The Witch's Pirate! (Book 1)

Bayou

I awoke startled from my nightmare, sweat covered me from head to toe, my body shook. I placed my hand on my face and sighed.

“Stupid dream.” I groaned, rubbing the back of my neck.

A soft female groan caught my attention. I rubbed my eyes and looked down. I was on the floor, and next to me. My eyes widened.

Is it Crystal? Why is she with me? Wait... I looked down, to see that she was still in her clothes, and so was I. I breathed a sigh.

Stupid, if I did, I would be dead. I frowned, she held her hands together and arched her body up.

“No, Papa,” she cried in her dream. I moved to brush her thick hair away from her face. My eyes narrowed to see tears running down her cheeks. I moved closer to her and wrapped my arm around her small figure. Something in me moved, I wasn’t sure what, but I had to do this. She moved her hand and grasped my fingers. Our fingers intertwined and her cries began to subside.

My heart started to beat again, my body relaxed and I closed my eyes, inhaling her scent, which somehow eased me, she smelled like rain. Her fingers fit perfectly with mine.

She can smile, I saw her smile for the first time last night, even if it was a brief second, when she took that cabbage leaf out of my hair, I saw it. She has a very beautiful smile. It makes her eyes sparkle. It made me feel shy for the first time in my life.

I looked down at her sleeping form. She looked like a doll, somehow. She wasn’t even exceptionally beautiful.

What are you doing to me? I questioned, pressing my forehead against hers. Then the door banged open. I moved quickly only to bump my knee against the wall as I hissed in pain.

“Morning,” Max’s voice rang waking Crystal, I just waved my hand, biting my inner cheek, she groaned, rubbing her eyes. While I rubbed my knee trying to not give too much attention.

“Morning?” she asked, Max walks around, and sat on the floor, placing down a mug and a plate with bread.

“How long did we slept?” I asked, standing up, lifting my leg up ignoring the pain in my knee, so I rubbed my knotted hair. Crystal turned and her eyes widened, she leaped up and wrapped her legs up.

“Why am I sleeping with you? Wait, did you took advantage of me?” panic reached her eyes, I turned my head and arched a brow.

“Does it look like I did? Trust me, love, you would be naked in my bed under the covers and no eyes on us; would be awkward as hell if we had witnessed it. Plus, you would remember every inch of it.” I teased with a smirk making her cheeks flare up.

“He’s right nothing happen, rest assured. You two fell unconscious yesterday, so I placed you both here.” Now my eyes widened at this new information.

“Good,” I heard Crystal sigh out in relief.

“Bloody hell, you tell me this now.” I stood up.

“Wait, you need to eat. You took too much energy. Sorry Crystal, I couldn’t change you. There’s no woman on this ship.” Max sounded remorseful. I looked down at my clothes. I was wearing clean, dry clothes. Crystal stood up.

“Thank you for taking care of me,” she bowed to him. Max waved his hand.

“Eat, and Bayou.” He turned toward me.

“Hmm?” I bent down and grabbed a piece of bread, taking a bite of it.

“We are close, Shawn said we can arrive tonight.” My eyes narrowed at this. A smile passed my lips and I turned to face my witch.

“Hear that, by tomorrow you can go back to your parents.” With that, I turned and headed out.

Crystal

An hour later, after I had taken a bath and changed my clothes, I stood in the small kitchen, preparing lunch.

“Oi, are you making beef?” Shawn asked as he came up to me, inside the kitchen which was near Max’s cabin. It was a small kitchen filled with food; potatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, bread, all boxed up, with pints of water. The meat was kept under in an icebox to keep it fresh. A large fireplace was on my right with pots and pans.

“I... I did promise and rice. Today will be my last day, I hope. Hey, what happen to the rest of the crew? Only you and Max came back.” I questioned. Shawn frowned, as a flash of sadness passed his eyes.

“They stay behind and some were killed off by Captain Jones.” My heart stopped at this new information. I lowered my head.

“Sorry,” I whispered. Shawn shook his head and walked out.

“I’m used to it. La’dy you have to get used to it. Do you want to know why Captain Bayou is called the deadliest pirate alive?” I nodded.

But I don’t. This is tragic. I hate seeing people die. I frowned, rubbing my hands together, my heart pounding with remorse.

“Yes, did you know he has powers. I thought magic was all make believe, but he has it. Tell me, what is with that?” I questioned. Shawn frowned, but when he was about to speak, Max came in.

“Captain is calling for you, I need to speak to Crystal.” Shawn nodded at him and left us alone. Max moved to sit on a small chair near the fireplace.

“Please explain, what happen?” Max looked up at me.

“Bayou was cursed by King Drake when he was eleven.” My body went limp at this new information and I had to take hold of the edge of a box.

Why did that affect me?

“Crystal are you okay?” Max asked, concerned after my sudden reaction. I shook my head.

“Sorry, continue.” I rubbed my forehead. He nodded.

“I think he should tell you, it’s too personal, but the king screwed his life.”

“That king is a terrible low life.”

“You don’t even know the half of it,” Max murmured to himself. I licked my lips and looked up.

“What curse he gave him?” I asked. Max stood up and cleared his throat.

“He has three rules he has to follow. One,” Max placed his first finger up.

“He can never kill anyone if he does, his life span shortens. Two,” he placed his second finger out.

“Wait, but he kills, how does goes with the rules? Your somewhat explanations aren’t helping me understand the full picture.” I explained. Max stops for a brief second and sigh.

“I’m sorry, but is all I can tell you. It’s part of his curse, he can’t stop it. He’ll give you more details,” he tells me. I pounder at that, if he can’t kill, why is he killing? I don’t get it. Max clears his throat, getting my attention once again.

“He can never use his powers thus he needs a witch, you will see why he needs a witch, this will be interesting to see. Later I’ll give you more details. Three,” he raised his third finger, then he shook his head, as to say never mind.

“What is the third rule?” Max actually chuckled.

“That is something he has to tell you personally, doubt he wants anyone to know. Oh, I forgot to say, you know why he’s the deadliest pirate to sail the seven seas?”

Not anymore.

"Because he’s a pirate?” I guessed.

Max clapped his hands, causing me to jump in fright he laughed and started to walk out.

“He has massacred two whole villages, like no other pirate has, thus earning his reputation, and..” he stopped, his head dropped and sadness cross his voice.

“He has one more year to live if he doesn’t break this curse, so I beg you for my son’s sake, help him, you are the only one that can do it. Despised of everything he does, trust me, is not his will, but the curse.”