Blood Ties

Chapter 26

The pitching and rolling of the ground beneath her coupled with the darkness and dankness of the cell left Star in a daze of nausea and confusion. The tiny space was filled with the acidic, rank smell from the contents of her stomach. She was not fond of sea travel, especially when she could see nothing around her. She couldn't quite keep up with the passage of time; however, she figured around three days had passed since they had thrown her down here, three miserable days without food and with very little water.

Star grudgingly admitted to herself that, in hindsight, 'causing trouble' may not have been her wisest move. The journey to Aqua was at least two weeks by boat, and she desperately prayed she wouldn't be kept in this isolation for the entire trip.

A small light flooded her vision, instantly causing a small amount of warmth to fill the area. Leaning towards the light, she squinted, her eyes adjusting slowly so that she could make out a small figure standing above her.

"J...Jake?" she asked hesitantly, recognizing his kind brown eyes. They twinkled in the pale light of the candle he held and filled the cell with more warmth than the candle ever could.

He knelt, placing the candle to the side and holding out a tray of indistinguishable food. Uncomprehending, she didn't move, watching him warily. Smiling, he wrapped his arm around her and propped her against the back wall of the cell. He pointed at the food and then at her, motioning for her to eat. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she didn't question him, tearing at the food with ferocity. When she was halfway through her meal, she gasped, "Th-thank you. Oh gosh. I'm so rude." She took a long draught of the warm drink he had brought her, clearly not too anxious about offending him.

He raised his hands, smiling, and shook his head. Grateful, she continued, inhaling each bite of food until there was nothing left but a few crumbs. Her gaze rose from her plate to his face, and she grinned crookedly, flushing a bit. "I'm a sight, I know." She didn't feel overly embarrassed, as something in his gaze put her at ease as soon as she saw him.

His smile shrank just a bit, and he tilted his head to the side, giving another shake of his head. Suddenly, a creaking nose from nearby caused them both to jump, and he leapt to his feet, alarmed. He pointed at the door and then at himself, a rueful expression on his face. Star inclined her head and smiled, understanding. "Oh. Thanks again, Jake. That was really sweet."

He nodded, flashing her one more beaming grin, and then vanished the same way he had appeared. But he had left the candle behind.

Gratitude shining on her face, she held the candle close, embracing its momentary heat as a reprieve against the chill of the cell. With the candle's light and warmth caressing her skin and the now-soothing rock of the boat lulling her, she fell asleep, her eyes drifting shut.

Everyday after for about a week, Jake brought food, a candle, water, and good company. He stayed for only minutes at a time, seemingly frightened of someone catching him. Still, she was forever grateful of their stolen visits, and looked forward to each one with delight.

In the wee hours of the sixth day of his visits, he came in with no food and an abashed look on his face. Behind him, Layla followed, her arms crossed and a mixture of terror and anger in her expression. Her features were usually collected, and the sudden surge of emotion emanating from her being was startling. At Star's pitiful appearance, the side of her lips turned up into a smirk.

"Jake has made a very good argument while expressing his concerns for your current...imprisonment," the girl began, her voice flat, "without speaking, somehow. Anyway, I feel the same, now that I am..." Her eyes cut to Jake, another flash of anger and something else igniting her eyes. "...Nearing Aqua. The queen would be displeased at your treatment."