My feet hit the ground and I threw open the door. I needed air and fast. Henri caught me before I could make it out causing me to fall back landing in his arms once again. He put me back on my feet before closing the door to the room.
"If you don't want anyone knowing that we shared a room last night, then you shouldn't go running out on the deck with everyone there to see. I'll go and get Marie and she'll help you clean up." Henri said without a flicker of doubt. I sat back on the bed as Henri made his way out of the cabin and my heart fell to my feet. He looked so defeated leaving this room and that hurt after all he did to help me. It felt so good to be around him and hear his voice and yet I was running from him.
A light knock on the door came and Marie poked her head in showing her vibrant eyes and honey gold hair.
"You look so much better!" She said running to me encasing me in a big hug. I could feel a connection to Marie as well somewhere deep in my conscious. It hurt to know I had to friend I couldn't remember a thing about and I'm sure it hurt her more.
"Okay, so let's get you cleaned up again and I have your dresses cleaned and ready to wear. I'm going to get your bath so you need to get ready. I'll be right back." Marie said dashing out of the room before I could utter a single word. She seemed to always be on the go.
My chest began to burn again making my heart race. I fell back on the bed pulling down the white cotton night gown that seemed to cling to me from sweat and my chest seemed to glow as my skin revealed itself in the sunlight through the tiny window in the cabin. There burned into my skin was the two overlapping stars that was in front of Mother Ludham's cave.
"Oh god.. oh god no, anything but this." the words came out of me as a desperate plea. The same desperation that got me here in the first place. How could I be so reckless?
Scrapping my hands across my skin where the white burned mark now laid, I tried to will it away even if it meant leaving another scar in it's place. What did she have to prove to me? That if she branded me with searing heat then I would surely not forget our agreement?
I traced the raised skin feeling hot tears slide down my cheek. I traded one life sentence for another and surely I would be better off dead at this point. I never thought about what the future would truly hold if I accepted a witch's deal. All I could think in that moment was it was far away from my wedding and family who were willing me to my death. Only, I traded that death for a certain path straight to hell.
A light knock at the door came and Marie's soft voice came through the wood planks. I lifted up the gown to hide the mark of the devil on my chest.
"I'm here with the sponge bath and clothes. It's me, Marie." She opened the door holding them all on an old tarnished tray that seemed to match this old ship perfectly. "I never thought I would be tending to you after you tended to me and all my crying fits in the first weeks on this voyage." She said placing the tray down on the night stand. She smiled kindly and I imagined myself consoling her as she wept from the realization that she was truly on a ship to the America's where she would be married off. She was probably so scared, maybe as scared as I am now.
Guilt once again overwhelmed me as I realized I had no recollection of that time. She needed to know that I did care though, that our friendship did matter and she mattered to me.
"I'm so sorry, my memories are still foggy, but do know that I know you are my closest friend here and I appreciate everything you have done for me."
"You would have done the same for me." Marie said wrapping my hands in hers giving them a light squeeze. She let go sitting back and fiddled with her hair for a second looking a bit more worried than she had a second ago. "You know, as your friend, it's probably best to end whatever is happening with you and Mr. Henri. I'm not trying to impose, but we'll soon be in New Orleans and if the Ursuline Nuns find out about feelings being formed with another man before our weddings then they won't help with finding you a match."
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Cursed and Sealed (ONC 2020)
Ficção Histórica"I always come to collect what's mine, be sure of that." Mother Ludham's words rang in Alice' ears as she questioned if selling her soul to a witch was the best choice. It doesn't matter now, because it's too late. She is already on her way to the...
