A Pirate's Revenge (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) by M.L. Guida Page B

accepting your curse. Dragons possess magic, and if your emotions dominate you, you could unknowingly release these powers on those you care about most.”
    Not that she was one of them.
    ***
    William wanted to shake Mariah into listening to reason. Her flashing eyes threw daggers into his heart. He glared. “One of those powers is a hunger so fierce that the only thing I want to do is consume anything in my way. You could become a midnight snack.”
    Solstice growled. William glowered.
    “Solstice.” Mariah grabbed the dog’s collar. “I am not afraid.”
    The lass could barely control her damn dog, let alone go up against demons. “Well, there’s no accountability for being ignorant.”
    “ Mon Dieu!” She lifted a closed fist as if to strike him. “I am not ignorant.” She slammed it down, hitting her thigh. “I know what I am doing.”
    “You’re from a small little cottage outside of Tortuga. Sheltered from the real world. Sheltered from war. Sheltered from torture and mayhem.”
    “No, I am not, William. My parents sacrificed themselves to save Lark and I. They were burned at the stakes. Oui , I am quite familiar with war, with torture, so do not presume I am some innocent farm girl. My innocence was robbed from me long ago.”
    William stood in shock, his anger doused. Mariah’s lower trembled, but her fierce eyes met his gaze.
    “Bloody hell, Mariah. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that’s how they died.”
    She hugged her arms around her waist. “I try not to think about it.”
    “You…” He hesitated. “You…didn’t see it.” He couldn’t imagine the terror, the helplessness, the screams.
    “No, my parents left us with Grand-mère and Grand-père . They met our pursuers alone. ’Twas only later—” Her voice cracked. “That…”
    William took her in his arms, wishing he could wipe the memory from her. He still had nightmares about seeing his mother shot then dying in his arms, but if she had been burned alive, he didn’t think he’d have the strength to cope. He’d be drowning in rum everyday to block the horror.
    He kissed the top of Mariah’s head, inhaling her fragrant scent. “I don’t want to see anything happen to you. If you face Zuto…” He couldn’t say the rest, afraid of what the shrewd demon would do to her.
    “I know what I am doing,” she murmured against his chest.
    He put both his hands on her wet cheeks and forced her to look at him. “Do you want to end up like Lark?”
    She pushed on his chest. “I will not lose my brother like I did my parents.” 
    She was so small and petite, a beautiful rose determined to weather the upcoming storm of evil. He picked up the stone lying between her breasts. “Your grandmother is right. Even since we left the cottage, the stone has changed. Lark is falling under Zuto’s control. Don’t you see? This could be you. Something evil and vile.” He released the stone.
    “You already think I am something evil and vile, no?”
    “I never said you were evil or vile.”
    “No, you just think all witches are.”
    “I didn’t say you .”
    She folded her arms. “How chivalrous of you.”
    He stepped closer. “Do not belittle my honor. Do you know what Palmer would do with a woman aboard his ship?”
    She lifted her chin; fire blazed in those angry eyes. “ Oui , I do. I need you to leave.”
    “Leave? Leave why?”
    “I need to be alone.”
    Suspicion grew in his mind. Was she planning on casting a spell? Something she didn’t want anyone to know about. “Why?”
    “I need some privacy.” 
    He raised his eyebrow. “To put away your things?”
    She opened her bag, pulled out a dress, and folded it. “If you must know, I need to do a spell.”
    “To do what?”
    “Lark and I have always had a bond, and I want to see if I can reach him. I need to concentrate, and your disbelief rattles me.” She continued folding her dresses neatly into the chest. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to unpack.”
    William followed