Undiscovered Origins

Undiscovered Origins - Chapter 20

Chapter 20:

            The morning sunrise hung just over the ocean on the dawn of the seventh day as Jade gazed at it. She was terribly land sick and even had slight variations of sea sickness that she was sure would be stronger if not for the part dryad in her. Yet, she was a tree folk and not a water breed. It felt cold and the gentle breeze forced her arms to chill bumps. She wouldn’t stay out long, but she had to find pleasantness in the long journey across the sea. Every morning she would stand out on main deck, alone, and watch the sunrise. She did the same thing every night to watch the sunset. Although it was a tiring journey, those two events always brought a smile to her face.

            It was one of the most beautiful scenes she had ever witnessed to see the sun either rising or setting on the midst of the ocean. Its glimmering lights sparkling off the gentle waves of the ocean were like that of a painting. She had seen paintings of the sun setting over an ocean before with the emasculate colors brushed on, but it was dull in comparison to the real thing. It was never the same either as she studied each sunrise and sunset to memory. Some days it would be yellows and oranges, while others would be reds and purples that displayed across the sky. She even saw pinks and blues on occasion, but those were rare.

            The only other time she found peace was late into the night when she would walk the deck to find a spot to lay down and gaze upon the stars. The only problem with that was she often ran into the faeries sparkling up the sky which was a beautiful sight, but yet not what she had come out to see. The worst thing about the journey was when she would bump into Selaras. The mermaid, although beautiful, was frustrating and never spoke to Jade unless spoken to first. Words that came out of her mouth were never pleasant and less so when Drake wasn’t around. Her constant flirting still got on Jade’s nerves and she didn’t know why. As far as she was concerned she could have Drake.

            The nights in which she was able to break away from everybody and truly be by herself in the moonlight and starlight were blissful. If she did not find simple pleasures, the trip would surely drive her insane. She slept on a bed down in the bottom of the ship alone and barely warm with the cotton blankets she had found. She didn’t like to be around the others, as the mermaids slept together in tubs of water and the faeries had their own room. There wouldn’t be any rest inside a faerie room she knew. Even throughout the night with them slightly far away she could still hear them giggling far into the night.

            The first night she denied Drake’s sly smile of invitation to join him in the captain’s chambers. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to. She could imagine how warm she would be in the same room as him, especially if she were pressed up against his body and he held her close. Her cheeks warmed at the thought, and she quickly disregarded where her thoughts were taking her. She would not give him the satisfaction of joining him in bed. Besides, he might expect too much of her to share a bed, and that was something she wasn’t not going to lose… not yet… not with him. If he needed someone to warm him bed he could choose Selaras… no not Selaras… anyone but her, or no one.

            A gentle touch on her shoulder broke her of her thoughts and she turned around to see Drake’s soft hand on her. His touch was soothing and warm to her cold fragile body. It made the wind bearable for a few more moments at least. Her knees felt weak now with him so close and she didn’t understand as they were feeling just fine before. She must have needed to sit down; perhaps she had been standing too long. Before she had a chance to move he pulled a jacket seemingly from nowhere and before she could object, and put it on her.

            The jacket was cashmere and a light green in color that reminded her of the trees. She sighed as she remembered how long it had been since she had seen a tree. Unknowingly she gripped the handle of her oak dagger that caused Drake to take a step back. Reluctantly she let go of her grip and turned to face him. He smiled at her and pulled something else out and wrapped around her neck. Looking down, she noticed a darker green scarf made of qiviut. The wools were a blessing to her cold frame and she smiled at him.