The Queen of the Sea meets a sea-sick ship's doctor.

:Pirate's Booty:

The ship's doctor wasn't sure which way he was heading. The acrid smoke from the pistols and cannons were inhibiting his vision. All he knew for sure was that this was the worst possible assignment the King could have passed upon him. He stumbled and fell to his knees. He looked down to see what he had tripped over and found a young man in dirty clothes, eye's glazed and fixed. He needn't bother checking for a pulse. The large hole through the chest was proof enough the lad was dead.

Sheldon pushed back up to his feet and felt his stomach roll again. He staggered toward a light, hoping it was either a port hole or door where he could get fresh air. He could hear yelling and the boom of weaponry as he made his way on deck. Bodies brushed past him, locked in battle. He rushed toward the railing and managed to lose the contents of his stomach over the side. He gasped and grabbed the dipper from the fresh water barrel and rinsed his mouth. Before he could get to safety a hand grabbed his hair and tilted his head back.

Sheldon looked up in alarm and found himself staring into moss colored eyes. He blinked a couple of times, trying to find his voice, but no words were forthcoming. Her eyes sparkled merrily, chaos and carnage in her gaze. She tugged him to her and slammed her mouth onto his. Sheldon was shocked as her tongue slipped between his lips. The next thing he knew, she had thrust him from her into the chest of a huge man with tattoos covering his chest.

The man grinned, revealing a mouth full of sharpened teeth. The man raise a small club. Not necessary, Sheldon thought as he began to faint all on his own.

Xxxxx

He awoke slowly, his head pounding, and his stomach churning. He opened his eyes, sure the pirate attack had been a bad dream. Sheldon frowned as he tried to focus his eyes. He tilted his head curiously, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. A naked female breast was almost pressed to his cheek. His eyes swept downward and he was startled to see his hand clinging to the bare hip pressed against his stomach. He gulped and moved his eyes back upward, past the oh-so tempting breast. Slightly parted plump lips rested near his head and blond hair spilled across the pillows.

He tried to scoot back from the naked woman beside him, but his movements made her stir. She frowned slightly and snuggled closer, one of her legs moved to rest between his. Sheldon groaned as he realized he was naked too. What on earth had…..suddenly he remembered the night before.

Xxxxxx

The attack had happened. He had fainted momentarily. The pirates had looted the royal navy ship and then set it on fire, leaving the surviving crew to swim for the nearby island. He and the two galley slaves were taken on board the pirate's ship and placed in the captain's cabin under guard. After the ship had changed course and left the area, the door had opened. Two men and a woman had entered. The woman approached the two slaves and looked at them closely.

"My name is Copper. This is my ship, the Queen of the Sea. I offer you two choices. You are free now. You can sign up and serve on my ship, and receive the same cut of treasure as everyone else. IF you work for it like we all do. Or you can be put down at the nearest port, which is in the south of France to make your own life. You will get 3 gold pieces and a change of clothes. Now, go to the galley with these men and get some food into you. You can decide tomorrow. None will harm you here."

The slaves looked at her with hope and disbelieve mixed together. They scurried after the pirates and she turned to look at him. Sheldon stared at her, unable to look away. Her hair was golden, and curled around her shoulders a halo. She leaned back on the desk and raked her gaze up and down his body. Sheldon blushed at her appraisal and was embarrassed to feel his body react. There was no hiding it either since he was dressed only in breeches and a shirt. He had no coat or even a waistcoat to cover himself with. She smiled as she stared at his groin. Had she no shame at all?

His eyes snapped shut as she reached up and started to unbutton her shirt. His keen hearing heard the whisper of cloth over skin. He swallowed the lump in his throat and recited the Hippocratic oath in his head to distract himself. He squeaked and jumped as a hand slid across his chest. His eyes snapped open just as she leaned in and nibbled on his ear lobe.

"It's been a long time since a man has been tempting to me," she whispered in his ear. Her hand slid lower and Sheldon's knees felt weak. "I want you."

Sheldon's will buckled and he turned his head to crush his lips to hers. Their tongues dueled and he pulled her to him and pressed her bare chest to his.

Xxxxx

Sheldon blushed all over as he remembered the things they had done on this bed. He was no virgin, to be sure, but he had never even heard of a couple of things they had done. He frowned for a moment. In fact, he was fairly certain one or two of them would be frowned upon by the church.

He remembered their words just before they had drifted off to sleep, exhausted and spent.

"I offer you the same choice as the slaves. You can stay. With me. I can show you the world. Or you can leave when we hit port."

He had looked at her closely. "Stay as your sex slave, you mean."

She had shaken her head. "You would never be forced to my bed, or to anyone's. I will not deny that I feel desire for you, but force is not my way."

He had gently kissed her lips and smiled. "Then I will stay."

Sheldon's mind cleared and he relaxed. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and pulled her as close as possible. He had never cared much for the sea, but he was beginning to think the pirate life might not be so bad. He wondered if Copper knew of a cure for sea sickness.