tirgesfu

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax fell into the bottom of the lifeboat. He was exhausted. And yet, somehow, someway, it felt good. He had made it and the hand that touched his face told him everything he wanted and needed was right there.

What had happened to him? He smiled. He didn't care.

All the hesitation, all the fear, all the doubt washed away with the salt water gulps as he pulled Nicki into the boat. He knew in his very soul what he had been denying for so long; since her crisp honey commands when he first boarded, making him avoid what caught him so, since her detached concern for his hand, since the way she played her cards, wept at the Night Blossoms, kept her books, danced in the garden, read out loud, and shot with true aim. Since he saw her empty jacket blow through the wind, saw her kiss another man, followed her as she worked herself to weakness and then, then thought he might have lost her. Since all of that he knew finally what he wanted. It was not his boots.

Wet and and worn, Jax still felt as if a weight had been lifted. He wrapped his arms around her feeling warmer than he knew he should. She was here inside his arms and that was all he needed right now. He pulled her even more into him as he lay against the rungs of the bottom of the small boat. He opened his eyes to the fading storm and smiled. He didn't care where he was, how long they would drift or what island they would finally wash to shore upon.

All he cared about at that moment was the soft hand on his face and the sound of those sugar filled lovely words.

He laughed. “Forgot my boots?” he nuzzled his grinning lips to her ear and her neck. “I will trade them.” He kissed her neck. “I give them to the Lady Ship Dusk Skate and in return I all want is you in my arms.”

The stars just began to peak out from under the thick dark clouds. He knew this sky. What he never knew, ever before was how good it felt to hold someone, really hold them and just breath, just rest, just feel the fingers and smooth voice of someone he realized now he more than just cared about. Not just someone. Nicki.

He put his lips close to her ears and told her what he knew was true. “Nicki, I want you.”

Jax laughed at the strange delight he found in saying that. They were both washed up, rung out, left to dangle on the waves, left with nothing. Yet he felt more full, more real, more whole, than he ever had. “I should want a warm bath, new clothes, safety on a ship, a table filled with food and drink but I don’t. I really don’t. I want you. And holding you right now, for however long we have, makes me happier than I ever imagined. I trade them all, everything, for you.”

He chuckled and looked down at her seeing how lovely she really was, more beautiful now than in that fancy gown. “Let me hold you and tell you silly ridiculous promises of how we will sail into the sunrise and onto an island where I will spend days, years, lifetimes, making you happy.”

He took a breath and realized all of it was true. He would rest and then battle anything, everything, to have more time to hold Nicki. He wouldn’t give up. They would sail away together. Part of Jax thought he was delirious. Yet part of him felt all of that was more true than anything had ever been.

So he lay content in a strange sort of way feeling the wonderful touch of Nicki. He didn’t lift his head or look over the rails back to the ship he thought he loved. He didn’t hear any cries, any calls, anything above the lap of the waves and the breaths of Nicki. Jax was happy. As he looked to the sky he realized the feel of loving something real, something that could maybe love him back. Not a ship. Not a lifestyle. But a person. No, not just a person. Nicki.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

The storm was retreating. The wind dying, the bounce of the ship not as dramatic, the rain puddled on the deck instead of whipping around in the air, and in that quiet where the night brightness beet against the thick clouds, Jax heard a splash. It wasn’t like a wave that broke but more like something heavy hit the water. A plop more than a splash. He didn't go to the sound but instead moved toward Nicki’s cabin. The door was open. He stood for a minute confused. Did she leave? He looked inside.

That was when he heard the honey coated scream. There was no doubt who was calling him. Jax ran to the edge, to the railing and looked out into the dark waters. He saw nothing. Was it all just his longing for her making him hear her calling his name? But the surface broke. Her voice called again. She called his name. Jax lept up on the railing balancing for a second before he would throw himself into the water after her. He told her he would come back hundreds of times. But right before he fell he reached to the riggings along side. It was the dingy, the small row boat used to go ashore. Jax climbed on the ropes with greater speed than the contest. He released the pulley just before her head sank back under.

“NIcki!” He screamed not anywhere close to the sugar sweet her voice sounded even in distress. Before the row boat loosened enough to fall Jax was over the rail and diving toward the water.

Jax curled his body tight. In a ball he would sink faster. The slap of the cold sea water did not phase him much, his fear hitting stronger. She was in the water calling him. She needed him. He could not let her down. He had enough times already and this was when he had to come through. Please let him come through.

In the water he opened his body and tried to look around. Everything was dark. The storm churned the sea into a thick muck of green foam and seaweed. Jax could not see anything. He swung his hands around, kicked his feet wildly trying to find anything. No not anything, Nicki. Maybe she was above him. Maybe below. Just a few reaches to his port side or floating off to the stern. How would he find her?

Jax felt the churn of the water as something moved. He raced toward that movement only to realize it was the row boat hitting the water. He kicked. The edge of his foot hit something. He curled toward it and took hold. It was not Nicki. He was almost sure. But it was someone. It was an ankle and his hands grabbed hold and worked along the leg following as he forcefully kicked up. Up toward the surf. Up toward the sky. Up toward the air. His hands moved around the body until they found more legs and arms. It was two. There were two. Hard snaps of his legs together, pressing the water down and pushing all of them up.

They all broke the water. Jax gasped for air and shook his head trying to see who he held. Davenport clung onto Nicki. It was a death grip for sure. Jax pressed his knee between the two and tugged on the seaman. “Not this one!” He yelled. “Throw her back.”

Davenport was confused and exhausted. He couldn’t let go of his song. But what was going wrong? He lost the sound, the melody, the music. He felt the push of the helmsman and found he had little strength left. But he clung on. Weakly yet unable to really let go. Jax pried cold stiff fingers from around Nicki. He tugged Davenport’s hair and finally pulled him loose. He kicked the man and took a firmer hold of Nicki as Davenport feel back under the water.

Jax held Nicki’s head up out of the waves and put his arm around her chest treading water on his side. “Don’t you leave me!” He screamed at the First Mate. He looked at the Dust Skate as she rolled on the sea away from them. “Please don’t leave me.” He said softer to her and to his ship. Then he spun away from the ship he loved, with the woman he did, and swam toward the bobbing row boat going in the other direction.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax was leading Luc back to the Captain's cabin feeling just a little guilty that he would leave the lad alone. But not enough to change his mind. As they turned he noticed a faint glow from the galley and figured a hunk of dried salted beef might help the boy relax into sleep. Full belly might chase some nightmares away. Worth a try if only to lessen his own flutters of unsettled choices.

So with a quick step Jax swung toward the door. Brashly he pushed it opened and stepped inside with Luc still under his arm like two drunken sailors helping each other home. But they weren’t drunk and this wasn’t really home. That was obvious as soon as the door slammed shut behind them with the leftover force of a fleeing storm. They had intruded. That was very clear as the closeness of the two filled the air all around the empty room. Captain and his sea witch. It was thick with intimacy of some kind. Oh they were dressed and not sucking each other’s air at all but the way they touched each other and the silent caresses of words Jax did not hear made their presence awkward. A child and a wet worn man there ,where just two lovers should be.

They could just turn and leave. But Jax made the exact opposite decision. “Ah,” He opened his arms wide and grinned, leaving go of Luc. “Just who we wanted to find.” Luc glanced to Jax not sure what that meant and his look said so. “I was just taking the lad back to your quarters Captain.” Jax took another step into the galley leaving Luc confused and a bit behind. Luc lowered his head and stood still.

“Thing is, he has seen enough.” Jax didn’t try to lower his voice but he directed the conversation toward the lovers, Thomas and Antonia. They were worn and dirty too, blood evident on them just as it was on Jax and even a bit on Luc. “And now?” He opened his arms gesturing at the two of them. Somehow he wished he was right where they were. Oh not here in the kitchen but softly reassuring each other with touches and eyes in a different cabin along side his boots. And that need, desire, want, weight more than the hesitation he might have been where he shouldn’t be. “Now, if I can leave him here in your care, might be the best.” He turned from the two of them to glance at Luc. “All of us have nightmares.” He spun back to Thomas and smiled, “Even Captains.”

Jax opened his mouth to say more but closed it quickly, enough said. Enough seen. Enough done. He moved toward the door before either Thomas or Antonia could protest the dumping of the boy into their private time. Right before he left he nudged Luc who was still by the door and gave him a wink. He had no idea why or what he was trying to convey. Just it was all right? Was it? But Jax knew where he needed to be. It wasn’t here. It wasn’t with the young frightened boy or the two consoling lovers.

Mr. Davenport had never been know to be the fastest of the crew. But then he was now more than just the man he had been. More directed. More sure. More filled. In fluid steps like water of a wave he was inside Nicki’s cabin and on her. His arms around her with little doubt of his meaning. She sang to him. He knew it. All the melodies that danced in his head were calls from her. She wanted him. She wanted him to take her away from all of this and surround her with his body and soul. She wanted him to take her. Take her, all of her, and go off together into the sea. That’s why she sang to him. That why she called. He knew this and with quick steps he meant to tell her he would obey the call, the song.

She might fight or pretend to resist. Yet that was all part of this melody they made together. She would pretend strength when she was weak with her desire. For him. For their song together. He would prevail. He would make sure she knew he would so she could fall into him exactly as she really wanted to. The song said so.

Holding her tight any way he could he would pull her from her room and bring her out to the wind and sea so she could know. So she could feel the song better as the splash of the fading storm sang to them both. Together they would leave this horrid place and instead fly from the deck into the notes of a promised union crashing in the sea. Down into their depths. Down into each other. Down into the waters that would save them both.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax could have melted at Nicki’s question, would he come back to her? He didn't want to leave. He was here now and wanted to go nowhere else. But any small bit of ground he had managed to cultivate with this amazing woman would dry up quickly with the ties of the boy. With the eyes of the boy, right here, right now. Now, Jax liked Luc but he traveled light, remember? He had little things and even fewer connections. Now all of the sudden he did? Jax had never known any joys of a father or brother and he didn’t feel particularly slighted in either regard. He had no desire to assume either role himself. It was Nicki he came for.

He moved toward her, the First Mate, the Doctor, Nicki, and put his hands on hers as she held the boots. “Hold them for me longer, please?” He smiled to her and sort of gently lead her down to sit on the edge of her bed, while he held her hands, her arms, that held his boots. “I will take Luc back if you promise me you will stay here, cover up, keep my boots and wait for me.” He let go with one hand and pulled back her top cover.

Slowly he knelt by her on her cabin floor and lifted one of her feet pulling on one boot to take it off. He watched as he tugged one and then the other. She still held his boots as he put hers on the floor beside the bed. He reached again for his own and placed them right beside.

He stood again looking down at her. He would have smiled that Jax grin to her but it just didn’t really come. Instead his face could not hide his concern and longing. If he had been in his old mood his old self before he had ever kissed Nicki he might have teased that he could fix her the same way she did the Captain and straddle her pressing against her. He wanted to. But that was before. Before the Night Blooms, before the readings in her cabin, before she took his boots. Now he was more worried about her. Worried she was hurt much worse than she would admit. Worried that he would not take the care of her she needed.

To chase all his doubts away, they did not feel comfortable on Jax, he took a breath and did smile, a more sincere caring one, “I will come back. Hundreds of times I’ll come back to you.” He let his eyes tell her it was true.

Jax spun around to find Luc. The boy was curled inside the blanket with his teeth chattering and his eyes wide open. Was it fear Jax saw? He was afraid to ask. And he didn't want Nicki to see the young lad’s need. No she had enough, had done enough. He put his arm quickly around the child and escaped with him out the door.

“Are you going to leave me alone?” There was the edge of a cry in the small thin voice. Jax let his arm hang over the boy as they made their way from her cabin across the deck.

“You are never alone on a ship, Luc.” He patted the boy’s arm. “But you need to be somewhere else. You want your bunk or that safe spot that cabin boys know?”

“My bunk will be beside empty hammocks of dead man, or crying ones. The safe spot is not safe from the dreams of the things I saw.”

Jax stopped. He pulled his arm off. “Well unfortunate for you, the warm soft Mama’s bed you threw aside is not available here.” He put both his hands on Luc’s shoulders, and spun him to face Jax. “You are on a pirate ship, Lad. There are nightmares for all of us. Each has to find his way through them. Right now I am helping the First Mate. Not you.” He lowered his eyes realizing the truth of that. Jax put his arm back around the boy and offered much gentler. “I could take you back where you should have stayed, the Captain's cabin.”

Luc nodded as Jax put his hand on the top of his head. “And you can finally look through that old secret chest.”

“I’m not going to do that!”

“I know,” Jax laughed. “But I’ll tell you I might have at your age. I might now, except you would tell and my boots are waiting.”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax hadn’t had the time he should have to take care of Nicki’s shoulder. But then, he hadn’t had the time he wanted with that amazing sea witch since she first touched his wounded hand. How long ago was that? He couldn’t count the nights and yet he realized now he had been lost in her since that fight, that first time in her cabin, that card game. As in her determined style she stomped out of the Captain's safe quarters and back into the wind he grabbed the shirt, not his of course, and Luc’s hand. He tied on sleeves to the boys wrist and the other to his.

He grinned to Luc, “Silly maybe, but if I lost you out there I would be paying dearly even in the pits of hell.” He winked and then follow Nicki.

Lus grounded him more than he would ever admit through the storm, the wind, the rain. Jax watched with fear the few times Nicki lost some steps and blew close to the railing and ravage seas. But she stood her ground, kept her feet. It was Luc that gave him weight and reason not to rush to her or step foolishly to fast. He kept his grip on the ship and the boy.

Once below deck Jax untied the shirt and gave Luc quick grin before he followed again the now determined Doctor. He offered his hand when a cut needed more pressure than the ship’s doctor could give needing her hands to cut bandages or wrap tight. He ripped tape when she held her hand out to him words not needed in her clearly directed focus. He stood beside her while she offered her stern and yet consoling warm words to those she layed down to the final rest.

At some point he looked back to Luc realizing the boy was following but at slight distance. The boy’s face told Jax everything. His eyes were wide but tears hung on the edges. His face was pale and his lips quivered slightly. The scene was horrific and Jax had forgotten how young he was. Jax put a hand on Nicki just to let her know he was there but then moved off to Luc’s side.

“Remember that cabin boy’s special spot?” Jax spoke softly putting one hand on his shoulder. Lus could only answer with a nod. “I can take you there again . You can stay there until we are done. There is no reason for you to see all this.”

Luc pulled his frighten eyes from the mesmerizing scene around him and looked to Jax. To Jax surprise, Luc shook his head no. He couldn’t really say anything, the frighten child, but Jax saw the determination in those young water filled eyes to ride this out, to make himself a part of this no matter the painful discomfort.

Jax squeezed his boys shoulder and smiled. “All right, mate.” Jax put one arms around him the way two drunk men might and lead him closer to Nicki. “How about you hold the tape and when I wiggle my fingers you tear a piece. Be a help.” He pulled the child’s head closer to his and added a whisper, “The Doctor will not ask for help but that don’t mean we can’t give it.”

So the two of them followed the hard working doctor through the awful wounds and cries of the battered crew. They were almost to the end when Luc, nudged Jax and with his head not words nodded to the edge of the dark room and Mr. Davenport, if he remembered the man correctly. The man was curled up along the planks of the ship with a wideness in his eyes. His arms were blood covered and the top of his head seemed sliced open.

“Sing to me again.” he cried although no one seemed to pay any attention. “Don’t leave me here with these ugly bastards.” When Jax tried to get closer and when Nicki noticed, Mr Davenport screamed and scurried along the edge of the curved wall away from them. Nicki started to follow but Jax reached for her to stop her. He was near his end in Jax’s mind and she was just scaring him more. Let him go. There were others. They could not take their time chasing him. It only took a minute for the doctor to find someone else that needed her.

Some time later, how did he measure time in the depth of death and life?, Nicki was done. He could see her lose her strength her wound still not treated as it should be. She gave all she could, done all she was able. He saw that as she reminded him of his boots. He had not forgotten at all everything she had.

Jax smiled to her and went closer to her side. Behind him he wiggled his fingers to Luc as if for tape but it was clear none was needed. Luc should follow them. As they moved to the deck, Jax could feel the storm begin to lose it’s hold on the sky and the sea. They would not have to fight their way back to Nicki’s cabin.

Jax could not see anyone else on deck. So he thought it was time to do what he wanted to, what he could, what he felt needed done. He went to Nicki and scooped her off her feet. She was surprised of course and in no way did she fall into his arms or melt into his touch. No, he felt her stiffness at frist. But she was worn and battered. He held her across his arms and smiled to her.

“My boots and your shoulder.” He let his whole face smile. “We best take care of each other.”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax stood by the door with clothes that were not his in his hands again. He lowered his head to see and moved his hands to feel the dry warm quality cloth. He glanced to Nicki not sure at all what to say. Sea witches both of them. Twisting things up. Twisting him up. He wanted to see her eyes and judge her anger. That’s what he expected. Here he had coaxed, convinced her to stay only to be left behind with a man who could not dress himself and a boy. She thinks him a boy. Standing there with another man’s shirt again and nothing to say.

He let the shirt fall onto the desk and he took a step toward her. The weight of everything was too much to hold in silence. They might have defeated the sirens, they might have called the storm and managed an escape. But at what cost? “Here,” He reached slowly and carefully to her shoulder. “You’ll have to tell me what to do, let your wisdom guide my hand, and we will take care of your shoulder.” He took a breath and a slight pause, “As commanded.” There was an edge to his tone. Stay behind Jax. He did not regret at all being with Nicki and yet he was sure she would blame him for being placed in the seat and forced to watch the boys, he and Luc, the boys.

He managed a weak smile. “And when we fix you up we can go out and check on those two.” He turned his head slightly to the wide eyes of Luc and winked, “Think they can keep us inside when things need done?” After all the Captain did not command. No in Jax’s mind it was more of a request. No reason not to head out into the storm. Get his boots. Check on the First Mate’s cabin. Could be Ms Doc here was more needed than anyone. But first, he would take care of her. If she scuffed at him or gave him a hard time, Luc could help hold her down. He smiled at that thought.

Gently Jax pulled the blanket off her shoulder while at the same time letting it stay tight around her waist. “Find something in that chest there we can use to clean the wound.” He figured he would give Luc a task, something to do. Something besides holding her down, as she didn’t need that just yet. Better than sitting there gawking. Besides, before long Jax would owe his Captain all the shirts off his back. Not that he didn’t already.So might as well pull something else out.

Jax tried to very carefully pull the top of Nicki’s shirt open, just a bit so he could find the skin where the wound cut flesh through the now drying blood. He kept looking at her eyes, her face, judging how much she would take, what she would allow, what instructions she would give. Or if at some point she would shrug him away, jerk at his touch, turn away from him not accept his help at all. Then he would pounce on her. So he told himself. He watched her. The cut was much deeper than he would have thought. He winced when he saw the depth to the bone.

He took a breath and looked to Luc. “Bet you could get lost in that chest. Could be a bed for you. There must be something in there to clean this that the Captain wouldn’t mind parting with. See anything?” He offered a challenging smile “Dive in there.”

Luc’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “I can’t do that. It’s the Captains things and well, I mean, “ Luc gave a small grin, “His undershorts might be in there.”

“Prefect! Find a set quickly.”

Jax turned his smile to Nicki. “Bet they’re clean.” He quickly let his touch on her shoulder lightened and he added, “No disrespect at all. He gives me the shirt off his back I am sure he would lose a set of what is closest to you.” He uncorked the bottle and handed her the drink. She might need a swig by now.

Jax was unsure what he saw on her face. He had seen her in his day dreams and still he could not judge the look in those eyes. But he knew why. Because he cared what her eyes might say. He cared about what she thought of him. As if he needed to look away he swept his eyes back to Luc. The boy was struggling. He couldn’t decide if he should really look through the Captain’s things.

Luc sort of wanted to not care and open the lid, look inside. He could let his imagination scurry about at all the things that might be in there. Some hidden under a fancy jacket, some tucked between beautiful silk, some setting in plan view unafraid of whom might discover them. But even if he could claim later that Jax made him do it, he knew he shouldn’t. Deep down he did. He glanced to Jax.

Jax smiled, “The first rule of being a good follower is to not lose your self. Any fool can be a military drone and do whatever someone says.” He didn’t look at Nicki even though he wanted to, “Blind obedience only leads to blindness. You have to think some on your own.” He shrugged his shoulder and turned back to Nicki.

Luc blinked and left the chest unopened. Instead he found the Captains pillow and pulled off a crisp white cloth that kept the bunched of grasses and straw together. He dumped them on the ground sort of kicked them under the bed and handed it to Jax.

Jax chuckled and held it up to Nicki. “Will this be clean enough for now? It looks as if you might need a stitch or two. I can do that if you let me, instruct me,” He paused and then leaned just little forward closer to those amazing eyes, “trust me.”

He looked around the cabin quick not moving away for her before she responded. “We can head to your cabin and bring the boy with us. I’ll tie him tight so he doesn’t blow away with that extra shirt the Captain contributed to the never return Jax’s account.”

He could not help himself. He could only last so long. So with a tenderness and gently touch of his hand he let his fingers brush back a few strands of her hair. He allowed them to stay there on the side of her face on her cheek. He knew she might swat them off. She had every right to. Still, like the roll of the waves and the whip of the wind he was caught in the movement of things.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax struggled to stand from the puddle on the floor. No one noticed much because everyone’s eyes, including his, were on the beautiful sea witches both of them. Jax could not hear the words, but he saw the gestures of kindness and flickers of meaningful eyes. He didn’t have to be any sort of expert in body language or human contact to feel the tension. Jax felt his heart sink. They were fighting over the Captain? He couldn’t say for sure. And the kisses? Is that what he saw? Nicki uses them on everyone not just him. They must just be part of her bag of healing, like a bandage, or special piece of dried herb. She can pull them out and slap those lovely lips on any wound and make it better. He knew that, but still the idea stung him.

How could he have believed he was anything special? She had his boots and so much more.

But she was turning to leave and asking him to follow. “Excuse me, First Mate, Sir.” He managed to call above the crackle of thick tension. He took a few steps to the door and stood in front of it. “If I have permission to speak freely,” He smiled realizing he would with permission or not. “There is a storm out there besting the band to hell. Our lovely lady ship is riding it out and she would be very distraught to see you out on the deck. You might shift her concentration as she would try to protect you, one of her favorite pieces on board.” With hardly a missed beat he pulled the extra blanket from the bottom of the Captain’s bed and without touching her shoulder very much at all, fighting hard to keep that distance, he spread the quilt out over Nicki’s wet shoulders.

“I am sure the Captain would be more than willing to break out his secret good stash to celebrate his return from the afterlife.” He grinned to Nicki without looking back to the Captain.

Jax gestured to the chair by the Captain’s desk. She should sit, take a drink, dry herself and wait for the storm to settle. “We are right in the center of the storm but it came quick and will most likely die the same way. Wait it out.” He gently put his hand on her elbow still offering the chair.

Jax stood still. He would follow if she left. But….

“Please.”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax stood against the wind and rain, hands on the wheel, and eyes trying to look through the deluge of water that whipped around. Times he could not tell the sea from the sky. It was clear as much as he could ease the ship he loved she would have to follow the ways of the storm. They should lower the sails and snug the booms. Jax squinted down to the deck to yell those orders only to see the bodies of men and sirens as they washed from the deck in slow rolls one way and then the other. He saw no one.

He leaned toward the spinning center of the wheel and he kissed the wood quickly. “Stay true Queen Dusk. Follow the storm and I will return in calmer wind.” He let his hands slide over the curve of the wooden wheel until he finally removed each finger. She was on her own. He stood back and watched the spin.

Jax jumped down from his perch and ran to the main sail. Quick as he could he lowered the cloth. Fighting it against the wind that wished to take hold he managed to get it down and somewhat tied to the boom.

He looked again for anyone. What he saw made his heart stop. It was a coat that he knew. A coat that had held the arms that covered his ears. A coat that had once kissed him. Saved him. Nicki!? It flew along the deck right in front of him in a dramatic ghost like way. It’s arms flung around empty. Her coat. Where was she? He reached for it as if he was grabbing at her but the wind whipped her away with a fierce tug, threw the coat all about and then spread it wide open as it flew out to the raging sea.

Jax stood still against the water again. He spun around and ran to her cabin. The door was open and water filled the room surging in and then receding out again. But she wasn’t there. He closed the door. He was heavier, all the sudden, the soaked feeling chilling him through his bones. With great effort trudged to the Captains quarters. He stumbled against the beating rain.

At last he made it to the door. He took hold of the latch but hesitated in opening it. What if no one was there? He took a wet full breath letting the rain drip down into him. He opened the door.

In a flood of relief he fell to his exhausted knees when he saw Nicki’s head dipping down and bouncing back up and Antonia and Luc by the bedside. “Thank the moon,” He coughed water spilling down his drenched hair splashing in pools at his knees. He looked to Nikci and even wet and thinner, clothes pressed against her ,hair matted and blown she was beautiful. He was about to say more but the Captain moved quicker and Jax could see his face clearly. He couldn't quite understand anything but he saw Nicki on top of the Captain with a satisfied grin and the word erotic ran clear.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

She was gone, the honey that touched her lips, the eyes that took his words wide open and not repulsed by his claim, left his arms. Nicki was off to do her duty, her job. Jax was proud of that, strangely enough. He set his eyes on the bow of the ship and coaxed speed and direction with his hands on the wheel. “Come on, girl. Don't you fret on the kisses here.” He whispered to his Lady Ship. “You know she loves you too, just as I do. Just as the Captain does. We are yours now show us how you care for us.”

The screams on the waves picked and rolled just like the sea. As soon as the song tried to tickle his ears again he licked his lips. The taste of her honey still lingered on them he was sure. Her left over sweetness was more powerful that a sting in his ear. He shook his head to cast off the song and it turned again to screams. He held tight to the wheel. He held tight to that taste.

Jax looked at the sails as they fluttered. Why were they not being tended to? With a stern face he looked down to the deck and saw men mesmerised by the song. Shocked he yelled but they did not hear him at all. He pulled the wheel quick making up for the slack in the sails and moving the booms as quick as the ship would turn. He was on his own here. He and the Dust Skate would have to dance to fill their sails.

Well, dance she would. He swung the bow and twisted the stern until the wind filled the slacking sails. As he judged his turns he saw the sea monster climb on board and devourer those who stood in frozen amazement that too late turned to horror. The sight was gruesome. Jax licked his lips to taste her honey. It was his defense. It was her protection.

When he saw the Captain go down he screamed from his post, “To his side! Antonia!” He was not sure his yell could be heard above the screams of men and sirens and the crack of thunder.

Thunder? As quick as he shouted the sea and air had changed. In panic Jax felt sure the change was from the evil sea cows that fed on the crew and boarded his lovely ship. He fought to resist the pull, sure it was not done for their benefit. But in only a minute he felt the ship accept the new wind in her sail and Jax realized it would not be a fight he would win. They would head with the storm. They would run with the sky. He hoped his wondrous moon was guiding all of them. He prayed the wind was sent to aid. Years ago Jax had learn when to fight the forces of the sea and when to bend to their will and way. This was him leaning way over to fill the sails and ride the sudden huge waves. Run, over the waves, over the sea. Jax was letting the ship gian wind and speed.

Slowly Jax curled his lips into his mouth craving again the taste that would reassure him, letting his tongue remember her. Wind and rain in his face, hands on the wheel and the sweetness of honey made hope rise inside him.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

The memorizing song tickled him deeply. But there was magic and then there was MAGIC. Jax could not say he really felt the hands on his ears or the eyes trying to look into him. The power came when something touched his lips. Something was offered to him, given to him from the one place he dreamed of but didn’t expect. The touch of lips on his cracked the icy hold, warmed the fake alluring calls like a tub of boiling hot water on a tiny ice cube. It only took the first taste for Jax to realize what was alluring and what was not. Nicki broke the ice. Nicki heated his soul.

She was warmer and sweeter than any magic could ever be. Sirens had no chance with Jax against the power of Nicki. He blinked his eyes knowing she saved him. Then closed them again just wanting to feel the thrill of those lips.

His one hand left the wheel and found the small of her back. Jax knew she would pull away once she was sure the music no longer had him. Selfish of him, he knew. Small of him, he was sure, yet he let the press go on until the Dust Skate herself shook under his feet.

He pulled back and smiled to her. “I am yours.” He whispered not even knowing why.

The quake he felt from the ship was the recoil of the cannon and he looked quick to the explosion of the ship on fire. His hand flew to the wheel catching Nicki between it and him and he spun hard against the direction they were heading away from the fire, the ship and the screeching song. Come on babe he mouthed or almost said with Nicki in his arms and his lady ship under his firm grip. He eased the wheel and felt her spin away with the touch of a lover’s response. Nicki still caught in that grip and the ship turning for him was a rush of feelings no siren could ever hold.

He looked to Nicki quick, smiles in his eyes for only a minute until the urgency of the moment took a firmer hold. “Thank you.” He said as he loosen his arm . “Saved with a kiss from you will be something I dream about for nights to come.” He leaned in to kiss her again. But he stopped himself knowing she needed to get to work and save them all.

He pulled his eyes away and up to the sails. “Get the foot and the clew of the main mast tighter. Trim the sheets. We are running head down. And we are running fast.” He managed to grip his lady ship in a race with the wind in their sails away from the fires, away from the wailing cries. Not music now, they were the screams of attack.

She responded. Oh how she responded. The Drust Slate of course. She hit the waves and caught the wind just as Jax had urged. She spun away from all the fake calls and listened instead to the open sea and the pushing winds.

But those denied to not do so easily. Fed and surprised. injured and confused the vindictive sirens were not to give up and go back to the dept of their waters. Yet they were slowed. Fat from the feast and caught off guard they paused before they rose again. But rise they did. The race was on.

Jax could guide his lady love the ship. He would seek Nicki to keep his attention clear. But how could they keep the witches of the sea away?