Diplomacy

Even Cassie stopped in her tracks. Right? Great joke! They were obligations she didn't want. She was by no means going to be lenient. To hell with the damn inheritance if they thought they were going to marry her. And with any miserable. May Philip burn in damn hell. A bunch of losers on the board. Or she could do target practice. Destroying the life of the unfortunate like him... Damn Cornor. And Thalagar. Two miserable wretches. They definitely weren't going to marry her.

Richard's head was beginning to throb. Hell! The woman was not one of them. She was definitely not a wolf. A witch… He suddenly found himself trying to explain a witch in front of Chabone's council.

-However... - the counsellor continued.

The woman blinked in bewilderment. What did that man mean? Inheritance right?

-But...- she tried to explain.- Well, tell everyone on the damn family council... Go to hell. And forget me. Can't they destroy another's life? I don't want a damn inheritance. Burn the damn inheritance if you think you're going to marry me.

-I'm afraid I have to say that the news from Willian was more promising. The counsellor explained.

Richard and Cassie looked at each other hard. Her stomach knotted.

-She is a woman! You're going to let her take command of Revenge just because she chose to please one of the commanders with favours? -Corner was teasing again.

Favours? Oh heavens! Richard cursed as he intercepted Cassie again and held her immobile. Her hands gripped the small shoulders with a soft silent warning. He twisted his mouth in disguised anger. At least she wasn't hurt.

-What do you mean by more promising? Richard forced his best and most captivating smile.

This was a catastrophe. Everyone already knew that the cabin boy was Cassie. That woman could be beautiful but she was unbearable. And as for the woman's reputation, Willian would... would...

-I don't see any problem if your husband doesn't object, of course.

Cassie looked dumbfounded at the counsellor. One. Twice with your jaw dropped. Married? Husband? Compassion! Where had Will gotten that idea? It was absurd!

No man was going to control her life. No wedding. She hesitated; her heart racing in her chest, emotions were sure to show on her face. It was amazing! She was married and Cornor accused her in front of every one of being the captain's lover? She forced herself to breathe. She was praying that a hole would open up under her feet. She could kill Corner if he had the nerve to say that in front of her.

-My... my husband? If he doesn't object? she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

A small light of genuine satisfaction crossed Richard's gaze. He grinned like a predator, strong and dominant and sensual. He wanted to see the woman get away with it alone this time! The independent lady! What other ruse was she up to? His satisfaction was genuine.

-Husband!?- Corner was perplexed. - Didn't expect that one, bitch?

-No, I might be tempted to...

"Cassie!" Richard thundered loudly. And he shook his head.

It was impressive. How many people still owed him money? He didn't know how to find the time to charge so many people for being smart. Damn Jackie with her quick and easy money-making antics. He hadn't agreed.

-Who this time managed to piss off, love? Is there anyone in the bloody town who hasn't tried to take advantage of it?" he exploded. She couldn't trust everyone like that.

And she gasped deathly pale. The usually fertile imagination refused to help. She had also lost her voice. She looked at a triumphant, smug captain wanting to wipe the smile off his handsome face. It was the end of it! One husband! Where was she going to find a husband like that in a hurry?

-Did you know that this... this thing is unbearable? I didn't create confusion. He stole. He took the money and...

Richard's smug smile widened. His arm slid around her waist in a possessive, imperial gesture, his gaze gleaming with defiance. Cassie found herself helpless as she was pulled into his strong arms in a possessive and protective way. Michael and Christina watched in surprise.

-I am the commander of the Navy and captain of Gaia. – Richard savoured the unique moment. He was going to teach the woman who challenged him a lesson. "And I don't think I really like your manners with my wife, Corner." – the serious voice hissed slightly irritated as he pressed the woman against him. - You can choose to stay or leave. but if you stay, try to show respect.

-Well well. This is incredibly satisfying since you also have responsibilities to your clan.- the advisor commented beaming. He turned to a dazed, pale Cassie. - And when was the wedding, my dear?

Wedding? Alas, He was naturally going to tell about the children. She swallowed in disbelief. She always had an answer for anything. Where had her imagination gone now that she couldn't come up with any excuses? Clearly, Corner was guilty. But Richard was going to be furious. She should have been at least more cautious.

She was speechless, she was speechless. Her dizzy head and her unfortunate burning throat. Faith wasn't going to believe this. She was the one who taught her younger sister not to let herself be dominated by any man and to be independent. She moaned low. The letters she had sent to her father certainly did not speak of a husband. She looked at Richard. He was arrogant, cocky and annoying. And also authoritative. And the worst. A real and very alive presence that managed to awaken all sorts of inopportune thoughts at the wrong times. . How was she going to get rid of a husband like that? She absolutely didn't want a husband out of obligation.

-I...I..- she stammered.

"I'm afraid to say all this fuss was too much for one troublemaker." .- Richard spoke politely and politely.- The wedding was precipitated because of the departure of the ship. My recent wife couldn't stand the idea of moving away and ended up accidentally boarding Gaia. Poor thing! She is tired, counsellor. And exercising my rights and duties as a husband, I would appreciate it if the conversation was postponed to another time. Isn't that right, my love?

The man nodded at a livid Cassie. ... stubborn captain!

-But..- she still tried to protest.

- My wife, I'm afraid to say, is delicate. - Richard was amused to continue knowing that he provoked the woman without her being able to say anything. "I'm afraid she was hurt during her argument with Cornor.

That alone was worth the satisfaction that she had defied him. It was incredible. For the first time, he saw his wife without explanation. His smile came with pure masculine satisfaction.

The succession of lies progressed. Cassie thought seriously for a moment that the Court would be preferable to a trial. Or face William. Delicate? Hurt? Curse! She could swear with an enviable vocabulary for any sailor there. Curse! Her throat was really bothering her, only...

"My lord," Richard continued politely, I must remind you that all the events have been too much after all that has happened. Poor thing! Even more so with the absence of his brother. Cassie is still weakened by Will's health. She would appreciate it if you would agree that I could arrange accommodations for the night. The day was tiring and in my wife's current condition....

She blinked and glared at him with a frown that was nothing like a woman in love and married. She could throttle that man. She was going to tell him how tiring the day had been and show him how fragile she was. And as for her physical condition... What did Richard mean by that, sir? Was he going to make her pass herself off as a woman who needed protection and didn't know what to do? Kassuim couldn't believe it!

Well then! He was going to go back to Revenge! To hell with diplomacy. She was going to load the cannons and fire at the Gaia.

However, she smirked as she returned Richard a melodramatic, sickening look.

-Of course, my dear husband. Everything you want and think is better. What current circumstances...?

Richard smirked.

-I took the liberty of breaking the good news about the arrival of our heir soon.

Cassie's gaze stopped in amazement. There really wasn't any air in the place that got into his lungs. Heir? What do you mean heir? She had other things to do. A ship to command and certainly a crew awaiting the captain's orders. Only suddenly... She had a husband.

Such a bossy husband and he certainly liked to give orders. It wasn't one of his favourite thoughts. Not with Gypsy after all and everything included her involvement with Richard. And there was more. There was an endless list for her to stay away from. Okay. She could even accept that Gypsy was a spirit that liked to show up and create her troubles. But she was always protecting him. It wasn't fair at all.

Stubbornly she blocked out the last memories of those days when life seemed different. A life like any woman her age. There was no way she was going to tolerate Corner questioning his leadership of the Revenge. To hell with Lobos' damned advice and Muir's orders. No one gave orders where she...

The ship was hers. She was the master of her destiny in a world where men ruled and dictated. The hurt was still there. There was an impassable wall between her and Richard.

There was the wolf pack. She still weighed the intolerance as it had always been treated between them. You couldn't erase years of hurt and regret like that.

Thalagar might be one of the worst kinds of shipmasters, but he was still a captain in the service of the Crown. Naturally, he didn't like the fact that Thalagar had given Richard the opportunity to regain command of the Gaia after the unexpected death of his first wife killed in the attack on the castle. Deals and bargains always had their price.

And actually... it got harder and harder. The deal with sorcerers... It was a situation that now weighed more heavily than ever. Deal with his memories blocked by the spell...The Cross of the Paths of Hecate...

The holy artefact was among humans and had powers that shouldn't be used. The ability to change the destiny traced by the Moiras...

- What do you mean the arrival of an heir? she managed to ask at last with a shudder.

He wouldn't dare! But of course, he wouldn't dare to do that! It was a tremendously low blow. Convinced man. That was exactly how Ricky had almost been killed in the ambush.

-Increasing the family...- Richard assured smugly as he rested more peacefully.- After the regrettable attack on the fortress with my pregnant wife. I think the idea of a big wedding is very good. Don't you think dear? Formalize the union?

Her green eyes glittered with irritation. He was actually tempted to always make the woman irritated by the tone that the green eyes shone with indignation.

-The ships...

-A season on dry land. His voice was calm and controlled.

He had everything under absolute control. A good season on dry land and away from fighting and the ship's deck. He found time in the hectic routine of command of the Corsair Armada, which suffered heavy blows in the leadership of the Ravlen seas with the attacks of Gazarra. Maintaining dominance over the territory was critical to ensuring that the Armada would still stay under wolf command and escape Muir's increasing hostility.

-You mean ships anchored in the harbour?- Cassie's astonishment was of the greatest.- Firm land? - She gasped stunned.

Rumours ran through the place of sacred artefacts attracting bounty hunters. Ancient legends about the staff that held the Key of Paths brought greed among relic hunters. They spoke of the relic split into four parts after the goddess's rage at the fall of the great race.

"There's a lot of work to be done." He managed to keep his voice low just so she could hear. The library of Alexandria...the papyri....

- Right. Take care of the papyri?

- Isn't that what little witches do?

-But...

-And why not? I asked one of the young men on the crew to arrange accommodations for a while. At least until I find a bigger place. Maybe some property around the area. They talk about the borderlands and...

Cassie's hostility was visible.

-These are lands controlled by sorcerers. - the ausação came hard.- You want to do it like this overnight... You can't fix it so fast...

-Actually, the fortress has had some renovations. You'll be surprised.

-But they are lands where there are very interesting things to explore. Like certain Pieces of 4 of an ancient amulet...Nearby...

She rolled her eyes in displeasure.

-Not.

- Are you going to run after these pieces too? Cassie couldn't hide her astonishment.

-I am not. But jackie will straighten out all this mess.

-The two of us, baby. - Richard managed his best smile. He continued calmly: And after Philip's business courtesy losses... I think both you and I have a lot to make up for... The Gaia needs repairs. And as for the Revenge... You will certainly want new sails and more urgent repairs for the ship after the last storm... do you have any idea of the price of good quality wood for the gunwales?

Cassie frowned in displeasure. Unhappy man. It was definitely a low blow. Did he have to decide everything himself?

- You're proposing...

-Do we join the treasure hunt? And why not? What do we have to lose?-Richard disguised his amusement at the situation.- he whispered lower into her ears.

Purposefully he looked at the room in the inn that would be their room at the moment. And more convinced for the single bed of the simple place.

-Do you think I'll stay here? And with you?

-You want to command the Revenge... Imagine. Reform in Revenge.

-Of course, but...

-You don't want to lose the helm of the ship to Corner...

-This is out of negotiation and...

- Muir's orders are very clear... And the Councils...

"And what would the Council's orders be, Captain Richard Morgan?"