Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)(7)
“Time is drawing near, you must speak to her, and then leave the mountains, my changed one,” the sea god’s voice whispers in my mind, powerful enough to nearly make me fall to me knees. I lean against the wall, holding my hand to my head as he speaks one more time.
“Time is not on your side; the deal must be accomplished . . . or you will pay the price.” His voice finally disappears from my head, leaving me with a headache and a deep worry about the threat at the end of that. What price?
4
Chapter Four
Cassandra
Tucking my blue shirt into my high trousers, I look down and examine the rest of my outfit. I have on knee-high leather boots and leather cuffs that match on my wrists. I brush my long hair and pull it up into a high ponytail in the mirror, before stepping back. I look so different, it’s like everything has changed, other than my mark. I’m older, hopefully smarter, and more loved than I’ve ever been. I know I need to finish this war and end the king’s life. He took my father, Miss Drone, and Livvy from me. Even if Livvy betrayed me in the end, she was still only a young, foolish girl stuck in a horrible situation. I steel my back, look at the hazel eyes of my reflection, and nod to myself before turning and walking out of my bedroom. As I walk down the corridor towards the kitchen, only the sound of my boots clicking against the stone and the distant noise of voices can be heard.
“Little bird, you look every bit the fiancé of six pirates,” Hunter’s gravelly voice says, and I turn to see him just behind me, leaning against the door frame of one of the other rooms. His black shirt is unbuttoned, highlighting his chiselled chest and putting his delectable abs on display. I trail my eyes over him, all the way down to his black trousers and heavy looking leather boots. When I look back up, his dark hair is slightly wavy with his purple feather tied into the ends of one of the many braids woven into his hair. I can see my mark on his forehead, it suits him. I finally glance down, to see the amused smirk on his lips, his deep blue eyes burning with a darkness I want to fall into. I’ve read somewhere that most people are scared of the darkness, and that they prefer the light. Yet, I like the darkness because it’s quiet, safe, and so very seductive.
“When will I be the wife of six pirates?” I ask him, loving the sound of his seductive chuckle as he walks over to me.
“Impatient?” he asks, the word pronounced slowly, giving me time to stare into his eyes as he pulls me to him.
“Always, pirate,” I say, and he grins before kissing me deeply.
“We have ten minutes until we have to leave, and Cass hasn’t eaten yet,” Jacob says, and I pull away from the kiss, ignoring the annoyed look that crosses across Hunter's face.
“Coming,” I say, turning and walking over to Jacob who waits by the door. He holds it open, letting me into the kitchen where Ryland is sitting down at the table with Zack, but he doesn’t follow me in. Ryland looks more like his brother now, maybe because he doesn’t have on his pirate hat or the cloth he used to wear around his neck. Ryland’s hair is braided in places, and the top half is pulled away from his face. His blue eyes meet mine, and I realise he has his father’s eyes, more so than his mother’s. They are lighter almost, but I’m not scared of them when Ryland stares at me. He looks at me like he would jump in front of an army for me.
“Where are Chaz and Dante? And where has Jacob gone?” I ask, as I sit down next to Ryland and clear my thoughts as I look between him, Zack, and Hunter. I smile when I look down at the toasted banana sandwich waiting for me and the glass of water.
“We all have duties here for our jobs and to earn our food. Everyone is given a job in the mountain to make sure it runs well,” Ryland explains to me.
“What kind of jobs?” I ask, and take a bite of the sandwich, chewing it slowly as Ryland explains.
“Washing, cooking, helping the changed ones with the plants, getting water, feeding the dragons, cleaning the ships, and the one we all regularly do, training the army,” he lists them for me.
“It makes sense, and it’s amazing to hear that everyone works together here, with the changed ones and not against them,” I comment before finishing off my sandwich. Picking up the water off the table, I down the rest of it.
“It is amazing here. Everyone has a common goal and fear,” Zack says as he picks up some of the plates and takes them to the sink.
“Or some may say a common hate,” Hunter interjects with a note of sarcasm.
“Everyone here hates the king and wants him dead?" I guess.
“Correct,” Ryland replies with no emotion evident in his tone. You wouldn’t know we were talking about the death of his father, not with how he says it. Ryland must see something in my reaction because he tilts his head to the side.
“He is not, and never really was, any kind of father to me. Any bond that we may have had because of blood was lost the moment he laid a hand on you,” he tells me firmly.
“And no one gets away with hurting you, Cassandra,” Hunter tells me, and I stand up, pushing my chair in.
“Then it’s time I hear whatever plan you've got. We need to get on with what we have to do here before we take this army to the king, and I kill him,” I say.
“You won’t be killing him. He isn’t going anywhere near you ever again,” Hunter demands gruffly.