21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Dominick

I walked across the deck, over to the wheel. Whenever I passed any of the men from Walden, they always looked down at their feet, silently completing whatever task they had been given. If they only knew that I did not enjoy the circumstances, either, but that it was my only option, maybe they would not have been so fearful.

A tall man with light brown hair stood, untangling nets near the helm. I would have thought nothing of it, but the man quickly became the next person I wanted to force to walk the plank. He was not alone. He was standing behind her , his arms around Meria as he showed her how to tie the nets, or, at least, I was certain that was what he was using as a ruse to get close to her. I watched in anger as he caressed her hand while moving the net. Meria, of course, was none-the-wiser, smiling and nodding. By the look in his eye, I knew he was up to something.

“Get away from her!” I shouted as I reached them. The man pulled away from Meria instantly and stood at attention, facing me.

“Captain,” he said with his hand held against his brow. He was very formal, and I appreciated that at the moment. He was obviously a trained navy man.

“What is your name?” I asked.

“George, Captain.”

“George, You must have better things to do than this. Last I knew, she was not a crew member.”

“Captain, I was teaching–”

“Did I ask? Go do something before I throw you over and let the fathoms take you!” I bellowed.

“She asked, Captain,”

“Or better yet–” I took off one of my gloves and held my hand out in front of his face. “I have never touched a man’s face before. I wonder what kind of pain that would create.”

“Please–please–” the man began to beg.

What a coward. I had seen all different kinds of reactions to my threats. That was one of the weaknesses I saw far too often. There were only a few men who looked pain in the face and took it on. Even though I did not know their names, those few had earned my respect.

“Dominick,” I heard a faint, melodic voice, but I was glaring at George, knowing he needed to pay. I did not take lightly to him trying to manipulate Meria. “Dominick, I am alright.” I turned from George to Meria. It was her voice, of course.

“Go on, now–” Meria said, looking behind me. I heard shuffling feet, but did not turn around to face the man.

“Meria–” I said.

She walked to me, took my glove, and carefully put it on my hand.

“Come–” she said.

In a sort of confused daze, I followed her, and when she closed the door of my cabin, that was when I realized I had let my anger cause me to overreact with George. She had seen me be The Cruel Hand almost fully.

“That was unnecessary.”

“I would not expect you to understand,” I grunted.

“Try me,” she said softly.

I turned around, and I focused on her face, trying not to let my heart take control. But her face was beautiful, and it was not any easier to look into those beautiful, blue eyes–bright as the sky on a clear day–a clear day after days and days of stormy weather.

I walked up to her. She wanted to know what it was like to be a human? Well, I would teach her, I decided.

“Not everyone has your best interests at heart,” I told her.

“George is a kind–” she began.

“Maybe, but maybe not. I do not know him. Neither do you.”

“But surely, the people the royals of Walden choose to crew their ships are good people.”

“Maybe most are, but it is better to be careful. If a man wraps his arms around you, it is not just to help you untie nets. There is no reason when tying nets to hold someone like that. I was taught how to do it, and I never had anyone put their arms around me so.”

“Truly?” she asked, and from her expression, I could tell that she did not understand.

That maiden–if left alone, the world would tear her up. I had seen and felt so much sorrow and pain because of my curse, and much of the pain I had felt when touching people had been, originally, inflicted upon them by others. I did not want her to have that kind of pain, or any pain. I did not want men to use her for their benefit.

How do I put this so she understands?

We spoke the same language, but there was a cultural barrier between us. She did not understand many simple human things. An idea popped into my mind, and I spoke.

“Yes, he wished to kiss you.”

“ Kiss me!?” she said with a gasp.

“As I said, human men desire such things from maidens without any promises of betrothal,” I clarified. “Now, I must go steer the ship.” I turned without a word and walked to the door, making my way to the wheel.

“That is a bit dramatic, do you not think?” she asked from behind me in her quiet yet forceful way.

“Why are you following me?” I groaned.

“I did not think the conversation was finished,” she said as I turned to face her.

She took a step back and dipped her head down. She was incredibly submissive, and I hated that.

“Don't do that.”

“Do what?” she whispered. I walked over to her and lifted her chin, looking directly into her eyes, holding her firm. Even though my gloves were between us, I felt a warmth travel through me at the contact. She was so alluring–addicting. I had to be careful.

“Do not look down like that–as if your thoughts and opinions are second to mine. They are not. And do not dare apologize to me right now, Meria.”

“I—” She paused, confused. “What?"

“What you want to discuss is valid, even if I act like an impatient fool.”

“But you walked away. Perhaps, I shall try again later.”

“You followed me, so you wanted to keep talking. Keep talking,” I said with a wink. “Which means, this is important to you. I’d like to listen, even if I don’t agree, and even if we argue.”

“Yes, well, maybe I shouldn't have. I don’t like arguing.”

“No, you should have. Arguing is not a bad thing. Do not just do what I say because I say it. I am not someone you have to please, Meria. I just want you to be aware of how things work up here, and how human men behave. Do as you desire with the information I have given you.”

“So, I should go help George again with the nets and let him kiss me?” she asked.

“The real question is would you like George to kiss you ? If that is a ‘yes,’ then go ahead. If it is a ‘no’–as I suspect–now, you know what to do so men aboard this ship have no reason to believe that you want their attention in that way.”

“I see, well–” she said, biting her lip. It took too much effort to move my gaze from her pink lips to the sea behind her, but I did it. I always did what needed to be done. She was taking too long to answer. I glanced down at her, and she had a ridiculous smile on her face–her eyes bright as if she knew something I did not know. I wanted to know what she knew. Wanted to know what made her smile like that. I wanted to move my thumb and touch that smile. I held myself back. Why was she smiling?

Was it the thought of her kissing George?

I hate George. I am going to have to kill him, and I really am not in the mood to torture anyone.

“Would you like George to kiss you?” I growled, impatiently searching her eyes as if they could break me or save me.

“No, not particularly,” she finally answered, in an attempt not to laugh.

I gulped, looking at her lips as she licked them; then she bit her bottom lip.

I cannot have this conversation.

“I am sure he would love to hear such a lovely sentiment from you on the matter. Perhaps, you should tell him how much you would dislike his kisses.”

“Perhaps, I shall. Thank you, Dominick,” she said with her beautiful smile, then a small laugh. I had no idea why it was so humorous to her.

“Just be careful; not all these men have good intentions, alright?”

“I do not know if I am supposed to do as you say or not. You are confusing to me. Just tell me what you want me to do, Dominick. Please, I need guidance. I am doing everything wrong.”

That maiden's lack of trust in herself and in her intuition and in her desires and feelings made me sick. I had always done as Veeto asked, but I still knew myself. I knew what I would do differently if I could have what I really wanted. Did she? I placed my other hand on her cheek, moving both of my hands so that I held her face in my grasp.

“I am not going to tell you what to do. I believe you desperately need to make your own choices, even if I don’t agree—even if you make mistakes, Meria.”

“That is—terrifying, Dominick,” she whispered, and I didn’t realize it until I looked at her, that she had moved so close to me. She reached out and began making those circles with her finger on my chest like she had inside the cave when we had slept beside each other each night. I was coming undone by that beautiful mermaid. Any pain I normally felt disappeared when she touched me.

“You are brave enough, Meria—strong enough to do it. And when you make a choice, I’ll be here to support it. I’ll be here when you make mistakes and as you learn to trust yourself.”

“Why? Why would you do that?” she gasped. I looked down into her eyes, which captured me fully.

“Because—” I paused.

“Yes?”

“Because you are my mermaid,” I whispered back.

We looked at each other for a long while; it felt like an eternity, but suddenly, she was nodding her head. I stepped back, releasing my hold on her, and breaking the connection of her hand on my chest. As much as I hated to do it, it was necessary.

“So, as for George, I think he is kind, and you are overreacting. But I understand; I should be careful of humans. Is that right?”

“Does it feel right?” I asked.

She looked at me. I watched her gaze as it fell to my scar. I wondered what she thought of it.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good,” I nodded and turned back around. I was going to be in trouble with her aboard that ship. She had saved my life, so I owed her. Although I did wonder if saving me like she had was the right thing for her to have done. There were a few moments as I was losing air and drowning when I thought it might have been a good idea to no longer exist–to be free of the world, as I was someone so full of evil that it even manifested through my veins.

But I also could not help but be grateful that I had met Meria.

I walked back to steer the ship.

As I placed my hands on the polished brown wheel, I took a deep breath. I needed to focus. I had a strange, new sea to explore.

“I am going to talk with Peter,” she said from behind me.

She had followed me. I wanted to groan; I did not know how much longer I could speak with her without doing something I would regret. I gripped the wheel even tighter.

“I do not advise that,” I said, wondering what she would say. Would she cave in to what I thought or do as she desired?

“Okay,” she said, and I looked at her as she stood beside me, her tangled hair lifted up by the salty wind. She looked at the deck for a few moments before she lifted her head and looked at me with a beautifully defiant look. She took in a shaky breath. “I heard you, but I still wish to finish speaking with him. I don’t think he needs to be imprisoned. We can all work together.” She paused as if waiting for me, but I waited to make sure she was done speaking.

“Ah, that would be a wonderful thing if the world worked that way.”

“What do you mean?”

“People are not kind and good like you, Meria; they want power.”

“But he is your brother. I am sure some agreement could be made to help both parties. I am sure he wishes to find his sister, too—you are similar. He is looking for his friend.”

“We are only similar in appearance. I assure you, he is an honest, virtuous prince. Unlike me, he is a true gentleman.”

“But you said you were—”

“I said I would act like a gentleman; I can act very well,” I winked.

“Like you act when you’re The Cruel Hand?”

“What?” I said a little rougher than I would have liked. But the question took me by surprise.

“That is not you, Dominick; it was who you were forced to be.”

I was silent, not knowing what to say to that. She did not know me, nor the darkness inside of me.

“So I am going to talk with Peter.” She did not seem sure about it, so I turned my head to the side.

“Are you?” I asked.

“Yes, I am quite sure I will. You cannot make me not see him.” She stood taller, her shoulders back.

“Good,” I said, turning to look at the wheel.

“Good,” she said, moving closer, so that our arms brushed, and I felt no pain at all. It was a startling and incredible feeling, but I didn’t know if I should like it—so I moved away a few inches.

“Good,” I repeated again with a nod and a smirk.

“Good, so if you are okay with it.”

“Ah–you were so close!” I said with a chuckle. “Go; do what you want, just be careful,” I said with an intense look, gazing down at her furrowed brow.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and before I knew what was happening, her hand was on my shoulder, and her lips were pressed onto the side of my cheek where my scar was. I turned to look at her, my mouth hanging open in shock, but she was running across the deck.

That little —I touched my cheek where she’d just kissed me, baffled, yet I knew I had to have been smiling like a fool.

“Yes, it’s so obvious you do not like her. I see the way you despise her,” Sands said, coming out of nowhere.

“Shut it,” I snapped, dropping my hand from my cheek. “I never realized how irritating you are.”

“Aw, you adore me. I was just reminding you; she’s your friend .”

“And you are a spineless jellyfish. Go find something to steal.”

“Already did, Anything worth stealing has been stolen,” Sands said.

“Anything good?”

“Plenty of gold.”

“That’s good,” I said with a nod, hoping Sands would drop any conversation about Meria. I needed some time because I was feeling a bit strange after she kissed the scar on my cheek.

“So–” Sands began, but I cut him off.

“I wish I had my maps, but the captain did have a map of the Misted Seas, so if I have this right, we will reach the Misted Seas tomorrow.”

“Change of subject, nice,” Sands said with a laugh so annoying that I pulled out my sword to keep him from coming any closer to me. He only laughed harder, bending over to slap his knee. “I have never seen such a reaction from you before!” Then, peals of laughter.

“Why is this so funny?”

“The Cruel Hand –does not have a cruel heart ,” Sands said, and before I could strike him down, he ran away to the lower deck.

I sighed. I needed to be alone–nothing but the wind and sea and with the wheel in my hands.