The last few days on the Wind Serpent went smoothly, Phoenix remained in the cabin finishing his map while Zeta packed up their things making sure they were ready to go as soon as they weighed anchor. Captain Crumb could tell Zeta wasn’t all that happy to go and Bo had already made it clear he would be going where Mena went, which Ryan understood he himself was having a hard time seeing Zeta go. When the Prescott plantation came into sight, Ryan joined Zeta on the deck “I’ll miss you Lil bit.” Zeta turned trying not to cry “I’ll miss you too, Ryan, will I see you again?” Ryan smiled down at her “Yes love you will, I promise no matter what.” After looking around to see who watched she turned back and hugged him “Don’t forget me.” Ryan smiled as he pulled her out of view and gave her a quick kiss “That’s not even possible.” Reaching land they unloaded their things and Phoenix rolled his map and gave it to the Captain to put away for safe keeping. “This is to be delivered to The London magazine.” The Captain smiled “I’ll do it myself Phoenix do not worry.” Zeta was nervous about reaching Phoenix’s cousin’s house, Phoenix was so excited and Zeta wanted to make a good impression. The island was gorgeous and Phineas and Zudora were waiting at the docks for their arrival. Phineas was a tall man of six one with short brown hair and brown eyes. While Zudora had light brown hair that she wore in a braid down her back her eyes were a hazel green and she looked like a sweet-tempered woman both looked to be in their early to mid-twenties. Phineas and Phoenix greeted each other with a hug “Phinny,” “Nix” Zeta smiled and said hello and Zudora looked to be waiting for permission first which Zeta right off took as weakness. A young blonde walked up shyly and hid behind Zudora, Zeta said hello but she was too busy looking at Phoenix to care. Phineas noticed and laughed “Nix this is Kami, thought she would be a lot younger from all her letters I’m sure.” Phoenix smiled at the girl “Kami it’s nice to meet you.” Kami blushed, “This is Zeta my wife.” Kami ignored Zeta and continued to stare at Phoenix, Zeta cleared her throat. “Letters what letters?” Phineas laughed “Kami has been writing to Nix here for quite some time.” Zeta looked at Phoenix “Funny he never mentioned it.” Zeta could tell right off that she and Phineas weren’t going to get along all that well; he seemed to take pleasure in pissing her off as if she had somehow wronged him just by being there. After meeting everyone Phoenix went ahead while Zeta stayed behind to help the crew unload her paintings promising to be there for dinner. Zeta was happy to be there but knew she was going to miss Ryan and the crew and had made arraignments to take Mena and Bo with her. She was unsure if they might stay on and work for them and/or buy land she wanted them to have an opportunity to start a life together on the island. After unloading her paintings and having them sent up to the house she knocked on Ryan’s door. “Come in” Zeta was nervous as she entered “Ryan.” Ryan stood up from his desk and smiled “I had thought you left with Phoenix hours ago.” Zeta smiled “I sent him ahead.” Ryan approached her “I don’t really know when I will see you again.” Zeta nodded “I know that’s why I’m here; it will be hard not seeing you every day.” Ryan smiled “I will miss you more than you can imagine and you’ll never be far from my thoughts.” Zeta wiped away a tear “I painted two paintings for you.” Going out into the hall she returned with two covered paintings. Uncovering one she smiled “It’s your portrait for your quarters; a Captain should have his portrait hanging in his cabin.” Ryan smiled “Damn you flatter me.” Zeta laughed “I just paint what I see.” Uncovering the second she smiled “This one you might want to hang somewhere for your eye’s only, or at least not where my husband can see it. I wouldn’t want him to get the wrong idea.” Ryan looked at the portrait of Zeta in a lustful awe-inspiring pose and went silent. “You painted this for me?” Zeta smiled “I’d hate for you to forget me.” Ryan sat the painting down and approached her “I could never forget you.” Zeta felt like she was about to cry “I better go Phoenix will wonder what’s keeping me.” Ryan nodded “I will come back and see you.” Zeta smiled “Promise?” Ryan reached out to her and took her by the shoulders “I promise.” Looking to the door he walked over and locked it then walked back to find Zeta crying. “Why are you crying honey?” Zeta wiped her eye’s “Is it possible to love two men at the same time?” Ryan’s heart fell “I don’t know why?” Zeta leaned in resting her head on his chest “I love Ryan, I love Phoenix with all my heart, but by the Gods I love you too.” Ryan lifted Zeta up into his arms and kissed her passionately “I love you woman and time and distance cannot change that, hearing you say you love me is like a dream come true. Letting you go is the hardest thing I have or will ever have to do.” Kissing her again he took a handful of her hair and buried his face in it inhaling her sweet seductive intoxicating scent. “Go now before I take you to my bed, just know that I love you and will one day soon see you again.” Setting her down he walked to his desk and pulled out a silver pinkie ring he had boughten for her weeks before but had been apprehensive about giving it to her. “Take this to remember me, wear it always, if Phoenix asks you where you got it tell him you found it.” Zeta put it on and smiled “I love you and I’ll miss you.” Turning she walked out then hurried back hoping to wash up before dinner. After washing up she arrived at dinner trying to act as if nothing was wrong, Phoenix was so happy he hardly noticed her let alone the ring but she made a point to bring it up. “When I left the ship I saw something shiny in the sand when I checked it out I found this ring.” Everyone looked; Zeta smiled “I’d say that’s good luck wouldn’t you?” Everyone agreed Phineas smiled “Tomorrow we can take you two to that piece of land I told you about, your new home.” Zudora smiled at Zeta “If you like I can show you around the island.” Zeta smiled “Yes I’d like that.” One of Phineas men walked in “The Wind Serpent has sailed Sir; the Captain wished you both well.” Phoenix smiled “Probably Zeta more than I, I’m sure.” Phineas frowned “What do you mean?” Phoenix shrugged “Poor man fell in love with Zeta on the way here.” Phineas looked at Zeta with a raised eyebrow “In love you say that must have made for an uncomfortable journey.” Phoenix shrugged “Not really he’s a good man.” Phineas laughed “Hard to trust a man in love.” Zeta wanted to tell him to mind his own business but held her tongue. Phoenix smiled “Never the less I did, I figure if a man can only see his wife a dozen times a year if that and still remain faithful he must have some self-control, lots of it.” Phineas laughed “That depends on if he’s too ugly to even get a whore’s attention, what do think Zeta is he attractive?” Zeta was starting to get mad “Ryan is a very attractive man, any woman would be lucky to have him.” Phineas laughed “So you call him Ryan do you?” Zeta nodded “His name is Captain Ryan Crumb and we are friends so yes I call him Ryan.” Later that night while getting ready for bed Phoenix watched Zeta combing out her hair, “I never realized it before but you are the only one that calls the Captain, Ryan.” Zeta turned and laughed “I swear you’re as bad as your cousin.” Phoenix shrugged “If you and I weren’t married would you entertain the idea of you and him becoming intimate?” Zeta sighed “Why would you ask that we are married if you and I weren’t together, would you have had sex with Colette when she came to your house naked under that coat?” Phoenix shrugged “You just don’t want to answer.” Zeta shook her head “If you and I weren’t married I would have never met the Captain, but if we had I don’t know maybe. But you’re my husband and I love you, are you through or is there anymore what if’s you would like to bring up.” Phoenix shrugged “No I’m through, let’s just go to bed we have a long day ahead of us.” Zeta couldn’t help but think of Ryan that night. Meanwhile on the Wind Serpent Ryan laid in bed and stared up at the painting of Zeta already wishing he would have stolen her away when he had the chance. The day after they arrived in the Virgin Islands Phineas and Phoenix rode out to look at Phoenix and Zeta’s new land and plantation, the house was very old but well taken care of and Phineas had taken it upon himself to have all the repairs done. The house had six rooms, a dining room, a study/ library, kitchen and a large stable near the rear of the house. The servants housing were in need of repairs and Phoenix knew right away Zeta would be more than upset at how they were being treated. The soil was rich and Phoenix knew he had a lot to learn about sugar cane if he wanted his crops to prosper. Phineas walked him through the process giving him the details while Phoenix took note of everything. Zeta liked Zudora more so when Phineas wasn’t around to bully her, she was pleasant and young like herself; she was a lot taller than Zeta and had light brown hair and green eyes. She was meek when it came to Phineas and Zeta could tell she feared him which bothered Zeta since she herself didn’t like him all that well. He treated his slaves like they were animals and it made her sick that Phoenix never said anything in their defense. they had only been there a day and she had nearly physically attacked him twice after watching him slap a servant at the dinner table over his own mistake. As they made their way to Zeta and Phoenix’s new plantation Zeta was happy to find a picturesque swimming hole hidden amongst the jungle. She couldn’t wait to try it out with Phoenix that’s if he would even go, at this point. Walking up on her servants quarters she was taken aback, there were several dozen shacks lined up side by side that looked as if a strong wind could blow them down. Thatched roofs, with walls made of old boards and floors of dirt and almost no furniture. A horrid stench came from a line of out houses in the rear of them and lines of old worn out clothes hung out to dry. Their personal gardens were maintained as well as they possibly could be with such little time to work them. Zeta knew right away it all had to change. Walking closer she looked inside to see they were bare inside with rickety beds and chairs with no comforts or personal effects. “Zudora why do they live like this?” Zudora shrugged “Like what?” Zeta frowned “Could you live like this?” Zudora laughed “You jest Zeta, they are but animals, do you provide your dogs with any better?” Zeta almost screamed “My dogs sleep in our bedroom at night, hell they probably eat better than these doomed people and from what I’ve seen of your fiancée I know they are treated better. What do they have to look forward to, what do they work to achieve besides filling your husband's pockets and seeing his lands have fruitful harvests? Do they even get days off?” Zudora nodded obviously uncomfortable with Zeta’s questions “Sundays to garden and go to the market to trade their goods, it’s better not to question Phineas Zeta he doesn’t like it. They are slaves and as of now, they are Phoenix’s slaves you and I don’t have a say in how they are treated it’s not our place as women to involve ourselves in those decisions the quicker you understand that the smoother things will go. Our place is in the home taking care of our husbands and giving them offspring.” Zeta sighed “What you and I feel is a wife’s duties differ a great deal Zudora.” Seeing Phoenix and Phineas ahead of them Zeta ran over to them with purpose. Zudora fast at her heels wearing a worried expression. “Phoenix Prescott I will not have my people treated this way.” Phineas laughed, Phoenix shook his head “I wouldn’t laugh cousin she’s serious.” Phineas frowned “Your people?” Zeta glared up at him her hands on her hips “My land, my people.” Turning back to Phoenix she stomped her foot “I want every man and woman that works on this land here by sundown for an announcement.” Phineas looked at Phoenix in disbelief “That’s in an hour cousin, why are you letting this woman tell you what to do?” Zeta looked at him with a sneer “Mind your own business Phineas, Phoenix is my husband yes but it is my money that bought this land and he knows my mind. I respect him and I deserve his respect in return. Stick around and I’ll show you how you’re supposed to treat the people that make your land what it is.” Phineas looked as if he wanted to hit her, Phoenix put out his hand to stop him “Let my wife speak cousin.” An hour passed and a large crowd of tired slaves stood around looking confused as they watched a tiny young woman take center stage to talk. “Hello I’m Zeta and this is my husband Phoenix Prescott we are the owners of this plantation and have just arrived from England. Unlike some of the other plantation owners on this island, we do not agree with the notion of owning another human being or treating people like anything less than our equals.” The crowd started to murr murr and look back and forth unsure what was happening. “So we have come to you tonight to inform you that we will be fixing up your houses and making sure you’re provided with all the basic comforts needed to live a life free from burden and strife. Fair wages will be dispensed depending on your jobs and skills. I have heard you get Sunday’s off to garden and fish and that there is a market you attend to trade your goods. From now on you will have Saturday’s off as well and I will be sending away for bulks of fabric for you to make clothes for yourselves or for trade your choice. I’d like this plantation to prosper and I’d like for the people who make that possible to take pride in their work and to benefit from its success. You will still be given food rations weekly and special bonuses on holidays to show you our appreciation for all your hard work. Last but not least we do not use whips or any other types of punishments. If you are unable to do a job we will provide you with a job you can do and we will expect you all to put your best foot forward, a happy worker is a hard worker. We are open to any of your suggestions and will do whatever we can to make sure you and your families have a better quality of life. If you have any concerns please come to either me or my husband or Bo and Mena and they will bring your questions to us and last but not least if you find it in your best interest you are all free to go but we hope that you’ll stay and give us a chance to work with you to better not only your lives but also to see this plantation prosper and of course it pains me to say it’s not in our power to guarantee your freedom or safety off this property. Just know on this land you’re all free men and women getting paid for your time and a job well done.” Phineas started to say something but Zeta shushed him “Like I said before Phineas mind your own business.” After a long pause, first laughter erupted then tears, families hugging and forming lines to thank Phoenix and Zeta. Each and every one of them dazed over the revelation. To even consider getting paid for all their hard work was mind blowing, the money they could save the things they could buy it was unreal. Zeta smiled at Phoenix as she stood at his side. “My father always says a happy worker works harder, come harvest will put it to the test.” Phoenix smiled as he pulled her close and kissed her neck “It’s a long time until harvest honey; we have plenty of work to do until then.” Zeta nodded then frowned as Phineas walked up pulling Zudora by the arm behind him. “That’s all I need Nix’s all my Negroes rebelling against me wanting to get paid, an animal is an animal no matter what your wife seems to think.” Zeta shook her head “When did an Englishman’s tongue turn silver and his shit turn gold.” Phineas huffed “Damn your wife Nix’s.” Pulling Zudora behind him he walked away. Phoenix shook his head “Zeta do you have to go out of your way to fluff his feathers?” Zeta frowned “Me, hell Phoenix he’s an ass.” Phoenix sighed “He’s my cousin can’t you at least try to get along.” Zeta shrugged “As long as you stay you and don’t let him rub off on you I’ll do my best.” Phoenix smiled as he leaned in to kiss her. “You have a deal.” Phineas and Zudora’s wedding was planned to took place a week after Phoenix and Zeta’s arrival. Zudora was so excited, Zeta tried to help out as much as possible, Zudora wore her mother’s dress it was white lace very virginal, very innocent. Phineas and Zudora had known each other’s for years yet lived separately, from what Zeta could tell Phineas and Zudora had been intimate yet tried to keep the impression of abstinence. Zudora’s mother was a religious woman who valued chastity above all. Phineas was in his mid-twenties while Zudora was nineteen. Phineas was a jealous man it only took Zeta a few hours to see that, he seemed to watch Zudora closely and she seemed to walk on egg shells around him always worried over his moods. The wedding was small with only a few family and friends, the priest married them quickly as if he had somewhere else to be. Zeta figured the quicker the better more than looking forward to having a few drinks. Seeing Mena in the hall Zeta grabbed a bottle of red wine and walked over to meet her. “What brought you over here?” Mena shrugged “Just interested how the wedding was coming alone.” Zeta laughed as she handed her the bottle “Where’s Bo this evening?” Mena shrugged “His room I guess why?” Zeta shrugged “Take this and go find him, you two should go and have some fun.” Mena smiled “Thank you, I think I will.” Turning Zeta saw Phineas looking their way “Better go Phineas might think you’re one of his and put you to work.” Mena smiled then turned a walked away hoping to find Bo in his room. Returning to the plantation Mena headed to Bo’s room and knocked “Come in.” Mena smiled when she walked in to find Bo laying down wearing only his britches an open book in hand “Hello handsome.” Bo grinned “What do you have there?” Mena held up the wine. “Just some wine Zeta gave me thought you might want to spend the evening with me.” Bo sat up on his side and chuckled “Any ideas?” Mena sat next to him “My ideas stopped with you and the wine.” Bo laughed “We can stay here until dark then go to the beach if you like.” Mena smiled as she walked to the desk and opened the wine pouring them both a glass “Alright I like that.” After handing him a glass and taking a drink of her own she sat it down and slowly started removing her dress. “I hope you don’t mind if I make myself comfortable.” Bo’s eyes widen with interest “Damn woman you are amazing.” Mena's eyes sparkled as she walked closer shedding her clothes as she went. Reaching the bed she crawled up next to him, pushing him onto his back she straddled him as she took his mouth in a fiery kiss spanning her hands across his massive chest. Sitting up she began rubbing him through his pants as she slowly unbuttoned them stroking him as she lifted herself and eased herself down onto his thick shaft crying out in pleasure as she rode him slow and soft at first then harder and faster as her body came alive on top of him. Bo gripped her hips his groans growing louder as he too neared his completion just the sight of her breasts bouncing in his face was enough to send him into delirium. Feeling Mena tighten around him and her head fall back as she screamed out his name his body shuttered as he spilled his seed inside her holding her tight never wanting to let go. Pulling out he pulled her down into his arms and held her as they both tried to catch their breath. As the sunset, they dressed then walked out to the beach hand in hand. Bo watched Mena as she picked up shells. “You’re the only woman I want you do know that right?” Mena stopped and turned her expression sincere “I love you Bo and you’re the only man I’ve ever wanted.” Bo smiled “Will you marry me, Mena?” Mena wiped away her tears of happiness as she fell into his embrace. “Yes, Bo I will.” Bo laughed as he spun her around and kissed her “The thought of starting a life with you making a family together makes me the happiest man alive.” Mena leaned back looking up into his eyes “When?” Bo gazed lovingly down at her “As soon as possible honey.”