𝑀𝒶𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝑒𝒶 | 𝟏𝟖+

11.

Ellianna Kingston

I might have needed a nap, but I don't remember when I actually fell asleep or why I woke up in the middle of the night.

Disoriented, I sat up, the sheets tangled with my legs, the room was dark, the hue of the night reflecting in my room. My feet met the cold floor, I needed air and space. Staying cooped in my room wasn't doing anyone any favors. Without thinking, I slipped on my hoodie, changed into a pair of shorts, and slid my feet into my slippers.

The boat was eerily quiet, it was late but there still should have been some sound. I made my way down the hall, nobody in sight. I checked my phone to see what was planned, but nothing, it was wiped. Like this cruise never existed.

I walked up the stairs to the top deck, it didn't matter what time it was, this area was always packed.

Seeing each seat empty, every bar counter abandoned, where is everyone?

I heard footsteps coming from behind me. I spun around my pulse racing. There he was— Kairos. His expression so calm.  "Where is everyone?" I tried to be confident, to show him I wasn't scared. He continued walking forward, stopping a few feet away, tilting his head, his gaze locking onto mine.

"They're gone." He said simply as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "I had them leave." My breath hitched, "What do you mean they're gone?" He circled his head, keeping up for a moment before staring back down at me, his eyes wandering to my legs. "I had to make sure we wouldn't be interrupted." He said smoothly. "I cleared the ship. Just you and me now. Few of my guards too."

My body froze. "Why?" I said shakily. "Because I waited long enough, I need you to myself. And now, there's no one here to get in my way."

As my entire body went cold the need to get away from him multiplied. He kicked everyone off?

"You're insane." I whispered taking steps back as Kairos just smiled, like my fear was amusing. "Insane? No love, I just know what I want. Now there's no one here to stop it."

I sprinted toward the elevator, my heart racing as the doors slid shut just in time, locking Kairos out. He lunged for it but missed, and in that split second, everything clicked. He hadn't approached me that first night because he thought I was pretty or lonely. No, he had already preyed me out. And my dumbass fell for it.

I prayed he wasn't waiting on the other side when the elevator doors opened. My breath caught in my throat as they slid apart, and I exhaled in relief, the hallway was empty. Without wasting a second, I bolted toward my room.

I couldn't call Lacy, Lavinia, or anyone. I was stuck in the middle of the fucking ocean with a psychopath.

I tried taking deep breaths, noticing it felt harder and harder. I sat on the bed, my hands tangled in my hair as I tried to hold back the tears that were stinging my eyes.

The room started spinning and each breath I took came in shallow ragged gasps. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst through my chest. I wanted to scream and run away from him, but knowing I had nowhere to go made me feel trapped. Like I was shoved in a box and the key was somewhere in the ocean.

I heard the door swing open and looked up to see Nadia's concerned face. "Elle? What's going on?" She sat next to me wrapping an arm around my trembling shoulders. "It's too much." I tried to get out before she shushed me and hugged me tighter.

Noticing I wasn't calming down she gently grabbed my face with her hands, "It's okay Elle. I promise he's a good man. You're not alone."

The words hung in the air like a slap.