I was hiding as cargo on the ship Mandrake. When it was pirated, I did some quick-thinking and pretended to be a cabin boy.

But he scented me at the get.

And the moment he had me alone he stripped me down to prove what he already knew. I was all woman.

He was the Captain of the Whirlwind and he intended to possess all spoils from the Mandrake. Including me.

But I'm not so easily bullied into becoming a lover.

Not even by a fierce pirate captain.

A Pirate's Plaything (New Link)

I looked around the shore trying to spot more of the men but not seeing any I headed for the first place I could see firelight coming from. As I got closer, I saw it was a tavern. A dark sign depicting a dog with a limp ear was entitled The Hound’s Ear. It was splintered gray wood and the paint was dulled to a light green. It swung creakily in the slight breeze coming in from the sea. I knew people would stare and that I would look a ragged mess, but I was in too poor of shape to care. I stumbled in and found my way to the warmth of the fireplace which very nearly covered an entire wall. I held my trembling hands out to it. Feeling somewhat dead inside and unsure if I was grieving the loss of Lucien or who I’d been before I met him. 


Everyone was staring at me. I could feel their eyes. 


Touching Freedom