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

I thought back to that bird cawing when Jeremiah had shot his arrow. Well! It had been Valdez who had made Jeremiah miss his shot. I didn’t mention that. Instead, I was glad he had been in the right place to capture the shooter.

“It was a pirate, wasn’t it? Not someone else who wants me dead?” I sat up, feeling better every minute.

“I can’t imagine who else would want you harmed.” Jeremiah examined the arrow. “Well, except for my mother. Surely she gave up her quest after her last failure.”

“He’s Irish. That makes it likely he came from the pirate stronghold, though he’s not saying much.” Valdez walked to the door. “You should question him, Jeremiah.”

“Oh, I will. A poison arrow? That makes me think he was in league with a witch. What do you think, Glory?” Jeremiah showed me the arrow but I shook my head. I didn’t want to see it or touch it.

Just then Lady Anne arrived with a bowl and a steaming poultice. I lay back down and moaned. Why not? Flo stood next to me to keep Anne from seeing that my wound was almost completely healed.

“You are just in time. My friend has been in such pain!” Flo took the poultice. “Now you followed all the directions, didn’t you?”

“Yes, yes, of course. Just as you said. It was very complicated. I’m sorry it took so long.” Anne tried to look around Flo to see how I was holding up.

“Thank you, Anne.” I said it in a weak voice. “Oh, can someone blow out the candles? The light hurts my eyes.” I pulled the covers up over my shoulders. “What is that smell?”

“It is a special healing poultice.” Flo pulled down the cover. “Lie still and this will make your wound heal. It will be like a miracle. You will see.” She slapped the hot thing on my shoulder.

“Ow! That is too hot.” I tried to jerk it off.

“No, no, no. You must keep it on. The heat is pulling out the poison. Trust me. I got the recipe from my own nonna, may she rest in peace.” Flo crossed herself. “Some said she was a witch, some said she danced with the fairies. I don’t know or care.” She shrugged. “All I know is that this works like magic.” She accompanied that with some Italian and hand gestures.

I sighed and lay back, closing my eyes. “I would like to rest in peace. Could we clear the room? The prisoner can wait in the dungeon until tomorrow night, can’t he, Jeremiah? Put extra guards on him. Guards we can trust.”

“She is right. Glory needs to rest. Everyone out except Jeremiah.” Flo must have pushed Anne and Valdez right out the door. I kept my eyes closed.

“You can open your eyes now. You want me to toss that smelly thing on your shoulder out the window?” Jeremiah stood next to the bed.

I peeled it off. “Please.” I sniffed. “I don’t want to know what’s in it but it has the stink of cat urine.”

“Out it goes.” Jeremiah heaved it through the window then pulled off his shirt. “You scared me. I thought I was going to lose you.” He tossed back the covers. “You need help getting out of that dress?”

“Yes, please. It is ruined. Maggie will have a time getting the stains out. And Flo ripped the bodice.” I stared up at him. “That means another new dress from Madame Clotilde.”

“You can have as many as you want.” He leaned down to kiss me. “God, I’m glad you are still here.”

I smiled at him. “I am. But weak. Though Flo’s blood was rich and very healing.” I rolled over so he could open my buttons. Then I lifted my hips and he pulled down the dress and my petticoats. I couldn’t believe it, but I still wore my shoes. He made quick work of them.

“You are very good at that, Jeremiah.” I watched him walk over to the washstand and pour water into the bowl, then brought the bowl and a cloth to the bed. “What are you doing now?”

“Washing you, my love. I will never forget how you looked lying in the dirt. You stared up into the sky like you were about to ascend into Heaven.” He dipped the cloth into the water and began carefully washing me, starting at my toes. “It was as if you’d given up, Gloriana.”

“I will never give up, Jeremiah.” I stared down at his dark head bent over me. He moved the cloth carefully up my legs. “I seem to have a desperate will to live. Thanks to you, I intend for it to be forever.”

“That suits me very well.” He rolled me over and cleaned the back of my legs and my back with special attention to my bum.

“Mmm. You are certain I was lying in the dirt and my petticoats did not protect me there?” I was resting my face on my arms.

“Hush, Gloriana. I am enjoying this.”

“Yes, I think you are.” I gasped when he dipped that damp cloth where he had never gone before. “Sir! Remember I am still recovering my strength.”

“How could I forget?” He touched the wound on the back of my shoulder. It was still tender and I jerked away before I could stop myself. “I’m sorry, you are still not whole. The arrow went through you. The wound is still red. Perhaps we should have kept the poultice if it could have made the healing go faster.” He kissed the spot then turned me over and dipped the cloth in the water again.

“More ancient blood will work just as well.” I sighed when he carefully washed my breasts then moved down to my stomach. “Oh, a little lower, if you please.” I slid my legs apart. “I would like to be fresh for you.”

“Surely you don’t think you have the energy for loveplay.” He grinned as he washed me most thoroughly between my legs.

“I always