Read Online The Pirate Fairy by A.J. Llewellyn - Free Book Online Page B

the rumbles of hunger still scratching at him from within.
    Just a little bit of rest and he’d set out at dawn and confront Gremma. He’d restore her natural beauty and force her to no longer hex people. He knew how he would do it, too. He’d threaten her with an unbreakable hex she could never lift. That nobody could lift.
    He’d turn her into a Scylla, a six-headed, twelve-footed sea monster, destined to spend her days alone in the ocean hunting for food and being hunted by those who desired to kill such beasts. Merritt grinned at his own creativity. It was an especially cunning idea, considering Gremma was deathly afraid of the sea.
    Merritt tried to settle into sleep, dozing on and off. Denny’s face was there, smiling and laughing. “My love.” Merritt reached out to him from his dreams.
     
    * * * *
     
    Denny awakened from his sleep late in the afternoon when Barthelmass returned with a jug of mulled cider. His dream of Christoph seemed so real he looked across the room expecting to see his former shipmates’ cells from the bars of his own, but they weren’t there. A strange emotion tugged at him. Merritt had hovered over the edge of the dream and it devastated him. Why do I feel as though I cheated on him when I didn’t even know him then?
    Without him, Denny felt as though life was imprisonment. Denny’s father, who’d had little education, was fond of quoting some old French philosopher who’d apparently said, ‘Man is free but is everywhere in chains.’ True enough. The heat from the fireplace in Christoph’s office no longer warmed him. Back to reality, he remembered returning to his cold cell. This was a different cell in another time and place. He wasn’t free. He was everywhere in chains.
    Barthelmass’ voice invaded his thoughts. “It’s non-alcoholic, so drink up.” He’d also brought a hearty bowl of fish stew and a thick hunk of fresh, hot, crusty bed.
    Denny sat at the little table and ate with gusto. He wondered if Ebba had made this. She’d certainly prepared him many a good meal during her time with him until she had left the ship. He was certain she’d been asked to be set free in Tenerife. He was convinced things had been good between them. How had he not known of her curse?
    He nibbled at his bread. Maybe she asked me before we were both cursed and I forgot about it. She got off my ship, though. In one piece. He suddenly remembered her reference to having two husbands. He couldn’t help asking Barthelmass, who chuckled. “Yes, she was married twice. Dead unlucky she was. Both drowned at sea. Left her quite rich.”
    Denny listened, wondering if she’d offed her husbands for their wealth. As though Barthelmass could read his thoughts he said, “Doesn’t matter how rich a woman is, if she is cursed, no amount of money can shift it.”
    “And the prince won’t allow you to marry?”
    “Some people are destined for sadness.” Barthelmass sighed, looking so unhappy Denny felt miserable for the poor fellow.
    Denny stared at him. What a strange thing for Barthelmass to say. It was not the first time Denny had heard these words. A twinge of angst hit him between the eyes and made his wings twitch.
    “Excellent!” Barthelmass seemed pleased, forgetting his own concerns as he touched Denny’s feathers.
    Denny was lost in thought, still shaky from his dream. He’d never seen Christoph again after Piggins had procured the crew’s release. Christoph had stayed in his office when Denny and the others had left their cells. Whatever had occurred between him and Denny remained their secret. The other crewmembers had treated Denny kindly after that, believing Denny had given of himself to save all their asses. It was partly true, but he’d enjoyed his time with Christoph. His incarceration had allowed him to explore his own sexuality and he found he wanted, and deeply desired, men.
    Denny never said so, but other men who were so inclined drifted toward him once he took over the