Dar’s voice penetrated the haze around her. “Ker…Ker...take it easy.”

“Da… I can’t breathe,” she panted.

“Sweetheart, I know. Just give me a minute. Hang in there.”

Kerry suddenly felt something cold against her arm. “Wh…”

She turned her head and saw Dar bringing a needle close to her, its length quivering as Dar’s hand shook. Kerry looked up at Dar’s face and saw a fierce, intent mask, eyes widened in fear, and that terrified her. Am I going to die? A soft cry escaped her throat. She felt a sting and her arm jerked, then a solid bolt of pain made her Terrors of the High Seas 167

struggle, panting, unable to draw in a decent breath.

Dar’s weight pressed against her abruptly, pinning her down.

Kerry felt panic take over and she fought the hold, grabbing at Dar and pushing hard against the powerful body laying over her. One arm was grabbed and held tightly, and she felt another prick, then a chill, then a hot, strange sensation under her skin where the needle had entered. Then it was gone, and she thought she heard a clatter of something going across the room. The weight came off her and the cabin whirled up and around, and she couldn’t breathe, and it was cold and…

“Kerry!”

The voice penetrated her confusion. Kerry coughed, and then inhaled in reflex, surprised when she was able to suck in a lungful of air. The bands of pressure around her chest eased and she shivered, huddling close to the source of warmth now wrapping itself around her. Slowly, the tingling in her hands receded and she flexed them weakly. She could still feel harsh chills shaking her body and it was very hard to think straight, but she did know she was being held securely and she could feel Dar’s breathing against her back. At least she could breathe. Kerry sucked in air gratefully, feeling completely drained. “Wow,” she whispered. “That sucked.”

She felt the faint jerk behind her as Dar almost laughed. She could hear the hammering of Dar’s heart where her ear was pressed against her chest and she coughed a little, hearing a rattling in her lungs that unnerved her. “Ungh.”

“Easy.” Dar finally spoke, easing back against the couch and cradling Kerry closer. Kerry’s face had taken on a pale gray tinge, and she could feel the shivers working their way through her body.

Now that the injection, a stimulant she always carried, had been administered, there was not much more Dar could do other than just be there. There would be time later for her to curse herself for not seeing the signs. Time later for her to be angry she hadn’t checked Kerry’s sting further, or taken more precautions, or…

Dar exhaled. Kerry had never had a reaction to a sting before.

Truth be told, Dar kept the shots on board for herself, since she’d gotten stung once at age ten and had almost gone into convulsions.

“Easy, honey.”

Kerry simply lay there quietly, her head resting against Dar’s chest. Her hand rested limply on her partner’s, her thumb moving ever so slightly. “Dar?” she murmured.

“I’m here.”

“Am I dying?”

Dar felt her blood pressure shoot up so high she got lightheaded and saw sparkles in front of her eyes. “No, sweetheart,” she answered softly. “Please don’t even think that.”

It was like listening to constant thunder. Kerry almost couldn’t 168 Melissa Good count the beats. She rolled her head to one side and looked up fuzzily, seeing the stark fear written across her lover’s face. Her hand lifted to touch Dar’s jaw, and she felt it quiver under her fingers. No. Kerry blinked. She couldn’t die, now could she? Dar needed her. Wanted her. “Never felt like that before,” Kerry burred.

“What happened?”

Dar swallowed hard and then impatiently wiped her forearm across her eyes. “You reacted to that damn fucking sting.”

Kerry’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Ouch. Never did that before.” She felt another chill take her and she burrowed into Dar’s embrace, seeking warmth. Her arm ached, and she looked at it with a frown. “Ow.” She touched the sore spot.

“Sorry.” Dar shifted. “Had to stick you pretty fast.” She drew in a breath. “How about I get you into bed? Bet the covers’ll feel good.” Her voice sounded a little rough. “Should get you to the hospital on St. Johns.”

Hospital. Kerry’s nose wrinkled. Ick. “How ’bout we start with bed?” she conceded. “But only if you come in with me.”

“You’re in no position to be bargaining, Kerrison.” Dar’s tone had gentled, and Kerry could hear her heartbeat slowing down and steadying. “You need a doctor.” But she carefully stood up, letting out a little grunt of effort as she picked Kerry up and cradled her.

She walked slowly into the bedroom, turning sideways to get them both inside the door and then putting Kerry down on the bed.

Kerry gazed at her through half-closed eyes as Dar examined her. “Urmph.”

With a sigh, Dar unzipped the raincoat Kerry was still wearing and pulled it off. Then she drew the covers over her partner’s body, tucking them in carefully around her. The blonde woman’s skin still had an unhealthy tinge, and she was shivering. “We’re heading back,” Dar told her.

Kerry reached out and caught her hand, holding it. “Don’t leave me.”

Dar’s brows contracted. “Kerry, I’ve got to drive the boat.”

“Don’t leave me,” Kerry begged softly. “Please?”

Indecision seared its way across Dar’s face, as she found herself caught between two overwhelming urges. Her better sense was telling her to get Kerry to a doctor’s care. However, she knew St.

Johns was a long ride away, and by the time they got back there Kerry’s symptoms would most likely have faded.

“Let me get you something for your fever,” Dar temporized.

“And get those wet clothes off,” Kerry teased weakly. “We don’t both need to be sick.”

The coherence in her partner’s eyes reassured Dar immensely.

“Okay. Don’t go anywhere,” she warned, as she turned and eased out of the bedroom.


Terrors of the High Seas 169

“I won’t.” Kerry watched her go. She relaxed a little and pulled the covers more closely around her, relieved to feel her body starting to feel more normal. Her arm hurt where Dar had injected her, and the sting throbbed, adding that discomfort to her fever, but she could now breathe easily and all the feeling had returned to her hands and feet.

“Son of a biscuit,” Kerry remarked to the cabin ceiling. “That was not funny.” Not funny at all.

DAR WALKED INTO the galley and stood for a moment, then she slowly leaned on the counter and cradled her head in her hands.

Son of a bitch, she thought silently. Son of a fucking bitch, that was too close. With a sigh, she straightened, letting her hands drop to her sides. She felt completely drained and her legs were still shaky, but she forced herself to walk over and pick up the teapot. Hot tea would not do anything particularly medicinal, but she knew Kerry liked the beverage. Besides, it gave her something to do.

Dar filled the pot and put it on the galley stove, then opened the cabinet and removed a bottle of Tylenol. She shook out a couple of the tablets and set them down, then removed Kerry’s mug from its hook and put it down next to them. She studied the items, then shook out a few more tablets and palmed them, putting a little water in Kerry’s cup and using it to swallow down the pills. Then she turned and leaned on the counter, folding her arms across her chest as she waited for the water to boil.

The dampness against her forearms reminded her she’d forgotten to change. With a sigh, Dar pushed off the counter and walked over to where their bags were still resting on the table. She unbuttoned her shirt and removed it, draping it over the chair, then pulled off her sports bra, wincing at its clammy dampness. Dry clothes felt good against her skin, and she felt a lot warmer as she crossed back over to the galley and poured the boiling water over the herbal tea ball she’d placed in Kerry’s cup. Steam rose, carrying with it the scent of blackberries. Taking a small jar of honey from the refrigerator, she drizzled some into the cup and carefully stirred it.

When she was satisfied that it was perfect, she picked up the Tylenol, tucked a water bottle under her arm, and secured the teacup. With a glance around the cabin, she headed back for the bedroom, entering the door and sweeping her eyes over the bed with badly hidden anxiety.

Kerry was right where she’d left her, curled on her side with her arm wrapped around her pillow. Her eyes were half open, watching the door, and they widened as Dar entered.

“Ah. There you are.”


170 Melissa Good

“Here I am,” Dar agreed, setting her burden down on the bedside table. “How are you feeling?”

“Feeling like I want my Dar.” Kerry reached out and fingered the soft cotton of Dar’s shorts.

Dar sat down on the edge of the bed and put her hand on Kerry’s forehead. It was warm to the touch, and her color was still definitely off. “Sit up a minute and swallow these.” She helped Kerry sit and handed her the pills, then uncapped the water bottle and held it while Kerry suckled a mouthful, then swallowed.

“Thanks.” Kerry leaned against her. “Jesus, I feel like hot boiled trash.”

“Hm.” Dar put her arm around her. “I bet.”

Kerry shivered. “That was really scary.”

“Oh yeah.” Dar picked up the cup of tea and offered it to her. “I was scared.”

Kerry cradled the cup in her hands, savoring its warmth. She took a sip of the sweet, hot tea and sighed. “I know,” she said. “I think that scared me the most.”