DARK PARADISE

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

🧞‍♀️~ listen to the music above ^^ from the start to go along with the tension 😩

The ship had returned to its usual rhythm, but beneath the surface, the tension still simmered. I had stayed in the storage room trying to calm the racing thoughts that had taken over my mind. Caspian had been so close—too close.

A light knock on the door drew me back to the present. Armin slipped inside, his expression reassuring but serious. "You should come up to deck," he said, his voice steady. "It's safe now."

I hesitated for a moment, then followed him out. As we stepped into the open air, the crew was already back to their routines, even though an undercurrent of unease lingered. I glanced around and spotted Eren at the helm, deep in conversation with Hitch. His presence was impossible to ignore, commanding, self-assured with an edge of danger that made my heart skip a beat.

Eren turned, his sharp green eyes locking onto mine as I approached. His gaze swept over me, lingering on the curves of my figure with an intensity that felt almost tangible. There was a weight in his stare, one that made it clear he knew more than I wanted him to know. Armin had said nothing specific, but I could feel a shift in the air—Eren was aware of my true identity, at least in part.

His eyes trailed over me, calculating but not unkind. I could almost see the questions forming in his mind, the demands for answers that would soon follow. The way he held my stare, calm yet probing, made it clear that whatever happened next would depend on what I chose to reveal.

As I stood there under his scrutiny, the burden of my situation pressed down harder. My secrets were no longer mine alone, and the reality of how precarious my position had become was beginning to sink in.

Eren's eyes wavered on me for a moment before he nodded towards a door leading below deck. "We need to talk," he said, his voice low and firm, leaving no room for argument.

He turned and headed down the narrow staircase, and I followed, the tension between us palpable. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of irritation and something else—something I didn't want to examine too closely. The man was undeniably captivating, with his striking features and that intense, piercing gaze that seemed to see right through me. But this wasn't the time to get distracted by how fucking attractive he was.

He led me into a small, private cabin—a space that seemed almost too confined with both of us inside. The cabin was modest but functional, with maps and charts scattered across the desk, and a large weathered map of the seas pinned to one wall. The scent of salt and wood filled the air, mingling with the faint, smoky aroma of burning lantern oil. He shut the door behind us, and the click of the latch sounded far too final.

Eren turned to face me, arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression hard to read. For a moment, he just looked at me—really looked at me, his gaze sweeping over me as if he were assessing every detail, every secret I might be hiding. I could feel the weight of his scrutiny, his eyes lingering on the curve of my neck, the rise and fall of my breath, before finally settling on my eyes.

"You've caused quite a stir, you know that?" he began, his tone measured but with an unmistakable edge. "With those jewels and Caspian's interest, this isn't just a coincidence. What exactly is your story?"

I felt a flash of irritation at his tone, at the way he was looking at me like I was some puzzle to be solved. "You really think I planned any of this?" I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended. "Trust me, this wasn't how I imagined things going."

Eren's eyes narrowed slightly, his suspicion clear. He took a step closer, the small space between us shrinking even further. "So what is it then? What are you really doing here?" his voice was low, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "Were you sent to spy on us? To gather information?"

A spark of anger flared in me at the accusation. I stepped forward, refusing to let him intimidate me, despite the way my pulse quickened at his nearness. "A spy?" I repeated, incredulous. "Do I look like I'm here to gather information? If I were a spy, don't you think I'd have a better cover-up than showing up with a bag of jewels and no plan?"

Eren's stare bore into mine, the intensity in his eyes making it hard to focus on anything but the heat between us. "You've got a lot of nerve," he said, his voice dropping even lower, almost a growl. "You show up on my ship, bring all this trouble with you, and you just expect me to take your word for it?"

I held his stare, my own anger simmering just beneath the surface. "I didn't ask to end up in this situation or be here," I retorted, my voice steady, ignoring the rapid beat of my heart. "But I'm telling you the truth, I ran from Caspian because I had no other choice."

For a long moment, neither of us spoke, the air between us unravelling with tension. Eren's gaze flicked down to my lips, just for a second, before he forced his eyes back to mine. He was close now—too close—and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. The room seemed to shrink around us, the walls pressing in until all I could focus on was him—his presence, his intensity, the undeniable pull between us.

Leaning in, his breath tickling my ear, Eren whispered, "If you're lying to me, it won't end well for either of us, princess." His voice was low and edged, sending a shiver down my spine.

"You're putting my crew at risk, whether you mean to or not," he said, his voice carrying a serious unyielding tone. "If you really are who you say you are, then Caspian won't stop until he finds you. And that's what going to make things complicated for all of us."

I took a breath, trying to steady myself. "I know," I said quietly, guilt gnawing at me. "I never wanted to involve you or your crew. But now that I'm here... I don't have anywhere else to go."

Eren's eyes remained cold and focused. "This isn't over," he said, his voice resolute and devoid of any softness. "You're on my ship, which means your problems are my problems. But understand this—I'm watching you. I need to be sure you aren't a threat to my crew."

I met his gaze, the intensity between us still simmering. "I understand," I said quietly.

Eren gave a curt nod, stepping back and opening the door. "For now, you should go. Stay out of sight and keep your head down."

He didn't need to say more. I could tell he wanted to be alone with his thoughts. I nodded, turning to leave. As I stepped out into the hallway, I let out a slow, shaky breath, feeling the residual heat of the tension slowly dissipate. The intensity of the moment still remained, leaving me slightly off-balance but the weight of it began to lift, even as the uncertainty of my situation was far from over.