Lost at sea

Chapter 3

I groan as I wake up. My head was sore, my cut was worsening and my kefta was dirty and torn. I rubbed my head and felt out a bump by my temple. Saints that hurts. My thoughts drifted to Adrik. I hope he's ok. I felt my eyes watering. I was alone again, this trip was meant to protect me not get me captured. My eyes welled up and I started sobbing. I nuzzled my face to my knees. My eyes damping my clothes. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything". I stifle my tears as I look up. There was a tall man in a bright blue overcoat in front of me. His hair was a dirty red and all messy. His eyes were gorgeous, a muddy green that almost looked like sage. His facial features were alluring yet hard to read. His voice had a tinge of playfulness and wit to it. I swear I recognized it.

As I looked up, he had stuffed his hands in his coat pockets and walked closer.

"You weren't" I said coldly.

"Good, then get up" he jerks his head to the trapdoor signaling me to get up and out. As I get up the chains around my wrists clanked together. I held them up to him in hopes he would unlock it. "And let you attack us? No thank you". I rolled my eyes as we made our way above deck. He opened the door letting as gust of cold air brush through. I shiver and hold my arms close to my body. I stepped farther up the staircase and saw the sky, it was pitch black and the lights on the boat blurred out the stars. The fog had gotten thicker and it was rolling down below deck. As we got to the top a whole bunch of people were crowded together to see us.

"Oretsev get over here!" Oretsev? I was right by him. Unless... Mal emerges from the crowd. I recognized that stupid face anywhere. He still had changed a lot though. His face was covered with scars and bruises, his eyes looked tired as if he just woke up. His skin glowed in the fire light, bronze from his days out at sea. His hair glowed against the light of the lantern showing his short military cut that defined his jawline. His body looked more rugged and built, his hands rough and callused.

His eyes met with mine. I didn't know if I was happy or pissed off. I stomp forward, his eyes widened. "Woah what are you doing!" He steps back and throws this hands up in defense. I swing my arm. The chains clanged together, hurting my wrists. I didn't care, I was upset. I jab my fist in his face throwing him back a bit. He rubs his cheek and checks if I cut him.

"Saints what was that for?" Everyone looked shocked, surprised I just hit him.

"Oh you know why I did that Mal!". My words hurt me as I spoke. "You left..." My voice quivered and softened. I felt like falling to my knees and crying. I could feel my eyes welling up as I spoke these words. "You left without saying goodbye. No note or anything. I found out when Ana Kuya shows up in my room with dread on her face!" My cheeks burned with tears.

"I'm sorry" his voice was soft, hurt. He could barely even look me in the eye. I'm sorry? Is that all he had to say. My eyes felt sore. I turned to leave as I felt Mal grab my hand and pull me in for a hug. "I'm sorry" he whispers in my ear. "I missed you so much Lena" his voice sounded breathless. He hugged me tighter squeezing the breath out of me. I didn't care though. I missed him too. My tears slowed as I tried to hug him back.

He let go. His face was wet with tears. We both laughed softly at the sight of each other. "I'm sorry I punched you". He shrugged as he wiped my tears off my cheek. "I deserved it"

"Well that was an interesting reunion" The red head chuckled.

"What an asshole" I mutter under my breath. Mal must have heard me because he laughed softly, shaking his head

Right then I saw a long haired girl come out from one of the cabins and stand by Mal. Alina. Of course she was here with Mal. I sigh as I rub my temple. "Hi Lena" her voice sounded nice and soothing.

"Hi" I said in a bitchy way. I think it might've showed I didn't like her because soon she made some dumbass excuse and went back to her cabin. The red head laughed. He tried to hide it but it was very obvious. I smiled at his laugh.

His personality was light and humorous. He was upbeat, witty, and sarcastic. Best kind of people. I laughed at my thoughts under my breath. It was as if he could read my mind because right after he lowers his voice so only I could hear.

His eyes met mine. They looked gorgeous and full of adventure. "Like what you're seeing lovely?"

I gasped softly. I heard that voice before. I couldn't quite figure it out. My brain rattled with thoughts trying to figure out who he was. He laughs.

He leans down to whisper in my ear. "You looked focused." Oh I swear I wanted to punch this guy. I hate flirty men, this is so gross. Even though my mind thought one thing my stomach was churning, filled with butterflies. He laughs again as he steps back.

I swear I was a hair away from hitting him but I felt the weight of the chains on my wrists, and honestly, it was sore as fuck. I lift them up in hopes this time he would unlock them. He looked over to Mal and Mal shrugged.  "I don't think she's trustworthy". He says teasing me.

"Mal!" I yell at him.

"Relax I'm kidding" he laughs at me. I hated when he teased me but I was to exhausted to argue back. The red head (that I'm guessing is captain) walks up to me and unlocks the chains. It drops in his hands as he casts it aside with a thud. I flex my wrists to stretch it out. "So may I ask why you kidnapped me in the first place". I looked up at the crew my eyes cold and my expression unreadable.

"We've heard you're the Darkling's right hand man, strongest grisha, the list goes on. So why wouldn't we want to take you". The girl whom I had fought was standing there her arms crossed.

"Not to mention your boat has the Darkling's seal on the flag so we thought it was him". Mal chimes in, his voice icy and distant. Saints, how many people hate the Darkling?

My thoughts trailed off. Shit. Adrik. He was on that boat. I went in to a panic. My brain filled with thoughts of what could've happened to him. It must've showed on my face because the captain rests a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you ok?" He tilt his head down to meet me at my eye level. He moves his hand off of my shoulder to fix my hair that fell in my face.

"I-". Something caught my eye and I stood there speechless. His ring.

I rubbed my empty finger, my train of thought disappearing and filling with thoughts of what happened at the little palace. I was struggling to speak.

"Nikolai?"

1284 words!