Chapter Nine

 

 

 

Merritt watched everything and wished he could join Denny. He wished he could take him and drag him to the nearest ship away from here.

Soon, he promised himself. The crowd got up en masse and surged toward the doors. Fairy guards escorted Denny to the cells. Merritt remained in his seat. It took him a long time to leave the courtroom. He knew Denny had seen him, and for one moment, Merritt worried that everybody present had been able to see the sparks flying between them. Merritt gripped the low marble wall of the balcony and closed his eyes. All that Denny had been through was worse than Merritt had imagined.

When at last he left the court, he knew it was time to get rid of the cloak. He slipped out of the building and, making sure nobody followed him, he made his way to the small, ancient church opposite the modern and massive court house. Centuries ago, Merritt and Fortunata’s parents had fled their own island kingdom in England and traveled here, establishing a new and happy kingdom. They’d embraced and welcomed all in the magical world, eventually being betrayed and murdered by people they’d trusted.

Everything had changed when they’d allowed outsiders—Western sea traders and ships containing sick men aboard that no magic could cure. His thoughts flew to Denny and the Italian explorer he’d been forced to kill.

Merritt and Fortunata had grown up without their parents, trusting only each other. Fortunata had such a wonderful, glorious side to her, but constant loss and romantic failure had clouded her judgment. She had never been a happy girl, in spite of having everything. Having so much power and weaving chaotic spells didn’t seem to bring her joy, or peace of mind. In fact, she had become dangerously delusional. It had begun on the ship when they’d been abducted. She hadn’t been able to protect herself. Or Merritt. Instead of being grateful that Merritt had found love, she’d tried her hardest to disparage and discredit Denny, even though he’d saved them.

Inside the church, Merritt lifted off the hood and removed the cloak. The memories and bad feelings his sister and cousin had woven into it would find peace in this beautiful place. He was the only one in his family who came here. A soft whinny told him that Cillian had arrived. Merritt opened the backdoor, and the horse, standing on the small grassy knoll they’d called the ha-ha as children, came down the slope and trotted inside.

Merritt laughed. The priest would have a fit if he saw the horse in his church, but Merritt let Cillian sniff and paw his way around the apse. Seeming antsy, Cillian moved to the ambulatory on either side of the apse, then he spun around and, tail swishing, made his way past the pews normally reserved for the choir to the transept, almost in the middle of the building. When he stopped and clomped a hoof in a certain section, Merritt knew this was the spot.

“Back to the palace, Cillian,” he said. “Go, my friend. Find Avery. I will see you very soon.”

Cillian shook his great head. He didn’t want to leave him.

Merritt stroked the horse’s mane and flank. “We’ve been together so long, I promise, this isn’t goodbye.”

Cillian’s bright, warm eyes bore into his.

“I will be home soon,” Merritt whispered, wrapping his arms around the great stallion’s neck.

At last, Cillian left, Merritt glad that he would return to Avery, who would rub him down and feed him well. As long as he’d known Cillian, this was the only time Merritt was aware of him ever dying. Thank God he’d returned. Good had triumphed over evil.

Merritt waited until the sky grew dark. He knew the priest who served here would be with the jurors discussing the case. The judge’s sudden command to cut the proceedings short worried Merritt. He had to move fast. Once he was certain he was alone, he dug into the hardened earth blocks in the ground with a ceremonial dagger from the altar table. Beneath the stone lay his parents’ ashes in sealed caskets. Merritt had never actually seen them before and became emotional when he found them covered in dust, but intact.

Their parents’ enemies must never know where their ashes were. Even a small amount could give their enemies power. Only a few people knew their precise location. The priest, Cillian, and now Merritt. He folded the cloak and stuffed it into the small space. Beside it, he lay the small gold cross belonging to the priest. Merritt had found it on the altar in Gremma’s house. He had no idea what Fortunata intended to do with it, but she hadn’t begun her magic on it. Now she never would. In the encroaching darkness, he replaced the stone block and filled in the dirt. He cleaned off the ceremonial dagger he’d used, hoping God wouldn’t mind his using it, then, when he was certain all trace of his work was gone, he left the church.

Merritt visited the four remaining owners of the hexed items and returned their belongings to them. By the time he returned to the palace, he’d had a long and exhausting day and he wanted nothing more than a hot bath, some food then sleep. He stopped by the stables first and found Cillian covered in a blanket and eating hay.

“He seems somehow different,” Avery remarked, rubbing Cillian’s nose.

“How so?”

“A little younger.”

Merritt didn’t say anything for a moment, then he asked, “Did he have a wound when he came back this morning?”

“Aye.” Avery looked surprised. “I was able to fix it, but I still have no idea how he managed to hurt himself.”

“It was my sister,” Merritt whispered. “I want you to leave the palace with him. He’s not safe here.”

“But—”

Merritt pressed a bag of gold into Avery’s hands. “I will get you more. But until you hear from me, you are to keep him in the stables by the forge.”

“Smitty’s forge?”

Merritt nodded. “If anyone asks, I’ll say Cillian needs new shoes.”

“He does need new shoes, but I thought Smitty was under the weather.”

“Smitty’s in fine fettle now.” Merritt grabbed Avery’s arms and looked into his eyes. “Neither of you are to come back here until you hear from me directly. Don’t believe any messages. Don’t listen to anybody. I will come to you myself.”

“Yes, sir,” Avery said. “Are we to leave right now?”

Merritt nodded. “Yes. Just wait until I get my sister out of the way.” Merritt raced outside and caught Fortunata creeping toward the stables.

“Hello, sis,” he said, hands on hips.

Fortunata gave a soft little shriek. “You scared me.”

Good. “We need to talk.”

“About what?” she asked, looking evasive. Even in the near darkness, her sudden fear was palpable.

“I’ve destroyed the spells you cast. I’ve taken off all the hexes. How could you do this to the people we know and love?”

“I never—”

“Don’t lie. I know everything.”

A myriad emotions crossed her face. “What have you done with Gremma?”

“Sent her someplace safe.”

She let out a sigh. “And the cloak?”

“Gone.” He paused. “Can you explain yourself?”

Fortunata looked emotional when she said, “I know this will sound weird, but I did it out of love.”

“Love?” he scoffed. “You don’t know the meaning of the word.”

“Yes, I do. I love you and I am so afraid you’ll leave me. I thought…I thought if I kept you sedated, sort of here and not here, you wouldn’t miss him.” She shook her head. “But you still love him. And I know he loves you. I have never had anyone who loves me like that. Never.”

“Perhaps if you didn’t try hexing your lovers you might fare better.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The love spells, Fortunata. You can’t help yourself. Like all of your spells, they backfire.”

“They don’t backfire. They just don’t always go the way I want them to.” She blew out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m especially sorry about the horse. I know how much you love him. Sometimes I think you love him more than me.”

“I do, as it happens.”

She gasped.

“Cillian never grated his fingernails into my coffee in order to keep my loyalty. He never drugged me or kept me a prisoner in my room. I know you think you love me, but you don’t know the meaning, and now, I need a hot bath and a lot of space from you.”

“But—”

“Not now, Fortunata.” He held up a hand. “Just give me time.” He stalked away, surprised when two men from Denny’s old pirate ship approached him.

“It’s Rigby, isn’t it?” Merritt asked.

“Aye, sir, glad you remember me.” Rigby looked shifty-eyed when he said, “Cap’n Denny managed to escape. He gave me a note to give you. Hopes you can meet him.”

Rigby handed him the note. Merritt took it just as Fortunata came up behind him.

“What’s going on here?” she asked.

Rigby and his friend took off.

“He brought me a note from Denny.”

“Impossible,” Fortunata said. “Sweetie, it’s a trap.”

“And I’m to believe you? The worst liar of all?”

“I promise you, Denny is in his prison cell. He cannot escape.”

“How can I trust you? You’ve kept us apart all these months.”

“I’m sorry. Truly, I am sorry, but I don’t believe Rigby. I cannot believe Denny sent that note.”

“Well,” Merritt said, mustering up more confidence than he actually felt, “that’s a chance I am going to have to take.”

Merritt opened the note but in the blanketing darkness couldn’t read much. He picked out the words ‘ship’ and ‘harbor’ and ran toward the ocean. His breath caught in his throat. His lost love! He couldn’t wait to see Denny and ignored Fortunata, who screamed his name.

“It’s a trap!” she yelled at the same moment Rigby jumped in front of him.

Rigby threw a punch, which Merritt easily ducked. Rigby threw another punch, which glanced off Merritt’s chin. Dazed, Merritt swung back, aiming for Rigby’s solar plexus. He hit him, surprising Rigby who reeled back, letting out a loud, “Oof.”

Somebody came up from behind Merritt. He turned to see Fortunata attempting to fight off the man Merritt had seen earlier with Rigby.

“No!” she yelled, laying her ineffective fists on him.

Rigby came roaring back and attacked Merritt once more.

“Do something!” Merritt yelled at Fortunata. Of all the times for her to suddenly stop throwing spells.

Rigby took Merritt to the ground, another sailor racing over to help him. Merritt fought them both.

“He has courage!” Rigby yelled with a laugh. “The pirate’s whore can fight!”

Merritt flew into a rage. “Help me!” he shouted at Fortunata whose face was a blur as Merritt tumbled on the ground with the two pirates.

“You weren’t supposed to hurt him,” she shrieked at Rigby. “Somebody’s coming! Take him. Now!” She waved her hand at Merritt, who sank into nothingness. The whole world turned black.

 

* * * *

 

Denny had lost all track of time but was exhausted. He knew he would sleep as soon as he lay on his bed.

He couldn’t think straight, let alone have a serious conversation with Ebba, who chattered at him nonstop all the way back to his cell. He wished she would go away. She went on and on about her fears that the jury would dislike him because of his rough edges and his hard life.

“I’ve done my best,” he said. “But it’s not over yet, right?”

“Maybe not.” She looked flustered. “Usually when the jury calls for a session to end early they’ve already reached a verdict and they leave it in the judge’s hands. They will give you an opportunity to accept their offer.”

“You mean the trial is possibly over?”

“Maybe. We can discuss it if and when the offer is made but I am pretty certain they will make an offer before we go to court in the morning.”

“What do you think they’ll offer?” he asked, using the last remnants of water in his cell’s drinking glass to clean his teeth.

Ebba seemed to find something of tremendous interest in his barren wall space.

“What?” he asked.

She did an odd thing. She pressed her hand against the beige-colored wall and pushed, as though expecting a secret door to emerge. “I don’t think you will receive the death sentence.”

“That’s a relief.”

She swallowed. “I suspect they will offer you life imprisonment, or a lifetime of slavery.”

“Such exciting choices.”

She looked at him. “Which are you most inclined to accept?”

“I have no idea,” he said, wondering if she had already been given an offer to present to him. She would just have to wait. He was more convinced than ever that she had no intention of helping him, but didn’t want to see him hang, either.

“How is your brother?” he asked.

“Fair. He’s in the infirmary. They gave him a draught. He enjoys those. They help him sleep.”

Denny didn’t respond. He hated medicine and couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a draught. He recalled now he’d taken one years ago for a tooth extraction. It hadn’t done much to ease the terrible pain. The memory came back so vividly he could feel the tooth aching all over again.

He lay on his bed facing away from her. He was tired of all this. Maybe execution would be a release.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” she said, giving him a comforting pat on the back. The truth was he’d always seen himself as invincible. Perhaps most men did. He’d never thought that he would end up on trial for his life. For a long time, he lay on his side staring at the wall. Perhaps it was apt. It was blank, like his future. He had to face facts. It was unlikely he’d be a free man again. His life as he’d known it was over.

Gone.

Given the choice of imprisonment, or a lifetime of slavery, he’d have to consider which option would best give him the means for crafting an escape. He had his wings, didn’t he? He could fly. How far or for how long, he had no idea. He suspected the slavery option involved having one of his wings clipped, just like the cursed pirate eagle, Howard deGacy.

Denny kept pondering his problem. Upon his intake, everybody had made a big deal about his inability to fly, and his painful wings. He was starting to hurt now and needed more nectar. Maybe I will die in my sleep. That would end all my problems. He closed his eyes, the mess that had become his life parading around in his mind like a French carousel. Stop the world. I want to get off.

Utter desolation consumed him. He blinked back hot tears. I’m a fairy. No, I mean, I’m a pirate. Pirates don’t cry!

He tried to will himself back to his favorite daydream, his one and only deeply erotic encounter with Merritt, but his mind wouldn’t cooperate. The cell door lock jangled, and half expecting the tittering of Unseelie fairies, he was surprised to see the door swinging open but nobody there. A sudden chill descended on the room like a thick, wet blanket as he tried to sit up on his bed. Cold tendrils of pain shot out around him, pinning him to the mattress. Thick, wet tentacles wrapped him in their invisible embrace. Stunned, he tried to breathe, but it was like being smothered by a big, slobbering, unseen octopus. Whatever it was that held him sucked at his face, chest and arms. He was powerless to fight it. The thing pressed on Denny’s heart as though trying to work its way inside his body. Denny tried to fend off the harrowing attack but couldn’t move.

They sentenced me to death. And this is how I am going to die.

His mind kept spinning. Bones snapped in his torso and the screams coming out of his own mouth frightened him. The thing crushed Denny’s wings, then invaded his mouth. Denny gave in then when his heartbeat hammered in his head. He saw Merritt’s face in his mind. And his sister’s. He knew now that she hadn’t gone on to some merry life in Australia. She was in trouble and he could no longer help. Just as he thought the end was coming, the thing backed away from him.

Something puffed in his face. “Huh-huh.” An unusual smell like sausages invaded the small space.

“Is he still alive?” a soft voice whispered. Was it a woman?

“Enough, Cetus,” a harsh masculine voice responded.

Cetus? Denny opened his mouth to scream but no sound emerged. He’d heard tales of this infamous sea monster that was part octopus, part human and dragon too. Other seamen had warned him that the creature lurked in the ocean surrounding the Caribbean. He would have dismissed the stories as the result of too much liquor on the high seas, but the people who’d reported to him had seemed terrified months after their encounter with this Cetus creature. After he’d been cursed, Denny had learned first-hand that anything was possible.

He finally managed to sit on his bed, wondering if Cetus would lunge at him again. Denny’s whole body shook as he struggled to regain his breath. It took every ounce of effort in him to do so. A fresh wave of pain tore through him and, suddenly, his feet were wet. He glanced down, his mouth opening wider into a silent scream. The floor to the cell was receding and his bed disappeared into the wall behind him. He was in a cave. An ice blue, watery cave with slippery steps that appeared to have people’s faces frozen beneath them.

A strange roar invaded the space, and Denny finally looked up and his heart almost gave up its fight. He’d never seen anything like the strange, floating sea-green blob with bones protruding from its head and back. Angry red eyes stared at him from a mountain of wavering, spiky tentacles that seemed to make up his hair and face.

His hands were webbed with sharp talons that Denny knew the creature was dying to use. Blood dripped from them, and Denny’s voice came out in a frightened squeak. He looked down at his chest and saw that he’d been ripped and slashed. Denny fell down the sharp, icy steps to land on the bottom of the cave floor.

“My clothes,” he whispered. He was naked and his wings felt as though they were on fire as he lay on his side, trying to catch his breath. He was afraid, and also unable to move his arms to feel them. He swallowed as the monster came toward him once more.

“Cetus. Stop!” the female voice shrieked.

From somewhere ice cracked and frigid water dripped onto Denny’s head and back. The agony it caused was indescribable. His skin was white. He knew he was freezing to death.

“Put his clothes back on,” the woman insisted. Denny knew that voice. “We haven’t condemned him… Yet.”

Denny looked around him but couldn’t tell where the female voice was coming from since it was just him and Mr. Ugly in the cave room. Denny kept shivering, the condensation from his breath coming out in thick puffs as he gave his full attention to just trying to breathe.

“Cetus!” the female voice commanded.

The sea creature roared, opening his mouth to reveal row after row of tiny shark heads, all screaming and snapping their jaws. Denny tried turning his head away, but was still unable to move so he closed his eyes, uttering a silent prayer: I am sorry, God. I really am. He couldn’t bear to see those hideous jaws coming for him. The cold, meaty breath swamped him as Cetus advanced on him, then suddenly a crack of thunder reverberated in the room and the sea monster squealed and retreated, one huge, webbed claw hugging the cave floor, the other pointing at Denny. The creature was furious.

“Back, Cetus. Now.”

The creature whined as he scurried back and disappeared into a spray of ocean water.

Silence.

For several minutes, Denny waited. The cave warmed and from nowhere his clothes appeared on his body. They seemed covered in beige slime. The sea monster. Denny wanted to be sick but footsteps in the distances made him stop and listen. They were coming from the far left. He was surprised when the monk’s habit appeared and whoever wore it moved quickly toward him.

“Merritt?” Denny’s voice came out in a whisper. The hood on the habit fell back and Denny almost screamed. “Fortunata.” He had nowhere to run, nowhere to move. He’d known she’d been around but from the moment he’d landed here, nobody had spoken of her without trepidation. Like Denny, they all seemed afraid of her. He tried not to show his fear, but she skewered him with a look.

“My brother came to watch your trial and he was abducted late last night,” she said. She was as beautiful as ever but grief had etched hard lines around her eyes and red rims that, even now, threatened to spill over with tears.

“Abducted?” He squinted at her. “Surely you can’t think I had anything to do with it.”

“No. I know you are not responsible.”

“Then why…all this?” He shrugged, looking around the cave. “Have you heard anything? Is Merritt in good health?”

She looked at him a moment. “The trial had a hung jury. Two of the jurors feel you can never heal from the things that have happened to you and that you can never be a good man.”

“Which two were they?”

“The twin seers,” she said.

That shocked him. He didn’t know how to respond. “I thought they liked me,” he whined when he’d recovered from the news.

“They do, which is why they have agreed to change their vote.”

“Really? What did you all decide?” Denny held his breath with anticipation.

“The others feel you deserve a second chance. So the seers have a question. They sense you have aspects of goodness. I am willing to give you the opportunity to prove it.”

“You said they have a question?”

“Yes. A question about love.”

“Love?” What was she talking about?

The twin seers’ voices emerged from somewhere deep in the cave. Denny couldn’t see them but heard them clearly. “There is one thing you can do to persuade us to change our minds,” they said in unison. “Prove you are worthy of being loved and trusted.”

“How?” He couldn’t help the sulky tone.

Fortunata spoke then. “Rescue my brother for me.”

“I can but try.” He paused. “Why do I feel there is the weight of many conditions on this?”

“Because you’re not as stupid as you look.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“It’s a compliment, you buffoon.”

He was a prisoner of a lunatic woman in a horrible cave. He was in no position to argue.

“We know who took him. I am willing to let you rescue him because I know you have genuine feelings for my brother, and because his captors would never suspect you would be able to come for him.”

“Who are his captors?”

She gazed at him, a malicious gleam to her eye as she said, “Pirate Captain Rigby.”

Denny’s eyes widened. “He’s not a captain. He’s a second mate!” Taking a moment to absorb the shock he asked, “Are you sure he took Merritt?”

“Oh yes. The fool is attempting a ransom. He sent Merritt a note, pretending it had come from you. Of course, Merritt fell into the trap and raced to meet you and got caught.”

Denny became enraged. “He tricked him?” He wanted to kill Rigby right then and there.

“Trust me, when I get my hands on him, he won’t just be sprouting fairy wings.”

Denny looked at her. “He wouldn’t hurt him again. He wouldn’t put him in chains. He might be all kinds of a monster, but—”

“Oh no. He likes Merritt. He just wants a lot of money for his safe return.”

Denny couldn’t deny himself a stab of jealousy. “I didn’t know Rigby was homosexual. Are they…ah… Are they lovers?”

“Of course not.” She looked indignant. “My brother thinks he’s in love with you.”

Denny couldn’t resist a smile.

She narrowed her eyes and shook her head. “Rigby’s attraction to my brother is purely financial. Things haven’t been good between me and Merritt since we left your ship.”

Denny waited. There was nothing to say. She had to know Denny, too, was miserable.

She sighed. “Somehow, Rigby has managed to obscure his exact location from my attempts to find him. If anyone can see through his web of spells, it’s you.”

“Web of spells? What do you mean?”

Fortunata looked to her right, and Denny noticed the twin seers emerging from the shadows.

“You’re right. He really doesn’t know.”

“I don’t know what?” Denny wanted to scratch his head but still couldn’t move his hands.

“Rigby is a powerful sorcerer. He lied to me about you and made me think you were the sorcerer. I see I was wrong now.”

“That’s why you whammied me?” Denny stared at her.

“And you rejected me.” She sniffed.

“I told you that you were beautiful. I also told you I don’t fancy women. It was nothing personal.”

She held up a hand, a pained expression on her face. “The two sisters here have helped me see the error of my ways.” As though to ward off any argument or questions from Denny she said, “I am willing to offer you a handsome reward for my brother’s recovery.”

“Like what?” He had no idea why he was being so sullen but he didn’t trust her one bit.

“You don’t trust me.” It was a statement, not a question.

“No, I don’t. Look what you did to me.”

She pulled a face. “I can’t change it, and I’ll confess I can practice no magic without my brother being here. We’re bonded by an old family curse and our powers lie in each other’s well-being.”

He absorbed this a moment. “So when can I start looking for him?”

“Wait,” she said. “This depends upon your answer…” She gestured to the twin seers, who looked at her, then at each other, then down at Denny, who was still on the cave floor.

Denny gulped. “I’m ready,” he said, trying not to focus on the fact that neither of the twins appeared to have feet and they looked even stranger up close and personal. They had bird-like features with eyes that blinked and took in everything. Their long blue robes had a musty smell. Whatever question they have, I bet it’s a doozy. I hope they don’t ask me the meaning of life or love. What’s the meaning of anything?

“We want to know about your relationship with Merritt,” the twins said in unison.

“Fire away.” Oops. Those are dangerous words around here.

“What exactly are your feelings for him?” they asked.

“Oh, that’s easy. I felt sure he understood me and I loved him for every aspect of what he did and who he loved. I had a complete…a resting place finally.”

The twin seers stared at him. “And what is the meaning of life?” they asked him.

When he looked stumped they tittered, pointing at him. “Only joking,” they said.

“There are a couple of things you need to understand if you are to take this mission,” Fortunata said, holding up a hand to stop the tide of bird-like giggles. “One. You are to bring my brother home. If you want to be with him, you will need to live here.”

“Here?” He peered around him.

“Not here, you buffoon.”

“You’re rather fond of that word, aren’t you?”

“I think it’s apt where you’re concerned.” She rolled her eyes. “I meant here on the island. You can live in the palace with us.” Fortunata leaned down to him and enunciated carefully, “I cannot and will not live without my brother.”

“Understood. I don’t like living without him either.” He took a deep breath. “You’re inviting me to live in that big, sparkly palace with you and Merritt?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe you,” he said.

“Well!”

“I’ve learned from experience that you’re a switchy witch. Why should I trust you?”

The twin seers turned in unison and stared at her. “You must tell him.”

“Oh, all right.” Fortunata glowered at them, then at Denny. “Once you return with him you can never leave the island. I have promised the judge I won’t place anymore whammies on people of the high seas. I can’t do that unless I never leave here. I have a terrible temper, you know.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

The twin seers giggled. Fortunata glared at them.

“Is the rest of your island nicer than this?” Denny asked.

She gave him a sharp glance. “It’s paradise. Well, most of it is. I’m going to clean up the port and stop all the trials. The judge and jury want to retire anyway.”

He thought for a moment. That sounded pretty good to him but he missed his sister terribly. Could he live without being able to keep searching for Penny?

“I have one other thing that might persuade you to stay here,” Fortunata said. “I have arranged for the rescue of your sister. I know where she is and I can bring her to you. And that is a promise.”