The Cursed

Chapter Seven

Lilura

The wind has faded from the sky as the sun begins to shine from beneath the deathly clouds. I yawn as a knock dances to my ears.

"Hello?" I fall into my pillows. My words seem to twirl before falling on the knocker's ears.

"May I enter?" Everette's tired voice answers me.

"Yes, please do," I say while quickly adjusting my silk nightgown and my covers. I sit up in bed and run my hands hurriedly though my tangled curls.

"You look better then yesterday," Everette remarks while tucking his hands into his trouser pockets.

"You seem to have taken my look then, for you look dreadful." Everette laughs, his dark eyes shining like stars. His grumpy mood from yesterday must have fallen with the moon. "Was the storm bad?"

"Terrible, but we will have only lost a few days. We will be the Iris Kingdom very soon." Everette walks over the bed and sits in the edge. I shift against my pillows. The name of the kingdom sends chills over my skin as if I had jumped into the cold sea.

"How wonderful," I say before starting to hum. Everette smiles with my tune.

"Why do you hum?" He ask, turning his head so his eyes can bore into mine. It seems almost as if he could see my soul or a past life. I chew my cheek.

"I'm not sure. The sounds of the situation seem to rise from me and I can't hold them. To stay silent would be a curse upon me." Everette considers me for a moment.

"And your palms?" He says while grabbing my hand that's twisted in my hair. He looks at the crescent cuts and scars. The warmth from his hand soaks into mine. I gulp before tugging my hand out of his and tossing the bed covers of me. I quickly walk to my closet. I feel his eyes follow me.

"You'll have to leave, I'm getting ready. I'll meet you and the crew for breakfast." I turn and face the various fabrics hanging. I stand still, praying he will leave without a fuss. I hear the bed creak and sheet rustle. The door croaks open and shuts with a gentle click. I let out a breath before humming and looking through my many dresses. My crescent scars are my story to share at my bidding. For now, they are a secret.

Once I've selected a cream dress with lace reaching from my collar bone to my neck and a sheer fabric covering an inside black fabric from my collar bone to just below my knees. I select a golden headpiece with chains mixing with my raven hair. I dance around the room and leave its confines. The warm breeze lifts my spirits as I see Everette perched by railing. His forearms lean on it while he scan the clear sea. White clouds drift lazily in the air. The tang of salt floats in the air. I skip to Everette and join him looking at the sea.

"My Captain," I say.

"Lilura," he says quietly in response. I turn away from the waters and look at his silhouette. His strong jaw and cheekbones stand out against his full lips and sharp nose. His hair hangs over his forehead as his storming eyes scan the horizon.

"I clutch my nails to my palms because it calms me." The words claw their way up my throat and come out as more than a whisper.

"Even when you draw blood?" I nod. Everette's hand grabs one of my own. He continues to stare at the ocean as his rough fingers trace the scars. I begin to hum and watch the gentle rise and fall of the water. We stand by the railing for several minutes, my hand captured in his, our gazed fixed on the water.

A rough growl draws my mind to reality. I quickly tug my hand away and turn to see a familiar copper haired guard.

"Alan, hello. I was going to eat, would you care to accompany me?"

"Yes, shall we?" He expands an arm which I grasp giggling. We walk away and I turn back to see Everette staring at us. He winks at me when catch his eyes. I erupt in giggles again as Alan tugs me to the delicious smells of breakfast.

"Walter! You're above deck," I shout when I see the older man. He grins and winces.

"Hush Lilura, my happiness from today was stolen to last night. Ye however don't seem to have any problem," he grumbles. I giggle and tug out of Alan's grasp. The crew sits at two long tables pushed together. Their voices rise causing them to speak louder. The tantalizing smell of pastries fills the air. Walter leans on one of the tables, a plate overflowing with biscuits coughed in his hand.

"What do you recommend I eat today?" I say, twirling in of my curls. Walter lets or a booming laugh.

"None of it, it's all far too stale-"

"Hush, I love your food." I playfully slap his arm and voice away to fetch a plate. I see Alan standing by the door. His bright eyes scan the room. He reminds me of a fox, always alert, ears up. His unusual hair only adds to the comparison. As I admire his physique, the way his muscles are outlined when he crosses his arms, and his string jaw, a hush falls over the dining room.

Simultaneously, the crew stands and bows at the door. Alan remains upright, but his gaze is fixed on the floor. I turn to see who caused such a commotion. As I spot the tall figure, my heart sinks. Heat rises to my cheeks as my fingers begin to feel like ice. The air grows think as I gasp for any breath to fill my lungs. I clutch my chest and inhale sharply. The smell of rotting flesh hits me first then the cinnamon. The spice burns my nose, hiding the first scent well. Fiery eyes lick up the room, tasting every drop, savoring the submission from the crew. The eyes scorch a trail through the room and find me. They capture me as the red inferno in them is unleashed. I sink to the ground and crumple at the stare of the Queen.

The visions fades just as fast as it comes. I look around the room. The crew are still seated. No one looked at my sudden outburst. Instead of the Queen, Everette walks in. His steps echo in the room as the crew bows to him. He walks towards me while the crew sits and take their conversations up again. He leans down and brushes the curls away from my ear before whispering. His hot breath tickles and I giggle at the feeling of shivers tracing up my arm and the back of my neck.

"How lovely of a dress you've chosen today." I can't help but giggle as I bow.

"Why thank you Captain," I respond using the name he so despises. I twirl away, making sure my skirts flutter around me.