Loves' Conqueror. Renee Hand

the baby gave its first healthy cry, causing tears to spring from Stratton’s eyes. He ran to his wife’s side in excitement. Upon seeing him, Miranda gave her husband a weak smile.

      Up close, Miranda’s appearance shocked Stratton. Her face was covered in sweat, and her glorious hair had become a dull, dark mat. Her hand clutched at her stomach periodically and her features wrinkled in pain. The warm glow of her skin seemed to have disappeared, and gone was any evidence of her energetic spirit and lust for life. She was pulling away from him, he could tell, and what angered him most was that there was nothing he could do about it, except watch. As he stared at her, he wished that they were back again on his ship. Often, he would stand by the helm and watch as Miranda stood by the prow breathing in the fresh sea air and letting her arms spread outward as if she could fly. She had been free and filled with life. It had been her spirit that he had fell in love with, her beauty that entranced him. Her strength could outlast any man’s and yet here she was, her strength and sassiness gone, her features weak and pale. It scared him and filled him with sadness.

      He glanced at the priest, who smiled briefly, his attention focused more on the baby he was bathing with a damp cloth. “It is a girl, Captain Mayne,” the priest said quietly as he finished the task. Once done he wrapped the baby in a clean blanket.

      Stratton finally tore his eyes from his wife’s face to gaze at his new daughter. He fell in love immediately. He thought his daughter to be the most beautiful baby he had ever seen.

      “Can I hold her?” asked Stratton uncertainly.

      “Of course. Just be gentle.”

      Stratton could wield a sword with dexterous skill. He was a formidable fighter, and a deadly aim with rifle, pistol, and cannon. And, should he be bereft of all these weapons, he could fling a dagger with such accuracy that none stood against him. But he didn’t know how to hold a baby. After standing awkwardly a long moment trying to figure it out, he looked to the gentle priest, who smiled and pressed the infant gently into his unsure arms. The baby’s face was smooth and angelic, innocent and pure. Her eyes seemed to study him, and her little arms and legs twitched and pushed at the blanket. Stratton stared transfixed at his daughter, afraid to hold her tighter for fear of crushing her for she was so small and delicate. His eyes then returned to his wife, who also gazed upon their daughter.

      “Miranda?” spoke Stratton, his voice cracking as he tried to gently pass his daughter to his wife. Miranda wouldn’t take her, Stratton became concerned and returned his gaze to the priest. The man slowly shook his head. Once Miranda was cleaned, the priest lowered her legs into a relaxed position and covered her lower body with a blanket. Miranda winced from the pain the movement caused her. Davy glanced at Stratton and saw him open his mouth to speak. When no words came out, Davy decided to ask the question he knew his captain could not.

      “What’s wrong with her?” he asked, his tone filled with concern. Davy then glanced over at Stratton and saw him close his eyes and breathe deeply. He was preparing himself for the dreadful news that he knew was coming. The priest turned to face them.

      “She’s dying. She’s lost much blood in the delivery. But that’s not what’s killing her, I think. She’s weakening, and the pain she feels in her abdomen will not cease, which means that she is bleeding from the inside . . . or worse. There’s nothing to be done. I’m sorry.”

      “No!” Davy said quietly, moving for the first time into the room from his station at the door. He knew how much Stratton and Miranda loved one another, knew this forced parting would not be easy for Stratton. The priest moved to a basin and washed his blood-covered hands. After taking a deep breath, he dried his hands on a scrap of cloth and watched Stratton. The captain’s large hand caressed his wife’s damp hair as he kissed her cheek tenderly. Stratton’s eyes filled with sadness, and he had a hard time accepting the fact that his wife was going to die.

      “Are you sure there’s nothing that can be done?” pleaded Stratton, but the priest only shook his head again. The poor priest was filled with helplessness for not being able to help Miranda more, but he did not know what else to do. As his eyes fell upon her, he could not help but shed a few tears. For months she had kept him company and helped him and the natives he served with tasks around the island. She had loved walks on the beach and would often swim in the shallows near the shore. Further along in the pregnancy, she spent much time gazing out at the sea. When he would watch her, the priest had noticed the far away look in her eyes and knew that she was thinking of her husband and their past adventures. Her features would always fill with sadness and something else. At times he thought she felt regret.

      “Unfortunately, there is nothing that I can do. If I could change places with her, Captain Mayne, I would, for that’s how much my heart aches for her.” The priest paused as he tried to compose himself. “The damage has already been done to her body. By the time I find someone who might be able to save her, she’ll be gone. We are miles from someone competent in medicine.” The priest’s gaze moved hastily to the baby in his arms. Miranda then turned her head slowly to her husband as if wanting to say one last thing before her strength gave out. Stratton let a tear fall as he held his wife’s hand and gazed lovingly upon her. “Keep our daughter safe, my husband. Don’t let her live the life we have led. It is not right for her, the life of a pirate. We are rich enough for her to live a life of luxury.

      See that she does. Let her know that I love her and never let her forget me.” Miranda then reached for an object around her neck and placed it in the palm of her husband’s hand. “This belongs to her now. It is no longer mine. One day, if she desires it, she should be given the chance to find the treasure that we could not. If she is anything like me, I know that she will want to, though deep down I hope she doesn’t.” Miranda’s face contorted in pain and then she relaxed slightly. “I have many regrets, and the biggest one was not allowing you to stay with me. I have missed you so, and now I’ll never see you again.” Tears flowed down Miranda’s cheeks as her sadness choked her.

      Stratton could not help but to cry as well. “I know, Miranda. I should have stayed by your side. I shouldn’t have let you push me away. I regret leaving you and have missed you so much. I don’t want to lose you.”

      “Nor I you, but it will happen. It’s meant to be. Stay strong for our daughter, Stratton. She’ll need you. Be a good father to her. Don’t let pride come between you. I love you, my darling.” With those words Miranda Mayne cast her last breath, her hand still held tightly in her husband’s.

      “Miranda? No!” Stratton shouted. “No!” he leaned forward and held his wife in his arms, his body wracked with sobs. After several minutes, he let her go. As he was about to stand, he glanced at his palm to see what his wife had taken from her neck and pressed into his hand. Lying there gently was a cylindrical crystal. The clearness of the crystal shined and sparkled in the candlelight. It had a hole bored through one end where the necklace could go through. He wore a similar crystal around his own neck.

      They were identical pieces except for an angled notch set into his. During his wife’s first voyage aboard his ship, they’d came upon a Spanish vessel carrying goods to the Americas. The vessel didn’t give up its stores easily, and they fought. The Fighting Spur, a fast sloop with fourteen guns, captured the ship and finally sank it, but not before they removed all of its precious cargo. Miranda, when snooping around the captain’s quarters, found a small treasure box of jewels hidden underneath the berth. She snatched it up before even surveying its contents.

      When she finally opened it aboard the Fighting Spur, she found diamonds, emeralds, and rubies of various sizes and shapes that shined brightly for all to see.

      There also were the two uniquely shaped crystals, that when put together, formed a key. Lining the bottom of the box, she came upon a piece of parchment. Upon reading it, she learned that the crystals opened a safe or vault of some sort. However, half of the parchment was torn away, and the beginning of what looked like a map was gone. No location or any other pertinent information gave away its where abouts. Miranda immediately disclosed the information to her husband. They had searched for the treasure, but never found it. In the meantime, each wore a piece of the crystal to show they had an equal share. Now Miranda’s share would