A Hidden Queen

Chapter 58

James paces about his stateroom as if madden by some force. The light brown eyes flick about to the rolling waters beyond his cabin windows. A small gasp leaves him as The Governor pitches violently to starboard. The commodore quickly steadies himself on the overhead beam.

"Damn this foul weather." James mutters.

The rainstorm had come upon them at a greater speed than James had predicted. The constant battering of the waves had forced them to station themselves on the far side of a small atoll. It vexed James so as he was assured with utmost confidence that the rain would not impede their travels. Yet there were anchored and being tossed about in the ragging sea without his command to do so.

James growls under his breath. The dirty blond eyebrows furrow down as he stares out at the dark rolling waters. James glances about his shoulder as the door to his stateroom creaks open. Joshua Jackson strode in as if he it was his own cabin. Jiang follows hotly behind him.

"Private Jackson! You cannot be here!" Jiang sternly orders.

He reaches out, clamping a hand down on the larger man's shoulder. James becomes rigid with the dark expression masking Jackson's face. The aquamarine eyes stare blankly down at Jiang's hand before lifting to meet the young marine's. A rather hefty exhales leaves James as the private snatches the fragile wrist within his meaty hand, crushing is mercilessly with an outcry from Jiang.

"Jackson!" James bites out.

Jackson huffs out of his nose releasing the marine. Jiang cradles his wrist, staring at the private with wide-eyed disbelief.

"It is alright Jiang, just leave him be. I need you to handle a more important matter. Go fetch me Mr. Hunter please." James orders.

"Aye sir." Jiang states wobbly, backing away from the pair.

James shifts his eyes over to the private as his door creeps back close. Jackson scoffs miserably, throwing himself into James' chair. The light brown eye twitches with irritation as the private throws his leg over the arm, leaning awkwardly into the chair and allowing water to drip from his boots and coat.

"And of what could be so urgent that you felt the need to barge in and cause such a ruckus with my sentry?" James questions, raising an eyebrow.

"The ship has been anchored." Jackson states. "And you did not give the order."

"Mr. Jackson, I do hope you did not storm my stateroom causing the scene you did to inform me of something I am well aware of." James seethes.

Jackson raises his aquamarine eyes to the commodore. The bigger man scoffs unhappily, raising to his feet.

"I simply thought you wanted to be made aware of what ones were doing. But I can see now that you do not." Jackson shrugs, shouldering his commanding officer while heading directly for the door.

"Hold it." James snaps, freezing Jackson in his tracks. "You better have a good explanation for your behavior Mr. Jackson, or so help me I will have you flogged for such disrespect of a superior commanding officer. Now. Whom are you accusing of mutiny?"

Jackson glances at James over his shoulder. James could sense the tension rolling off the man as he clenched his muscles.

"I would not be so bold as to say mutiny sir. It is merely undermining. Have you not a notion as to what your first lieutenant is doing under your nose?"

"And of what is my first lieutenant up to, Mr. Jackson?"

Jackson huffs irritably. He spins himself about, coming to stand in front of James' deck in a defiant childish manner. James sighs heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.