Chapter 5 Danica
Danica
Ican't help but raise an eyebrow at that. "Respected pirates? Isn't that kind of an oxymoron?"
Gideon shoots me a look that could wither a lesser person."Watch it, lass. We've got a code. We're not mindless savages like some of the other scallywags out there."
I hold up my hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry. I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. Sea witches, sea monsters, honorable pirates... it's a lot to take in."
Gideon's expression softens a fraction. "Aye, I suppose it is. But you'd best get used to it, lass. If you're sailing with us, you'll need to learn the lay of the land—or the sea, as it were."
"Other scallywags?" I ask, my curiosity piqued despite the circumstances.
The Captain heaves a long-suffering sigh. "Aye, there's no shortage of pirate factions in these waters. You've got the Crimson Brotherhood, a charming bunch who'd sooner bathe in your blood than say hello. And the Serpent Skulls? Sneaky bastards, the lot of them."
I take in this information, my mind whirling. "And where do you and your merry band of misfits fit into this delightful pirate hierarchy?"
Captain Sterling puffs out his chest, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "We're the Silver Tide. We fight for justice and honor, protecting the innocent from the scum of the seas. Pirates with principles, you might say."
What are the odds of landing on the one pirate ship with a moral compass in a literal sea of scoundrels? It's like the universe finally decided to throw me a bone. Either that or the crown took over once that witch bitch drained me like a cheap-ass battery.
I just need to rest and recharge.
"So, any other colorful characters I should know in this delightful pirate soap opera?"
Gideon chuckles. "Well, there's the Azure Rovers.
They're a different breed altogether—Captain Seaborn and I go way back.
They're more interested in chasing legends and lost treasures than plundering and pillaging.
They're not quite as bloodthirsty as the others, but make no mistake—they're still pirates, through and through. "
I lean back on the sofa, my brain whirring like an overclocked computer trying to process this avalanche of new information.
It's a lot to take in, but I know that navigating this tangled web of pirate politics will be crucial to our survival.
It's like navigating a minefield while blindfolded and juggling chainsaws—one wrong step, and we're all fish food.
The Captain's eyes narrow. He gestures to my crown, a glint of curiosity in his gaze. "Is that the fancy crown ye being talkin' about?"
Struggling with my hair and the headpiece as they have now become a knot of bullshit on top of my head, I explain the crown's functions and stones, watching as his expression shifts from intrigue to calculating.
"That's quite the piece of jewelry. Mind if I take a closer look?" he asks, his tone too casual for my liking.
Typical pirate.
I shake my head, "No can do, Captain. This thing is stuck on my head tighter than a barnacle on a whale's backside."
Captain Gideon Sterling is the embodiment of every pirate fantasy—ruggedly handsome and with an air of confidence that borders on cocky.
A small scar on his face only adds to his handsome features.
But beneath that devil-may-care exterior lies a sharp mind, a loyal heart, and a fierce determination to protect his crew and ship.
"Dani, I'm losing my goddamn mind here. What the hell is going on?" Rhyland growls. His frustration and desperation pulses through our bond like a living thing.
"I know, me too." I shoot back, my nerves frayed to the breaking point. "I think I've managed to convince Captain Blackbeard wannabe to lend us a hand. Turns out, a little sass and a lot of attitude go a long way with these pirate types."
Rhyland's response is a string of curses, "I don't give a flying fuck about his help. Tell that son of a bitch to release me, or I swear, he's going to be my first meal as soon as I sink my teeth into his scurvy-ridden ass."
I roll my eyes, even though Rhyland can't see me. "Charming as ever, aren't you, babe? Look, let me handle this. We need the Captain's cooperation if we're going to get out of this mess in one piece."
I return my attention to the Captain, plastering on my most winning smile. "So, about my friends. Any chance you could, you know, let them out of their cages? I promise they're housebroken. Mostly."
The Captain eyes me skeptically; his weathered face creases with suspicion. "Not until ye've been fed and properly clothed, lass. I take care of my own, and now that you're one of us, it is my responsibility to see to yer needs."
I can't help but snort at that, my eyebrows climbing toward my hairline. "One of you? I don't recall signing up for the pirate life, Captain. And as for my needs, well... let's say I'm a little more high-maintenance than your average wench."
The Captain's lips twitch as if he's fighting back a smile. "Aye, that much be clear, lass. But the fact remains, ye are on my ship now, which makes ye my concern. So, ye'll eat, ye'll dress, and then we'll see about freeing yer companions. Savvy?"
I let out a long-suffering sigh, realizing that resistance is futile.
"Alright, alright. You win, Captain Jack.
But let's get one thing straight: as for the wardrobe situation…
I'm not exactly the 'yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum' type.
So, if you could rustle up something that doesn't scream 'wench of the seven seas,' I'd be eternally grateful. "
The Captain chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that fills the cabin. "It's Captain Sterling. I'll see what I can do. But ye best be warned—life on the high seas ain't for the faint of heart. Ye'll need to toughen up if ye hope to survive."
Obviously, my pirate pun went straight over his head.
I flash him a grin, "I'm tougher than I look. And trust me, I've survived worse than a few pirates and a little ocean spray."
Captain Sterling rises from his seat, strides to the door, and bellows for one of his crew.
Finn appears—the young handsome lad who saved my drowning ass, snapping to attention. "Yes, Cap'n?"
"Finn, tell Barnaby to send up some grub from the galley," the Captain orders.
"Aye, aye, Cap'n!" Finn disappears, off to relay the message.
Gideon returns to his seat, fixing me with a pointed look. "Once you eat and dress," his tone leaves no room for argument. "Then we can talk more about this... quest of yours. But if you ask me, our best bet is to get an audience with the Queen. She'll know what to do."
I nod eagerly, my stomach growling in anticipation. I'm so hungry I could devour an entire feast for Queen Undine herself. I've read about her in the book, how she rules over the aquatic realm with an iron fist and a heart of gold. Or something like that.
But before I jump to conclusions, let's not forget the little surprise party the Fae realm threw. Talk about a plot twist; even M. Night Shyamalan didn't see coming! How nothing was as written in the Fae Book.
Who knows if she is even the Queen anymore?
It's almost as if the universe is trying to tell me something. Like, "Hey, Dani! You know those books you've been treating like your personal supernatural Wikipedia? Yeah, about that... it might not be entirely accurate."
But in all seriousness, I need to put on my detective hat and start separating fact from fiction—time to dust off the cobwebs and figure out which parts of the book are still relevant and which parts belong in the "ancient history" section.
Gideon regards me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "These friends of yours... what's a girl like you doing with them?"
"Rhyland, the big, broody Viking guy? He's my mate. And the silver fox, Erik? That's his brother—but don't worry—they only bite if you ask nicely." I flash a cheeky grin, trying to lighten the mood.
The Captain's eyebrows shoot up, but to his credit, he doesn't look too shocked. "Well, that's a new one. I'm just surprised to see a nice girl like yerself caught up with those creatures."
I shrug, trying to play it cool. "Things have changed in our world—they're good guys, I promise. A little rough around the edges, but who isn't in this day and age?"
Gideon nods slowly as if processing this new information."So, uh, do they... bite with those fangs of theirs?" Gideon asks, his face all worried-like.
"Only if you're into that sort of thing and you ask nicely," I say with a grin. Gideon looks relieved for a second until I add, "Or if you royally piss them off real good—then it's a free-for-all." I shrug.
Gideon raises an eyebrow, half-relieved, half on edge. "Aye, thanks for that. Just what I needed to hear."
As if on cue, there's a knock at the door. Finn enters, carrying a tray laden with steaming dishes. The smell of hot food makes my mouth water and my stomach growl even louder.
"Ah, perfect timing," the Captain says, gesturing for Finn to set the tray on the table. "Dig in, lass. You're going to need your strength for what's to come."
I don't need to be told twice. I practically lunge for the tray, which holds some seafood chowder. It smells delicious, so I grab a hunk of bread, dip it in the chowder, and tear it into it like a starving wolf. The flavors explode on my tongue—rich, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying.
I pause mid-bite, a piece of bread dangling precariously from my mouth as I catch Gideon and Finn's intense stares. They're looking at me like I'm a particularly challenging riddle they're trying to decipher. I swallow the bread, nearly choking, and shoot them a sheepish grin.
"What can I say? I've never been one for table manners," I quip, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "I like food."