26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Dominick

T hat was my end, and I was not sad at all. Well, maybe a little, because I wanted to make sure that Meria would be okay. But if the sharks had their way with me, that would give her enough time to get back onto the ship. Instead of death, however, my head breached the surface, and just as the breath I had been holding was released, there was a scream.

Who is screaming?

As I floated in the water, I saw the fin of a shark and felt a second distinct sharp pain in my arm. I cursed as I saw the water around me, dark red with my blood, attracting even more sharks to us.

“Dominick!” I heard Meria shout, but I could not see her.

Where is she? Is she alright? I need to save her.

There was a stiff force that pushed into me, and the shark was back on my arm. He dragged me down into the ocean; then, his jaws let go of me, and I looked up to see Meria in the water above me. She dove down to catch me before I sank to the bottom of the sea. Soon, we were above the surface of the ocean, and I took a deep breath.

“I've got you,” she whispered.

“Just leave me here. I’d gladly drown in the fathoms to save you. Sands can pull you up,” I groaned as the pain in my arm grew. My sight was fuzzy, and my head felt heavy.

“Of course, not!” She closed her mouth, and the most beautiful song I had ever heard echoed inside of me. I gaped at her; she was beautiful, magnificent, everything good in the world. I wanted to follow her anywhere and everywhere.

“Sorry, I must not stop the song.” She paused, looking at me with a frown as she kept swimming us back toward the ship. She reached the dangling rope, and tied it around my waist.

“No, do not have me go first,” I whispered, pain making it hard to think straight. I had so much pain I had dealt with in my life, but that pain was different, more acute and sharp–probably due to the teeth of that shark, which sank deep into my flesh, along with the blood I was losing.

“Do as I say, Dominick,” she sang sweetly, somehow, without moving her lips, and I nodded. Of course, I would do as she said–everything she said for the rest of my life.

It took a few minutes for Sands to pull me up. Once I was rolled out and onto the deck, I tried to breathe steadily and count the stars to keep myself conscious, but as soon as I saw Meria safe beside me, I smiled and closed my eyes. I opened them again, and just the sight of her made the pain less acute.

“Ancients, you are beautiful–and safe ,” I said.

“It seems he becomes endearing when bitten by a shark,” I heard Sands laugh.

“That is just my song. It will wear off,” she said, touching my arm and my face, and everywhere she touched me, it felt warm and wonderful.

“Rest, Dominick; I will take care of you,” she said, turning my face so I was able to gaze into those beautiful, light blue eyes, bright as the moon behind her, like the twinkling stars–a beacon of peace and hope in my painful world.

I reached out my good arm and caressed her cheek, brushing some of the wet, blond-pink strands to the side.

“Please, take care of me for the rest of my life. I need you, forever, ” I whispered.

She smiled so wide, and I wanted to have a painting of that smile hanging where I could see it every single morning when I woke up.

“If you would have me, handsome pirate prince, I would never leave your side. Now, let's get you up.”

I was shuffled between Sands and Meria. They were on either side of me, guiding me into the cabin. Once placed on the bed, my head became even more dizzy.

“I am going to sleep.”

“Sleep then. You shall be well once you awaken,” were the words she caressed against my skin, her kisses on my cheek and her warm breath comforting me in the best of ways. I nodded slowly and let myself fall into the depths of unconsciousness.