A Sea Of Bloody Hearts

№12|Mercury Madness

-‘๑’-Book 1-‘๑’-

№12|Mercury Madness
>───⇌••⇋───<

Meanwhile, inside the conjoining room, Miriana lay face down on the massage table.

“Yesenia, thank you. This week has been so stressful.” Miriana groaned as Yesenia kneaded her fingers into her neck.

“Of course Miss Heart,” Yesenia chuckled, “I heard about what’s happening with Mr. De’Leon. I’m glad you and Mister Charles Armstrong are finally together.”

“Me too, Yesenia.” Miriana sighed in relief as her nimble fingers rubbed into her back. “I swear, Yesenia, you are a godsend.”

“Miss Heart, I’ve been your masseuse for years now, and I’ve never seen you as tense as you are today. Is there something on your mind?” Yesenia questioned, massaging her elbows into her back.

“I feel bad.” She let out an exhausted sigh, “Charles and his friends are out there planning to risk their jobs -- their lives -- for me. They all know what happened, and they’re risking everything to make him pay for what he did to me… I just… I feel like I could do more.”

“Miss Heart, you’ve done a lot for the people on this ship. Even with Soren abusing you, you still found a way to help everyone way before they knew what was going on,” Yesenia explained, pouring lavender body oil into her hands and rubbing it onto Miriana. “You also took it upon yourself to find someone better than Soren. Most women don’t have the courage to make that choice.”

“I want to do more, Yesenia! I wanna be out there striking with the dragon, not cooped up in this room.” Miriana groaned. “I worry about him… not only him, but my sister too. Raelyn, her kids, and Jerald. Even Wayne and his daughter. I worry about all of them…”

“Don't be. Your sister and the others are strong,” the masseuse assured her. “You’re strong too, Miss Heart. You’re strong in your own way.”

“I was with Soren for years… didn’t tell anyone what was happening until a month and a half ago. Now look at me… others are risking their lives for me, and I’m stuck in this room! The moment I leave, Soren will find me and we’ll be back to square one!”

“Miss Heart, I’ll be right back. I need to grab some more oil,” Yesenia said, a slight smirk on her lips as she walked out of the room

Though she was too engrossed in thought to hear what Yesenia said, she heard the door shut. “Yesenia?” the younger Heart sibling attempted to raise her head from the headrest but was brutally pushed back down.

Whoever it was, their cold hands found their way around her neck. “You have some nerve, Miriana.”

Her body froze. It was Soren. She recognized his cold touch. However, something about it seemed different. Almost like it was his spirit instead of his physical body.

“How dare you run away from me!” He raised her head, slamming in against the headrest. “I’m your fiancé!”

“You’re the devil!” Miriana hissed. She attempted to conjure up a spell but failed once Soren pulled back her arm.

“Where are you, you little bitch!” He yelled, his voice hot with anger and disgust, as he clenched her neck in his hands. “Tell me and maybe I’ll spare those who are helping you, like your sister.”