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Killian
“Ainsley,” I shouted. “Get to my quarters and hide. Do not come out until I call the all-clear.”
Stabbing her hands on her hips, she stared at me, boldness and certainly disobedience clearly in her gaze. “I shall do no such thing. They are here because of me. We fight together, and I’ll not have you telling me what to do, Captain. I am not one of your crew members. I can and will help.”
Raking a hand down my face, I knew we didn’t have much time. “If that is what you wish, very well. But remain nearby. I will protect you at all costs.”
She gazed out into the horizon, watching as the Royal Navy traveled closer. “Listen, you take care of your crew. Ready the weapons, and I’ll hold the ship at bay until such time—when you are prepared for them. All I need is your word.”
This woman would be the death of me, I knew it. “If you’re to do this, remember what we practiced, all right? I cannot stress that enough, Ainsley.”
Glaring and huffing out a frustrated sigh, she squeezed my arm. “I can do this. I will hold them until your call.”
“Captain,” Rek shouted. “You’re needed on the bridge. They’re closing in fast!”
Warring with myself, I gave Ainsley a stiff nod, and prayed like hell she could pull this off.
Jogging toward the bridge, my heart thundered in my chest, just as it always had right before battle. Although this time it was different. I had to protect Ainsley and my crew, damn the consequences. Her debt had changed to something more, and it was no longer monetary in value. But I did not have time to ponder on such things.
“How much time?” I questioned Rek.
“Five, maybe seven minutes at best.”
“Dammit.” I turned to him. “Have the weapons been readied?”
He nodded. “Aye, Captain.”
Clapping him on the shoulder, I prepared to hold fire until they were three minutes out.
I heard Ainsley’s voice loud and clear: “I’ll hold them at bay,” she called out as she blasted lightning bolts from her palm. Then, all at once, a wild and blistering wind whipped across the deck and thunder clapped loudly. I stared out across the main deck to see Ainsley with her sword raised just as streaks of lightning lit up the now-darkening sky. Sheets of rain began to blanket the deck, and the wind howled, shaking the ship. Rek and I fell into each other as it rocked to one side. Just as we regained our footing, a fiery bolt of lightning shot toward the Royal Navy’s vessel, and it felt as though my eyes would bulge from their sockets.
Bloody hell!
What had that woman done?
“Ainsley!” I called out, running from the bridge and to the main deck. “What—?” My question died on my lips at what I saw.
I turned to Rek, and he only shrugged, then proceeded to chuckle with a shake of his head.
“Clear the deck!” I ordered, and then met Ainsley’s wide-eyed gaze.
Her hands quickly fluttered to her lips, covering her mouth in what appeared like shock and disbelief. “I thought I’d only slow them down, but instead, it seems as though I have sent the ship tumbling ass over teakettle through the clouds.” She dropped her hands, and her eyes widened even further. “My heavens! It’s smoking, and the men aboard are dangling upside down from the ropes. Oops.” She couldn’t seem to help herself from giggling as she turned to me with a shrug. "I was trying to hit the aft of the ship and only slow them down a bit. It was...perhaps, well... a slight mishap on my part?"
Shaking my head, I scrubbed a hand down my stubbled face. "Woman, you're a walking, talking mishap with that lightning unless you learn to control it." I picked up her cutlass, inspecting it for a moment before tossing it to her. "Sword. This is your weapon. Use it. Channel your magic through it, because your aim and control clearly need work."
“Thanks,” she muttered, undeniably knowing I was right, but her pride would not allow her to admit it—not to my face, anyway. “I believe for someone who only learned of having magical abilities, I am handling myself just fine, thank you very much, Captain.” She stared at me defiantly—which seemed to be her go-to method of a glare—and I knew exactly what should happen next. Lady Ainsley needed to learn a lesson, it seemed.
I smirked, coming to rest my palm on her shoulder, eyeing her with mischief no doubt flickering in my gaze. “Yes, yes, love. That, you are.” Trailing a lone finger down her arm, she watched as the procession ended at her wrist. I lifted it up and pressed a gentle kiss just on the inside, causing a frisson of sensations I’d never felt before to skitter down the length of my spine.
This is supposed to teach her a lesson, not heighten my own desire. The woman is surely going to be the death of me. Yet, I keep tempting myself.
Ainsley’s mouth opened and closed several times, clearly unsure of what to say. A soft moan escaped her throat as my lips caressed her bare skin, setting her cheeks aflame in a crimson blush.
“And this, mi’lady”—I gently lifted her wrist and she immediately gasped, staring at the delicate flesh where my lips had been—“is the part of your body you must learn to control the most.”
She inhaled sharply but could not seem to utter a word as her ice-blue gaze met mine, searching.
Pressing my hands to hers, I held our palms flush together, sparks of magic now racing across her fingertips. “Feel the magic, yes, but you must also be in tune with touch”—I kissed her fingers one by one—“and every other sensation around you. Do not allow yourself to become consumed by the power alone.” I gently dropped her hand and pressed it to her side, listening to her breathing as it came in shallow pants. “Only then will you wield all that you are capable of—and so much more. Your aim will be true...and with a sword as a conduit.”
Without a word, Ainsley clutched my shirt and pulled me forward, pressing her soft and delectable lips to mine.
