The Masquerade Ball (A tale of Eswor Book 1)

Waking Up

I woke up to a pounding sensation in my head and a throbbing pain near my waist. I opened my eyes, but then shut them as my eyes were sensitive to the light. I tried sitting up, only to feel pain rushing through my body. I opened my eyes and gasped. I started coughing, and blood spurt out of my mouth.

I spit out the blood in a goblet that was on the nearby table. I put the goblet back on the table and leaned my head against the head board. I looked around and figured out that I was in Cole's quarters. I blushed slightly. Why would he bring me here? Wouldn't it have caused suspicion among everyone? Unless if he-- The door opened disturbing my thoughts.

"Are you sure she's okay?" Kinnley asked.

"Of course Captain. We did have Kit take care of her wounds, and you know how skilled she is in medicine."

Kinnley sighed. "Well if you say so. I'll go check up on her." I heard Kinnley open the door to the bedroom and walk in. I looked in his direction and put on my best smile.

"Hi Kinnley." My voice was hoarse from not talking for a while. Kinnley smiled and ruffled my hair.

"Kava." He bent down and gave me a hug. He rubbed some hair away from my sweaty forehead. "Opal and I were so worried as were the other two."

I nodded. "I'm sorry for worrying you." Kinnley smiled and kissed my forehead. "I should go get Cole and Derrick and let them know that your okay."

Moments later, Cole entered the room. His shirt was rumpled and he was sweating. It looked like he ran here when Kinnley found him. Cole rushed towards me. Before I could say anything, his lips pressed against mine briefly. Cole pulled away and rested his forehead on mine. "I was so worried about you. After I brought you here and Kit went to work, I went to go cool off." He sat on the edge of the bed.

I took his hand in mine and kissed his knuckles. "It's okay. I'm fine."

"Good. Kit said that you have to stay in bed for at least another day or so."

"How long was I out?" I looked up at Cole.

He pondered. "At least a day." He looked at me. "I'm just happy you're alive."

"Have you told anyone about us?" I looked up at him. He kissed the back of my hand and smirked.

"Not unless you want me to?"

"Let's keep it a secret for now okay?"

"Alright. But if someone tries to take you away, then I'm telling everyone that you're mine."

I blushed and looked away. The way he called me his made my insides feel weird. He chuckled and leaned towards me. I turned my head and our lips met. Cole deepened the kiss, which made my stomach twist and turn. We pulled apart just as the door opened revealing Derrick. Derrick looked at Cole. I could sense a weird tension between the two of them, something must have happened when I was unconscious. I put my hand on Cole's arm. He seemed to relax a little bit.

I looked at Derrick. "Your highness what a pleasant surprise."

Derrick rubbed his neck. "How are you feeling?"

I smiled slightly. "I'm feeling great actually. Hopefully I will be up and running tomorrow."

Derrick nodded. "Just don't rush yourself." He gave Cole a curt nod. "Until later then." Derrick left, closing the door behind him.

I sighed and looked at Cole. "Did something happen between the two of you?"

Cole shrugged, his eyes not meeting mine. "It's nothing. You however need to rest."

I rested my forehead on Cole's shoulder. "I'm not tired I just woke up." Cole chuckled, as he lifted my face up.

"You are going to sleep and get better. That's an order."

I huffed, then looked at him sheepishly. "Can you stay with me?"

Cole grinned lopsidedly. "Of course, anything for you." He kissed my forehead and held me as I drifted off to sleep.

~~~~~

Kinnley slammed his hands on the table. After Cole brought me back he had some guards bring in the man who tried to kill me. Kinnley was interrogating him now trying to figure out everything. I was sitting on a chair observing the interrogation. The man had been difficult at first, but after forcing a truth poison down his throat, the answers were spilling out of his mouth like a waterfall.

"What kind of poison was on that arrow?"

The man smirked. "One that doesn't have an antidote or a name. It spreads through the body immediately however, it also kills the person within a span of time. It depends on how much damage is done to the body." The man glanced at me. "The more trouble she gets into and the more times she gets physically hurt, then the worse her problems will be in three years time."

"Who hired you?"

The man tried to hold it in, but it was in vain. "The Pirate King."

I tensed and stood up slowly and stiffly. My wound was still fresh and tender. I glared at the man. "Who is the Pirate King?"

The man shrugged. "I don't know. He was wearing a cloak and just paid me to do his dirty work."

Kinnley sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He looked at me then looked away. "Guards, take this man back to his cell."

I stood up and walked over to Kinnley. "I'm not going to let this discourage me. You know that right?"

Kinnley nodded. "Yes. But that's also why you have to be careful." He turned around and looked at me. "Don't tell anyone about this, especially about the poison. Keep it to yourself. We don't want to worry anybody, especially Derrick."

I nodded. "I understand."