The Prince and His Maid

15: Storms brewing

*Finn*

I am awakened by at weird motion from the ship, or actually more by a feeling of a motion, if that makes any sense. It’s like there is a special smell to the air, there is something with the way the ship moves. The waves sounds differently against the hull. Yeah I would call it a feeling, a sixth sense.

Then another feeling pushes to the forbedring for a moment, and that is the feeling of a very warm and soft body laying almost fully on top of me. She is still in a deep sleep, breathing softly. She is perched between my legs, with her head resting on my chest.

I am used to this by now, or as used as one can get to it. It happens every single night, her finding her way in her sleep to my side of the bed, snuggling up closely.

Honestly I don't really mind at all, she is soft and warm and her body feels amazing pressed into mine. But I also have to admit, to myself at least, that it is getting harder and harder to stay on the right side of that invisible line. Every day is a new struggle not to act on my instinct and those feelings brewing inside me.

“Come on darling, wake up, it’s morning”. I gently run my hand up and down her back, staying within the, almost, appropriate ares. I feel how she start to move slightly, making small sounds of awakening. It is all very distracting as she is literally rubbing against a very sensitive spot, threatening to totally hayworth my self-control. “Please wake up sweetie”.

Very slowly she opens her eyes and blink a couple of times, before looking up at me. She takes a deep breath, her voice laced with sleep. “Hmm I don't want to wake up Finn.. I was sleeping so very well”.

“So what you are saying is that I am very useful as a mattress ? I can honestly say you are the first woman to tell me that”. I can’t help the deep chuckle escaping me. “Sorry to wake you then darling, but I need to get up on deck and you are kind of keeping me captured. I fear a big storm is on it’s way”.

She sigh and roll down beside me, but her hand remained on my stomach, and it feels like an electric warmth is spreading from the area she touches. Oh dear, she is making this so very hard on me. Well honestly, she is making other things on me very hard too indeed. I need to focus, this is Arion’s bride to be. I made a promise to the King to deliver her save and untouched. I told the crew that touching her bears the penalty of death. I can’t break my own rules and not be penalized for it.

“A big storm ? How on earth do you know that ? The ship feels like the sea is calm as can be”. She ask, propping herself up on one elbow, looking at me. “Are we in any danger ?

“It’s a bit hard to explain, it’s mostly kind of a feeling I have, like all the little things and signs adding up.. I have never been wrong”. I say as I get out of the bed. “And well, a big storm is always a danger. Do you want to get dressed and join me out there ?”

She almost jump up from the bed, nodding enthusiastically, before getting behind the screen in the corner to get dressed. I quickly pull on my own clothes. And soon we are out the door, making our way to the helm.

Ben is manning the wheel when we arrive, looking a bit tired but relaxed, as we arrive. “Morning captain, morning your highness. Everything look calm and trouble free so far”.

“I know, but unfortunately it won’t continue”. The sky might be blue and the sea calm, but I have no doubt that a very big Storm is hiding on there, just waiting to slam down on us. “We need to ready the ship for a major storm Ben. I’ll take over the wheel and you go get the men on it”.

“Aye Aye captain”. He says with a nod and leaves the wheel to me, hurrying off. He know me better than to question me. He knows that when I say that there will be a storm, there will be one.. we have known each other long enough for that.