“Really?” I huffed holding up a shirt with laces at the neck and blooming sleeves. As I dug deeper, I found a few more interesting items. “Oh, you want me to wear this, do you, Captain Daragh. I’ll show you.”
The white shirt with blooming sleeves and lace around the wrists went on first. Then, I squeezed into a tight pair of brown leather pants. I topped it off with a corseted vest in black which buttoned from my navel to my boobs. I took a look in the mirror and felt like something was missing. Behind me, I saw a pair of boots.
Slipping on the leather boots, I realized they came up to just below my knees with a small, tight cuff at the top. Several belts and slings hung above the boots in a tiny closet without a door. I felt like it was Samhain, and I had the best costume ever. The sling had a loop for a sword, but no pointy objects were found among the items Seamus had left for me. I shrugged. I liked the way the sling looked, so I wore it anyway.
There were hats, but I noticed that Seamus didn’t bother with one. Instead, I switched my hair to a dirty blonde and tied it up in a ponytail that sat almost on the top of my head. Looking at myself in the mirror, I grinned.
“Aargh,” I said to no one.
I looked ridiculous, but if we were playing dress-up, then, I’d show Captain Daragh that he wasn’t the only sexy one on this ship. I played with the clothing using a glamour by dressing up the corseted vest with a golden brocade. The plain white shirt turned to an ombre from orange to red to purple, the colors of my phoenix. The brown pants and boots I switched to black with a golden swirl down the side seams of the pants.
“Now that’s better,” I said to my reflection.
I opened the door of the bedroom to find Stu standing behind Seamus’ desk.
“Oh, fuck,” he muttered.
“Hey,” I said.
“Wow!”
“Cat got your tongue?” I asked.
“Nope. Phoenix.”
I giggled, then strutted out of the door on to the deck of the Blood Rose. Her captain stood at the bow of the boat, looking toward the stars above us. He didn’t turn, but the sailors who noticed me gave me approving looks and nods. They didn’t dare to cat call.
Walking steadily toward Seamus, I waited for him to turn to see me. I wanted to see the look on his face. But even as I grew closer and knew he heard my approach, he didn’t turn.
“See the bright one just to the north?” he asked.
I sighed in disappointment. “Yes, I see it.”
“Then, the one just to the right?”
“Let me guess. Second star to the right?”
A gust of wind blew my ponytail past my face and out in front of me. Seamus tilted his head, then swiveled around to finally see me.
Satisfaction. His breath caught for a second, and he grinned. “Nice alterations.”
“Needed to make it mine, if I’m playing pirate.”
He walked toward me. “One does not play pirate. Either you are or you aren’t. There is no in-between. Unfortunately, the sea is unforgiving, but those who ride her waves are even more so.”
“Then, I need a sword,” I said, poking a finger through my empty sling. I’d learned to use a sword in Shady Grove. Granted, it had been a smaller one. Not the massive blades that the knights carried. But I knew the moves.
An evil grin formed on Seamus’ face. “Sword or blade?”
I gathered his implication. “Which are you offering?”
“I listed two things. The correct answer is for you to choose.”
I coughed. “Blade. I, um, need a blade for my sling.” I wiggled my finger through the hole again, then slapped my hand to the side realizing how vulgar it looked.
“A blade you shall have,” he replied with a chuckle. He walked past me with determination straight for his quarters. He opened the door, causing Stu to jump.
“Captain!” He stood rigid.
“What are you doing in here?” he asked.
“I left my knife in here earlier, and I can’t find it,” Stu replied.
“Was he in here when you woke up?” Seamus asked me.
“Um, I dunno. He was here when I went out onto the deck,” I replied.
“Get out!” Seamus demanded.
“Yes, sir,” Stu said, hurrying past us and through the door.
“I don’t want him in here while you are sleeping. He knows that,” Seamus replied.
“He can’t get into the room unless I invite him, right?” I countered.
“Right, but he’s a pirate.”
“Everyone on this boat is a pirate.”
“Exactly. And I don’t trust any of them,” he replied, slamming his finger down on his desk. “And you shouldn’t either. Even Stu.”
“Why are you so angry like this?” I asked.
“It’s not time to talk,” he replied, turning his back on me. He walked to a trunk behind his desk, opening it to reveal a stash of blades. None were as long as the one he wore. He picked through them until he found what he wanted. He laid the blade on the desk and waved me over to it. The long, thin blade curved slightly at the end. “I know it isn’t a broad sword, but you can practice with Stu to learn how this is different. Be aware of the hand guard.”
“Why don’t you teach me?” I asked, as I picked up the blade to inspect it.
“I have a ship to run. Once we make the turn to Neverland, we will have about twenty-four hours of sailing time before we get there. Perhaps, if I have time, I will show you a few things,” he said, then walked toward the door. I sat the sword down and grabbed him by the arm. He spun around so quickly that it frightened me, and I released my grip.
“Seamus, I don’t like you when you are like this. I thought we were friends. I thought I could count on you,” I said.
“I assure you that the core of who I am has not changed. You can count on me to get you to Wonderland and back. However, we are not friends. We are not anything.” My heart stuck like a lump in my throat. I didn’t understand what was happening. “You remember that I didn’t want to do this.”
The lights in the room dimmed, and dark smoke billowed out from around his body, rising up out of the floor. He glided toward me as he lifted his upper lip for me to see his fangs which had lengthened.
I stumbled back to the desk and held on to the edge as he came closer.
“You won’t hurt me,” I whimpered.
He didn’t stop until his body was pressed against mine. His hand snaked up my side, brushing the edge of my breast as he made his way to my neck. He pressed his thumb into the soft spot under my chin forcing my head into the air. I remained still, telling myself that he wouldn’t do anything to me. I was safe. He promised I was safe.
His icy fingers squeezed as he lowered his mouth to my neck. Sharp fangs pressed gently against my skin, and my body began to shake.
“May I bite you, Miss Riggs?”
My mind clouded, and I knew the answer was no, but I fought not to say yes. His cheek brushed mine as he lifted his head to my ear.
“Just say yes, Wynonna. Your body tells me it wants it.”
“Seamus. Please stop.”
“Yes or no?”
I forced out, “No!”
He immediately released me and stepped back. The black smoke disappeared, and the lights brightened. My body continued to shake.