta if you’re unduly delayed.”
“I’ve memorized the route but I’ve also copied it and the one Peter suggested. Both aw
ait me in the cabin. The ship is sound, my crew excellent, the weather fair. The only trouble I can predict is boredom.”
“That’s a mariner’s worst risk and greatest downfall. Trust the sea and she’ll do you in every time. Always remain vigilant, especially when your surroundings are calm. That’s when many men forget to do something and end up beneath the water rather than on top. Mind you, Diana will never forgive me if you don’t return.”
Heath lowered his voice as Tristan had. “Neither will Netta or Aimee. Can you and Diana see to their welfare during my absence? Make certain they don’t worry too much? Adamo and Zola are going to, but they’re islanders. You’re capitaine. Aimee and Netta may listen to you.”
“I’ll do my best, but I won’t promise anything. Before I forget, take this.” He removed a pouch from his waistband and gave it to Heath. “Diana wanted Aimee and Netta to have these should they be unable to wear your marriage collar.”
Two gold bracelets glinted in his palm, each carved with flowers and vines. Identical to the last detail and most likely priceless. “I can’t accept these.”
“You can and will. Your women can wear them to prove they belong to you. I know you’re hoping the priest will relent, and he should, considering his proclivities. Should he hold firm to his teachings, you have those to fall back on.”
“I can never repay you or Diana.”
“Bring the ship, our people, and yourself back in one piece and we’ll call things even. Best you say goodbye to your ladies now. The men are ready to leave.”
Heath ran to Aimee and Netta. He directed them into a stand so the others wouldn’t see and kissed them breathless. Still holding on, he spoke softly. “I’m leaving now. Before I go, I have something for you. Consider it proof of my devotion.”
He gave them the bracelets.
Most women would have squealed and hugged him soundly.
Their tears fell faster.
“I will return, I promise. You’ll wear these bracelets until I can replace them with marriage collars. Somehow, I’ll do that too. I give you my word.”
