Real Vampires: Glory and the Pirates by Bartlett, Gerry (red white royal blue TXT) 📕

Jeremiah nodded and began to study the different bows on offer until he picked one to his liking. He did the same with the arrows.

“All right. I believe I will make a private wager with Mistress Gloriana.” He bent down and whispered in my ear. “I win, you do whatever I wish for the hour before sunrise.”

I know I turned red and the crowd roared with laughter, easily figuring out the kind of prize Jeremiah wanted. I slapped at his arm, playing to the crowd. Why not? We wanted the men in good spirits and it was all in fun. An hour with Jeremiah was more of a reward than a penalty for me and he knew it.

“And if I win, Lord Jeremiah, I will have a pair of britches made and wear them proudly when I practice my sword fighting.” I grinned at the look on my lover’s face.

“Britches? Like the pirate bitch wore?” He gazed around the crowd. He was caught and he knew it.

“If you don’t like the idea, you’d better aim well, sir.” I waited while Colin drew the line where we were to stand. “Are we on? With the bet?”

“I’m not worried. Yes, I’ll take your bet.” Jeremiah winked at Colin. “I’m looking forward to winning.”

“Good luck to both of you.” Colin ran down to the stack of hay. Someone had drawn circles on the top bale facing us. “Winner is the one who hits closest to the center ring.” He stepped out of the way.

“Ladies first.” Jeremiah bowed and gestured for me to take my place. The crowd was quiet, everyone watching to see what would happen.

“Fine. You will find that a woman can best you.” I aimed carefully and let fly.

Colin stared at the target and looked back at us. “You will be hard pressed to beat that, Lord Jeremiah. I am leaving the arrow there. It is close to the middle.”

“Fine. If I cleave it in half, we will be tied.” Jeremiah took his time notching the arrow, sighting down it and drawing back the string.

I waited, getting nervous. I didn’t want to give up my britches. Somehow, I’d win him over, even if he bested me here. I started to speak but knew it would be cheating if I broke his concentration. Just as he let go of the string, a bird cawed. I glanced upward. Could it have been Valdez? That sound might have been what made Jeremiah’s arrow lodge just a bit to the right of mine and out of the center.

“Mistress Gloriana wins!” Colin grinned and gestured for Jeremiah to come see for himself. I stayed where I was. No need to check. I knew by Jeremiah’s frown that Colin was right. Then Jeremiah’s eyes widened as an arrow flew from the battlements. Before I had time to move, it hit me, driving me to the ground.

Pain. I heard Jeremiah calling my name but all I could do was stare at the sky above me until it blurred. Dirt, shouts and Jeremiah, still calling my name. Why couldn’t I move? Were we under attack? Was I dying?

I waited for my life to ebb from me like the waves falling back from the beach. I could smell my own blood and Jeremiah. Close, his hands on me. No! Don’t touch me. Hurts.

“Gloriana, I’m going to have to pull out the arrow.” Jeremiah’s voice shook but his hand was steady as it pressed on my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Tearing, wrenching, endless pain. Then…nothing.

15

Iwas being carried. Even the slightest move hurt and I wanted to push away the arm holding me.

“Put me down!” I tried to hit him but I couldn’t move my arm. Oh, Gods. This was the same place I’d hit the pirate bitch. On the shoulder. Anyone who wanted revenge would aim there or at my heart. “Jeremiah!”

“Gloriana, lie still. We’re almost there.” He was trying to soothe me.

I banged my head against his shoulder. “Please, I hurt.” Oh, no, I was crying. I wanted to be strong. His warrior woman.

“I know, my love, my sweetheart.” He kissed the top of my head. “Here we are. Colin is holding the door open for me. Let me put you on the bed. Easy now.”

I screamed when he moved his arm out from under me. I tried to hold on to him but still couldn’t move my arms. I wanted to say “Don’t let me go. I need you.” I gasped instead, the agony taking away my words and turning them into moans.

Something soft was under me as I rolled. The bed. It was no comfort. All I knew was pain. I realized I’d been keeping my eyes closed and forced them open. Our room. A fire was blazing as hot as the agony in my shoulder. I finally managed to reach out for Jeremiah with the one hand that would obey me. He looked so desperately worried.

“Help me.” I needed his blood. It would heal me. I’d seen him hurt before and taking blood from an ancient vampire had worked miracles.

“I will.” He turned to Colin who I could see behind him. “Send someone for my father. And fetch Florence. Yes, she’s the one I want. Keep everyone else out of here.” He sat on the bed beside me. “There’s something amiss here, darling. You should have started to heal on your own. At least a little. I wonder if the arrow…” He didn’t finish.

I shuddered, pain arcing through me. It moved down my body, from my shoulder to my arm and down to my fingertips. I tried again to lift my arm and couldn’t. Tears filled my eyes.

“Jeremiah! I can’t—” I used my other arm to pick up the wounded one. It was lifeless and dropped to the bed like a stone. “I can’t use my arm. Something is wrong.”

“Where is she? Amica!” Flo rushed into the room. Anne was behind her. “Colin said you were shot. An arrow.” She pushed Jeremiah