paradise

Chapter 16

My sister was already crossed the distance between her and Charles. The crew scrambled to grab her falling over themselves to do so. It would have been a funny sight if I wasn't in shock. It was too late.  She has landed a punch to his face. As he stumbled a bit and regained his composure Malik had decided one hit was enough.

" Enough!" I looked to Damien who seemed to work faster then me. He threw the dress I had worn earlier over my head. He moved with grace and a calming manner as if this was a scene that bored him. I grew my legs and did not have the same luck. I stumbled my way through the sand still in a daze as to what my brother had done. Damien stood in front of Charles. Those eyes. Those eyes as he looked at Charles were cold deep and black. I could barley feel the sand or the breeze as I process the scene in front of me.

Malik spoke first.

" I promised I would not tell father. I did however have a long talk with your fiancé and we are here to take you back. You have a duty." He looked to me as he spoke.

My ears were ringing.

"No." My words were low as I struggled to breathe.

"No?"

"Yes." It was Charles who spoke. I looked to him and for the first time I did not see the guilt. I saw determination. Damien stood strong still in place. Yet, he now looked to me. His eyes. His eyes now felt almost faltering in confidence. No. This was not Damien. This was the man back at the cabin begging me to choose him.

"No." I spoke louder with more confidence.

" I will not go back with you . I am not yours. By the goddess I was never yours." I spoke directly to Charles who with ever word seemed to get angrier and angrier. I ran to Damien. He wrapped his arms around me holding me close. I brought my lips to his ear. Looking across the ocean I had made my choice. He was my sea. He was my everything.

"Fight for me."

——————————————
From what I was told when I was a boy the Goddesses and Gods looked upon our people and saw two souls. Both were lost in the sea on the ends of the earth. They would pray and sing to the Gods and Goddess to find someone. They soon we're blessed with a pull. A bond. A mate. Someone to find. The two souls swam and swam day and night until they found each other. They found the string that attached their souls to be together until the end of time.

I always would remember my dad telling me this story and how he met my mom. He would tell me about her kind heart but strong will to make things just and right. I never got to meet her, but dreamed to become the amazing person she was. I also dreamed to find my other half. What I didn't dream of was the arrangement of Marrige.

I sat in Damien's cabin with Andrianna, Malik, Damien, and Charles. Nothing was said. The air was so thick it was suffocating. Damien had something to attend to in the smaller islands near pirates way. We tried, key word tried, to leave my brother and Charles, but they didn't need to put up a fight long before Damien allowed them on board. Now I sit wondering who to blame for this suffocation. Damien seemed to be in his own world. I hoped he had a plan. The plan being what?.... Im not sure. I looked over to Charles who stood tall. Well, as told as his awkward position would let him. He seemed quiet uncomfortable in his new legs.

I took to the time to really look at him and understand what I liked about him. Truthfully I couldn't even think of anything besides his looks. That once sweet boy was gone and so my crush was gone with it. I looked back to Damien who was already looking at me with a volcano in his eyes. Jealousy. Looking back at Charles I looked again and laughed. Everyone turned to me in a concerned manner. I looked to Damien with a smile. The look intensified. He gripped the top of his sword ready to use it. He was ready to fight even with uncertainty. He was ready to be mine.

"Damien let's get some air." I stood up and walked to the decorated wooden door that separated me from the rest of the world.

I could feel Damien's hand on the small of my back as we walked to the front of the ship.

"Suffocating..." I mumbled with a frown. I had no idea what anyone was thinking. The winds were against me. I was backed into a corner again where I was expected to obey without my opinion.

" Love." I looked up to Damien at that moment and sighed looked back down to the ground.

"Princess. You have the final word. You have a say. This is your life. Even I can't stop your decision on what to do next." There was a pause and I looked back up to see him looking out on to the horizon.

"You are my world. I have sailed for years. I have had the last word. You are my breath of air.  Freeing me from the self hate I put myself through. I will follow."

"Aye captain. Where you go we follow." I turned to find my sister and the crew gathered. I had come to know these men better over this time. Not everyone was friendly, but they knew respect and loyalty. I had earned that. I had given them a reason to follow and trust their captain.

" Thank you." I looked over the crew. I looked across to my sister. My eye rested on Malik who held an angry expression.

I was ready. I was done being the one who followed other peoples order. I was ready to step into my role. If Malik wanted me to fulfill my duty then so be it. Careful what you wish for.

——————————
Authors note: idk how this has so many reads lol I started this book when I felt like I was helpless but I'm in a much different situation. I am changing some things around. Hopefully by the time this is out my editing is done.

P.S
May be a bit slower due to work and haunt session about to start.