3. A Meal Fit for a Queen

THREE

a meal fit for a queen

"Ah, there you are," Mama says as I enter the room. "Everything okay?"

I smile. "I'm good. How is the baby?" I move toward the smallest member of our family. His coloring looks better than yesterday, which gives me hope.

"He seems good." She takes a small bite of the bread I brought in. "Charles says you found this food on board." She closes her eyes, relishing the flavor. "I don't want to know any details, but I'm glad you did."

I look around the room, seeing my siblings eating their fruit. Everyone looks healthier. "I think I can get more if we need it," I whisper.

"Are you being safe?" she asks.

"Aye."

Her frail hand wraps around my arm. "Thank you."

The day passes quickly. We used what remained of the water to clean the small room to the best of our ability, which means while we have a cleaner place to live for the next few weeks, I will need to ask Thorne for more water.

Each time I've passed the helm, Thorne has been standing in position at the wheel, seemingly not noticing me. I resist the urge to speak to him. For what reason, I don't know.

As the sun begins to set, I help Mama give the smaller kids a bath with water she pulled from the sea. I can't remember the last time I had a bath, and the memory makes me greedy with the desire to experience hot water surrounding my skin once again.

The sun is nearly below the horizon when I realize the main deck has emptied in the time we've been out here. My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I am most likely not the only one in my family who's hungry. "Why don't you take the children back to the room? I'll get us something to eat."

"Elsbeth…" Mama starts.

"I'll be fine. It won't take long."

From the look on her face, I can only imagine what she thinks I'm doing in exchange for nourishment. I watch her take my siblings inside. Charles stays behind, propping his foot against the wall behind him.

"Go with the kids," I reprimand.

"No," he argues. "I'm the man in charge." I stare at my younger brother, wondering where this sudden urge came from.

"Charles, just because you're the oldest son doesn't mean you have to be in charge. Let me get us what we need, and I'll bring it to the room." He crosses his arms over his chest. "I promise I'll be fine."

"Tell me where you're finding the food."

"Why does it matter? As long as we have food to eat, it doesn't matter where it comes from."

"Elsie, are you doing things with these men to get our food?"

"What? No!"

He looks around the main deck. "There doesn't seem to be a market anywhere nearby. I'm young, but I'm not naive. I know how things work."

I step toward my brother, placing a hand on his arm. "I appreciate your concern, but no, I'm not doing anything to get food. I have my ways."

His stance eases slightly. "Do you promise?"

"I promise." I squeeze his arm as I speak.

Charles's eyes grow several inches as Thorne approaches the two of us. "Good evening, Miss Abernathy."

I bow slightly. "Good evening, Captain. This is my brother, Charles." I watch the two men shake hands.

"Would you care to join me in my quarters tonight for a meal?" Thorne asks, looking between the two of us. "Both of you?"

"In the captain's quarters?" Charles asks.

"Aye, that would be where I eat. Better than that, please bring your entire family."

"Oh, no. We couldn't do that. Thank you for the offer, but that would be asking too much. There are ten of us," I answer, pulling my brother toward the door to escape.

"I insist," Thorne continues.

"He insists, Elsie," Charles whispers. "We can't ignore what the captain insists upon."

"He's right," Thorne says behind me.

I close my eyes in defeat and turn, facing the giant man. "Thank you for the invitation. I will let my mother know." I smile, trying to hide the turmoil in my soul.

"I'll get them," Charles says as he disappears, leaving me alone with Thorne.

"Thank you for the invitation." I bow slightly with my words.

"Of course." My family exits the narrow door several seconds later, saving me from the awkwardness forming between us.

"Captain," Mama says with a deep bow. My sisters follow her movements, making me smile. "Thank you for the invitation."

"My pleasure, ma'am. I relish the company." He turns, moving toward the back of the ship. "Please, follow me."

I wait for everyone to pass before following them into the extravagant room at the back of the ship. I'm surprised at the difference between his quarters and ours. The room is as wide as the ship with a large table sitting in the middle. The room the men were playing cards in the other night is nothing compared to this one.

A lavishly decorated bed sits against the far wall. Beside it sits a desk covered in books and papers. A large window spans the entire length of the room, allowing a full view of the setting sun. "Is this a castle?" Bonnie asks, looking around the room with her small mouth gaping open.

"No, nothing that fancy. This is the captain's quarters," Thorne answers. "Please, sit down." He motions to the large table in the middle of the room. There are enough chairs for each person to have their own seat. Thorne pulls a chair out for Mama on one side of him, motioning for her to sit down. I can't help but notice her cheeks take on a pink hue as she does. He moves to the chair on his other side, pulling it out for me, before he sits between us. I try not to show the excitement I feel at sitting next to him.

"Thank you for taking me up on the offer. Dinner will be served shortly."

On cue, Smith enters the room, carrying a large platter of chicken. "I didn't realize you had company, Captain." His Scottish accent is one of the strongest I've heard.

"Just a few more mouths," he answers.

"Oh, that will be more than enough for all of us," Mama interrupts. "We don't eat much."

"Nonsense," he answers. "You all look like you could use a good meal." He turns toward Smith. "Bring more chicken."

"Aye, Captain." Smith retreats from the quarters.

"Mama? May I have a piece?" Bonnie asks from my side.

"Of course you can, wee one." Thorne stands, taking the tray of food with him. He takes his time, filling each plate around the table until there is no more chicken on the platter.

"What about you?" Mama asks. "Are you not going to eat?"

He pats his stomach dramatically. "I ate earlier. I couldn't eat another bite."

His lies warm my heart. I take pleasure in watching the little ones tear into the first meal we've had in weeks. The smiles that cover their faces bring joy.

"How long have you been a captain?" Mama asks. "You look terribly young to be in charge of such a large vessel."

"Mama," I whisper.

"No, it's all right," Thorne answers. "As far as captains go, I am young. Mrs. Abernathy is correct. I am young to be in charge of a ship of this size." He stands, moving across the room. "The honor of becoming captain is partly because of my ability and partly because of my family name. The Rex family is very well-known in the shipping business. Once we arrive in America, I plan to expand our business to a new country. "

"Do you think I could be a captain one day?" Bertram asks.

"If that's what you want," he answers. "Of course you can."

Smith walks back into the room, carrying another platter of chicken. I watch as Thorne places more food on the plates of my siblings who are still eating. "I can't thank you enough for this meal," Mama says, eating her second piece. "It's been a while since we've eaten a meal together as a family."

"In that case, I insist you all eat with me every evening."

"Oh, no, we couldn't…" Mama starts.

"Nonsense," Thorne interrupts. "I insist."

"Can we, Mama? Please?" Bonnie asks from the other side of the table.

"We'll see," she answers.

We spend the next hour listening to Thorne's stories of growing up on the sea. The more I'm around him, the more comfortable I feel, and the more attractive he becomes. I've never been around someone like him before, and my emotions betray me with thoughts of spending the rest of my life with him. Don't be ridiculous, Elsie. As soon as you have a spell, he'll be like all the rest. The voice in my head brings me back to reality.

"Thank you for the meal, Captain," Mama says, standing from the table. "It's getting late, and the children need their rest. "

"Of course, Mrs. Abernathy. Thank you for the company. It's been a while since I've shared my table."

She stands, gathering my siblings. They head toward the door when Mama turns back toward me. "Elsbeth?"

"I'll be there in a minute."

She nods, giving me a smile of approval. I stare at the back of her head as she exits with my family in tow. Her smile brings the butterflies to life again. I've been around men all my life, but something about Thorne feels different.

"Thank you for dinner," I say after they've left his quarters.

"My pleasure, Elsbeth. My offer is sincere. Your family needs to eat and with no father in the picture?—"

"My father is dead," I interrupt. "It wasn't his choice to not be in the picture."

Thorne stands straighter. "Of course. It wasn't my intention to infer anything otherwise." He clears his throat. "I apologize if my choice of words offended you."

I look down, not sure which crack in the floorboard to stare at. "No. It's me who should apologize. My father and I were very close. The thought of his reputation being damaged isn't something I'm prepared to think about."

"I understand." I look up, making eye contact. Gray eyes stare back at me, offering warmth through our connection. Thorne glances between my eyes and my mouth. "Thank you for dinner, Captain," I repeat, suddenly feeling out of sorts.

"You said that already," he reminds me.

"I did, didn't I?"

Large fingers wrap around mine as he pulls my hand to his lips, kissing the back. Tingles run down the length of my spine. I don't know whether to stand here, hoping for another hand kiss, or to turn and exit gracefully. Who am I kidding? I don't do anything gracefully.

Pulling my hand slowly from his, I turn toward the door. Just like the last two times we've spoken, I feel his eyes follow me through the door. Once outside, the breeze hits me, lifting several loose tendrils of hair with it.

I move closer to the rail, overlooking the glassy sea below, hoping to make sense of the plethora of emotions I feel running through my soul. "Elsbeth," a voice whispers from below, drawing me back to reality. I recognize it as the same voice as before.

"Where are you?" I shout over the edge. "Who are you?"

"Who we are will soon be discovered. Until then, my dear."

Am I losing my mind? Seconds later, a feeling that's been hidden for the past month boils its way to the surface. The sea below forms the familiar wiggles, telling me I must sit quickly. Before I'm able to obey my body, my legs and hands become numb, causing me to lose control of my extremities .

No! This can't be happening again. I collapse on the deck behind me, hitting my head with the fall. The stars above me begin their familiar dance as my body convulses completely. My legs coil to my chest, along with my arms. My body is no longer under my control.

"Elsbeth!" a deep voice calls from somewhere nearby. "Oh, my God. Elsbeth." Arms wrap around me, lifting my spasming body. "What's happening?" the voice asks. It feels familiar and strange at the same time.

My body is laid on top of something soft. The convulsions have slowed down, but are still out of my control. "Tell me what to do," the voice pleads. "I don't know how to help you."

The spasms continue to lessen, alerting me that it's almost over. The pain in my body releases, allowing me to slowly gain enough control to realize I'm back in Thorn's quarters. He's standing over me, his face covered in worry.

"I'm okay," my voice answers. The shakiness sounds through.

"Elsbeth, you were convulsing on the deck."

"I'm s…s…sorry."

"I'm not asking for an apology. What can I do to help?"

"Water," I whisper. "Thirsty."

He disappears from the bedside and moves quickly across the room, returning with a pint of something. "Drink." He pulls me forward, bringing the cup to my lips. The water fills the need my body desires. He lays me back on the softness of his bed and lays a cold cloth on my forehead.

"Thank you," I whisper. "Sleep." My eyes feel heavy, making it nearly impossible to keep them open. I know from experience that sleep is the only way I'm able to overcome this nightmare that has plagued me since childhood.

"Sleep," Thorne says. "I'll let your mother know you're okay." His voice trails off as I lose the battle, and the room fades to nothing.

……

My eyes open to an unfamiliar environment. Whenever these "fits" occur, my brain feels like mush for hours, sometimes days, later. I turn, finding the slumped-over body of Thorne in a chair that's two sizes too small.

Looking around, memories of him bringing me to his quarters surface, meaning he was the one who found me. "Hey," I whisper toward the sleeping giant.

Thorne's eyes open immediately. "Elsbeth? You're awake."

"I am." My voice sounds tired, even to me. I struggle, trying to sit up.

"Let me help you," he says, jumping to my side and sliding his arm behind me. He lifts me slightly, making it easier to lean against the large window above the bed. Once in place, he stares at me silently.

"You're curious," I fill in the blanks.

"I don't want to pry."

I close my eyes, not sure how to explain what I don't understand. "People in the village said I was possessed."

Thorne sits back in his chair. "That's dumb."

The simplicity of his words brings a smile to my face. "It's one of the reasons we're going to America."

"You will be able to find help?"

I nod. "I think so." I look down at my hands, full of small scratches from whatever I hit when I collapsed. "I hope so."

"I'm sorry, Elsbeth."

"Me, too," I answer. "They've caused nothing but pain for my family." I don't elaborate, and thankfully, he doesn't ask. I yawn with my words.

"Get some rest. I'll stay with you."

I don't question his words. Instead, my eyes close, welcoming me back into a world of silence.