Chapter Six
The stars overheadsparkled and shone like polished gems in the dark canopy of the night sky. James leaned against the ship’s railing, keeping a weathered eye on the flickering lights of Vesper Harbor.
It took every dram of patience not to return to his quarters to stoke the fiery countenance of his unwilling guest. Had he known how tempestuous her nature was, he would have considered her request more seriously. Princess Celeste was not what he’d imagined...or expected. She was far more alluring.
He rhythmically tapped his hook on the wooden rail, his mind racing.
When they’d arrived in Vesper Harbor, they moored out of sight of the docks. While the Raven was not as glamorous or lavish as the Jolly Roger, she was most certainly a pirate ship, and any close inspection would betray her. It had been foolhardy to dock so close to Nevarro’s capital, but he’d had few options, as they required certain items only it could provide.
James looked over his shoulder at the door to his cabin. He should get some rest, but he would not put himself in her proximity until he had answers.
Upon their arrival, Smee and a handful of men had taken a dinghy to shore. The men would stand guard while Smee visited Madame Tinker’s brothel.
A smile curved James’s mouth. In all the years of their acquaintance, he had never seen his first mate as twisted over a wench as he was about Tink. His first mate’s charm and good looks had served him well over the years, but when it came to Tink, no other woman mattered.
For all his bluster of how much he disliked her, Smee wanted her. James would bet gold on it. No one knew the intimates of their acquaintance, nor how they’d come to loathe each other so fiercely. But James recognized the spark of attraction between them, simmering like a hot kettle. At some point, they would both get burned.
The gentle splash of oars in the water jerked him from his thoughts. Finally.
Watching the moonlit waters, he spied the approaching dinghy. Quietly, he called to his men, ordering them to aid their fellow crew members on board.
Smee stepped from the craft, his mouth fixed in a harsh line. James made note not to push his first mate too hard. Madame Tinker must have left a mark upon his hide to put him in such a state. If only they would fuck and have done with it.
“What have you?” James clapped his hand on Smee’s shoulder.
Smee glared before pushing past him and snatching a half-empty bottle of rum from a cask. The rum James had enjoyed in his pensive moments. He arched a brow at the long drought and the heavy sigh that followed.
“I take it Madame Tinker is well?”
“Devil take her.” Smee swore and took another long drink.
James snatched the rum from his grip, then indulged while he waited for Smee to collect his thoughts. He returned the rum to the cask after snapping the cork into place.
“Come now, what tidbits has the madame shared?”
“Nothing without hefty cost.” Smee wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Five gold coins for mere scraps.”
“Ah, well worth the cost, considering her scraps are a beggar’s bounty.”
“Both princesses are missing.”
“Aye, that we know.”
“Word is Princess Celeste kidnapped her sister in a jealous rage.” Smee rubbed the back of his neck. “There’s a bounty on her head, dead or alive.”
James’s brows shot up. “Dead or alive?”
“Aye, ’tis the talk in every tavern along the coast.” Smee leaned against the rail, his gaze settling on the harbor lights. “The princess is a traitor to the crown. Some say she had a hand in her father’s death too.”
“A traitor, you say?” James stroked his jaw.
“A traitor and a murderess.” Smee kept his voice low. “What will you do with her?”
“How much is the reward now?”
“Five hundred gold talons.”
“Five hundred?” James half-croaked but managed a laugh instead. “Still so little?”
Smee turned to him with a grin. “Do you think she knows?”
“How could she?” James sniffed. “She is our guest and has spoken to only one person aboard this ship.”
“What have you offered her?”
“Freedom for a price.”
“What could she possibly offer?” Smee shook his head. “Aside from the coin you already took.”
“A map.”
“A map?”
“Aye.” James met the incredulous stare of his first mate. “A map to the vault beneath the castle.”
Smee laughed. “No such map exists.”
“None that we know of. But the princess claims to know those tunnels as well as I know the sea.”
“And you trust her?”
“Not a whit.” James smirked. “She will lead us to the vault and treasure, then return us safely to the ship. In exchange, I will grant her safe passage to Arrenmore.”
Smee regarded him for several long moments. “And she agreed to this insanity?”
“She did.”
“’Tis possibly the most reckless venture we have ever undertaken.”
“I agree. But is the risk not worth the reward?”
“You’re certain you have not a soft heart for the princess sleeping in your bed?” Smee teased, struggling not to smile.
James’s good humor faded at the insinuation. “Tell the men to set sail. We shall regroup at Tortoluga, then return to the castle.”
Smee’s amusement disappeared. “Aye, Captain.”
“And Mr. Smee?”
“Captain?” He snapped to attention.
“So long as she is aboard this ship, she is under my protection. Is that clear?”
“Aye, sir.”
“Tell the men.” James straightened.
“Aye, sir.” Smee turned but paused midstep to pluck a satchel off the deck before handing it to James. “The items you requested.”
“Back to work,” James snarled, snatching the bag.
Smee left, his echoing shouts ringing across the deck as he sprang into action. Leaving the crew to their tasks, James retreated to his cabin armed with gifts and knowledge.
There was most certainly something amiss. If both princesses were missing, and the younger was charged with treason, kidnapping, and murder...
He shook his head. From what he’d gathered of Celeste, she was incapable of those things. Would she kill him if given the chance? He doubted it. She would inflict great harm to his person—much to her delight—but kill him? Celeste was no calloused brigand.
She would, however, make a fine pirate.
James shook the thought from his mind as he unlocked the cabin door. Inside, moonlight filtered through the windows at the stern of the ship. His eyes adjusted, noting a distinctive lump in his bed. He set aside the bag and closed the door.
Crossing the room, he approached with caution. With the tip of his hook, he drew down the blanket, half expecting to find pillows as she attacked him from behind again.
He inhaled sharply at the sight before him.
Golden curls cascaded over teal silk. Was she wearing his clothing? The garments had been an indulgence on his part, but during his last trip to Singapore, he could not pass up the luxurious feel of silk against his skin. The clothing clung to her curves and left nothing to his imagination.
He adjusted his cock, unable to stifle the need coursing through him. A gilded temptation in silk was lying upon his bed. He cleared his throat, unable to swallow. His hand flexed at his side as she stretched and rolled over, facing him. Pert nipples pressed against the thin fabric.
“Poseidon help me,” James muttered.
Her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened. The green orbs settled on him, her peaceful repose shifting to annoyance as her brows furrowed and she sat up. The motion drew his attention to her luscious curves and reminded him how much he longed to feel her heat.
“What do you want?” Celeste growled. “Have you come to kill me in my sleep?”
“Had I wanted you dead, Princess, we would not be conversing now.” He cocked his head, studying her.
“Why have you come at such an hour?” Her eyes widened as his earlier threat came back to her. “Surely, you cannot expect me to share the bed with you.”
“As tempting as that would be”—he chuckled at her annoyance but sobered quickly—“I have come to ask you something.”
“Ask then.”
“Did you have a hand in your father’s death?”
“What?” Her mouth fell open and her eyes flew wide. “That’s absurd! Who dares make such a claim?”
“Princess, I have it on good authority, you are wanted for murder, kidnapping, and treason.”
“This is ridiculous.” She pushed herself from the bed and paced the floor as her temper flared to life.
James leaned against the bedpost and crossed his arms, preparing for her retaliation to take aim at him.
“Where did you hear such lies?” she asked, spinning to face him.
“Everywhere.” James marked the way her countenance fell. “There is a reward for your return, dead or alive.”
It was in that moment he saw true fear in her eyes.
He cursed himself. Smee had been right.
Somehow she had burrowed beneath his skin, making him soft and pliant.
Davy Jones take it all.