Pirate Lord Read online

  ~

  They headed to the throne room, but then her guide changed direction and went down another hall. They ended up in a cosy private dining room, Merek was already sat in one of the chairs. The table was laden with food, a feast, a dinner.

  The moment the clock had struck midday she’d thrown open the door and found a servant cowering in the hallway, with the message that Merek wanted her to join him for dinner. He’d tell her about his plans then. Lily had agreed, spent the afternoon pacing and trying to distract herself enough to not go bursting into his throne room and slice his throat open. She wasn’t sure she could have found his throne room anyway, not from here. Like the reef, the castle was something of a labyrinth. Apparently whoever built all of this liked getting lost.

  Merek watched her unblinkingly as she lowered herself into the chair offered by the servant. Then he too was gone. It was just the two of them.

  “I am pleased to see you decided against arming yourself to the teeth for dinner.”

  Ugh, she’d forgotten how his voice grated on her. Too smooth, too slimy. He made her feel filthy. “I am not as harmless as I seem.” She’d done away with the swords, but her belt was still full of daggers, along with three concealed blades – one up each sleeve and another in her boot.

  “I gather you wanted to know why I have called you to audience. You didn’t appreciate my friend?”

  She’d been right then, Roselyn was Merek’s. He’d be revealing this for a reason. Lily steeled herself, and reached for the already filled glass of wine. “On the contrary, she was excellent company.” She sniffed quickly at it, swirling the dark liquid in the glass. Tristan had taught her to detect poisons. She couldn’t smell anything off, so she sipped. It was very good wine.

  Merek chuckled darkly, “You believe I would stoop to poison?”

  “I don’t think there’s anything beneath you.” She reached for the platter before her, piled high with roasted vegetables, and loaded up her own plate.

  “You don’t say grace?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, without pause grabbing a whole stuffed partridge from the centre of the table, “I stopped believing in gods a long time ago.”

  “Still – it is considered polite to wait for the host to give a toast before eating is it not?”

  Lily took a huge bite of meat, straight from the bird, and met Merek’s glare. She didn’t bother to swallow before she spoke, “I never did learn etiquette. Not much call for barmaids to know about such things.”

  He gave her a distasteful look, and began piling food onto his own plate. Lily grinned to herself and continued eating. He kept silent for a while, eating every bite daintily, like a fine lady. Lily snorted into her wine glass and composed herself quickly, licking up the red liquid that had spilled onto her hand. He carefully laid his knife and fork back onto his plate, and picked up his own wine glass. He tapped his long fingers against the stem, then let the sly smile settle back into place. “I have to say Lily, despite all the research I did into you – you have surprised me.”

  “You researched me?”

  “Oh yes – I investigate everyone who I invite to my castle.”

  Lily shrugged, “Makes sense I suppose.”

  He chuckled, “Most people are not so cool when they realise I know all about their past.”

  “Oh you won’t know everything. I can guarantee that.” She sipped at her wine, and watched him do the same.

  “And why’s that?”

  “There are certain places in this world where shadows will always remain.”

  “You speak as if you yourself are formed of darkness.”

  Lily laughed properly then, unable to stop herself. “Seriously? Tell me honestly, do you always speak like this? It just feels so pretentious.” He seemed pleased to think he was getting under her skin. Lily didn’t give him time to respond, “Perhaps I am – dark I mean. I don’t think you will have come across someone like me before, Merek. It’s more than just a fiery temper. I can assure you of that.”

  “How many rival captains have you killed?”

  “Me personally?”

  He nodded, a finger tracing the rim of his glass.

  “Fourteen. But surely you would know that from your extensive research.”

  If she had irritated him he didn’t show it, “And how many ships do you lay claim over?”

  “Do you not know?”

  “I am merely fact checking, my dear.”

  “If you call me ‘my dear’ one more time I am not going to be held responsible for this knife entering your eye socket.”

  “Humour me.”

  “Don’t try me.” She flipped the knife in her hand, catching it expertly, “We have direct control over two hundred and eighty six ships across the oceans.”

  He nodded slowly.

  “Do those figures match up with your sources?” She didn’t hold back the sarcasm.

  He shrugged, “Not far off. And what is it you call them? The dogs, the –”

  “The Pack.”

  “Ah yes, that’s right.”

  She was about to retort when he suddenly stood. She didn’t flinch, but her heart began hammering in her chest. He smiled, flattening his palms on the table. “Okay, you want to know what I require of you, I’ll tell you. I want you to swear an oath to me as your overseer. You, and by extension your whole fleet, will do as I ask, how I ask, whenever I ask.”

  She fought back the few choice curses that threatened to spill from her lips. “Is that supposed to be a compelling offer? Because it really isn’t.”

  “You misunderstand me; you will still be free to do as you please, continue on your merry way, killing whoever you don’t like the look of, practicing your odd form of pirating – but if I ask you to do something you must come to my call.”

  “Like a dog?” She snorted, “I’ve already told you, I don’t like being told what to do. I would have thought you would understand that all too well.” She looked pointedly at the band around his neck, as he strode over to her, his fingers caressing the table as he moved ever closer. She twisted her head as far as she could, but he stopped behind her chair, his arms slipping down either side of her – not touching her, but far too close for comfort. Lily froze, gritting her teeth and burying down the fury that rose within her.

  The chair creaked as he leaned down, his breath tickling her ear, making a strand of her hair slip over her shoulder.

  “What makes you think I’ll agree to your terms?” She hissed.

  “Oh, I can be very persuasive.” He stroked her cheek and she shivered. He laughed as she pushed the chair back and stood up, her face flushed with anger. “Relax Lily, I don’t take women by force, no matter how tempting the flower.” He looked her over again. Lily stifled the urge to slap him just for that brazen look. “You won’t agree to my terms willingly then?”

  “No.”

  “Pity.” He retreated and sank back into his own chair, picking at his nails. He was silent for a moment, before he glanced up at her, “Have you ever considered how silly it is to keep so much gunpowder, on something made of wood? All it would take is one little flame, and...” He clicked his fingers.

  Pure cold dread filled Lily as she beheld the look in his eye, and the grin that plastered his face. She turned and sprinted out of the door. Merek’s laugh chased her out.

  Lily froze for a second as she broke through the doors of the castle walls. He wasn’t bluffing. There it was, she’d know that ship anywhere, there was no mistaking it, even in the twilight. The Shadow was on fire. A ball of flames erupted as the first of the gunpowder caught alight, a deep boom echoing through the town.

  “Tristan!” The scream tore free from her.

  She ran.

  Lily pushed through the streets, knocking people over in her haste, hisses and curses marked her path, but she heard nothing, made no apologies. Blood pulsed in her ears.

  Flames everywhere, dancing red devils leaping into the sky, the burning embers like glowing orang
e stars. The Shadow had been untied from the dock, and now drifted further out, beyond the reach of the jetty. Even from here the smoke was clotting, thick, Lily felt it surge into her lungs, her legs burning from sprinting the cobbled street down to the docks from the castle. Sparks had flown from her heels as she ran, but she hadn’t tripped, hadn’t fallen once – too intent on reaching the ship. She could hear the crackling now, the sound of the flames consuming her home, her friends, her family. No. There was time, there was still a chance. She pumped her arms and doubled her speed.

  Lily raced the length of the dock, her eyes firmly focused on the burning ship. She leapt off the end of it, flying for a moment before diving into the water. It was cooler down here, calmer, Lily kicked up and broke the surface. Heat hit her face the moment she breathed, the snap of the flames taunting her. She swum as fast as she could towards The Shadow. The water choked her, burning down her throat. She shouted out their names, praying, begging. Her coat was saturated, heavy, it dragged her down, hauled her back, but she fought against it.

  She was almost at the ship when it exploded. Light flashed, flames erupted, and pieces of the ship flew in all directions. She raised her arm, her eyes blinded, and something hit her, forcing her back under the waves. She sank, her side aching, her mouth gasping, swallowing mouthful after mouthful of seawater.

  Lily clawed her way upwards, but she was so tired, and so heavy, and it was hard to even raise her arm. The water was so inviting, so cooling on her body as the pure rage was driven out of her by its icy touch. Why was she fighting so hard? They were gone, there was no need to fight.

  No point.

  She stopped reaching for the surface and let herself drift down, her eyes closing. Yes, this was how it should end. She was done.

  Firm hands grabbed her, and she was dragged up. Her head broke the surface, her back gripped against a man’s chest. Not his, she knew it wasn’t his. She coughed, air shoving its way into her lungs. Opening her eyes, she managed to see what was left of The Shadow. She pushed back the nausea, the utter emptiness and despair. The Shadow. Her home. And her family. Barely anything was left, the last of the hull just about still floating. Flames and debris surrounded it. A cry tore out of her and she pulled at the arm that held her, trying to make them let go.

  “Lil, stop struggling, it’s hard enough to carry you and swim.”

  A name sought a path through the grief clouding her mind. “Eli?” She panted, more coughs erupting from her, “Were they on board? Where are they?”

  He didn’t have to ask who she meant, “I don’t know.”

  She cringed, her face collapsing in on itself. Eli pulled her back towards the land, grunting and fighting her with each stroke, pushing away debris that blocked their route back to shore. The whole way Lily didn’t stop clawing at him, didn’t stop trying to kick her way back over to The Shadow. Didn’t stop screaming their names.

  She had to find them, they couldn’t be dead. They just couldn’t.

  Eventually Eli managed to drag her back to the shore, both of them collapsing in the shallows. The water curled around their legs, as if reluctant to let them go. Lily dug her hands into the sand, the sobs wrecking through her, tearing her into pieces. She rested her head against the ground and screamed their names. Beside her Eli lay panting on his back, his silver dreadlocks covered in sand, watching over her, though he looked petrified. She turned away from him, curling herself into a ball, her eyes and throat stinging from salt, and screaming.

  She whimpered for a while, closing her eyes to the world, letting the grief cloak her, dominate her. She felt like she was still underwater. There was no sound, her body was numb, and she felt so heavy. Their faces flickered on her eyelids, Tristan, the twins, Irena. Her tears were drowning her, her heart faintly fluttering against her chest, not willing to beat properly. She was gripping herself so tightly that she left red welts atop her soaked skin, trying to hold herself together, trying to disbelieve the evidence that surrounded her. Something hard was digging into her leg. She snaked her hand, gripped the small object, and pulled it from her pocket, choking on a sob as she recognised the chess piece she had picked up...yesterday? Had it only been yesterday? The castle Jon had knocked over. Her son, half of a pair, and her daughter with her flame coloured hair. And Tristan. Her sanity. Her everything. He was…Lily screamed again but all that her throat could manage was a hoarse rasp.

  If they were dead…she didn’t know if she could continue to fight. Even as she thought it something relit inside her. The fog came, numbing the pain, focusing her mind on something other than the gaping loss. Merek had done this. Tigerlily snapped her eyes open. “Where were you?” She croaked, turning to glare at Eli.

  He heaved in a breath. “I was watching Roselyn, but I lost her somewhere in town. I heard the first explosion, and I saw you running for the ship. I knew you wouldn’t make it before –” He cut off, his eyes filling with tears. “I’m sorry Lil.”

  No. She wouldn’t listen, wouldn’t accept his pity. She ran her thumb over the jagged tip of the castle in her palm. They could still be alive. If she could get to the ship, she could look for them. Tigerlily would fight, she would not give up. Determination filled her and she stood up.

  But she was still too tired, her body a dead weight. She swayed.

  Eli jumped up and caught her before she hit the ground, wrapping her in his arms. “Tigerlily, they’re gone. They’re dead, there’s nothing you can do.”

  She gasped at his words, at his admission, the thing she couldn’t accept. But he was right. If they were alive then they’d be here. They’d know she’d be worrying. She gripped at Eli’s sodden shirt, sinking her face into his shoulder as she cried. His dreadlocks were soft, despite the coarse grains of sand that had clung to the salt water. He held her tightly as they both fell to their knees.

  He was dead. He was dead. He was dead.

  Chapter 6

  Checkmate

  “I leave for five minutes and you’re already in another man’s arms? Really?”

  Lily bolted upright, spinning to the direction of his voice. Eli’s beaming smile was enough to tell her that she wasn’t imagining him.

  Tristan.

  There were tears in his eyes, his chest was heaving, his hair was a mess. He’d clearly been running to get here, to get to her, and his ship. To save whatever he could. With whatever reserves she had left she pulled herself up and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He laughed and picked her up, swinging her around. The toes of her boots brushed against the ground and she stood again, his arms supporting her as she lifted her hands, stroking his face, his chest, checking he was all there, that he was real.

  Tristan smiled and gripped her hand in his own, “It’s okay, I’m okay.”

  Panic hit her again, “The children!”

  He smiled, his hand stroking her cheek, calming, reassuring, “They’re safe.” He looked over her shoulder, at what was left of The Shadow. She saw the sorrow plain on his face. It had been his ship, his home, long before it had been hers. More of it had sunk beneath the surface since Eli had dragged her back to land. It was nothing more than a wreck now. The Shadow was gone.

  “And the crew? And Saff?”

  Tristan nodded, “All safe, all fine, I promise.”

  “How?”

  “We were given warning.” Her brow rose but he shook his head. “No, not now, it doesn’t matter – we’re all okay, you’re okay.” He kissed her brow, her eyelids, her lips, until the panic faded.

  The gap it left was quickly replaced with the burning anger, the anger that she knew and manipulated, the anger that had almost left her as she gave up fighting for breath under the water. She grabbed Tristan, locking him in a forceful kiss that sent her heart racing. Then she pulled back, Tristan now also gasping for air. She pecked him once more, then stepped out of his arms. Tristan released her slowly, letting her see if she was able to stand on her own. She was.

  Her hands curled into fist
s, “That bastard is going to pay.”

  “What?”

  “Merek. He did this.”

  “Lily.”

  She ignored him as she stalked off.

  “Tigerlily!” she paused, looking over her shoulder. Tristan eyed her warily. “You are messing with someone you shouldn’t enter into games with. He is not the sort of man to back down. This was a warning.”

  Lily tightened her grip on the chess piece still clutched in her hand. “He can threaten me – he can be on the verge of pinning me to the floor and taking me right then and there – but you, and the children – he went too far.” He did not try to stop her again as she marched in the direction of the castle, but she felt him fall into step behind her, Eli wordlessly flanking her other side.

  ~

  Tigerlily flicked two daggers out of her belt – somehow she hadn’t lost them in the water, but she’d have to give them a bloody good clean before the salt tarnished them. But before that. She gripped the handles, not giving him a moment to move before she threw them, pinning him into the throne by each shoulder. She’d missed his flesh, instead piercing the fabric of his coat. Apparently near drowning was bad for your aim.

  He laughed, his eyes rising to hers. “The bitch certainly has claws.” Merek glanced at the blades.

  “The bitch does not take kindly to lords thinking they can incinerate her family.”

  “Oh that’s a little harsh I think – I did make sure they were all out. I’m not that cruel.” His gaze drifted to Tristan, “Good to see you again Captain Wolf.” Tristan said nothing. “But I don’t know you.” He looked Eli up and down, assessing him. “You don’t see the silver hair of the Princes of the Wastes very often.”

  Lily glanced at Eli, who had made no move. Lily hadn’t heard of the Princes of the Wastes, she didn’t know what it meant. Tristan looked sick – he certainly knew what Merek was talking about. Lily frowned to herself, she’d find out what that name meant later, she was overwhelmed by the red haze, she couldn’t think about anything else right now.