The journey to Serapha had been a nightmare for Sineka, a harrowing ordeal that left her physically and emotionally drained. Locked away in a cramped room, her only companions were the echoes of her thoughts and the meagre meals that arrived twice a day, a cruel reminder of her diminished status in her father's eyes.
"Please, I need more food," she begged desperately. Her voice trembling with weakness more than fear. "I'm starving."
"A wee lass like you doesn't need more than that," the crew member sneered, "You'll get too big to marry a man if you eat too much."
Sineka's pleas fell on deaf ears as the crew member turned and left, leaving her alone once more with her hunger and despair. By the time they reached Serapha, Sineka could barely recognize herself in the mirror, her once vibrant spirit dimmed by the harsh realities of her captivity.
"This can't be happening," She whispered to herself. "I need to find a way out of here."
Her father's callous words echoed in her mind as he left her alone on the shore, his parting words a cruel reminder of her abandonment. She shivered at the iciness of his voice. "You're no longer my responsibility. If someone thinks they can have you, that's on you."
With trembling hands and a heavy heart, Sineka set out into the unfamiliar streets of Serapha, her fear mingling with a sense of determination as she searched for any sign of hope.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can find the biggest gambling hell?" Her voice shook
The people she encountered seemed to mirror the harshness of the island itself, their cold demeanour and predatory glances serving as a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurked around every corner.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A pretty little thing like you shouldn't be wandering around alone." A man leered.
Her hair pricked with the impediment of danger. "I-I'm just looking for someone. Please, I need to find them."
But despite her fear and suspense, Sineka pressed on, her determination outweighing her doubts as she set out in search of the man she had once believed held the answers to her salvation.
"Please let me find him. Please let him be the man I thought he was." She whispered to herself, her words sounded like frantic prayers as tears pricked her eyes.
_______________
Crocodile's heart pounded in his chest as he rushed through the corridors of the building, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Guilt gnawed at him like a relentless beast, each step a painful reminder of the consequences of his hasty departure from Frostheaven.
As soon as Sineka had departed from his Frostheaven manor, Daz had called to inform him of the marine's presence in the Casino at Serapha and that he was needed there. Crocodile had immediately called the Duskblade Residence with the news of his departure and that he would be back.
The one problem was that Amara had been the one who attended the call and, God knows, what had become of the information.
He regretted leaving Sineka behind at Frostheaven.
Even if Crocodile had only encountered her step-sister and had a small indirect dealing with her father, everything told Crocodile that Sineka was not safe at her own house. It was a game of survival for Sineka there and she had been doing her best. But a person alone with no resources to call their own could do only so much.
So, he had promised himself that he would be going back as soon as was done and come back here immediately with Sineka as his wife. He would be wasting no time.
As he mused over the woman and tried to complete his pending work as fast as possible, Daz barged into the office. Mr. 1, the usually calm and collected man, was not as composed. He was fidgeting and trying to form his words.
"You need to see this," he spoke at last and Crocodile was on his feet. Something had rattled Daz and it was going to be one hell of a pain to deal with.
_______________
As he entered the front yard of his property, he witnessed a large crowd, of mostly men and some subdued wives, he increased his pace. A feeling of nausea hit his gut. Something was there that he might only like.
Daz had already parted the crowd and Crocodile could only pause at the scene he saw. A body lay there, with familiar knots of cinnamon hair, dressed in Olive garments too thick for a desert island.
He groaned and cursed beneath his breath as he ran towards the body. Crouching down on his knees, he rolled the body towards him, only to curse again, loudly. He recognized the face too well but the thin wrists and too sharp cheeks were unfamiliar. Something had happened between his departure and Sineka's sudden appearance here that he knew he would not like.
He turned towards Daz, barking, "Have a skilled doctor brought in, it is an emergency."
"On it."
He pulled Sineka in his arms as he stood, only to realize again that she had become too thin to be healthy.
Walking into his establishment and up the stairs to his room, he felt himself get out of breath. He was not tired. He was livid.
YOU ARE READING
A Bride for the Desert King | Crocodile
Fiksi Penggemar"Marry me," she commanded, almost. Crocodile narrowed his eyes at the impertinence of the woman who stood in front of him. "Ara," he heard Ms All Sunday mutter amusedly. "Who are you?" "Sineka Duskblade," she replied.
