23. Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dominick

“ W ell, finally,” Sands said after I called him to come into my cabin after his knock. He closed the door behind him, and swept across the room, sitting in the chair across from me, sideways. His legs dangled over the edge of one side, and he played with a coin in his hand. I watched as he moved the gold coin across his knuckles, back and forth.

“Finally, what?” I asked, taking my eyes from his parlor trick, back to the maps.

“You claimed her. I have to tell you the things the men said about her below deck? There was a wager on who would get her kiss, first.”

Anger. Burning anger rose inside of me, and I clenched my fist.

“Who?”

“Everyone–Are you going to toss everyone overboard?”

“I could–”

“No, you could not. Calm yourself. You took care of the problem. No one wishes to cross The Cruel Hand, or be tossed overboard like Richard.”

“Sands, I do not have the energy for this today.”

“Well, I saw land–just came to tell you. If you are not interested in what I have to say–”

“We’ve arrived?”

“We’ve arrived,” he said with a large grin.

“Get Peter, I need to speak with him.”

“About time; you know, family really should try and make amends.”

“You have made amends with your family?”

“Have no family to make amends with. But I would if I did,” he said, still playing with his coin.

“I am not making amends; get him.”

Sands made his way out of my cabin, and I sank behind the desk. We’d arrived. That was it. For some reason, the joy I thought I would have at being in the Misted Seas, discovering the first island? It was not there. That was all I had wanted for so long. Why was I not more excited about it? Perhaps, I would feel satisfied when I finally found Layla.

“You wanted to see me?” I glanced up at Sands who held Peter's hands behind his back, and Peter looked the worse-for-wear. Of course, he would be, having been held as a prisoner took a toll.

“Yes. You are rescuing someone from Pixie Isle?” I asked.

“I hoped so, but I am no longer in control of this ship,” Peter said.

“Yes, well, we have arrived at the first island, which I believe is Pixie Isle, and I am impressed that you did not attempt to escape or get any of your crew to kill me.”

“I do not want you dead, and I do not care who is captain of this ship as long as I can rescue Gwendolyn; that is my mission.”

“Why would you not wish me dead?” I asked.

“You are my brother–and, believe it or not, I have missed you.”

“Well, I am not anyone to miss–or look up to.”

“I do not know about that. You seem like a good captain. You got us here faster than I had planned.” He paused. “Are you letting me go?”

I was planning on it. No matter my past, no matter my reputation, I never wanted to continue on in that way. Veeto was cruel, and I had no wish to continue in his footsteps. Meria helped me realize that. Perhaps, there is a better way for me.

“I am letting you complete your mission. Take a group of men, your captain included, and I will drop you off on Pixie Isle, and I will return in around five days.”

“That should, hopefully, be plenty of time to find her. I hear the island is small; time is different there.”

“I am still the captain of this ship. If the crew does not follow my orders, they will be disposed of. Make that clear to them.”

Peter nodded.

“You know, this ship is a Walden ship.”

“Of course, I know that,” I said impatiently.

“You were always meant to be the captain. Perhaps, the Ancients helped you find your true ship.”

“What do you mean? I imprisoned you and stole this ship.”

“You are Walden’s Crown Prince, so this ship is more yours than anyone else's, even more than it is mine.”

I stood there, dumbfounded. Peter should have hated me, especially after spending the last five nights in the ship’s prison. Yet, he was being kind. He was standing there, telling me that I was the Crown Prince and that the ship was rightfully mine. Why? He was a better man than I would ever be. I was proud of him and happy that he had lived a better life than I had.

I nodded, not sure what to say to that.

Sands smiled at me, but I did not have the mental energy to decipher why he was smiling. He led Peter from the room.

“Keep an eye on him!” I called out.

“Will do, Cap! Also, Meria slept poorly last night; she's in pain.” Sands turned around and winked.

Although I hated that he knew that before I did, I knew what that comment meant. I needed to go help Meria. I could take away any pain she had, and I would. I jumped up to find her.