The Belladonna

Chapter 8

Harry's POV:

My mind was still spinning after talking to Bella and discussing all of our plans. Drake was really a prince? All the times that we've talked, he dropped a few hints of being important, but I always thought that he was just bragging because of how much he loved himself. The knowledge of him actually telling the truth is a shock to me. 

I huffed as I looked away from Louis, seeing Bella giving me a very cryptic stare. I give her a smile, hoping to ease her mind and she smiles back, but it doesn't reach her eyes like it normally does. I frown slightly but I don't want to push her right now. 

She keeps blaming herself for all of this but it isn't her fault. She couldn't have known how dangerous those men were and they just seem to target her for reasons I don't know. Maybe it is because she's a woman, or it's just because they want to get to me through her. 

I hate when they do that. I hate Bella being in trouble; I know she isn't weak, but she's got too much of a soft heart. Because she won't kill anyone it puts her at a big disadvantage, which makes people want to go after her. Of course she holds her own on most occasions, but eventually it's going to get her into trouble. I don't want her to ever have to be in a situation that would make her regret her actions, so there's this overprotective urge I have to just keep her safe and sheltered.

Bella hates it, I know she does, she has this stubborn mindset that she can take care of herself without anyone having to help her, but I know deep inside she has this fear of facing someone that will kill her. Every pirate has that fear. We want to continue our lifestyle and have fun, but there's always that small whisper inside your head telling you that there is going to be someone out there that is stronger than you, able to kill you. 

I came out of my thoughts with a sigh, shaking my head. Bella doesn't have to be so hard-headed about protecting herself. Even though she doesn't know it, she protects me a lot. I would've never made it this far if it hadn't been for her, because she is a sort of mediator on this ship. She contains everyone and keeps them grounded, something that I couldn't do with my own crew. Call it women's intuition or whatever you like, but half our crew would be dead and gone without her.

I walk over to Bella, who is now looking over the side of the rails at the sea. I smile to myself as I see her standing there. She looks stunning, how her long blonde hair just moves in the wind as she looks content and at peace as she looks at the calm blue seas. I could never grow tired of seeing her like this, it's actually one of my favorite things in the world.

"We'll be landing in a few hours." I say gently, wrapping my arms around her waist and I hear her sigh, relaxing against me. "That's good. The ship needs to just rest for a little while, and so do we." she says and I chuckle. "That's true, I suppose." I murmur, looking at the sea with her.

"I guess it's good we're going to France. It's a lot shorter." she tries to joke and I smile at her attempt. "Yeah, I guess spending time in a country that doesn't want me dead is a good idea too. Not as much stress to deal with." I tease and she frowns. 

"I was trying not to mention that." she mutters and I sigh, moving beside her. "I don't care if you mention it or not, Bella, I promise you that. It doesn't bother me that much." I say, which was a half-truth. It doesn't bother me as much as it should, actually. I'm just more shocked that Drake told the truth for once in his life.

"Okay, if you say so." she says and I give her a kiss on the cheek, seeing her blush slightly. "I know so." I say and he gives me a look. "Now my lady, you need to prepare yourself for our landing. I know a few good inns at the port we will land at, so you'll be treated to a wonderful evening." I say with a wink and she laughs, the beautiful sound making me smile.

"I will get myself 'ready'." she teases, rolling her eyes at me and I smile at her. This is what I like. I don't want any of this to change just because of some bounty that I have on my head. I still want us to be the same, happy couple. 

As I leave Bella to her thoughts and go over to see how the crew was doing, a grin comes to my face. I had big plans for tonight with Bella, and there was going to be a surprise that she'll never forget.

***

We landed by mid-afternoon, the sun not directly in the middle of the sky, but slowly dropping. After we disembarked from the ship, the crew began to disperse, going to different little inns that they wanted. Niall, Louis, Liam, and Zayn were following Bella and I, going to the same inn we were. 

People gave us all strange looks as we passed by but I shrugged it off. Everyone gives us weird looks now. Mostly because we have Bella with us and she looks more refined than the rest of us. Oh well, I could care less. 

We got to our inn and got rooms, excited that Bella and I would be in the same room. Tonight was hopefully going to be a success, but there was a small part of me that was nervous. I should've done this a long time ago, but I haven't been able to make myself do it. 

Getting settled in was easy enough, but I had to make an excuse for me to leave, so I decided to drag the other four boys with me. 

"I'm going out for some supplies with the other four. I'll be back later today." I say and she smiles, nodding her head. "If you want, I could come with you?" she suggests and I shake my head. "No, you need to kick back and relax. Walk around town a little if you want, just don't go too far." I say, kissing her forehead and she nods. 

"That sounds good." she agrees and I leave the room, dragging all the others out of their room, looking at their confused faces. "I need your help with something." I say lowly and they nod, still looking confused.

I whisper my plans to them and they begin to smile. "You're finally manning up!" Louis says laughing, clapping me on the back and I feel my face get hot from embarrassment. "Shut up!" I say, the five of us leaving the inn to go looking for what I need.

We begin to go through the town, searching left and right for the perfect store. Finally we come upon a little jewelry shop that had some options that I could look at.

I spend a good half hour in that shop arguing with the owner about the prices and looking at the quality of stones he had there. I finally got him to lower the price whenever I wouldn't back down, and I got what I needed. Smiling to myself and thanking the owner, I left with a box in my hand. I stuffed it into one of my pockets no problem, concealing it so that I wouldn't look suspicious.

I began to look around for the boys and found them standing in front of something I couldn't really see. "Guys, I got it. I think it's going to be perfect." I say as I approach them, turning around as if to make sure Bella wasn't following us like the stubborn little girl she was. I was satisfied whenever I saw she was nowhere in sight.

"Harry, you might want to look at this." Louis mutters lowly, making me turn towards them. All four of them were looking at what I could now see was a board with papers hung all over it and I raised my eyebrows. "What is it?" I ask, going over to them and looking. Louis pointed at a poster and my eyes widened, my heart clenching tight as I saw a wanted poster. But it wasn't of me. No, not at all. 

It was of Bella.

And you know I love me some cliffhangers haha xD What do you think of this one? Bella has a wanted poster! I love hearing from you guys, so please let me know what you think of this chapter!!