Chapter 23: Chapter 23

I am tied to a steel pole on the lower deck of the ship of the Underworld. I would not be surprised if Hades resided somewhere on this massive ship.

The sky is dark and angry like the vessel I’m on. The wind has picked up and is currently blowing my hair around my face in the most irritating manner.

The water makes me nervous, dark and monstrous like it’s alive, hungry for human souls to devour.

Now I know this sounds bad, but in all honesty, no one has touched or talked to me in a couple of hours. It’s the strangest thing.

I even have a dark cloak draped around my shoulders to shield my scandalous body from hungry male stares.

This could be a lot worse.

I am watching men run everywhere, doing this and that like the devil is on their heels. Whatever they’re planning, they’re doing it in a hurry, and it makes me anxious.

I hope a storm is not moving in.

“Princess, the Black Siron asks if ye’ would like to get more comfortable?”

I flinch as I glance at a small man with kind blue eyes. He is dressed in all black and has a dark patch over one eye.

Is this a trick question? Like, if I say yes, will I get thrown into the black sea with the shark-man-pigs? Lipers? Whatever they’re called.

“I mean you no harm, my lady.”

~What in the ever-loving-mind-game is this?!~

I take a breath, trying to gauge his kindness. “I would like to be untied,” I say meekly, then flinch when he moves toward me.

I sit tensely as he takes out a knife from his boot and cuts my ties with quick efficiency. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until he steps away. I rub my wrists and nod at him.

“Thank you.”

He nods.

I stare at him, unsure of what to say. “What now?”

He turns and shouts something at a couple of men, then glances back at me.

“You may sit out here as long as you stay out of the way of our men. When you are feeling tired, come find me, and I will show you to your room.”

“My room?”

“Yes, we are having it prepared for you.” He tilts his head at me. “Master Siron wants you to be very comfortable.”

“Does he now?” I say, almost to myself.

“Give him a chance, princess.” And with that, he leaves— to go tend to other more important matters, I’m sure.

I think my mouth is hanging open. I glance around the deck, and not once does any man on this ship even glance my way. It’s as if I am invisible.

Standing, I meekly make my way to the side of the vessel and glance over the edge. I can smell the salt from the water and the mist the wind brings.

We are high up, and I feel like I can see for miles. Miles of black waters.

A wave of nerves flash through my body, and I feel sick.

Is this Siron guy trying to win me over? Why would he do that? Unless he wants to lower my guard to take advantage of me, make me pay for my naive nature.

I rub a hand down my face, confusion clouding my brain. I need to talk to Mort fast and find out what in the heck is going on here.

I am doing Apollo no good being on Siron’s ship. I only have one month left, for Pete’s sake!

With that, I set out to find that old man and tell him I would love to go to my room, away from all this madness.

I am almost run over by several men, yelling at me to get my “~sweet ass”~ out of the way. I think I hear a “~sugar tits”~ from someone to my left, but I can’t be sure.

I make my way to the upper deck, which is massive, and I find the main navigation platform. I’m shaking, but I try to hide it. I am way out of my comfort zone here.

~Life begins at the end of your comfort zone~, I remind myself. ~Pull yourself together, woman.~

I nearly jump out of my skin. ~It’s him~.

Siron is there, wearing all black with his face almost covered. He is a towering figure, scary as hell.

My heartrate jumps to life even though I order myself to act calmly. I want to back up slowly, but he already sees me.

Double shit.

He stops what he is doing to stare at me, and an army of gooseflesh litters my skin. The man is intimidating.

He makes some hand movements to the men standing around him, then he makes his way toward me, his black overcoat flapping behind him in the wind.

My heart is pounding so hard I think I might pass out in front of everyone. I take a deep breath as he stops in front of me, making me look down, not wanting to make eye contact with someone like him.

I feel his hand touch my chin and lift it up to meet his black gaze. I can tell his eyes are searching my face, and all I can do is stare back.

“What do you want with me?” I blurt, unable to keep silent. I jerk my chin out of his hand with newfound defiance.

~Easy, Nelly.~

He smiles, then glances out over the ship to the ocean. I can only see his lips, and I will admit they are nice—white teeth as well. Just an observation. He is a bit of a mystery.

Siron then pulls out a notepad and writes for a few seconds, then hands it to me.

I take it with trembling fingers and read it.

~Do you know sign language?~

I glance up and answer with clipped tones. “No.”

He nods and takes back the paper to write again.

~Then you will have to bear with me~.

I see it, then nod up at him. I guess he can’t talk, which is weird because I thought I heard him laugh. Maybe he is only able to make small sounds?

He shows me another note.

~Are you searching for your room? Or me?~

“Room,” I say too fast. He has lovely handwriting, very odd for a cutthroat individual. But these guys do not seem uneducated—in fact, quite the opposite.

“Why are you being,” I pause, “nice to me?” I speak loudly like he is slow. I wince and bite my lip.

He is expressionless as he writes, then hands me the note.

~My little dancer, I can hear your lovely voice just fine.~

I blush. Of course he can, I know, I’m an idiot. “I’m sorry,” I say sheepishly.

He watches me for a few unnerving seconds, then writes again before handing me the paper. ~You are beautiful, and I am nice to beautiful things.~

I resist rolling my eyes. It is hard because they want to disappear clear back into my skull like I am possessed. “Lucky me.”

He takes a few seconds to respond, then hands me the paper—.

~You sound ungrateful. Would you like me to tie you to my bed then? Or maybe you can dance for me later?~

I suck in a breath as I read. “No, I am not ungrateful. Thank you for showing me kindness.”

I’m breathing hard in panic, and I am really striking out on being street smart. I need to save the attitude because this could get ugly in a hurry.

I think I see him grin, but it’s gone so fast I might be seeing things. I take another breath. “May I go to my room?” I need to get away from him STAT.

I see him studying me, and it makes me squirm. This guy has a very penetrating stare that seems to unravel my sense of calm. I just want to jump out of my skin. I need some Xanax pronto.

He writes then flips the paper around so I can see~.

~I will have Marcus show you to your quarters. I will fetch you for dinner in a few hours. I WANT your company.~

I swallow and nod. Mercy, he wrote ~want~ in caps, and that makes my heart palpitate.

He turns and whistles loud through his teeth, gaining everyone’s attention. Quick sign language happens, and the older man I talked to before nods and comes running at me.

“Of course, Your Grace.” He bows to Siron and then turns to me. “This way, princess.”

I am rushed off the platform, feeling his stare on me. I don’t like it. It’s too much too soon. I need to get off this boat ASAP.

Siron is being nice now but for how long? I can sense his desire like a second skin. I am running out of time. “Marcus, is it?”

“Yes, princess. Ye may follow me to yer room.”

I follow him inside the large ship’s cabin and through many hallways until we stop at a metal door with yellow lights. I turn toward him and bite my lip. “Can you help me?”

His head jerks toward me in shock. “Ye are Siron’s now. He will move heaven and hell to keep you. It’s best ye accept yer fate.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “I can’t!” I lower my voice and look around. “I can’t. I am in love with another. Prince Apollo of Garthorn!”

He opens the door and lets me walk past him; angry tears cloud my eyes. He gives a heavy sigh and pauses at the door.

“I am sorry. Yer gown for tonight is hanging in the wardrobe. Please do not upset Siron. Ye will not like it. Keep him on yer good side, princess.”

He shuts the door, and I start hitting the metal wall repeatedly. With ragged breaths, I glance around the beautiful chamber and grit my teeth.

It is adorned with yellow and grays, very girly, with lace and satin fabrics. A lot of wealth here, especially for a room on a scary pirate ship.

~This could be so much worse,~ I remind myself.

Movement catches my eye as I see a white butterfly. “Mort!” I hiss.

She transforms in front of me and falls onto the bed, looking exhausted. “I was lost. That’s all you need to know.” She takes a breath. “We have much to talk about.”

I sit next to her and nod. “I’m in deep shit, aren’t I?”

Mort looks at me with a frown. “Deep shit? I don’t think so,” she murmurs, then looks at my feet.

I close my eyes. “It’s an expression, Mort. It means I’m in trouble.”

“Oh.” She nods. “Yes, you are in deep shit. So, a few things we must touch base on. Apollo is still in a coma, and he is running out of time. He might die at any point.”

I gasp and squeeze my eyes shut. “What a nightmare.” I can feel the pain in my chest. I don’t want to lose him. I have started to fall in love with him, if I am not already. He can’t die—he just can’t!

“Yes, well, Pierce is freaking out because Siron is someone he was not counting on. Siron is planning on overtaking Eltson’s ship.”

“What?!”

“If that happens, then Laura will not reach the healer in time, and Apollo will die,” she says, and looks down.

We sit in silence. That’s why all the crew members were running around like their heads were cut off. They were preparing for battle.

“Mort, Apollo can’t die. It’s my fault he was bitten.” I will tears back, but a couple escape.

“Can you persuade Siron ~not~ to take over Eltson’s ship? They plan on connecting with them early tomorrow morning.”

I curse. “I am having dinner with the brute tonight.” I glance at Mort. “What do you know about him? It might help when I talk to him tonight. Well, he can’t talk, he is mute. That’s about all I know.”

Mort is typing. “Yes, I saw that. Strange because he was not always like that, from my records. I think he is sick actually, having to sit down from exhaustion, resting a lot.”

“Huh,” I say, deep in thought.

“Pierce is unsure what happened to him, maybe something to do with all of his battles. Voice box removed, maybe? Torture here is bad.”

I cringe.

“I wonder,” Mort says with a frown. “Do you think Siron is overtaking Eltson to gain access to the healer as well? The man seems to be in high demand.”

My eyes brighten, and I sit up straighter. “That would be a blessing in disguise! I can do some digging tonight. If not, maybe I can even convince him he needs to see this man.”

“It’s all we got at this point.” Mort walks over to the wardrobe and opens it up. She whistles and pulls out a golden gown, fit for an Egyptian queen.

“Not as good as Pierce, but this Siron guy does not spare any expense.”

I take a shaky breath as my eyes gaze at the shimmering fabric. Looks like I have to put on my acting face, yet again.

~This is all for you, Apollo.~