The Captain's Revenge by Jessica S. Taylor

Author:Jessica S. Taylor [Taylor, Jessica S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sailor House Press

30

Caelum

Wrapping Brigid in a blanket and helping her stand on her own feet was nerve-wracking. My heart skipped with every movement, watching her so intently for any glimmer of discomfort. Despite Brigid admitting she felt better, I was afraid to touch her. Cuts and puncture wounds still covered her entire body.

Cradling her injured hand, she smiled at me as I pulled her into my arms. I needed to hold her, even if just for a moment. With my heart safely tucked under my chin, I looked over Brigid’s head at Lena and Kyla. “How close are we to Dàrna Cothrom? Should we wait until we arrive to have her transform again?”

“Transforming several more times would help heal her other injuries,” she replied, her eyes roving over Brigid’s body. “But she’ll be able to make it back, as long as she rests.”

“I don’t think the water casks aboard the ship wouldn’t be large enough to submerge yourself in,” Kyla said, rubbing at her chin. “But we could likely improvise a tank if you don’t want to transform out of the water again.”

“No,” Brigid and I both said at once. Brigid shuddered in my arms. “No, please no tank.”

“There was a tank in the room Cliodhna held her captive,” I murmured to Kyla, running my soothing hand down Brigid’s back as gently as possible.

“I’ll kill her,” Maira snarled from the doorway, her fingers curling into fists.

“Can I go up on deck?” Brigid asked softly. “I’d like to see the others.”

“Of course, teine,” I replied. “Let’s get you some clothes and food first.”

Brigid dressed in loose clothing and ate small bites of bread and dried meat. She drank a cup of fresh water and we waited, ensuring it would stay down before I led her above deck, careful of her injuries and sore muscles. I knew she wanted to walk on her own, but I held my hand behind the small of her back, ready to catch her if she stumbled.

Out in the sunshine, Brigid stopped, closing her eyes and tilting her head up toward the sky. The relief of the fresh air washed over her face and made anger burn in my chest. We should have rescued her sooner. How much had she suffered? Could she ever recover?

“You’re up,” said Cameron, approaching us with a wide grin. He raised an eyebrow at me, silently requesting permission to hug Brigid. I nodded toward the woman in front of me. She had all the control here. His smile softened, and he reached out to her. “Can I give you a hug, Brigid?”

Her body froze for a moment before she reached out to wrap her arms around his middle. His eyes closed as he rested his chin on her head and clenched his jaw, fighting off tears as he hugged her back.

“We missed you, Brigid,” he whispered, his voice lost to the wind.

She sniffed, wiping her nose with her good hand as she stepped back. She pasted a forced smile on her face, but given the circumstances, I was grateful she was trying at all.

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