A Bride's Tail

Keziah got into her dress, strings pulled tight and skirt layers flowing gently at her ankles. Jemimah pulled the beautiful bride’s hair up so her brown curls would catch the sun’s rays and reflect off them in the most stunning way, pins discretely layered her head keeping every hair in it’s place.

This was the day the young woman had never expected to come, and she was overjoyed was happening. With a quick thanks to the maid she pulled up the pail fabric and darted across the deck, thankful that all the crew members were below deck in a deep slumber. The clear sky was sprinkled in large orbs. She took a quick glance over the dark waters that she had always loved so dearly. Even in early morning they looked as inviting as ever, had it not been for her enchanting gown she would have dove right in, joining the creatures she knew habited the deep abyss. Looking over the horizon, it was hard to tell where the sky ended and the ocean began, the stars above reflecting mercilessly on the water. Night swims were Keziah’s favorite for that very reason, it was like swimming with the stars and moon.

Her bare feet slapped against the cold wood until she finally reached the captain’s quarters, the same place she would be staying by the end of morning. She hesitated opening the door, her hand hovering over the old handle that she had used numerous times. The next time she opened this door she would be married, and going into her own room instead of someone else’s. This thought pleased her, causing warmth to fill her chest.

She stood delighted for a moment, her pale blue dress contrasting against the dark and bruised wood. The wind twirled the eighteen year old’s gown, causing the messy layers to twirl around her legs like the rough ocean, her hair looking like the sun setting down on it. Keziah bit on her lip to stop a ridiculous grin from breaking her face.

With her heart pumping, she twisted the knob and entered the messy room she had seen so many times. The wind pushed the door, causing it to swing open. This left the young girl standing in it’s frame with the setting moon dropping a gentle glow on her hair and dress. Light danced across the room, bouncing with each wave that shook the ship. She could care less of that her groom wasn’t supposed to see her dress, they were hardly following any of the other rules for their wedding.

The two people in bed looked up, startled, as the door swung open with a crack. Cool, salty air came in with the sea breeze that ruffled the bride’s dress, the same dress Phoebe had helped design. Phoebe was the first to come to her senses, sitting up straight and wide eyed at the figure in the doorway where moon light cast haunting shadows on her features.

“Go back to bed.” Murmured a husky voice, the last one to understand the situation.

Keziah’s excitement died immediately, though her heart still hammered, only to a different beat. Her hand went to her mouth in attempt to cover the choked gasp that escaped. Both people in bed heard it still, and sleep’s haze drifted away.

“Oh, Kezzie.” Phoebe cried, the past night’s drunken actions coming back to mind. The once to be bride only shook her head frantically as tears pooled her eyes. She didn’t shake her head in response to her best friend, but in attempt to deny what she was seeing. The captain, who was ironically the last to come to his senses, sat up, ruffling his hair with a scarred hand.

His unfocused eyes came to the girl he was supposed to marry and everything crashed to him like a cannon hitting his beloved ship. The drinking, the kisses, the night in bed, the goggles that had convinced him this was his fiance in what was soon to be their bed. All this came to mind, but now it was all clear. It was clear that he had slept not with the supposed to be bride, but with her maid of honor. The loyal and strict captain had betrayed the thing he held closest to him, turning him into the one thing he had always feared; a traitor.