Chapter 3: Background
1055 Words
I looked at Selene with a gaze I knew could pierce her to the core. She seemed to shudder, but she hid it too well, making it almost imperceptible. I sighed, and although I still wasn't sure what was about to happen here, I knew that at least for the moment, I was safe.
"I've only ever been in a cell on a pirate ship," I said curtly.
I'm safe, for now, until they discover what I am. This very ship is proof that they might be interested in a sea witch like me, and pirates are untrustworthy—I've learned that much better. Selene gave me a somewhat sad, understanding look, but said nothing more. She simply finished guiding me to an empty room. Being inside was even more impressive.
I had grown accustomed to the movement of the ships, but never to a room this large. It was nothing compared to the small cell where they had held me prisoner. It was a real room; it even reminded me of the one I had in my house in the village.
I gently placed my hand on the door as I looked around, and involuntarily, my eyebrows arched in sadness, while my eyes began to water. Selene put her hand on my shoulder.
"It may not seem like it, but you're safe now."
"Thank you," I murmured.
"If you need anything, you can ask us to drop you off at the next island, or perhaps we're near where you used to live," she said, with a sweet and kind tone that stirred something deep within me.
I remained silent for a second, remembering my life before I was kidn*pped and everything I had experienced up until now. I smiled slightly and glanced at Selene.
"Can I be alone for a moment?" I asked cautiously.
She nodded and turned away as I entered the room and closed the door behind me. Suddenly, I felt my entire aura shift as I was alone. I relaxed my shoulders and wiped the tears from my eyes.
They're pirates.
I looked at my grandmother's book and flipped to the last page, a handwritten sentence, scribbled somewhat hastily. "The price of the star is the life of whoever claims it."
I don't know what it means, but I know I can't give up until I find him. Now I'm here, and I'm going to do everything I can to avenge my village, my dead neighbors, and the life I once had.
I sat down on the bed in my room; it was very comfortable. Then I started thinking, maybe I could ask where we were, look at a map and get my bearings so I could figure out what I should do from now on.
I opened my grandmother's book and flipped through the pages until I found something useful, and finally I saw a page with something I could read.
"Projection spell"
Before I could continue, a knock on the door made me close the book and put it under the sheet on the bed. As soon as I told them to come in, Selene entered with some clothes in her hand.
"I found this, which might work for you. I think it's your size, but if not, I can alter it," she said with a smile. "Or if it's not your style, I can find you something else."
I looked down. The clothes I was wearing were the same ones I'd been kidn*pped in a year ago. I had worn-out boots, leather pants ripped in several places, and a shirt that could barely be described as a shirt; besides being torn, dirty, and old, it was completely soaked.
I grabbed the clothes with a smile and closed the door behind me. I undressed and looked at the clothes in front of me. They were quite similar to what I was wearing, but much newer and definitely looked more comfortable.
Pants made of comfortable fabric, and knee-high leather boots with a heel similar in height to the ones I was wearing, but a little higher. A white shirt with slightly exposed shoulders and a lace-up closure instead of buttons.
In addition to that, I had a brown leather corset, which, to be honest, fit me perfectly, as if it had been custom-made.
I put on my pants and boots, and just as I was about to put on my shirt, the door opened and slammed shut, not even giving me time to react.
I had my back to the door, so I couldn't tell who had come in, but I did know that on my back I had not only a brand, but many scars from the torture I had suffered at the hands of the pirates. Besides that, they had left a mark on my back, a scar that meant I belonged to them.
They had branded me like cattle.
I clenched my fists, remembering that moment, my screams as they burned my foot, and how I begged and they just laughed. I closed my eyes and shook off the memory so I could finish getting dressed.
When I finished dressing, I felt comfortable in my own skin, more so than I had been in a long time. I put my grandmother's book away carefully in one of the drawers next to my new bed and left the room.
I walked down the corridor, counting my steps and the doors I passed before I could get out, as if I might need to escape at any moment.
Before I reached the deck, I heard a shout.
"RONAN!"
I stood still for a moment, hesitating whether I should go out or not, but I knew I had to face my current fate. I went out onto the deck and saw Lucien, the captain, with a somewhat unreadable expression, but he looked annoyed, as he grabbed Ronan by the neck, and Ronan didn't even flinch.
"Don't you ever say that again. All right?" Lucien said, his tone threatening.
"Fine, fine, as you wish, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty?" I asked.
I said it more to myself, but everyone turned to look at me. Lucien let go of Ronan, and the others relaxed a little. As they looked at me with confused expressions, I suddenly felt somewhat exposed when Draven approached me.
- Writer
