The Pirate Princess

Chapter 2

The following day, I woke up and began doing my chores.

As I worked, I noticed that the crew was treating me differently than usual. I began looking at myself, trying to see if something was wrong with my clothes, but there wasn't. I push the thought aside as I continue my work when Hunter makes his way toward me, "Good morning, darling." He said, "Do you need any help?" I shrugged,

"Sure, if you don't have anything else to do," I told him.

We continued working when I caught some of the crew starting to whisper and pointing at us, laughing. Hunter leans over to me, seeing that I was getting upset, "Ignore them, Cas." He says, but I can't control myself. I marched over toward them, getting in their faces,

"Do we have a problem?" I ask, "Because if there is, I'm pretty sure I can solve it." They looked scared to death; I placed my hands on my hips, "So, do we have a problem?" The two shook their heads, "Then get your asses back to work." Without a sound, the two of them ran away.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration as I returned to Hunter, "Are you okay?" He asked; I nodded as I started to get back to work. But Hunter stood back, "I owe you an apology, Cas." I turned around to face him,

"An apology? For what?" I ask; he shakes his head,

"Last night," Hunter says, "that isn't how I wanted it to go." I raised a brow, crossing my arms over my chest as he explained, "I had planned something special for the two of us. But when I talked to your father, he said I could marry you, but only if I propose in front of the crew." My anger rose as I tried to decide whether to throw him overboard. "I know that look, and don't even think about it." I rolled my eyes,

"Fine," I said, but then my mind began to wonder,

"I know that look, too," Hunter says, "what's on your mind?" I don't think I will ever get used to Hunter being able to read my expressions; at least he can't read my mind.

"What was your original idea?" I asked; Hunter smiled, took my hands, and told me,

"Meet me tonight at our spot, and I'll show you." I smiled and nodded. We decided to go about our days before we met up later tonight. I needed to have everything done before then, and surprisingly, I was excited.

As I approached the ship's bow, I pushed my curls behind my ears. I could see a glisten of light as I made my way there. Hunter and I would play here as children. We began calling it 'our spot' as we grew up; the thought made me smile.

I stepped up the steps, I saw candles lighting the floor, pillows, and blankets; it was beautiful. I could hear the soft strumming. When I got closer, I saw Hunter strumming a small guitar, "What is all of this?" I asked; Hunter stopped playing, taking me by the hand as we sat on the pillows and blankets.

"I thought we'd watch the stars, maybe talk. What do you think?" I couldn't wipe the smile from my face,

"This is amazing, Hunter."

We stared at the stars, talking of different things: past, present, and future. After a while, Hunter raised up, grabbed his guitar again, and began singing. He had always had an incredible singing voice that would melt my heart when we were kids. I smiled as he serenaded me. As he finished, he got onto one knee, taking my hands in his as he spoke, "This is how I wanted to do this." He tells me, "Something private, just for us. And the speech I had prepared was, in my opinion, much better than last night." I giggled, "I have been infatuated with you for years, Caspia. You are the most amazing, beautiful woman I have ever met. I love how strong and fearless you are; I would be honored if you would marry me."

I was touched, to say the least; Hunter poured his heart out to me, but sadly, I still didn't feel the same way. I only smiled, placing my hand on his cheek, and replied, "Yes." We share a tender kiss. When we pulled away, Hunter got up and helped me up as well,

"Would you like for me to walk you to your room?" Hunter asked; I smiled and shook my head,

"I think I can manage." Hunter places a kiss on my forehead before bidding me goodnight.

I lay in bed, staring at my ring in admiration but also dread. I've known Hunter for as long as I can remember. Still, I barely know anything about him, at least not the important things about him for marriage. Whenever I think of my wedding, I think of my mother; she died giving birth to me, so I know next to nothing about her or her past. The only thing I'm sure of is that I have a strange force pulling me toward the ocean that I cannot understand.

I sigh, muttering, "What do I do, mother?" I turned over and shut my eyes, dozing off to sleep.

I was in the dark water, but I wasn't afraid, and I could breathe. It was difficult to see, but that's when a small light began coming toward me. As it got closer, I noticed it was a woman. She looked almost exactly like me...the curls of strawberry red that moved with the water, as if it was dancing. And eyes of piercing blue that had me captivated by the mere sight of them.

I shook my head. This couldn't be possible.

"Mother?" I said; she smiled, placing her hand out to me. I wanted to reach out to her, feel her, throw myself into her arms, and never let go. Instead, I backed away, "Th-This is a dream." I said, "You're not really here; you're dead." She frowned at my words before turning away and disappearing, "No, mother, wait!" I screamed, reaching out to her, but it was too late. I felt myself being dragged deeper into the water, my lungs being filled with the salty liquid as I began going in and out of consciousness before everything went dark, I heard a whisper, so soft I almost didn't catch it,

"I'll see you soon, my daughter."

I shot up, trying to catch my breath. It was just a dream, I reminded myself. But it felt so real. Why were we in the water? Is it because she was buried at sea? Is she not at peace?

Nothing makes sense.

I laid back down and thought of my dream. Trying to make sense of any of it. After a while, I was getting a headache, so I turned back over and attempted to get back to sleep.