A few days later, they were at sea again. Serenity had sent Firaskie back the next day with a note informing the prince of their rendezvous date and location. She had given her men a few days rest and gathered a skeleton crew that were willing to leave home so soon. Hraesvelgr had been trapped in the captain's quarters once again. Serenity had been awkward with him ever since their kiss and spent most of her time on deck.
He lay on the bed, daydreaming about her soft lips. The door suddenly opened and Serenity entered. He sat up abruptly, cursing the handcuff that held him. She pulled a chair over to him. “Let me check your wound,” she said softly, not meeting his gaze. He obediently removed his shirt and lay back. With gentle hands, she removed the bandages and inspected it. “I’m afraid it may scar. I’m sorry. I should have let you return to the capital with your men; you would’ve had much better treatment.”
“Are you regretting your hostage situation?” He watched her intently. His breath caught as she gently ran her fingers across the edge of the wound.
“I’m sorry! I wasn’t trying to hurt you!” She pulled her hand to her chest and turned away blushing.
“It didn’t hurt,” he replied. He wanted her touch.
After a moment, she turned back and began to wrap his shoulder in fresh bandages. “No, I don’t regret my decision. I’m just not thinking straight.” She sighed heavily. “I think we should leave the bandages on until you can get it properly cleaned and inspected. Are you sure it doesn’t hurt?”
“Only sometimes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I- I don’t know. Like I said, I’m not thinking straight.” She got up and started to move away. He caught her wrist as he sat up.
“Serenity.” Her breath hitched as he said her name. She felt tears prick behind her eyes, inexplicably. “Serenity, talk to me.”
“Why would I talk to you? You’re just my prisoner.” She tried to pull away from him. He gripped her tighter. "Let go of me!"
"No. Not until you talk to me. It doesn't matter if I'm your prisoner or not. Clearly, you need someone to talk to and I'm someone."
"I can't talk to you. You're absolutely the last person I can talk to." A blush crept up her neck.
"Because we kissed?" A small smile touched his lips.
"Yes!" Serenity shouted. "Because we kissed! And I want you to kiss me again!" She clapped her free hand over her mouth, a look of horror on her face.
Melromarc let out a bark of laughter. "All you had to do was ask," he teased.
"Shut up!" Serenity snarled.
"There's my sassy sailor." He grinned. "May I kiss you one last time before you become just a happy memory?" He stood up, this time grateful that his restraint allowed him this much. He moved his hand from her wrist to her waist. She hesitated but found herself enjoying the feeling of his embrace. She nodded. He leaned closer. "Are you sure?"
"Just kiss me already." She closed her eyes, anticipation making her body tingle. His lips met hers. This kiss was greedy unlike the last. Melromarc obviously wanted to burn the feel of her to memory. After a few moments, he grew bold and allowed his tongue to wander.
"Get your filthy hands off her!" They broke apart suddenly. Caspian yanked his captain out of Melromarc's arms. He was furious. His sword was in hand, the tip against the admiral's throat. "How dare you take advantage of her!"
"Caspian!" Serenity warned. Melromarc put up his hands in surrender.
"I will not let him disrespect you so!" Caspian shot back, pushing his blade closer to Hraesvelgr's neck. A trickle of blood dripped down the blade.
"Caspian, what did you come to tell me?" Serenity grabbed the blade and pushed it toward the floor.
"We're here," he sighed. He glowered at Melromarc. "Everett is ready to take you to shore."
"Very well. I'll be there in a minute after I gather my things." She glared at Caspian, letting him know he'd been dismissed.
"Perhaps I should stay-" Caspian started.
"You're dismissed!" Serenity snapped. Red in the face, Caspian left, slamming the door behind him.
"Where are you going? We can't be at the rendezvous point yet," Melromarc said.
"We're not. You'll be handed back to your beloved king without me." She looked up at him and smiled. "I'm going to visit my sister."
Caspian stood behind Hraesvelgr, sword at his throat. The prisoner knelt on the dock, hands tied behind his back. King Talamaar walked briskly towards them, an entourage of guards in his wake.
“Did you bring the ransom?” Caspian questioned.
“Hand over the rear admiral and it’s all yours, my friend,” Talamaar responded.
Caspian laughed sarcastically. “This is a hostage situation, Your Highness, not a negotiation. You can have my prisoner after you give me the treasure. Tell your men to set it down, show me it’s real, and back away.”
Talamaar seemed to carefully assess the situation. “Do as he says.” After the prince’s men moved away, the crew moved forward and quickly loaded the trunks of treasure onto the ship. Caspian kept his sword pressed firmly against his captive’s neck to remind the king how quickly Hraesvelgr could lose his head if things went astray.
Once the crew were safely aboard the ship, Caspian roughly shoved Melromarc toward Talamaar. “If I ever see you again, Melromarc, I’ll kill you myself,” he snarled as he stepped onto the gangplank.
“I take it you didn’t get along well with Captain Tides,” Talamaar said as he cut Hraesvelgr loose and helped him to his feet.
“That’s not Captain Tides,” Melromarc replied, rubbing his neck. The feel of the cold steel lingered against his skin. “That’s the first mate and he didn’t like the way I treated his captain.” Talamaar gave his friend a sharp look as they walked back to the palace. Hraesvelgr smirked. “Captain Tides is Captain Serenity Tides.” Talamaar raised an eyebrow. “And she’s very beautiful.”
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