Chapter nine:
Battling my heart
An entire group of imperial guards stood in front of us. Right in front of us was Prince Ali. He smiled like the devil would. “Shit,” Talon said. I was thinking the same thing. “Why do you leave so soon my friends?” He asked. I rolled my eyes. “Listen we are very thankful for your hospitality but we are leaving for Cape Verda in Liberia for trading. You understand?” My father lied. I knew we were going to Cape Verda, but not for the reason my father lied about. “I understand. I understand you are lying through your teeth. The only reason you are leaving is because this one told you she doesn’t want to marry me,” He said pointing to me.
“You would have that right mate, but we need to leave,” Jacoby cut in. The prince smiled and slowly shook his head. He said something in Moroccan and nodded to me. The guards pulled guns on the crew. Then I was yanked off Cassia and my hands held behind my back. “Guards escort these men to their ship. As for her take her to her chambers,” The prince ordered. They dragged me inside. I struggled as hard as I could as I saw them leave. They threw me inside and shut the door and locked it. I banged on the door but it was useless. I know them. They are not just going to leave me here. I thought. I decided to get some sleep and think of something tomorrow.
I awoke the next morning early. I could hear roosters crowing and pigs squealing. I paced my room all morning. Suddenly the door swung open and two huge imperial guards grabbed my arms and dragged me away. They dragged me to a room with two couches. On one sat Prince Ali and the other Talon and Father. I lunged toward them but the guards cut their hands in front of me and held me back. Talon and father looked at me. I could tell in their eyes they weren’t leaving here without me. Ali stood up and walked over to me. He stroked my cheek. I turned my head and bit at him. He jerked his hand away. “Bit of a cobra aren’t you? So you are willing to pay any price in gold for her?” The prince said sitting down again.
“Yes sir,” Father answered. “Ha! Fool there is no gem or gold piece that will force me to give up this one,” He laughed.
“Love and marriage are sacred. The only way I would give her up is if she belonged to someone else,” “You know I’m glad you said that. You see this young man and her and engaged and I am to marry them in Cape Verda,” Father smiled. “That’s why she wanted to leave. She was very flattered you took a fancy to her, but her heart belongs to me. She was worried that you would force her to stay,” Talon added. The prince looked at me and then Talon then back at me. Talon gave me a charming smile. I smiled back. We tried and succeed looking like love struck couple.
The prince thought for a minute. He bit his lip. Then he sighed. “I guess since you two are engaged that I must honor my words and commitment not to interfere with love. Guards release her,” The prince said. The let me go. I ran to Talon and hugged him. “Kiss me he’ll buy it,” I whispered in his ear. I pulled away and we kissed. I got a shiver. The taste of his lips was sweet. His lips were soft. I pulled back. He held me in his arms. The prince apologized for what happened and gave the lucky couple three sacks of gems, gold, and other things. We gratefully took it and rode for the ship.
We reached the ship and all the men smiled and laughed. I shrugged and smiled at them all. They all thought I was going to stay with the prince. “So did you and the prince have a good night lass?” Jacoby laughed. “Well about as well as you and that dancer. Only one of us was in love,” I teased. The crew roared with laughter. Jacoby turned red as a burning ember. Father patted him on the back and offered all of us a drink. The crew walked off. I laughed. Someone coughed behind me. I turned around and saw Talon. “So I guess we are having a wedding in a day or two?” He said. I smiled and rolled my eyes. We had a night of drinking. Jacoby got over the dancer and said in Cape Verde he would definitely get lucky.
Everyone went to bed. I stayed on deck. Suddenly I noticed no one else was on deck. Then I saw a dark figure by the mast, Talon. “I thought I wasn’t alone,” I yelled to him. He walked over to me and leaned against the railing. “So what are you doing here?” I asked. He shrugged, “Curiosity and persuasion,” “How do you know what curiosity and persuasion is?” I asked. “I’ve been around. You on the other hand haven’t experienced the true curiosity,” He said looking devilish. “Oh and I am guessing you know all about curiosity,” I smiled.
“One word love….Curiosity. You’re going to want it. Crave it. You want to know what it tastes like. With someone else or just yourself. Either or you long for the freedom of curiosity,” He leaned in close. “I believe I already have freedom,” I whispered. “No love you have freedom but not the freedom you long for,” He said. “Talon you are a man of many mysteries,” I said. “Is that bad?” He asked leaning in closer. Our lips only an inch away. He brushed the back of his hand on my cheek. It was so soft and smooth. “Not necessarily,” I whispered. He leaned in and kissed me.
He pulled his lips back and smiled at me. I smiled back at him and kissed him again. The kiss was sweet and soft. I pulled away. I realized that if this continues it will cause trouble all over the ship. “Talon I can’t” I said. “Why not?” He asked. “I just can’t. I have just found my father and if he thinks you will take me away so soon. The fact he saved your life won’t matter,” I said. I turned away and went to my cabin. I shut the door. I leaned against it. How I wanted to stay there kissing his sweet lips. How I wanted to be in his embrace. I can’t though. If father found out then Talon would be killed or left to die somewhere. I thought. I went to sleep feeling disappointed and upset. I dreamt that the crew threw a party. I and Talon danced. He leaned in and kissed me. Then father came between us and drew his sword to Talon. He screamed at Talon. I couldn’t understand. My father was about to slit Talon’ throat. Then I woke up gasping.
I put my hands over my eyes. I had to face it. I was in love with Talon. I cared for him. I have fallen in his spell. I am risking his life. I am risking my reputation. I need to be careful or I will be ruined for life. I thought. I lay back down thinking about my situation. I have to be careful or my heart will break and I will just be another pawn in his game. I went back to sleep. I awoke the next morning with Talon sitting on my bed. My eyes nearly popped out of my head, “Talon what are you doing here?! If father sees…,” “He won’t see me. He is still sleeping,” He said. “There is something I need to tell you,” “Alright, what is it?” I asked. I knew what he was going to say. He was going to tell he saved my life.
“I’m just going to come out and say it. I am the one who saved you from that fire twelve years ago. The reason I kept it from you is that I was afraid if I told you that you might get mad because I never told you who I was. Also the reason I didn’t tell you who I was because pirates aren’t supposed to disobey there captain’s,” He said.
I looked at him curiously. “When I was a boy before he died my father was a pirate. He was my captain. We were leaving when I saw the fire I disobeyed my father by running to save you instead of staying on the ship. So when I left I was in a hurry to get back before my father got angrier with me,” He said. I was about to say that was stupid, but then I realized that it was pirate law for crew to follow captain. Talon is lucky to have not been killed for is disobedience. He stared blankly at the floor. He sighed. I came closer to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck in a hug. He wrapped his arms around my waist. It felt good in his embrace.
I looked at his face. He gave me a little smile. I could tell he felt bad about the entire thing. I leaned in and kissed him. His arms wrapped tighter around me. I pulled away and looked at him. “For once I am glad I disobeyed my father,” He laughed. “Shut up,” I said. I kissed him again. Then I heard a knock at my door, father. Talon pulled away and slid under the bed. I lay back under the sheets. “Come in,” I yelled. Father walked in with his usual smile. “Morning love, Sleep well?” He asked. “Had a good sleep last night, What about you captain?” I asked. He chuckled. “Good. Well I better get out of here for the crew needs me,” He shut the door and left. Talon slid from out under the bed. He laughed as he sat on my bed. I came closer to him and gave him a peck on the lips. “You are needed on the deck. I’ll meet you in a minute,” I said. He nodded and left. I put my usual cloth on; my coat, boots, and affections. I went on deck and saw Talon up the mast on the support beam for the main said. I climbed the shrouds and saw him sitting there. He looked up at me and smiled. “Glad you made it,” He said. I sat next to him. “So what are you doing up here,” I asked. “Just looking for a private place,” He said. He gave a devilish smile and kissed me. I still could not get over the sensations that happened when I kissed him.
I heard a shout on deck. I stopped kissing him and looked down. Father was ordering the crew to prepare for landing. Cape Verda had no port or dock so we had to land on the sand. “That’s me que to leave, but I promise we will have a second alone,” I said. I stood up and grabbed a loose rope. “Maybe” He jumped up just as I jumped into the air. “You little bitch,” He teased. I reached the ground, looked up at him and bowed.