Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

full day since Mara told Anna she could never go home, but the conversation could have happened moments ago for the misery the memory it still caused. Anna knew she had no right, but her heart was filled with an anger she couldn’t subdue. The heat from the hate rose in her chest, blocking any attempt to swallow past its existence.
    Char sat across from her, his plate noticeably emptier than her own. Anna looked up into his dark blue eyes, finding sympathy and concern in their depths. She knew the lecture he wanted to give; the same lecture he gave twice the day before without response from her tormented self. Anna felt some remorse for her treatment of Char the past days as she refused their nightly conversation and held very little patience for him. He didn’t deserve her rage, but without Mara or the Fairy who’d summoned Anna to the Mystical Realm, Char was forced to endure.
    Anna was grateful he refrained from commenting on her lack of appetite, despite suspecting he held in the lecture in order to broach a different, equally uncomfortable subject.
    “I thought we would go into town,” Char’s tone was low and cautious.
    “Why?” Anna asked hollowly.
    “I wish for you to see my Kingdom,” Char smiled at her, the pride he felt at his family’s lands obvious in his expression.
    “Oh,” Anna looked back down at her food, finding the meal suddenly revolting and laying her fork beside her plate.
    “Come now, Anna.” Char reached across the table and took her fingers in his. “You can’t mope about the castle forever.”
    “Forever,” Anna whispered the word so quietly she knew he hadn’t heard. Such a long time, forever, yet only a blink in the misery she would experience. Such a long time forever could be in this new world she was sucked into, Anna could barely stand to think of it.
    “Anna,” Char’s voice pulled her back from the dark thoughts crowding her mind. “I can’t give you what you’ve lost, but maybe I can help you find something worth staying for in my world.”
    Anna didn’t believe his claim was possible, but Char was kind to her and she didn’t want to insult his continuing hospitality. The Prince took her into his castle and treated her like royalty. Anna wanted for nothing. Yet, he was rewarded only with her misplaced anger. With a heart still heavy with loss, Anna nodded before excusing herself to her room to prepare for their journey.
    She didn’t want to leave the security of her bedroom, but Anna knew Char was waiting for her and changed quickly into one of the dresses made for her. Anna was never much for dresses, but she liked the feeling of being outside of herself and all things familiar. It allowed her an occasional escape from the misery of her situation. Finding Char waiting for her in the main hall, Anna tried to smile, but thought the attempt more grimace than greeting. After a moment, Anna noted the guard standing ready at the door.
    “A guard,” Anna mumbled curiously as she took Char’s offered arm.
    “He accompanies us merely as a precaution, Anna.” Char motioned to the large man, his black hair shaved close to his head. “This is Guardian Cole. He will be your personal guard anytime you leave the grounds.”
    “My lady,” Cole inclined his head respectfully.
    Anna returned the nod as she was ushered out of the cool interior of the castle and into the warm summer afternoon. The sun’s rays were bright and warm against the depressed pallor of her skin and Anna relished the heat. She hadn’t realized how much she missed being outside in the weeks she was in the castle. Anna found the walk to the village enjoyable as Char began telling her stories of the buildings and landmarks they passed by. Before Anna knew it, they were in the heart of town, passing sweet smelling shops and carts full of homemade goods. The town was straight out of a storybook, complete with smiling villagers who greeted their Prince warmly, with respective bows and curtsies.
    Char