Free Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) by Sarah Snyder

man who once slept there; the man who destroyed his mother, his life and his happiness. King Edward hadn’t beaten his mother to death, but it was the man’s heartlessness which forced Julissa Reynolds back to the abusive arms of the man who had. The King was a heartless man, obsessed with his own wealth and power. He demanded loyalty and respect, but never did anything to deserve either. The King hadn’t deserved what was given to him in life just as he hadn’t deserved the swiftness of his own death.
    Jake debated taking more of the treasures from the cabinet, but his own disgust of who they belonged to didn’t allow him to stomach the thought. He wanted no part of the King; nothing to remind him the man ever existed. King Edward received much attention in life, but Jake refused to honor him with any thought in death. With a last, sickened look around the bedroom, Jake returned to the balcony and slipped down the tree.
    Once on the ground, Jake could see several Guards standing in the direction from which he originally came. “Damn,” Jake mumbled as he walked slowly in the other direction, deeper onto the castle grounds.
    Around the corner of the castle, Jake was met by the sight of more Guards at the far corner of the castle. Looking around, he saw a large wooden door and quickly stepped through it. The door led to a dimly lit tunnel, cutting through the bulk of the castle and opening into the castle courtyard. Plants and fountains blocked the lights from the ball and loud music muffled his steps as Jake made his way to the opposite side of the courtyard.
    A matching tunnel led from this side and Jake hoped his luck would be better on the northeast side of the castle. Jake heard voices behind him and quickly ducked behind a large fern. He stared up at the terrace to his left, his breath catching in his throat at the vision he saw.
    Anna stood at the railing, her hair pulled up in a messy bun. Tendrils of brown silk fell down across her neck and shoulders. The tight bodice of her gown showed off ample curves and a narrow waist; the waist he held while dancing her around a bar on the other side of town. However, it was her hands which held Jake frozen; hands being held in another man’s grasp.
    Jake swallowed his jealousy, reminding himself he had no right to claim her innocence as his own. He decided not to pursue Anna beyond their last meeting and he aimed to keep to his claim. About to turn around and escape into the tunnel, Jake noticed Anna was attempting to pull away from the man in front of her. When he didn’t release her, Jake’s eyes narrowed with restrained fury.
    He moved closer to the terrace, uncaring if he was seen any longer in his need to ensure Anna’s safety. He promised himself if the man released her before he intervened, Jake would turn and disappear back to the shadows. Unfortunately, the man did not obey Jake’s unspoken command, forcing him to continue on his course. Jake may be most of the monster his reputation claimed, but he could not condone any man placing his hands on an unwilling woman; especially a woman as sweet and innocent as Anna Blake.

 
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    “Sir Marcus, I think you may have the wrong impression.” Anna’s voice carried on the wind.
    “Oh, I doubt that, my dear,” the man she called Sir Marcus pulled Anna closer.
    “I think you have the wrong impression as well, Mate,” Jake spoke from the base of the steps leading to the veranda. “She doesn’t like leaches.”
    “And, who are you?” Sir Marcus bloated with indignation.
    “I’m a man with a sword,” Jake’s tone was soft and dangerous as he reached the top of the stairs and placed a hand on the butt of the blade he held at his hip. Sir Marcus dropped Anna’s hands as if they burned him and backed away. The man sputtered at Jake’s comments, his face ashen in the dim evening light. “I don’t like leaches either, Mate.”
    Sir Marcus spun and disappeared into the ballroom, his