Book 1: A Heartless Series

Chapter 2

After saying my goodbyes, we boarded the ship. We were the last things to be loaded onto the ship, our luggage already on board. The ship was huge, a dark wooden vessel with flames drawn on the helm. The large masts in the red and gold colors of the Kagan house of Eldoria. This was the ship Aaran came on. Just yesterday he arrived only to be married today and back on the ship.

I wave until my arms almost fall off and cry still after I can no longer see my family. I stand at the helm of the ship for a bit while after that, I don't know how long I stood there, staring at the horizon. Unaware of whatever the crew or Aaranwas doing. The thought of leaving my country and my family hitting me like a wave. I was entranced by the memories. Of the beautiful landscape that was my home. The emerald seas, the clear blue skies, the thunderstorms. How I would miss breakfast with my mother, our porcelain tea cups.

I imagine the cold that I will be subject to. My sun kissed skin will miss this sun, the warm balmy breeze. I will remember it and be thankful for what my parents instilled on me. I must be strong for my kingdom. To create a better Union for that of Eldoria and Kyrell.

When my stomach starts to grumble, I finally am gathered out of my haze. My tears long been dry on my face. My makeup that was so precariously put on, ruined. I sigh, shoulders slumped. I take one big deep breath to compose myself and lift my head up high. I must find Aaran, I don't even know where my room is on the ship.

It doesn't take me long to find him. He is chatting up the Captain of the ship. Gosh, they saw me through my whole mental breakdown(wording???). My checks flush as I make my way up the stairs to where the wheel is positioned. I finally reached them, I must've not realized how big this ship was when I got on.

"Excuse me, but I was wondering where my room was, as I would like to change." I

finally realize that I am still in my wedding dress. I also come to terms that I have no ladies on this ship. How will I make it out of the dress. I can feel my cheeks get hotter, as if they weren't already warm.

Aarangrimiced. "I can show you to our room." He says as he motions for me to follow. The Captain nods at me, as I turn around to follow Aaran. I notice as I follow him that he is changed already. He wears a white tunic, with leather pants and tall black leather boots. Simple, except for the necklace that he wears, which I can't tell the details of.

We make our way our cabin suite. I can't believe we are sharing a room together already. It all seems so sudden. My breath hitches as he opens the door to let me in. Seeing the bed and the furnishings, made for a couple of Royalty. Dark blue linens and dark woods, that matches the ship surround me. The large bed in the middle of the room, with two side tables, I noticed, had large fluffy pillows. At least there was no sparing comfort. On the right side of the bed along the wall stood a stout dresser with 6 drawers. At the bottom of the bed was my chest, the only white in the room, other than my white wedding dress and his shirt, was a soft contrast. I go towards the chest and sit on my knees. I search through the chest to find a simple but elegant shift dress made of a light linen, with slight white stitching near the bodice, a couple of white palm leaves patterned onto the bodice, it was a lovely piece, made just for this journey. I started taking off my jewelry. When I am done, I notice that Aaran is still there. Leaning against the door, looking like he doesn't want to take another step forward. He meets my eyes and looks away, picking his nails in the process.

I roll my eyes. I notice there is a bathroom connecting the room, right in line with the middle of the chest and bed. I make my way there and shut the door. At least I can take off the dress myself, even with a bit of struggle. After I finish getting undressed and folding my wedding dress, I slip on the other dress.

There is a couple more hours of daylight, so maybe I can spend the rest of the day reading, once I eat something of course, I think to myself.

As I walk out of the bathroom, I notice Aaran has taken a seat in the little seating area where two chairs sit in the corner near the door. Both in dark blue velvet and dark wooden legs and arm. He is still picking at his fingers. To my delight, I notice there is a plate of food next to him on the table in between the two chairs. Looks to be a baked potato with some sort of meat, which upon closer inspection is a small piece of white fish.

"Is that for me?" I ask him, while gesturing to the food on the side table. My stomach grumbling.

"Ah, yes, this is for you. We ate a bit ago but we saved this for you." He says, not looking at me.

"Thank you." I take the plate and sit in the chair next to him, where I start to eat.

"So, what are your plans for tonight?" He asks, looking bored but trying his best to make conversation.

"Well, if you must know, I plan on reading Flowers of Eldoria. What do you plan on doing?" I answered with, finishing my plate of food and setting it back on the table.

"Ah, I do not have a distinct knowledge of the flowers of Eldoria, but I must say that they are different to what you have in Kyrell. Since you asked, I plan on keeping company with the crew. They are a fun bunch, if you get to know them." He replies. As he stands up and makes his way towards the door. "I'll see you tonight, Verena." He says as he shuts the door.

He said my name, I don't know why I got a weird feeling when he said my name. Oh well. What do I know. My body might be overly tired. I sigh as I turn the light on next to the bed on the nightstand. I then get into the bed, noting that the duvet is heavy, really heavy. I get settled in on the side further from the door and get about 10 pages in of the book before my eyes start to droop. That is the last thing I remember.