Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

Mila

Later…

Raven and I both change into a pair of breeches, a waistcoat, and a puffy-sleeved shirt. I attach colossal gold hoop earrings to my ears, and she drapes a compass necklace over her neck. My long hair is tied back with a bandana while hers is braided back. We check each other out in the mirror, laughing.

I clear my throat, “Alright, now into action!”

I put on my performance, “Viens (come on), lassie. We got to go check the sails.”

“Aye. Might as well greet our dear Captain,” Raven replies, sneering.

...

We enter through the doors to the outside, surprising me with the wind that blows rather harshly. Everyone outside stares after us. I almost regret this idea but Raven seemed to be having fun.

Screw your composure for Raven, good heavens.

“You!” I shout at James. “Ahoy, Capt.”

I bow deeply. He chokes on his drink before composing himself,

“May I ask, what is this, Mademoiselle?”

Raven approaches behind me.

“Avast yo!” Raven shouts in his face. He frowns. I think quickly, trying to come up with a solution.

“Ye dare say avast to the Capt.?” I glare at her, then winks while James is not looking.

Raven, looking delighted with herself, plays along.

“Aye, I dare.”

I glance at James—his tall, muscular built body suddenly shakes with amusement. His usually serious face, relaxed for the first time.

I narrow my eyes, continuing with the act, “Find somethin’ funny, Capt.?”

Glancing over at Raven, who is still carrying on her act, crossing her arms and staring. I whisper to James, “Savvy?”

“Aye,” he says, cracking up before turning his attention to Raven. “Why lass, ye look mighty stunning this evening.”

“Blimey, thank ye,” Raven scoffs, trying to make it oblivious that she didn’t enjoy the compliment.

“Join me at dungbie (rear end of ship) for a—” James thinks for a moment, his fingers tracing his jaw. I can almost see Raven drooling, as I chortle.

“Ai, don’t check out our Captain, or you’ll be shark bait,” I whisper. She scoffs, elbowing me.

“Ah, oui, will ye join me for a clap of thunder (strong, alcoholic drink)?”

“Sink me…will there be dancing?” She asks.

“Aye.”

“Aye, I’d like that.”

She then points an accusing finger at me, “Avast! Ye stay. Let’s not let some scallywag ruin my lovely evening.”

I try my best to look accused and offended.

“Now who ye callin’ a scallywag, ye landlubber!” I shout.

“Ye keep that up around your Capt. And you’ll spend th’ rest o’ yer days swabbin’.” James says in a low voice. He’s trying his best to act, but he can’t hide the smile tugging the corners of his lips.

“Aye Capt. I be sorry,” I say cheekily.

They leave together when I catch Raven’s face, looking back with the most cheerful expression and I wink as she and James disappear out of view.

I sigh. That was exhausting.

I lean over the railings of the ship. Someone joins me by my side, I turn to see Prince Nolan.

“Having fun?”

“Aye. I mean, of course.”

He chuckles, pushing his hair out of his eyes.

I sigh, “The pirate role is still stuck with me, I suppose.”

“Well lass, it’s not that bad,” Nolan says and I can’t help but crack up.

“Laddie, yer pirate language be mighty bad.”

“It’s better when it’s normal, right?”

“Sure,” I say sarcastically.

Nolan’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets, “Are you saying it’s not?”

I laugh, “Well, ’tis nah mighty good, but it can get better.”

“Really?” He asks, almost pleading with me to say yes.

“Oui,” I say, laughing.

It was barely a moment of silence before he clears his throat and speaks up again, “Lady Mila?”

“Hmm?”

“I have something to confess.”

I turn to look at him. Searching his eyes, I find nothing.

“Confess?”

Nolan nods, his eyes are distant, dark.

“I’ve been hiding something from you, Lady Mila. I might not get another like this.”

I dread to think. I frown as he takes a deep breath.

“I like you, Lady Mila. I do. One might even say it’s the beginning of a new era of love,” he chuckles, ruffling his hair in tense movement.

“I have to choose my bride and future queen considering the future of the kingdom of Iwera. And I believe you are that someone Mademoiselle Hayes.”

“Oh, I’m very flattered, Votre Altesse. I don’t even know what to say.”

I never knew that Prince Nolan thought so highly of me.

“You are…considerate, noble. To consider your kingdom first only proves further that you’ll be a great king someday.”

“And you’ll make a great queen someday.”

Nolan drops his gaze before meeting mine with an asking smile on his face. He steps towards me and unconsciously, I back away until I’m at the edge of the railing. His hand reaches toward me before pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. He is so tall, his muscular frame towers over me, making me feel so small, so vulnerable.

“I—”

He cuts me off with a finger to my lips. His eyes are curious, asking for permission. I bite my lower lip, unsure of what to do. He decides for me and gently presses his lips to mine. I hiccup and hesitate but I kiss him back. He keeps the touch at a minimum, except for the fact that he gently scrapes my bottom lip with his teeth.

“Euh...” Is all I can say.

“Goodnight, Mademoiselle Hayes,” he says, kissing my forehead with a loving smile. He turns to walk away, leaving me as red as a tomato behind him.

What in the heavens?

***

I return to my room.

My first kiss, with the prince of all people! Oh. My. Goodness.

I squeal and laugh to myself, collapsing on my bed and staring at the ceiling. Midnight’s eyes come into vision and I flinch, too much that makes me almost fall off the bed.

“How dare you intrude in the middle of the night,” I say, scratching his head. I check the clock. It’s nearly three A.M.

“I thought you were only supposed to come at midnight, Midnight.” I chuckle at my own phrase.

Picking him up, I set him on the bed beside me. Midnight is such a weird cat, but I could feel a tremendous amount of trust towards this particular cat, almost as if he’s a person.

“No visions tonight, huh.”

I tumble over to my bed as the ship slowly rock against the waves. I pull my blankets over my body as he jumps into my arms.

How did he ever get here in the first place…?

We’re on a ship after all...

I yawn, the sleepiness catching up to me. I let my hand travel down his back, scratching his coat. I twirl his tail but I get cut short.

I could only touch half of his tail. My hand somehow passes through the last half. I try again and the same thing happens. Midnight suddenly jumps out of my grasp to the floor without a single sound.

“Midnight?” I lean over my bed to see nothing. He’s gone, disappeared, vanished, into thin air.

“Just like him.”

Just like who?

I know better than to look around—the voice in my mind, indicating that I’m insane. But I know better than to fight it.

“Just like HIM!”

I cover my ears, but the shriek rings out like an echo in my mind. Then, it quiets down, all of a sudden. There’s blood on my fingertips—my ears are bleeding.

“Quinn…” It whispers.

Then it’s gone.

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☆•Yiona•☆