7

Ainsley was back on the deck, a pair of leather gloves covering her raw palms. Admittedly, the pain had served as a distraction. She could only hope working more would lull the thoughts that had arisen with all the questions the crew had asked of her. She hadn't expected such a curious and interested reception. She was accustomed to polite distance, accustomed to people giving her space simply out of fear. These men were nervous over her presence, but they seemed to absorb everything she told them with famished interest.

Approaching the officer, Ainsley took a second to push her hair off her forehead. "What can I do next?"

Nathe was fiddling with a compass in his hands, apparently occupied at the moment. He answered her, not looking up from his work.

"Uh, could y' climb up to the crowsnest and relieve whoever's up there? We gotta keep a close watch on the waters until we can be sure word's been sent out to your father's soldiers not to attack us."

Ainsley's eyes lifted to the perch high above the deck. She had never climbed to such a height, but she had flown plenty of times. She could do it. Maybe it wasn't quite the toil she'd hoped for, but it was something.

She had just nodded her affirmation when Nathe remembered who he was talking to and spun around to actually face her.

"Wait- apologies, my lady. I shouldn't be askin' that of you, I'll find someone else quick-"

"No," she cut him off, managing to flash a brief smile. "I can do it. Please- please let me do it."

Was she only trying to prove herself?

The officer looked reluctant, wrapping the bronze chain back around the compass before tucking it into a pocket. "I don't know, princess... the captain'll be upset if you fall and break your neck, not to mention your father..."

"I can do it!" She insisted again. "I'll be careful."

He sighed, sounding a lot like a parent reluctantly giving into the demands of a child. Usually, such an attitude made Ainsley snap. She hated condescension, but she couldn't manage to find an ounce of it in his tone.

"Alright. Alright. But be careful."

"I already promised I would."

He waved her away and she made her way to the mast that held the crowsnest high in the air. Then she wrapped her gloved hands around the rope and lifted one foot, first steps up cautious as she had promised. The rigging swayed in the wind, carrying her weight with them and throwing her off balance slightly, but her grip was true and she took it slow. Finally, her fingers grabbed at the wooden edge, and she took a moment to stare down at the deck below, a nervous grin breaking out on her face. She caught Nathe glancing up at her and in a moment of cockiness, freed her other hand to wave down at him. He sucked in a breath, ready to reprimand her, then corrected himself. Still smirking, Ainsley reclaimed her grip and then pulled herself up into the crowsnest, crouched down on one knee for a second.

"Nathe told me to take over," she told the crew member currently holding his position. The young man nodded, gave her a shy "thank you", then disappeared over the edge. Ainsley pulled herself to her feet, reached out to grab the railing as her balance faltered, and then leaned against it to steady herself. Below her, the white-capped waves stretched on ahead as far as she could see. Behind her, there was no sign of the distant line that was her country. Up here, the wind whipped at her short hair and threw it about her face, making her push it back several times.

She had been higher than this plenty of times on the backs of dragons, but there had been something different then. Now, she couldn't help the brief moment of fear she experienced. She could trust her dragons. What could she trust if she fell from this height?

The sentiment brought with it the dull stab of emptiness that she had never managed to escape from since the damper was placed on her. Swallowing hard, Ainsley settled her weight against the wooden railing, hands moving to tug at and twist the hated cuff. She was so lonely- it felt like part of her had been cut out completely. Letting out a shuddering sigh, Ainsley sat down, leaning against the wooden post in the center of the circular platform. She tipped her head back against the rough surface and let herself break down for the second time, shoulders heaving with quiet, restrained sobs. The undulating horizon blurred and she swiped a hand across her eyes, determined to fulfill her duty up here. She could hardly keep guard if she cried the whole time.

The thought didn't stop her from drawing her knees up to her chest for some pathetic attempt at comfort, hands entwined in each other.

—

It had been a few hours already when Gael realized she hadn't seen Ainsley since she left the galley. There was nowhere for her to go, her reasonable mind supplied, but that didn't stop her from hurrying over to her officer.

"Nathe, where's the princess?"

"Oh- I sent her up to the crowsnest."

Gael felt first a stab of relief, then panic. "Nathe-!"

"It's alright," he assured her, apparently unconcerned. "I saw her up the whole way. She's fine."

Gael rubbed at the bridge of her nose. Okay. Ainsley was okay. "I should still check on her."

"Probably. Sorry, I should've asked first."

"It's alright. My initial thought was that she'd been blown overboard; this is much better." She offered him a smile over her shoulder, already heading for the rope ladder that led up to the crowsnest.

The sun was on its way back to the horizon, gilding the edges of the water and the wood of the ship as Gael pulled herself up into the crowsnest. Ainsley scrambled to her feet, eyes wide and startled. And red. Gael felt a stab of regret even as the princess turned to face the water, back to her and the lowering sun.

"I- I'm watching the water, I swear," she promised, leaning against the rail. Gael felt herself sigh.

"Of course, I... was not concerned about that. I'll leave you to your work." She paused. "Is everything alright, princess?" She already knew the answer, of course.

"Yes."

Ainsley's tone was wavering, on the verge of cracking. Gael could sense the struggle that came with keeping it even. She swallowed, unsure of what else to say. What could she say? The princess hated her, and for good reason.

"Well, if you need anything, then-"

"I can tell you. I know," the princess cut her off bitterly, face still turned away and unreadable. Gael struggled for a response. She had planned to just leave the princess to her misery, but that hardly seemed fair.

"Do you want to talk?"

"Why should I?"'

Gael shook her head. She could hardly blame her, but the aloof attitude hit her solidly. She licked her lips.

"I do want you to know that I apologize for accepting your father's offer, and I apologize for your misfortune in having such a father in the first place."

Her sincerity drew a hollow laugh from the princess. "Yes," she replied, tone harsh, "he is a bastard, isn't he?"

Gael felt her mouth open in surprise. "Princess, I- wow, that's cruel, isn't it?"

"He deserves it. I hate him."

Gael had never seen someone possess such open contempt for their kin.

"You truly are something strange, princess."

Ainsley turned slightly to face her, and Gael saw she was smiling, no humour in the expression.

"You're one to talk. I've never met a noble who's fallen to piracy before."

"I wouldn't say I've fallen anywhere." She approached a step closer. "I'm content where I am."

That earned her a derisive snort. Was the princess jealous or only angry? Gael really had no way of telling.

"I suppose I..." Ainsley trailed off and swallowed. "I may as well accept your apology. You did what needed to be done for your crew."

Surprised at the sudden understanding, Gael found herself coming closer and leaning against the rail next to Ainsley. "I could've found another way."

"Not with my rotting corpse of a father, you couldn't have. And you've been good to me. I apologize for snapping at you."

"It's already been forgotten. I wouldn't expect anything less from anyone in your situation."

Ainsley didn't smile, but her features softened slightly as she looked out to the glittering water. Gael pulled herself away from the rail. "I'll let you continue working, then."

Receiving a dismissive nod in return, Gael moved back to the entrance to the crowsnest and began the climb back down. Just those few minutes had provided far, far more civility than she'd expected from the hostage princess

uhhhh here we go, another chapter i guess, lol. please vote and comment if you enjoyed it!