Leaving the castle

- Can you tell me what troubles you? What bug bit you, man?

Rick looked at his brother speechless. He had provided as every clan expects a wife and the woman was a sorceress. The pack would not tolerate that. Several times he thought about that as he checked the ship's crew list. They had found among the wreckage of the schooner a coat of arms which he had learned to know more than he would have liked. Macgrover's James was not a man to be underestimated. That ambush didn't seem so innocent anymore. If that man had discovered that Kassuim was his wife, he would easily explain why Cornor would have disobeyed orders. The girl had been left there. He didn't use to believe in coincidences.

- Damn it, Morgan! - Michael was impatient. -What are you hoping to find? Traitors aboard the Coral?

The captain sighed helplessly. Michael had observed the coat of arms without giving it much thought. He couldn't even imagine.

-Have you checked the basements yet? And the ladders? Someone can easily hide. - His answer was evasive.

Adam already did that. Maybe for the third time. Michael grabbed his brother's arm forcing him to face him.

-What are you not telling me? Since this boy arrived, his bad temper is intolerable. The crew is commenting. If I know what to look for...

Morgan thundered a whole string of curses and didn't have the nerve to ask for comments. After that ICHICHO, he had been ordering thorough searches. ICHICHOS were attracted to magic. And if Kassuim was unconscious, someone else had intentionally piqued the interest of those things. Or the conjurers. Perhaps a cursed object? He cursed again.

-Somebody- Oh, God, they weren't somebody. - Well, they tried to kill the boy. – He began to probe the territory.

He still didn't want to give further explanations. Or explain who Kassuim was, let alone reveal that the girl was a sorceress. So little to alarm the crew. Someone angry enough could have conjured that thing.

-They tried to kill!? Are you sure? - Michael's skepticism shot him.

Ah, he was going to have to give more explanations. Explain about those creatures. The guard on standby kept watching at the door of his cabin armed and blocking the passage through the corridor. Still, Morgan shook his head in dismay.

- Mike...

The boy raised his defeated arms in the air.

-Pieces of four?

The captain shook his head.

-You used to trust me. – Michael continued. "I can help better if I know what was going on.

It was a curse. His brother was right.

-I'll tell. You have my word. Someone aboard the ship knows and practices magic. Perhaps we can expect unwelcome visitors.

Michael looked at him seriously scratching his chin. Magic? He hated sorcerers. False, traitors, and murderers.

- Me or Adam would have smelled the damn smell. Even so, I will personally do another search of the ship. - He sighed regretfully. Rest would have to wait. - I don't think it's good for the boy to be alone in the meantime.

Morgan nodded. He was just going to take another shower. Lately, he had been enjoying the cold baths a lot. And then look for something to eat. Maybe the girl could eat too.

She just hoped that tonight he would get some rest.

She was awake.

The realization of that was surprising, unexpected and pleasant. She didn't expect it.

After a long shower, she returned to the cabin; the towel was still around her neck. She shook her head, her hair wet and shirtless with drops of water splattering her heated skin. She was holding a cup of soup in her hand in the hope that the woman would eat.

Surprised he entered the cabin and closed the door.

He was suddenly nervous, anxious, and awkward. He could only be grateful that they were alone. If Michael or Adam had any idea how he felt at that moment, they would never respect him again. He saw himself transformed into an inexperienced boy as if he were facing his first girlfriend. That was absurd!

Richard took a deep breath, skirting the tub of water, and turned to the woman.

- Cassie!

She didn't turn to face him and the reaction and the silence caught her attention.

Kassuim felt his fingers numb from the strength he was exerting to hold the knife handle to his chest. He was going to get out of there and she could only imagine where he might be. Where were her clothes? It terrified her. She wore only a long shirt that came almost to her knees. Who had taken her clothes off? God, beloved! What had happened? She didn't remember anything.

She was on a ship, she could feel the boat's heel. Thalagar was not going to have another opportunity to torment her. This time she was determined to kill him.

- It's better to stay away from me. - She threatened to ignore the sensation of fever that burned the body. The pain was terrible. - I know very well how to use a knife and this time I won't just leave a scar on your face.

Her head hurt too. Last time, the fight between cousins ​​had exceeded verbal abuse and insults. Cassie had just barely blinded him completely by defending herself. That morning she had been caught unprepared. Since she was brought from the cave, she had never experienced tranquillity. The man-made hell.

Dark memories tormented her. She knew well what Thalagar would do. The control he'd been trying to maintain over her these past few months irritated her. The damn thing was blackmailing her. In addition, he was also starting to demand that she use magic to her advantage. She felt nervous just thinking about it.

"I don't want to force you. Not again," he was trying to be persuasive. "I can take you whenever I want if that's my intention. I'm a patient man. I can offer you the world if you give yourself to me willingly."

She had never hated anyone like that. She hoped there was a hell for people like him to rot for eternity. She could kill him and with undisguised pleasure face the trial of the Armada court. The humiliation he'd forced her to endure...

-I'm warning you. - Kassuim trembled with the effort of standing. Had that wretch beaten her up? Her anger was enormous. - This time I'm going to leave more than scars. This time I kill you.

Rick was there frozen.

Who would you kill? He frowned in astonishment, looking around. There were just the two of them there. He walked slowly towards the table and set the mug there. She watched the feverish, vacant look on the flushed face. Rays! The girl was probably burning with a high fever. He frowned, concerned at the wobbly way she held herself. She was going to end up seriously hurting herself. He hadn't even bothered to put away his weapons.

-Why don't you give me that knife before you get hurt? Her voice was calm and soft. – I can assure you that you are safe here. Do you know where you are?

She stared at him for a moment and Richard noticed the look of hate that gleamed in her startling green eyes. Maybe the window. They couldn't be that far from land. What had happened for her to be there? Why didn't she remember?

-I'm warning you. This time I'll tell William everything.

"Count everything?"

- Cassie...

- I won't do any spells for you. I'll explain it to you for the last time, and I swear I'll cast a curse. I won't mind using magic.

Use magic? It was really good. Richard forced a smile, assessing irritably at the irresponsibility of leaving weapons scattered around the cabin. She was delirious and suddenly he was a threat. What was she seeing? Who, dear God? Damn Phil. He'd been looking for Cassie… It hadn't been enough for his former lover to suddenly show up with a child out of the blue to tear them apart from earlier. Rick could only thank the Providence of the unexpected child and the twins playing together under Cassie's watchful eye. Until the castle was invaded and they took his wife. Three babies to take care of... Cassie is still pregnant and with little Saor in her arms.

The memory went far... The memories...

-Why do you call him Saor?- Rick asked with relief. For a moment… There was no choice between Cassie and a child. Mayra after all the blackmail had left and left the baby in her care. She touched the voluminous womb feeling the child move in the mother's womb as she caressed the little one in Cassie's lap.

-It was the first word I learned. It means freedom.

"A chroi, look at me." She said firmly back to the present. You know I won't hurt you. Come on, Green Eyes. Give me the knife. You can barely stand.

-He ordered Cornor to kill zagorra! – she yelled, upset. -It's over, do you hear me? I'll tell you everything. Let's see how the great captain will face the wolves when they find out. They are not that tolerant.

Richard stopped dead; feet planted on the ground. How was? Why face the wolves? What the hell was going on?

- Cassie, listen to me...

-It was a shame your ambush went wrong, wasn't it? You should have known I was going to get involved. I warned you. I warned you several times.

Who was she up against? Richard narrowed his eyes angrily.

-Now, listen to me...

- You won't involve Rick in this. Or send your damn lackeys to kill him. Not again.

He looked at her dumbfounded. That ambush! She knew about the ambush they had set to kill him and decided to get involved. It was typical of her. Why hadn't she warned him or the Armada? Why did he suddenly realize that this felt like blackmail? Either she did the damn spell or...

-Girl, I give my word that Cornor will pay for her crimes. I'll make sure Phil is in jail. Now, please. Give me the knife. Do you know who I am? - he began to doubt that seriously.

-Don't come any closer!

-A chroi, it's me, let's go. Richard Morgan.Rick, honey. Give me the knife.

She stumbled back as he closed the distance. She looked anxiously at the pistol on the bed. Thalagar had also, unfortunately, noticed the way she looked at the Black Coral captain and threatened him.

Morgan also noticed the pistol left on the sheets cursing the carelessness. From then on he would never leave his weapons exposed or lying around the cabin. He needed to disarm her.

He charged forward to block her way to the bed and the blade slashed down his arm, making him curse. He intended to immobilize her, but it wasn't easy.

Cassie struggled to breathe and ignore the pain coursing through her body. In panic. Thalagar wasn't going to be content with just tormenting her this time. He was going to get revenge by looking for the leader of the wolves. The impression was that he was suffocating. The hands that held her were by no means gentle. She noticed with horror his breath that reeked of cheap rum and the smell of his sweat in disgust. She was also revolted to hear the sound of her clothes being torn as her nails scratched her face. She wanted to die.

-No! Let me go! Richard, walking around the table, had surprised the young woman by noticing his slow movements.

- For the love of God! calm down. – He grumbled as he resorted to force to contain his efforts.

She gasped, moaning at the maddening sting that shot through her body. That bastard wasn't going to force her to accept his attention again. The thought went with despair to the wounded man inside the cave. If he found Morgan he would surely kill him. They were alone in that forest.

-Let me go! Get your hands off me! - She struggled in panic. - Don't you dare touch the children...

Next to the bed, two more bottles of excellent contraband wine exploded. Rick's mouth tightened into a tight, tight line, all too aware of her genuine desperation to get away from him and her protests. The wound would end up bleeding again. Loud sobs reached his ears as the knife slid to the floor.

- Shrew! - Rick gasped as he defended himself from a kick in the shin. She was even going to end up hurting herself or scratching his face. "You'd better be quiet, I'm warning you. You will get hurt like that. We're leaving the castle this time. Me, you, and our children.

Nothing in the world could have prepared him for this.

- He's not there. The cave is empty. No... It won't kill him. Leave Rick... He's already hurt. Leave him alone.