Temptations

ɎChapter♠NineteenɎ

 Elias woke up dizzy and unbalanced. He groaned, massaging his head before he took in his surroundings. The chained bars were rusted and green, but when he tried them they held fast. Puddles of water were all over the hardwood floor. And the smell of the ocean lingered in the air. The little sunlight coming in through the barred window of the wooden walls caught his attention, and he pulled himself up, groaning as his joints and knees curled from their originally stiff laid out position- as if someone had simply thrown him in the cell regardless of hurting him.

The swaying of the cell gave him an indication of where he was, and when he saw the open ocean, he knew for sure.

"Gaspar!" He shouted, calling the captain, outraged and angry. "I know you're here!" He banked on the bars, shaking them back and forth.

When the steps echoed on the stairs, Elias let go of the bars and stood back. They were slow and deliberate, each stomp meant to send fear into his victims. But nothing could have prepared him for seeing the woman from the pub standing on the other side of the bars, wearing a tricorn hat, a pirate's coat, a rapier and large leather boots.

"Buenos Días, Señor Keen" Rosa looked down at him with a grin. "I don't think we've formally introduced ourselves. My name is Rosalina Delamour Gaspar, Captain of the Crimson Queen and fugitive of every possible crown. And you, my caged friend, are Elias Keen, Rear Admiral in the English Navy." Jack stood behind her, his tall frame though imposing was near insignificant compared to the attention Gaspar forced.

"So what do I call you? Gaspar? Rosa? Rosalina?" He scowled, hating himself for even considering talking to her let alone kissing her.

"Whichever you'd like," she waved him off. "Most call me Captain but I don't think you'd be very inclined to call me as such." She gave him a grin.

"Where am I?" He asked and her grin only widened.

"You're on the Crimson Queen, currently sailing for India along the Atlantic. I'm afraid, Mr. Keen, you won't be going home for a very long while."

She turned around and began walking away. Elias didn't move, he didn't want to talk. He'd finally found Gaspar, and he was on the wrong side of the bars.