A Hidden Queen

Chapter 32

Joe braces herself against the mast as the ship pitches to larboard. Her gaze stays fixated on the endless ocean as it falls away to a sliver before taking up her entire view. She breaths deeply as her hair moves constantly with the wind. Events from the previous night has turned the tides. She was no longer an innocent woman accidently nabbed as she had tried to play. No; she had laid almost everything out on the table for her uncle to throw it back in her face. She had no desire to go back to life on land, but she would be lying to herself if she said that she did not find some happiness in the life as well. There was also the issue of if she stayed. Her grandfather and James would spend endless resources searching for her. She would never be truly free, and the crew would be in constant danger. Could she do that to her uncle and his crew? Joe groans pinching the bridge of her nose. She was once again torn about knowing what to do. A regretful sigh pushes past her lips as her fingers run through her hair.

"Hey! Whatcha doing?" Charlie asks, popping his head above the edge.

Joe gasps at his sudden appearance. She loses her balance flailing her arms as the ship suddenly pitched to one side. She snatches at the sailing ropes, barely making purchase. Charlie quickly wraps his arm around her thighs, keeping her glued to the small platform. Joe breathes harshly as she stares at Charlie in bewilderment. The two stare at each other blinking a few times before Charlie starts to chuckle. Joe scowls at him.

"It wasn't funny." She hisses.

"Yeah, it was." He chuckles out. "Here. Get yourself repositioned and I'll come on up."

Joe rolls her eyes at the young man. She grabs at the mast, positioning her back up against it. She then wiggles her feet over, bracing them against the posts of the small railing on the stern side of the platform. Charlie releases her legs once she nods her head. Joe furrows down her brows as he grunts trying to wiggle his wide shoulders through the sailing lines. Charlie huffs dramatically as he plops on his backside with his feet dangling off the edge. He takes a moment, catching his breath before turning himself around to face Joe. He shoves his feet up against the mast and leans into the railing near Joe's feet. Joe eyes him skeptically. He does nothing but give her a bright, lopsided smile.

"What are you doing up here?" Joe finally asks.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." He grins. "Geeze girl, I didn't even think you knew how to climb the ratlines up here."

"I have a feeling there is a lot you do not know about me." Joe gripes.

"True, but I'm willing to learn. Like for starters what are ye doing up here? You've been hiding since breakfast was served at dawn."

Joe huffs out of her nose turning her head away from Charlie. Willing to learn. James had told her that many a times before she caved into allowing him to court her. No man wants to learn about a woman. They want to paint her like they see fit. Joe glances over at Charlie. He scratches at the dark shadow that covers his jawline with boredom. He pauses, lowering his head so he could look at her fully. He stares at her kindly, patiently waiting for her to reply. Joe sighs defeated.

"As a child, I used to climb up here to get away from people. To think."

"So, you came up here to think? A little precarious, isn't it? Get too distracted and you'd be thrown into the sea." Charlie jokes.

Joe rolls her eyes, "Okay, Mr. jokester, how old are you?"

"25!" He exclaims proudly. "But enough about little old me. Seriously, Joe what troubles you so to bring you all the way up here?"

"I'm not sure I want to burden you with such details Charlie." Joe admits.

"That's what I'm here for, to be troubled."