Bloodtide

Part 16

Waking up early, I opened my cabin door and looked around. John didn't seem to be near, which was good. I walked out, greeting the crew. They all seemed busy with their duties, and I found Bonham towards the rail and smiled, walking up to him.

"Good morning," I offered as the older man smiled.

"Well, good morning, Miss Ella," he warmly replied.

"You're up early," he joked.

"I got tired of staying in that cabin. I wanted to see if you needed any help with anything or perhaps if I could just hang out with you and the crew," I offered as he nodded.

"I was about to start breakfast. You can lend a hand if you'd like," he said, gesturing towards the galley.

I followed him, feeling a sense of relief to be doing something productive. The galley was a flurry of activity, and I rolled up my sleeves, ready to help. Bonham handed me a knife and some vegetables to chop.

"Ever worked in a ship's galley before?" he asked, watching as I got to work.

"Not exactly, but I've cooked enough to know my way around a kitchen," I replied, focusing on the task at hand.

"Well, you'll fit right in," he said with a grin. "Just watch your fingers. The sea's not forgiving if you get careless."

"This is Bo, Limb, and Knuckle," Bonham introduced me to three fairly young men standing nearby.

"They help me out here and there," he added as I nodded, waving to the men.

"Wow... I ain't never seen a woman as pretty as you," Limb said with a wide grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I chuckled, feeling a bit flattered. "Thank you, Limb," I replied warmly.

Bo, a tall and lanky fellow with a mop of dark hair, gave me a shy smile. "Don't mind Limb. He says that to all the women we meet, which isn't often."

Knuckle, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but he's right this time," he said, his voice deep and gravelly.

"Nice to meet all of you," I said, feeling the warmth of their camaraderie.

We worked in companionable silence for a while, the rhythmic sound of chopping and the scent of cooking food filling the air. It was a simple task, but it felt good to be a part of the crew, even in this small way.

As we worked, Bonham began to talk, sharing stories of his time at sea. He spoke of distant ports and the diverse people he had encountered. His tales were filled with adventure and danger, but also moments of unexpected kindness.

"How long have you been sailing with John?" I asked.

"Ah, Captain Blackeye and I go way back," Bonham replied, a fond look in his eyes. "We've seen our fair share of troubles and triumphs. He's a good man, though he might not show it all the time."

I laughed, thinking of the stern, often gruff captain. "He's... complicated."

Bonham chuckled. "That's one way to put it. But beneath that tough exterior, there's a heart. It just takes a bit of digging to find it."

We continued to prepare breakfast, and soon the aroma of sizzling bacon and fresh bread filled the air. Crew members began to drift into the galley, drawn by the enticing smells. They greeted me warmly, and I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't expected.

As we all sat down to eat, John finally made an appearance. His eyes briefly met mine, and I saw a flicker of surprise there. I gave him a small nod, feeling a strange mix of defiance and respect.

"Morning, Captain," Bonham said, handing him a plate.

John grunted in response, taking his usual seat. He glanced at the food, then at me. "I see you've been busy."

"I thought I'd make myself useful," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily.

He nodded, a hint of coldness. "Well, don't get too comfortable."

As breakfast continued, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. Laughter and conversation flowed, and for the first time since I had been on board, I felt a part of something larger than myself. The crew's camaraderie was infectious.

After breakfast, Bonham and I returned to the deck. The sun was shining brightly, and the sea was calm. It was a perfect day for sailing.

"Bonham, you should go help down below," John instructed, coming from behind and ruining the mood.

"Of course, Captain," Bonham replied, nodding respectfully before turning to me. "Thank you, Bonham," I said, appreciating his kindness and the sense of normalcy he had provided.

"Anytime, Miss Ella," he replied with a warm smile, and then he headed off to tend to his duties.

I turned to face John, who stood there with his usual stern expression. "Captain," I greeted him, trying to keep my tone neutral.

He gave me a brief nod. "I see you're fitting in well with the crew."

"I'm just trying to help out," I replied, meeting his gaze.

He studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Well, just remember, you're under my command."

"And when was that established?" I asked, feeling a flicker of irritation.

"Now," he smirked, walking closer to me, trapping me against the railing again. I always seem to find myself in this situation with him.

"This is my ship and crew... what I say goes," he smiled as I rolled my eyes.

"I don't take commands from you," I whispered, lifting my head high.

"For now, but soon you will... you'll be begging for my command," he said slowly, his eyes trailing down my body as I began to understand his words. He was disgusting.

"You're a dog," I spat, my voice dripping with contempt.

"For you, I'd be anything," he laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night.

I glared at him, refusing to be intimidated. "Do you want me to kick you again?"

"Yeah, maybe this time use your hands," he said, causing me to breathe deeply.

"If you think you can control me, you're sorely mistaken."

He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race despite myself. "No. I'm also here to push your limits."

My fists clenched at my sides, every muscle in my body taut with defiance. "Don't underestimate me."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of challenge and admiration.

I pushed past him, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and annoyance.

As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't look back. I needed to put distance between us, to clear my head and regain my composure. His words echoed in my mind, but I refused to let them affect me. I was stronger than that.