The world was rocking and there was blood pouring from his nose and mouth where he’d bit his cheek when Declan hit him in the face, and it took him a minute to clear the stars from his eyes. He could hardly see because of it. Not only did henotsee Maude right away, but he didn’t see Astria and Ming Tang coming in through the entry door, either. Astria had regainedconsciousness moments earlier, and unless Ming Tang wanted to get into a fistfight with her, he’d had no choice but to let her return to the embattled tavern in search of her husband.
She’d been desperate to get to him.
Astria saw Payne the moment she came through the door. Her ears were ringing, still, and she had a painful lump on her head, but she was alive. There was nothing more in the world that she wanted than to find Payne, so the moment she came through the entry and saw him sitting up with blood all over his face in the far alcove, she raced across the devastated common room and into the alcove. Falling to her knees, she threw her arms around him.
“I’m here, my darling, I’m here,” she wept, holding him tightly. But she quickly loosened her grip to get a look at his face. “Let me see the damage. How do you feel?”
Realizing Astria was with him fed Payne’s sense of relief and joy. He was still dazed, but not dazed so much that he couldn’t respond to her. He pulled her into his powerful embrace, trying to shake off the fuzziness in his head.
“I’m well enough,” he said. “Please dunna worry. I’m more concerned with ye. How are ye feeling?”
Astria had her hands on his face, inspecting the injuries. “I’m well, I promise,” she said, a hand fluttering to the lump on her head. “It’s just a bump, after all. But what’s happened? I awoke and Arnaldo is in pieces and—”
“Payne,” Francis called to his brother, angst in his voice. “Come quickly!”
Payne tore his eyes away from Astria, finally seeing the damage at the far end of the chamber. Declan was dead, impaled on the wall by a sword through his neck, and on the floor lay a small figure with red hair.
Maude.
Payne must have whimpered, because his reaction, or even his movement, had Astria looking over to see the same thing. Maude on the ground, bloody, with a sword in her chest. They both moved in that direction, he helping her, she helping him, both of them stagging over to see the horrific scene before them.
It was like a nightmare.
Maude was mortally wounded, but she was still conscious. Blood was spreading out underneath her and Francis was elevating his mother’s head as Sinclair determined that nothing could be done. The sword was actually preventing the woman from bleeding to death in an instant, so he simply left it. But he reached up, pulling Payne down to his knees beside him.
“Speak to her,” he whispered. “Her time is short. Tell her how much you love her.”
Payne nearly came apart.This canna be happening!He took his mother’s hand and held it to his lips. “Maudie,” he whispered, his tears falling onto her fingers. “I’m so sorry this happened. I’m sorry I couldna protect ye.”
Maude was as pale as snow. She gazed up at her son, her pale blue eyes unnaturally bright. “Dunna weep,” she said haltingly. “Yer father… He’s waiting for me. I’ll not be alone, I promise. But I’m going tae miss ye very much.”
Across from Payne, Francis broke down in quiet tears. “Oh… Maudie,” he wept. “How will we go on with ye?”
Maude tried to reach up, to touch Francis as he wept, but she was too weak. Francis saw her hand, however, and grasped it tightly.
“Ye’re stronger than ye know, Francis,” she murmured. “Continue the legacy. That’s my wish. There’s nothing more fearsome than a pirate named Pope Francis.”
She smiled when she said it, teasing him gently, but Francis would have none of it. “I canna,” he whispered tightly. “Not without ye. I canna do it.”
“Ye must,” Maude whispered.
“But I canna!”
“If ye dunna, then who will?”
“Me,” Astria said, leaning over Payne’s shoulder. When Maude’s eyes moved to her, she smiled bravely. “Not to worry, Maudie. I understand. If the past five months have taught me anything, it is that you are a woman of strength and dedication. I’m sorry I never told you that. But I’ll take care of your sons and your legacy, I swear it. Be at peace, dear lady. All will be well.”
Maude’s smile grew as she gazed into Astria’s eyes. “My legacy,” she whispered. “Who knew it would be ye?”
Astria met her smile. “It was fate,” she said. “Fate the day you captured me. Fate the day you pledged me to Payne. We’ll make sure you are well remembered by those who love you.”
“Promise?”
“I swear upon The Sea God that Bloody Maude will live on, in hearts and in memories.”
“Thank ye, lass.”
Maude was fading fast. That much was clear. Still smiling, she managed to look at Payne one last time. Her beloved son. He had her hand clasped against his cheek, trying to give her some comfort, and to Maude, it meant everything.
