It takes no time for me to devour it, allowing the broth, vegetables, and bits of fish to fill my stomach. Warmth spreads from my insides out, and I lean back on the feather pillows. Another bit of me defrosts from the frigid deep-ocean temperatures.
Gods, this bed is comfortable.
I sink back, wrap myself tightly in the covers, and find my eyelids extremely heavy. A warm numbness robs me of my ability to think.
Sleep claims me almost instantly.
* * *
I bolt up,ramrod-straight.
Everything is all right!my brain shouts, attempting to soothe my raging fears.
Frantically, I pat the covers around me. I see my clothes, remember where I am, and relax. Dread sits like a stone in my belly. I had made it out of last night with little more than a scratch and a few bruises. And my attacker…
It is going to be okay.
In the morning light, I see the room better. A gloriously beautiful bookshelf is along one wall, a fine wooden desk is next to the door, and a leather chair sits in the middle. The room is luxurious.
I bite my lip. The only person who could have a room this fine would be the captain.
Something inside of me had suspected this before I opened the door, but still, I had entered. He never comes down here except to bother me, so I’m positive he wasn’t occupying it.
I look at the clock to my right, which reads 8:17 a.m. Still morning. I haven’t heard any voices yet, which is hopeful. All I know is that I want to stay away from everyone today. The pitter-patter of rain and the rumbling of thunder is a backdrop as I hurry to the bathroom, take care of my needs, and shower.
Once I’m done, I return to the room and grab a book from the shelf. This one is nothing like the worn paperback at my side. It’s leather-bound and has gold lettering.Love in Times of War. I widen my eyes. Who knew the captain would like romance?
Before I know it, my eyes are flying across the page. The book is more about politics than love, to be honest, but I don’t mind. When I get to the part where the lovers kiss for the first time, my stomach tightens, and I slam the book shut.
It’s too soon after Conrad’s lips had invaded my own.
A familiar clamminess covers me from head to toe. My stomach twists. Bile rises in my throat at the memory. Black spots appear in my vision, and I squeeze my eyes shut. I take deep breaths, willing the sensation to pass.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Again and again, I focus on my breathing until the world settles around me.
The storm is relentless, continuing for several hours. I peek out the door once and find food piled in front of my old room across the hall. Gods, after what happened... I never want to step foot in that room again. I grab the food as quickly as possible and disappear once more.
* * *
Night falls,which doesn’t look much different from the stormy gray that I stared at all morning. I’ve done nothing but stare for the past several hours, drifting in and out of sleep. Earlier, the boat was rocking from side to side so violently that I had to hug my knees to my chest to keep myself from vomiting.
It is so damn awful. I had no idea how cruel the sea could be above sea level. No wonder my father loves it so. His temper is as volatile as the waves currently assaulting the ship.
All of a sudden, a deafening crash sounds from above me. My spine straightens immediately. Something is wrong. Very, very, very wrong. An itch to run up to the deck and see what has happened fills me. Everything slants to the right, and it stays that way.
Then the yelling starts.
Screams sound, and then I hear someone running down the stairs.
“Captain’s overboard!” someone yells through the ship’s intercom. Notes of fear are laced through his voice.
My blood runs cold. Colder than the coldest rivers in the Ice Mer territory.
How?The word rings in my skull. Before I know it, I am back on my feet, out the door, and I rush to the steps. When I enter the mess hall, people are scrambling around, talking over each other.