The Fallen Stars

Chapter 26 Damião

I light up the candle on my map table.
I hear a small faint gasp... not even so noticeable.
But I heard it, I know why she gasped. My back is bare. Showing my scars.

I turn to look at her.

Her hair is in a loose braid. She's wearing a white nightgown, and the blankets cover most of her body.

Her eyes showed sympathy, worry, and curiousness. But not fear... strange.

My heart starts to beat a bit faster, which is even stranger.

I started to feel that my scars made this situation uncharted waters, and I, which I'm not sure if one of us was even prepared to sail the uncharted waters and could take the surprises.

Do you fancy my cousin?" I ask out of the blue.

My mouth just opened up, and these pathetic words came falling out.

THIS BLOODY WOMAN!

'Does she fancy my cousin?'

Seriously? Bloody hell Damião! You're a Pirate Prince! Don't be so PATHETIC!

"What?" She asks dumbfoundedly.

Oh, for the locker of Davy Jones!

I take in a breath

"Do you like my cousin... Theo?" I ask again, and clenche my jaw.

She frowns.

"Um... well, yeah, I guess... he's a nice guy." She answers, unsure.

My heart sank to the bottom of the ocean. For why I can not fathom.

But I look at her face, and there she watches my heart sink. I shake the odd feelings away.

"Right... I just want to warn you... he might hurt you... he's a loyal friend but lover? I have my dooubts." I say, scrambling for the words.

Her brows turn down into a frown.

"Um.. okay, I'll keep that in mind then." She says, smiling with the frown.

I start to look around my room, even though I know it so well... I can't look at this... this... forbidden treasure. That Cleo sent me... so that I could fail my mission!

Well, Cleo, the sea witch, can send all the treasures she likes. I will not fall for anyone!

"Okay." I whisper.

"Can I ask a question?" She asks with a small grin.

I nod.

"Do you have someone? A lover... back home?" She asks nonchalantly.

"I don't do lovers... I can't waste my time like that. And what's the use? The heart will always get hurt or broken." I answer angrely.

I instantly regret saying it with that tone... her face turns into a strange emotion.

I look down at my bare feet.

Great...

I peek up at her. She's looking down at her hands that are resting on her lap.

I turn around to blow out the candle.
And I walk back to my bed.
Throughout the night, I hear her tossing and turning... she didn't sleep at all.

Neither did I.

***

As I stare into Esme's eyes, I start to feel strange again in my chest.
And then a shuffle of feet broke the spell.

Ainsley.

She smiles at him, her eyes getting teary again.

"Well, I better get going... I'll see you in two days... you'll be dancing at the Full Moon festival!" Ainsley says excitedly.
He gives her a tight hug.