The deck bustled with ordered chaos.A single man scrubbed planks with holystones and buckets of seawater while another coiled lines and tarred rigging, the sharp scent of pitch rising in the heat.From the tops came the calls of two topmen furling sail and splicing new cordage, their silhouettes cutting across the blinding sky.Liam’s voice rang out from the quarterdeck as he set the watch, and Alden oversaw two hands loading powder into the swivels at the rails for inspection.
A glimpse of a red apron caught his gaze, and he turned to see Ayida standing at the stern bow.The instant their eyes met, she froze.But when his boots struck the deck boards behind her, she whirled to flee.Caleb caught her arm, rough but controlled, and turned her to face him.
“We have not finished our discourse, woman,” he said, voice low but edged with steel.
She dropped her gaze.“About what, Capitaine?”
“You know full well.You’ve confessed to witchery and deceit aboard my ship.Did you think I’d suffer such treason to pass unpunished?”
“I was hopin’…” Her lips trembled.“Hopin’ ye might forgive, like dat Holy Book ye love so much say to do.”
His temper flared.“Do not take the Lord’s Word upon your lying tongue!”The shout cracked across the deck, drawing startled glances.Alden straightened at the helm, wary as a hawk.
Wind rushed over the deck, snapping the canvas and cooling the fire beneath Caleb’s skin.He struggled for composure, fists clenching at his sides.
Ayida’s voice quavered.“What ye goin’ do wid me, Capitaine?”
He looked out over the darkening waves.“First, you will lift the curse that’s laid my men low.Then—”
“I cain’t.”
Her interruption cut him short.Terror sparked in her eyes.She clutched the string of bones at her neck as if it alone kept her soul from flying apart.
“Do you deny ’twas your doing?”
“Non,” she whispered.“But I be sorry,oui.I only do what de marquis command.He hold me spirit in his hand, Capitaine.I could not refuse.”
“Then remove the curse!”he roared.
She shook her head violently, tears moistening her eyes.“Once deloatake hold, it cannot be undone.I try, but dey not listen now.”
Caleb’s fury burst its bounds.His hand went to his cutlass, and for a heartbeat he thought to strike her down.Instead, with a snarl he seized the bone necklace and tore it from her throat, flinging it into the sea.
Ayida gasped and clutched at her neck.“You curse us all, Capitaine!”she cried.“You cast away what might keep de spirits calm!”
“And you,” he thundered, “will cast overboard every foul trinket, charm, and herb you use for your devil’s craft.Do you hear me?”
She nodded, breath ragged.“Aye, Capitaine.I hear.”
“Now tell me how to cure this sickness.”
“It cannot be cured.”Her voice broke.“De fever burn till de flesh give way.Den death come quiet.”
His rage returned, white-hot.“Woman or not, I should have you keelhauled for this.”
She lifted her chin, defiant despite the tremor in her limbs.“Den do it, Capitaine.I deserve it.”
For a moment, he nearly did.But something checked him—the faintest whisper in his soul, the one he’d begun at last to heed again.He studied her, praying for discernment.Beneath the fear and guilt, he saw no hatred, only ruin, and a heart ensnared.
Turning from her, Caleb gripped the railing until the wood bit into his palms.The waves below rolled black as spilled ink, the last of the sun fading to ash.
His men were dying.Two enemy frigates hunted him.And Desi—hisDesi—might vanish from his life forever.
Lord, when I scarce begin to trust Thee again, must Thou try me thus?
The wind answered with a mournful sigh, and behind him, Ayida wept softly, whether in repentance or despair, he could not tell.
Chapter 31: Bound to Destiny
