Princess of Pirates

5_Dinner

Zelia

My hands are bleeding and there is not a single part of my body that is not in pain. My knees, back, shoulders, arms and hands ache to the point that I want to cry, but I do not stop. Every time that I want to give up, I think of Charlotte and that is enough to keep me going.

The relief when I am finally done scrubbing the floor is overwhelming. Even the walls got a decent work over.

I groan as I get up from the floor and pick up the bucket. All that is left to do, is throw out the water and wash me and my clothes. I seriously doubt that Jehan would be kind enough to return some of my clothes that they looted. My body protests as I pick up the bucket and make my way to the deck. Sam, the sailor appointed to keep an eye on me, constantly on my heels.

I need to see Charlotte and make sure she is well-taken care of. And I am sure she needs to know that I am unharmed and alive. But how am I supposed to slip away from Sam? And even if I do manage to do so, he will report me to Jehan, and heaven knows what punishment he would come up with.

“I need to wash,” I turn to Sam after I threw out the dirty water, I have decided that it is worth taking a chance. “The captain told me to be clean. I need one of my dresses.”

Sam just looks at me emotionless. His red beard is moving up and down as he is chewing on a piece of tobacco.

“I am serious,” I make my eyes big at him and cross my arms in front of my chest. “Go ask him if you do not believe me.”

Still, Sam just stares at me.

“Fine,” I shrug, pick up the bucket and make my way past him back to the cabin. “If the captain wants to know why I am still a stinking mess, I will just reply that you did not want to cooperate.”

“Follow me,” Sam scoffs as leads me below deck, clearly irritated by me but not confident enough that I might be lying. I cannot blame him. I am the person that persuaded Jehan to allow us to see sunlight. All I must do now is find a way to change his mind about selling us on the market.

I grab an emerald, green dress, underdress and matching shoes from my trunk. At the last second, I decide to really push my luck and grab some rose oil. Unkept, gmpf! Triumphantly, I take my stuff and hurry back to the cabin. I do not even want to think what Jehan would say if he sees us now.

Back in the cabin, I stare at the barrel that I assume Jehan uses to wash. Freshwater is precious and usually, we are only allowed to wash and not the luxury of a proper bath. By the looks of things, captain Jehan spoils himself every now and again with a bath. But I do not dare consider it. Besides that, I probably do not have enough time, if he catches me, he will have my head.

Quickly I dress down into my underdress and wash my hair before I wash the rest of my body. I feel reborn by the time that I am clean and dressed.

Now what? I wonder as I look around. The cabin is spotless, and I washed myself and my dirty clothes. There is nothing left for me to do but wait. For a second, I consider finding Charlotte, but I push that idea to the side. I have just managed to get us out of the hold, I am not going back.

With a sigh, I take my freshly washed underdress and go sit at Jehan’s desk to start working on the hem to get the coins. I need to honour my part of the deal if I want to remain in his good graces. Maybe, just maybe, I can save us from the slave’s market.

My stomach is loudly protesting when I finally get all the coins out. I have not eaten all day and I can feel it.

“What are you doing at my desk?” Jehan demands sternly and I nearly fall out of the chair as I jump.

“The … the coins,” I stutter, still weak at the knees after his unexpected entrance.

“Here,” I finally get hold of myself and walk to him, holding the coins out. “I am a woman of my word.”

Jehan studies me for a moment and I just stare back at him. I cannot figure out his facial expression. He does not seem mad, more perplexed than anything else.

“Well,” I shake the coins when the silence gets too much. “Do you want it or not?”

“Where did you get the clothes?” He asks as he takes the coins and walks over to his dresser.

“From my trunk,” I say softly as I swallow hard as my eyes follow his every movement. “You told me to clean up.”

“I did not give you permission to fetch your things,” he growls at me.

“I had no choice,” I lift my chin stubbornly. “Wearing the dirty clothes would have defeated the purpose of a bath.”

Slowly, Jehan walks up to me, and my heart’s pace increases. Why, oh, why does he have to be so incredibly gorgeous and why does he have this effect on my body? Why can my body not despise him as much as my heart does?

He is only inches away and I close my eyes. Inhaling softly. He smells of sun and sea and life. The stirring in the pit of my stomach is back and I suppress a groan of frustration.

“You are testing my patience, woman,” he says misleadingly soft, and I open my eyes. Just to get lost in his ocean blue eyes. “There will be a time that I will not and cannot contain myself. You will regret it dearly.”

I am lost for words and also too scared to even try and find anything to say. I am not sure what the meaning of his words is, but I am not about to find out. I am avoiding going back into the hold at any cost. Including keeping my mouth close.

“Let us go eat,” he groans and grabs me by the elbow.

I want to protest and tell him I will walk by myself, but I do not dare. I allow him to drag me behind him, much to his crew’s amusement. I want to die of humiliation, but I comfort myself that I will see Charlotte soon and I bite my tongue from lashing out.

Once in the dining room, my eyes dart from side to side, trying to find Charlotte. All in vain. There is not one single passenger from my ship.

“Where are the others?” I ask him softly. I do not want him to get the idea that I am questioning him in front of his men.

“Not here,” he mumbles and takes a seat, dragging me down to sit next to him.

“Please, captain,” I whisper as I look at him. “I just want to know if my little sister is all right.”

Jehan does not reply. He just picks up his glass and fills it up with beer. My heart sinks and I must fight back the tears as I intertwine my fingers and look down. The agonizing worry about Charlotte threatens to consume me and there is nothing I can do about it.

Around me, men are laughing and joking as they eat and drink. Even though I am starving, I do not dare to touch the food that is spread in front of me. I am trained in the etiquette and manners of the court. But I have not the slightest idea of what is expected of me as a hostage and maid.

“Eat,” Jehan orders and pushes a plate under my nose.

I do not protest. As long as I please him, there might be a chance that I could see Charlotte. I break off a piece of bread and put it in my mouth. The entire time, I keep my eyes diverted.

“She is in the kitchen,” Jehan finally speaks and my head jerks up.

“May I see her?” I ask desperately.

“After dinner,” he mumbles, not looking at me.

“Thank you, captain,” I say with sincerity and appreciation.

Again, Jehan looks at me with an expression that I cannot decipher. But this time, it does not unnerve me. I smile at him brightly before I turn away and continue eating.

I am on pins and needles by the time I have finished my dinner. I want to see Charlotte, but the men take their sweet time finishing their meal. Be patient, I remind myself over and over.

“Come,” Jehan orders and my heart skips a beat with excitement as I get up and follow him to the kitchen.

The small space is overfilled with people from our ship enjoying dinner, but it does not take me long to spot Charlotte. She seems lost and my heart yearns for her.

“May I?” I whisper hoarsely at Jehan, and he nods.

Like lightning, I jolt towards Charlotte. The second she recognises me; she starts crying and I pull her into my arms.

“You are fine,” I whisper in her hair. “We will be fine, just trust me.”

“I was so worried about you,” she whimpers. “I did not know if you were alive.”

“Bordeaux!” Jehan bellows and I hug Charlotte closer to me for a second.

“I have to go,” I whisper urgently. “Be strong, Charlotte. I will get you out of this.”

“Where are you going?” Charlotte asks almost hysterically as I pull away.

“Do not worry, sister,” I assure her and smile. “I will see you in the morning.”

“Zelia!” she shouts, but I just blow her a kiss and turn away.

I close my eyes for a second and bite back the tears as I follow Jehan out of the kitchen.