For a long moment, there is no response. I wonder if she even heard me as her grip tightens once more on my neck. It is tighter this time. Worse than before. The blade glimmers in her other hand, and I know this is it.
Helena’s pink eyes are filled with fury as she nods once. It’s as though the bottom of the ship has fallen out from under my feet. Suddenly unsteady, I wobble while I shut my eyes for one brief moment. I don’t pray to any gods. They won’t hear my prayers, anyway. My lungs are tightening and black spots appear before my eyes as each breath comes further and further apart. I won’t last much longer now.
“Helena,” I whisper, “I can explain. Please.”
Suddenly, the pressure is gone. Gasping, I drink in deep breaths of air as oxygen rushes into my lungs. Twisting around, I stare at the woman who will be the death of me. She is panting just as much as I am, the knife still firmly in her grip. I take one step back, then two.
Around us, my sailors are on standby. “I told you all to leave,” I order in a stern voice. They do as they’re told. When they’ve moved far enough away, I reach out a hand to Helena. “Can we talk?”
She stares at me, her brows raised. I don’t know why she doesn’t lunge again. I can hear the unspoken words hanging in the air.You’re talking now, aren’t you?The fact that she hasn’t stabbed me yet is a good sign, and I take it as permission to continue.
“I didn’t have a choice. I’m sorry,” I repeat, feeling like the words are inadequate.
Helena waves the blade in the air as she crosses her arms in front of her chest. The blade glistens in the sunlight. Her very aura is menacing as fury radiates off her in waves.
“This would be easier if you put the knife away,” I venture, trying to get her to calm down. In response, she simply takes a step closer to me. “Or not,” I say, backing up into the railing. “It’s okay. Let’s just talk. Can you give me back my phone?”
She huffs, reaching into her pocket and tossing the phone at me. I barely catch it before it flies over the edge of the ship. Flipping it over in my hands, my fingers brush up against broken glass.
“What the...” My voice trails off as I take in the state of my phone.
The once-pristine screen is completely covered in dozens of fractures. The glass is rippled, as though it’s been stabbed repeatedly with a knife.
Just as I’m about to toss the broken phone into the sea, it dings. It’s a miracle it still works. My heart cracks as I read the name through the shattered screen.
Helena hates Erik: I read everything. You have two minutes to explain.
I tighten my grip on the phone. My skin stings, and I look down to see a trail of blood dripping down from my right hand. A ragged exhale leaves me as I raise my gaze to hers, ignoring the sting from my cut.
"You're right. Your father wanted me to... take care of you, but I've already decided I am not going to do it. I didn't tell you because..." my voice trails off. I sigh, running my prosthetic hand through my hair.
Behind me, the crew is shouting orders as we slow down. Beyond the ship, buildings are beginning to appear out of the fog. My heart pounds as we draw near to the ports of Lethe.
Swallowing, I take a step towards Helena. She eyes me warily as I continue, "I didn't tell you because I didn’t know how, Princess. At first, it was because I was trying to put distance between us. But then, you forced your way into my small, orderly life. You’ve ruined everything in the best way. And now… I can never go back. I decided not to kill you, please believe me."
A moment passes, then two.
Helena hates Erik: No.
My heart drops into my stomach, and Helena shoves the knife back into her waistband. She snatches the phone from my grasp before launching it into the air. We both watch it fall in a smooth arc before it lands in the water with a splash.
“Helena.” I reach for her, but she turns around and sprints across the deck. For a moment, it is as though I am frozen in place. The sailors stop and gawk at her, their expressions matching mine as she grabs onto the railing.
The moment her hand connects with the metal railing, the spell is broken.
"Wait," I call out, running across the deck towards her. My feet slide, but I keep going. "Helena!"
Pulling herself over the railing, Helena turns around and makes a rude gesture before falling over the edge of the boat.
"No!” I shout. My breath catches in my throat as I rush to the edge of the deck. My crew stares at me. I am blinking rapidly, and my neck and shoulders are so tight that I can feel tendons pop out. There are still at least ten feet between us and the dock, but the water is still. Unmoving.
Almost as though she didn't fall into it.
I stay there for several minutes more, staring but no longer seeing. I tear my gaze away from the water, and my eyes sweep over the docks. Crowds of sailors and merchants swarm the port. An Angel with stark white wings wearing a black suit holds a clipboard as Mer, Were, humans, Angels and Daemons all hurry about the damp cobblestones. I take note of the pointy ears on beings that almost look human.
The sounds of the city grow louder by the second as we approach the dock master.
Running to the end of the ship, I grip the railing and I lean over the edge. The stench of unwashed bodies, overripe fruit, and smoke fills my nostrils. Below, workers rush to help secureThe Black Rose.