A Pirate Princess Page 15

  “No,” Burke whispered in fear as he realized that Cori was in danger. He was about to forget his position at the helm and race onto the deck to prevent any harm befalling Cori when the members of The Beloved Loss raced across the sandy beach.

  Falco’s scream could be heard from miles around as he saw his Mevrouw and The Heart of Calais. He raced frantically aboard The Beloved Loss, barking orders at everyone, including Marin. The ship was rolling off of the beach and into the sea toward his fiance before the pirate crew could get to their positions. The plan was going exactly as Cori had hoped it would.

  When The Beloved Loss was a few yards from the shoreline, Garner began blazing his cannon. Yvet returned fire and both ships were jumping with life. Garner shot another cannon at the smaller vessel, blowing part of one side away. The crew of The Beloved Loss had been lured, so Cori’s job was done. She raced to Burke’s side at the helm, “What can I do to help?”

  “Go to our quarters and lock the door. Do not open it for anyone but me. Will you go?” He asked.

  Cori shook her head, “Yes, Burke, but…”

  “No! Just go, Cori! Listen to me; I do not want you harmed. Will you go?” He repeated.

  “Yes, Burke. If that’s what you want.”

  “It is,” he sternly barked. She immediately turned around to obey Burke’s order but he reached out and grabbed her arm. He pulled her to him and hugged her forcefully. Shocked at his display of affection, she met his eyes with her own. “Go Cori, just be careful… and for the love of everything holy, please put some clothes on before this whole ship loses their mind. I love you.”

  Her eyes widened and her heart felt like it fell through her chest, landing at her feet. Cannons were exploding around them but she could not move. The emotion in his eyes, his deep voice, warm arms, and tender words made Cori feel something she could not describe. It was as if, in that moment, her heart and his attached themselves together, unable to ever part.

  Another cannon exploded from The Beloved Loss, nipping the side of The Heart of Calais. Burke and Cori stared at the deck in shock. The bench Cori was standing on only a couple minutes before was nothing but dust and splinters. “GO!” Burke shouted at Cori with extreme emotion in his voice.

  She ran from the deck as fast as she could go and did not stop until she was safely in Burke’s room with the door bolted behind her. Cori slumped to the bed, trying to catch her breath. There was a war going on around her involving every single person she knew, but all she could think about was Burke’s words. He loves me. Burke Belcourt loves me. Do I return his love? She knew the answer to her question without any doubt. With all of my heart, I love him too.

  Cori could not sit still; she paced from side to side in the spacious quarters. She quickly realized that pacing seemed to be better therapy than merely sitting. Thoughts flew through her mind and her hands shook uncontrollably. Her heart throbbed loudly in her chest and her breathing was short and sporadic. Hours went by with Cori completely unaware of her surroundings. She thought of Burke Belcourt and his beautiful blue eyes. His shaggy dark hair, the small scar on his cheek and his perfect smile made Cori’s heart beat even faster.

  A million scenarios played through her mind. What shall happen if my father wins? What will happen if Burke wins? Will the King put my father to death? Worse, shall Falco have Burke fed to the sharks? What if both ships sink? What if Burke, my father, and Falco all die? They could all be dead already! Why has no one come to tell me what is happening?

  Cori constantly heard people running across the deck over her head. Men yelled every now and then, sometimes she could hear Acel or Quain but nothing from Burke in hours. Burke had two large storage rooms on the ship. Both had locks on the outside of the door that could only be opened with a key. Burke kept one of the keys with him constantly, and the only spare key was kept a secret, hidden at the helm for Acel and Karoly. She knew the storage rooms were where he planned to keep her father’s crew on the trip to France. The thought crossed her mind that Falco might escape and kill her during the night. That is, if they ever catch him! Cori mused.

  Oh Burke, Burke, be careful! She silently begged him as she slumped back to the bed. I doubt I ever see you after we return to France. I know you shall marry someone far better than me, like Odelia, who accepts your criminal lifestyle. I cannot imagine life without you, although it will soon be a reality. If you die because of me I shall never, ever forgive myself. Please, please, be careful.

  The door swung open without warning and Burke came flying in. He did not greet Cori, he just began digging through a large armoire. “What’s going on?” Cori questioned in confusion.

  “We have won. The Beloved Loss is sinking and we have drifted to far from the island for them to swim back before we catch them. I’m going to cross to their ship and arrest them. I need to find ropes to tie them with. I know I have some in this armoire somewhere! When they are tied well I’m bringing them back with me. Stay here until they are securely locked in the storage room, alright? I don’t want to take any chances on you getting hurt,” he explained quickly, shoving the ropes in his pockets.

  “Alright, Burke. Please be careful, I… I just cannot… I do not want anything to happen to you…” She choked, fighting tears.

  Burke was at her side, making her his number one priority in an instant, “I’ll be fine, Cori. This is part of my job, remember? Knowing you care means the world to me. Just don’t worry, I won’t be gone long.”

  Just as quickly as he had entered, he exited. Cori sprawled across Burke’s bed, trying to calm her nerves. It did not work.

  Burke didn’t even need to use a ladder to cross from The Heart of Calais to The Beloved Loss. The two ships were close enough that they were almost touching. He jumped across with Quain, Karoly, and Garner following suit. Acel watched from The Heart of Calais, prepared to take action if anything went wrong. The jobs aboard The Heart of Calais were equally as important, with every person knowing what duties were theirs to perform. Davet, Leala, and Miette boiled water, cut clothes for bandages, and began cooking a celebration breakfast.

  The sun was beginning to rise in the dark sky. Quain, Karoly, Garner, and Burke stood on one side of the deck, advancing toward Falco, Yvet, Zeeman, Klaas, and Laron. The Beloved Loss was sinking fast and the fate of its crew was to surrender and hope for mercy or sink with the ship. Swords were drawn, pistols were pointed, and the ship rocked uneasily. “Surrender!” Burke yelled.

  Guillermo, Novia, and the children from Argentina crossed to Burke’s ship with ease and Acel helped them all aboard gently. “I am warning you now, Falco! You better surrender,” Burke bellowed.

  “Never!” Falco cried back. Two small clanking thumps were heard as Yvet and Laron dropped their weapons to the deck behind him, holding their hands in the air. Falco barked, “You cowards!” but it did not matter.

  Quain quickly helped them cross to The Heart of Calais, turning them over to Acel’s custody. Falco and Klaas held strong, shaking their weapons at the four men advancing toward them. Zeeman still stood but he was obviously afraid, tip-toeing slowly backward trying to get away. “Surrender now, Zeeman!” Burke offered loudly, “You shall be treated fine on The Heart of Calais. Although a prisoner, you will be fed and bathed. The King shall treat you mercifully if I tell him you caused no problems. But if you give me trouble…”

  The threat was not needed. Zeeman threw his sword down and raced toward Burke with his hands held high. “Please do not feed me to the sharks,” the large man wailed. Quain dutifully tied his arms and transferred him into Acel’s custody as well. When he finished, the four men advanced slowly toward the remaining two men.

  “Where is Marin?” Burke barked at Falco.

  Falco screamed several words in Dutch, and followed by yelling, “He is no coward! You will not get him to surrender. He will go down with the ship!”

  Burke picked up the pace, “This is your last chance to surrender!”

  “No,” Falco screamed,
turning to jump off the boat. Klaas stood in place, not knowing what to do and was quickly grabbed by Karoly and Garner. Burke caught Falco by the shoulder and spun him around to fight. Both men were tall, muscled, and young. Falco, two years Burke’s junior, had blood and dirt streaked through his yellow hair. It was a struggle but between Burke and Quain, Falco finally gave up his fight.

  “Take these fellows to The Heart of Calais and make sure they are tied tight, hands and feet, and locked securely in the storage room.” Burke ordered.

  “What are you doing, Sir?” Garner asked in concern.

  “I still have to find Marin and Sharlene,” Burke said with a sigh.

  Quain shook his head, “Not alone, we shall go to!”

  “Burke, do not be stubborn. We will help,” Garner agreed.

  “I just need you to handle the prisoners. When you have them properly incarcerated you can come back to help me. I shall be fine until then,” Burke compromised, walking with his head held high to the helm of The Beloved Loss.

  “Captain St. Aubin,” he addressed as he met eyes with Cori’s father standing behind the wheel of the sinking ship.

  “Yes, Captain Belcourt?” Marin asked wearily.

  “Surrender, Sir. You shall be shown much mercy, maybe more than you deserve,” Burke stated solemnly.

  “I will go down with this ship, boy.” Marin replied with a heartfelt smile. “My one and only love, Amada, awaits me and I want to go to her. This ship is all I have, I shall go down with it.”

  “What about your daughter? What about your wife?” Burke asked.

  “I have never loved Sharlene. The only reason I remarried was out of hope that it would make me forget my beloved Amada, but nothing ever will. Cori reminds me of her daily, Burke. She is identical to her only lighter skinned,” Marin said with a tired chuckle.

  “Why do you hate her so, then?” Burke questioned defensively. “I know Cori reminds you of her, but it was not her fault your wife died. You are blessed that Cori survived. You should have worshiped Cori for the reminder.”

  “I know it was not Cori’s fault. There was no one else I could blame for the pain I felt. I hate myself for hurting Cori. There was just nothing I felt I could do to change it,” Marin agreed.

  Burke sighed, “Sir, I have to arrest you. This is your last chance to come peaceably.”

  “Just let me die here, alone.”

  Burke reached out, taking Marin’s limp arms from the powerful wheel. The prisoner’s eyes were distant, misty, and forlorn. Burke tied him up without a fight in time to see Karoly and Garner dragging Sharlene’s kicking, screaming, thrashing body from the captain’s quarters. With the last two prisoners tied they made their way back to The Heart of Calais.

  Cori stood at the door with it cracked open barely wide enough to see and hear. Miette raced down the hallway to Cori’s side with a broad grin on her small face, “We won, we won!”

  “Is Burke back?” Cori asked in fear.

  “Yes, they are taking the last two prisoners to the storage room right now!” She squealed.

  Cori opened the door, assuming it was safe to leave.. She emerged onto the deck just in time to see her father and Sharlene being escorted to the locked room that would be their prison for the next couple months. She lost her strength and sagged wearily to the deck. Cori heard the sound of the storage room swinging open as they entered, then a loud yell from Quain and a scream from Burke. She jumped to her feet as Falco flew out of the storage room and toward Cori with a knife in his hand. Cori screamed in shock, not knowing what to do. Burke was a few inches behind Falco and tackled him barely one second before he reached Cori.

  The knife rolled across the floor and Karoly quickly assisted Burke by kicking Falco’s head hard enough to snap a normal man’s neck. Quain helped Karoly by searching Falco for anymore hidden weapons before throwing him brutally into the storage room, bolting it loudly behind them. Cori raced to Burke’s side. Blood stained his shirt and was leaking brightly onto the deck, “HELP!” She screamed.

  Novia, Leala, Miette, and Acel heard Cori’s panicked voice and raced toward Burke. “Falco…” Burke muttered, holding his side.

  “He has been cut,” Cori whispered in alarm. “We must get him to his bed.”

  Acel screamed at Davet to get the water and bandages ready as Karoly returned to heave Burke into his arms. Cori took charge, racing to their shared quarters. Burke moaned in pain as they gently lowered him to the bed. “He’s bleeding badly,” Karoly said as Davet and Quain rushed to his side.

  “Will he be alright?” Davet asked Quain.

  “I think so,” the ship’s Surgeon and Second Mate whispered in relief. “He is losing a lot of blood and shall be weak for days, but I don’t think Falco punctured any of Burke’s organs. That is the most important thing.”

  Over an hour was spent trying to stop Burke’s loss of blood, cleaning the wound, and bandaging it tightly. The captain of The Heart of Calais was in an impalpable amount of pain, vomiting from the throbbing sensation in his side. Cori stood right by Quain and Davet through the process, holding Burke’s hand in her own.

  When all was done that could be, Quain and Davet left, asking everyone but Cori to join them so that Burke could rest. “I shall gladly stay by his side and help him,” Cori whispered through tears, “but Odelia must want to be the one to do it.”

  “I doubt it, Mademoiselle,” Garner said shaking his head.

  “Acel, please stay with your cousin for one more moment while I fetch her. If a woman loves a man she will do anything for him, this is something Odelia shall want to do for Burke,” Cori sobbed. No one had any doubt that Cori was in love with Burke, even the half-conscious captain who was too exhausted to speak.

  Cori reached Odelia’s room and knocked boldly. “Come in!” Odelia answered from a full bathtub of water and soap.

  “What on Earth are you doing bathing at a time like this?” Cori demanded in shock, “Did no one tell you that Burke has been injured? He’s wounded. It’s critical, Odelia. Perhaps even fatal!”

  “Yeah, so what do you want me to do about it?” Odelia scoffed coldly.

  “Someone is going to have to stand by Burke’s side for the next several days, assuming he lives that long. It will take him the next month of this journey to fully recover, if he does! Are you not going to be the one to take care of him?” Cori asked as calmly as she could.

  Odelia rolled her eyes, “I was seasick all the way here and he never even checked on me. Why should I take care of him now? As long as he lives long enough to marry me then I am not concerned.”

  Cori’s scream was loud enough to alert the whole crew who ran to watch. “THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEASICKNESS AND A FATAL KNIFE WOUND, ODELIA!” Cori shrieked. “He is in horrible pain! You do not even care. Why? Why do you even want to marry Burke if you do not love him?”

  “Why would I not? He’s rich and titled. Love is not part of that. I deserve the best there is. You are nothing but a pirate- an uneducated, ignorant, insignificant commoner. You do not think Burke loves you, do you?” Odelia lashed viciously.

  “All I care about is him living, as you should.” Cori replied, lowering her voice to barely more than a whisper. “Never mind, Odelia. I came to see if you wanted to help Burke. I suppose I’m glad that you don’t care about him, because I do desire to be there for him in his time of need. You just gave me a chance to take care of the man I love.”

  With that, Cori turned on her heels and walked through the line of people watching. Odelia’s door slammed behind her and she walked with her chin held high into Burke’s room. Acel nodded at Cori trustingly, and patted her on the back. “He shall be alright, Corisanda. He’s strong.”

  “Yes, I agree. I’m just worried about him,” she said as tears spilled down her cheeks.

  “I have to go. We will have Karoly working to fix The Beloved Loss and The Heart of Calais. Hopefully we can save your father’s ship,” he said with a sigh.

  Cori
dismissed him politely, “I understand. Whatever you need to do is fine; I shall take care of Burke.”

  When the door closed and Cori found herself alone with Burke once again she dropped her head to her hands in sobs. Burke lay on the bed appearing to sleep. He was awake, hearing her pain but too exhausted to open his eyes or speak. “Oh Burke,” she cried. “I’m so sorry. Please be alright! Life will be hard to live without you once we reach France but at least I would have the hope of running into you occasionally. I don’t know how I could live from day to day if something happened to you.”

  The sounds of her sobs lulled him to sleep. The pain was overwhelming but the love he felt from Cori gave him the strength to recover. All he could think of as he drifted into an unconscious state was that he had to find a way to make Corisanda St. Aubin his wife. The sun was high in the sky and it was time for breakfast but nothing could keep the handsome man from sleep or the woman taking care of him from his side.

  Most of the crew took turns sleeping through the day. The repairs needed on The Heart of Calais were simple enough that Burke’s crew could handle it without Karoly’s expertise. Karoly and Miette spent the day attacking The Beloved Loss to keep it from sinking. By nightfall, he announced to the crew of The Heart of Calais that he would be able to save The Beloved Loss indeed. Acel came to inform Cori that her father’s ship was in good hands but all she cared about was Burke.

  Cori stayed with Burke all day. She funneled soup down his throat, changed his bandages, washed his hair and face with a wet sponge, and whispered to him gently. “Usted va a estar bien,” Cori would sing softly, “Mi amor te salir adelante.” Although she sung in Spanish and Burke only spoke English, he understood her perfectly. Her words were clear and beautiful to him, “You shall be fine. My love will pull you through.”