Black Hearted

Part 12

Sean flinched, putting his hands defensively on Mark's chest. This isn't what he had intended. He wanted to bewitch Mark to calm him down. Mark's grip on his neck was light, holding him firmly in the kiss. Sean wanted to hate the kiss. Mark had whipped him. Had hurt him... but something about the kiss was drawing him in. He couldn't stop himself. Mark pushed him back across the bed and pain shot up Sean's injured back. Sean arched back, braking the kiss with a sharp cry. Mark released his neck, opening his eyes to reveal that they were pure gold. Sean rolled onto his side, his eyes locking unblinkingly with Mark's. What had he done to him? Mark started to lower over him again and Sean didn't hesitate to smack him hard across the cheek. Mark staggered away from the bed with a fowl curse. Mark rubbed his cheek, than looked back at him with a horrified glare. Sean relaxed on the bed in relief. Mark's eyes were back to normal and apparently so was his attitude. 

Mark yanked his pistol from his harness, taking aim at him as he stammered out breathlessly. "What did you do to me?!" Sean raised his hands in surrender, rushing out honestly. "It was an accident! I didn't mean to yank the necklace off. You startled me!" Mark tried to walk over to his deck chair, but stumbled, slamming his shoulder into the deck. Sean panted softly, slowly sitting up on the bed. Mark didn't get up. He just sat there against the desk, breathing heavy. His face was hidden beneath his long dark bangs, but his hand was still wrapped firmly around his gun. Sean winced as he climbed off the bed to approach him, asking really worried. "Mark...? Are you alright?" Sean dropped to his knees next to him and Mark's hand shot up to point the gun at his neck. Sean froze to the spot, listening to Mark growl out to him in a dark fearless voice. "Stay back! Don't touch me!" Sean swallowed nervously, telling him sincerely. "Mark, whatever happened... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, I swear."

Mark lowered his pistol, his head jerking back to hit the desk as he groaned in pain. Sean lowered his own hands, watching something purple glow behind Mark's shoulder. He wanted to reach out and examine why, but held himself back. The glow faded away, causing Mark's body to relax. The pain on Mark's face pulled at Sean's heartstrings. He placed a comforting hand on Mark's leg, flinching as Mark's hand raised again to point the pistol at him. Sean clenched his jaw, grabbing the pistol and yanking it from his hand. He gawked at the fact that he succeeded. Mark let his hand limply fall to the floor, telling him in a small defeated voice. "Go on. Use it. Run. It's what you want, right?" Sean looked down at the gun, surprised that he suddenly felt so torn. He could seize this moment to run. This was his moment to go home. Only... his heart was longing for something more. He knew home inside and out. Being so far from home... He felt something calling him.

Sean stood up slowly, his eyes moving off the gun to Mark. Mark panted softly, staring up at him with emotionless eyes. Sean shook his head, tossing the gun on the desk and telling him firmly. "No. I'm not like you." Sean turned, heading for the door. Opening it, Sean walked out across the deck. The deck was clear and his heart lifted. Running to the side of the ship, he pulled himself up onto the side. The dark water bellowed away from the speeding ship in gentle waves, but he hesitated. Gripping the shroud rope tightly, he stared into the water confused. Why couldn't he leave? Why was he afraid to leave the ship? A moment ago, he thought the open ocean was calling to him. Beckoning him to explore its vastness. Now as he stood here, his internal compass was pointing him back. He didn't understand. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Mark leaning against the cabin doorway. Mark was looking at him with a weird expression. Was that hope? Perhaps longing? Why?

Sean turned to face him, asking in a broken voice. "Why can't I escape you?!" Mark didn't answer. Sean glanced back at the water, asking in a shaky voice. "What have you done to me?!" Mark looked away from him with a heartbroken expression, stating out under his breath. "Why did it have to be you." Without another word, Mark retreated back into his cabin and shut the door. Sean took deep breaths trying not to hyperventilate. Was he trapped on this ship? What did Mark mean by that? Sean hugged the shroud rope, feeling sick. This wasn't his magic's doing. Mark really was cursed! Mark's curse had rebuffed his spell and triggered something else! Sean looked toward the horizon. Dawn was coming and it was a beautiful sight. Shades of pinks and deep purples that rose into deep blues of what remained of the starry night sky. He wanted to feel scared... but as he stared at the sunrise, he found himself feeling rather calm. What good would it do him to panic? He was a prince and come hell or high water, he was going to find a rational way out of this.