The Mermaid Pirate

Chapter Twenty-Five: Tortuga

Julia's POV ***Might be a tad bit long... Sorry but a lot goes into the chapter and Im actually making an effort to write now ;) Making the story, and writing, better! I promiseeee***

It wasn't until the last of the sun's rays vanished beyond the horizen that I finally stirred from my position on the wooden floor. I have sat here for almost an hour, completely stunned and confused to what just happened. I almost didn't believe that it was even real if it weren't for my lips still buzzing from where his touched mine. 

Blinking, I slowly rise onto my feet, shaking my right foot awake. My heart still is pounding against my chest, ready to burst. I run my fingers through my tangled hair, suddenly embaressed at it's state. New emotions is bubbling inside my stomach and I don't know what emotions they are! Like brand new butterflies growing inside, their wings still delicately soft and fragile not full grown just yet. Still unsure how to fly, still unsure how to feel. 

He had left so quickly. Without another word. Nothing! Leaving me looking like a fool, hand still raised to stike but never meeting it's mark. He paused ever so slightly at the door, and at that moment my heart had lept into my throat but only too fall when he slammed the door behind him. 

Mindlessly, I make my way back to my chambers. My head swirling with an overload of questions and suddenly I doubt the kiss. I sit on the worn down bed, the mattress squeaking sharply from my weight and lower my head into my hands. The kiss... oh my, how shocked I was... shocked how I felt. But what are his motives? I groan inwardly and fall back onto the bed wondering if it was a trick!

What did it mean? Does a cruel man even have emotions like that, I wonder. My head starts to pound painfully, afraid of what this means. Afraid of his feelings towards me... afraid if this is a trick...Suddenly, my body feels exhausted and I curl up under the thin covers of Nate's bed, small tears falling from my eyes. All my thoughts, my questions, causes me to fall into a deep sleep but in my dreams, I dreamt of Nate... Dreaming his intentions are true....

~

When I awoke the next day, I realize it must be late morning or early afternoon! Goodness, I thought to myself, when have I ever slept this much before? Despite all that sleep, I still feel heavyness under my eyes and not at all rested!

I slowly raise myself out of bed and notice a few new things on Nate's dresser. When I come closer, I force myself to look in the mirror, horrified at what I see. The bags around my eyes are so purple that I'm afraid they will never go away! A layer of grime and dirt is visable against my fair skin, I wince in disgust. 

Looking down the new items turn out to be a beautiful silver hairbrush, perfume, a plate of breakfast that now has gone cold, and off to the right a dress! Things that I never thought to be luxery until today! I squeal with excitement to finally change into clean clothes!

I must thank Howell for this, a wonderful man he is! He even left a bucket of luke warm water and a clean cloth for me to wash up! Such a gentle, caring man... Tears forming at the edge of my eyes as I start to brush away the stubborn tangles in my hair.

~

After an hour of tending to myself, I finally finish and my hair is neatly tied back in a loose bun with a white ribbon. I left a few curls to hang around my now clean face. I take the cloth and finish washing the rest of my body before stepping into the shockingly light dress. 

The dress is a tad bit long for me but then again, I usually wear some kind of heel with my dresses, not the plain white slippers provided. The fabric of the dress is some kind of light cotton, dyed a pale pink with silver patterns on the skirt. Sleeves of the dress end just above my elbow with a deep swoop neck making it even more light and airy. On the back of the dress is a row of bottons among my lower back that then dips in a low V towards the center of my back.