Love Aboard the Priam: Chapter Nine

Warning: Dark themes ahead involving severe sadism. Don’t like, don’t read. I refuse to mark the area and, thereby, interrupt the chapter for those who can handle the dark themes in this chapter. Just be warned and if you find something you can’t handle, skim over it or leave the story.

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Nine

Peter’s POV

It had been a week since we had left Arimol and my family behind. A week since my Isabella agreed to marry me. With every moment that passed, we drew closer to Bearsalei, but we were still another week, at best, from her shores.

I stood by the helm, straining to see any sign of land, knowing it was impossible. Randall was at the helm, guiding the Priam home. Leaning against the railing to look down over the main deck, I smile when my Isabella walked out from beneath me, her brown hair glittering in the sun.

Just the day before, she had nearly sent me to an early grave when I awoke, unable to find her. I had turned the entire ship nearly upside down, creating an uproar among the crew, when I finally located her sitting outside Collin’s temporary cell. Since sending him below deck, I’d given him very little thought, but my Isabella had, apparently, remembered.

To see her sitting by his cell, just as calm as she would be sitting in our cabin, had shaken him. But he had been nowhere near as shaken as Collin. With a dagger in her hand, Isabella had calmly informed him of her father teaching her the most painful way to castrate a man. She had then done on to warn him that if he ever treated another woman the way he had her, she would see to not only his castration, but the entire removal of his genitals.

Needless to say, Collin had curled into himself, whimpering at her vivid details. Even I had shifted uneasily as she demonstrated the moves required with her dagger. She could be quite vicious when warranted.

Looking at her now, no one would assume she knew how to torture a man so thoroughly. She was laughing delightedly as Ben wrestled with Stephan, the two of them being cheered on by the rest of the crew.

“Captain!” Randall called, sounding as if he’d tried to get my attention before.

“Aye, Randall? What is it?” I asked, unwillingly turning away from my Isabella.

“We’ve got company. Looks like Hades’ Dagger,” Randall informed me, his face pinched tight in worry.

I looked where he indicated, barking for a spy glass. I looked out over the water, spotting the ship and easily finding Penn’s flag.

“Damnation! I don’t have time for this!” I ranted, snapping the glass closed.

“What should we do with the bantiarna?” Randall asked, his face stony.

I continued glaring out at the water, my mind working furiously, trying to come up with any way to keep Isabella hidden from James.

Captain James Penn of Hades’ Dagger was a coldhearted son-of-a-bitch who collected women like some men collected wine. He was one of the few who still remained in King Cauis’ favor and was actually asked to hold court with him upon occasion.

“Listen to me,” I snapped, turning to face Randall.

I reached out, grasping his shirt in my hand as I pulled his face close to my own. His eyes widened dramatically, no doubt in response to my own ferocity.

“This has to be handled very carefully. If Penn even gets a hint of how much we all care for Isabella, he will take her. If he sees her and decides he wants her, he will take her. If he feels threatened by her, in any way, he will kill her. We have to keep her safe,” I hissed vehemently.

“Aye, Captain,” Randall murmured, nodding emphatically.

“You and Ben will guard her. We’ll put her below deck, in a cell, if we have to,” I decided, striding to the stairs.

“Aye, Captain,” Randall agreed, following behind me.

“CREW! GATHER!” I shouted, instantly drawing everyone’s attention to me.

Ben and Stephan’s fight stopped immediately and the crew gathered around me and Randall. Garrett pushed his way through to stand by my side when Randall moved to hold Isabella hidden within the safety of the crew.

“Hades Dagger is on its way to us, Captain James Penn at the helm. You are all to forget Isabella was even aboard this ship. Anyone who mentions her will suffer at my hand,” I warned as the crew all turned to look for her.

I gave a grim smile of satisfaction when I realized Randall had already gathered Ben and Isabella to remove them from the deck. I was only slightly relieved knowing they would protect her with their lives.

Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.

Bella’s POV

“Wait! Wait! Randall, what’s happening?” I gasped as he dragged me beneath the deck.

“Shh. Please, bantiarna, just keep quiet for a few moments longer,” Randall requested, his voice hushed.

“Why is Peter so upset? What’s going on, Randall?” I asked, my nerves become frayed.

“The Captain is fine, lass. He’s just worried about ya,” Randall vowed, continuing to drag me along.

“Why is he worried about me? Randall!” I huffed, yanking my arm away when he turned to take us towards the stern.

Ben stood behind me, nervously glancing over his shoulder.

“Isabella, we do not have time for this. The Captain insisted I get ya to safety and that is what I intend to do,” Randall growled, grasping my shoulders.

I stared up at him, realizing just how frightened he was, at the same time reeling from him actually calling me by name.

“Alright,” I nodded weakly, allowing him to continue leading me down into the bottom of the ship.

When he finally came to a stop, we were on the orlop deck, the lowest deck on any ship. Randall pushed me into the back, forcing me to crawl over lengths of rope and past storage barrels. A thin layer of water soaked through my shoes, making me shiver.

“Ya must be quiet, bantiarna. Wait here until we come get ya,” Randall whispered insistently.

“Wait! Where are you going?” I asked, my voice just as hushed, though significantly more frantic.

“Just beyond the barrel there,” Randall pointed to where Ben stood, staring at the hatch above.

“What do I do if…” I trailed off anxiously.

“It won’t come to that, bantiarna. I swear it,” Randall promised, kissing the hand that clutched at his.

With those last words, he went to join Ben, leaving me to huddle on a piling of rope and pray that Peter would come for me soon.

Peter’s POV

I paced the length of the cabin while Garrett stood by the door, watching.

“Randall and Ben will protect her,” Garrett assured me.

“I know,” I sighed, leaning on my desk.

“The crew will ensure Penn suspects nothing,” Garrett continued, his voice and stance casual despite the heavy situation.

I nodded, frustration causing my shoulders to tighten. The thought of my beautiful, guileless Isabella having to hide in the bowels of the ship disgusted me. I traveled down there only when necessary to procure new ropes or ammunition. I knew there was a thin layer of water that almost  constantly leaked in, no matter how many times we repaired the hole. That led to a layer of slime on nearly every surface.

“Captain! Penn is signaling to come aboard,” Vasilii informed me, swinging into the room.

I fisted my hands on the desk before banging them down in frustration.

“How would have this go, Captain?” Garrett asked.

“Just like every other time. Nothing has changed,” I murmured tonelessly, just loud enough for them to hear.

“Aye, Captain,” Garrett agreed before striding from the cabin, Vasilii on his heels.

I walked around my desk to take my seat, my insides churning as I begged forgiveness for what was about to happen.

Penn didn’t leave me waiting long before he swept into the cabin in his usual authoritative way behind Garrett. His blond hair hung around his shoulders and his ice blue eyes cut around the room critically before landing on me. His dark-skinned Quartermaster, Laurent, came in behind him, as well as his current favorite among his harem of women, a tall, buxom redhead with cutting green eyes.

“Peter, how good to see you again,” Penn greeted as though we were old friends.

“It has been a while, hasn’t it?” I smiled weakly, standing to clasp his hand.

“You have been too long from Bearsalei’s shores. Tell me, how have your travels gone?” Penn asked, taking a seat at my table.

“Finally coming to a close. We’re on our way back after being two years gone,” I informed him, taking the seat across from him.

“I am sure King Caius will be pleased to hear of your return. I trust you found what you were looking for?” Penn questioned airily.

“Unfortunately not. But I promised the men we would return home in two years’ time,” I lied easily.

“Ah, yes. Life at sea can leave one itching for what’s left behind,” Penn sneered.

“Aye, the men were most put out when we had to vacate Rasop early,” I agreed.

“Trouble, I take it?” Penn grinned.

“Dwyer took something that belonged to me. He won’t be making the same mistake again,” I explained.

Penn laughed, his eyes bright as he leaned forward eagerly.

“Took care of him, did you? Good lad. Dwyer always was one for touching what didn’t belong to him,” Penn insisted, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Aye, he’s swimming with the fishes as we speak,” I nodded, wary of his over-enthusiasm.

Penn laughed again, falling back into his chair as he continued chuckling over thoughts in his head.

“Victoria! Come here, wench,” Penn growled, grabbing the redhead and pulling her into his lap.

She settled herself sideways on his lap, leaning forward to begin licking and sucking his neck, one hand holding the opposite side while the other slipped beneath his shirt. One of his hands pulled her skirts up around her waist, revealing her lack of garments underneath. Regardless of the three other men in the room, his slipped his fingers inside of her, making her moan wantonly.

“I have a few other women aboard the ship, if your men need to relieve themselves,” Penn offered, sounding as though he wasn’t pleasuring one of his women in front of us.

“I think I will have to decline on their behalf. I can’t have them distracted when we’re so close to getting home. If they were to have a woman now, we might not get back on course for another week,” I denied with a false sense of humor.

Victoria’s hand slipped from his shirt to travel down beneath her skirts. While her mouth continued working his neck, her hands deftly undid Penn’s trousers, her movements indicating she was now stroking him, ignoring the audience they had.

“Yes, that would be problematic. Ah, well. I suppose I shall simply have to continue bringing their beautiful bodies pleasure all on my own. Unless you would like to take one for yourself?” Penn suggested as Victoria began writhing in his lap, clearly close to climax.

“Nay, but thank you. I will suffer with my men,” I told him.

Penn stilled his fingers in Victoria, causing the young woman to whimper as she continued kissing his neck and chest while her hands never stopped. Laurent shifted behind them, his face pinched as he stared reverently at Victoria’s exposed pussy. Clearly Penn’s Quartermaster was having difficulty containing his arousal.

“You would be the Captain to go down with his ship, wouldn’t you, Peter?” Penn asked, delightedly.

No one would suspect that the woman on his lap was giving him any pleasure from the way he spoke. She might as well not have been there.

“Aye, I would. Especially if I couldn’t get my men off,” I agreed, more than a little disturbed by what was occurring in my cabin.

The sanctity of the room as mine and Isabella’s was being destroyed by this display. When Laurent reached into his own trousers and began fisting his own cock, I had to grip the arms of my chair to keep from taking my sword and skewering the lot of them. They were basically beginning a mass orgy while my Isabella had to suffer the lower decks just to keep out of their eye.

“Tell me, Peter, how long do you plan on remaining in Bearsalei once you arrive?” Penn asked, resuming his ministrations on Victoria.

“A few months, at least. The men will want to spend some time on land, with their families,” I answered over the sounds of Victoria’s pants and moans.

Penn simply nodded, looking thoughtful for a few moments, his fingers never stopping. Victoria finally released his neck, throwing her head back and mewing loudly.

“Oh, James! Maeke mae coom,” Victoria pleaded, her voice heavily accented.

Penn removed his fingers and slapped her across the face, still with that same thoughtful look on his face. Victoria cried out, her body practically falling out of the chair as she leaned as far back as possibly. Penn returned his fingers to her, his other hand reaching beneath her skirt to join hers. All the while, Victoria continued to stroke his cock while Laurent stroked his own, watching his Captain and the woman. It was truly a revolting sight.

I waited, expecting him to say something, hoping he would just leave. Garrett shifted slightly from his position by the door, a look of absolute revulsion on his face as he watched what was happening.

Victoria suddenly let out a harsh cry, her entire body trembling violently. Penn grunted, a blissful look overtaking his face. Victoria’s hand came up to clutch at his shirt, her eyes pained as she began crying.

“Wh-why?” Victoria croaked.

“Oh, don’t make a fuss, darling. It’s entirely unbecoming,” Penn snapped, shoving her off his lap.

It was then that I saw the small dagger imbedded in her side, blood quickly soaking through the thin material. Penn was completely undisturbed as he returned his spent cock inside her trousers. At the same time, Laurent gave a soft grunt and came all over my floor, his hand continuing to jerk his cock as Victoria gasped in pain and fear on the floor.

“What the bloody hell!” Garrett cried, rushing forward.

“Oh, leave her. She’s outlived her usefulness,” Penn waved off.

I stared, unable to move as I watched the girl bleed out on the floor of my cabin. Garrett fell to his knees beside her, grasping her hand as she sobbed pitifully.

“I donna wan’ ta die!” Victoria cried.

“Hush, now, lass. I know. It’ll be alright,” Garrett soothed her.

I swallowed at his lied, knowing the girl wouldn’t live. No surgeon could fix a stomach wound.

“Honestly, Garrett, don’t waste your time on the chit. She’s nothing,” Penn sneered.

“I believe it’s time for you and your Quartermaster to leave,” I said with a quiet firmness.

“I beg your pardon,” Penn glared.

“As you should. You have committed murder aboard my ship. For that along I could have you thrown overboard. I will not do so, however, if you leave immediately. We will see to the girl, but you are no longer welcomed aboard the Priam,” I intoned, thankful that the young girl’s death could accomplish something.

“Evoking pirate laws. Might I remind you, King Caius is the one who wrote those laws. I sit mighty high in the court now a days, Peter,” Penn warned.

“Until the law is changed, I must abide by it. You will remove yourself and your crew from my ship immediately, Captain,” I insisted as I stood up.

Garrett made a noise of distress and I looked down to see that the girl was dead, her green eyes staring emptily at Garrett.

“Very well, Whitlock. I will abide by the laws set forth by our King. Pray we do not cross paths again soon,” Penn sniffed haughtily before spinning around and leaving the cabin.

Laurent trailed behind him, casting one last lustful look at the girl lying dead on my floor. He closed the door firmly behind him, leaving Garrett and I alone.

“What will we do with her?” Garrett asked after a few moments silence.

“Remove her from the room and take her to Vasilii. Have him prepare the body as best he can. We’ll give her a water burial,” I decided.

“Aye, Captain. I’ll send Vladimir and Stephan in to see if we can’t remove the blood before it stains the wood,” Garrett nodded, lifting the dead woman in his arms.

I waved him off, staring down at the pool of blood, shuddering at the thought of Isabella in that demon’s hands. Penn was a dastardly man, taking what he wanted no matter the costs. If he had seen Isabella, it would have been a fight to the death for her, there was no doubt in his mind.

A need to see her, to know she was safe, came over me so quickly, I nearly choked on the emotions as I hurried towards the lower deck.

If there was anything that could erase the last hour from my mind, it was my Isabella.

Bella’s POV

I was unsure just how long we had been down in the bottom of the ship, but when I heard frantic footsteps coming from the deck above, I almost wished it had been longer. I looked around one of the barrels and saw Ben and Randall tense, waiting for whoever it was to drop through the hole above.

“Randall! Where is she?” I heard Peter hiss.

“Peter,” I sighed, crawling my way towards the men.

He dropped down the hole, landing on his feet between Ben and Randall, his eyes instantly focused on mine. I hurried towards him, throwing myself in his arms as soon as I could.

“Mo chroí,” Peter groaned, burying his face in my hair.

He sat down on a pile of rope, pulling me into his lap. His entire body was shaking as he held me, his arms tight around my waist. I looked up at Randall and Ben, completely confused, but they were already gone, leaving the two of us alone.

“Peter, what happened? Talk to me,” I pleaded, running my fingers through his hair in an attempt to sooth him.

“Not yet,” Peter gasped, clutching me tighter.

“Alright,” I murmured, cuddling into his shoulder.

We sat like that for a long while until Peter finally shifted, releasing his deathlike grip on my waist.

“I’m sorry, mo chroí. Let’s go above deck. You must be tired of this place,” Peter frowned regretfully.

“It’s alright,” I assured him as he pulled me up.

He climbed through the hole first before reaching down for me. I smiled softly as he pulled me up and against his chest, kissing my temple sweetly.

“Come on. They should have finished by now,” Peter mumbled, leading me towards the upper deck.

“Finished what?” I asked as we came to our cabin.

Peter didn’t answer as he stuck his head into the cabin, his shoulders relaxing as he pushed the door open further. Vladimir and Stephan were kneeling on the floor, red rags in their hands as they wiped the floor.

“Did you spill something?” I asked Peter, frowning as Vladimir and Stephan quickly dunked their cloths in the water.

“Nay, but our visitor did,” Peter answered stiffly.

“A visitor? Is that why you sent me to the orlop deck?” I asked, confused.

“Aye,” Peter replied, leading me to the bed and sitting me down.

“We’ve finished in here, Capt’n. We’ll send for ya when Vasilii finishes,” Vladimir offered.

“Thank you both,” Peter nodded, moving to his desk.

As they disappeared out the door, taking the bucket and rags with them, I watched Peter, worried when he simply sat at his desk, staring at nothing.

“Peter-“ I started, moving to get up.

“His name is James Penn and he’s the Captain of Hades’ Dagger. He came aboard shortly after I sent you below deck with his Quartermaster and one of his harem women,” Peter began.

I stared, completely stunned as he told me about the man who received perverse pleasure in killing a woman while she climaxed, all while continuing to hold a conversation with Peter, my Peter. As he sat there, head in hands, I realized he felt guilty, as though it was his fault Victoria was dead. As if he could’ve stopped the deranged man.

“Oh, Peter,” I sighed sadly, getting up to go to him.

I rested my cheek on top of his head, hugging his face to me. He turned into me, burying his face in my breast. There was nothing sexual about it, just a desire to be close to another person. As I stroked his hair and back, I felt his tears begin to soak my gown and knew this was far worse than I’d originally thought.

“Oh, God, Bella. It could’ve been you,” Peter rasped, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me impossibly closer.

“But it wasn’t,” I reminded him softly.

“If he had even caught a glimpse of you, he would have taken you,” Peter continued as though he hadn’t heard me.

I leaned down and kissed the top of his head, murmuring softly in an attempt to calm him.

“I love you. I love you so fucking much. I can’t… I wouldn’t be able to live if I lost you,” Peter panted.

“I know, I know,” I cooed, continuing to stroke his hair and face.

“I need you, Bella,” Peter pleaded.

“Whatever you need,” I promised, taking his hand and leading him to the bed.

I sat him on the bed, reaching down to remove his shirt and boots. Once he was in his trousers only, I stepped back and removed my dress, letting it pool at my feet. My shift was removed next, followed by my undergarments, finally leaving me bare before him. He simply sat there, watching me with haunted eyes, as I helped him out of his trousers, adding them to the pile of clothing on the floor.

“Lie back,” I instructed softly, my hand against his chest.

I followed after him, lying across his chest. Our lips came together slowly, softly, barely brushing each other. His hands skimmed along my bare skin as gently as possible, the calloused pads catching along my softer skin.

I fell onto my back when he rolled us over, his body hovering over mine as he continued his exploration, his lips following his hands. Every inch of my skin was covered with reverent kisses and gentle touches. When he finally returned back to my lips, I was panting with need for him.

He settled between my legs easily, his swollen head rubbing through my wet folds. He kissed me as passionately as a man had ever kissed a woman before nipping across my face.

“Mo chroí,” Peter sighed as he slid inside of me, joining us completely.

“Peter,” I moaned, arching against him.

He began moving, slowly, carefully. A gentle thrust, retreat, thrust began and I followed him eagerly as he brought me to the edge only to ease me back. My body trembled as he brought me back to the pinnacle.

“I love you, love, love, love you,” I gasped as my body erupted.

“Isabella, mo chroí, I love you,” Peter murmured, kissing me sweetly as he fell apart in my arms.

He collapsed on top of me, inhaling deeply as he pressed his face into my neck. I simply laid there, holding him to me as he fought his demons.

“You are the best part of me,” Peter whispered, kissing across my face.

“I could easily say the same,” I smiled gently, accepting his soft kisses.

“Could you now? I seem to remember a time when I was the vilest, most evil man you had ever come in contact with,” Peter chuckled lightly.

I laid there silently for a few moments before taking his face in my hands and kissing me sweetly.

“I didn’t know true evil. You are, truly, the most honorable man I know. I love you for keeping me with you, for keeping me safe, and for showing me what true love is,” I told him sincerely.

“It has, truly, been my pleasure,” Peter replied happily.

I laughed as I leaned up to smack a kiss on his lips, perfectly happy to be in his arms as he retaliated by raining kisses on every piece of skin he could reach.