For a long time now, I’ve felt uneasy whenever a man touched me. They were usually stronger than me and I never knew what to expect from it. All I knew was I didn’t want a man to touch me after getting used to uncle Oliver trying to bend me to the complying shape he wanted me to. So I was surprised when I noticed the uncomfortable shiver that would run down my spine was replaced by butterflies flying in my stomach as Callum guided me away from the infirmary.
We went back to his room, and he closed the door.
“Enric woke up a while ago.” He pointed to a general direction behind him, probably where Enric was resting right now. “He told me what happened. What were you thinking?” Distress raised his tone.
“I heard him on the other side of the door and I knew he was in trouble so I just acted…I know it was foolish, but I couldn't stand there doing nothing.”
“Why didn't you do as I told you and block the door?”
“I tried, it’s not my fault it was too heavy!”
He sighed. “Of course it was…” Callum said more to himself than to me. “Still, you shouldn’t have put yourself at risk. We chose this lifestyle with the dangers that came with it. We are aware of what could happen to us when we became pirates. You don’t have any idea of what they would have done to you if they had kidnapped you!”
“I’m not stupid, I know what they’d want to do with me.” A shiver ran down my spine, and I embraced myself. The terror of this possibility would haunt me for the rest of my life. “I didn’t think of it then.”
“You have to think of it. Always.”
I didn’t let my thoughts wander that far, so I shook my head.
“After using you for their pleasure for days, they’d take you to their country and sell you to the nearest brothel they could find.”
“You don't know that for sure.” My stubborn side refused to believe in what he had just said.
“My crew is not as good as you think they are, I have to put a lot of effort to keep them in line! And even if they were, they’d be kind to their kind, not a foreigner. They might pretend to like us for diplomacy’s sake, but that’s only a façade. They don't like us and wouldn’t give a fuck for you.” He took a heavy breath. “Sorry, I exceeded myself…”
“It’s alright. I understand.”
He raised his hands to my shoulders but stopped himself before he could make contact. “I’m just glad you’re safe now.”
“Not more than I am.” I tried to joke and it at least made him smile. Silence crept between us until I spoke. “You’re right, though. I knew I wouldn’t be as lucky in their ship as I was in here.”
“What makes you say that?” His eyes landed on my red right cheek. He knew the answer but wanted to hear me say it.
“The way he looked at me. The way he held me. The way he hit me. I mean, I would have tried to bribe them and talk to their leader, though I don’t know how well it would have worked. Of course, I haven’t thought of it then.”
“Reason rarely follows us when emotions dominate us.”
“Indeed,” I said softly.
“I’ll rest for a while now. You can go help Hayden if you wish,” he suggested.
“All right.”
He cleared his throat. “And perhaps we could have dinner at the navigation room tonight. Games and entertainment will be a good way to relax and take our minds off of unpleasant thoughts. I’m sure that’s what most people are gonna do tonight in their own way.”
“Agreed. I’d love to distract myself in your company,” I said and left so he could rest.
For the third night in a row after the attack, we got our dinner and headed to the navigation room. Tonight, after having our meal, we played a card game, which I won three times.
Laughing, I showed Callum the winning hand. With a frustrated smile, he put his hands on the table and started gathering them.
“I guess it’s enough for tonight…I’ve been humiliated enough.” He waved a hand in the air. “It’d be great to have you at the taverns by the harbors and win some bets.”
“I’m obliged, but it was only possible because of your distractedness.”
Callum shrugged and glanced at me.
“That’s part of the reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing in particular.” He put the cards in a wooden box. “By the way, thank you.”
“For what? Humiliating you?”
“No…” Callum laughed. “For making me forget how miserable I was.”
“Have you drank too much? You’re not making any sense.”
“It’s because your presence here helped me get my mind off of how nervous I was to have to come back home. These past few days were a relief, apart from that attack a few nights ago.” He sighed. “I really wish I didn’t have to return.”
“Are you that afraid of your brother?”
“That wouldn’t be a precise word. I’m not scared of him; I just don’t want to see him again. He hates me.”
“Why would he do that? You’re a good man!”
“Thank you, but some people have caused him to make up his mind against me and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Well, it’s not fair.”
“Life is rarely fair.”
I wanted to say he was a pessimist, and he was wrong, but it was impossible when I’d often feel the same. Callum leaned closer and gently put a stubborn lock of hair behind my ear. It was only a simple, gentle touch that surprisingly didn’t make me flinch or recoil. I didn’t remember being so at ease with someone since I lost my parents.
He quickly backed away, raising his hands with a laugh. “Sorry, I forgot you don’t like to be touched.”
“No. It’s alright. I don’t mind it if it’s you.”
He raised an eyebrow, but his next words were playful, “What would your fiancé say if he found out about that?”
“Well, I think he’d be more shocked when I tell him I have no wish to marry him.” I shrugged.
His small smile vanished; giving place to an expression that was serious and soft at the same time. In the dim light of the candles, his honey-colored eyes looked darker and deeper, drawing me in with so much intensity it was hard to look away.
“You know…we’ll arrive at Keanys tomorrow.” A hand slowly reached mine and gently squeezed it.
“I know.”
“So, if you prefer, we can just…set sail. I could show you the most beautiful places in this country that will take your breath away.”
Was it just my imagination, or was he asking me to elope with him?
It wouldn’t be a bad idea, actually. I enjoyed his company more than everyone I knew, and this lifestyle truly seemed appealing—once I learned how to defend myself properly, of course. My eyes got wet, and I resisted the urge to let the tears fall.
“I can’t.”
Because it’d mean my uncle would win, he’d get everything that belonged to me one way or another. I didn’t want it. I couldn’t let it.
“I understand…” He retrieved his hand. “Although I don’t want it, I must return. I have duties to fulfill. I wouldn’t be able to be away for much longer.” He gulped. “But I’ll be at the harbor until sunup, in case you change your mind.”
CHAPTER NINE
I didn’t imagine it’d be so hard to walk away from that ship or how difficult it would be not to look back at it once we arrived at Keanys. I’d forever be grateful for Callum and would never forget him or his kindness, but I couldn’t stay. I needed to find my grandfather.
I headed to the castle. Despite my peasant clothes and years apart, aunt Sophie recognized me and let me in.
The home my mother grew up in and the place I only visited for a few times was still the way I remember it to be. The outside bore big green gardens contrasting against the gray stone of the castle walls; and as we entered, the same caramel curtains still protected the windows. The same pictures of my memories still hung on the walls with golden sconces. The soft scent of
rosemary invaded my nose and went straight to my heart, lulling it with a sense of home. My mom also used rosemary perfume in my castle, and I didn’t know I missed it so much until now.
Sophie was my mother’s sister, and she was just as thoughtful as I remember. She took me straight to a guest room, asking some servants to bring us tea and biscuits on the way there. I was sure she’d later ask for proper clothes for me, too. She gently held my hand and led me to sit on the armchairs.
“Lia, I’m so happy to see you!” She still used the cute nickname from when I was a child, filling me with joy. She took her time to look at me, her small smile slowly turning into a frown. “But why are you here? How did you get here and why in such clothes? What happened?”
Something inside me twisted uncomfortably to bring her problems.
“I need to talk to Grandpa…he’s the only one who can help me. Uncle Oliver wants me to marry the prince and thus eliminate me from the lineage of my home. I can’t let him do that. Dad left his castle to me, I don’t want to leave it like that and I do not wish to marry someone I don’t even know!” I looked down at my peasant clothes. “I knew uncle Oliver wouldn’t let me leave the castle to seek Grandpa’s help, so I sneaked out one night with a servant’s dress and bought a room in a navy ship.”
She’d flip if she knew the truth about the ship, so I didn't feel bad lying to her this time.
“Oh, my dear.” She came closer and embraced me from her armchairs. “You could have sent a letter first, you know. Or could have answered my letters. You barely answer them. In the last one I sent you a few months ago, I told you what happened with my father. He’s still unwell.”
“Wait, what do you mean? I haven’t received a letter from you for years, now. Haven’t you received mine?”
It was only after the words have left my lips that I understood what had happened. Sophie shook her head, only confirming my suspicions. Oliver was most likely intercepting my mail. Of course, he was. I’d tried asking for help before, but he wouldn’t allow it, he needed me in my place so he could rule my lands as well as me.
“You don’t think all those letters simply got lost, do you?” I had to shake my head.
The servants came in with a tray of drink and food, left it on the round table in front of us and left. Sophie put her hand under my chin, forcing me to look at her. “Lia, why would Oliver intercept your mail?”
“Oliver is quite controlling. I think he still needs to read the letters and tell me what’s happening to protect me. He usually tells me the news from family members since he started running the lands for me when I was twelve.”
“Yes, but you’re nineteen now. You’re a woman, not a child anymore.” She clenched her fists. “I will send him a letter about it.”
“No, please don’t trouble yourself any further, aunt Sophie. I will do this myself.”
“We’ll see about that. I’ll give you a month to start receiving your letters back and not a day more. If I don’t receive one from you by then, my husband and I’ll go there in person.”
I did my best to smile, but I knew it wouldn't change anything. They couldn't do anything against Oliver. Plus most of the servants were loyal to him, not me. He had the upper hand on the situation. They also couldn’t take Oliver away from my lands; it was his family’s, after all. However, Grandpa had always had this way of making people do as he wished. He knew how to persuade people, he was imposing, powerful and he knew how to turn the tables in his favor. I was sure he could come up with some deal Oliver would have to take and then leave me alone. Although Grandpa was from my mother’s side, Oliver usually respected the elderly, at least to some extent, and especially if they were powerful figures.
I held my aunt’s hand.
“What happened with grandpa?”
Sophie sighed and began to tell me the events.
Grandpa had tripped and fallen several months ago causing him to break his leg. It wasn’t completely healing; doctors said due to his old age, it was unlikely to heal properly, so he was trapped in his bed. The days left alone there aggravated his depression after Grandma passed away a few years ago. Now, he was barely sane. Sophie had sent me letters about it, but I hadn’t received them.
As I entered his room to visit I was met with him smiling. He said how much I reminded him of his wife, in the middle of the conversation, he even called me by her name. I stayed by his side for hours with a dreadful feeling I wouldn’t see him alive after I returned home.
Once again, Sophie volunteered to come back to talk to uncle Oliver, but it’d be useless, so I declined. He’d punish me for trying to ask for help, and just the thought of it made me shiver.
I had no way out of that situation.
At night, I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling for hours, too numb to do anything else but breathe, unable to sleep.
“I’ll be at the harbor until sunup...” Callum’s words invaded my mind.
My heart vibrated with a small wave of hope that compelled me to stand up and put on my peasant clothes again. It wasn’t ideal, and I didn’t want Oliver to get anything from me anyway, but at least I’d be free to do whatever I wanted. I’d be free to marry whoever and whenever I wanted, if it was my desire.
I left the castle unseen by the guards, I barely even thought about it and would have to send a letter to Sophie later. I ran to the harbor. It was a long way as I crossed the deserted streets and went straight to where the ship had docked…however; the place was empty.
A man working at the harbor whistled a song nearby, and I went to him.
“Excuse me, have you seen a galleon ship docked right there earlier today?”
“Oh, dear…you’re too late. It set sail moments ago.” He pointed at the horizon.
As the sky turned orange as dawn broke, the silhouette of a big ship heading towards the open sea became more visible. Callum hadn’t kept his word, and thus the remaining unbroken piece of my heart shattered down.
CHAPTER TEN
It took me almost two weeks to get back to my castle and then to have uncle Oliver take me to the king’s palace to meet my fiancé. The palace was bigger than mine, however, the Queen-mother needed the wealth from my lands; to do so, she and Oliver made an agreement to marry her youngest son. Of course, I had no say in it.
Rumors say the king couldn’t have children, so that was why the Queen wanted to marry her youngest son to ensure the crown’s offspring; Oliver liked to know about it.
Alone in the corridors, I stopped to observe the paintings on the wall, pictures of old kings and queens. There was one of our actual kings, sitting at the throne. As far as I knew, he had lost the ability to walk, but soon I found another one, which he stood in an imposing pose.
“It’s time to meet your dearest future husband.” Oliver’s voice reached my ears. He grabbed my elbow harshly and pulled me down the hall. “You will be the perfect lady and stay quiet.”
He wished! But I was not going to accept it like that.
As if he could read my mind, he pulled me to the side to face him.
“I am serious. I’ve been your guardian for all these years and I know what’s best for you so you will obey me.” I wanted to laugh, but I remained silent. I guess he saw the defiance in my eyes. This was hard to contain. He didn’t like it, and before I could even blink, his very heavy hand landed loudly on my cheek. My face burned in pain and I let out a startled little gasp as my eyes got wet. “Behave accordingly. Don’t make me correct you again.”
I shivered. I still had bruises from his ‘correction’ when I returned home.
With a smile, he put a strand of hair back into my bun. Grabbing my hand, he put it around his arm and forced me not to move as he kept a hand on mine. He was ready to pinch me if I said anything wrong, and I hated it when he did that. I looked down and let him push me to the throne-room.
The Queen was sitting there but stood up to greet us. I barely looked at her, but I hoped I could find a way to talk to her alone later and expla
in the situation. Surely I could convince her to stop this insanity, even if I had to give her some wealth, the lands were mine, after all; not Oliver’s. I just needed a few moments with her. I was sure Oliver would do his best for it not to happen, though.
“I’m delighted to meet you at last!” She told me and I bowed. “You are as beautiful as your mother, just as your uncle claimed you to be.”
“I’m obliged, your Majesty.”
I glanced at her, then my focus went back to the floor. She gestured for someone to get closer.
“My youngest boy was away for a long time, but he has returned on time for this meeting. I knew he would, he always keeps his word.”
Someone stopped in front of me, but I wasn’t ready to lift my head, until I heard a familiar voice softly whispering, “Lenna…”
My jaw dropped. Standing right in front of me was a person I thought I’d never see again, though this time his clothes were different, and he had shaved. His wide eyes were as surprised as mine.
“Callum.” I whispered, but Oliver immediately pinched me. I couldn’t call our prince by the first name if I didn’t know him.
The Queen laughed at her son, probably thinking he had mistaken me for someone else. She hadn’t noticed what Oliver had just done, but I couldn’t say the same for Callum. His sharp honey-colored eyes that landed on my hand and then on my reddish cheek.
“No, my dear,” the Queen said. “This is Amelia Leannain, your fiancée.”
He was successful in containing his surprise.
“About that, Mother, I’d like to have a moment with her and show her the garden.”
The Queen agreed. But before I could even think of saying anything, Oliver squeezed my hand so tightly I nearly yelped.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, my niece is fairly shy and reserved.”
Callum smiled, triumphantly. “Please. I insist.”
He extended his arm to me and it’d be rude if I didn’t accept the gesture, even if I didn’t want to. Which was not the case, so I immediately forced my hand away from his grasp and grabbed Callum’s arm. He was quick in leading me outside and only when we were away from prying ears, he spoke freely.
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