Part 35 (2/2)
”Who the h.e.l.l are you to be saying this to me?”
”I know. I'm a pirate, too, or at least I was. I'm not returning to the s.h.i.+p, either. I'm going back to my family. I don't want to end up like you, Lock. If I ever find a woman who loves me, I don't want to lose her because I'm a murdering pirate who only cares about stealing other people's goods. I don't want to be cutting off boys' fingers and constantly watching my back because nearly everyone I know wants to kill me. I don't want to end up on an auction block in Begonia-”
”I understand!” Lock waved his hand. ”You've come this far, so at least tell me where she is so I can talk to her.”
”I can't.”
”If you don't, I'll cut your throat.”
”You'd have to catch me first. Your horse is out there, and I'd have a head start.”
”I'd catch you.”
”While you're hunting me you could be finding Sparrow. If you really want to kill me, you'll probably do it no matter what I say, but how do you think Sparrow would feel about it?”
”She need never know,” Lock snarled, though he already knew he couldn't kill the ape-like pirate. Sparrow considered the man a friend, and when he found her, he couldn't keep such a secret, not without betraying her again.
”I'm going, Lock. I hope you don't follow me. I hope you say to h.e.l.l with the Lady Fire and go find the real lady who loves you. If you do find her, I hope you don't hurt her again. She doesn't deserve it, and she's much too good for you.” Ilias grinned. ”I can say that since you're not my Captain anymore.”
”Is she still on land? She didn't sail off on another s.h.i.+p, did she?” Lock demanded.
”I don't think she wants to set foot on another s.h.i.+p right now. Yes, she's still on land.” Ilias kicked his horse to a gallop.
”Ilias!” Lock bellowed, but the man disappeared over the hill.
Lock whistled for Sea Storm and rode him back to the dock where he stepped on deck and called for the crew. The sleepy pirates gathered on deck.
”I'm leaving the Lady Fire,” Lock told them.
”What for?” someone shouted.
”Likely to find that wench,” chuckled another.
Lock went to his cabin and packed his few belongings. The first mate followed.
”Looks like this is your vessel now, if you can keep it,” Lock told him.
”Oh, I plan on keeping it.” The man folded his arms across his chest. ”You're a fool, Lock the White. All this for a woman.”
Lock slung the leather bag of healing supplies Shea-Ann had given him over his shoulder and left the s.h.i.+p. He didn't bother telling the first mate he was leaving as much for his own sake as for Sparrow's. It would have been a waste of time because the man would never understand. Lock was only grateful he'd learned enough from Sparrow and Shea-Ann to see the truth in Ilias's words.
He had to choose between Sparrow and piracy. There was no compet.i.tion.
He enjoyed the adventure and power of commanding a s.h.i.+p, but it lost its l.u.s.ter if it meant a life without Sparrow.
On sh.o.r.e, he mounted Sea Storm and rode from the dock without looking back.
Chapter Twenty Four.
Sparrow braided Opal's hair, keeping her eyes fixed on the dark tendrils, though her thoughts wandered toward Lock again.
It had been over four months since she'd left the s.h.i.+p. That first night she'd come to the gypsies and Lock had searched their camp for her, she'd been torn between wis.h.i.+ng he'd find her and terrified that he would. The gypsies had disguised her well, dressing her as an old man, padding the clothes she'd borrowed from one of their men, caking her face with clay to create wrinkled, dark skin, and hiding one of her eyes with a patch. She hadn't even recognized herself when she stared at her reflection in a looking gla.s.s. Lock hadn't know her at all. Sea Storm had nearly given her away, however, with an affectionate poke of his nose.
Watching Lock search the camp that night, she'd been unable to keep her eyes from him. He'd looked genuinely concerned and seemed desperate to find her. If she had been in his place and he'd been missing, she'd have been nearly insane with worry. She wished she could at least have eased his mind. She'd wanted to dive into his arms and never let go, but it couldn't be. If she'd revealed herself to him, he would have forced her back to the Lady Fire, and she couldn't stand another day on the s.h.i.+p. He was a pirate and had chosen a life on board the Lady Fire over one he'd planned with her.
”Hurry up, Sparrow,” Opal said. ”When you're done braiding my hair, I'll do yours then we have to get to the tavern before sundown.”
”Sorry. My mind was drifting.”
”Lock again?”
”I can't help it.”
”He was very handsome. I remember that night he came to the camp looking for you. He had a beautiful body, so tall and strong. Was he terribly good at making love?”
Sparrow swatted the girl's shoulder. ”I told you to stop asking me about that. I don't discuss such things.”
”You know, it's funny how such a modest woman took to tavern dancing as well as you have. I've been doing it since I was a girl, and the men throw more money at you than they do at me.”
”They do not.”
”Imagine how much you'll make when you really know how to dance.”
Sparrow tied off the braid and turned so Opal could fix her hair. ”I'm glad you're teaching me.” If only Lock could see the farm girl now, Sparrow thought. The dances Opal taught her were nearly as tempting as the Daggers of Desire.
The women finished dressing then shared a horse to the village. They'd made camp on the outskirts of the settlement four days ago. Sparrow and Opal made arrangements with the owner of the tavern and had been dancing there for the past two nights. The men who frequented the place were not only local villagers, but hunters and trappers who made their living in the surrounding woods. The group could get rough and rowdy at times, particularly when they had too much to drink, but the owner had a tall, young stable worker who kept order in the tavern by night. The previous evening, one of the men had tried to follow Opal and Sparrow after their performance, but the women had nearly clipped off his ears with the daggers they carried. Prem, an expert at throwing daggers, had been training Sparrow, and she liked the idea of learning to defend herself with a weapon. In the line of work she and Opal had chosen, self protection was necessary.
”I really like the new dresses we made,” Opal said, smoothing the lavender fabric over her narrow hips as they dismounted and left the horse outside the stable.
”The silk is very nice,” Sparrow agreed, lifting the skirt of her own sky blue dress so the mud wouldn't ruin the hemline.
They walked to the back door of the tavern that opened to the kitchen.
”Evening.” Leah, the full-breasted serving woman greeted them with a smile. ”Room's full tonight. Cook's in a rotten mood.”
Sparrow glanced at the short, gnarled old man stirring a pot of stew over the fire.
”Good evening, Cook,” Sparrow said.
The man grumbled and waved a hand without turning to her. She grinned and Opal raised her eyes to heaven.
”You're just in time. A few of the regulars have been asking about you.” Leah grabbed two steaming bowls Cook ladled out for her and bustled to the next room.
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