Sequel to CAPSIZE
The adventure continues as Celia finally escapes Elizabeth's iron grasp, but the horrors that await the recently free, seemingly happy couple surpass their expectations.
Set in 1500s America
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Shouldn't you be in your quarters preparing for the worst?" Daniel inquired, placing a hand on his belt.
"It's just a small storm, the worst that could happen is someone be stricken with fever," Andrew said as he plopped back into his seat. He propped his feet up on the table in front of him and crossed his ankles, folding his arms over his chest in a reclined position. His eyes flickered back and forth between Daniel and Celia, lingering a little longer on her than she had wanted.
"Yeah, don't sweat too much about someone possibly dying," Daniel said. He rolled his eyes and walked over to the cook who stood by the fireplace. "The Lady Styles requires provisions to see her through the storm."
The cook complied and scoured the kitchen for food, placing loaves of bread and an arrangement of fruit in a woven basket along with wine and fresh water while Celia stood by the entry of the room with her jaw clenched and eyes averted from Andrew.
He found her stiffness amusing, fighting back a smile that toyed at his sickening lips. "Why do you avoid me, Lady Styles?" Andrew asked.
Daniel snapped his head in the direction of Andrew and cast a glare his way. He studied Andrew, waiting to see his next move. Celia remained stone-still in the threshold.
"You act as if I am the plague," he continued.
"Perhaps you are, Doctor Tallis," Celia responded flatly, not lifting her eyes to his.
"Oh, on the contrary," he said, sitting upright and placing his feet firmly on the ground. He twisted his body and leaned forward so that he faced Celia. "I am the remedy to the plague that is death. Remember, m'lady, the power that I hold."
The anger that Celia had held inside of her for the past month after Andrew had made his advances toward her had been simmering, but after the words that he had spoken left his mouth, it was boiling. She whipped her head in his direction and narrowed her eyes to crescents. "The power that you hold is nothing but a slew of powders and mixtures, something that a simple scullery maid could conjure up and claim to cure all illnesses. You are not a skilled physician, and you do not hold the power of life and death in your palms—you are not God."
The words spilled out in a flurry, leaving the room silent as everyone hung on to her final word. She jutted her jaw out and took in a deep breath as the buildup of anger subsided, retreating back inside of her to a tucked away space and allowing for the feeling of calm to take over her senses. She exhaled slowly and returned her jaw to its usual relaxed position before tearing her sharp gaze away from Andrew and sending a softened one over to Daniel, who stood speechless beside the equally shocked cook.
Daniel instantly reached for the basket and nodded to the cook as a silent thanks before walking across the room to Celia. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he spun her around and led her out of the kitchen, closing the door tightly behind him.
They were about halfway down the hallway when a muffled chuckle escaped Daniel's lips. Celia shot her eyes up to his. "Well done, Firecracker," he said with a proud smirk, "well done."
✿
The ship rocked throughout the night, keeping Celia awake. Normally, she would not mind the movement, but with the stress the storm was causing her, it only added to her inability to sleep.
She lay in the bed that Daniel had kindly given up and stared up at the ceiling, the wooden boards creaking occasionally with the footsteps of the crew above hard at work to keep the ship stable against the colossal waves. Rain would fall through the cracks of the wood, splattering onto her forehead. Her eyelids grew heavier, and for a moment she thought she might finally sleep, but as a roar of thunder cracked and the ship tipped, her eyes snapped wide open.
Daniel rolled over on the floor, and Ana slept with her back firmly against the wall next to the cradle where Nerissa napped through the storm. Celia wondered how anyone was able to relax as the sea raged against the boat, tossing it around like a small toy, and the rain descended from the sky like bullets from a gun.
A sudden fussy cry came from Nerissa. Ana jolted awake and wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and Celia sat upright immediately. The cry transformed into a shriek, piercing the silent night like a knife through flesh. Daniel finally woke up, rubbing his eyes groggily as he surveyed the room for the source of the sudden scream.
Ana scooped up Nerissa and padded across the room to Celia, knowing she would want to hold her child. "She's drenched in sweat, ma'am," Ana said, voice croaky from sleep, as she handed her off to Celia.
She took her daughter and held her damp body close to her own. Nerissa's face was flushed and her tiny lips trembled as she wailed. Celia swayed her back and forth, shushing her softly. "She's as warm as a fire."
"I'll fetch the doctor," Ana said. She stood and headed for the door, placing a hand on the knob when Daniel's voice stopped her from continuing.
"No," he said sternly.
Celia, who was juggling Nerissa in an attempt to soothe her, sent her eyes to him. She furrowed her brows, torn on what to do. "But, Daniel—"
"You said it yourself, he's not a skilled physician. I've seen his work first-hand, all he does is prescribe some random herbs or powders, and hopes for the best. I can guarantee he has no training of importance, all he will say to do is bleed her, and what if that's not what she needs?"
Celia swallowed hard and looked back down at her baby. Nerissa's skin was hot to the touch, and the beads of sweat on her forehead and neck only multiplied. "We will wait, Ana," she said.
"Ma'am—"
"We will wait," she repeated, eyes wide and frantic as she shot them over to Ana before returning them to her child.
"She probably caught a fever from the rain," Daniel said. He walked over to Celia's side and offered to take Nerissa. She agreed hesitantly and passed the baby off to him. He placed her back into the crib and took off the sheet that acted as her clothing. "Ana, get a wet cloth or sheet—something to bring down her temperature."
Ana complied, although every fiber in her being was screaming at her to get the doctor. She returned to the side of the crib and placed the damp cloth to Nerissa's flaming red skin.
"Daniel," Celia said, her voice feeble. He looked up at her to find tears gathering in her crystal blue eyes. "Find Harry."
