Raised in an orphanage after being found abandoned on the London docks as a newborn baby, without a known last name nor date of birth, Theodore has but one friend, Seth, a fellow orphan. Destiny takes Theodore away from Seth and back to the sea when he comes of age and is found an apprenticeship on a vessel in the English merchant navy. Thor, as he becomes known aboard ship, soon falls for Miguel, the handsome boatswain. However, his life is turned upside down when their ship is raided. Miguel is torn from his life and Thor is taken hostage and forced into the life of a pirate aboardThe Dragon. Both attracted to and repulsed by the evil Captain Wyvern, Thor finds the large dragon tattoo -- the symbol of the rank of the ship's captain -- taking hold of him and binding him to the man. Fate intervenes once more and Thor is elected captain ofThe Dragonwhen Wyvern is killed during a raid. Dismayed by Wyvern's ruthlessness, Thor is determined to show humanity to those vessels his crew plunders now that he is in charge. But despite his growing wealth, power, and reputation, Thor is restless and unfulfilled. He feels his life is not yet complete and somehow reaches beyond the decks of the pirate ship he now captains. A raid on a Dutch merchant ship brings yet another twist to Thor's life when someone from his past is found on board. Thor now has to face hard choices, the most difficult of which involves deciding if he can leave the sea and make a new life on land with his rediscovered love. But with a price on his head and a large tattoo of a dragon on his body, can Thor escape his past life of a pirate?

The Dragon

After a few moments, Thor released Seth from his embrace but kept an arm around the man’s waist. Thor turned to Ander, Captain Achterberg, and his men—all of whom stood with befuddled looks on their faces.


“We will now take our leave, Captain. We are sorry to have troubled you, but our meeting has brought us considerable joy,” Thor said, smiling broadly.


Achterberg, still looking puzzled, slowly shook his head, then nodded.


“Ander,” Thor continued. “We will return the cargo we took at the time Seth was taken to my ship. Consider it your wedding gift from the crew of The Dragon.”


“I do not understand. This man said you were a hostage? But now you are returning to his ship with him?” Ander asked Seth, confused.


Seth stepped forward and hugged Ander. “It is a long story, my friend, one that now may have a happy ending. Give Charity and Dhr Brabrent my regards.”


“But, Seth, where will you go?” Ander asked.


Chapter 37