Page 30 of Her Royal Blood

The cold water bit at my skin as I plunged into the roaring surf. I was tossed and toppled for a few minutes before I was able to get my bearings and locate the boat. Both Lex and Hawk had surrounded me after landing in the water. In order to conserve energy we nodded to one another as soon as we were all in and ready to swim. The water was icy cold but the freezing temperature just motivated me to swim faster as my arms pulled through the waves. While it took us some time, we did eventually reach the boat. I screamed at the top of my lungs and Derringer, who was already patrolling the deck, saw us. He and his crew members tossed out three buoys which we were able to grab, and hold on to as they hoisted us aboard the ship. Soon as we were on the boat the Crypt claw ships that were near us came into range and started firing.

“Time to go,” Derringer announced as the rumble of motors blared. “I’ll ask who you are in a minute.” He side eyed Hawk which only made Hawk, dripping wet and winded stand up straighter.

It took the boat a minute for the grinding motor to power it forward as the Crypt Claw ships closed the distance. They, however, were large barges, so even if they had the motor power our boat possessed, it would still take them time to get to us. That being said, our ship couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The Crypt Claw barge to our left was able to get close enough to fire off two canons but neither of the projectiles reached us.

“Get us out of here Cap,” Derringer yelled as he and a few crew members took Lex, Hawk, and I into the galley to dry off and get out of firing range.

As soon as we were below deck, Derringer bowed to both Lex and I.

“I’m honored to have you aboard my ship, Your Majesties,” Derringer, like his friend Bindi, was all honor and protocol. “And this gentleman?”

He was right to be worried about Hawk; he was a large menacing looking man that seemed like his motives were dubious at best.

“This is Hawk,” Lex jumped in. “In the few days I’ve been on Vitoria Island, he’s saved my life more times than I want to recount.”

“Then we are happy to have you aboard,” Derringer said, outstretching his hand to shake it. “I’m sure we’ll outrun the Crypt Claw in a matter of hours, those big sailing barges don’t have much power, they won’t overtake us. Also they don’t want to get caught out in the middle of the ocean, especially if they have cargo they’re meant to deliver. That being said, these waters are going to be crawling with Crypt Claw in the morning. You’re going to have to go into hiding for a while as there will be a target on your back Lex.” Derringer went straight to business, while we used the towels another crew member who had been in the galley when we arrived gave us from a cabinet in the hallway.

“I’m getting pretty used to that target, let me tell you,” Lex chuckled, though it wasn’t funny, laughing kept us all sane.

Derringer shook his head, flattening his lips. “That barbarian is out of his depth, but he’s made his mark and is causing a lot of trouble.”

“I just keep thinking of what he’ll look like dead,” Lex continued to chuckle, having dried off, but still shivering.

“Same. So, I suggest you retreat to the lower berth and take a rest. There are two rooms downstairs that have warm blankets and soft beds. I’ll have someone bring you something hot to eat and drink and then I suggest you save up your strength for when we dock.” It was a hard offer to pass up.

“Thank you Derringer.” I gave him a warm smile. “You did the impossible.”

“As did you,” Derringer gave me a nod of his head and I took Lex’s hand.

“I can stay here and fight with you,” Hawk offered, unwilling to go below and take a rest.

“You look like a man who we could use to take down the entire Crypt Claw army, but I want you fed and rested. That’s an order. An overtired soldier is a liability no matter how brawny.” Derringer gave him a scolding glance and Hawk shrugged his shoulders and followed Lex and I down to the cabins.

Our room wasn’t much more than a bed and a small table with two chairs, but the stew was warm and filling and the hot mulled wine was enough to take the edge off. As much as I wanted to make love to Lex and be in his arms, we weren’t anywhere close to being out of danger or in a truly safe place, but we were together, something I wasn’t sure we were ever going to be again.

“Hi,” I said as we sat down to our stew.

“Hey,” he gave me the warmest, most loving smile.

“We need to stop doing this,” I laughed, though none of what we’d been through was funny.

“I wish your magic could make that happen,” Lex said, with love and a little lilt of joy in his voice. “It’s really you.” His cheeks flushed and the look of sheer adoration on his face was hard not to fall for.

“It is,” I reached out and touched his hand. “Really me and I’m not letting us get separated again. You are my priority Lex.My kingdom yes, but also you. I want you to know that. I don’t want to rule a kingdom without you and I certainly never want to do so with Polonius,” I chuckled to further lighten the mood. “Seriously though, you’ve almost died too many times.”

I couldn’t watch anything happen to him ever again, the trauma was becoming too great.

“Nor do I ever want to lose you.” He stood up from the table after we made quick work of our meal, the first either of us had had in a while and took me into his arms. “If there was a place where we could run and find our lives, I would take you there today,” Lex said with a deep note of sadness.

“Wherever you are is that place,” I told him, putting my head against his chest and listening to his heartbeat in my ear.

We stayed that way for a while, just being in one another’s presence before fatigue set in. We stood there holding each other, then quietly moved to the bed and got in together leaving our clothing on in case we needed to make an escape. Laying on the bed we wrapped our arms around each other, Lex leaned down and kissed my lips.

I’d kissed him so many times before, but that kiss, the one after finally being reunited when I thought I’d never see him again, that kiss was one of the best I’d ever had.

“Make love to me,” Lex asked with a soft seduction after breaking away from our kiss. “I don’t care where we are, I need you.” The look of adoration and desperation dancing across his face had me needing him too.

“We shouldn’t risk being caught with our pants down,” I laughed as I slipped my tattered trousers, that had been damp with sea water and soiled by dirt, down to my knees, “but for you, Lex, I’d do anything.” I kissed his lips, that were dry from the sun and strain of life on a prisoner’s island as my fingers untied his britches which were just as soiled and pulled out his thick, hard cock.

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