The Witch's Pirate! (Book 1)

Bayou

I watched Crystal dozing off, her head tilting forward, a half an hour later. I couldn’t sleep. After what she had told me, all I wanted was to murder the king even more, how much my hatred grew by the minute for this king.

“You silly girl, you are so weird sometimes, at first you wanted to go home, now you want to stay? What am I going to do with you?”

I moved a little and grasped Crystal’s body, ignoring my pain and laid her on my lap. She groaned, small tears escaping her eyes. I moved my hand and wiped them away.

“Sorry, I’m so sorry.” I whispered, brushing her bushy hair away from her small face. I heard the door squeak open. I lifted my gaze to see Max coming in.

“She fell asleep.” I told him. He nodded, and sat next to me crossing his legs.

“The elder wants to speak to us,” he whispered so he wouldn’t wake Crystal. I lowered my head.

“She told me you saved her. Thank you, Papa.” I lowered my head, staring at Crystal. I felt his hand on my shoulder.

“She was calling out for you,” he suddenly said. I lifted my gaze to stare at him giving him a startled look.

“She was?”

“Yes, luckily for my ears, I heard her, and Belle and I went after her. We both of you, so the next half an hour we were searching. It was odd. What happened to you?” He asks, giving me a confused look.

I sighed and cross my arms, to look down at Crystal sleeping form once again. She starts to snore softly, parting her lips.

“I saw the king, he stood there laughing at me, and telling me how much he wanted to meet with me and get what he wants from me. Papa, what did I ever do to him that he can hate me so much? It was my parents fault, not mine.” I felt guilt and anger mix. I moved my fingers, to run them through Crystal’s hair, trying ease my frustration. Her hair was wild, but soft to the touch.

She eases me so much. I don’t know why?

“What your parents did, even I wouldn’t have done it.” his voice dropped. I turned to face him.

“I want to return Crystal back. I can’t allow this anymore. I can have my back turned and any man can take her and take advantage of her. She’s too innocent to be tainted like that. I met women that have, and is not a good sight for the heart.” I frowned, my heart aching even more. Max sighed.

“Then we return her after we save Belle’s sister.” I went still.

“No, I will return Crystal and you go save Belle’s sister. I’m not taking chances anymore. She will return within a week.”

“Will you able to handle it?” Max asked.

“I will, is not like I’m attached to her or anything.” I told him. Max arched a brow, to say, ‘Sure, you’re not.’

“And I’m the next witch in your line,” he chuckled. His words made me look at him with a very dry humorous face.

“Ha, funny,” I rolled my eyes. He gently patted my shoulder once again and stood up.

“The elder wants to speak with us, let’s go, leave Crystal sleeping, she had a long day.” I nodded, watching him leave. I looked down, and my eyes softened.

“I’m sorry Crystal, I can’t have you next to me, is too dangerous. I never thought it would go to this extent. I’d rather die than see you hurt in any way.” I moved down and pressed my forehead on her.

“You will always be my witch, but I don’t deserve you.”

Crystal

I arched my body, rubbing my eyes.

“Bayou?” I called out, to see no one around. Panic arose in me, and I bolted up.

“Oh no, Bayou!” I called out, standing up, I removed the blanket off of me rushing out, only to stop, to see the door half open. I reached to go out when I heard Belle’s voice.

“Alden, tell us, where is Joe?” she asked. I peeked through, seeing the small room light up with candles and a fireplace, on the right. I could spot the wooded strange door behind Max, who leaned against the wall.

“Where’s Bayou?′ I looked around, spotting him next to the elder. She was sewing a blanket, while Bayou looked bored, crossing his arms. Belle was sitting in the middle, looking straight at the elder.

“He looks okay, he’s so dense.” I breathed out to open the door, but the elder’s voice echoed stopping me.

“Joe? The seer? He’s dead, been dead for some time, the king killed him off.” The room went silent, then Bayou snorted out.

“Then what do we do? Is there another seer that knows about the map?” Max asked her. The elder gently placed her knitting down and glanced at Belle.

“When a door closes, another one opens. The shadow will never leave this place until the king dies. The Map will appear when is time to appear. If you wish to look for it, you may.” she calmly told them.

“Then what do we do?” Bayou asked. The older woman lifted her gaze at Bayou.

“You search what else, are you planning on leaving the little one behind?” I arched a brow, getting closer to the door. Not noticing that the elder had already taken notice of my presence.

“Little one?”

“She meant Crystal since she’s the youngest of all of us,” Belle explained to him. Bayou nodded and turned to face her.

“How the he...I mean, heck you know that?”

Leave me behind? Panic reaches me, from the words.

“I might be old, but not a stupid pirate. So tell me will you leave the little one behind?”

“Aye, I will.” he honestly replies to her. I started to rub my hands together.

“Why?”

“Because it’s too dangerous for her, the king can take her or anyone for that matter, I have many enemies already over my head, she doesn’t need to get involved.”

“Isn’t she already involved? She is your wife now.” Again a silence appeared around.

“How did you know?” Belle asked amazed. She shrugged, turning to face her.

“You are looking for your sister, head west from here, and you will find her, she is nearer than you think. As for you,” she turned to face Max.

“You should learn to let go of the past, bring a new chapter in your life, you never know when the past will come and haunt you,” my heart stopped at her sudden words.

What does she mean by that?

“As for you, pirate, you have a long way to go, and your idea may not work. She is tied to you. I see a strong bond, a strong bond not even death can break. You may not comprehend it now, but in the future you will. I recommend you to abandon your ideas, the little one can defend herself, and she won’t leave you just because you say so.”

“I’ll make her, but what do you mean strong bond? I don’t get it.” He asked her. The Elder chuckled, and glanced at the door, where I hid behind.

“All in its due time pirate. Everything comes when it is the time. Take good care of her because she’s is the major key to breaking your curse.”

I’m a major key? How? Please don’t tell me true love kiss? That is too original and cliché, I don’t love him.

“A true love kiss? Seriously? How unoriginal is that.” Bayou mentioned as though he had read my mind.

“True love kiss? This isn’t a fairy tale pirate. Trust me, what she has to do, is far greater than any kiss, and that will test her love for you. Now go back to bed,”

What do I have to do? What love? I don’t love him, he just a friend now. I lowered my gaze when I heard someone clear their throat.

“What about me?” Belle asked.

“Don’t worry dear, everything will work out for you.” Belle didn’t know if she had to breathe out relief or not, then Max sighed.

“How do you know all this? Alden, who are you?” he asked. Alden, lifted her gaze up, and a dark laugh passed her lips.

“You really want to know who I am?” everyone nodded. The old lady gently placed her knitting down and lace her fingers together.

“Well, my name is Alden and I’m the Shadow keeper.”