paradise

Chapter 6

Another one lol

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I don't know how long it's been but I can't sleep. I looked around the room and decided to go to the ocean.

I got up and changed into only a long shirt and quietly walked out of the house. I walked up to a set of smooth rocks they were partially in the water and stripped. Everyone was asleep so I didn't have to worry about wandering eyes.

No matter what my sisters say I still feel self conscious about my tail and body.

I laid out with my lower half in the water and willed my tail to grow. I smiled and stretched my arms above my head letting my hair flow freely around me. Looking to the sky and admiring the stars I did not notice the sounds of footsteps approaching .

" what are you doing up late?"

I snapped my eyes to the sound and the one and only captain Damien was standing right above me. I was embarrassed. He can see my tail! I didn't know what to do. I can't go back to my legs ... I'll be naked. I blushed and went still. " I-i" I was lost for words.

He chuckled softly and laid next to me looking at the sky. He probably has seen my sisters tail and is unimpressed by mine. Time had passed and we were silent. The longer I sat here the more I was in my dark thoughts the more I wanted to cry.

" Why was your sister upset?"

I was silent for a while." My father put me in an arranged marriage."

It was silent again until he broke it." That can't be all. She was fucking ready to kill."

"The man I was to be married to" I paused and took a deep breath. " He wasn't nice... he told me he wanted a better bride. I get it... who doesn't want a beautiful princess as their bride." I felt defeated. I sat up and refused to look over at him. I grabbed the shirt I wore out here and threw it on and willed my legs to grow.

Before I could get up he grabbed my hand and whispered into stars. " he's a stupid man."

Five days have gone by and I was back where I started... heart broken and in my thoughts.

The next day after Damien's sweet words I put on my best dress and wore my hair down. I decorated my ears with tiny starfish and neck with my best shells.

I walked along the sand hoping he would notice me.

He didn't.

He didn't even look my way.

After that I felt stupid and embarrassed. I ran back and undressed sitting on my bed naked crying.

The days that followed I spent with my sister. She could tell something was wrong but she wouldn't ask. All Andrianna did was try to keep me smiling. It worked until she told me she had to leave.

I knew it was coming but I didn't know it was so soon. I wanted more time with the island but this was a pirate's life.

I had my bag packed and was walking to the ship when Andrianna stopped me. " where the hell you goin?" I put on my best innocent face and turned around. " I'm just looking at the ship, is that wrong?" " the bag, why?"

I shrugged hoping she would fall for my cute look but it looks like I lost this one.

" like hell you're comin with us!"

"But-"

"No and that's final!"

I slumped my shoulders in defeat. This was not the plan.

We said our goodbyes and I looked at their boat till I saw my sister get to work. I smiled and jumped into the water with my bag.

I swam next to the ship till nightfall which was a lot harder than I thought. I almost gave up and swam back to paradise but something kept me going.

I pulled my tired and worn out body up the ladder till I could see the deck. Only a few were there but I could easily slide by. I pulled a long shirt on and crawled my way across the deck till I reached a door. I didn't think too much about it and opened it and snuck in. It was dark but I could see. It was fancy and I wondered if all of the ship had fancy rooms. I heard footsteps and hid behind a desk. Someone was talking but I couldn't make out who.

The door creaked and light filled the room. I held my breath and stayed very still. The footsteps paused at the desk but then walked into another room. I let out my breath and relaxed thinking of what to do next.

" your sister won't be happy little one."

My jaw dropped. How?! I was so quiet no one saw me! He chuckled like he read my thoughts. " a ship has its wheel above the deck." Maybe next time I'll study human ships before I try to sneak on one.

I stood up and slowly looked up to meet his eyes. Damien has a smirk on his face. Of course this was his room. " i-i"

" don't worry I won't tell her... yet. You forget this is my ship and I do what I want. You can stay here until you decide differently."

My legs almost gave out and I felt like I could actually breathe. I was relieved. I guess I didn't think about this plan fully.

That night he gave me his bed and a shirt to wear since my clothes were wet. I tried to argue and say I could take a chair but he refused. I didn't dwell too much and just about passed out from exhaustion. I did have one thought in my head as sleep consumed me. Why does he feel safe?