The Witch's Journey

by Leigh Ann Edwards

  “Faolan, I’d like to bathe.”

  “You bathed only recently,” he said. “I crave the scent and taste of you—not soaps, or bodywashes—only you, Angel.”

  She gasped as he pleasured her, his hands holding firmly to her thighs. She placed her arms behind her to steady herself. When she met her pinnacle she wasn’t certain the ship didn’t rock with the intensity.

  He moved then, sat upon the bed, pulled her to him with a fervent kiss. His eyes were intense. When she touched his erect manhood he sucked in his breath. She kissed his chest, his stomach, his firm muscular thighs, purposely taunting him by making him wait to feel her mouth upon him.

  “My God, woman, again you take me to the brink of madness!”

  When she finally put her lips and tongue upon his sex, he cried out, his hands grasping her hair.

  When she stopped, he pulled her to him, smiling a smoldering smile.

  “No condoms,” she stated.

  “Does that deter…?”

  “No,” she said.

  He lifted her upon his rigidity, ensuring he was deep inside her. She stared into his eyes as she moved above him. He held tight to her ass.

  “How could I live without this?” he whispered. “How could I live without you?”

  “Not what I want to hear, Captain, especially not now.”

  “No,” he said and they continued energetically making love, her fervently riding above him till their bodies glistened with heat and they orgasmed together.

  Breathless, he smiled contentedly. They remained joined.

  “Why do you blush, Angel? What lustful notions fill your mind?”

  “I thought my riding lessons wouldn’t be put to good use.” She laughed.

  “Definitely coin well spent,” he said.

  Chapter Thirty

  “Your bed’s comfortable, Captain,” she blissfully purred.

  “I admit I’ve a new appreciation of it after sharing it with you.”

  Staring into her eyes, she saw the underlying worry of their future, as surely as she felt her own.

  “If we really must be apart—if there’s no way to stay together without one of us dying—would you prefer we’d never met?” Angelique asked. “Would it be better…”

  “No,” Faolan firmly said, caressing her hair. “I’d prefer to remember everything we’ve shared. I’d want to know I’ve loved someone more than I thought possible and been loved so in return. I’d wish to recall every moment.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Angelique said unable to prevent the tears she’d been holding back since they’d seen Aine. “Memories might console me, but knowing I’d never have that again would be torturous.”

  “Don’t weep, my angel. We’ll find a way to remain together. We must!”

  “If your ship sails it’s likely you’ll be wounded, maybe killed. We don’t know how it’ll change things if it stays in port. I could create a storm to prevent sailing for a while, but can’t put it off forever.”

  “By the look on that damn goddess’s face, we won’t be able to put this off long,” he lamented.

  “The sun’s setting. I suppose we should eat,” Angelique simply said.

  “We’ll have Danhoul join us,” Faolan replied. “It’s safer than going out, but I’ll need to speak with Coates soon.”

  “He didn’t like me much.”

  “It took him aback that I had a wife and…”

  “And?” she asked.

  Faolan looked away, which usually indicated there was something he didn’t want to discuss.

  “He might’ve hoped I’d take his sister for my wife.”

  “Why would he hope that?”

  “Since I’ve no son or benefactor, as first mate it’d likely ensure he’d take ownership of my ship and crew if something happened to me.”

  “Why wouldn’t he just kill you then?” Angelique asked.

  “That’d be bad business—deliberately killing his captain. There’s a code amongst privateers. Some acts are considered immoral even for pirates.”

  “I’d be your benefactor now if something happened to you?”

  He nodded.

  “Would it be acceptable to kill the captain’s wife?”

  “Not to the captain,” he said. “But I admit, I don’t mind having Danhoul’s help protecting you.”

  “Did you give Coates reason to believe you’d take his sister as your wife?”

  “I took her to dinner twice on his suggestion. She showed some interest.”

  “I’m certain she did. And the other captain in the pub?”

  “He hoped I’d wed his daughter. I only considered that believing it strategic. There’d be less competition if he were my father-in-law. But our union wasn’t promised nor had I requested her hand.”

  “So are these women fetching?”

  “I suppose they’re attractive enough, but neither compares by any measure to you, Angelique.”

  “How old are they?”

  “You’re very inquisitive.”

  “Isn’t that normal to be curious?”

  “Coates’s sister’s about your age and twice widowed. MacCrohan’s been suggestin’ I marry his daughter for a time. He was waitin’ till she’s of bleeding age.”

  “Are you freaking serious? She’s that young?”

  “Fourteen, I believe. That’s not uncommon in this time, Angelique.”

  “You’re more than double her age?”

  “Twelve-year-old girls are married off to sixty-year-old men. Age is seldom considered.”

  “Likely not by the man. If it were the other way around people would be as appalled as me.”

  “Sixty-year-old women aren’t capable of bearing children, which is often the consideration.”

  “Along with keeping a man’s bed warm and catering to whatever he desires.”

  “Sure there’s much about this time you’ll find disagreeable.”

  “If you hadn’t met me which one would you choose?”

  “I’d rather not speak of this.”

  She scowled, narrowing her eyes, expecting a response.

  “Coates’s sister is exotic-looking, voluptuous…brown hair, large dark eyes. MacCrohan’s daughter has straight blonde hair. She’s slighter, breasts barely blossomed.”

  “You’ve clearly looked at both.”

  “I’ve bedded neither.”

  “At least the girl hasn’t, how did you phrase it when we met, encountered grave misfortune that’s kept her unwed?”

  “MacCrohan keeps her chaste hoping I’ll turn my eyes her way.”

  “Perhaps I should do as Aine says, go back to the night I created the spell and never speak the words to summon you. We’ll never know what we missed out on if we never meet. You can wed your virginal captain’s daughter or exotic voluptuous woman and continue life as usual.”

  “What would you do, Angelique for you seemed morose when we met.”

  “I was grieving, kind of lost, but I’d find my way—eventually.”

  “And neither of us would know this powerful love we share.”

  “But you’d be alive and…”

  He exhaled. “I grow weary thinkin’ of this. Let’s dress for dinner. Danhoul will join us. He obviously knows more of these damnable gods.”

  She nodded, already regretful at having to move from his arms.

  *

  “That was your first meeting with Aine?” Danhoul asked.

  Angelique nodded as they sat taking dinner in Faolan’s cabin.

  “You riled her as much as the other three transcendent witches.”

  “She infuriated me, too. She’s arrogant, unfeeling and unsympathetic. Apparently she believes she can dictate our lives.”

  “She’s had run-ins with the other three witches; none speak favorably of her,” Danhoul said. “I thought she’d have a damn stroke when Ainsley made her demands then veiled Alainn and Arianna even from the gods.

  “Arianna butted heads with Aine the first time they met, too. W
hen Aine took Alainn away on her wedding day, that caused much dissent. Then in the realm of the gods, Alainn released four Celtic dragons, which started a war between the Fomorians and the Tuatha Dé Danann.”

  “Me defying Aine shouldn’t have made her angry. She probably expected it.”

  “What do you suggest we do, Danhoul? I’d welcome your opinion,” Faolan said pouring more ale.

  “I honestly don’t know, Faolan. Aine may be correct about Angelique or you not living long if you remain together. She can usually foresee what’s to come.”

  “Can’t the gods change it? If they’ve had the other three witches relive the same life over and over, surely they can change a few details so Faolan and I can remain safe together.”

  “They make decisions based on facts, not emotion,” Danhoul said. “They were angry when I helped Alainn bring her husband, Killian, to the future when it wasn’t meant to be. When Alainn did the same for Arianna, they worried it might disrupt things with them being in a time they weren’t meant to be.”

  “Has it?” Angelique asked.

  “I suppose we don’t really know. The gods have done many questionable deeds such as ensuring pregnancies are ended. Although it likely isn’t positive for any transcendent witch to be with child when they take part in the predicted battle.”

  “But the second witch, Arianna, is pregnant now?” Angelique asked.

  “How did you know?” Danhoul asked.

  “Wolf told me, but I hear your thoughts sometimes.”

  Neither man seemed particularly pleased about that.

  “Do you trust your crew?” Danhoul asked Faolan.

  “Mostly, I’m confident of their loyalty.”

  “If you don’t marry Coates’s sister, will his loyalty remain?” Angelique questioned.

  “Clearly I can’t marry her when I’m already wed,” Faolan said.

  “This could cause a division between you.”

  “I’m not worried about Coates,” Faolan said.

  “In the beginning, I don’t suppose Bligh was worried about Christian either.”

  Faolan probably didn’t appreciate another book or movie reference but because Mutiny on the Bounty took place upon a ship he’d read the book and watched the film.

  “What can we do, Faolan?” Angelique asked.

  “I wish to hell I knew.”

  *

  They awoke to shouting and Danhoul apparently barring someone from their cabin. Faolan was up and dressed before Angelique could put on her pantaloons and corset.

  “Already cursing eighteenth-century clothing?” he asked sheathing his sword. “Wait here, Angelique,” he ordered with a firmness she attempted to get used to.

  “Aye, aye, Captain,” she replied with a salute, bringing a hint of a smile.

  It wasn’t long before Angelique wished she hadn’t agreed. She peered out the cabin window to see a woman with long black hair, amber eyes and a buxom chest, scolding Faolan.

  “You didn’t bother stoppin’ to see me, purposely chose another pub. I found out from others you’d returned.”

  Angelique stepped from the cabin noticing how uncomfortable Faolan became. He stared from the other woman to Angelique, then looked away.

  “You haven’t heard the news of me takin’ a wife, then, Sinead?” he finally asked.

  The woman’s mouth fell open. She first looked stunned, then crushed, and finally angry.

  “I’ll retrieve the garment I left,” she furiously demanded.

  “There’s nothin’ here,” Faolan said obviously hoping to keep her from the cabin.

  “There is and I intend to get it, so I do.”

  She breezed past Faolan, briefly appraised Danhoul, glared at Angelique and went in. Angelique followed. The woman reached between the bed and the wall, pulled out a lacy, generously sized bustier, tucked it inside her cloak, then huffed by Angelique. Rushing out the door, she glowered at Faolan.

  He glanced at Angelique. To say he looked like he didn’t want to deal with this was a huge understatement. They had no time to address it for a crowd of raucous, displeased men boarded the ship.

  “Go inside, Angelique,” Faolan demanded.

  She didn’t want to obey his order, but scowling, finally went in.

  “There’s nothing to do about it now,” Faolan said. “I never made agreements with anyone. If I’d been inclined to wed, it would’ve been done.”

  “You didn’t discourage our offers,” one man said.

  “It’s wise to keep options open. I prefer to be on mostly good terms with all of you.”

  “Which you certainly are not. My daughter’s heartbroken.”

  “As is my sister.” Angelique recognized Coates’s voice.

  “And my niece.”

  “My daughter, too.”

  “We should string you up for misleadin’ us.”

  “How would that make any of your womenfolk happy?” Angelique called, opening the door a crack. Although, just now she might like to string him up, too, and not by the neck.

  “It might appease us,” the other captain replied.

  She stepped out and they stared.

  “Maybe we should make you pay,” one man said to Angelique and Faolan looked increasingly upset at her being there.

  “How would you make me pay?”

  “Maybe we’d take turns havin’ ye!” one man suggested.

  Faolan stepped toward him, sword raised.

  “Anyone so much as touches my wife, they’ll not live to see dusk.”

  “Captain Mahoney can’t be the only eligible man here?”

  “None have a ship or purse like him.”

  “I made no promises. If you presumed it to be so, it wasn’t that I deliberately misled you. Besides, being a sailor’s wife, captain or not, isn’t easy. Women are often made widows.”

  Some nodded; considerably more grumbled.

  “Perhaps Captain Mahoney could compensate you with coin if it’ll prevent violence,” Angelique suggested.

  Faolan stared disapprovingly though many men seemed in favor of that.

  “There’s cargo to be loaded. Those who sail with me should get to work now!” Faolan barked.

  It was plain he was done speaking on this.

  “Get back inside the cabin, Mrs. Mahoney,” he said after the men were out of earshot. “You should wait some distance away, Danhoul,” Faolan added coming in and closing the door.

  *

  Now fuming, Angelique paced, wanting to throw a temper tantrum.

  “Several women expect to marry you—another has been with you only recently. Did you even change the sheets?” she asked looking at the bed with disgust.

  “The bedding was changed,” Faolan assured her.

  “The day we met you told me you’d only been with a few of women, none recently. How many’s a few and what do you consider recent? We obviously don’t use the same measure.”

  “I was in your home, arrived by means I didn’t understand. When you asked about other women, I wasn’t about to say anything that would vex you. Later, there never seemed a good time or even a reason to tell you more.”

  “Just last night, you said you didn’t bring women here.”

  “By all that’s holy, Angelique, you asked me that when I was hard with arousal. I said I didn’t bring women which is true. I brought one woman here.”

  “You justified that lie with semantics just so you’d get laid?”

  “I wanted us to console one another.”

  “Apparently you weren’t with her long ago, since she left her freaking lingerie behind. Either that or you should employ more thorough cleaners. Was Clodaugh here, too?”

  “Clodaugh was never here.”

  “Why should I believe anything you say now?”

  “You’re aware I’m a privateer. Much of what I do involves deception and underhanded activity.”

  “I didn’t think you’d deceive me. Tell me about Miss Big-Breasted Bustier.”

  “Sinead and
I have—had an understanding.”

  “An understanding?”

  “When I’m here, we spend time together. She’s never pressed for commitment.”

  “You have an open relationship with a possibility of more or you’re simply fuck buddies?”

  He scowled.

  “Does she screw other people, too?”

  “Probably.”

  “Perfect!” Angelique said.

  She couldn’t help thinking of middle school sex ed class. Mrs. Crombey said every person you sleep with, you’re actually having sex with every partner they’ve been with. Angelique shuddered, turned away and saw Faolan’s worried expression.

  “Sinead sings at pubs. She’s popular with men I suppose.”

  “Is she a prostitute? Do men pay to have sex with her?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe. There’s no coin exchanged when we…”

  “It’s a wonder you haven’t given me an STD. Maybe you have and I just don’t have symptoms yet. I should’ve known better—about a lot of things.”

  Angelique furiously glanced at the bed, but became much angrier when an echo appeared of Faolan exuberantly having sex with Sinead on the nearby desk. Sinead loudly screamed out his name as she convulsed beneath him. Angelique lifted her hand, raised the desk and sent it crashing down repeatedly.

  “Angelique, that could bloody well damage the ship and the desk contains irreplaceable maps of numerous sailing routes.”

  “It also contains echoes of you fucking your big-breasted songstress. I should take the damn thing and throw it through the side of your precious ship. I can’t stay here. You don’t want to see my temper if it really explodes!”

  Several items in the cabin shook and the ship rocked. When she saw another echo of Sinead sleeping in Faolan’s arms here in his bed, a contented smile upon her face, it somehow made Angelique ever angrier.

  “You said you don’t actually sleep with other women. I see an echo of you sleeping here with her.”

  “We might’ve fallen asleep once when I’d had too much whiskey.”

  “It’s foolish to lie to me, Captain, when I can learn the truth with magic. Your bloody ship could lie at the bottom of the bay and your mighty galleon may meet your specially crafted sword!”