Hunter and I go downstairs to join my father and the rest of the crew for a mandatory meeting. Hunter had told me last night, once I had calmed down, that my father was planning to announce who would be taking his position as Captain. Hunter and I found a spot close to my father as he stood in front of everyone. My father clears his throat, gaining the crew's attention, "Thank you for coming on such short notice." He began, "I've called this meeting because I have chosen your next Captain." The crew started to whisper amongst each other. I waited patiently, excited for the first time in weeks!
My father looked in my direction, "Please welcome your next Captain, Hunter Anderson." Everyone cheered! Everyone but me. I glare at my father and then turn to Hunter, who seems just as surprised as me. Hunter stood and joined my father. The position is my birthright, my destiny; it's what I've been training for since I could remember! I stood and left the room, seething at the thought that I had busted my ass to prove myself, and here I am, wife to the next Captain of MY ship!
I waited by my father's room for him so I could confront him about the decision. When he saw me, his soft laughter turned into a glare, "How can I help you, Caspia?" He asked,
"Hunter?" I said, "Are you serious?" He rubbed his temples,
"He's the obvious choice, Caspia." He told me, "The ship is still in the family now." I shook my head,
"The Captain position is mine. It's my birthright." He chuckled at my words,
"Your 'birthright' is to marry, bear children, and stay silent." He said, "That is all you are good for. So, I suggest you make sure you keep your new Captain pleased." I glared at him; I'd never felt hatred towards my father before, but now, that's all I felt for him.
"With all due respect, father, go to hell," I said, storming off to my room. Not turning back to face him.
Hunter was already there when I entered the room, happy about the news. "Isn't this great!" He said, reaching out to pull me into a hug. I moved past him, not even acknowledging his presence. "Cas?" He said; I continued to ignore him, "Caspia?" Nothing. "I'm talking to you, Caspia!" He said, raising his voice. I'm not sure if it was still the rage I felt toward my father, but I walked up to him,
"You will not speak to me that way!" I told him, shocking him a bit. "I have been working my entire life to be Captain of the Crimson Sea, and now, I've had that position ripped out from under my feet and thrust upon my husband, who I didn't even want to marry!" I screamed, my eyes stinging as I held back the tears of my anger, "My father said that I had to marry for the ship to be passed to me. The position is mine!" Hunter seemed to understand that I felt betrayed, but it didn't change anything. Instead of consoling me, he sits me on the bed,
"I know you; what did your father say when you confronted him?" I scoffed,
"That man is not my father."
"Like it or not, he is." Hunter told me, "And like it or not, I am your husband. Now, what did you say? Because if you don't tell me and I find out from someone else, it won't be good for you." I gave him a look,
"And what is that supposed to mean?" I asked accusingly,
"I think you know, Cas." He said; I rolled my eyes,
"Fine," I said. I told him about my conversation with my father, including what he said to me. Hunter only nodded as I spoke.
Once I was finished, he stood, unbuttoning his pants, "What are you doing?" I questioned,
"Although I do not agree with everything your father told you, he is right about one thing. It is your duty to have my children." I groaned mentally. "Lift your skirt and lay back." He tells me. I do as I'm told. It hurt less than last night when he entered me, but it still wasn't pleasurable.
"I don't want this to be my life, Hunter," I tell him, trying to keep my mind on the conversation rather than the act. "I want more than just bearing children. I am more than just a dog for breeding."
"We'll deal with it when the time comes, Caspia," he tells me, "I promise." I nod as he finishes. He pulled out, following the same routine as the night before. I lay there for a moment, then adjusted in bed, begging for sleep to come over me and never letting me return to my physical form.
My eyes shot open, being met with darkness as I stepped towards the window, hearing something in the distance. A call. A call of the ocean, yearning for me to come to it. I start for the door, but then I hear rustling on the bed, "Caspia?" Hunter said sleepily, "Where are you going?" I turned around, not entirely sure what I was doing,
"I-I'm not sure," I admitted. I had this strange feeling that something was pulling me to the water, but what? I had no idea. Hunter gets up and guides me back to bed.
"Perhaps the excitement of the last few days is getting to you," Hunter tells me as he pulls the blankets over my body. I nod, thinking perhaps he was right. "Rest now." I close my eyes and begin to drift off to sleep once again.
YOU ARE READING
The Pirate Princess
FantasyA young pirate has been at sea her whole life. She grew up on her father's ship and knew the sea as well, if not better than her father. She is forced into marriage by her father because of a law so she can inherit her father's ship. On the night of...
