Her nose wrinkled. “I guess I take after my mother’s side.”
A queen no one spoke much about she’d been dead so long. The king never remarried.
“I’m happier sailing than on land,” he admitted.
“I wish I could enjoy it,” she said wistfully. “Despite my fear, I’ve always been fascinated by the water.” She approached the rail and gripped it to look over the edge.
“Watch yourself,” he warned. “The ocean will kill you if you give it a chance.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m on your ship.” She slewed a glance at him. “I’ve heard say you control the storms and the monsters.”
Laughter barked from him. “If by control you mean I’ve successfully fought and won.”
As if knowing they spoke of the dangers of the sea, a rare swell rose as something below the surface rolled. The wave rocked the ship, and she blanched, gripped the rail, and leaned over.
He waited until she was done dry heaving, nothing left to come up, before saying dryly, “Done feeding the fish?”
She managed only a wan smile. “Jorah keeps saying my sea legs will kick in any day now.”
“Doubtful. I’m surprised he hasn’t given you something to help with it.”
Those slim shoulders shifted as she replied. “He has. The entire crew has given me tricks and tips to try. Even concoctions. Nothing has worked.”
He frowned. “Nothing?”
“Guess I’m special.” Another soft attempt at a jest that fell flat.
“Let’s see if maybe sleeping in a proper bed helps.” He swept a hand and guided her to the door of his room at the rear of the iron cabin.
The door unsealed with a crank of the wheel that kept it watertight, and she stepped in before immediately whirling, effectively blocking his entrance. She clasped her hands. “Thank you so much for doing this. I am so glad to see the rumors about you are untrue.”
“Rumors? What are these rumors you keep referencing?” he asked, wondering if she was awed by his prowess. Perhaps even titillated by being with a famous pirate such as himself.
“The ones that claim you’re a cheating scoundrel who uses and discards women more often than your fancy waistcoats.” She looked right him as she said it, no hint of meekness in her gaze.
“I don’t cheat. Often.” He smiled.
“Not going to deny the other part?” she said with an arched brow.
“The ladies who grace my bed are willing and understand our arrangement is temporary.”
“Speaking of temporary, I do thank you for the loan of your cabin. Good night, Captain.”
Before he could discern her intent, she shut the door in his face.
Chapter 3
Darius stared at the door. His door.
Behind it, his bed. In which she would be sleeping. Alone. How had that happened?
His gaze narrowed. Not how, who.
Irritated—and ego slightly bruised—he stomped to the bridge to find the two culprits pretending to sail the ship. Tanzie and Jorah both studiously ignored him.
Darius crossed his arms over his chest before saying, “Were you ever going to tell me we were harboring a fugitive?”
“Yeah,” Jorah mumbled.
“When?”
“Looking for da right time.”
“Is there ever a right time to tell your captain you’re putting his ship and its crew at risk?” Anger simmered inside him. Did they not understand the kind of bulls-eye they’d just painted on his ship? Their ship, too. This was their home.
“Sorry.” Jorah rubbed the toe of a giant-sized foot. The chagrin rolled off him.
Darius eyed Tanzie. “Anything you’d like to say?”
“Don’t be getting pissy at me. He did it.” Tanzie tossed the first mate overboard.
“And you abetted,” Darius stated.
A grin stretched Tanzie’s lips. “Never could resist a damsel in distress.”
Therein lay the problem. Much as Darius liked to be badass, he was also the type to damned well offer aid to someone in need. Especially a pretty princess.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and directed his next question to Jorah. “Care to explain, in more detail this time, how this clusterfuck happened? Where the fuck did you find her?”
“Well, dere was dis wave and it went sploosh!” Jorah clapped his hands and exploded them. “And dere she was, dis little soaked girl who needed help.”
“And you couldn’t say no?” Darius complained. “The proper response would have involved walking away.”
But Tanzie knew him too well. “Stop with the grousing. As if you wouldn’t have offered her a place on this ship if you’d been the one to run into her.”
“What I would have done isn’t the real problem here. I’m more concerned about the fact you hid it from me for days!” So many days since they’d sailed from the Port City and he’d not had the slightest clue. It just went to show he needed to rest. He was usually more attuned to his ship.
“We didn’t want ya freakin’ out,” Jorah grumbled.
“You are so stressed these days,” Tanzie complained.
“Needs ta get laid.” Jorah’s suggestion brought a tightening of Darius’ lips.
“My cock is fine, thank you. My back, though, won’t be happy sleeping in your rock-hard bed.” He glared at Jorah.
“Why my bed? You da one who gave yours away.”
“I thought I’d be sharing it, not locked out of it.”
Tanzie was the one to snort. “Fuckin’ idiot thought the princess would crawl into bed with him. She’s a lady, not a whore.”
The rebuke stung, mostly because he had been selfish. “Never said she was. But I can’t be locked out of my room. My clothes are in there.” Along with his own privy. Privilege for the captain. The crew shared a full bathing room and a partial below.
“I’m sure she’ll let you in to grab things.”
“I want my bed,” he growled.
“Boohoo. You’ll survive a few nights out of it.” Tanzie had no sympathy.
“A few! Do you realize the risk her presence puts this ship in? There is a massive bounty on her head. People are looking for Princess Shereen. They will come after her.”
“And?” Jorah drawled. “We’ve protected plenty of treasures before.”
A good point. “Maybe, since you’re so determined to be her hero, she should move into your space.”
Tanzie flicked him. “Stop sulking because she didn’t immediately spread her legs for you.”
“Not sulking. Plotting my seduction.” He wasn’t actually, but he knew it would drive Tanzie a little crazy.
“Don’t you dare mess with her,” Tanzie snapped.
“No touch,” Jorah admonished with a reminder of a fist that was the size of Darius’s head.
“Are you both seriously telling me who I may or may not seduce?”
“He thinks he can seduce her,” Tanzie snorted in an aside to Jorah.
Jorah chuckled. “Doubtful.”
“I accept the challenge,” Darius stated.
Tanzie sputtered. “This is not a game. Leave her alone.”