Redeemer of Shadows by Michelle M. Pillow

Author:Michelle M. Pillow [Pillow®, Michelle M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Raven Books LLC

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hathor’s eyes flew open with a jolt. She was still on the ship. Sighing with a morose sense of relief, she turned over to look at Servaes’ sleeping face. He was so handsome, even sick and pale as he was. She touched him delicately in the dimming light of the lantern. Her hand glided lovingly over his whiskered jaw. His flesh smelled of sweat and musk. She didn’t care. His lips parted, drawing breath. She smiled, despite everything around them.

She didn’t know how long she slept with him, only that her body was stiff from the boards. Resting her hand against his heart, she felt it beating in soft, soothing thumps. His lips parted, murmuring almost contentedly. His hand weakly moved over hers in a soft caress. Content to sleep, Hathor let her eyes drift closed.

But before she could once more find her rest, the boat lurched and banged to a halt. Above her she heard the stomping of feet, and then shouts as those on board ran to the side. Nervously, she sat up, protectively holding her arm to Servaes.

“What?” Servaes mumbled, coming awake. His color looked better, but he was still weak from his wound. He tried to push himself up next to her. Again the boat crashed. He drew her to his chest, trying to protect her from whatever would come. Hathor let him hold her.

The hatch was thrown open. A burly man stuck his head beneath the deck. His eyes narrowed as he looked about in the dimness. Servaes shoved Hathor behind him, crouching to his feet to block her from view. She placed her hand on his back as she nervously hovered next to him and felt his body tense.

“There you are, laddie,” the man spat in broken English. “Welcome to your new home.”

Hathor gripped at Servaes’ waist, hoping her nervous hand would give him small comfort. Roughly, he asked, “Where?”

“The New World, laddie. America,” the man shouted almost gleefully. A hard sailor’s chuckle escaped his lips. “Come out of there and see your new home.”

The man disappeared from the hatch. Servaes fell back to sit on his feet. He looked at Hathor in stunned horror. “They have shipped me off to the colonies without money or proof of title. I have no way of proving myself and going back home. The passage aboard a ship is too expensive, lest I am able to find work on one. But that is not possible. I know nothing of the sea. I am exiled. All I have is the memory of you before me. I will never make it back to you, Hathor. I’m sorry.”

Hathor saw his fear. He was stuck in a strange land, feeling alone. She reminded herself she was only a dream to him, perhaps as he was to her. None of this was real. But the longer she stayed in the dream, the more real it felt and the more she fell in love with the human Servaes. Her heart beat solemnly for him.

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