Eira sits on the edge of a large bed in an even larger bedroom. Her legs feel like they are about to fall asleep from being in a stationary position for so long, but she can't find the energy to move them. Her whole body is practically numb, as if her senses can't properly detect any of her surroundings.
It feels like she hasn't taken a single breath since leaping over the edge of Adrulac's ship. Everything that has transpired since that moment has been clouded in misery, making it almost impossible to remember any of what happened. All that she has to draw on are vague images and other assorted scraps of memory.
She remembers being hauled out of the water by naval officers and brought into Kinsley's custody, only catching a glimpse of Adrulac as he is bound in chains and dragged below decks. She hadn't seen him since, and was only finding it harder and harder to keep herself from spiraling into despair in his absence. Being with him every day for weeks on end, she'd grown accustomed to his presence being a necessary part of her ecosystem. To have him ripped from her so suddenly hurt more than she thought was possible for a non-physical injury. She felt like an addict going through withdrawal, unable to go a full minute without her thoughts pulling her back towards that divine source of joy.
The door creaks open and pulls Eira's attention up from the floor. Kinsley takes a step into the room, immediately noticing the lack of sunlight coming into the space. Eira has drawn all the curtains across the windows in an attempt to recreate the feeling of Adrulac's bedroom, but it is a futile attempt.
Kinsley goes over and pulls the curtains back from the windows, letting the late evening's remaining daylight into the bedroom.
"Supper will be served shortly." Kinsley turns to Eira as he pulls back the final pair of curtains.
"I'm not hungry." Eira responds curtly.
"You said that yesterday."
"I wasn't hungry then either."
Kinsley narrows his eyes on Eira, becoming increasingly displeased by her abrasive attitude.
"You mustn't let your health deteriorate." Kinsley walks over beside Eira, who turns her gaze back down to her feet.
"I'll be fine." Eira lies.
"I won't force you to eat, but at least come sit at the table." Kinsley reaches down and takes Eira by the arm, trying to help her to a standing position.
"Don't touch me." Eira swats Kinsley's hand away dejectedly.
Kinsley pauses once more, taking a second to keep himself from being antagonized by Eira's bitterness.
"I understand you've gone through a major trauma, but that's no reason to act so callously." Kinsley says with a composed frustration.
"What better reason do I need?" Eira quips with a scathing tone.
"You can't keep ruminating on your negativity. It's all over now. Try to put that creature out of your mind." Kinsley suggests harshly.
Eira balls her fists, trying to keep her rising indignation from erupting out of her. She can't ever remember being so vexed on someone else's behalf.
Kinsley takes a breath in, leveling his thoughts and delivering them as succinctly as possible.
"I wasn't going to suggest this because I thought it would be too cruel of a display for someone of your constitution...but perhaps you can find some peace of mind if you watch his execution tomorrow."
Eira's eyes widen with a mortified shock, turning up to face Kinsley for the first time since their conversation started.
"His what?"
YOU ARE READING
The Archman
RomanceWhile departing for London to meet with her fiancé, Eira Pryce finds herself taken captive by a living legend, the fabled pirate known only as the Archman. As it turns out, the fables may not have been so accurate in their portrayal of this mythic f...
