“Sea water, to join the captain to his crew,” William said, his eyes studying mine. He held a cup of water that he poured over our joined hands. The cold, salty seawater stung the fresh cut and I winced.
The pain drew me from my near hysterics. I took a shuddering breath, trying to push past the emotional barbs that clawed at me. Still clasping my hand, the captain walked us over to the edge of the ship where our watery blood trickled into the sea. The water began to sizzle and foam where the blood had fallen.
“It seems the sea is pleased with our offering.” He gave me a sidelong glance as I pulled my hand free. This time he let me.
A pulse of magic flared through me and for a moment the world spun. My body convulsed and my angry emotions about the pirate attack and the captain leaked from me, being siphoned out until the memory remained but not the full weight. No! I clung to my feelings, trying to hold them as my own but the magic of the blood oath ripped them away and they slipped through my fingers.
My worry for my sister, my love for my parents, and the bitter betrayal by James still burned in my heart, but the others about the pirate ship and its captain faded. I stared at the captain, trying to hate the man who had led me to this low point, but the fury and the murderous rage had vanished. I knew my true emotions were there, but I couldn’t grasp them, as if they were merely empathy for someone else. And with that the old Jade was gone completely. I had said goodbye to her in Rizo but until this moment, I didn’t know how much of her I had still carried. A single tear trickled down my cheek and I couldn’t bring myself to wipe it away.
William chanted more words while the captain stared at me, a peculiar look on his face. When William had finished his chanting he inclined his head toward the captain. “It’s finished.”
“Congratulations, you're now a full member of the crew. I’m so pleased,” the captain said in a voice that let me know he was anything but happy. The crew let out a whoop at the completion of the ritual. “Your blood has joined theirs in the jar. They all share my blood and are bound to me . . . as are you.”
I knew it; I could feel it in my magically altered feelings. The blood bond might have lessened my fury at him but my mind would remember. I may not be able to truly hate him again but I would never forget.
“One more thing to make it all official.” A smile lit up the captain’s face. “Cook, a toast!”
The cook and several other men were carrying trays filled with red liquid.
“Wine,” William whispered, “to celebrate the ritual and our wedding. It is tradition to drink the whole cup; it seals the vows of the wedding between the two of us and your becoming part of the crew.”
I nodded. The cook handed me a beautiful cup inlaid with topaz.
“To our unexpected addition to the crew,” the captain toasted, “and to William’s new—well old, if I’m going to be honest—wife.”
I gave him a dirty look as we all raised our glasses and the men around us cheered. I brought the cup to my lips and drank deeply. A strange taste filled my mouth. This wasn’t wine. It was revolting, but I forced myself to swallow my mouthful.
William raised his eyebrows. “Something wrong?”
“The wine,” I choked out. “It has an . . . unusual flavor.”
The captain’s eyes twinkled. “Oh that isn't wine. We were being considerate of your age and gave you prune juice.” The crew erupted into laughter. “We added plenty of lime too because we have enough to spare, now that you aren’t cursing them.”
William groaned. “Clayton! Of all the—”
“You can always skip the drink and call off this marriage,” the captain interrupted. “Nothing is completed until you finish the wine.”
“I’m already a part of the ship and crew. And we exchanged vows.” The captain couldn’t get rid of me now. Pearl’s innocent life hung in the balance. I needed to stay on this ship for her. She’d put herself in jeopardy for me—I could survive the pirates for her. I took a steadying breath and then finished the drink in one huge gulp, shuddering as I swallowed. “It was delicious. Just an acquired taste.”
The captain’s eyes hardened slightly. “I'd like to have a word with you now, Sheridan. In private, if that’s all right with you, William,” he added, glancing at my husband.
A warning flashed in William’s eyes. “Yes, but tread lightly, Clay.” The captain nodded, and rolled his shoulders as if steeling himself for a fight.
“Follow me.” He spun on his heel and started across the deck. William gave me an encouraging nod.
With a knot in my stomach, I followed the captain below deck to his cabin. My eyes darted around the well-kept room as I entered. Adjacent to the sleeping quarters were the privy and bath. A desk with maps spread across its surface was pushed against a far wall in the sitting area, across from the dining table where he could eat his meals or entertain guests.
The captain crossed his arms and peered at me as if I were a puzzle he was trying to piece together. His observant eyes scrutinized me as if they could penetrate through my disguise, but then he shrugged. I scooted back a few steps so there was a good distance between us.
“Let's speak plainly, shall we, witch? Why did you sneak aboard my vessel?”
I bristled at being called a witch even though I’d proclaimed myself to be one. His gaze was so heavy upon me it left me feeling exposed. I was afraid for him to know that the ‘power’ I had exhibited earlier was simply a fluke, or a bit of luck or . . . honestly I had no idea what had happened there. “My reasons for coming aboard are my own.”
“Somehow I knew you wouldn’t be forthcoming. I have half a mind to throw you overboard just for tricking William into marrying you.” He leaned his shoulder against the wall as he pondered me. “You managed to stay aboard. Your game was well played, I'll give you that. I’m just not sure what exactly you're playing for.”
I gave him a wide smile, but said nothing.
“You know, you have remarkably fine teeth for an old beggar.”
My lips closed around my tattling teeth. “Did I say I was a beggar?”
“Aren’t you?”
“You have fine teeth too, sir. For a pirate.”
“I get the feeling you don’t care for me much.”
“You are incredibly astute.” Sarcasm dripped from my words.
He cleared his throat and stood up, pacing back and forth in front of me. “Whatever plot you've schemed, it won’t work.”
I played with the hem of my shirt, picking at a loose thread. “I haven't schemed any plot.”
He snorted. “I never knew a woman who didn't have a scheme or two up her sleeve. I should remind you, however, now that you are sealed by blood oath, your loyalty is completely mine. So whatever plans you’ve made, you can save yourself the trouble; they will come to naught.”
My chest tightened and my throat constricted. Was he right? Did my forced allegiance to the captain outrank the desire of my heart, to save my sister? I could feel the two factions of myself warring, and in a moment of triumph, Pearl emerged as victor. Which meant, I could keep my deal with the Hound and save her life. The best part, the captain had no idea.
Unaware of this epiphany, the captain continued, “And I wouldn’t count on William to protect you from me. He’s soft-hearted, but his loyalty lies with me.”
“Forced on him with a blood oath?” I asked.
He laughed. “In a manner of speaking. You have no real claim to him, marriage or no marriage. He’s your husband in word only.”
“I'm aware of the reasons for our wedding. I expect nothing from him except that I’m allowed to remain aboard.” A thread pulled loose on my hem. “I have no romantic designs on William.”
The captain contemplated me, pursing his lips and rocking on his heels. “You speak as if you are a high-born lady, with a bearing as regal and self-entitled as any woman of the Manacle’s court. Your teeth suggest a life of good care, yet your general appearance suggests one who has spent her life on the edge of
survival. You’re a study in contradictions. Who are you?”
“I’m not sure myself these days,” I replied honestly.
“Don't trifle with me, woman. Who are you?” There was an edge to his voice that shook me to the core. Based on what I knew of blood oaths, I suspected mine would alert the captain if I tried to lie to him, but I had to give him an answer.
“I was raised by a healer at the palace and was training in the healing arts. I violated the law and was imprisoned, but someone helped me escape.” My statement was true, if vague and somewhat incomplete. My mother and Pearl were both healers and had been training me in the medicinal parts of it my whole life.
“Ah, a throw-away from the Manacle,” he said, pacing in excitement at having made progress to determine my background. “Are you bitter?”
I swallowed hard as I looked at the captain. The answer was yes, I did feel bitter. Bitter at him, at the kingdom, at James. Bitter at the world. But it went beyond bitterness, touching on a fury that leeched into the marrow of my bones. Even though I’d been bound to him and couldn’t feel the anger simmering beneath my forced loyalty, I knew it was there. And someday I’d wield it like a weapon, striking out at the man who’d left my life in tatters. But I hesitated to give up too much of my story for fear he would discover my true identity, so I told a carefully phrased truth instead. “Anyone would have received the same sentence.”
“The sentence for what?”
“That concerns only me.”
“I think the man you tricked into marrying you might disagree,” he said.
He stared at me, waiting for an answer, and frowned when I refused to give one.
“He sleeps with a pistol next to his bed and he’s a remarkably good shot, so I wouldn't recommend trying to murder him in his sleep.”
“It’s not his safety you should be concerned with,” I said.
He chuckled. “I do believe you mean that. Alas, with our bond, it’d be easier to turn a dagger on yourself than to point one at me.” He gave me a courteous bow, signaling the end of our conversation, and I nodded in polite return. Without another word, he opened the door to his room and gestured for me to leave. The door slammed shut behind me. Alone in the hallway, I took a deep breath.
At least I thought I was alone until I felt a presence behind me. I wheeled around to find William standing three or four paces down the hall. He must have been waiting for me. He tilted his head toward the door next to him.
“This is where you’ll be staying.”
I gulped. “Will we be sharing the room?”
“Yes. It is customary . . . for a husband and wife.”
He opened the door and walked inside. I followed, but stopped short at the doorway. He picked up a shirt off the bunk and folded it, placing it into a sea chest at his feet. “This will be the safest place for you. I generally trust the men, but less so when they’ve been in their cups. You can have the bunk. I’ll sleep in the hammock.” He took up another shirt and folded it with care. “Thomas is a bit upset. A few weeks ago he had this room to himself. Then the captain ordered that he and I share it, and now Thomas has been moved out completely. He’s back with the rest of the crew, worrying that his shirts will forever be wrinkled.”
I still didn’t enter the room. I wanted to believe in him, but between James, Dorian, and the captain, my ability to trust in men had greatly diminished.
His facial expression softened. “You have nothing to fear from me, Sheridan.” He placed his hand over his heart as if making a vow. “I will do all in my power to keep you safe and it will be far easier for me to do that if I stay here with you. If you prefer, I could bunk with the other men, but I would feel better if you were not left alone.” He paused, then continued in his regular serious tone. “Unless your reluctance is due to my lack of husbandly duty. Were you waiting for me to carry you across the threshold?”
I stifled a laugh and glanced up in surprise. William wore a small grin.
“No, of course not. Staying in here with you will be fine.” I held my breath as I stepped into the room. William backed against the small writing desk, giving me a generous amount of personal space. I glanced around. The bed was tightly made, and everything was in its place. There were personal knickknacks: a telescope, a few novels, and a fiddle with a well-worn bow. A large sea chest sat beneath the small, round window, and stepping onto it I was able to look out into the brilliant blue ocean.
“I have to report for duty,” William said. “Please, make yourself comfortable.” He shut the door behind him and I heard his footsteps fade down the hall.
I sighed as I leaned my head against the thick glass, thinking back to my conversation with the captain. Whatever else I thought of the man, I had to admit that he was a lot smarter than I had given him credit for. Things had not gone according to plan at all. I would have to conduct myself very carefully from this point on. At least now I had ample time to search for the medallion. After I found it, I just had to find a way to reconnect with Dorian and make it back to the palace in time to save Pearl. But I had no idea how I was going to make that happen. I was in so far over my head I was drowning.
I refused let myself worry about anything beyond finding the medallion. I’d save those troubles for later. Now would be a perfect time to start my search. My courage and determination rose and my heart began to pound at the chance to finally begin the mission I had set out to do.
I opened the door and stepped into the corridor to find a young man of nineteen or twenty in a pristine uniform approaching. He gave me a small bow and I replied with a curtsey, my stringy hair swaying with the motion.
“After you, sir,” I said, gesturing with my arm for him to pass. He smiled at me and shook his head, motioning instead for me to continue. I smiled at his gallantry and proceeded on my way.
I soon became suspicious that he was following me. I varied my pace and took a few random turns to be sure of my suspicions, but he remained a few paces behind.
“You don’t have to follow me.” His expression was like a stone statue giving nothing away and I sighed. “I'm assuming the captain set you up to this?” He nodded slightly and I clicked my tongue in impatience. “Fine. Follow me if you must.”
This was going to make things infinitely more difficult. I gritted my teeth and continued to peruse the ship. Getting acquainted with my new home would not seem suspicious, but I dared not linger over any area too long, especially ones that I wanted to search.
I hadn’t even covered much ground when a bell rang loudly, it’s muffled chime shaking the hull. “Time for your help in the galley, ma'am,” the boy said, speaking for the first time.
“So your tongue does work.”
He flashed me a small smile. “Yes, ma'am.”
“Then we could have spoken earlier?”
“Well, ma'am I didn’t want to get in your way. I was told not to bother you.”
“And you consider having someone stare at you and follow your every move to be not a bother?”
“As you see, ma'am.”
“You can report to the captain that you did an excellent job. What is your name? It would be helpful to know since you'll probably be accompanying me everywhere I go.”
“Lafe. I’m captain’s cub.”
“You’re his personal servant?”
“And bodyguard, ma’am.”
“That’s an exalted position for one so young.” I tried not to snort at the thought of the captain using this boy to protect him, one who was obviously younger than the captain himself. “I’m guessing you know who I am.”
Lafe nodded. “I also know where you’re supposed to be.”
“And where am I supposed to be?” I asked.
“The galley. They’re expecting your help. We best hurry.” At that, a true smile broke across my face. If I could have picked any place to work aboard the ship it would have been there. He led me to the galley and introduced me to the men on duty. They removed their bandanas and hats as I passed, show
ing me a respect and deference I had not received previously. Something told me that William had spoken to them about manners.
The cook was named Joe, a short, heavy-set man with a part of a finger missing off his right hand. As soon as Lafe introduced us, Joe’s eyes narrowed and he spat into a bucket on the floor. “I don’t want you here messing up my kitchen.”
“Sir?”
“I don't need no one coming in and mucking up my schedule, you understand?”
“I'm sure you run your kitchen expertly,” I said. “I’m not here to cause any problems.”
Joe eyed me suspiciously, “I heard you threaten to rot all my limes, and fill the bread with maggots.”
I laughed. “That was before I became a member of the crew.
He met my laughter with a hint of a smile. “So it was, so it was.”
“I’m here to help. What do you need me to do?”
He mopped his forehead with a handkerchief before sticking it in his back pocket. “Chop up those vegetables,” he said, gesturing to the food on the table.
“Yes, sir.” I turned to my task and drew a strangely contented breath. My mother had taught me how to cook, and I knew how to use a knife from the many hours I had minced herbs during my training as a Healer. Though most of my meals at the palace had been prepared for me, my favorites had always been the ones I cooked myself.
I worked steadily, glad for the silence. Joe eyed me every now and then, checking to see if I was touching something I wasn't supposed to. He gave me directions for glazing the chicken, while he peeled potatoes and set them to boil.
Once we had finished, most of the men on board formed a line and took their plates to the crew’s mess. For the officers, I dished the food onto each of their plates, taking special care to arrange the captain’s. I added a sprig of garland to William’s meal. Joe handed me the tray laden with dishes, while hoisting a similar one himself.