Free A Pirate's Curse (Legends of the Soaring Phoenix) by ML Guida Page A

feverish?
    “Hannah?”
    She blinked and glanced at him as he placed the cross on his desk. “What?”
    She licked her lips. “Was it broken?”
    At first, he thought the lass ie was frightened of her father, but her father was locked down in the brig. There was something else going on. Definitely hallucinations. The fever must be on her, but she didn't seem drenched. She had to be delirious, yet her eyes were bright. Her speech coherent. He needed Doc. Now.
    She put her hand on her forehead and swayed.
    He rushed to her. “Hannah? Are you feeling feverish?”
    She shook her head. “No.” He put his hand on her forehead. She was chilled, but he didn't detect a fever. Maybe ’twas the bump on the head.
    There was a loud knock on the door. “Captain,” Sean said. “We need you on deck.” He pounded on the door again. “We are approaching Tortuga. We’ve spotted your brother.”
    Hannah stared. “You’ve a brother?”
    “Aye, William. He’s seeking information about the Fiery Damsel .”
    She recoiled, the fear back in her eyes and he cursed his stupid tongue. He should have kept his mouth shut, but somehow he didn’t want to lie to her. Wanted her to think he had some scrape of honor.
    She said, “ Are you going to leave me?”
    He hid a smile and pushed a lock of her silky hair behind her ear. She didn’t want him to leave. Maybe she didn’t find him so vile. At another hard pound on the door, he chewed his lip. He should be up on deck. 
    “Aye, Mallory,” he called. “I’ll be up there in a few minutes. Send for Doc.”
    “But Capt’n,” Sean said. “Are you gettin’ on your wick?”
    “Mallory,” Kane warned.
    The knocking stopped and Sean uttered a soft curse on the other side of the door.
    “Do you want me to check the bed for little beasties?” He smiled at Hannah, trying to put her at ease.
    She nodded. He pulled back the covers and the white sheets only revealed her soft limbs. His fingers ached to caress them, but he clenched his fists. 
    “Hannah,” he said, “There ’s nothing here.”
    She ran her hand through her hair. “Maybe I’m imagining things. The demon? He couldn’t…”
    He grasped her shaking hand. “No, Hannah. Zuto can’t leave his island. You’re safe aboard this ship. I promise. Why do you ask?”
    “No reason,” she muttered.
    But he wasn’t fooled. Maybe the horrors of the past few days were catching up to her. She needed rest.
    What if he was wrong? What if Zuto had grown stronger since he found Hannah and her father? The demon was a bastard. Kane had to talk with William and get his report.
      
    Hannah stared into Kane’s determined eyes. Kane slowly released her hand. She swallowed, wanting to beg him to stay, chasing away her fears. But his clouded face crushed her hopes. What was she thinking? He was the captain. Besides, he’d be furious to know she knocked over the Celtic cross. Her fuzzy mind betrayed her, summoning her power. Not good. Not good at all.
    “Doc will attend you,” he said matter of fact.
    She nodded, but didn ’t utter a word.
    Kane ’s strides, as he headed to the door, were long and purposeful. His sculpted sinews on his back flexed and tensed with each movement. He grabbed the doorknob and her stomach clenched.
    She flipped the blanket away from her.
    Kane glanced over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”
    “I’ m getting out of bed.” She rolled onto her side and sat up, but the cabin whirled around. “I want…” She shook her head. “Wait. I just need to sit for a minute.” Her voice faded.
    “No, you’re not.”
    She lifted her eyebrow. “Excuse me?” She wanted to be with him. Find out what his brother knew.
    “You get off that bed and I’ll tie you to it.”
    “What? You would not dare.”
    He turned around and folded his arms across his wide chest. His eyes held hers. “Try me.”
    She put a foot on the floor and he marched over to his dresser. “What are you doing?”
    “I don’t have time