Love Aboard the Priam: Chapter Twelve

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Twelve

Bella’s POV

I knew there was no hope of escaping from this ship, but I couldn’t just give up. Seeing Edward murdered, no matter how much I had hated him in that moment, had fueled my anger and determination. I would not allow Penn to use me as one of his whores. And I couldn’t bear to see Peter killed in what would no doubt be a hopeless attempt at rescuing me.

My sword and two knives were taken, along with one of my pistols. The remaining one was small and hidden by the folds of my shirt. Laurent, Penn’s Quartermaster, was too interested in shoving his hand between my thighs to notice the small gun concealed beneath my shirt.

“You bastard! I’ll have your hands for that!” Peter growled, struggling against his bonds.

“Ah, young love. So easily impassioned a boy becomes when his lady is violated. I wonder how you would handle watching as I show her how a man takes a woman,” Penn taunted him.

“He’s more of a man than you will ever be,” I snapped, glaring at him.

“Is that so? I would be careful, my dear. You really wouldn’t want to anger me,” Penn warned with a sinister smile.

“No, I suppose I wouldn’t, though I doubt you would get much pleasure from it, either,” I agreed heatedly.

“And why is that?” Penn asked curiously.

“Because no matter what you do, you can’t make me fear you,” I claimed.

“Oh, my dear, innocent child, I don’t have to make you fear me. Fear for your lover’s life will work just as well,” Penn sneered, drawing a knife and crossing to where Peter was tied.

“I’ll fucking kill you for this,” Peter snarled, yanking on his bonds.

“Doubtful, since you will be dead in a few minutes,” Penn smirked, placing the knife across this throat.

“Don’t touch him!” I screeched, thrashing in Laurent’s hold.

“Mmm, yes. I do so enjoy when lovers fight for each other’s lives,” Penn hummed.

“You sick bastard!” I screamed, continuing to struggle.

“Mo chroí, is tú mo ghrá,” Peter murmured, resigned.

“NO!” I cried, redoubling my efforts.

“Such sweet words. Don’t fret, my dear. You will be joining him soon enough,” Penn assured me.

“PETER!” I shrieked as tears ran down my face.

Peter simply smiled softly, refusing to take his eyes off mine. I watched, horrified and still struggling to break free, as Penn positioned the knife over Peter’s chest.

“Beannacht, Captain Whitlock,” Penn said before plunging the knife into my Peter’s chest.

Marcus’ POV

Five days ago

I stood at the window in my study, staring out over the vast mountains of my kingdom, trying to come up with a solution to the problem that had been plaguing me for weeks. I had men scouring the Four Kingdoms in search of an answer. I had held multiple meetings with my numerous advisors, struggling to find an answer.

The door to my study opened and a footman announced my wife. I turned at the sound of her soft footsteps, feeling a sense of peace that only she could bring me.

“Marcus, really, you must come away from that window. The answers to the universe do not reside within the palace courtyards,” Didyme tisked, coming to take my hands.

“It is not the universe that has me so confounded,” I reminded her.

“Yes, well, you’ll not find any answers if you manage to catch a cold. While Afton might be of age to take the throne, he is in no way ready to run the kingdom. I’m afraid, my darling, that you have a few more years left before our son takes the crown,” Didyme sighed.

“As long as I have you by my side,” I smiled, kissing her hand.

“I will always be by your side,” Didyme promised, stepping into my arms.

For nearly thirty years we had run Shalolie side-by-side, doing what was right for our people and teaching our children to do the same. After forty years of marriage, we had raised four wonderful children who continuously brought light to our lives.

Afton, our eldest, was still only twenty-seven and still going through his more wild years, though there had been discussion of him proposing to his long-time friend and nobleman’s daughter, Chelsea. Demetri was three years Afton’s junior and spent most of his time at sea, pressing the boundaries of the Four Kingdoms and discovering new worlds. Our twins, Alec and Jane, were five years Demetri’s junior and as alike as fire and water. While Alec spent most of his time in solitude within the palace library, Jane preferred being around as many people as possible and often traveled to Delacor with friends.

All of our children were incredibly precious to us and we strived to make them great leaders for our people.

“Have you heard from him?” Didyme asked, bringing my thoughts back to the task at hand.

“No, but I expect to any day now,” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair.

“They will find her. We have every ship out looking for her. Someone is bound to spot something that can lead us to her,” Didyme reassured me.

“I should not have interfered. It may end up costing her her life. It is not worth it,” I groaned, pulling at my hair.

“Hush. You did what you thought was best. I do not think either of them would blame you for it. From our last report, we know she is happy with this man. Besides, you said it yourself. He would have been miserable without her,” Didyme reminded me.

“I did not expect so many problems to arise. No one was supposed to know her origin,” I complained, frustrated.

“There is nothing we can do about it know. We simply need to focus on finding them. Then we can deal with the backlash,” Didyme insisted.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” I murmured, bending down to kiss her.

“Catch a cold and end up killing yourself, is what,” Didyme teased.

“Saucy wench,” I growled, pulling her against me.

She squealed in delight as I attacked her neck, our passion undiminished for each other despite the passing years. She was still the most beautiful woman I had even laid eyes on.

“Your majesties, he has arrived,” the footman announced, disrupting the moment.

“Send him in,” Didyme called, already straightening her hair.

“I hope he has good news for us,” I mumbled, brushing off my coat.

“Of course he will. Think positive, my darling,” Didyme chimed, taking her seat by my desk.

I turned to see our old friend, Captain Eleazar Denali, enter my study. He appeared to have aged ten years since I had last seen him only three weeks ago, the lack of sleep creating dark circles under his eyes. His had lost a good deal of weight and his clothing looked to be two sizes too large.

“Eleazar, come sit. My God, you look exhausted!” Didyme exclaimed, jumping from her chair to assist him onto the couch.

“I appreciate the concern, your Majesty, but I am fine. I’ve just been having trouble sleeping,” Eleazar sighed as he sank into the plush cushions.

“I should say so. Honestly, you’ll do no good to any of them dead on your feet,” Didyme scolded.

“My apologies, your Majesty,” Eleazar smiled weakly.

“Didyme, why don’t you give our guest some space?” I suggested, smirking as she fussed over him.

“Of course,” Didyme agreed easily, returning to her previous seat.

I took my space behind my desk, leaning forward in attentiveness.

“What have you learned?” I asked Eleazar.

“She is with the pirate who took her in Bearsalei. Another pirate, Captain James Penn, has recently become allied with Lord Edward Masen. They left port early this morning aboard Hades’ Dagger. They will arrive there by the end of the week,” Eleazar reported.

“Who is this Captain Penn?” I questioned.

“A madman sadist. He enjoys tormenting women, killing them for his own pleasure. We found the body of his latest victim, a girl named Heidi. She worked at the Rolling Swine. She had three younger siblings. Her parents were killed two years ago on a return trip from Isopholy. Heidi had been working at the Rolling Swine for three days when she caught Penn’s eye. He seduced her, paying her to sit with him while he continuously bought her drinks. He and his Quartermaster, Laurent, brutally raped her before Penn killed her. We wouldn’t know this information if not for another serving girl following the trio to Penn’s room. She was jealous of the attention Heidi was receiving,” Eleazar explained.

“She heard Heidi being raped and did nothing?” Didyme gaped.

“I’m afraid so, your Majesty,” Eleazar answered sadly.

“What do we know of their plans?” I asked, rubbing my forehead tiredly.

“They plan on killing everyone who was aboard the ship,” Eleazar admitted.

“How soon can we get there?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.

“If you permit the Defiant to sail, we can beat them by a day, at least,” Eleazar answered.

“Do it,” I nodded.

“And the girl’s father?” Eleazar asked, standing.

“Take him,” I waved dismissally.

“Thank you, your Majesties,” Eleazar bowed before leaving the room.

Didyme came up and began rubbing my shoulders, helping ease the tension building.

“Regrets, my darling?” Didyme murmured.

“Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to encourage his infatuation,” I moaned, rubbing my face vigorously.

“From what we’ve heard, he cares greatly for her. We cannot know how she feels for him, but I doubt she would simply allow him to keep her prisoner if she didn’t have some feelings for him,” Didyme pointed out.

“She is a skilled fighter,” I agreed.

“She is. She learned well,” Didyme nodded.

“It was a good idea, then? Helping him find her?” I questioned.

“You brought two people together who would never have had a chance otherwise. It was clear he loved her dearly, even from that first moment. How could you have done anything else?” Didyme soothed.

“I just hope they both survive to learn the truths hidden from them all these years,” I said.

“Me, too, my darling. For all our sakes,” Didyme sighed, kissing my cheek.

Bella’s POV

Present time

“Beannacht, Captain Whitlock,” Penn said before plunging the knife into my Peter’s chest.

My scream was drowned out by the sound of a canon blast, immediately followed by an explosion at the stern. Men shouted and ran about as the ship lurched. Laurent released his hold, allowing me to rush towards the mast.

I pull out my hidden pistol and pressed it against the back of Penn’s head.

“Go to hell,” I spat, pulling the trigger.

His body slumped forward almost instantly, blood pooling out of the exit wound. Not bothering to spare him a second glance, I hurried to untied Peter, fighting back the tears as I took in his wound.

“Bell-la,” Peter gasped as I laid him down.

“Shh, don’t talk. Just… just don’t talk,” I hushed brokenly, running my fingers through his hair.

“I’m… so proud… of you. You… were magnificent,” Peter panted.

“Please, Peter, don’t,” I sobbed.

“I love you… mo chroí… my heart,” Peter smiled, taking my hand.

My body shook uncontrollably as I cried, knowing I was losing him. He brought my hand to his lips, kissing the fingers sweetly.

“Don’t leave me, Peter. Please don’t leave me,” I whispered through my tears.

“My Isabella,” Peter sighed, his eyes slipping closed.

Body wrecked, soul torn, I threw my self across his body, screaming at him to return to me. As a battled raged around me and other men dropped to the deck of Hades’ Dagger, I was unable to move, knowing that to do so would mean Peter was really gone.

“Bells! Bells, come on, honey!”

I looked up, somehow unsurprised to see Papa kneeling beside me.

“He’s gone,” I sniffed.

“I know, Bells. I know. Come on, honey,” Papa encouraged.

I allowed my father to pick me up and carry me away from Peter. I watched, over his shoulder, as men quickly surrounded him, lifting his prone body and taking away from where Papa was taking me.

“Where are they taking him?” I asked, desperation beginning to claw at my chest.

“Back to shore,” Papa answered.

“Where are we going?” I asked, looking up at him after the men disappeared with Peter.

“To the Defiant,” Papa grunted, hefting me over the side of the ship and into a dinghy.

I was lowered into someone else’s arms. When I looked, I was surprised to find Jasper holding me tenderly, his expression drawn. I reached up, tracing his face, not very similar to Peter’s, but still familiar.

“He’s gone,” I gasped.

“I know, a leanbh,” Jasper murmured.

At the soft-spoken term of affection, I lost control of my tears once again. I screamed in agony, clutching at Jasper shirt as he rocked me gently. I didn’t register the lowering of the dinghy or notice as Papa rowed us towards the fastest ship in Shalolie. I vaguely heard a loud explosion right before we reached the side of the ship and the sound of hundreds of men cheering in the distance.

It didn’t make sense. Time continued to go by and the rest of the world continued to move on. My world had stopped.

Charlie’s POV

My daughter was dead inside. It had been two weeks since we’d rescued her from Hades’ Dagger, her body thrown across the pirate’s. The pain in her eyes as she and Whitlock comforted each other was excruciating to watch. All my life, I had sought to protect her from the evils of my world, the world I had shared with her mother, only for it to all be wasted.

My beautiful baby girl was a shell of her former self, unable to rise up from her soul-deep depression. She had lost a considerable amount of weight since we’d arrived home, her appetite completely gone.  Most days, she would sit in her room and look out over the docks as if waiting for the pirate to come for her.

Whitlock had promised to come visit her once he got things settled back in Bearsalei. King Marcus had granted him clemency on his acts of piracy if the pirate agreed to sail under the Shalolie flag. He had readily agreed, wanting to protect his wife and future children. Just as I had done nearly ten years ago, four years too late to protect my beautiful Renee, but just in time to make sure Bella would not suffer the same fate.

I knew Peter Whitlock had loved my daughter as fiercely as a man can love and that she had loved him just as passionately. I worried that her depression would eventually cause her death, that I wouldn’t be able to save her.

“How is she?” Eleazar asked as he entered my study.

Bella was currently walking through the garden with his wife, Carmen. It was the first time she had been outside in six days.

“Worse,” I muttered, not needing to elaborate.

Eleazar had gone through his own torment for an entire month as he struggled with his guilt over losing Bella, no matter how many times I told him it wasn’t his fault.

“Is there nothing we can do for her?” Eleazar asked, coming to stand by my side.

“I have tried everything. King Marcus has sent the finest doctors available, hoping to bring her out of this. She won’t respond to any of them, just stares blankly ahead,” I told him.

“Have you heard from his brother?” Eleazar questioned, staring down at the garden.

“No,” I sighed, leaning my head against the window sill.

“You told her?” Eleazar pressed.

“Aye, as soon as we returned home. I can’t be sure she heard or understood me, but I told her,” I admitted.

“I’m sure she heard. She didn’t respond to us when we came in, but she stood and walked out with Carmen without Carmen having to lead her,” Eleazar informed me.

“She has nightmares. Every damn night, I wake up to her screaming his name, begging him not to leave her. And then she falls silent and it’s almost worse than the screaming,” I confessed.

“She watched the man she love die, Charles. She’s not going to be able to move past that so easily,” Eleazar reminded me, as if I needed him to.

“You don’t think I realize this? My little girl is slowly dying and I can’t do a damned thing about it! The only person who can save her is days away, buried in Bearsalei! She’s dying and I can’t save her. I can’t,” I shouted, my voice fading to a rough sob at the end.

He says nothing, simply embraces me as the brothers we’ve become, sharing my pain and anguish. The need to unburden myself is strong, nearly drowning me as I struggle to remain standing. My pride refuses to allow me to show such weakness, is agitated at my crying alone.

But Eleazar understands. He knows we are losing her, day by day. Soon she will have her greatest desire reached and will rejoin her pirate in death.

Bella’s POV

“The roses are beautiful. I’m surprised they are able to grow at this altitude,” Carmen mused beside me.

I didn’t answer, simply continued walking. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since Peter had… left. I only knew that each morning I woke up without him by my side was more unbearable than the one before. I often found myself reaching for him in the middle of the night, only to come to my senses when all I found were empty sheets.

“I’ve tried to tell Irina we should try planting roses, but she doesn’t think they’ll survive. Perhaps I should bring her to visit, show her they can grow,” Carmen suggested.

I hated her voice in that moment, hated that she wanted to talk to me. I just wanted to be left alone with my memories of Peter. Each time someone interrupted my thoughts, it became more difficult to sink back into them. I ached to have them surround me like a warm blanket.

“Lady Denali, a missive for Lady Swan,” a footman bowed.

The servants hadn’t addressed me for some time. They realized I wouldn’t answer and had simply stopped trying. Papa was the only one in the house who attempted to get me to speak.

“Thank you,” Carmen nodded, taking the slip of paper off the silver tray.

She held it out in front of me, waiting for me to take it, but I couldn’t make my hand move to grasp it.

“It might be from Jasper, darling. You should read it,” Carmen murmured, rubbing my arm.

The thought of hearing from Jasper gave me the strength to take the paper from her, but I refused to read it in front of her. If it was from Jasper, I wanted to be alone so I could cry in peace.

As if sensing my desire to be alone, Carmen brushed my hair back before declaring she was going to find Eleazar and Papa.

“Just call for me if you need me,” Carmen insisted gently.

I waited until her footsteps had faded before continuing down the path to a stone bench positioned in a rose arbor. Sitting here, I was hidden from the house, giving me privacy.

Carefully, cautiously, I unfolded the slip of paper, nervous at what Jasper could be writing me about. I scanned the short letter, my heart pounding as I realized it wasn’t from Jasper. The letter fluttered to the ground as I lifted my skirts and ran from the garden, intent on reaching the port.

Carmen’s POV

I watched as Isabella ran from the garden, her eyes wide, cheeks flushed. There was more emotion on her face than anyone had seen since she’d been brought home. Looking to the rose arbor, I saw the letter she had dropped sitting on the gravel walkway.

I went over and picked it up, reading the sloppily written words.

Bantiarna na Priam,

Your presence is requested aboard the Priam immediately by the captain and crew currently docked in the Port of Livley.

Your humble servant,

Randall

The words were formal, but the poor handwriting spoke of someone who wasn’t used to writing missives. Still, I easily recognized the name from the list of crew members of the Priam that Eleazar and Charles had collected. This man clearly cared for Isabella, as did the rest of the crew.

“Carmen! Where is she going?” Charles asked frantically, coming up behind me.

“Home, Charles. She’s going home,” I smiled.

“This is her home,” Charles stated, confused.

“Not any longer. This has always been her fate. It is in her blood,” I insisted.

Charles took the letter from me, reading it over quickly. When he finished, his hands fell to his side, his face drawn. Eleazar came to wrap an arm around me, offering support.

“They care for her?” Charles questioned, though it sounded more like a statement.

“They do. And, more importantly, they will take care of her,” I assured him.

“It’s time to let her go, Charles. They will be able to heal her better than any of us could,” Eleazar told him gently.

“I know,” Charles sighed, defeated.

“Perhaps she will come back, one day. For now, it is best to let her sail with the men who knew Peter as well as she did,” I said, placing my hand on his arm.

“Come inside, old friend. We’ll drink to your daughter’s safe travels,” Eleazar offered, clapping Charles’ shoulder.

Charles stopped, allowing us to walk ahead of him. As I looked over my shoulder, I found him staring out towards the port.

“Fair winds and following seas, mo iníon,” Charles murmured.

My heart ached as Charles bid his daughter a final goodbye.

Bella’s POV

The port was bustling with activity, as usual, and no one noticed as I slipped through the crowd, searching for the Priam. Sailors shouted to each other as they unloaded their goods on the docks. The port was more lively than usual, making it difficult to find the Priam, but I finally found her at the end of the dock.

“Bantiarna!” Randall called, hurrying down the gangplank.

I smiled weakly through a sudden onslaught of tears, throwing myself in his arms. He held me close, his hand stroking my hair as I cried into his chest.

“Hush, lass. You’re alright,” Randall soothed.

“Randall, bring her aboard!” Garrett shouted from the Quarterdeck.

“Come on, bantiarna,” Randall murmured, steering me up the gangplank.

“Bella!” Charlotte greeted me as soon as I stepped foot on the main deck.

I hugged her tightly, surprised to find her aboard the ship.

“Come with me,” Charlotte insisted, pulling back to take my hand.

I frowned as she dragged me to the Captain’s cabin, unsure if I would be able to walk through the doorway knowing Peter wouldn’t be on the other side. I paused before she opened the door, needing a moment to collect myself.

“Bella, it’s-“ Charlotte started before the door was opened.

“Ah, good. He’s been waitin’ for ya,” Vasilii smiled, gesturing me inside.

Confused, I looked back at Charlotte as Vasilii pulled me inside. She just gave me a wide smile before leaving to return back to the main deck.

“Mo chroí.”

I spun back around, my heart pounding furiously in my ears as my eyes fastened on the bed. Peter lay beneath the sheets, his face thin, but his smile bright.

“Peter,” I choked, the first time I had spoken in weeks.

“Come here, mo chroí,” Peter requested, patting the bed.

I stumbled my way to the bed, unable to believe he was actually here, alive. I slowly sank onto the mattress, tentatively reaching out a hand.

“Oh,” I cried, touching his face.

Peter opened his arms and I fell into them, sobbing uncontrollably as he murmured soothing words in my hair. His hands shook as he stroked my back, a testament to his weakness. Kissing his chest, I rubbed gently at the bandages I could feel under my cheek.

“I… I thought you were dead,” I gasped.

“I know. I did, too,” Peter rasped.

“How…?” I trailed off, shifting so I could see his face.

One of his hands came up to brush my hair away from my face. I brought one of my hands up to hold it there, savoring his touch after so long without it.

“He missed my heart and lungs. Vasilii was able to repair the damage, but I had lost a lot of blood. I was unconscious for four days, otherwise I would have come for you sooner. I told you, mo chroí, nothing will keep me from you,” Peter murmured, kissing my hand.

I gave a watery chuckle before leaning forward to kiss his lips, followed by another to his cheeks, his eyelids, his forehead, and any other piece of skin I could reach.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I moaned.

“I missed you, too. And I promise, I’ll never leave you again,” Peter murmured.