Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)(21)

“It’s amazing to be so close to you, and to be able to watch you be so wonderful,” he says, being the charmer that I’ve always known he was. I chuckle, leaning up and kissing him slowly, taking my time teasing him. He allows it for a second, before grabbing my face with his hands and taking over.

“Tease,” he whispers against my lips.

“You’re my pirate, am I not allowed to tease you?” I ask, running my hand down his hard chest, and he catches it, bringing it to his lips.

“As much as I want to lay you on this floor, take off your clothes, and make you moan in that sweet way I know you do, I can’t. This is a public training room, and I have a class due in here at any moment,” he says and just as he speaks, the door opens behind him.

“Fine, can I stay and watch for a bit?” I ask, and he nods.

“Sure, you could even join in if you wanted?”

“No, I’m no fighter, but I have other talents,” I grin, and his eyes drift down my body as I step away.

“You sure do,” he drawls in a seductive tone that makes me long to be alone with him. Ten men and three women come in to the class as I wait, and they all look at Dante like he is their god or something. They all appear shocked to see me sitting on the side-lines, but they don’t say a word. I watch as Dante takes control of the class, teaching them how to use a sword and how to throw daggers. He encourages them to practice fighting in pairs with wooden swords to start with. While they are all practising, Dante walks over to me, sitting down.

“You’re a good teacher. They all seem to respect you.”

“I’ve been teaching them for a year, that’s why,” he shrugs like it’s nothing.

“You’ve helped them and given them a strength they can use to avenge whoever they are fighting for. Everyone must have lost something, like a home, or worse, someone,” I muse, and Dante slides his hand into mine.

“Loss makes us stronger, and it gives us a reason to fight. We can do this,” he says and gets up, going back to his students.





11





Chapter Eleven





Cassandra





“Can I steal Cassandra from you?” Jacob asks as Dante and I walk out of the training room holding hands. Dante lifts my hand, kissing the back of it before letting go.

“Of course, but I want her back tonight,” Dante replies, keeping his eyes on mine before he turns and walks away. Jacob holds his hand out for me, and I accept it as I look him over. He has a blue shirt on today, and the buttons are done up to his chest, except the top one. The shirt is tucked into black trousers that are tight and show off his muscular thighs. I let my eyes drift up to his messy brown hair, the scar I want so much to make right for him, and finally to his warm blue eyes.

“Why did you get rid of your beard? I kind of miss it,” I ask, reaching with my spare hand to his shaven face.

“I didn’t know you liked my beard. I guess I might have to grow it back,” he cheekily says, “but for now, I have a surprise for you.” He lets go of my hand to wrap an arm around my waist and guide me down the corridor.

“Will you tell me what happened when you were at the castle before? Chaz told me once that you had to leave your parents and escape, but not why.”

“I saved a child’s life, a child who did nothing other than save his brother.”

“What happened?” I ask.

“We received news that a changed one had been hidden and he was older, around eight. I went to the ship with the other guards to collect the changed one. When we got there, we soon realised the changed one’s twin brother had drawn a mark on his forehead and switched places with him. The king ordered the boy to be killed, and I couldn’t allow it. He was eight years old and only wanted to save his brother,” he stops.

“So, you helped him escape?”

“Yes, but the king thought it was another guard that helped him and killed him before I could save his life and say it was me. Even though I saved the child, I still killed the guard,” he laments. I lift his hand, kissing his knuckles.

“For what it’s worth, I believe you did the right thing.”

“Maybe, maybe not. I try not to dwell on the past and my mistakes anymore,” he tells me.

“Thank you for telling me,” I say gently.

“I would tell you anything you ask of me. There are no secrets between us," he says. We pass several people, who stop to lower their heads.

“I wish they wouldn’t do that,” I tell Jacob, who waits until we pass them and walk down the stairs before he replies.

“Is it that bad to be respected?”

“No, but only a royal should be bowed to,”

“Or their saviour. They believe in you, like I do, like I always have, Cass,” he tells me. I sigh, resting my head against the side of his chest as we walk down another hallway. I start to hear running water ahead, even though the waterfall is right behind us. The small hallway stops with a long row of stairs that travel down. We walk down slowly, letting go of each other to walk one at a time down the narrow stairwell. When Jacob moves out of the way, I can see a giant pool in the room. There’s a ledge, and it’s cut out of the mountain, where the water falls down the side. The moonlight lights the room up, reflecting off the pool of water. It’s so stunning that I don’t want to move, just observe.