Chapter Fifteen
A torrent of desireconsumed Celeste like a wave capsizing a galleon in the midst of a storm. He infuriated her to the point of combustion, and yet, when his mouth crashed down upon hers, she embraced it with fervor. Try as he might to overwhelm her sensations, he only heightened them and reinforced her steadfast resolution.
He would never be rid of her. For years after they parted, she would haunt him, brand him with the very essence of her existence, leave him scarred by her memory.
Threading her fingers through his hair, she delved deeper, sliding her tongue along his, silently encouraging more. She played with fire, tempting him in such a manner, and yet he kissed her. His actions had set their already smoldering embers ablaze once more.
He moaned into her mouth and ground his thigh against her center, catching her gasp on his tongue. His smile severed the kiss.
“If we proceed, Princess, there is no return.” James’s hoarse voice sent tremors of lust through her.
She caught the double meaning of his words. He referred to both this—his arms around her, his body as ready for her as hers was for him—and their scheme to steal the treasure while freeing her sister from her uncle’s hold. He was right. There would be no returning from either action. Both would irrevocably change her.
Still, he gave her a choice. A chance to change course.
“Say the word, and I will take you to Arrenmore.” He swallowed hard, meeting her gaze with steady, fathomless eyes. “I will never again darken your door.”
Celeste cupped his jaw, the scratch of scruff rough against her palm. “Are you asking me to surrender, Captain?”
His smile widened. “’Twould be a waste of my breath.”
“Aye.” She kissed him softly. “It would.”
“Then let us proceed while we still have the element of surprise.” He stepped back, and she immediately regretted the loss of his touch as he put distance between them. “Where is the map?”
“There.” Celeste pointed to the table in the center of the room.
James retrieved the map and tucked it inside his vest. “Come then, little star. Treasure awaits.”
Guilt twisted inside her as she followed him into the sun. She shoved it aside, knowing this was her only opportunity to save her sister and the kingdom. If she revealed her plan to James, he would try to change her mind...or worse, stop her from doing what she knew must be done.
He stood in the center of the ship, barking orders as men hurried to prepare the dinghies. Longing filled her as she admired his strong profile.
It was too late for regrets. This was not about what she wanted. This was about what she must do to save her kingdom and her sister from her uncle’s tyranny.
Straightening her spine, Celeste watched the crew work.
“You will need this, Princess,” Smee said, his tone soft.
“What?” She turned to find him behind her with a pistol in his hand. Her jaw hung open for a moment before she snapped it shut. “Thank you, Mr. Smee.”
“Henry...just Henry.” He smiled kindly. “If anyone tries to hurt you, shoot them.”
“I will.” She tucked the pistol into the belt around her waist.
When she turned around, Celeste ran directly into James. He reached out to steady her with his hand.
“I see you are properly armed.” He scowled at his first mate who retreated with a laugh. “Are you sure you know the way?”
“Absolutely.” Celeste rounded her shoulders. “I know every cavern on that cliffside.”
“We shall see.” He tapped the map in his vest. “The boats are ready.”
With a firm nod, Celeste stalked past him to the waiting boat. Several of the men helped her into the wobbly dinghy. She sat, nerves twisting in her gut, as the rest of the men filled the boat around her. When James climbed in last, they shoved off, making for a small, narrow bay just past the edge of the cliffs.
The Raven took advantage of high tide to remain hidden behind the tall rock spires jutting up from the sea floor. A small oversight on her ancestors’ part when they built the caverns and castle on top of the hill. The spires hid any ship brave enough to sail close to them. They had mere hours to complete their task and return to the ship before low tide broke the Raven upon the rocks.
As they approached a hidden cove, a small cavern appeared in the shadows near the sandy white beach.
James looked to her for confirmation. Steeling her resolve, she nodded once. His soft orders drifted through the calm air.
Celeste scanned the cliffside, searching for sentries. But there was nothing. No glint of metal against the sunlight or shuffling of movement on ledges carved into the hillside. An eerie peace settled over the small inlet as they drifted closer to the cavern.
Inside, the cool air swirled around them. Further, they ventured until darkness consumed them. The only light came from a lantern one of the men had lit before entering the cave mouth. After he hung it on the bow, shadows came alive, light dancing along formations hanging down from the ceiling like gnarled fingers.
Deeper, they ventured, their breaths echoing off the cavern walls in the inky darkness. Celeste shivered with the sudden drop in temperature.
Breathe, she reminded herself. This was the point of no return.
Ahead, a small landing jutted out from a pebble-covered shore. They steered the two boats to it, and she breathed a sigh of relief when they moored and disembarked.
“Follow me,” she said, taking the lantern as men swiftly lit a few more.
James fell into step behind her as she moved toward a carved archway. He crowded her. The narrow tunnel captured their heat, pushing against her. It took all her effort not to stop and lean into him, to let him consume her completely.
Celeste shook the thought from her mind and pressed onward, weaving deeper under the cliff. When she came to a junction, she ran her hand over the walls, searching for the indicator she knew was there.
“What are you doing?” James asked, his breath caressing her ear.
“There is a marker to lead the way.” She continued her search. “A small raised arrow.” Her fingertips brushed the shape. “Here.”
“Clever,” James murmured as she began walking down the correct path.
They forged on for several more minutes, winding through the passageways. When they reached an iron-grated door, James brought them to a halt.
“The vault is through this door and down a tunnel to the left.” Celeste reached inside his vest, savoring the brush of her hand on overheated skin beneath the thin material of his shirt. He sucked in a breath as she withdrew the map.
“Is there a way inside?” he asked as she opened it and held it up to the light.
“Of course.” She grinned, spotting their location on the map, tracing it with her mind. The nearby corridor led into the castle directly above their heads. Perfect...just as she remembered. She winked at James. “If you have a key.”
His brow furrowed. “I suppose you have a plan?”
She pointed to the bag on his hip. “Give me some powder.”
James handed her the black powder, watching her pour some into the lock.
“Now to light it...” She reached for the lantern, but James stopped her.
“Let me do it.” He pushed her behind him. “Stand back and cover your ears.”
Celeste closed her eyes and did as he instructed. A small pop echoed through the corridor.
“Someone will have heard that,” James said with a frown. “We don’t have much time. Grab what you can and return to the boats.”
The lock smoldered and tiny wisps of smoke drifted upward as they opened the door. A familiar jangle of soldiers sounded from down the tunnel.
The men pressed themselves against the wall as the guards came running, weapons drawn. With a flash of red and blue as they scuffled, the four guards lay at their feet, unconscious.
“Hurry.” James nudged his crew forward.
Celeste grabbed the keys from a fallen guard and followed behind.
“Here.” One of the pirates motioned to another door with a grate.
“I have the key.” She paused, briefly stunned by the glittering jewels and gold reflecting the swinging lantern light. Exactly how she remembered it, gloriously unencumbered. Simple. Too simple. She shoved the key into the lock and opened the door before stepping aside for the pirates.
Their excited murmurs flooded the room as they spilled inside, pulling sacks from over their shoulders and filling them to the brim.
“You were right, Princess.” James winked at her before joining them. “’Tis a bloody glorious sight.”
Celeste held her breath and whispered a prayer of forgiveness. She slammed the door behind them, twisting the key in the lock and pulling it free.
James spun around, his eyes wide. Disbelief painted his handsome face. He ignored the cries of his men and grasped the bar.
“Open this door,” he growled, teeth bared.
“Forgive me. I must save my sister.”
Before she could let him persuade her to free him, she turned and raced down the tunnel.
The captain’s enraged shouts echoed behind her.
When she reached the main corridor, she slammed into the wall, choking on a sob. He would never forgive her for this.
If she hurried, she could reach her sister before her uncle realized they were there...that she was there.
Celeste ran until she found the entrance to the wine cellar. She slipped through and slowly made her way through the darkness into the heart of the castle. The corridors lay as empty and silent as a mausoleum.
When she reached her sister’s chamber, she pulled on the handle expecting it to be locked, but it gave way beneath her hand, opening to reveal a familiar room, void of life.
She searched the rest of the chambers and found nothing. No servants. No guards. No sister.
Where in the devil could she be?
As Celeste darted past her father’s study, her uncle’s voice reached her through a gap in the door.
She paused, leaning against the wood, and drew the pistol from her belt. There was only one shot. She would make it count. Pressing her weight firmly against the door, she entered the chamber.
Her uncle stood in front of the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes narrowed at her.
“Well, well.” A sardonic grin twisted his face. “The prodigal princess has returned.”
The weight of her conscience lifted. No regrets. No mercy. Only vengeance.
Celeste took a deep breath as she leveled the pistol at him, her finger heavy on the trigger.
“Where is my sister, you thieving bastard?”