by K. Lyn Hill
Intense eyes met hers and sorrow filled Mrs. Clarel’s gaze. “You won’t find anyone like that still in the castle.”
“Why not? They all quit over time?”
“No.” Mrs. Clarel shook her head and whispered, “Whatever the truth is, the king made sure that no one would ever find out.”
“What does that mean?” Carly asked.
“It means that everyone that was near the baby when the queen died, went missing after the funeral. And they haven’t been seen since.”
“All of them?” She wheezed.
“All but one.”
“Who is it?”
Mrs. Clarel shot her a sharp yet sympathetic look. “I implore you to let this go.” She begged but Carly just stared at her waiting for an answer.
After a moment, the older woman must have realized that Carly wasn’t going to give this up until she got the information she needed. She huffed. “Benjamin. The king’s oldest advisor.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aerity
She watched as the men practiced their drills. Their swordsmanship was spot on as they wielded their wicked sharp blades. She had learned a little bit at the castle, but she wished she could become one with the weapon as these men did. As much as they appeared to be just dirty pirates, she knew there was so much more to them than that and all those who took the time to see it, would be honored with the knowledge. These were men and women who spent their lives perfecting an art, willing to fight for those closest and dearest to them. If she would have been asked months ago whether she would have trusted a pirate, she would have responded incredulously. Now she realized that these were some of the best people she had ever known. All day they would work hard on their chores and then train for hours in their spare time. Then at the end of the day, they sang songs of hope and held their loved ones close. She didn’t expect to see so many women and children on the ship when she boarded but now that she had, it thrilled that small part of her heart still beating. When one fell ill, they stepped up and helped carry the load. They were a support group. A family. Something Aerity wasn’t sure she would ever get to experience again.
“Fancy that we meet here again, Solina.” The captain stepped besides her, waving her intimidating aura around like a flag.
Aerity still had no clue what that nickname meant but she shook it off. After she had happily changed into dry clothes and had eaten, she felt worlds better. Whatever it meant didn’t bother her. The captain could be calling her a chimp butt and she couldn’t care less. “Not really. It’s a small boat.”
The captain hissed besides her. Aerity let a small smile slip.
“If you wish to leave with all your toes remaining, I suggest you never refer to my ship as small again.” The captain snarled.
Aerity laughed. They had developed a comradery during their days on the boat. Bonding over the peace of being at sea, despite the raging storms brewing in her heart. “Well then I’ll change my answer. This is a good place to meet. I can stave off sea sickness this way.”
“We both know it isn’t the sea that has your stomach in knots.”
“Tell that to the throw up on the side of your ship.”
Her white teeth shone bright against her golden skin. “If there was, I would throw you overboard.”
Aerity stretched out her back, reveling in the wind across her face. “You going to make me walk to plank, Pirate?”
“Depends on if you toss your cookies, Solina.”
Aerity sighed. “Are you ever going to tell me what that means?”
The pirate laughed. Her chuckles vibrated against the rail that she leaned against. “Fish bait, seeing as though you came to me a bloody mess.”
Aerity’s chuckle joined hers. “How fitting.” She murmured and then glanced down at the dark waters below.
“So seeing as though I judged you for being a walking wound, was your opinion of me decided by the fact that I’m a pirate?” The captain inquired but didn’t accuse. Aerity could tell that she was simply curious.
“I don’t judge.”
“And why is that, Solina? All people change their minds like the sails of a sea blow back and forth on the helm. Surely you are no different.”
Aerity glanced away. “My father upheld the law. Still does. But even in that, I know of those who undercut and work in the shade of darkness. Those that lie, cheat and steal under the protection of righteousness. In the name of the law. If they believe that, they are fools. It gives them no exemption. I have learned all too well that there are far too many grey areas in life to judge which category people’s actions fall under. We all will answer for our penance. Whether good or bad. I’ve seen much beauty on this boat. Anyone could if they weren’t so blinded by titles and facades.”
The captain’s canines glistened as she spoke. “So wise for someone so young and yet you still seek revenge. Tell me. Which enemy burns so bright in your heart?”
Aerity considered her question before bowing her head. “An unnamed phantom. But within my hatred is a palace just waiting for them.” All she could see were flashes of Serenity’s burned body in her head. Days she begged to forget while others she struggled to remember. It was the only thing that she could hold on to. Revenge. Hatred. Pain.
She never did find out who started that fire but the determination to not give up burned hot and bright inside of her, lighting her up from within.
“How will you catch someone who is a ghost?”
As Aerity glanced down, she examined her palms. All she could see was blood. Serenity’s blood smeared all over her flesh. The smell of charred flesh made her nausea spike yet again.
She wouldn’t stop until her killer was brought to justice even if it meant taking matters into her own hands and doing the unthinkable. She spoke of blurred lines and this was one of those times.
Now it was her time to offer a predatory smile. “Oh, I’ll find them. It may take a lifetime, but it will happen. And when it does, they will pay.” The silence teetered on uncomfortable as Aerity shook off her contorting anger. “What about you, Pirate? Have anyone you need to avenge?”
Aerity noticed a quick shift of the captain’s focus. A tilt of her head before she caught herself and righted it. Looking up, Aerity caught the direction of her flinch. The young boy from earlier, Malachi, who was now hoisting the sails. “His father?” She guessed.
The captain scoffed but Aerity could hear the vulnerability in her voice. “His father will never have that kind of power over me.” It didn’t escape her notice that there was a longing look that crossed over her face.
“But you want him too.” It was a simple statement, but one that made the captain’s head snap back to her.
“He is of the land and I of the sea. We were never meant to come together.”
“Isn’t love worth fighting for?” Aerity asked honestly curious for the answer.
“You tell me. Are you fighting for what you love?”
She thought for a moment on Natalia’s question. Was she fighting? She kept saying that there were limited options but who and what did she really love? Siel had betrayed her despite how desperately she wanted to believe he hadn’t.
He never cared, at least that was the impression she got.
Damien helped her in the end, but she wouldn’t come close to calling it anything remotely similar to love. She loved her father and Mya but how hard was she really trying to find her way back home to them? She had loved Serenity and had fought to keep her alive, but in the end, it wasn’t enough. Her love hadn’t been enough. Even now Serenity’s killer lived life like they weren’t the scum of the earth and where was she? On a boat running in the opposite direction. Where was the line drawn? “I’m not sure I know what love is.”
“Love comes in all shapes and sizes. When it comes, you will know, and I believe you will fight with all you have for it. You will conquer your enemy and fight for love, I can feel it in my heart.” Natalia said.
Aerity smiled at the captain’s fa
ith. She felt like she had lost most of hers along this journey, but she would savor it from any direction it came in.
“Let me give you some of my wisdom, Child. Living your life filled with anger and vengeance does nothing but destroy your own mind. And blocking yourself out from someone for the fear of getting hurt only causes you to miss out on more. It’s not too late for you to let this go and pursue something or someone that makes you happy.”
Yes. Yes it was. But she didn’t say it out loud. Better let Natalia assume that she was bigger than she really was. Not weak and hollow. Like when Serenity died and she was locked in a dungeon, betrayed by someone she thought she loved. No, if the universe wished to humble her, it had done a marvelous job. She knew now what it was to be helpless, tied up with no means of escape. In the middle of the ocean, running for her life. She would never be able to let this go until she put her enemy to rest, which was hard because she didn’t even know who that enemy was.
Needing a new direction for the conversation she asked, “So how did someone so young become the captain of a pirate ship?” She regarded her with unabashed curiosity.
The woman’s youthful eyes twinkled with pride, the belayed experience in her gaze. “Well it certainly wasn’t by telling everyone.”
Aerity’s lips tipped up. She liked the pirate captain. At least she was honest. That was more than she could say for others in her life.
A gust of wind blew a few strands of hair out of her hair wrap. The captain smelled the air cautiously. “The sea will be angry tonight. Seems to me like it’s feeding off your vengeance.” She rapped the railing. “I suggest you return to your cabin, before you feel her revenge.” With a quiet nod she did as she was told and headed below deck.
∞∞∞
Aerity jolted awake as a bolt of lightning struck in the distance. Thunder rolled through the cabin as another zing lit up the cramped quarters. She glanced at Eli, whose eyes were just as wide, staring at her in surprise. Waves sloshed against the boat, angry and contrite. Aerity gripped the edge of the bed as the waves threatened to toss her off. Books flew off the shelves as they both tried to block their faces. Loud shouting directed her attention upward as another tilt to the boat had her falling to the ground. A yell raked through the air, shrieking and panicked.
Sprinting up, Aerity tried to keep her balance as the boat kept thrashing back and forth. Eli scrambled for purchase as he too attempted to stand. Heading for the door, she was yanked back by a firm hand.
“What are you doing?” She yelled over the slurping of the water.
“Why are you always trying to get yourself killed?! They are trained for this Aer. You will only get in the way.”
She yanked her hand back and glared. “They might need another hand on deck.”
He frowned as another slam made them brace the wall. A scream pierced the air. Before he could grab her again, she yanked the door open and sloppily fought her way to the deck.
The captain struggled with a line.
“What do you need?” Aerity hollered over the violent tempest rocking them. The internal struggle was apparent on the captain face but Aerity noticed the exact moment Natalia’s desperation won out. The frightened expression on the leader’s face didn’t match her normal confidence.
This couldn’t be good.
“Grab this rope and help me pull. The line is caught. The boat has too much movement to climb up and release it.”
Doing as she was told, Aerity gripped the rope and heaved in sync with the captain’s ministrations until the line broke free of its’ confines, almost propelling her onto the deck. “Now what?” She was surprised she could be heard over the roaring and demolishing.
“Go get Malachi and...” She tilted her face towards his normal station, but no one was positioned there. The captain’s gaze swung back to hers and then around. “Where’s Malachi?” Confused faces glanced nervously around the helm as another scream echoed in the air. This one from a further distance.
Panic flooded the pirates face “No.”
Throwing herself towards the edge, Aerity gripped the railing and assessed where the screams were coming from. Malachi thrashed and screeched with liquid filled breaths as she watched in horror as his head bobbed in and out of the water, trying to keep above the vicious waves. Frantically, she searched the boat for any kind of life preserver. Anything. Her eyes seized on a rope in the corner as she let up a silent prayer.
It would have to do. She had no other options.
Wrapping the one end of the rope around herself and tying the other to the sturdiest part of the railing, she hoped to God that her knot was tied tight enough and she used the right one. Mya taught her a lesson on tying knots. If she died from this, she was going to come back just to haunt Mya’s dreams.
Another cry snapped Aerity back to the present. Water sprayed at her face with gusto and aggression. She called to the nearest deck hand as he scrambled to reach her. When he was in ear shot, she yelled over the crashing waves, “Pull me up in five minutes. Do you understand?!” Her ears roared with the ocean; pain throbbed between her eyes. He emphatically nodded his head, in shock of what she was asking him to do. With one last call behind her, Aerity yanked herself over the edge, diving directly into the heart of the storm.
∞∞∞
Eli
Eli swore she had to have a bloody death wish. He had just wrestled his way onto the deck in time to see his best friend throw herself overboard. What was she thinking?! How many times did he need to see her kiss death? They always said that they were going to burn in hell together. Maybe that day was going to come sooner than they had planned. That didn’t mean that she always needed to annoyingly flick the devil’s horns.
A growl sank out of his clenched teeth. No. Today wasn’t the day. She wouldn’t die. Not on his watch. He crept to the edge, hoping for a better look without toppling over it himself. Flailing arms assailed his vision as he caught a glimpse of raven colored hair. Little screams were snuffed out as a huge wave pushed Malachi under its mass. The rope attached to Aerity tugged as he saw her struggle to stay above water. He watched her fight towards the child, wave after wave dragging her under.
She was the most determined person he had ever met. Even if most of the time it wasn’t a good thing. If nothing else, he would give her that. If she made it out of this alive, that is.
Gradually she got closer, reaching out to get a hold of the boy. As soon as their fingers touched, they were ripped apart by the roaring ocean seeking to devour them. He heard Aerity grunt out a strangled noise as she struggled towards him yet again.
Men scrambled all around him, yelling out curses and orders but his attention was cued onto the spunky little red head that refused to give up. As soon as her fingers clasped the boy’s wrist, she yanked him towards her, cradling him in her arms. It was hard not to be amazed by her tenacity. She had always been electric but seeing her here, felt like it was what she had always been made to become. Malachi’s limbs wrapped around her like a lifeline, seemingly a little too hard. He clawed his way higher up her body, simultaneously pushing her body under. She bobbed under the water, her arms and feet struggling to stay afloat.
“Help me pull them up!” Eli yelled to anyone around who would listen. Three pairs of hands grabbed the rope around him as they all heaved against the heavy strain. The boat still rocked violently, as they struggled to keep their footing solid. One swish of the boat and their hands slipped, the rope slid back down their fingers. Planting their feet, Eli and the others pulled again, the water resisting their efforts. The rope burned and chafed at his hands, but he couldn’t feel anything. All he could think about was getting her to safety. Another wave jostled, almost throwing them all overboard but they stood their ground as they saw a sunken form emerge from the water with a giant barnacle clinging to it for dear life. Malachi was coughing and spitting, arms wrapped around Aerity’s neck, practically choking her while her arms hung lifelessly behind her. They drug them further out of
the water until they were high enough to reach. Four hands stretched out to haul them to the deck.
Breathless Eli watched Aerity flop on the deck like dead weight. Chaos erupted all around him, blood howled in his ears tuning them all out. Immediately running to her side, his ear pressed against her chest. She wasn’t breathing. Panic seized him as his hands crossed to the center of her chest. Using knowledge, he had learned in his health class, he pumped his fists into her body, lifted her chin and breathed into her mouth.
Still no heartbeat.
Over and over. Pound, breathe, listen.
Still no sound parted from her mouth. “No no no no! You will not die on me!” He shouted as he continued to pound his palms into her chest. Her body was frozen and pale, skin beginning to turn blue. He couldn’t lose her too. He wouldn’t. “Come on!” Sad faces hunched all around her sea battered body as tears streamed down his own face.
He didn’t feel it. He still didn’t feel anything.
“You are not leaving me here!” His voice turned shrill as his hands kept moving. Gentle fingers pressed into his shoulders urging him to give up but he just shoved them off, putting his mouth to hers again. “Breathe damnit!” Pain wracked his body as he rested his forehead to her chest. “No no no. This can’t be happening.” His tears mingled with her drenched shirt as he gripped onto her with everything he had left.
Something moved beneath his cheek.
He leaned back and placed a finger by her nose and felt a slight draft. “Oh my God. Aerity.” Laying her down he did one more attempt at CPR. Her chest heaved as she jerked up, coughing up water and seaweed. He released a whimper and sat back on his heels, staring at her in between his deathly white fingers.
