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

new britches for a walk?” Yes, we were sure to get some comments, but I was not going to let that stop me. The men either respected me or they didn’t. “You know we will scandalize Lady Anne.”

“Yes, and I forgot. I came to tell you the news. We have company!” Flo threw open the door and almost knocked down Valdez. He’d obviously been leaning on it. “Lady Anne’s mother has arrived. Without her husband. She has left him!”

“That is news.” I shook my head. “We can’t meet that lady in britches. I’ll save mine for another day. Did she see you like that?”

Flo laughed. “No, grazie Dio. I had just run into Maggie and she gave them to me. My hands were full when I saw Lady Anne with her mother. She introduced her, though Lady Rose was in no state for a formal introduction. She was in tears and leaning on her daughter. She told me, a perfect stranger, that she had run away from him and had vowed never to return.” Flo threw up her hands. “Can you imagine? Lady Anne was trying to make her mother be quiet. Our new friend was so imbarazzato.”

“Poor lady. I’ll get dressed and see what I can do to help.” I glanced at Valdez. “If I have permission to leave my room.”

“If you are planning to keep to the castle, you can certainly leave your room.” Valdez stayed in the hall. He looked over Flo and me. “Britches on women. Not a fashion I see lasting. Though you both have the bottom for them.” He winked then shut the door.

“That man!” Flo stalked to the window. “Does he think I am staying in here with you? I must change clothes to help you with the runaway wife.” She became a bluebird and flew out of the window. Just like that.

I rubbed my eyes. Oh, how I wished I could manage such a trick. I closed my eyes, fisted my hands and thought hard. Bird, bird, bird. Why wouldn’t my arms turn into wings, my skin into feathers? I dared myself to let go. Let what should happen, go ahead and happen.

Shift, damn you! I waited, praying for a tingle, the start of the change. Nothing. I finally opened my eyes and realized I was now outside, still in my britches but under my window. I stared all the way up at the stone walls of our castle. Impossible!

How had that happened? No, I hadn’t shifted into a bird, but somehow, I had moved. Yes, I’d gone from my bedchamber to the ground outside the castle. If I wanted to, I could now walk to the witch’s hut and ask my questions and Valdez would never know. No, I wasn’t fool enough to do that. I knew Helen was a powerful witch. I wasn’t going to face her without Valdez to guard my back.

I needed to test this new and wonderful skill. I didn’t think even Jeremiah could do this, whatever it was called. I was so excited, I realized I was finally feeling that tingle I’d been waiting for before. I had so much to learn! But first I needed to see if I could get back into my bedchamber.

I fisted my hands, closed my eyes and concentrated, seeing where I’d been when this had started. I waited a few agonizing moments before I dared look.

Yes! It had worked. I was back inside. Unbelievable! I could shift. Not into another creature, but from one place to another. This was a power that I could use. I would need to experiment. To see how far I could go and how fast I could manage it. Would I need to “see” the exact spot I wanted to land? I hadn’t done that before, just wished to be out of my room. To try this, I would need Valdez to help me. Why not? He would like this new way for me to defend myself. I threw open the door, ready to confide in him.

But instead of Valdez, there was Jeremiah, home from checking on his ship. He took a look at my outfit and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

“What the hell are you wearing?” He put his hands on my shoulders. “Dear God! I can see your cunny.”

“I would think you’d like that.” I ran my hand down my bum. “Feel the fabric. It’s very soft.”

“It also leaves nothing to the imagination.” Jeremiah turned me around and ran his hands over my hips, then between my thighs. “These are well-made.” He pressed his palm to my center, his eyes darkening. “They leave no doubt that you are a woman, my dear.”

I reached for his own britches and cupped him where his sex was rising in interest. “And yours leave no doubt that you are a man.” I squeezed.

“You will not wear these outside this room.” He growled as he began to open my buttons so he could slip his hand inside to touch my bare skin.

“Oh, yes, I will. These are my sword fighting britches.” I opened his buttons as well, finding him eager as I took him in hand. “Don’t make this difficult, Jeremiah.”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Gloriana.” He pushed a rough finger inside me.

I was wet with need for him. “Neither do I. When you order me to do something? Or forbid me? I think you are treating me like one of your sailors, or chattel. Is that how you see me, Jeremiah? As something you own?” I let go of him and stepped back. This was too important for me to distract him. I wanted an honest answer.

He moved with me, staying close, as he slid a second finger inside, starting that rhythm that made my knees weaken. I didn’t want to lean against him. Nor hold onto his waist when he kissed my neck in that special place we both knew throbbed with my blood.

“I see you as the woman I love, Gloriana.”