The water ran down my throat and I struggled to take another breath. The waves were hitting from all sides and my curly hair stuck to my face.
Another weak breath and I got drowned under the water again.
I moved my hands and legs with as much as power I had in me but nothing helped. I was drowning and no one was here to help me.
"Help!" I screamed with a weak voice.
Just as I swam to the surface, a tall wave hit me from the left side and pulled me into the dark waters.
No!
No!
This is not how I'll die.
When I reached the surface yet again, I felt a light touch on my arm. Someone was pulling me up. Wait, is this real?
A strong force hoisted me up and I was placed on a wooden... was it a boat? I couldn't even recognize what it was because I was too busy catching my breath. My lungs were full of salty water and I turned to my side, the liquid pouring out of my mouth.
I coughed loudly and felt a hand on my back. "Elizabeth?" The voice said.
Slowly I opened my eyes and stared in front of me. It was a person, dressed in black but I couldn't make out the face. The voice was masculine and powerful.
"Elizabeth?" He said again.
I shook my head in response. Elizabeth was not my name.
They were saying the wrong name. The hand reached to my face and pushed the strand of wet hair away from my face. His touch was soft and gentle.
"Shh, you're okay now." He said with a whisper. The sun was shining above us yet it was so dark.
The sound of the ocean echoed through my ears and birds chirps were distant noises.
My head was spinning.
Something was wrong.
Ve r y
W
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"Elizabeth!" When I heard the name again, I looked at the man in front of me. Shadow was covering his face, only the eyes. The dark blue eyes were visible.
The very hand that was touching me a few seconds ago had a shining object in it.
A knife.
"Noo...." My voice got caught in my throat when I felt the sharp pain in my lower stomach.
My mouth shaped an 'O' and the tears fell down my face. The knife cut through my skin, deep into my flesh, making me lose my ability to breathe.
He twisted the sharp tool and I felt my heart slow down with each beat.
My lungs squeezed and the last ray of light shut off. Blackness and shadow were all I saw.
Sweat tackled down my neck. My body was shaking. Another nightmare. Three nights in a row.
Each one of them is the same. Me getting drowned them someone saving me. Someone whose face I couldn't make out. They save me and then kill me themselves.
My body was shaking and I pulled the covers off myself. The room was almost dark, the only light illuminating the place was the two candles placed on the wooden cabinet.
The round window showed that it was still night. No one was up.
Standing up from the bed, I stretched my arms over my head and straightened myself up on my legs that were barely holding my weight.
This was not good. I couldn't continue like this. These dreams are draining me, suffocating me.
The man says Elizabeth. But who is she? I don't know anyone from my family with that name. No one actually.
The wood creaked under my feet and I made my way to the door. When I opened it, the ocean air hit my nose and brought me some sense of calmness. It was the only air I knew. Being on a ship was all I knew.
My Mom was a captain of the Gold Leviathan. We were the infamous family that was part of the eighth families who ruled the East Oceans.
After my Dad's death, my Mom took over his place and became the leader of our ship.
I walked to the edge and placed my hands on the railing. Taking a deep breath, I remembered the nightmare where I couldn't breathe. Where I felt my last heart beat.
Placing a hand over my chest, I looked up at the sky. The moon was full and was creating a beautiful light above me.
My white night dress was flowing around my legs and caressed my shivering skin. I should go back to my room.
With that, I turned around and walked back inside.
I didn't continue with my sleep. I sat on the bed, my hands in my lap while I stared into nothing.
There was no use in telling everyone about my dreams because they couldn't help and also I didn't want my mom to make a big deal out of it.
Hours went by and the sun started to shine through the small window. Noises were heard and I guess the staff started to wake up.
Chattering, and yelling was all I heard until I noticed someone opening the door to my room.
Adelline peeked her head inside. "Hello, young lady. Are you up?" She asked with a smile.
Adelline was my maid and she was the one responsible for taking care of me. Well, she was bringing me food and making my bath. Like a personal help I would say. She was in her forties and had dark auburn hair with dazzling green eyes.
"Yes, I am up." I returned her smile but I didn't feel like speaking any further.
"Do you want me to run you a bath? You look... distressed." Quickly making her way over to me she placed her hand over my forehead. "Are you sick? Do you feel unwell?"
"No, I'm fine. I just... I didn't sleep well." Her eyes softened and her shoulders slumped.
"I know how that feels. Sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep as well." She caressed my hair with a gentle hand.
"I'll run you a bath and then I'll prepare you something to eat. Your Mother said she has work to do and then she has to talk to you." I nodded my head.
After she left, I fell back on the bed and waited for her to return.
When she did, Eloise was with her. They started preparing the bath and I waited, my body curled on the bed. I had no energy whatsoever.
In the past few days I felt like a ghost.
"It's done," Adelline said and ushered me to get up. I did as she said and took off my clothes. I sank into the warm water and let it consume me whole.
They started cleaning my hands and arms with the soft cloth.
"Do you even get bad dreams?" I asked while looking up at Adelline.
"Of course, I think everyone has a nightmare once in a while."
"Yes but a dream that feels... real. Like it's really happening. You know?" She crouched down and furrowed her eyebrows.
"Are you having them, dear? You can talk to me whenever you want. I'll be here to listen." I shook my head and gave her a tender smile. I didn't want to talk about it. Especially now that Eloise was here as well. He can't keep a secret to save her life.
Adelline looked at me for a few more seconds and then nodded in understanding.
After I was clean, I dressed up in my usual outfit of leather pants, an off-shoulder wide shirt, and the corset that I made by myself. The boots were next and my leg garter where I kept the knife Dad gifted me for my twelfth birthday.
I got out of the room and I was immediately met with Mom. Her face was shadowed by the brown tricorn.
She turned her head to me and smiled. "Artemis, how are feeling?" With slow steps, she started walking towards me.
Her hands wrapped around my figure and she placed a kiss on my temple.
"I'm fine, Ma." She pulled away and placed her palms on my shoulders.
"You sure?" She furrowed her dark eyebrows. Her dark brown eyes bore into mine and the sun illuminated the side of her face, showing off her beautiful dark soft skin.
"Yeah." I tried to put on a smile but I'm sure it was not a convincing one.
"If you say." She stepped back. "I have something to talk to you."
Huh? I placed my hands on my hips and focused all of my attention on her. It must be something important if she said it like that.
"You know about the Dark Odyssey ship?" I did know about but not as much. They were a family that ruled West Oceania. Not much was known about them by anyone, other than having a lot of power over the families and the West side.
"Yes, I do know."
"You also know that Miran died four months ago so his son took over. Rhaegal."
"Okay...?" Where was she going with this?
"I might have sent a letter and invited him over for dinner tomorrow. We're trying to make an alliance with the West side and this would be a perfect opportunity."
"He agreed?"
"Of course he did. But with one condition." Her voice slowed down at the last sentence.
"What condition?"
"Your hand. He asked for your hand." My eyes widened and my mouth shaped and 'O'.
"Ma, no!"
"Artemis you're about to turn twenty-one soon and also I didn't agree to it. I just said that I'll talk with you. He also won't force you into this. He will understand if you say no." Yeah like he would. I'm sure he was lying if he actually said that.
All I knew was that he was twenty-nine years old. I didn't even know how he looked.
"Please, dear. Just think about it. Also, you'll see him tomorrow and decide." She caressed my dark locks, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.
"Please, Artemis. For me." She pleaded with so much desperation in her voice.
I'll definitely say no but for Mom, I'll pretend like I'll consider it.
"Alright." She kissed my forehead and grinned.
Let's see how will things go.
â¢â¢â¢â¢â¢â¢
"Artemis!" I heard Adelline's voice from outside. He must be here.
I ran a hand over my hair and pushed it away from my face. Adelline has brought me a new shirt and this one... I can say it was a little too revealing. It showed more cleavage than usual. Than my prior one.
But I didn't care, I just wanted all of this to be over.
I'm sure they'll find another way to unite our families, without the marriage part.
Wiping my hand off my pants, I took a breath and made my way outside.
The sun was setting and I heard chattering from the other side of the ship.
My Mom's voice and someone else's. A more masculine voice. More rough and deep.
My heartbeat increased but my legs carried me there nevertheless. It will be over in a couple of hours. And everything will be the same as before.
My boots creaked on the wooden floor and heads turned to me. My Mom's eyes found mine and he smiled.
Then the person who stood next to her turned wholly around. Rhaegal.
His dark eyes traveled from my face to my neck, my stomach, and then my legs. They slowly lingered on each part of my body and a sly smirk formed on his face.
It made a crimson color rise up on my cheeks.
He was tall and lean. His shirt hung loose on his torso but I didn't fail to notice the defined abs that were sculpted on his stomach. The shirt was almost fully opened and it gave me the perfect view.
His hair was pushed back and it reached down to his ears. A thick but short beard covered his jaw and a set of mustache were placed above his lips.
I must have stood there observing his body for quite some time because Mom cleared her throat and waved her hand, motioning for me to join them.
With steady steps, I made my way over there and stood next to Mom.
"Dear, this is Rhaegal." He pointed her hand at him.
Our eyes connected again and this time he smiled, showing off his straight teeth.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Artemis. I'm honored." He extended his hand and I did as well. When we shook our hands, he brought mine to his lips and placed a lingering kiss on the back of it, his eyes never leaving mine.
I withdrew my hand quickly. "Nice to meet you too." Was all I said and averted my gaze to the side.
"Well, we should get going to the dining rooms." Mom's voice broke the awkward silence between us.
His dark eyes never left me while he nodded his head and started following Mom.
He walked closer to me and I fought the urge to turn around and throw a punch at his beautifully sculpted face. Yes, he was handsome and very attractive but he seemed cocky and arrogant. At least from our few minutes of interaction.
When we entered the dining room, we sat on our seats. His was opposite mine. Ugh!
He leaned back on his chair and his eyes traveled down to my chest, they stayed there. Pervert.
I pulled the fabric up and I saw him almost roll his eyes at my action. There was no way I was marrying this man.
He can't even act decent from the first time we're meeting.
"Alright, let's begin," Mom said after the staff brought the food in front of us. The table was full but I had no appetite. Not for the past few days.
Rhaegal and Mom dug into their food while I just sat there with the silver fork in my hands.
"My condolences, Rhaegal. Forgive me I didn't say it earlier." His eyebrows furrowed at Mom's words. He seemed confused for a second.
"About your father I mean." She clarified.
"Oh, yes thank you. He was a wonderful man." More like what a way to speak about your dead Dad. He seemed insincere. Or maybe they didn't have a good relationship. That's possible.
I have never heard anything bad about him, but you never know.
"I'm really glad that you wrote back to my letter. It means a lot. Also, I'm glad I get to meet your daughter." He said and brought the fork to his mouth, taking a bite of the meat.
What letter? Mom said that she invited him. Did he contact her first?
"It's a pleasure to have you here. As much as I've never met your Dad or you, I think we would have an amazing alliance. Our family needs this."
"Yes, I share the same opinion." He faced me."What do you think Artemis? I proposed something to your mother, I'm sure she told you."
"Yes, she did."
"And?" He cocked his head to the side.
I dropped the fork and placed my hands on my lap. I chewed on my lip and turned my head to Mom.
"I don't think it would be a good idea." They both went silent for a moment before Mom laughed lightly to not make the situation even more awkward than it already was.
"Artemis dear, think about this again."
"No, it's my final decision," I said with a serious tone in my voice.
Rhaegal seemed amused more than anything. The smirk on his face was back.
"Can I have a talk with her in private?" He asked Mom. She nodded and proceeded to stand up and leave us alone.
After the door closed the silence prevailed and the strange tension was back again.
"I'm not surprised you said no. I would doubt this as well. But Artemis I promise to take care of you." It won't convince me. His words were doing nothing to me.
He ranked a hand through his hair and leaned back.
The side of his neck had a brand that resembled a snake, it was almost invisible. Hmm. Not what I expected from the Dark Odyssey family.
Now that I remember each leader gets a brand after they take over. For him, it would have been four months ago or less.
"When did you take over the West Helix Isulam?" I asked and watched his reaction. His face twisted in slight confusion at my question.
His eyebrows furrowed together and he shifted in his seat.
"What does that matter now?" He laughed off the question and spun the ring on his finger.
"It does because you don't know." His jaw clenched and his eyes darkened.
My legs weakened at the realization and my breath hitched.
"Because you're not Rhaegal," I said and stood up from my chair. His stare hardened and he tightened the grip on the knife in his hand.
The brand on his neck was nicely healed and it didn't seem to be done four months ago. It was done way before.
Also, the Dark Odyssey would never put a snake as their brand. It was a cross with two lines if I remember correctly.
I stepped back and tried to find a way of getting out. The door was behind him.
He tsked and stood up as well. The knife in his hands.
He rounded the table and before I could run a force pushed to the wall. Ouch!
"You're not going anywhere." He said and placed his forearm over my neck, holding me in place.
He was strong, way stronger than me. I gritted my teeth and tried to push away.
He slowly loosened his hold and withdrew his hand but quickly wrapped his palm over my neck. His fingers lightly squeezed and his knee found its way between my legs. Now I had nowhere to go.
His other hand lifted to my face and he dragged the tip of the knife over my cheek and then to my lips.
He moved it over my bottom lip.
"Shh, you won't tell anyone. This will be our little secret. Yeah?" I was slowly losing my breath but I was still able to reach for the small knife in my garter.
I carefully pulled it out and quickly positioned it to his neck.
He chuckled and sank his teeth over his bottom lip. "Feisty, I like it."
"You will marry me and won't tell anyone about this." He spoke again.
"What did you do to him?" I choked out.
"Not more than what he deserved." He killed him and coldly took over his place. He didn't have to tell me, the hatred was evident on his face and in his eyes.
"I won't marry you. You're stupid if you think I will. Everyone will find out what you did. You can't keep this a secret."
"Oh, I can. And you'll help me." I wanted to laugh at his foolishness.
"I won't," I grunted. His fingers tightened and I winced in pain.
"You will. If you want to find out who your real parents are, you will." He dug the knife on the side of my face, almost cutting through my skin. "Elizabeth."
My body stilled and my eyes widened.
Elizabeth.
CHARACTERS AESTHETICS
ARTEMIS
RHAEGAL
And this is the Pirate one I wrote.
Thoughts?