“Welcome to the Blood Rose. All the pirate laws apply to our mission. We will follow the code,” he said in a strong, bold voice.
“Aye, aye,” the crew responded.
“As you know, I run my crews just a bit differently. You know my rules, and you will follow them. Any man who chooses to leave now, may do so without being declared a traitor,” he said, pacing between the lines of sailors. No one moved.
“Very well. Mister Sturdivant is my ship ready to sail?” he asked.
Stu piped up. “Aye, aye, Captain. And the wind is in our favor.”
Seamus turned, and instead of looking at Stu, his eyes focused on me. “For now, it is. Set sail!”
The sailors burst into motion, streaking across the deck as Stu gave orders. I stayed fixed in my spot as Seamus hadn’t broken his gaze. He paced closer to me, and I backed against the wall out of instinct.
“Do you see now, Miss Riggs? I can conceal my power for the masses of humans that I come in contact with because of my business, but when I’m on this ship nothing, including your defenses to my seduction, can stop me.”
I nodded, because I couldn’t find the words to speak. He smiled, and for a moment, I saw the devious and fun Seamus, but it faded quickly as he turned to bark orders to the sailors. My knees shook, and I suddenly felt faint. He couldn’t have an effect on me. I was the Phoenix. We were immune to seduction and mind control. Yet, I felt him in my bones, and it shook me.
He’d warned me about the beings we’d face on our journey. Right now, none of them scared me more than him.
“With me, Miss Riggs,” he ordered as he climbed the stairs to the wheel of the ship.
“Okay,” I replied, then rushed up the stairs to follow his command.
The massive ship eased out of the docks among the steel ships of the modern era. No one seemed to notice the giant pirate ship in the slip to the ocean.
“Hoist the colors!” Seamus yelled. Stu echoed his call.
Two pirates attached a flag to the back rigging of the boat and raised it where it unfurled behind us. The emblem on the flag of the pirate skull with roses matched the tattoo over Seamus’ heart. It made me wonder if his love for this boat was what messed up his tragic relationship.
He grabbed my attention by lifting my hand to the wheel of the boat. I could feel the tension in it.
“Now, don’t let it move until I say,” he commanded.
“Okay,” I replied.
“Sailor, the correct response is ‘Aye, aye, Captain’.”
I smirked at him, but his stern look didn’t change. “Seamus.” He cleared his throat and the men around us slowly moved away. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
“We will make a pirate out of you yet, Miss Riggs.”
“A great dream come true for me.” The sarcasm dripped off my tongue, and it was saltier than the sea. He didn’t respond as his eyes gazed toward the horizon. When we cleared the land on either side of the channel, he walked up behind me. His imposing figure dwarfed me. I wondered if he’d added a few inches to his height with his glamour. Perhaps, I just felt very small at the moment.
“We are going to swing her around to head west. Hold lightly, and move with me,” he instructed.
“Aye, aye, Captain,” I replied quietly.
“I do like the sound of that on your lips,” he muttered in my ear. That quiver resurrected.
Stu made calls to the sailors who adjusted lines and tied back the sails. The wind wasn’t behind us, but with their work, we moved out of the channel.
“Let’s take the wind, boys. All hands prepare for starboard,” Seamus called out. “Mr. Sturdivant, give me the call past the marker.”
“Aye, aye. Three lengths, Sir.”
Seamus placed his hands over mine. “Just relax.”
“Two lengths.”
“Let me guide you. Trust me.”
“One length, Captain,” Stu called with a sense of urgency.
“We will ease through this turn. Slow and steady,” Seamus said over my shoulder.
“Mark!” Stu yelled.
Seamus’ hands clamped down on mine, threading his fingers to get his hands on the wooden handles. He pressed to the right turning the wheel slowly. The ship shifted slightly. He lifted his right hand, keeping mine with it, crossed back over the left, and grabbed a new spoke. Then, he re-adjusted his left hand. We did this together one more time, but instead of crossing back again, he held.
“Close your eyes. You will feel when the wind catches the sails. When it does, we will turn the wheel back to center,” he said.
I nodded in response and closed my eyes. I reached out with my senses. Not just the human ones, but the magical ones, too. I felt the wind shifting.
“Hold,” he whispered.
I waited.
“Hold.”
Then, I felt it. The dominant force of the wind, gathered the sails, puffing them outward. I gasped at feeling the ship submit to the force of nature.
“Release.”
Seamus jerked my hands away, the wheel drifted back to center, and he grabbed it before it passed the line.
“Wow,” I muttered.
“Fine job, Miss Riggs,” he complimented me.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“Hold it steady. Stu will take your place in a moment,” he said, turning back to the crew. “Secure the lines, hold her steady!”
The crew responded with loud shouts.
“I don’t want to let it go,” I said.
Seamus turned to face me. “Once we clear sight of land, then you can return to the helm. I want you to go below deck and rest some more. You are going to need it.” I saw the kindness in his eyes. He’d drawn back the pirate persona to speak to me in our normal manner.
“It’s confusing,” I admitted.
“Once we clear land, we will have time to talk about it,” he said, brushing a strand of my hair out of my face. “Now, go rest. Stu, take the helm.”
“Aye, Sir.” Stu walked over to me, placed his hands on the spokes, and I reluctantly released my control over the ship.
I walked slowly back down the steps watching Seamus standing beside Stu. His eyes followed the movements of his crew. His back was straight, and the stern look had returned.
When I walked into the bedroom, I looked around at the bed and the trunk of clothing he’d provided for me. I dug around in the chest to find a linen gown and soft wool socks. I removed my jeans and t-shirt and settled into the comfortable ensemble.
My mind whirled with questions about the man I’d called friend. Perhaps I had judged him too hastily, but I had to remember that he came to Steelshore to help me. My mom and Levi knew he was here with me, which meant they trusted my judgment or him. My mind clouded with questions and an overall sense of loneliness. I’d come on this journey for Callum, but I had Seamus by my side, even if he wasn’t the man I thought I knew.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I woke up. I found myself just as alone as I had been when I fell asleep.
Hopping up out of the bed, I felt the sway of the ship on the water. Surprisingly, it didn’t seem to affect my balance as I walked over to the trunk of clothes. Digging through it, I found what I would describe as pirate-y garb.