It was Phoenix and Zeta’s third day aboard the Wind Serpent and Zeta woke to find Phoenix had already gone above deck. Not having even tried on her new leather pants Miss Lane had made for her she found herself nervous. The black leather pants fit her like a glove, the white undershirt and leather vest to match showed off her tiny waist and displayed her ample breasts. Looking in the mirror she pursed her lips unsure what Phoenix would think worried he would think she was being too daring and bold. Letting her hair fall down around her shoulders, she took a deep breath before stepping out into the hall. Captain Crumb stopped in his tracks when he saw her. “By the Gods Zeta, you are beautiful.” Zeta turned and smiled up at him “Thank you, Captain.” Captain Crumb shook his head “I was headed to the barracks but after seeing you, there’s no way I’m going to miss seeing the crews faces when they see you looking like you do and definitely not Phoenix.” Zeta frowned “Why, do you think he will be angry with me, do you think me too daring?” Captain Crumb laughed “Look at you honey, you’re ever man’s fantasy, Phoenix knows that, I’m amazed he lets you out of your cabin at all let alone dressed like that.” Zeta felt even more nervous as she climbed the stairs to the deck with the Captain following behind her unable to take his eyes off her for even a minute. The deck was loud as the crew yelled back and forth, Phoenix stood near the helm looking out over the water. Hearing a sudden silence, he turned to find Zeta dressed in tight leather pants and a vest looking like a Goddess in the flesh and every crew member on the deck staring at her in shock and awe. The only sound was the Captain’s booming laughter as he walked past her and toward Phoenix. “That went about how I thought it would.” Phoenix didn’t know how to respond as he glared at the other men dumbstruck at the sight of her. Zeta could tell Phoenix was upset so she frowned as she approached him. “Are you upset with me?” Phoenix was too busy watching the men gawking at her to respond. “Get back to work and stop looking at my wife damn it.” His words seemed to fall on deaf ears so he grabbed an empty bucket and through it across the deck “I said stop looking at my wife damn it.” The men just shrugged then went back to work still occasionally looking her way. When Zeta reached Phoenix she waited for him to look at her. “Miss Lane made them for me, are you angry with me for wearing them?” Phoenix stepped back and looked at her, “Let’s go back to our cabin so we can talk in private alright?” Zeta nodded as she followed him below deck and into their cabin, after shutting the door he turned and faced her. “I hate when men look at you with longing, but the truth is they will look at you like that no matter what you wear, you are who you are Zeta. As long as I know you’re only for me and that you love only me I guess I’ll just have to get used to it.” Zeta smiled relieved “So you’re not angry with me?” Phoenix smiled as he reached out and pulled her into his embrace “Angry no, turned on definitely you look too good to even let out of my sight.” Zeta gave a seductive laugh “So you don’t mind then if I wear this?” Phoenix shrugged “No as long as I’m the only one who gets to take it off of you, and that you be extra careful. You already get enough attention; with this outfit on I’ll have to fight them off of you with a stick.” Zeta smiled “I think we should practice taking them off right now.” Phoenix laughed “You read my mind.” Phoenix tried to spend as much time with Zeta as he could, he knew he had a deadline but wanted at least the first week to be just for them. On the sixth day, Phoenix woke and headed to the helm Captain Crumb and his first mate Declan smiled at him. “Coming up for air are we?” Phoenix laughed “Do you blame me; it is my honeymoon after all.” The Captain nodded “Can’t blame a man for that.” Phoenix went below and returned with his measuring instruments. “Captain if you don’t mind I’ll be using the crow’s nest on occasion the rest of my work will be done in our cabin.” Captain Crumb shrugged “Whatever it takes Phoenix if we need to go off course just let me know ahead of time okay.” Phoenix gave Crumb a pat on the shoulder then turned and climbed the mast. Zeta arrived on deck moments later with her sketch book in hand her hair in a thick braid down her back, seeing the Captain at the helm she smiled as she approached him. “Afternoon Captain” Crumb smiled “If you’re looking for your husband he’s up in the crow’s nest.” Zeta shrugged “Figured as much, do you mind if I sketch you?” The Captain frowned “Why in Gods names would you want to do that?” Zeta laughed as she sat crossed leg on the ground across from him “You’re the perfect subject.” Declan laughed “Hear that Captain you’re the perfect subject.” Captain Crumb frowned at Declan as he quickly walked out of his reach. After a moment he shrugged “Just curious is all but why?” Zeta was already engrossed in her drawing without looking up she gave a seductive smile “You have a strong masculine presence, and rugged good looks crossed with a gentleman’s grace.” Looking up she winked “Not to mention your eyes are fierce and your mouth is more than welcoming.” With a sexy smile, she returned to her drawing leaving the Captain uncertain what to say shocked and more than flattered by her words. Unsure what to do the Captain stood still making Zeta laugh “Honey you can move around, just go about your normal duties.” The Captain’s shoulders dropped as he relaxed then he started yelling out to his men. Twenty minutes passed before Phoenix climbed down from the crow’s nest book of measurements in hand. Looking over Zeta’s shoulder he smiled “Damn Zeta that is good, every detail so exact.” Looking up at the Captain he chuckled “My wife draws you well.” Leaning over he kissed Zeta then smiled “I’m off to work, enjoy your day and I will see later.” Zeta beamed as she stole one last kiss before he stood to leave. “I’ll bring you a snack in a few hours.” Phoenix smiled and started to walk away then stopped and turned back. “Another break in my day like before would be appreciated.” Zeta laughed “I’m sure it would husband, consider it down.” After Phoenix had gone below Zeta returned to her drawing when she finished she studied it with pride then stood to show it to the Captain only to find Declan in his stead. “Declan do you know where the Captain is by chance?” Declan smiled “Bo serves him his lunch in his cabin Mrs. Prescott.” Zeta shrugged “Well I will just have to show him this another time.” Declan smiled “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind the company, Mrs. Prescott.” Zeta looked to be thinking it over, Declan laughed “No harm he can be trusted he is the Captain after all.” Zeta frowned “I never said I didn’t trust him quite the opposite in fact.” Turning on her heels she headed to the Captain's quarters to find him alone eating lunch with the door open. Standing in the doorway, she waited for him to notice her. Seeing Zeta in the doorway Captain Crumb stood up to invite her in, Zeta smiled. “No need to stand, please sit and finish your meal, I just came to show you the sketch I made of you.” The Captain smiled as he sat back down showing her the seat opposite him. “Please have a seat.” Zeta smiled as she sat “Thank you, Captain.” The Captain couldn’t help but feel aroused in her presence her scent alone stirred his senses and the feel of her no longer innocent eyes as they searched his body was enough to awaken something in him he had long forgotten hell he may have never had. “Please call me Ryan we are friends are we not?” Zeta smiled big “Well then I insist you go back to calling me Zeta.” Ryan nodded “I’m glad that’s taken care of.” Zeta seemed to be thinking something over “I have never heard anyone call you Ryan before a friend of not.” Ryan chuckled “That because no one but my family does.” Zeta nodded “Yet it’s okay for me too as well?” Ryan smiled “Well you’re different from everybody else.” Zeta took his glass of red wine and took a drink “Really and why is that?” Ryan shrugged “Hard to explain really without making you uncomfortable.” Zeta laughed making Ryan smile “Me uncomfortable?” Ryan smiled “I care about you, I’m taken with you.” Zeta’s heartbeat quickened and she bit her bottom lip. Standing, she handed him the sketch “I’m a happily married woman Sir.” When Ryan looked down at the sketch in amazement Zeta placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Faithful I am yet by the looks of it; I too am taken with you.” Unsure why she had said it she lightly ran her hand through his hair before walking out and heading to the galley for her and Phoenix’s lunch. Leaving the Captain in a daze of confusion and bliss with no plans to act on his feeling or hers. The Wind Serpents first stop was in Trinidad, Captain Crumb had a shipment of handmade Mahogany bedroom furniture designed and made in London to deliver to a private dealer and only planned to stay until the following morning. The Captain and his crew headed to a pub near the docks, Phoenix followed while Zeta went to explore. With Apollo and Artemis at her side, Zeta headed into town, the sound of an auction drawing her attention. As she approached the square Zeta froze at the sight of black men, women and children shackled and chained together some half naked others dressed in rags. All standing in lines covered in dirt and dried blood from being whipped and beaten. Their pain and suffering so apparent yet no one around her seemed to even care as they called out bids as if they were soulless objects. Lining the streets above them were the rotting corpses of other slaves not sold and thieves and pirates in cages swing above their heads being picked apart by scavenging birds, the stench alone turning her stomach. The sight of rich men dressed in finery holding perfumed silk to their noses made Zeta’s anger grow as she took in the awful sight of the ebony people being whipped like cattle into place. Apollo and Artemis moved in closer as if sensing the danger, sick at even the sight she turned away and hurried from the square, how men could be so mean and so downright disgusting she didn’t know. Walking back toward the docks and Phoenix and the crew Apollo and Artemis’s ear’s perked up then they turned and ran toward the alley stopping only to wait for Zeta to follow before rushing head on. Reaching them Zeta called them off to find they had surrounded a well-dressed man both dogs growled as they circled him, their hair on end teeth out. “If these hounds are your's woman, call them off now before I get the authorities involved. Do you have any idea who you’re messing with, I’m Lord Wessing’s and you and your dogs will pay for this?” Zeta was about to call them off when she heard someone crying from behind some barrels. “Who’s back there?” Lord Wessing’s snorted “My slave you bitch now call them off.” Zeta glared at the Lord “Apollo hold him.” Apollo was quick to grab a hold of his leg making him cry out. Zeta gave a wicked smile “That’s only a hold if you move he will bite.” Walking over to the barrel Zeta softened her voice “Come on out.” Backing up Zeta’s eyes grew big as she watched a young black girl slowly peek out; her face bruised her nose bloodied. Her breasts exposed and her skirt ripped up to her blood stained thighs. Lord Wessing growled as he kicked at Apollo then cried out as Apollo jerked back and forth tearing at his flesh. “Leave her be, she’s my slave and I’ll do as I want with her.” Apollo tightened his jaw making him shriek then sob, Zeta shook her head then turned back to the girl as she shrunk back into the shadows “Are you alright?” The girl nodded “Yes Mam.” Zeta removed her shawl and covered her nakedness with it “Are you alright, did he rape you?” Lord Wessing laughed “I own her I can fuck her whenever I want.” The girl swallowed hard “He does to me as he pleases Mam.” Zeta helped her out from behind the barrels “How long have you been his slave?” The girl shrugged “I’m fifteen Mam he’s owned me since I was ten.” Zeta felt sick at even the thought, Lord Wessing’s laughed “Now call these mutts off and I might let you live.” Artemis stayed at the girl’s side; Zeta smiled “What’s your name?” The girl looked down “Mena Mam.” The Lord looked to be losing his patience “Damn it Mena if you would just shut up and take it instead of all that screaming and crying none of this would have ever happened. You thought it hurt before well just wait till tonight, and you little girl are dead.” Mena began to cry harder “I’m so sorry, now he’s gonna kill you and it’s all my fault.” Zeta shook her head “I’m not scared of him.” Mena sobbed “You wouldn’t be the first person he killed and got away with it. He does what he wants Mam, ain’t nobody stopping him especially a woman.” The Lord laughed “Especially not the likes of you, that’s for sure.” Zeta had heard enough “Apollo, Artemis bring him down, boys.” Within seconds Lord Wessing’s was on his back screaming as he got attacked, his arms and legs flailing as he tried to get free. Looking to make sure the coast was clear Zeta kneeled down next to him and pulled out her dagger. “Never killed a man before but there’s a first time for everything and I don’t like being threatened.” Looking up at Mena she gave a wicked smile then slowly slit his throat watching as the life left his eye’s surprised at how easy it was. Mena looked shocked then started laughing, making Zeta laugh, “Help me hide him, Mena, until I can get help getting rid of him for good.” Mena helped happily as they stuffed him in a barrel, when they were finished Zeta straightened her dress “Well Mena your free, good luck.” Zeta turned to walk away and Mena started to cry. “There’s no freedom for me, they’ll just sell me to some else.” Zeta stopped as if thinking it over “All right follow me, but we have to hurry.” Mena nodded and quickly followed behind her, “Where are we going?” Zeta rushed toward the docks and the Wind Serpent. “Put the shawl over your head, I’m going to hide you in my cabin while I get rid of the body. You can be my lady’s maid until you find something else, it will give you time to save some money.” Mena was amazed at the size of the ship when she went into the cabin she couldn’t help but smile with excitement, Zeta turned to leave and Mena stopped her. “Did you just say save money?” Zeta laughed “Of course honey, I’m not accepting you to work for free.” Mena looked shocked; Zeta laughed and kissed her “I’d kill any day just to see you smile like that.” Mena almost squealed in delight as she danced around the room feeling as if she was in a dream. Looking around she squealed with delight, a dream indeed and surrounded by art she could only dream of. Zeta rushed back to Phoenix and the crew realizing she had been gone a long time and knowing Phoenix must be starting to worry. When she reached the Outer Limit Tavern, Phoenix was waiting on the porch. “Where have you been, I was about to come looking for you?” Zeta shrugged apologetically “Sorry something came up is the Captain here?” Phoenix frowned “In the back why?” Zeta smiled “I need to talk to you both, it’s important.” Phoenix frowned “What did you do?” Zeta smiled as she held out her hand “Let’s find the Captain and I’ll tell you.” They found the Captain in the back when he saw her face he sent everyone away. “What’s going on here?” Zeta sat down “Apollo and Artemis and I walked up on a man beating and raping a young slave girl.” Captain Crumb frowned “Are you alright?” Zeta nodded “Yes, but he threatened to kill me so I slit his throat and hid his body in a barrel in an alley.” Phoenix looked shocked “You what?” Zeta sighed “He threatened me and boys not to mention that poor girl; he’s been using her as a sex slave since she was ten, and I couldn’t give her back to him.” Captain Crumb smiled finding it hard not to be impressed “How did you do it and where’s the girl?” Zeta nodded “I had the boys take him down and I slit his throat, I tried to give the girl her freedom but she said they would just sell her again so I hid her in our cabin, figured she could work as my maid until she can save and figure out her next move.” The Captain raised a brow “What did she think of that?” Zeta shrugged “She was confused said she had never been paid before.” Captain Crumb nodded as if thinking things over as he called over some of the crew. “Harry, Ed, go with Zeta and get rid of her little problem we sail at dawn.” Phoenix took Zeta aside “Are you alright?” Zeta gave a half smile “You know I never thought I’d kill someone but he was a monster and deserved to die. The look on Mena’s face when he died was so worth it, hell I’d do it again just for that.” Phoenix smiled as he pulled her in close and kissed her “You amaze me, honey, I couldn’t be a prouder husband.” Zeta smiled “Let’s get this done so I can introduce you to Mena.” When they reached the alley Ed laughed, Ed was a short man with thinning black hair and a mouthful of crooked teeth. “Damn Zeta looks as if you only go hunting for the richest of the richest, a Lord no doubt.” Zeta shrugged “Better check his pockets then, wouldn’t want to miss any good stuff.” Harry a tall thin man with rusty orange hair that seemed to stand on end laughed as he riffled through the Lords pockets coming up with more than any of them expected. Seeing a gold chain around his neck splattered with blood and nicked by her dagger Zeta removed it. “Mena might want a memento of her own.” Phoenix checked for passer byes “Never mind taking him out let’s just load the entire barrel on board and throw it overboard at sea?” Both Ed and Harry hurried to ready the barrel for hauling “Sounds like a good plan to me.” Zeta and Phoenix walked ahead with Apollo and Artemis right alongside, the ship’s deck was littered with crew members and the galley was already in the midst of stocking for their coming voyage. The sounds of livestock as they were taken on board muted out the crew members as they hollered back and forth. When Phoenix walked into his cabin Mena hid in the corner. “I was told to stay here.” Phoenix smiled friendly like “I know honey, Zeta’s my wife she’ll be here in a moment. Mena right?” Mena nodded “Yes Master” Phoenix laughed “I’m Phoenix” Mena frowned “Master Phoenix?” Phoenix smiled “Just Phoenix, Phoenix Prescott to be exact but Phoenix will do, it’s nice to meet you.” Mena looked confused “It’s nice to meet you too.” Zeta walked in and Apollo and Artemis ran over to greet Mena making her smile “Mam” Zeta smiled “My name is Zeta and Lord Wessings has been dealt with, no one will find his body.” Mena took a deep breath, Zeta pulled out the bloody gold chain “A memento, it signifies your freedom.” Mena reached out with shaky hands and took it rubbing the blood between her fingers “Freedom, what is freedom?” Zeta frowned “Well to start your no longer a slave, you work for a living, you get paid for your time and when you want to leave you can.” Mena smiled looking dazed, hearing a knock at the door Phoenix answered to find the Captain. “I’m here to meet your new ladies maid Mrs. Prescott.” Zeta smiled “Captain this is Mena. “ The Captain stood with authority yet emitted a strong presence of honor and a warmth shown to his family and crew. “Mena I’ve made arrangements for you to sleep where my cabin boy Bo sleeps in the pantry you’re both Negroes and it will give you some privacy and keep you safe from the men in the barracks.” Mena nodded “Yes Captain.” Zeta smiled as she watched Mena follow the Captain toward the pantry. The pantry was cozy and two hammocks hung from the ceiling with a thin tattered sheet separating them. “It’s getting late so settle in and you can get started tomorrow, Bo can tell you where everything is, just ask him he will come to bed soon enough and you can meet him.” Mena tried to smile but couldn’t help but be nervous, just about to fall asleep Bo stumbled in unaware she existed let alone would be sleeping right next to him. Stumbling around he found a candle and lit it then started undressing. Mena watched wide-eyed as this young man of twenty if she had to guess undressed right in front of her eyes, his body was hard and sculpted. About to drop his britches she couldn’t help but squeal with nervous delight getting his attention. “Who’s that?” Mena sat up in the light “Sorry to bother you, I’m Mena, I’m Mrs. Prescott’s new ladies maid and this is where the Captain says I’m to sleep.” Bo strained to see her then smiled before sitting down. “Hello, Mena I’m Bo, sorry about my condition, let myself get a little drunk being our last night at Port and all. How did you find yourself aboard?” Mena spoke in a whisper “Zeta and her dogs walked up on my master beating and raping me in an alley and to make a long story short, Zeta slit his throat gave me my freedom then hired me and brought me here.” Bo seemed to sober up “How old are you?” Mena’s voice grew louder “Fifteen.” Bo smiled “How long were you with that man?” Mena shrugged “He bought me to be his sex slave when I was ten so five years.’ Bo frowned “I’m sorry to hear that.” Mena shrugged “I’m just happy I’m here now, how about you?” Bo shrugged “I was owned along with my momma on a sugar cane plantation to a mean man. When my momma died I ran away and Captain Crumb found me and made me part of his crew pays me the same as the rest of the men, been here since I was eleven.” Mena smiled “How old are you now?” Bo smiled proudly “Eighteen but my birthday’s coming up fast.” Mena laughed “I hope you don’t mind sharing the pantry with me?” Bo laughed “No of course not, just let me know if I can help you alright?” Mena nodded as she laid back and got comfortable, “I never imagined I’d be here, hell if it wasn’t for Apollo and Artemis and Zeta of course, I’d be sleeping on the floor in the closet like usual.” Bo frowned “The closet?” Mena nodded “Yes the master’s wife had her own room next door not that she couldn’t hear what he was doing to me. I guess she figured better me than her.” Bo growled “One of these days Mena you’re going to see what it’s like to be someone’s one and only.” Mena smiled into the darkness “Do you think so? Bo smiled “Yeah Mena I do.” Bo woke early and stared down at Mena in her hammock, she wasn’t what he expected her to look like from the night before having only seen her in the dim candlelight and having been drunk. He had thought her to be a child yet this was a woman lying next to him and he was curious to find out more about her. Waking up Mena found Bo watching her with interest. “Good morning.” Bo smiled “Morning Mena, if you like I can show you around and answer any questions you have.” Mena smiled “Yes of course but Zeta is supposed to give me something to wear since Lord Wessing ripped these clothes I’d rather not expose myself to the crew.” Bo nodded as he grabbed a shirt for her to cover with. “Use this for now and if anyone bothers you come tell me, you’re not a slave anymore so no one has a right to touch you unless you say it’s alright. If anyone gives you trouble go to the Captain, Phoenix and Zeta or me.” Mena eye’s filled with tears “No one has ever offered to watch out for me.” Bo frowned wondering how such a lovely girl could be treated so badly. “Go change and we can eat before we get started.” Mena wiped away her tears “Thanks.”