The Pirate Prince by Michelle M. Pillow Read Free Book Online Page A

needed her to marry Prince Lok, she would do her duty and marry him. There was more to life than marital bliss and love. She would comfort herself with that. And, hopefully, a mutual affection would grow between them in time.
    The ship jerked erratically and she knew they were making a rough getaway from her brother’s men. Haun would not sit idly by while the pirates took his sister. What if he was hurt rescuing her? What if they shot at him? What if he was killed? How could she ever live with herself?
    “Blessed ancestors,” Mei whispered, gripping the soft blanket that covered the bed as the ship shook
    wildly back and forth. “What have I done?”
     
    * * * *
     
    Jarek slid into Evan’s chair as the man ran to joinJackson in the engine room. They’d lost power when the Líntianese starship had pelted them with shocks of energy.
    The large viewing screen before them blurred as they sped through the stars. It took almost all the ship’s energy just to keep up the high speeds.
    “Who in the star blazes is that woman?” Lochlann growled. “Wealthy man’s concubine,” Jarek answered, reaching to divert energy from the life support system to the thrusters. The corridor lights dimmed.

    “I envy you then,” Lochlann laughed, not looking over from where he manned the ship’s controls. There was a preoccupation to his tone as he maneuvered the ship.
    “Why’s that?” Jarek asked. A magenta haze grew across the viewing screen.
    “Well, if she’s worth this much firepower, she must be good in bed.” Lochlann flashed a wide grin. Another shock of energy hit, shaking them. “Bloody Nova, I wish Rick were here.”
    “If he were, we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Jarek said.
    “Ah, perfect irony that,” Lochlann agreed.
    Another blast hit the ship, jarring them.
    “Sacred Cats! Just get us out of here.” Jarek ran his hand over the computer sensors, bringing up the floating screen. Scrolling through star charts, he looked for a place to hide from the Líntianese.
    “And where would you have me go?”
    “There,” Jarek said, pointing to the large viewing screen in front of them.
    “I don’t see anything.”
    “Just fly,Loch . Trust me.”
    Lochlann turned the ship and headed straight to where Jarek pointed.

    “Hold on!” Jarek yelled over the ship’s intercom as he typed coordinates into the computer. Lochlann let go of the controls. The ship realigned and suddenly the streaks of light were swirling around them even though the ship felt like it was flying straight.
    Closing his eyes against the dizziness the sight brought on, Jarek held tight, knowing that the ship was no longer in their control.
    “By all the Gods!” Lochlann swore. “We’re in a magefeld!”
    “Yeah and it’s about to get rough so hold on,” Jarek ordered.
    Just as the words were out, the ship started to shake, jerking erratically back and forth. Something clanged behind them in the corridor, rolling along the metal floor only to come crashing back as the ship flipped over. The motion was so fast, it glued them to their seats with the force. Jarek had never been so glad for gravity control in his life.
    Otherwise, they’d all be on the ceiling.
    As quickly as it began, the ride stopped with an abrupt jerk. They both flew forward, hitting the consul. The ship jarred as their hands hit some of the controls, but they easily got it righted. Jarek took a deep breath as he reached for the controls. After a quick check, he said, “We’ve lost them.”
    “Checking systems now,” Lochlann paused then swore. “We’re in for some repairs.”
    “Maybe the woman will know something useful about Líntian.” Jarek thought of the slender woman, trying to put his desires for the fairer sex aside as he concentrated on what had to be done. “She might know the mines.”
    “Where are we?” Lochlann asked, getting up to lean over the controls.
    Flipping through the star charts, Jarek stopped as he found the right one.
    “Somewhere