Chapter 1
The cloaked figure hurried through the streets in the dead of night. He could transport with a wave of his arms but not with the precious cargo in his arms beneath the dark cloak.
Kaliyah sighed as the boat rocked her hammock. Rough wooden boards creaked above her with every swell of the ship. The waves had been swelling over the last few days. In all honesty, it was getting tedious.
Everything was harder when the boat was rolling over crashing five feet waves, she just wished it would be calm again. Even her, a sailor for five years, was starting to feel the effects on her stomach.
The poor new cabin boy had had his head in a barrel for near three days. The cook was starting to worry he wouldn’t make it. Thirst was a killer and the poor lad had kept not even grog down.
“The Gods are not looking kindly to us, lass.”
She rolled her eyes at the dwarf, a thick ginger beard obscuring the lower half of his face, his beloved axe that never left his side peeking over his shoulder, “May we make a sacrifice? I’d say a certain dwarf will surely let your Gods smile on you.”
“Don’t you even think about throwing me overboard, lassy.”
“Think about it? I dream of it!” She threw a smile his way.
“You little cheeky-”
Kaliyah clicked her finger, producing a purple flame cutting him off.
“Kaliyah!” She jumped and instantly extinguished her flame. “What have I told you about burning my boat?”
“That was one time, Cap’n.” She flung her legs over the edge of the canvas to face the thickly set man… well he was half-man, half-elf like herself.
“One time too many in my book,” he grumbled, his voice rough like his hands… she longed for his hands.
She longed for most of him in honesty.
She’d sailed under him for merely four voyages.
And lusted after him for just as long. Unfortunately, there was a rule in sailing… never ever go to bed with the Captain. The thought of never doing so rolled her belly even more than the waves.
He was the epitome of sin. Dark ebony hair, tied at the nape of his neck. Warm, stern eyes that drove straight through her. His linen shirt did little to hide what was beneath… and what was beneath was the dedication of his hard work. No one could ever say the Captain sat in his quarters and let the crew do all the work.
He was a hands-on Captain.
She respected him for it.
“The weather will break tomorrow,” Captain announced.
Those around the sleeping quarters looked around, relief certainly on their faces. Kaliyah was more sceptical. “You cannot know that, Captain.”
He merely raised a stern eyebrow, a clear warning for her tone.
“Apologies, Captain, but my daddy sailed these seas all his life and always stated the wind is fickle and cannot be foretold.”
“Captain Warren may be a wonderful sailor… but he is not me. I’m telling you, the sea will be calm tomorrow.” His confidence was intriguing… titillating.
Kaliyah’s bare feet hit the rough deck before she slipped her boots on. “If the sea is calm tomorrow, you may order me to do something and I will comply… no question.”
She would admit she never followed orders, she was kept on due to her skills, not her attitude.
“Any order?” His dark eyebrow drew up, a clear intrigue on his face.
“Well… I won’t fall foul of the law.”
“Done.”
“You’re that confident?” She folded her arms, knowing they had every soul’s attention.
“I guarantee tomorrow you will be following my orders.”
“Order,” she corrected.
“We’ll see.” He smirked before disappearing from the crew area.
“Oh, Lass, you’re in trouble.”
“It will not be smooth tomorrow, if there is just one wave he loses the bet.”
“And you’re confident Captain Baron Torlar… the Captain Baron Torlar… will be wrong.”
“He will eat his words.” She waved her arms gracefully over her head before disappearing.
*
It was late, the moon glinted off the waves as the boat continued to rock. The poor cabin boy was looking very green a few yards from where she stood looking into the horizon. She wished she were a healer, but she wasn’t. There was nothing she could do for the young lad. Many vomit filled barrels had been emptied over the side of the boat.
Despite her best wishes for those unwell. She was glad to see the waves, the strong currents seemed to have no sign of letting up. The Captain was never going to be able to order her. She was her own master. Her own being.
No one ordered her.
