4

The ship was well underway, plowing steadily through water that rose up along the ship's hull in waves. Ainsley had eventually pushed open the hatch and climbed up onto the deck, followed closely by the feline threading between her feet. She gave the working crew a wide berth, not wanting to get in the way or be stabbed in the first hour of her stay. On their part, they seemed content to ignore her entirely, which she was grateful for. Maybe this hellish trip would pass quickly.

The heiress made her way to the aft deck, leaning out over the side and watching the white streamers of water swirl by. Part of her felt hollow, like something had taken a bite out of her heart. It was only because of the lost connection to the dragons, of course, but to Ainsley it still felt awful.

"Enjoyin' the view, princess?"

Ainsley whirled to catch the speaker of the words. It was the boy from before, the one her age, the one who wore a faintly malicious smirk on his freckled face. Ainsley stared him down, uncowed. Perhaps she was wary of the other men on the ship, and of Gael, but this youth didn't scare her in the slightest. Maybe that was simply because he approached her, though.

"Do you not have work to do?" She snarled back, hands itching for a sword or dagger. Or, of course, her abilities. She would summon a dragon to swallow him whole.

He smiled broadly, and Ainsley knew she'd given him an answer he liked. "Guess I do," he replied arrogantly. "Though I'm surprised you'd know anything about that."

His words bore the accent of someone who had not been educated, unlike the captain's uncharacteristic vocabulary. Nonetheless, it made Ainsley angry. So this was about her status. She shouldn't have been surprised.

Well, she wouldn't give him a reaction. She turned back to the water, leaning against the piece of hull separating her from it and folding her arms on top of it.

"Fuck you," she responded evenly, careful not to sound upset. Behind her, the pirate burst out into a laugh, and Ainsley ignored the shiver that went up her spine at the thought of him grabbing her while she was vulnerable and pushing her overboard. Well, she still wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of turning around and acknowledging him.

"Aw, princess, I don't think your father would be happy about you usin' words like that."

At the mention of him, Ainsley felt her teeth click together, but she ignored him, staring at the receding land mass and not daring to take her eyes off of it. Footsteps fell behind her, then Gael's voice rang out. Ainsley felt a surge of relief paired with anger at herself at the sound of it.

"Edward, did I not give all of you a declaration on how the lady was to be treated?"

Ainsley risked a glance. The captain was standing there, chin up, a hand on her hip. For the first time, she noticed the pistol hanging near her hand. Had that been there the whole time? Why hadn't she used it before if that was the case, during Ainsley's escape attempt or simply as a fear mechanism?

Either way, just the sight of the captain was enough to make the boy back down into submission. His gaze lowered.

"Sorry, Cap'n," he replied, words a hurried rush. He didn't sound all that sorry, but he did turn and leave, which was all Ainsley really asked. She settled her weight back over the edge, sensing Gael's presence as the pirate stepped up next to her, apparently also watching Ainsley's country disappear into the horizon. Her skin prickled with the proximity, but she swallowed and stared resolutely ahead, stiff and not daring to look at her companion. The cat that had remained didn't seem to notice her tension, flopping its full weight over Ainsley's foot and purring in contentment.

"Ed isn't a bad fellow, and he won't hurt you," the captain said, sounding completely sure.

"Mhm," Ainsley responded, grudge too strong to offer more of a response. She knew Gael was right, though. From the start, the captain had displayed complete control over everything that happened on the Finch. It didn't seem like anyone feared her, but they sure as hell respected her. Of course, Edward could still make her life miserable if he so pleased.

"We're heading out beyond the point where your father sends his ships for the first four days of the journey." The captain seemed happy to explain the current plan to Ainsley, even though she hadn't asked. "He's promised us safety, but we're making sure he's had plenty of time to send a message to all his patrolling warships. After that, it should be safe for us to come in closer and finish the rest of the journey around your country within sight of land."

Ainsley wasn't sure what kind of response the captain was hoping for, so she nodded uncertainly. If Gael was trying to assure her, she hated to admit that it was working. She was giving them a reason for their voyage so far out. A sudden thought occurred to her.

"But—" she blurted—"How can I know you're not just taking me far away with no plans to return?"

Gael smiled. "Because," she explained patiently, "that would violate the trust pact between your father and I, and we would not be assured of our safety from your soldiers." She tucked her hands into the pockets of her trousers. "That would be the direct opposite of our goals here."

Ainsley was quiet, staring into the churning water. She had to admit it was a reasonable guarantee, but her paranoia wasn't one to rest. She had no reason to trust the pirates, but at the very least she could see no advantage to them straying from the plan.

"However, I can understand your concerns," the captain added. "You may ask me any questions, whenever you like, and I'll do my best to put your mind at ease."

Ainsley looked away, an unbidden lump rising in her throat that she angrily tried to swallow down, simultaneously unsure of where it had come from. She hated that she thought the offer was a compassionate one, given the circumstances. Finally, she just shook her head briskly, bending down and scooping up the cat at her feet.

"Alright," she replied briskly, tone apathetic. She reached up with one hand, scratching the feline under its chin and feeling the vibration of its purr. Then she backed up a step, ready to opt out of this conversation that she couldn't help but feel awkward over.

"Oh—I'm aware you're trying to hold out on me, but just tell me when you're ready to have some dinner, alright?"

Ainsley flushed slightly, stopped in her tracks. She wasn't sure what which was the greater blow to her dignity, to continue refusing food and come off as bratty or to relinquish her pride and accept something from the captain. Her arrogance tended to get the better of her, but right now her stomach was still queasy and she felt completely empty of any real emotion. That was a side effect of being rid of her dragonblood abilities, she figured. Either way, she had no appetite. So she turned the conversation around, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"You don't speak like a pirate. You sound educated."

A slow smile lifted the captain's lips. "Is that an observation or an inquiry, princess?"

Ainsley shook her head once, fingers still roaming the fur of the feline in her arms. Again, her grudge and false sense of dignity choked off her question. She didn't want to lower herself enough to ask things of a pirate. She wanted to know everything without ever having to learn from someone.

The captain smiled, and it irked Ainsley. She wanted a reason to hate her, wanted Gael to address her with condescension and treat her like a nuisance, someone who was only there to get underfoot. She wanted her to treat her like her father did. It was easy to hate him.

"Well, my parents were nobility," Gael said, answering her unasked question. "We'll leave it there."

Ainsley blinked, surprised by the revelation. That meant Gael would've received a proper education, of course. She wouldn't be surprised if the pirate could read and write, too. But what country was she from? There was an accent to her voice, one that suggested perhaps one of the eastern nations. How had a born noble fallen to piracy in the first place?

Well, she didn't care. Didn't want to care. Fingers ghosting over the ears of the cat in her arms, Ainsley nodded, then turned to go back to the stores with no further acknowledgment.

chapter time here we go! don't forget to vote and comment and have a great day c: