I stood, gripping the railing tight. I still didn’t know if I wanted to mate, hell, I didn’t know if I wanted to stay here. “If you need time away, you can leave. You aren’t bound here, and there is a huge world here to visit and explore,” her words were beyond tempting, and I almost desperately wanted to do as she said.
“I couldn’t travel the world, the Treaty says we only have a year to consummate the marriages, or a war breaks out,” I said sadly, not bothering to tell her that I wouldn’t be here for much longer.
She stepped up to the rail next to me and hugged me. “Be safe, the world is not what it seems, nor are the people,” her cryptic words had me turning, but she was already walking away. “Oh, your men, for the record, are all wonderful men, not like your father,” she tossed over her shoulder, then kept walking.
The feeling that she knew what I planned to do unsettled me, but I didn’t think she would tell the guys. I stood watching the lights in the sky for a few more minutes and then turned to go check on Zugo. Hopefully, he would recover quickly, and at least one good thing would come out of my time here. We had rescued him, so he could live his own life now.
I took a deep breath before turning away from the railing. The guys were all by Salzo, and I could feel their eyes tracking me as I moved. They had given me space, but they were always hovering. Walking down below, I knocked on the door to the Captain’s room. Cobra opened it with a smile and gestured for me to come in. Zugo was propped up on pillows with a cup of something in his hand, the steam rising towards his face.
“It’s good to see you awake,” I commented, unsure of what else to say, the awkwardness of meeting someone new as they lay naked in bed, sick.
“I am so sorry, Your Majesty, it seems I have taken your room,” Zugo’s voice was smooth, and flowed over my skin like silk. If I had decided to stay, I could tell he would be trouble for me.
“It’s no trouble really, I can find somewhere else if I get tired.” Cobra set a chair beside the bed for me and I sat next to her.
“He is doing much better, Your Majesty,” Cobra spoke softly, as she tipped his cup, making him drink. “He shouldn’t be contagious after tomorrow, and the rash will go away in about a week.”
“Please, both of you, stop calling me Your Majesty. My name is Maisie, and I would prefer to be called that,” I said, but smiled to Cobra indicating I had heard her.
“It is hard to call you anything but your title, Your Maj…” she stopped, when I glared at her, “Maisie. We both grew up in the North, and your father was very demanding of what he felt was his rightful form of address. He once had a man beheaded for saying ‘Your Highness’ and not ‘Your Majesty’.” She shuddered as if she had been there and seen it.
“Cobra, can you give me a hand?” Viper’s head popped around the corner of the door, as she spoke.
“Sure.” She patted my knee, and then smiled at Zugo. “You drink all of that tonic, and you make sure he does,” she spoke to both of us in turn and then rose, following her sister out the door.
The silence that descended was charged with something, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. He stared at me with beautiful blue eyes, and his chiseled jaw was covered in scruff. I twisted my hands in my lap trying to find something to say when I realized I was staring at his chest. He was leaner than the others, but I could tell with a few good meals and some weight he would fill out and be just as defined as they were.
My eyes almost trailed farther towards his lap when he spoke up, “Thank you, for saving me, or sending Viper to save me. I don’t know how to repay you, but I will spend the rest of our lives making it up to you.”
“I’m sorry you were jailed just because you signed a piece of paper.” I realized that all this was my fault. For being born a girl, for my mother marrying me off, for him being trapped all these years. Swiftly rising I walked to the door before the tears in my eyes could fall. When my hand hit the doorknob, I heard his voice, “Please don’t leave.”
Dropping the knob, I tried to wipe my eyes before I turned around. “I’m sorry, this is all my fault,” I said, returning to my vacated chair.
“It’s not your fault. You aren’t responsible for me signing the Treaty, you aren’t responsible for your father’s actions. He’s nuts if I’m being honest, and from the rumors, you might not be his.” My eyes snapped up at that and he smiled. “I’m only teasing, he started that rumor just after your mother left, but you have his eyes.”
I shuddered at his assessment of having any visible likeness to the man that tried to kill my mother and me. “Did you know him well?” I asked, curious about him, but also judging how much I could trust him.
“I didn’t really know him at all. Most of the aristocracy are required to attend court several times a year. I was still young when my parents died, and after signing the Treaty, he threw me in jail.” His eyes seemed to drift off as if he were remembering his time locked up and I rubbed my arm nervously.
“How old were you when you signed the Treaty. You said you were young, so how young?” I had the sinking suspicion I wasn’t going to like his answer.
“I was about thirteen, almost fourteen. My uncle was the one who suggested I sign it, then after I signed it, he told the king. No doubt trying to take my title, unfortunately for him, the King killed him and locked me up.” I felt my jaw drop when he said thirteen, he was barely older than me.
“Wait, basilisk years or human years?” If he was speaking in human years then he was barely younger than Emot, but basilisk years were different.
“Cazzith years, not Earth years,” his words sent my mind into a frenzy, that meant he was younger in human years but how much younger.
I tried to do the math in my head and realized I had no idea how to do that. I started counting on my fingers, feeling my face scrunch in concentration. “God, I wish I had a calculator right now. Hell, I wish I knew the conversion rate better, I suck at math. I was always a history nerd, why didn’t I pay more attention in algebra?”
“I was nine in human years,” his words interrupted my ramblings.
“Nine? You were nine when you signed the Treaty? Why? Who would let a child sign a legal document like that? Did no one give you proper legal representation?” Besides the stupidity of allowing a child to sign anything so binding, I began to realize my father had thrown him in a dungeon not long after signing. I stood up and began to pace the room mumbling to myself as I walked.
“My father threw a nine-year-old into a dungeon?” I looked at Zugo. “Alone?” His nod made me ramble again, “That was a stupid question of course alone, who or what else would he have locked in there? A litter of puppies and kittens? There is something really fucked up with that man. How can I be related to that kind of monster? I just don’t get it!” My mind whirled as I continued my diatribe against my father.
“You know, you’re kind of beautiful when you get all indignant,” Zugo’s words didn’t register at first, but I turned and looked at him knowing he had said something.
“What did you say?” I asked, and I saw him blush bright red.
“I said you’re beautiful,” he smiled as he said it, causing me to blush along with him.
“I’m sorry for ranting, I just don’t understand how they could have let you sign something like that so young.” I walked back to the chair and sat down once more, trying to calm my anger.
“I did it for the good of all Lasina. The wars and fighting were bad, but your father is even worse. He wants all of this country for himself, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to kill for it.” He coughed a bit and I rose to hand him his cup, our fingers brushing. I felt a tingle slide up my spine and my basilisk hissed ‘Mine’ in my head. “Thank you.”
“Are you feeling any better?” I asked, while he took a drink.
“I feel a bit better, but I still feel weak. The downside of being a snake is that we don’t require food but once a week. So, I was only fed once a week.” I could feel the tears building be
hind my eyes but tried to keep them at bay.
“Please don’t cry, it wasn’t my intention to upset you.” Zugo leaned over to the side of the bed and wiped a tear from my face. “Even when you cry, you’re beautiful.”
I sniffed and laughed, wiping my face on my sleeve. “I just feel guilty that practically your whole life was spent in a dungeon. I mean, no games with friends, no first date… Ohhhh… Are you a virgin?” I snapped my lips shut, as the question rolled out of my mouth, and instantly went red. “Never mind don’t answer that.”
His rich laughter filled the room for a moment. “I knew I liked you from the moment I saw you. Yes, is the answer, not that it matters. You are right, I haven’t had a first date, or first kiss, or first anything really. I’m okay with you getting those firsts, if you are.” I couldn’t help but smile, he was so sweet, despite being locked up for so long. How was he not broken, damaged beyond all repair?
He yawned behind his hand, then handed me the cup he still held. “You should get some sleep. I look forward to getting to know you more.” The strange thing was, I wasn’t lying when I said it. I still planned on leaving, but oddly I did want to get to know him more. In fact, I kinda wanted to get to know all of them more. I rose from the chair and placed his cup off to the side. “Sleep well, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Sweet dreams beautiful.” He spoke as I opened the door and I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head at his flirting. I stepped out into the darkness and closed the door behind me.
I walked to around the deck for a bit, the sky still a dark purple, the lights had stopped to the South and I missed their beautiful glow. Emot found me standing by the railing watching the waves. The occasional tentacle breached the water in the moonlight as I looked towards the unknown. “You ssshould try to sssleep, love,” he spoke softly, as he stepped up next to me.
“I know, I just can’t help but think this is all my fault. You all lost your freedom and a lifetime of experiences just for peace.” Emot pulled me close and hugged me, as we stood by the railing.
“Maisssie, we didn’t lossse out on anything. Basssilisssks live a long time, and we have plenty of yearsss ahead of usss to make up for that time.” He turned me in his arms and tipped my chin up. “It’sss one of the reasonsss we sssaid it’s your choice, for everything, sex, mating, kidsss… it will alwaysss be your choice.” He lowered his head slowly allowing me to back off if I chose to, but I didn’t. His lips pressed against mine in a tender kiss, his arms pulling me closer to his chest. When we broke apart, he smiled. “Let’s get you to a bed, you look like you’re about to fall asleep standing up.”
Salzo woke the guys as we neared the town, which I learned was called Mistshore. We slowly docked and the crew tied the ship up securely. Viper and Cobra were talking to Salzo as I watched the men work, he laughed at something they said and then kissed both their hands. Viper walked up to me and stood by the railing. “Dry land once more.”
“I enjoyed sailing, this was my first time, but I liked it.” Viper laughed at my assessment.
“You won’t if you’re ever in a storm.” Cobra joined us sighing as she looked at Mistshore.
“Where are we going now, sister? We have no place to put our cabin down.” Cobra held up her bag and shook it accusingly at Viper.
“Well, we have plenty of room at the castle, and I’m sure the guys would know a place nearby for your home, if you don’t want to stay in the palace,” I offered, not regretting it a bit. I liked Viper and Cobra, they seemed to be similar, so I didn’t foresee any issues.
“That would be lovely, Your… Maisie,” Cobra replied, and Viper laughed.
“Oh, don’t sound so hoity toity, she’s not like the other Queens we’ve had to deal with in our lives,” Vipers words piqued my curiosity, and I fully intended to ask her about it if I ever came back. I still knew I needed to get moving and make sure my mother was alright.
I watched the ship’s crew drop the gangplank for us to disembark, as Kai helped Zugo out of Salzo’s room. Cobra rushed over to check on the patient but deemed him well enough to walk to the inn near the docks so Emot helped him stand as Kai and Sic walked off the boat heading for the inn.
I stepped off the boat onto the dock just behind the guys. Cobra had deemed Zugo still too weak to travel long distances, so our rescue mission was stalled in Mistshore. Kai and Sic went to book rooms while Emot helped Zugo walk slowly off the boat. I still wasn’t allowed to touch him, but I didn’t plan to be anywhere near any of them by midday. Cobra and Viper walked down the dock towards me smiling. “Thank you for letting us come to the castle,” Viper spoke, as she hugged me tight. “Be safe.”
I felt her press something cold into my hand and when she stepped back, she winked. Looking at my hand, I found a dagger in my tight grip. “What is this for?” I asked, but they were already out of earshot. Slipping the dagger into my bag I began to follow the guys, but not so close that I couldn’t slip away. I was going to find a way home.
I paused as Emot and Zugo entered the inn that Kai and Sic had gone into, then turned and walked the other way. “Your Majesty.” Fuck, I forgot about the guards. “Shouldn’t you be going to rest?” the man asked, standing just in front of me.
“Am I not allowed to walk around? I’m not tired and I would like to explore the town a bit while they get settled.” I pulled my most royal attitude about me, not that I had much of one.
“I’ll get a guard to go with you,” he spoke, while waving over one of the other guards. The woman had brown hair, brown eyes, and I swear, brown everything. “This is Ajih, she is one of my finest. Enjoy your walk, Your Majesty.” I smiled at Ajih then turned rolling my eyes as I started walking again.
She followed me closely, until we reached an area that had several stalls with venders. I slowed, looking at items here and there, hoping she would get bored. More venders were beginning to arrive as the sun rose higher. Peeking over my shoulder, I noticed Ajih keeping up, but every once in a while, she would look away. If I timed it right, I could slip away.
I slowly walked to the next stall, when a familiar face caught my attention, but when I looked fully it was gone. The lady selling jewelry smiled as I approached her, picking up a beautiful emerald necklace. “It matches Your Majesty’s eyes. The finest Asitrine this side of the Falto Sea. Please take it as a gift.”
“I couldn’t really,” I said, but she pressed the necklace into my hand and wouldn’t take it back.
“It is a gift, for protection.” She went to help another customer, so I shrugged and put it in my pocket. Ajih turned towards a nut vender for a moment as I began to walk again. She turned back too quickly for me to make my escape, but as I glanced back at her, I could’ve sworn I saw my ex, Sam.
I shook off the ridiculous idea and kept walking. Another vender waved me over, her display covered in all sorts of Earthly items. “Would Your Majesty like something to remind her of Earth?” Looking over her table I felt a chill crawl up my spine as if someone was watching me but shook it off since I knew Ajih was watching me. I picked up the digital camera, making the woman smile. “Does Your Majesty like the camera?” I nodded my head as she smiled. “Then take it, it’s yours.”
I pulled my backpack out, unzipping the large pocket and sliding the camera in for safe keeping. Just as I stood up, I felt someone run past me, knocking me off balance. Ajih took off after the younger boy. The market was in chaos as the young boy zigzagged away, I felt a hand slide into mine, then I was being pulled into an alley between two buildings.
I was about to scream out when a hand slipped over my mouth. “Shhh, it’s me.” Sam’s face entered my vision causing me to jerk back.
“What are you doing here? How did you even get to Lasina?” The shock of seeing him outweighing the fact that he had cheated on me.
“Your father kidnapped me, and brought me here, I was able to get away from him, and I came looking for you.” Sam looked around before pulling me further away from the mark
et.
“I found a woman who will help get us back to Earth. Then we can run away like we planned,” Sam spoke swiftly, as he pulled me through empty streets towards the edge of the town.
I dug my heels in and he stopped for a second. “Did you forget that I caught you with Pamela Conrad, the night before we were supposed to elope?” I shook his hand off and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I know, and it was stupid of me, she just wouldn’t take no for an answer. I followed you, and went to your house, which is where I met your dad.” He pulled me closer to him intending to kiss me, but I turned my face, so he hit my cheek instead. “I’m sorry, Maisie, really I am. I just want to go home, and we can forget all of this. Start fresh just the two of us. Please, I love you.”
Realizing a small part of me still wanted his words to be true, I nodded. “Let’s go then. Where is this woman you spoke of?” He smiled, as he began leading the way to the edge of the town once more.
“She has a house just outside of town, in the forest. If we hurry, we can be home by lunch time. Your mom will be so happy to see you.” My heart kicked up a notch as he spoke of my mom, hope filling me that she was still alive.
“Was she alright when you were taken?” I needed any information I could get about her. The last I had seen was Vago throwing my mom across my bedroom and slammed her to the wall.
“She was unconscious, but she looked fine when I arrived, then your dad grabbed me and left.” We stopped at the edge of the town and Sam looked both ways before pulling me to the forest’s edge. Once we were inside the cover of the trees he slowed. “Good, now we don’t need to run anymore.”
The Basilisk Princess Page 16