The next few days passed quickly, Webster was honored to give Phoenix his parent’s wedding bands that had been passed down and had meant so much to him and the Prescott family. Augusto and Zeta’s five sister in laws put together a small but elegant wedding attended only by family and friends. Zeta wore a shimmering amethyst colored gown that sat off the shoulders with a low waistline and long fitted sleeves. Her long black hair was worn wavy and down around her shoulders while Phoenix wore a black suit with tails. The hall was decorated in ivory and fresh lavender and Apollo and Artemis sat at the altar. Augusto couldn’t have looked any prouder as he walked his only daughter to the altar toward her true love; his eye’s glossed over with unshed tears of joy. Handing Zeta over to Phoenix Augusto wore a proud smile. The Priest gave a nod “Who here gives this woman away?” Augusto smiled “I do.” Turning to Phoenix and Zeta the Priest smiled “Please join hands, Marriage is a never-ending commitment, a bond between two people who love and respect one another, forever faithful and true, a true love match is a rare and unique gift may each of you use it to its fullest and we your family and friends are here to witness as you take your first steps toward a lifelong love affair, a partnership that binds friends and lovers together, two against the world, stronger together than apart. Do you have the rings?” “Please repeat after me, I Phoenix Prescott take you Zeta Steel to be my wife, my lover and my friend. With this ring, I mark you as my own.” Phoenix swallowed hard as he placed the ring on her finger. “Please repeat after me, I Zeta Steel take you Phoenix Prescott to be my husband, my lover and my friend. With this ring, I mark you as my own.” Zeta’s hand shook as she placed the ring on Phoenix’s finger. I Father Randall Cranston now pronounce you husband and wife you can kiss the bride.” Turning the couple around to face their guests the Priest announced, “I happily introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Prescott.” After a beautiful feast with music and dancing Phoenix and Zeta spent their first night as man and wife in Zeta’s cabin, celebrating their new life together anxious to start their adventure and their journey to the West Indies. One last night on land making love without a care of who might walk in. Zeta’s first step on the Wind Serpent was like heaven, she couldn’t wait to see England behind her. Phoenix was busy making sure everything was loaded and ready while Artemis and Apollo searched the deck smelling each and every man they came across. Captain Crumb was at the helm as he called out orders to his crew his deep commanding voice was seductive and strong and Zeta thought it strange that she had once again noticed. Watching him at the helm she noticed his strong jaw and the way his dark wavy hair blew in the wind. He was a tall man maybe six four with a muscular build, his chest was wide and his shirt lay unbuttoned exposing his chest and it’s patch of dark hair. He was young for a Captain no more than twenty-five yet mature and well-seasoned. She had noticed before that he was handsome but even more so now and she wondered why, was it because she was no longer looking through the eyes of an innocent girl but now through the eyes of a sexually experienced woman. Phoenix walked up behind her and kissed her neck “What are you looking at?” Zeta flashed a smile as she turned “I was just listening to the Captain giving orders, where have you been?” Phoenix smiled “Just double checking our supplies.” Zeta turned and gave the Captain one last look to find him watching her, as their eyes met they both looked away as if caught in betrayal followed by a tinge of guilt. Putting on a sexy smile she grabbed Phoenix by the coat “Let’s go and check out our bed and see if it’s mattress is soft enough.” Phoenix laughed as she pulled him below. Captain Crumb watched them leave having had noticed Zeta watching him, if he hadn’t known better he would have sworn she was looking at him with lust in her eyes and what he would give for that to have been true. The sound of Zeta’s laughter was hard to miss on the ship and even harder to ignore. It was seductive and throaty as was her singing as she walked the decks with Apollo and Artemis; even in low tones, it was spellbinding. Crumb found it hard to think of anything else.