"His wound needs looking after," said Percy.

"Who cares about him? Leave his wound. It'll get infected and he'll die a slow, painful death," said Elena between bites of bread. "What are your plans? Are we going to have to get ready for a war?"

"I'm going to ask for a ransom for the prince." Gwen pushed the grub on her plate around, her appetite strangely muted. "I'm sorry."

Elena and Percy exchanged a glance. "Uther is going to use this as an excuse to go after you. He won't pay the ransom."

Gwen looked at Percy, the truth of his words sinking in. "I might have been impulsive but we're committed to this course of action. I'm sorry I am dragging you into a war between us and the Pendragons."

Elena laughed. "It won't be our first. Your father lost the first one. We'll win this one."

"We will," said Merlin solemnly.

"Their firepower is many times ours. They have a battalion of ships and countless men willing to die for the Pendragon flag." Gwen played with her spoon. "It will not be an easy battle. But it will be weeks before they realise the prince is missing. We have that advantage."

"We also have your reputation," said Percy.

That made Gwen smile wryly. "My reputation - full of smoke and mirrors."

"That doesn't matter. The men will be quaking in their boots and that will do them in. But we need to keep the prince alive and his wound will do him in before his father's men arrive if we don't look after it."

With a sigh, Elena wiped her hands on her breeches. "Fine. I'll take care of it, but don't expect me to be gentle."

"No," said Gwen. "I'll do it."

At his door, she hesitated, wondering why she'd volunteered to do this, especially after what happened when she handed him his dinner. Every time her fingers brushed against him as she unlocked his shackles, a shiver had shot through her and later, for that infinitesimal moment, when he had stared at her as if he wanted to devour her, she had almost leaned closer so she could press her lips against his.

Gwen shook her head, then pushed the door open. She wasn't sure what she was expecting but it wasn't him fast asleep on the bed, his chest moving rhythmically with the ship. Quietly, she closed the door behind her, then stepped further into the small room. Next to the bed, she placed the shallow and bowl and dressing on the ground and gave in to her desire to stare at the prince. Percy was right - his wound looked bad, and for a moment, Gwen felt bad. Her eyes travelled up to his face. While awake, his face was tense, asleep, he looked relaxed, his lips slightly parted and his eyelashes resting on his cheeks.

It was only when he stirred, that Gwen realised she'd reached out to touch his cheek.

His hand clamped around her wrist, and she stifled a yelp. She tried to pull away but his hold was firm. Blinking, his blue eyes finally focused on her.

"Captain." His hold on her still tight, he moved so he was sitting up and she was balanced at the edge of his bed. "Captain," he repeated, his breath scuttling across her skin, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

"My lord," she said in reply.

"Arthur," he corrected.

"Arthur," she whispered, as, on its own accord, her free hand lifted and touched his cheek.

And then he was kissing her, his lips crushed against hers, while his hands threaded through her hair. Her own hands cradled his face, her palms relishing the feel of his beard-roughened skin against them. He tasted like the sea, salty and dangerous. How long has it been since she'd been kissed like this? How long since she'd felt so desired? She whimpered against his lips, when he fisted her hair, leaning into his hold. Her heart thumped as heat pooled low in her stomach.

"You're good," rasped Arthur, suddenly pushing her away.

For a moment, confusion reigned and she just stared at him. Cold, hard eyes stared back at her.

"I've heard stories of how you -"

Gwen shoved him hard and he fell back onto the bed. "And yet you fell for it, didn't you?"

Arthur's eyes narrowed in response. "What did you think would happen? I would fall for you then have my heart broken? I know you want revenge, Captain Guinevere," he sneered. "For what my father did. I assume you are keeping me alive for the prospect of greater rewards."

"Whatever I do to you, your family deserves it." She grabbed the dressing from the floor and without warning, yanked his arm towards her.

Surprise coloured his eyes as she deftly washed his wound. Yet he said nothing and she could feel him watching her closely. As she tied the bandages, she pulled them tight, wanting to inflict some sort of pain - a tit for tat for her humiliation earlier. He hissed.

"Merlin says this will help your wrists heal." Rudely, she tossed the vial at him. "I'm sure you can rub it in yourself."

He said nothing, continuing to stare at her. She took one last look at him, then walked out of the room. The guard at the door greeted her but she walked resolutely on until she closed the door to her own bunk. Then, leaning against the wall, she let out a long breath, shakily touching her still swollen lips.

Whatever it was in the vial stung and Arthur wondered if he was foolish to trust the Captain. For all he knew, he was rubbing poison into himself. It would feel so much better if she was rubbing the potion into his skin. Instead of planning an escape, he was fantasizing about his captor, remembering the way her lips molded to his, the feel of her hair under his hands and wondering what it would be like to slowly unbutton her shirt and slide his hands under it, to feel the weight of her breasts and the heat of her skin. With a groan, he dragged his mind from her. She must have put a spell on him, enchanting him with her magic so all he could focus on was her.

He stood up and peered out of the tiny window, watching as a few of the crew scrubbed the main deck. For a pirate ship as notorious as the Excalibur, the size of the crew seemed to be very skimpy. But Arthur supposed having magic meant you didn't need so many people. Clearly, sheer physical force wouldn't be the key to his escape. He needed something more subtle, more covert. Or he could wait for his father to save him. All he'd need to do is keep alive.

His thoughts were disrupted when she walked out onto the main deck. She spoke to a few of her crew, laughing at something they said as her hair danced in the sea breeze. Dusk was settling over the ship and it looked like they were getting ready for some sort of gathering. She'd stopped talking and was leaning against the side of the ship. Arthur couldn't see her face but for some reason, he got the sense that she was sad. For a brief moment, he wanted to reach out and hold her.

She really had enchanted him. Swearing at his own foolishness, he tore himself away from the window and flung himself on his bed. Sleep. He needed to rest, then work out an escape plan.

She kneeled in front of him, her hands at the buttons of her shirt and she bit her lips. Without a single touch and he was already painfully aroused. He moved his arms but the ropes were tied too securely to his wrists. But he couldn't think much about his situation because she'd unbuttoned her top button, revealing to his eyes a hint of the soft curve of her breasts. Arthur ached to touch, ached to push away her hands which were taking far too long to reveal her to him, ached to see if her breasts looked the way he'd pictured them far too many times in his head. As her hands moved to the next button, her head lifted, her brown eyes were dark with desire and those luscious lips of hers parted.

"Breakfast!" There was a clatter, footsteps and the door slammed, making his bed shake, completely pulling Arthur out of his dream. With a groan, Arthur opened his eyes, blinking as the bright morning sun shone down on him. He shifted, trying to ease the discomfort in his groin. This torture Captain Gwen put him through was wearing him down. With little to do in his tiny bunk, all he seemed to be able to think about was her. The glimpses he got of her from the small window only served to fuel his fantasies. Night after night, he writhed on his bed, waking up sweating and aroused. And he never even got very far in his dreams.

Like clockwork, a young woman opened the door to his room to take his breakfast. Usually, he would stare sullenly at her as she went about clearing his breakfast. But he couldn't take being trapped in this room any more.

"Don't you sentence your prisoners to forced labour anymore?"

The look she sent him would chill the heart of any other man. "The captain is treating you really well, seeing what a scumbag you are." Her hands holding his bowl of leftover gruel, she turned sharply towards the door.

"That wasn't criticism," he said but the door slammed in his face and he heard the lock turn. Arthur sighed. Noise started to filter in through the window and Arthur stood to peer through it, hoping to catch a glimpse of the captain, as much as he told himself he shouldn't.

Gwen watched as Percy led the crew through the checking of the riggings. Merlin was convinced that a storm was brewing and although Merlin was rather hit and miss when it came to predicting the weather (not something she mentioned to Merlin nowadays since he had taken great offense the last time she did), it was best to be prepared. The Excalibur was her one true love and she wasn't going to allow Mother Nature to take her from Gwen.

"Your prisoner is far too comfortable in his bunk," said Elena, standing next to her. "You should throw him in the hold like all the others."

Gwen laughed. "You mean like all those non-existent prisoners we take?"

"We're not going to be able to live on your father's money forever. And Merlin's treasure hunting skill is really limited. When was the last time we found sunken treasure?"

"A month ago? Off that really gorgeous island?" Percy was yelling at the crew now, and Gwen shook her head. Young Mordred, another stowaway, was being difficult again and Gwen wondered if she shouldn't have just thrown him off the ship when she discovered him hiding in her hold.

"The gold will run out," said Elena, and Gwen cast her a look. For weeks, Elena had been after her to plunder some ships.

"We still have enough for some months yet." She smiled at Elena, squeezing her shoulders slightly. "Don't worry. I won't let you starve."

Elena let out a sigh of resignation, shaking her head. "You can't survive as a pirate without being a pirate," she sniffed.

"I think 2 years is a pretty good track record."

With another exaggerated sigh and a roll of her eyes, Elena stomped off to help Percy with the riggings.

"You shouldn't have a Master Gunner if you have no plans to actually plunder other ships."

With a jump, Gwen turned, then glared at Merlin. "Don't sneak up on me like that. And unfortunately, as peace-loving as I am, we still need defenses and Elena is great at manning the guns."

Merlin looked at her and Gwen knew from his eyes what he was going to say. "Yes," she said before he could speak. "I know she's right about the money, but there's still quite a bit left and we did just get information on the sunken Fisher King. When we find it, we'll be good for many months yet."

"If we find it." He gave her another look, before casting his gaze at the horizon. "Well, Elena is going to get her wish for action," said Merlin. "I think the storm is going to be a bad one."

"Weather has been awful recently," sighed Gwen. "I'll let Percy know."

As she stood next to Percy and relayed Merlin's words, Percy grimaced. "For once, I believe Merlin. The signs are not promising."

"We survived that storm a month ago, thanks to your preparations." Gwen placed a hand on Percy's arm.

"Survived the storm and gained a brooding, mouthy teenager," muttered Elena who joined them. "It's going to be a bad one."

Gwen caught Elena's eyes. "Exactly what I was saying to Percy."

"Well, at least we will be prepared." Elena scanned the skies. "The prisoner could be of use."

"Prince Arthur?"

Elena nodded. "He's fit, knows how a ship works and we could definitely use a hand. changing the sails before night fall." When Gwen said nothing, Elena shrugged. "It's your call."

"Be careful up there!" yelled Percy, stepping forward towards the riggers. Elena said something about checking the gun deck, then disappeared as well.

"We'll be fine," said Gwen, as much to reassure Merlin as herself.

The storm was, as Merlin predicted, a bad one. Forked lightning, brilliant and white-hot, flashed through the blackening sky, before a deluge of rain poured down from the heavens. The Excalibur lurched and rolled in the rising swell, buffeted by waves that crashed against her sides, uncaring of the crew who rushed about, taking down sails and bailing water.

"Percy and Merlin can manage. You should take shelter." Elena's words were accompanied by a rumble of thunder and a large wave rammed the ship, causing it to tilt. Gwen grabbed hold of the side of the ship as Elena stumbled into her. "Merlin! Your defenses!"

"I am doing the best I can!" Merlin yelled back. Gwen could see the strain on his face as he tried to shield the ship from the storm. In the back, Percy was hustling the riggers to hurry. Rain pelted down on her and her clothes clung uncomfortably to her body.

The last rigger slid down the mast.

"Come on. It's going to get dangerous," yelled Elena over the storm. Merlin muttered one more spell, then darted off towards the bunks. Percy hurried the riggers, one of them holding his arm as if he'd injured himself, and Elena disappeared under the deck. Her clothes heavy with water, Gwen took one last look around the main deck.

Water pooled with every step she took down the deck. Her hands gripped the railings as she made her way to her bunk. As much as she enjoyed life on sea, days like this made her question if it was all worth it. She closed her eyes.

Then bumped into something hard. Instinctively, she raised her hands and they came into contact with warm flesh. Her eyes flew open, just as an arm wrapped tightly around her waist.

Gwen knew her mouth was open but she couldn't say anything, not when she was plastered against the prince's wet chest, barely covered by his soaked shirt.

"Damn," he swore and made to let go of her when the ship lurched again. Instead, he grabbed her, pressing her closer - something Gwen was amazed was even possible - as they slammed into a wall. Until the ship steadied, he kept his arm around her and Gwen found clutching his shoulders. "Are you alright?"

He was so close she could see his individual eyelashes and the pores in his skin. Memories of the kiss they shared just a few days ago rose in her mind and she felt the sharp pull of desire.

She kneed him.

With a yelp drowned out by another roll of thunder, he let go of her. "What was that for?"

Gulping, she nodded as she forced herself to take a step back. His blue eyes raked across her body and she was suddenly aware of her soaked clothes that were probably completely transparent. She took another step back, hitting the wall. "Why are you out of your room?"

"I needed to stretch my legs," he said, his eyes locked on hers, his voice casual.

"You were trying to escape!" She withdrew her cutlass and pointed it at his throat. He raised his hands.

"Can you blame me?"

The ship tilted once more, sending them stumbling and above, Gwen could hear water battering the deck. "It's dangerous out here," she said, pressing the tip of the cutlass against him. "Either follow me or I'll get Percy to throw you overboard in this storm."

The prince merely shrugged, then walked obediently in front of her.

Once the door closed behind her, Gwen regretted her instructions for him to follow her. She might have the biggest bunk in the ship but with the shirtless prince inside, her bunk seemed far too small. Trying to put some distance between her and the prince, she stepped aside and rummaged through her drawers, pulled out a towel and tossed it to him. Raising an eyebrow, he caught the towel and started to dry himself.

"Like the view?"

Gwen coloured and pulled her gaze away. She couldn't understand herself. She'd seen Percy and Merlin shirtless countless times so why did she find the prince rubbing the towel across his chest so fascinating?

"I was just thinking that you aren't very smart."

He stopped rubbing his chest. "Not smart?"

At his nonplussed expression, Gwen felt a bit more control. She sniffed. "How did you think you would escape in a storm like this?"

"I admit I wasn't thinking very hard beyond getting out of my bunk." His eyes flicked across her body again. "You should get out of those clothes." Gwen frowned at his words but before she could say anything, he raised his hands. "I'm not trying anything funny. But you are going to catch a cold like this. Plus it can't be comfortable. Look, I'll turn around."

"Why do you care anyway?" Gwen sniped. Her fingers trembled and together with her dripping shirt, she had difficulty unbuttoning her it.

He shrugged, the muscles of his back rippling as he did so. What was she doing, staring at the enemy? Swearing under her breath, Gwen focused her attention back on her shirt. "What are you planning to do with me?"

"Ransom," Gwen muttered. Finally the top button popped free and she moved on to the others.

"You do realise that my father is going to bring the whole royal navy to destroy your ship."

"You do realise that I am Captain Guinevere Thomas and I will destroy your navy before you even touch Excalibur." The buttons were being difficult again. "And your father will deserve everything he gets."

He turned then, his eyes blazing with emotion. "I know who you are. They call you the scourge of the seven seas. You plunder, steal and sink ships without batting an eyelash. And after all your evil deeds, it's about time you're stopped."

Her hands dropped from her shirt and she stepped towards him. "Don't pretend to know me."

"I know you're evil. All pirates are evil." He took a step towards her, his lips curled into a snarl.

"Your father murdered my father in cold blood. Who's the evil one?" Lifting her head, she took another step.

"Your father was a lowlife criminal like you. He deserved to die."

"No one deserves to die! My father was drinking in a tavern, minding his own business, when your father's men killed him!" Her next step brought her so close, her bare breasts brushed against his chest.

She tensed. He groaned.

And then he was kissing her. Or maybe she was kissing him. Gwen didn't know. All she knew was the feel of his heated skin under her hands, the taste of his lips and the light friction of his stubble against her face. Someone moaned and his tongue swiped against her lips until it found entry into her mouth. She leaned into him, as his hands pushed at her shirt. Somehow, all those misbehaving buttons were undone now and her shirt fell onto the ground in a puddle.

When his hand cupped one breast, his lips moved from hers to her throat, Gwen shuddered. She had thought she was aroused before but now, she was filled with a pulsating need she'd never felt before. Her fingers ran through his damp hair.

"What are we doing?" Gwen had to strain to hear the words muttered against her throat.

She might have whimpered in response. She definitely ground her hips against his.

"I want you," he groaned. "Tell me you want me too."

"Yes," gasped Gwen, ignoring the small voice that told her she was about to sleep with the enemy, as his thumb rubbed her nipple. "Yes, I want you."

Even before she finished, he picked her up, her legs immediately wrapping around his waist, and walked towards her bed.