The Cursed

Chapter Fifteen

Lilura

The ship sways under my feet as I dance on the deck. The cool wood soothes my feet as stars twinkle above my head. My feet carry to the railings, back and forth. I leap and spin every few steps. The flame of lanterns cast my dancing shadow onto the water where it flickers. The dark water soon swallows it. I spin, my hair whipping around my face. I close my eyes and let my humming carry my arms. They reach into the night as if to pluck a star from the inky sky and draw it to my chest. The star would whisper all that it had seen. Great romances, terrible fights, broken hearts, spells and curses. I continue to spin, hands reaching to the heavens. My head stands on my body, so once I stop my twirls, my mind will continue to move.

"Lilura." Everette's voice calls from the darkness. I hum louder so he will know where I am without words having to leave me. I hear him wheeze as he makes his way to me. Guilt rips through me.

I stop twirling and face a very pale Everette and my guilt comes back. My cheeks flush furiously as I stare at the ground.

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"It's not your fault, you were trying to help, bu-"

"But I hurt you more. I didn't help," I say, cutting him off.

"Lilura, what you did was to help, but you don't have control of your powers," he starts. I clench my fists and bite my cheek. I hate how right he is. I didn't even realize I had powers until recently. "Alan and I spoke," he says. Dread settles low in my stomach. I finally look at Everette.

His eyes are rammed with red and all color has a left him. He's leaning heavily on a rail and his rises and falls heavily.

"We thought it would be best if you studied with a witch." My heart plummets as I see the pained expression on his face, but he presses on, determined. "You can learn and help better. Gain control and unlock your potential. She can be there when you remember. She'll be better able to help. More than us." He rambles on, naming valid reasons, but I don't hear. The world is dead. The wind rustles and the stars twinkle. I don't notice. Then a pain grows and grows under my skin. It's hot like a fire sparking over me.

I walk along a stream. It's gentle with cooling water. It's perfectly clear and I can see every smooth stone that lies under the water. The gentle twinkle on water over stone kills me into a gentle dance.

One foot in front of the other, spin and leap. Repeat. My movement carries me away from the shade of the trees and closer to the docks.

The bustle of people yelling and the bumping of wooden crates fills the air. Ropes are criss-crossing over wooden planks. I duck under them and walk to the nearest ship.

It's surely from the royal collection. There's the characteristic purple paint with the golden trim. But there's no royal flag. Perhaps the ship was stolen.

Fanciful stories fill my head of a devilish Captain with an undead crew. He had stolen this ship and tore the flag down, ripping it to shreds with a gleaming sword. Suddenly a throat clearing brings me back to my senses.

I look up a handsome man. He's tall and muscular with bright eyes and a kind smile. Everette.

My vision fades so I'm looking at the Everette from the present. My guilt folds over me again. And his words sink in. I should go. I'll only hurt him more.

I nod silently, a tear beginning to trickle down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away.

"I'll go," I say. He stops speaking and looks at me. I look at down at my toes and bite my lower lip.

"Alright then. I'll let you off tomorrow in the Red Kingdom. There's a witch who lives in the forest there. She's under the wolves protection and will help you learn. Lilura," he says. I look up. "Please know this is what is best for you." I nod, but that does stop my throat from burning. I look down again and feel a growing pressure behind my eyes as sobs threaten to be unleashed. I dart around Everette, and hurry around other crew members before ducking into my room where I fall onto my bed. My tears finally overflowing.