Page 74 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"I'm not surprised — the grape juice is fantastic." Anna took another sip.
Chris leaned slightly over the counter. "Where do you get it and the wine from? As far as I know, many winegrowers' vines in the south of the island are lying fallow."
"That's correct. Some of our farmers recognized the gap in the market and specialize in ice wine."
"Ice wine?" Anna frowned. "But that also has to grow first."
"The Snow Queen helps with that."
Anna and Chris glanced furtively at each other. It was abundantly clear that this realm was benefiting from the decline of the others. So, was it true? Was the Snow Queen behind Anna's disappearance and the fairies' deaths?
Chris leaned forward again. "Say, my good man, my bride would like to see the Snow Queen. Is she currently in the Ice Palace?"
"Oh, yes, that would be wonderful," Anna said playing her part.
Apparently, she was convincing because the innkeeper smiled. "Naturally. It is there that she directs our fortunes and monitors the boom. She used to stay out of most things, but things have changed. She ensures that every resident of our kingdom benefits from the improved trade situation. She doesn't even hesitate to cast a spell or two to help us — unlike before. She is truly the best queen we could ask for."
Anna and Chris again exchanged meaningful looks. Everything suggested that they were on the culprit's trail. The Snow Queen. Hadn't several people already said that she was a powerful magical being? But how could they stand up to her? And get things back to normal? Anna picked at the salad listlessly. She was more than full from the two pieces of bell pepper she had eaten. She couldn't eat another bite.
Chris correctly interpreted her reluctance to eat, or else he couldn't wait a second longer. He downed the mug of beer in one gulp and slammed it onto the counter. Alongside it he placed a gold coin, which was certainly more than enough to pay the bill.
The innkeeper seemed used to such a large quantity of money — or rather, gold — and just nodded. "This will also getyou breakfast and food for the road tomorrow." He placed the coin in a pouch on his belt and pointed to a heavy curtain. "The stairs are behind there. Your room is at the end of the hall."
"Thank you." They said goodnight to him and Chris took her hand. Impatiently, he pushed her off the stool and pulled her toward the curtain. As he walked, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Ready for an unforgettable night, love?"
Anna giggled. "Why are you in a rush? Don't we have all night?"
"Only if you don't start snoring again right away." He pulled the curtain close behind them, picked her up, and carried her up the stairs. She laughed again as he carried her down the corridor to the back.
When the door closed behind them, they could only vaguely make out the room. But as soon as Chris found the bed, he hurried over and laid her on the soft blankets. In the twilight, she could barely see his face, but she recognized the fire and passion that flickered in his eyes. He leaned over her as hot waves coursed through her body. Slowly, he pulled the fur coat off her and ran a rough finger along her bare arm. Goosebumps tingled across her skin as she greedily stretched her mouth toward him. She was eager to meet him — his lips, his body.
As his heavy coat tumbled to the floor, she pulled him close and pressed her body against his. She didn't want to wait any longer, she couldn't wait any longer. They belonged together, now and forever. The fairy and the pirate. Ani and Chris. How could she have forgotten this man…
28
"Iwill love you until the end of our days, Ani."
His declaration of love resonated within her as she lounged comfortably between the sheets and her mind wandered lazily. She found herself above a rocky landscape, flying over it at lightning speed until she saw the sea in the distance. Thunder rang out behind her, shaking the earth, and she flew faster when she reached the redemptive sea. But she didn't stop to rest. Who knew if Anton had really stopped his people or if the furious giant hadn't rushed into the water after her.
Too bad — it hadn't been a good idea to visit the giants' realm. Anton had wanted to show her his land and she had wanted to see the Kingdom of Rocks. She had planned to tour the whole country with him and one day the sea too. Unfortunately, she would have to do that without her best friend because the ship that could carry him had yet to be built.
As she flew over the waves, the sun glinted off them and she lost herself in the glow of that reflection. It looked beautiful with a magic all its own. Would she one day sail on a ship far out to sea? Maybe on a merchant ship, since it was unlikelythat a feared pirate would take her on board. Especially since Iris constantly warned her to stay away from the wicked villains because they were after the fairy dust.
Anna flew a long way around the border and then far out across the open sea. Iris would scold her relentlessly if she knew she was straying so far from the mainland.
"We fairies cannot land on the sea. If we fall into the water, we can't use our wings and will drown miserably — unless we are caught by one of the horrors that live in the open sea!"
This had been drilled into her from a young age. Nevertheless, the call of the sea lured her. A longing came over her and she ignored the admonishing words that Iris had practically imprinted onto her brain. She vigorously flapped her wings, which shimmered colorfully in the sunlight. She felt strong and rested. She would fly out a little further before turning back.
The sea was calm with no storm in sight. She glided happily over the calm sea until the mainland was barely visible. She still felt safe, but decided with a sigh that it was time to go back. She stopped, flapped her wings slowly, and let her gaze wander over the endless expanse one last time. How wonderful it must have been to live on a ship, or at least to travel around on it for a while. One day she would find a way. If necessary, she would transform into a human woman and then someone would surely allow her on board in that form.
It was hard to take her eyes off the sea but she turned away.Look again, she told herself repeatedly, until she finally gave a loud sigh. It was time. But as she turned, someone called out to her. Wait, wasn't that a female voice? That of a child? Oh my goodness, had a little girl fallen overboard?
She flew as swiftly as an arrow in the direction of the cry for help. This took her a considerable distance out to sea, but the day she ignored a cry for help had yet to come. She hurried outfarther and farther over the water, fluttering over the waves as they lapped higher and higher, but she couldn't make out a head of hair or a hand. The child was nowhere to be seen. Had they already gone under? Hopefully not — she wasn't able to help them underwater. But maybe she could do something with the fairy dust. She took a pinch from the bag on her belt and blew it out of her cupped hand.
"Show me where the cry is coming from!"
The dust swirled across her palm like a tiny tornado before moving out to sea. She immediately chased after it, regardless of the fact that it was taking her farther from the mainland. She couldn't turn back. She had to help the child. When the glittering dust settled down and fell gently onto the water, she was frightened. There was no child in sight. But… there! A hand. It was bigger than she'd expected, but it had to belong to the one crying for help.
