Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (79 page)

Xandros swung around and looked toward Ada. “You saved her from a far worse fate. What wrong can be found in that?”

“I risked her life bringing her aboard this ship.”

“No doubt death would be preferable to what that man had in store for her. I shudder to think of any woman being used in such a way, especially one as small as her.”

Nicolaus gave in to the smile lifting the corner of his mouth. “Ay, even stubborn ones with tendencies to disobey.” Recalling the quietness of his sister as she was taken away, he quickly sobered. Had his docile sister met with such a fate? He hoped not. Hoped she'd found a home with kindly masters who wouldn't crush her sweetness. “A maiden such as her should not be at sea.”

“Ah,” Xandros said as he twisted back around. “This has little to do with Ada and more to do with Desma.”

Feeling the heat rise in his cheeks, Nicolaus scrubbed his hand over his face. “I should have listened to my instinct. I should not have agreed to travel to Rhodes so she could marry Knosis. The man is four times her age. I should have listened to Jasen and hidden her away. If I had, she wouldn't have been taken by David's men.”

“You have captained many vessels and commanded hundreds of men, but there are some things you have no control over, my friend. Destiny, such as that dealt to Desma, is one. The nature of the sea is another. She flows to and from at her own will, not ours. She embraces us with calm waters, and tosses us about in her rages. She has no master to obey. If she chooses to take Ada from you, she will and there is nothing you can do about it.”

Nicolaus followed Xandros's gaze. The waters had calmed. The once murky color now brightened to the unearthly hues he loved so much. There was a delicacy to the beauty, much as there was to Ada. And just as he could not command the sea to obedience when she was in a fit, neither could he command Ada. Even if it was for her own good.

“If the tales to be heard are true, your sister was to be Knosis's tenth wife. All the others, for reasons unknown, died.”

Gentle waves splashed over the brass battering ram, bathing them in salty water. Nicolaus loved this about the sea, the peaceful tranquility of each roll and the drops of kisses upon his face. The sea was the only one to embrace his moods. His mother tried to coddle his moods, his father tried to command them, and Ada...she challenged them, firing his blood to anger and eliciting his softer side all at the same time.

He clenched his teeth. How was that even possible? He prided himself on having a sound mind. As the Sea Dragon he'd fought battles and conquered men. He turned a blind eye at the agonizing sounds of death because it threatened to weaken him. He ran from weakness, he despised it in his men as well as within himself. The emotion did not belong in the heart of a warrior, in the heart of a captain of the sea, especially in the heart of the infamous Sea Dragon.

Nicolaus cupped his hand at the base of his neck. The Sea Dragon had died. That part of him had died, but had it died enough to accept the weakness Ada made him feel?

Xandros nudged him with his shoulder. “Your father was not pleased about sending Desma to Knosis, but he'd had no other choice. Her destiny was changed when she was stolen.”

As was Nicolaus's.

“For the better? We may never know. What we do know is that Knosis is still searching for his tenth wife. Perhaps, Ada's destiny was to become a slave, a prostitute in Ashkelon.”

Nicolaus snapped his gaze to Xandros. How could his friend think as such?

“Then again, perhaps her destiny was to be rescued by a Greek merchant who means her no harm. One who is honorable and kindhearted.”

Nicolaus may mean her no harm, but that seemed to be all he'd brought to her. She'd nearly been lost to the sea while under his command, not once but thrice. Then there was that small matter that he seemed to be losing himself each time his gaze touched hers. Surely he'd hoped to find a bit of his old self on this challenge of his father's, but it seemed as if he was discovering that the old him was truly dead and gone. Strange how she made him feel more alive than he'd felt in months, years even. And yet a part of him, the part that wanted to please his father by becoming a wealthy merchant, that part of him that needed to become more like the thieves of the Great Sea, to revive Sea Dragon in order to find his sister, seemed to be long gone, and all because of Ada. Was he willing to give up that part of himself completely in order to truly live? He just didn't know if he could since it would mean giving up on finding his sister.

Chapter Nine

“Y
ou are husband and wife?”

Ada opened her eyes and jerked fully awake at the words spoken with ease in Nicolaus's language. She curled her legs beneath her and toyed with the soft sheep's skin cushioning her seat. “No, we are nothing of the sort. What makes you ask?”

Several toothless grins appeared at her response. “You've the look of a woman in love.”

The constant thick knot in her throat dislodged and plummeted to her gut. Was she to suffer as her mother had, loving a man who could not, would not love her? It had taken all of her concentration to keep from giving in to the sickness plaguing her stomach, and now it came to life with a fierceness she could not tamp down. She had been fine when holding the babe, cooing whenever he began to cry, but her shoulders ached from the weight of the linen knotted at the base of her neck, and her eyes had grown tired. Each note sung out by the helmsman followed by the lurch of oars had lured her into laying the babe down on a blanket beside her and closing her eyes for a moment.

She would not be taken in by Nicolaus's kindness. She could not allow her curiosity about him to be misconstrued by these women. She did not love him. No matter how much she wanted to dance and sing with joy in his presence. She couldn't, wouldn't love him.

A whimper quivered from the baby's lips, cutting through her heart. He must be growing hungry, and she had not the means of feeding him, nor fresh linens to change his swaddling. She ignored the questioning looks, ignored the woman's words burning in Ada's chest. “What happened to the babe's mother?”

Ada tilted her chin and looked to each of the women when she was met with silence. The two who were injured from the splintered mast trapping their legs were beyond childbearing years. The others seemed just as old, or so the creased lines wrinkling their cheeks told her they were. Certainly one of these could not be the child's mother. “The mother?”

She might as well have spoken in her own language for all the response she received. A disappointed breath of air rushed out of her lungs. Edith peered around the side of Galen. Pale trails from her tears cut through the grimy cheeks. Knots of matted hair the color of the desert clumped at odd angles around the child's head. Galen tried to push her back, but she shoved the hand holding her away and stood. Dark lashes opened wide, revealing blue eyes. The same as the babe's.

Ada motioned for the child to move closer, but she shied back behind her little protector. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Leave the girl,” one of the women croaked through parched lips. “Their mother is dead. Or she will be soon. The cursed seafarers. What care can we give the babe? They have taken all our young women among us. We have no one to care for or feed him. At least these young ones are old enough to care for us.”

As if he understood the words spoken, the child began to cry. Ada crooked her finger and stuck it in the babe's mouth. “Shh, hush now, little one.” She glanced at the woman brave enough to break her silence. “I am sorry for your trials. God has blessed you with the captain's help. He will see you well.”

“Bah, the gods have abandoned us to our deaths. Most assuredly because we did not toss that wee one into the sea.”

Heat filled Ada's cheeks. Her sisters worshiped many gods as did her father. She'd learned to keep her beliefs to herself, there was only one God. One who did not abandon his people in their time of need. “Ay, the babe lives, and Nicolaus found you. We have survived the storm and still breathe life into our bodies.” Ada offered a smile. “We are blessed. Blessed by the one true God. Now, if you will hold the babe for a time I will find you water to drink and bread cakes to eat.”

She'd also inquire about the infant's needs. With great reluctance, she deposited the babe into the older woman's arms. The child was one of them. He needed them, and no matter how much Ada wanted to keep him, she knew she couldn't. Ada straightened her tunic and then ducked beneath the canopy. She gasped at the beauty before her. What looked to be shimmering stars danced upon the surface of the crystalline water, but it was nothing more than the sun kissing the top of the waves.

She'd never seen anything like it. Certainly, she'd seen the reflection of the sun upon the waters near her home, but the brilliant shades of blues were incomparable even to that of the morning sky.

A command came from the post, and she immediately sought out Nicolaus. Once again he stood with his feet braced shoulder width apart and his arms crossed over his chest. The breeze ruffled through his dark curls, and Ada knew a hint of jealousy for she wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through his hair, to see if the curls were as soft as they looked.

Long paddles cut through the water as the helmsman sang out orders in an odd cadence. The fishing boat, although smaller and with fewer rowers, glided beside them. Ada walked carefully to the ladder leading to Nicolaus's post. With one hand on the rung, she hesitated climbing. Not out of fear but rather she did not wish to anger Nicolaus. Nor did she wish to be in such a confined space with him, especially not after the observation of the other women. How was she to look at him without it seeming as if she were a woman in love? Before she could turn back she climbed the ladder. As soon as she stood on the platform, the brunt of the sea breeze brushed against her. “It is captivating.”

Nicolaus snapped his gaze toward her. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and then he smiled. “I am surprised you stayed beneath the helmsman's perch as long as you did. My thanks for heeding my command even if it was for a short time.”

“Nicolaus, I do not mean to tax your patience.” She twisted her hands together.

He brushed his hand over her brow and down the side of her cheek causing shivers to run along her arms. “Are you unwell again?”

“No.” She looked to her feet. “The babe...they say his mother was taken by the thieves. He's—uh—hungry, and I know not what to do.”

“And you think I would have knowledge of such things?”

She didn't know how to respond. Why had she assumed he would? “You have been capable and acted wisely in every trial we've met with thus far. I only assumed—”

“Come,” he said grabbing hold of her hand. He pulled her close to the rail and pointed toward a spot on the horizon. His warmth encompassed her and she felt herself leaning closer. “Do you see those rocks and the city beyond?”

Squinting her eyes, she tried to see what he said was there but could not. She shook her head.

“It is Joppa. Not much longer and we'll be at port. I will send one of my men in search for a wet nurse. Perhaps, she'll be willing to travel with us and care for the child.”

Ada's shoulders sunk in relief. Although she didn't relish giving up tending the babe, she also knew she was incapable.

“If she is not willing, then we'll continue to find wet nurses at each port until we reach Andros. Of course, we must seek the wishes of his people.”

“They all but left him for dead, abandoning him in the hold to fend for himself,” she snapped.

Nicolaus turned her to face him. With the crook of his finger he lifted her chin so she'd look him in the eye. “I am not your enemy, Ada. Nor do I wish harm to befall the child. These people have been through much, and it is only right to determine if they wish to keep the babe among them.”

“My apologies, Nicolaus.”

He rubbed his thumb over her chin and pulled her closer as he lured her in with the intensity of his dark eyes. Air caught in her throat, and her pulse sped. Anticipation, fear and joy swirled in her thoughts holding her captive.

“There is none needed, Ada. You've been through a trial yourself.” He leaned down. The warmth of his mouth brushed against her brow, danced across her wind-cooled cheek and then hovered over her lips. An unexplained fire pressed against the wall of her chest and settled in the pit of her stomach. She shouldn't delight in the simple gesture, couldn't, but oh how she wanted him to touch his lips to hers, to know what it was that bound a man and woman together besides a marriage contract. What it was that had bound her mother's heart to her father.

A husband, children, a home to care for, those things were not the lot cast for her life. Even if her sisters hadn't sold her, even if she had remained in her father's house, marriage wouldn't have been possible, for no man wanted a Hebrew woman for a wife, even if her father was a Philistine. She'd heard that many times. None of that mattered, though, for she was a slave, a slave to this man who sparked a longing within her that she had no right to feel. Yet, here she was gazing into his eyes like a woman in love.

Pain, worse than any of her family's rejections, tore through her heart. The old woman was correct in her observation. Squeezing her eyes against the tears burning and threatening to spill, she shoved her palms against Nicolaus's chest and all but jumped from the platform. If God had any mercy on her at all he'd grant her a new master, one who didn't make her dream of things she shouldn't be dreaming of.

* * *

“Ada!” Nicolaus grabbed at her tunic to keep her from falling. Much to his surprise, especially given her earlier unsteadiness, the brash woman landed on her feet like a lioness pouncing on its prey. She didn't even hesitate before she was up and running away from him.

He jumped to the deck to give chase, but her golden tresses danced across her rigid back; the veil was more effective than any armor she could have donned. Blowing out a ragged breath, he lifted his hand and despised the way it shook. Frustrated by such weakness, he clenched his fist and dropped the offending limb to his side. A fool he'd been to try and kiss her. A fortunate fool at that. However, he wasn't certain if his fortune was because he'd almost tasted lips surely sweet as honey or because he hadn't. When her amber eyes had swirled with longing and she swayed closer, it was if he were a majestic eagle soaring over the seas ready to swoop in and catch his prey. If the confusion warring in his mind was any indication he was the one captured, tangled in a huntress's net with no escape.

No doubt he would have lost more than himself in that kiss, and he should be grateful the woman had kept her senses about her and halted him before he sealed their lips together. But curse his foolish hide if he didn't want that kiss more now than he had only moments before. He almost wanted it more than he wanted to win his father's game, more than he wanted his own ship. Almost. If it wasn't for his sister...there would be nothing stopping him from drawing Ada into his arms and kissing her. He wouldn't admit it, though, not even to himself, which was why he must find a willing family, one who wasn't overly cruel, to take her in, and the babe if the old women refused to care for him. It was the surest way to free himself from his growing obsession with the maddening woman.

“Nicolaus.” Brison's call shook Nicolaus from his thoughts. Releasing his gaze from Ada, he focused on his brother. “We are nearly to port, and Euclid has been trying to gain your attention.”

“My apologies, my thoughts were elsewhere.”

“I can see that. If you no longer wish to be captain...” Brison winked as he punched Nicolaus in the arm. Although his brother joked, Nicolaus questioned whether or not his loyalty was to captaining this ship. If he continued to allow distractions to interfere with his duties he'd be good to no one.

“Your time will come soon enough, little brother. Trust me when I say, when it does there will be moments when you wish for insignificant tasks such as running errands around the boat.” Nicolaus scrubbed his hand over his eyes, tired and burning from the constant salty sea spray. “What is it Euclid wishes?”

“With night about to fall, do you wish to continue on to port or anchor here? We've dropped the lead lines. The sea is a little more than ten fathoms deep.”

“Have you checked the hole to see if it seeps?”

“Ay, the seal remains intact.”

Nicolaus's gaze immediately sought out Ada. He drank her in like a man too long without sustenance. It was too dangerous for them to spend the night in the port, especially with women on board, especially with a beauty such as Ada. However, it would be torment sitting under the same stars with nothing more than the length of the ship between them. He'd want to share the magnificent spectacle with her, to show her the stars which would guide them home when they sailed at night. Ay, certainly, she'd seen the twinkling gems light up the night in her desert home, but they were much more brilliant surrounded by the water. And if the waters were gentle and they were close enough, they could almost touch them. Of course, they'd only touch the reflection of the brightest lights, but it was the closest he'd come to placing the stars in the palm of her hand.

“Drop the baskets. We'll anchor here until morning. The men will have to find their rest wherever they can. We'll need enough blankets for the women and children to shelter for the night.”

“We have water and cakes of bread left.”

“Ay, I'm sure they're all hungry. I purchased some fruits when we were in Ashkelon. I'm sure the women will enjoy those.”

A soft cry whispered on the wind. Ada paced just outside the shelter of the helmsman's perch, patting the infant on the back. The babe wouldn't be appeased with Ada's care much longer. He glanced up at the evening sky. “How did I become the keeper of the abandoned?”

Brison laughed. “I know not the answer to your question, Nicolaus, but it has made life interesting.”

Nicolaus joined in his brother's good humor and received what he was sure was a glare from Ada for his outburst. “That it has. Before you go about your errands, would you motion for Xandros to draw the fishing vessel closer? I must have word with him.”

* * *

All the muscles in Nicolaus's body relaxed when he spied a young woman returning with Xandros from Joppa. He knew Ada was tiring from her constant pacing in order to keep the infant calm. No doubt, her caring for the child had taxed her strength. Nicolaus was exhausted following her every move. The sitting, the standing, the pacing and bouncing. What was worse was the inability to relieve her of her burden. He didn't dare approach her. If he did, he didn't know if he could stop himself from drawing her into his arms and insisting she rest. Then he'd most certainly quench his fire by stealing that kiss, especially with her song mesmerizing his crew as she sang in a strange foreign tongue. It was as if they'd never heard a woman sing before. However, he could not blame them. He was captivated. Captivated by every note, every gesture of her hand as it smoothed over the infant's back, by her lips shaped like his bow as they nuzzled the babe's brow.