The French, theLes Porteurs d’eau, which translates to The Water Bearers in English, were the cruelest of all the pirate factions sailing the sea. They were no friends of the Devils of the Deep, the faction her father belonged to.
Seonag had often heard the horrific stories of the English and Scottish crewmen captured by the French captain, Nicolas Van Rompay. After destroying the ships they attacked, the French pirates would round up any survivors and cut off their feet. He would then chain them to his ship and force them to be rowers.
She shuddered at the thought of the pain those men must go through. She couldn’t even imagine surviving such an ordeal.
But that was also the reason she didn’t believe her da’s ship was attacked by the French. The only person that died in the ‘attack’ was her father, which made no sense. None of his crew were injured, killed or captured. The outcome didn’t follow the French’s usual path.
Why would they letHades Revengeescape with nary a scratch? And the men? Why let them live or why not take them as prisoners? They wouldn’t.
Nay, she knew Jack “Storm” Barr was the one responsible for her da’s death. Seonag had never felt comfortable in his presence. From the day her da had brought Storm onto his ship and introduced him to Seonag and Anice. His dark eyes reminded her of death. There was no light of life in them. They were just black and empty. She envisioned his soul to be the same.
Somehow, Storm’s greed and cunning were enough to get Sean’s crew to turn against him. She wished the worst kind of death upon every last person that betrayed her father, especially Storm.
The cool breeze lifted the wisps of hair that escaped her cap, and were now tickling her cheek. Gray clouds moved quickly through the sky, pushed along by winds coming from the north. A storm was moving in. A ship would be arriving soon, and though she could just barely make out the form in the distance, she planned to watch it drop anchor.
She prayed it would be theHades Revenge. Her plan was to follow the bastard captain once he made his way to shore for provisions and ale. After that, she was unsure what her course of action would be.
But she’d made a solemn vow to the memory of her father, and would keep digging until the truth of his death came to light and justice was meted out to those responsible.
She moved a rock with the toe of her worn boot, shifting it around in the wet sand. Like her father before her, the sea was her home. The thought of living out her life on dry ground held no interest to her. Her mother didn’t agree. Anice thought she was chasing after a fool’s errand. Mayhap she was. But she had to know the truth. Needed to know what really happened that fateful day for her own sanity. Unlike her mother, she couldn’t let it go, she didn’t believe her father could truly rest in peace until justice prevailed.
“Ye know what happened to yer da, Seonag. Let it rest. Please. Lethimrest.” Her mother pleaded with her when Seonag told her she intended to track Storm. “I miss yer da with all my heart. Ye’re all I’ve got left. I canna lose ye as well.”
The conversation played over and over in Seonag’s head. She knew her mother meant well. A pirate’s world was no place for a woman, hence her hidden hair and the trews and boots she wore. No gowns for her. Taller than most women thanks to her father’s massive height, she was still shorter than the average man. But she could easily pass as a teenage boy wanting to join the crew and learn the ways of a crewman. Her plan depended upon her being accepted into the crew.
She feared it was the only means to uncover what really happened to her father.
The waves crashed onto the shore, splashing a cool, salty spray on her face, and she watched the white foamy tops breaking apart as they made contact with the sandy bottom. Seonag closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, savoring the scent. When she opened her eyes, she spotted the dark form of the ship fast approaching, no longer just barely visible on the horizon. The ship was making its way inland. It would be here before long and if it was theHades Revenge, its new captain, “Storm”, would swagger onto solid ground, head held high. Demanding the attention he thought he deserved.
She retreated to the line of trees to watch the ship’s final approach. If Storm saw her, she wouldn’t be able to follow him without notice. She fully expected him to disembark and head straight to the inn. Most of the men did, to get their fill of the things they couldn’t get when out at sea.
Wenches and an unlimited supply of ale.
Her hands clenched and unclenched into fists at her side as she watched the ship get closer and closer. She narrowed her eyes to view the flag fluttering atop the tall wooden mast. Her heart sank. It wasn’t theHades Revengelike she was hoping. This ship was much grander than the one helmed by her father.
Seonag sighed, her shoulders sagged and despair threatened to overtake her emotions. Still, she watched as the small row boat approached the shore. Waiting for the captain to show himself.
Her breath caught.
She knew the man that commandeered that ship. His reputation preceded him wherever he went.
Someone her father knew well. Someone of whom he’d always spoken highly.
Tall and lean with a strong jaw and chiseled chest, just the mere sight of him had her weak in the knees. He was golden and beautiful, not usually the words she would use to describe a man, but she couldn’t think of any others that completely captured his essence. He moved closer to shore barking orders to his remaining men, and the deep rumble of his voice ignited a fire deep in her belly.
Honey Harris truly lived up to his reputation.
Chapter Two
Colin “Honey” Harrislooked out over the dark blue water of Lunan Bay as Peggy, his quartermaster, guidedThe Hellato shore. The wooden rail he leaned on as he looked out over the water was warm under his calloused palms.
Countless months had passed since he’d been on solid ground, and he looked forward to feeling the sand beneath his feet, even if it was only for a short while.
He couldn’t believe how long it had been since he’d seen his old friend, Lochlan “Chaos” MacLean. Too long. He’d missed him. Missed their easy banter. Their kinship.
And his loyalty.
The former pirate was now landlocked at Redstone Castle in Lunan. He had no idea how Lochlan could stay away from the sea. Lady Isabel had to be one hell of a lass to keep him away from the thing that, at one time, he’d loved more than life itself.
