Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) (9 page)

There was no recovering for him, not from this. He would spend his life pining for a life and a woman he could never have. And, he reminded himself, he would never have her. Anna was beyond his reach. Jake was forbidden from entering Meridelle upon threat of death. Even if he did find a way to reach her, Jake knew Anna would never accept his past or forgive his sins.

“Why is the boss so obsessed with a powerless human?” A man’s voice echoed down the alley. “She’s nothing.”

Jake stayed to the shadows, knowing he was far too drunk for a successful fight. He kept out of sight as the men passed by, their conversation growing hushed, but still audible from his location.

“So, how does he expect us to reach her?” The first asked. “She’s locked up tight in Prince Char’s castle.”

“We have friends on the inside,” The second man assured with a chuckle. “All we have to do is walk in and slit her throat; easy money.”

“So, who is this girl to him anyway?” The first pouted.

“I don’t know and I don’t care,” The second claimed. “The boss says this Anna girl dies, she dies.”

Jake’s blood ran cold, his alcohol induced daze gone in an instant. He strained to hear what the men were saying, sure he heard their conversation wrong, but they disappeared from his sight. Jake stumbled to the front of the bar, finding Sully on the porch smoking a pipe. He reached the surprised older man in several unsteady strides. “Gather the men, we sail now.”

“Jake,” Sully questioned; his eyes full of concern for his young Captain. “What’s happened? Is it the wench, I thought you’d be busy for hours.”

Jake waved off the man’s questions. “No time, mate,” Jake turned and started toward his ship. “We shove off now!”

With quickly sobering steps, Jake rushed toward his Crimson Jewel. By the time he reached the main deck, his mind was a war zone. He left Meridelle with no intention of ever returning. Whatever was happening within the castle walls was none of his concern; Anna was none of his concern. Still, the thought of sailing off and never knowing if Anna was safe or in danger was unacceptable.

Prince Char’s threat entered his mind, but Jake discarded it quickly. If the conversation he overheard held any truth, Jake had an obligation to act. Anna’s life may depend on it. Jake would do whatever it took to save the woman’s life, even if it meant losing his own at the hands of the castle Guards.

Chapter Nine

“Are you sure about this, Jake?” Sully asked with concern. Jake informed the older man of his intent on the short sail back to Meridelle, arriving just after midnight at the docks. Sully insisted on accompanying Jake as far as the castle walls, a vow he kept as they crouched in the shadows of ferns just beyond the royal grounds.

Jake knew his errand was foolhardy and reckless. His first mate had every right to be worried, but Jake was determined. “Just keep my lady warm for me, Sully. If things go wrong, we may need to make a quick exit.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Sully shook his head. “She knows what you are, now. She won’t come easy.”

“I know,” Jake muttered stiffly.

Nearing full sobriety, Jake came up with a plan to take Anna away from Meridelle, even if it be against her will. He couldn’t protect her inside the castle if as the two shadowed men stated were true none within the royal walls could be trusted. The only way he could guarantee Anna’s safety was to keep her close. Jake knew Sully was correct, Anna wouldn’t be accepting of Jake’s plan. He only hoped she would listen to reason once he explained the situation. And, if she still refused, Jake would do what needed to be done. She already believed him to be a vile monster, so he would take her as she expected to be taken.

Jake managed to pass the first set of gates easily, as they were very sparsely guarded, but the interior proved more difficult. Creeping through the shadows proved unwise as, in his buzzed state, he fumbled through the brush noisily. Jake managed to reach the outer walls of the castle before he was spotted. In an instant, Guards surrounded him, shoving him against the stone wall and binding his hands behind him. Jake groaned as he was thrust roughly to the ground, kneeling in front of the Guards.

“You have to let me go!” Jake demanded.

“Why would they do that?” Prince Char’s voice echoed as he came to join them.

“I need to see Anna,” Jake spoke calmly to the Prince hoping calm reasoning would earn him a few moments of her time.

“Anna wants nothing to do with you,” Char informed.

“I know,” Jake mumbled. “And, if I had any other option I would have stayed on my ship.”

“You should have,” Char muttered.

“Maybe,” Jake nodded. “I fear Anna’s life may be in danger. Please, I need to speak with her.”

“You think she needs you? You reek of ale and cheap perfume.” Char spat the words. “Anna deserves better than you, Pirate.”

“You won’t receive argument here, Mate. But, you can’t protect her,” Jake’s tone was calm. “I can.”

“You think you’re better equipped to protect her than I? You come in here fumbling around like a drunken idiot and you believe you can protect her,” Char straightened and his eyes chilled. “You’ll be sentenced at dawn.”

“You have to listen to me, Mate! Anna is in danger!” Jake shouted after the departing Prince.

“I’m not your mate,” Char turned back, his face angry. “And, Anna is just fine without you.”

“You’re making a mistake!” Jake watched the man walk away as the Guards jerked him to his feet. He pulled futilely against their hold as he was escorted down to the basement dungeons of the castle. Jake’s restraints were removed as he was tossed into a cell. He punched the back wall as the Guards walked away, the movement bringing a stinging sensation to his knuckles. The pain was a welcome relief from the frustration and anger he felt.

The last remnants of his earlier buzz gone, Jake was able to think back on the last few hours of foolish decisions he made with a clear mind. He could have sent a letter or a messenger. There was no need for him to place himself on the castle grounds; no need to remove her from their over fortified walls. Surely, if Char knew there were those in his employ who could not be trusted, he would launch an investigation. Char would discover the threat before Anna was harmed. Jake used these reassurances to calm the guilt he felt at not reaching her.

Char was right, Anna was better off without Jake’s interference. He couldn’t protect her; he would never be good enough. He should have stayed on his ship.

***

Char paced outside of Anna’s bedroom door, debating on whether or not to knock. He shook his head at his foolishness. Surely, Jake Reynold’s warnings were merely a ploy to be set free and escape his punishment. None in the realm knew of Anna’s origins, so there was none who would seek to harm her. Still, Char couldn’t shake the tingling sensation running down his spine, screaming at him to check on the woman in his care.

With a deep sigh, Char knocked on the door. Receiving no response he repeated the motion before pressing open the door slightly to peer inside. As he did, Char caught the scent of something foul before a blast propelled him back against the wall at his back. A moment of shock was followed by sickening dread. “Anna!” Char screamed as he stood and approached the door which was slammed closed with the explosion.

“Anna!” Char shouted as he pressed through the door, singed remains of linens were scattered throughout the room.

“Char?” Anna’s voice came from the hallway behind him.

Char turned, wrapping the woman in his arms and burying her against his chest. “Where were you? What happened?”

“I went to get a drink from the kitchen,” Anna sounded confused. “Is everything alright? I heard a bang.”

As she spoke, Char heard the stomping feet of his Guards, obviously alerted by the pop of the explosion. “Guardian Cole,” Char motioned for his most trusted Guard. “Take Anna to my study. No one is to visit her until I arrive.”

“Char,” Anna began. “What’s going on?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing, Anna,” Char breathed, trying to keep his fear from her. “I just need to check on something. Please, go with Cole.”

Anna nodded as she allowed the large Guard to take her arm, leading her down the hall. Char waited until she was out of sight to turn back to his Guards and Anna’s bedroom. A look inside revealed the explosion came from the stand beside her bed. One of his Guards bent to examine the charred remains, pulling up what was left of a shattered glass orb. The odor of dark chemicals remained on the glass, obviously having eaten away at the globe until it exploded. “I want everyone in the castle accounted for and their whereabouts documented since the moment Miss Blake arrived.”

“Yes, Highness,” the Guards replied as one.

Char left the bedroom and walked swiftly to join Anna in his study. The sight of her sitting nervously in one of the leather chairs near the window pulled at Char’s pride. He thought she was safe in obscurity, but a dirty Pirate saw what he couldn’t. The thought rankled. “Anna, I need to ask you a question.”

“Is everything alright?” Anna asked as she stood to meet him.

“Yes, of course,” Char smiled. He may have failed to protect her this time, but Anna suffered enough pain these past weeks and didn’t need to be subjected to the truth of her danger then. “There was a glass orb on your night table, perhaps with some liquid inside? I need to know who gave this to you.”

Anna tilted her head in confusion, “You mean the globe with the swirling colors?”

“Yes,” Char smiled reassuringly. “Do you remember who gave it to you?”

“Of course,” Anna nodded. “Friga gave it to me last night before the ball.”

Char’s heart thundered in his chest as he struggled to find a way to excuse the woman who served his family for decades. Perhaps, she was given the globe, unaware of what it was. The explosive chemicals wouldn’t have been noticeable until they leached through the glass and touched the air. As much as he tried to pretend, Char knew what he must do. “Anna, I know it’s very late, but I need you to remain here for just a bit longer. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

Anna looked as if she wanted to question further, but she remained silent. Char laid a hand on her shoulder for a moment before ordering Cole to stay with her. As he exited the room, Char felt a jab of conscience for keeping secrets from the woman, but he easily excused them as necessary. Char needed to find out who wished Anna harm and the best way to ensure her safety was to keep her from knowing the truth.

“Highness, I must speak with you,” Mara’s hushed voice floated after him as Char paced the hall.

“Mara,” Char spoke her name in surprise. “I thought you were with your Council.”

“I was,” Mara confessed. “There has been a development. I fear Anna may be in danger.”

Char snorted at the Fairy’s timing. “You’re a bit late, Mara.”

“Is Anna well?” Mara asked in alarm.

“Yes,” Char nodded. “And, I will take every precaution to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

“No,” Mara shook her head as she stepped close to him. “You cannot protect her from this threat.”

“What do you mean?” Char demanded clarification.

“Those who seek to harm her know of the prophecy,” Mara informed. “They want her blood to be spilled.”

“How do they even know of her existence?” Char questioned.

“I don’t know,” Mara sighed deeply, looking more tired than Char had ever seen a Fairy. “I do know they are too powerful for mortal defenses.”

“Then, what do you suggest?” Char ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Some sort of spell, or perhaps a stronger Guardian.”

“No, there is nothing which will stop them, Highness,” Mara placed a hand on Char’s arm. “Anna is no longer safe in Meridelle.”

“You want to take her away,” Char noted.

“Aye,” Mara nodded sympathetically. “There is a league of Fairies adept at defense and protection. She can stay in their care.”

“No,” Char shook his head. “I swore to protect Anna when you brought her to me. I won’t hand her off to some Fairies because of a threat.”

“She can’t remain here, Highness,” Mara stated.

“I know,” Char nodded as a plan began to form. While he didn’t relish the idea, Char knew there was one man he could trust, at the very least, with a hasty and silent retreat from Meridelle. Jake Reynold’s ship was the fastest in the realm, able to escape even the most heavy and adept fleets on the seas. The Pirate couldn’t be trusted with Anna’s protection, but Char knew his options were limited. He sighed deeply as he turned from the Fairy, motioning her to join him. Anna needed removed from Meridelle and Jake Reynolds was the only one capable of ensuring no threats followed.

***

Jake watched the first rays of sun begin to crest the horizon from the small window of his cell. He knew his crew would be concerned at his lack of appearance, promising them his deed would be done before the rising sun. A pang of remorse struck him as Jake thought of how he failed them as a Captain.

Jake knew long ago the price of love and caring about anyone other than oneself. He was a fool to pursue Anna and an even bigger one for returning for her. Jake had no right to return. The longer he sat in his cell, the more he was sure of his mistake. Sully was right to worry after him. Jake fell into the same downslide his mother had. It was lost love which led to his mother’s death and apparently that would be his fate as well. When the Prince walked in, Jake smirked at him in ironic humor.

“Come to insult me before my hanging, Highness?” Jake drawled. “Tell me how I don’t deserve to be in her presence?”

“You don’t,” Char glared at him. “You don’t deserve to kneel at her feet!”

“Highness,” a feminine voice spoke from behind the Prince. Jake recognized the golden figure as a Fairy immediately, his interest piqued by her presence.

“You’re right,” Char sighed as he regained control of his temper. “I am not here to fight with you.”

“Well, go on then, Mate,” Jake waved, bracing for whatever the Prince had come to say.

“I come offering a deal,” Char’s hand went through his hair in frustration.

“A deal,” Jake repeated. “You offer a deal to a monster like me? Unlike you, Mate.”

“You are a monster. And, you don’t deserve what I’m offering. You’re a selfish, arrogant ass who only cares for himself.” Char’s tone grew harsher with each word.

“So, why offer a deal?” Jake asked. “And, why would I take it?”

“Consider it a challenge,” Char offered.

“A challenge,” Jake prodded.

“Prove me wrong,” Char’s tone was desperate, keeping Jake’s laughter at bay.

He eyed the Prince warily for a few moments, wondering what changed the man’s mind. “And, how am I to prove you wrong?”

“Swear allegiance to me; to my Kingdom,” Char’s offer caused Jake to roar with laughter, but the Prince continued. “Keep your ship and your crew, but serve me.”

“Now, why would I go and do something like that?” Jake asked, gasping for breath.

“For Anna,” the Fairy’s tone was soft, but strong. “You do care for her, do you not?”

“What does it matter?” Jake was somber at the words spoken by the creature in front of him.

“Because Anna will never choose a Pirate, but she may choose a Captain in the royal fleet,” the Fairy spoke knowingly as she stepped forward, her gold fingers draping on the bars of his cell. “If you truly care for her, if you’re not just out for yourself, prove it. Be a man she would be proud of. Prove you are worthy.”