Sometime before...
The Gaia was moored in the main harbor of Chabone.
Richard stared thoughtfully at the sea as he remembered. How long had he been?
"That had to be a gift." That's what Michael said when he told how it had all happened. Or maybe an inborn skill. She was indeed a natural magnet for trouble.
Christina's gaze was wide with confusion. And the hall was full. Much of the crew of the Dawn Star and Gaia were there. For a sneaky date, Michael's choice couldn't have been worse. It was... it was unbelievable.
Michael swore as he strained at the restraining arms, looking around in amazement and all too aware that Christina was scared. But no one there was going to interfere. Not at all. Who would risk becoming the center of Cornor's attention?
-Is she... is she a woman? Kassuim!? - Conor roared apoplectically.
-You are despicable. It will suffocate her.- Christina complained loud and clear. She remained heated and guilty as she put her hands on her hips. - Are they all so cowardly that no one here dares to face him?
-Chris! - Michael tried to warn her livid.
Connor turned, his face demonic as her free hand came down in a wide arc to slap the woman and knock her to the ground.
Michael's gaze flicked to Corner.
"Bloody hell!" Michael hissed angrily. - You know that it is against the rules of conduct of the Armada to attack a member... If you touch my wife again...
-Your lover? - Cornor provoked fury by affronting Christina. - It's Kassuim that damned unfortunate kid from Gaia. She is... is a woman! – the man roared out of his mind.
Cassie would normally have returned the insult. If only she could reach the ground. Her feet were dangling in the air. That brute held her by her neck with tremendous force. Her fingers tried in vain to loosen the iron tongs. She couldn't breathe properly with the sensation that her lungs were burning. There was no air.
The look of that man could have killed her if it could. Usually, he was violent. Like Thalagar. Only the cousin was more interested in controlling the genie. Neither Faith nor Christina expected Cornor's unexpected, explosive reaction to hearing Christina call her name. She had serious problems. Her vision was starting to blur and out of breath, she would end up passing out or dying. The man seemed determined to kill her.
"A woman!" Corner yelled. – I have never been challenged or defeated in combat. And you are a woman.
Michael was starting to worry. Conor was not a man used to losing, and the Revenge's helm was a prize for any privateer after the ship's captain had been killed.
-A woman who still needs henchmen to take care of herself!- Michael began to deliberately tease. Perhaps if he could rouse his fury, the rogue would leave Faith and peace.
Connor straightened.
-Are you insinuating that I can't beat a woman with the sword? He got even angrier.
The very idea irritated him. And it wasn't just that. He was beginning to notice that the privateers around him were agreeing.
-Now, if you were going to prove your skills with the sword to take command of the Revenge, it's not by cheating that you'll earn the respect of the crew. - Michael retaliated.
Conor howled. That girl not only challenged him but she made a fool of him in front of everyone. He had always been a violent man. He would love the satisfaction of beating the miserable woman or even assuaging his frustration by whipping her. It didn't matter if she was Will's daughter. Horn didn't know who was worse: Faith or Kassuim. The brat was also intractable.
The girl struggled to breathe. The pleasure of watching her suffocate turned him on. This time Richard Morgan wasn't there to protect her. The night was promising.
Connor stared at his victim with a cold gaze. Commander's daughter? Come on! The infernal girl was Gaia's captain's lover. That damn girl wouldn't guarantee the ship's helm because she indulged the Armada commander's pleasures in bed. This was an outrage.
-Revenge is mine! By right! - Corner assured. I'm not giving up the ship just because that cute, treacherous little face decided to please your brother on the mattresses like a whore.
-Miserable! – Michael returned to fight to free himself.- The rules for a duel of the leadership of a ship are clear. Whoever remains standing without a drop of blood takes the helm. Those are the rules. Want to fight like a man, so challenge me!
Not what Cornor had in mind. That girl, despite everything, had the sympathy of the crew. Furthermore, she had a natural leadership and command over those men. Her throaty laugh echoed.
- Well, it wasn't you who challenged me. – She declared with enormous satisfaction and returned to focus on Kassum. – Before meeting its creator, it has its last words.
Cassie struggled desperately for air.
-I-I-I...
She would have stifled a groan. Richard Morgan's lover! She would have reacted furiously to the hateful innuendo if she hadn't needed air to breathe. Her sweaty hand slipped through the belt of the man who held her. She was going to show that she didn't need to secure a man's attention to lead a ship. She was perfectly capable of that!
Cornor's laughter rippled through the hall in the sudden silence.
-I don't think I heard what you said!- The provocation was hateful.
The little air that entered her lungs was enough to relieve the suffocating pressure in her neck.
-What do you have to say?
-I. I. I caught. Your. Knife. – Kassuim said panting.
-Now...
-I brought Philip Morgan. He won an enemy for all eternity.
Richard took a deep breath in concern.
Another name came to his mind. Gipsy. Had she even left by choice?
He also remembered fighting pride. Doubts and fears of new suffering. Life with Mayra was perfect. A happy family. He carried their little son in his arms. When had everything gone wrong in his life? He wasn't the kind of man to be hasty in his decisions.
Mayra had appeared in such a fulminating way... that and infuriated and attracted. Her way. Mysterious. Warrior and independent. She worked in healing services like any other Wicca. She noticed in awe how in tune she was with nature. The animals around her… He felt perplexed. She could be anywhere. there was always one that needed care. As well as sick people who sought portions of herbs to treat illnesses.
The gift of healing. Gypsy also brought the gift of vision.
"I need..." - he thought about what the words refused to be uttered.