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“Is it true what they say about her? Have you witnessed her bring anyone back from the dead? Does her magic work on Blood-takers too?”
“Why do you need to know? You ask too many questions, Ennis. Questions that could get you killed by the wrong person. Sometimes it is best to be quiet and listen.”
“Why does she not speak to us? Did you tell her not to?”
“No one says who I can, and cannot speak to, little boy.” I yawn and stretch.
“Little boy?” Ennis huffs. “I am man enough to fill you with co—”
“Ennis!” David warns. His hands still and Ennis takes notice.
“...err happiness?” The baby brother smiles innocently. “I am going below.” He stands up. “Before I have to hurt one of you.”
“Before you get your ass kicked, you mean?” Ramsay warns.
“Funny, Ennis. Get the fuck out of here.” Micah says, giving the boy a kick in his ass when he passes him. David gives him a shove.
“He gets his idiocy from mother’s side of the family.” Ramsay kicks the door closed after him. “The little fucker.”
“You do know that he is only one year younger than myself?” Micah reminds him.
“And you are a little fucker too.” David smiles fondly.
“Mother should have stopped after Wesley.” Ramsay loves being mean to them.
“You are funny, do you know that?” Micah frowns. “As funny as a pimple on my ass.”
“You look like a blemish on someone’s ass.” Ramsay is ruthless with his insults.
David laughs and I shake my head. I feel sorry for the poor boys. They grew up with older brothers like Ramsay, David, and Wesley. They are funny, I that I cannot deny. And handsome. How many of them are there? Do they all have the Antonov looks? Even the uglier ones, are pleasant to look at. If truth be told, they are not really ugly at all. It is odd because most families have a few ugly people in them. I am the least pretty person in my family. Sebastian is the beauty of his. Nickie is okay, but the sister, that I never see, looks the underside of a boot after it steps in shit. There is the Erikson’s tribe, who are better looking than Ramsay’s brothers. Oh, and the Beaumonts. Those animals are not good for much, but they too, are pleasant to look at.
My men call me beautiful and it means makes me feel beautiful, but my reflection tells another story. They say it because what I make them feel is beautiful. The way we make love is beautiful. I do not need to be beautiful in my reflection. My beauty is unique, and it paints a pretty picture inside me instead of out. Not every woman is meant to be a decoration. Some of us were meant to be special instead. The three brothers change the subject and discuss more pressing matters.
“War is coming whether we want it to or not. We need to choose a side before it does. The Christians are intent on ridding the land of all mystical beings. Witches, Neo’s wolves, druids... Anything that is not human.”
“How long before they come for us, Ramsay? Or the Eriksons, and others who are not part of the rebellion? The Beaumont’s pander to us for our support, but who will be left to stand with us when the rebels are dead? The Cardinal is using witches to hunt rebels and killing the witches when they are finished using them. The druids are down to a lowly few, and soon they will be no more.”
“The church knows who to hunt and who the hunters are. Our numbers are bigger than the church and if they force our hand, we will eliminate every Christian or rebel who threatens us. As for the Eriksons, they have been here longer than any of us and can take care of themselves.”
“Why should we join the church, or the Bloodtakers unstable army? The fight is between them. They feed on the mankind that the church has sworn to protect. It does not involve us.”
“Not all Bloodtakers and wolves feed on mankind, David. Most wolves feed from the forest. Nicodemus and his family avoid humans, until they want to breed with them. He has been an ally to us up until now.”
“He has joined the takers, Ramsay. They fight the same enemy and know that they are stronger together. The woodsmen and wizards are joining them as we speak.”
“What do we gain from assisting the church?” Micah demands.
“We will be on the winning side.” Ramsay says. “I will not be a part of killing innocent wolves or witches, but the Bloodtakers must be dealt with. Sebastian Lockton has gone mad. They snatch women and children near the border daily and dump their drained corpses like rubbish. The villagers look to us to make it stop since we walk on both sides of the border. They are not Christians, nor do they possess any powers. They are defenseless men and women. The Eriksons are aware of it also and they too feel it is time to step in and protect them. Maeve’s family were victims of the war. She and her sister are wanted by everyone. As the last of their line they must be protected also.”
“Father wants us to stay out of it. He says their war does not concern us.”
“I am next in line and, his outdated ideals are not my own. If families are dying to feed Bloodtakers, then it is my concern. Now that we have rescued the Payne women, it is time to turn our attention to the war. I am taking her to see the Beaumont, and afterward, we go home to gather our army. When she is safely out of the way, we ride on the Bloodtakers and the other rebels who are not in agreement with my terms. Only those who obey my orders will live.”
“They do not take too kindly to orders, Ramsay. Some of the tribes will resist.”
“And they will be no more, Micah. If they cannot leave the unwilling humans alone, they cannot stay. This is not their feeding ground. This is our home.”
“I agree, brother. Men should not be in fear of losing their women and children to hungry leeches. They must be brought to heel.” David whittles as he speaks.
“Why are you taking her to see the Beaumont when the Christians have a price on her head? It has been raised to a wagon load of gold. Bounty hunters and witch chaser’s both are after her.
“I am waiting for them.” Ramsay assures him. “She was put into my care for a reason.”
“And anyone who fucks with my brother fucks with me.” David spins the knife in his hand.
“They fuck with all of us.” Micah says grudgingly. “I am with you.”
“I prefer to do this on my own.” Ramsay shakes his head. “I will not risk your lives to save one. This is not your fight.”
“Do you expect us to sit back, and let you walk into a fight alone?” David raises his dark brows. “It is never going to happen, brother.”
“Why should you get to have all the fun?” Wesley asks, pushing the door open and letting himself in. “If I die, I die.” He shrugs. “Besides, no one is dying when we have her.”
Four sets of blue eyes fall on me. He is right. There is no way one of these sweet boys is dying if I can help it. These boys are men, but they are so lively and free spirited. This is what happens when boys are allowed to be boys. Christian was never allowed the chance. He was born to rule, not to play. The Antonov house was full of raised voices, laughter and teasing with six boys running around.
“Maeve is not here to save us. I am here to save her.”
“We can save each other.” I tell him.
“The prodigal daughter speaks.” Micah smiles. “And she is smart.”
“May I lay down with you, Milady?” Wesley asks me. “I am overly tired.”
I do not care either way and nod my head. He grins as he approaches me.
“If you put your skinny ass in that hammock, you will not make it home. Get away from her, and stay away from the women, Wesley. They are not here to warm your blanket.”
“But they are so good at it.” Wesley laughs. “Especially the little dark-skinned exotic. She is made for a man’s bed. She comes to me, brother.”
“Leave Eleanor alone, Wesley. She has suffered enough tragedy in her life.”
“I know she was a sex slave when you purchased her and set her free. She told me everything. I do not mistreat my women.”
“And when you leave the ship?” Ramsay demands. “Eleanor is a sweet girl. She will be heartbroken because of you.”
“We have an understanding.” Wesley assures him. “It ends when I leave the ship.”
“Why are you using Ramsay’s crew to ease your dick when you can use your hand?” Micah makes a face. “You disrespected him and shat on his hospitality. You are always fucking something up. This is why we hate to take you anywhere.”
They do not speak the way I am used to. Where are they from? Who are their teachers? Why are they so different from everyone else? I notice that only Ramsay wears their colors daily. Ennis tries to emulate Ramsay, but he has a way to go. He is young still, but he will grow into the role. Wesley is a rake and dresses like he does not care, with his loose collars and untucked blouses. Micah dresses for the occasion, and David dresses like a commoner. His beard and way of dress reminds me of Ezra the spy. The Prince who walks among peasants and a friend of mine. I close my eyes for a minute, but I will not make the mistake of drifting off to sleep. I enjoy listening to the Antonovs, but Ramsay’s voice is the one that makes me smile.
“Lockton’s brother mentioned the Butcher is searching for her.” Wesley whispers. “He told me the Christian rode right up to his castle alone and demanded her return.”
“You cannot believe everything you hear, Wes. I heard she died. Rumors are just that.”
“They say the Lockton lied about having her, then sent him off into the mountains to search for her. We both know why he would lie.”
I am listening with my ears open wide. Christian is searching for me? Why would he search for me after he ended our marriage? I read the letter before Bash burned it. What if he did not write it? What if it was given to me to make me believe that he had? My heart is pounding with excitement. What if he still loves me? What if I am still his wife?
“If he is searching for her and he finds out Sebastian lied to him, there will be no war because, he will murder the Bloodtaker king and his men before he chases the rest of them into obscurity.” Micah speaks in a low voice. “He will butcher them all.”
“It is more reason for me to return her and hear what he has to say for himself.”
“You like her. Will you be able to hand her over to another man?”
“If the man is her husband, yes.” Ramsay is the sensible one. “They have a child together and if they were separated by foul means, I want them to be together again.”
“You are a better man than I am, brother.” Wesley tells him. “I would take her home and put my own child in her as soon as the Christians is whelped.”
The idea of Ramsay putting his child in me is not unpleasant. In fact, it makes me want to practice right now. I stretch out with my arms over my head and raise my knee. I am covered from neck to toe by my dress, but it does not stop the men from watching me. Their eyes linger on my swollen breasts. They are pressed tightly against the fabric clinging to their roundness. My slim knees are outlined by the dark silk of my dress, beckoning a man to lay between them.
“Out.” Ramsay says sharply. “All of you. Get the hell out.”
“Why?” Micah asks him. “What did we do?”
“Nothing.” David stands up. “He wants to be alone with her.”
“You are fucking the Butcher’s wife?” Wesley’s golden brows come together nervously. “Are you sure that is a smart thing to do?”
“I am damn sure not taking advice from you.” Ramsay laughs. “Leave us.”
He stands deathly still, until the last brother is gone. He closes the door behind them and drops the curtains before his fingers begin undoing the hooks on his vest. I undo the front of my dress. Ramsay finishes undressing first and strips me out of the rest of my clothing before joining me in our hanging nest where we forget about my husband and his family. When we are together, we forget about what is waiting for us outside of whatever it is we are doing with each other. We forget about what is real, because as good as he feels in my arms and inside my body, this is not. It is a fairytale that I am living for the moment. Until I know where my husband’s heart is, I cannot give my all to him. And this is fine with him, since he does not ask me for anything. He takes what I offer, and it is enough. I mount him. I take his cock deep and hard, biting my lip to keep my moans inside as we sway in the afternoon sun. Ramsay’s hands are full of my breasts and his mouth is full of my kiss as we work toward our mutual release.
“Ride me, Maeve.” He whispers. “Fuck me.”
“Ramsay.”
I whisper his name and take every inch of cock that he has to offer me. I want it all and Ramsay lets me have it. He gives it to me so damn good, that I almost cry Christian’s name. Ramsay is a wonderful lover, but no one will ever fill me with the pleasure and passion of my husband. This man was a boy who had eyes for me when I was a plain little girl. He rolls me over onto my back and kneels between my thighs. It takes some skill to perform this in a hammock, but Ramsay manages it without falling out. He has clearly mastered the art. The man has been fucking women on this ship since he could get hard. The word fuck comes to my mind too easily.
“Shit.” Ramsay grabs my hips and grinds into me. “You are so soft.”
He curses like a sailor and it makes me hot. I roll my hips to take him deeper. My cunt drips each time he raises up and sinks his cock inside me.
“Fuck me, Ramsay.” I repeat his words when I am on the crest of my release. “I am cumming too. Oh, God. I am cumming...”
“Which God is that?” Ramsay asks, when we are side by side. “The Christian’s or whatever spirit you pray to?” He wonders aloud.
A hard shove sends him tumbling to the hard floor.
“There is only one God, Ramsay Antonov. And he does not write books about himself or grants silly wishes.”
The Antonov lays on the floor underneath me laughing so hard that I laugh too. I gasp when the hammock flips over, and I fall out on top of him. What kind of man does that to a woman in my condition? I punch his shoulder. It only makes him laugh harder. Ramsay is fun. His laughter comes naturally. He is not like me or Christian. We never learned to laugh the way he does. Our childhoods were ripe with secrets and conflict. There was not much time for laughter when we were old enough to understand that we were different. Not different like others are different. We were the kind of different that forged our destinies. We will live the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders and killing those who want to kill us. This man is from a family of untouchables. They have no conflict with the church, or the rebels and have no fear of anyone. The power in his name allows him the freedom to laugh and dream.
“You always look as if you are here, but miles and miles away in a place that I will never see or know.” Ramsay is exquisite when he is serious. “And the Butcher is there with you.”
His observation makes me teary-eyed. I place my hand on the curve of his jaw. So smart. So worthy. So beautiful...
“I am falling in love with you.” I whisper with his face in my hands.
What more do I need to say after that? He knows that I will never make any promises, or vow to be with him and only him. This is all that I can offer him. Ramsay turns his lips into my palm and holds them there. He deserves to know that his affections for me are returned.
“If we are meant to be, we will be.”
This I can promise him. If we are meant to be together, we will be together. When he kisses me, I know that I will be loved either way. No matter who I end up with, I will love and be loved. Ramsay stands and helps me to my feet. I lay in the hammock, and he pulls on his hose.
“I need to do a walk through to check on things.” He dresses slowly because I am watching. “I will be back in an hour or so. Do not touch anything while I am away, or we could end up in the far-east.”
I close my eyes and catch the breeze that is making the sheer curtains dance. It is so much better up here than being buried in his cabin below. I drink in the fresh air while basking in the shaded sun. I enjoy the dip of the ship as it cuts through the waves and the steady swing of the hammock after Ramsay’s love making. This moment feels like a lullaby. I will not sleep. I will not sleep. I will not sleep. I fall asleep.
