Chapter 27: The Invitation of Captain Rowaen





We were silent as Captain Drakon, Owain, the Skull and I sailed on the canoe back to the Obsidian. No one dared to speak and I could almost hear my heart beating nervously against my chest. I was afraid of what would happen next. Captain Drakon held out his hand to help me get on the deck when we reached the Obsidian. I muttered a 'thank you' and waited for Owain and the Skull. I saw Owain and Captain Drakon engaged in a silent argument with each other the moment the younger pirate stepped on the deck. I maintained a respectful distance from them and waited for the Skull. I was also wondering if I should just go straight to my cabin and lock myself, or stay and confront the consequence of my curiosity. I decided to do the last one.



"Skull-–" I started when he finally stepped on the deck. I wanted to ask him about the mermaid. I wanted to know why he didn't come and see me for the last few days. But I wasn't able to continue what I was saying because he was already lunging towards Owain and attacked him. A hard blow landed on Owain's jaw and he fell on the deck. The Skull was about to strike again but Captain Drakon immediately got him and pulled him back.



I saw Owain recover and he stood on his feet and glared at the Skull. He clenched his fists and marched towards the man who punched him. I ran to him and grabbed his arm. I knew my strength was nothing compared to the pirate, but I just had to try and stop him. However, Owain was fuming and consumed by his sudden anger. Before we realized what was happening, he was already pushing me away from him and I landed hard on the deck. The Skull squirmed against Captain Drakon until he finally escaped from him. Owain tried to strike against the Skull and he was able to hit his face but the Skull, who seemed to be not affected at all, countered him and gave out a blow. Owain fell again on the deck spitting blood due to his torn lips. The Skull grabbed him again by his neck.



"Why did you have to bring her there? You liked it, don't you? You want her dead so you brought her in there!" The Skull screamed with pure anger on his face.



Just a while ago, they were two arrows ready to attack the same enemy, and now, they were pointed against each other – ready to strike across each other's heart. Captain Drakon pulled the Skull by his arm until he finally let go of Owain.



Owain showed his bloody tooth and let out a sarcastic laugh. "Look at you. Talking like you don't kill her, too," he said.



There was a sudden change in the Skull's expression and I knew Owain's words affected him. I averted my eyes trying to avoid meeting his. I didn't know that it would be this awkward talking about my death. And as if to break everything, Captain Drakon stepped in the middle of them and said, "Enough with the two of you. Brawling doesn't help the situation we are in right now. You both brought the Obsidian in a dangerous spot."



I recoiled on where I stood as the captain scolded them. I knew I was at fault, too. I also put the Obsidian in danger. But what could I do about it? I couldn't just stay inside my cabin without a clue of what was happening around me.



"It is the first fucking mate's entire fault. If only he did what we agreed on doing and not bring her in the grand vessel then we wouldn't be facing this problem!" The Skull said.



"And if you just let Captain Rowaen touch her and get your fucking mermaid then we should be already sailing away from this hell! That's what we came here for, right? To get your mermaid! And you're lucky because the Captain of the Pirate City seemed to be interested in the Jonah of the Obsidian. You will not have a hard time thinking of what to trade for your mermaid anymore!" Owain shouted.



I felt my eyes burning as I listened to them. Maybe staying was a bad idea and I should just have gone back to my cabin. I couldn't listen to them anymore. With a heavy heart, I pulled all my strength and took a step back. That small movement immediately caught their attention. When they all turned to me, I ran fast away from them towards the entrance of the Obsidian. I didn't care if some pirates were eyeing me with curiosity in their eyes. I just had to get inside my cabin. Finally, I reached my door and turned the knob. I was about to push it close when a strong arm stopped it from closing and get itself inside my cabin. I watched in shock as the Skull closed the door behind him.



"I want to be alone!" I said. My tears were threatening to fall and I didn't want him to see me break down.



"We need to talk," he said in a serious tone.



No. I didn't want to talk to him. Not at the moment. Not when my heart was being crushed hard. I told him that I would be strong and I didn't want him to see me like this.



"If you don't leave, then I'll go find somewhere I can be alone!" I said and tried reaching for the knob. But he grabbed my arm and stepped between me and the door. I smashed into his chest and the mere touching of our body made way for the tears to fall down. I didn't fight it anymore as I wept loudly and punched his strong chest.



"I don't want it. I don't want these tears. I don't want this pain. I don't want to feel like this," I cried. It was probably an ugly sight but who cared about how I looked in front him.



"I just want to go home. Please just bring me home." I was probably coward for not holding on to my words about bravery. But how could I fight when I felt like I had no place in here anymore. I felt like I was not Primrose Crimson of the East Land who loved Threy Weston of the West – whether he was the Skull or the son of the Ruler. I was only the Jonah of the Obsidian and I was not a valuable piece in the pirate world.



Amidst my sobbing, I felt strong arms wrapping around me. It brought warmth to my body and eased the uncontrollable shaking. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and I met his cold grey ones.



"I hate it that despite all the sufferings, you still have this effect on me," I said sadly.



I tried to squirm to free myself from his arms but he didn't let go. Instead, his embrace tightened that it was already impossible for me to move away from him. The foolish heart of mine started beating fast.



"I couldn't let you go home for now. I'm sorry if I want to keep you even though I suck on protecting you. I am selfish and I don't deserve any affection you're giving me. But I want you to know that I'll do everything to keep you safe," he finally said.



I closed my eyes and felt every word he said. It was promising and sounded so good but then, it also felt really sad. It was all because of his selfishness. He didn't want to let me go and like a little bird in his hand – he would crush me to death.



"But you've already found what you're looking for. You have no use for me."



His fingers grazed my cheeks and wiped the tears away. "It doesn't change anything. You're still under my protection."



I swallowed back my tears and asked, "Do you love her?"



He was silent for a moment. It was a good thing, right? He was hesitating unlike before when he was really focused on finding her. Maybe something had changed. Could I see it as a slight glimpse of hope amidst this devastation? Could I see it as something to look forward to?



"Yes," he suddenly said and all my hopes crumbled down to the ground. I shouldn't have asked when I already knew the answer.



I raised my hand and pushed him against his chest. This time, he let me push him and he stepped back. I felt a sudden emptiness once his arms left my body. I suddenly regret pushing him away but I knew it was what I should be doing. It was the right thing to do at the moment. He was like a sharp blade and if I kept on holding him, he would cut me until I bleed to death.



"Then what do you want to talk about?" I couldn't help but raise my voice. Wasn't it enough that I had no choice but to suffer? I wanted to leave but I couldn't just go anywhere.



"I'll let you go home. But please, while it's not possible to go home at the moment, listen to me so you can avoid danger," he said.



I looked at him, pained. I knew I would always listen to him. If there were two sides in a battle, I would gladly take his side. And that was what I hated for he was always breaking my heart but still, he got the reins to direct where it would go.



"Do you know what really sucks? It's that I want to hate you, but my heart, no matter how many times you break it, will always listen to you," I said and walked to my bed. I laid there and curled up into a ball. I closed my eyes as I heard him open the door. I guessed I would have more nights like this.



I woke up to a certain knock on my door. My eyes were hurting for so much crying in the past night and it was hard to open it wide. I didn't really want to face anyone on that morning but the knock on my door didn't stop and it was demanding for my response. I rose to my feet and padded towards it. Combing my hair with my fingers, I turned the knob and opened it. Captain Drakon and some women and pirates whom I wasn't really familiar with were with him. I looked at him with confusion in my eyes.



"Well, good morning, my lady! I hope your sleep last night was not really that bad." Captain Drakon greeted me with a formal smile on his face.



I nodded at him and stared awkwardly at his companions. "What's going on?" I asked. I was surprised by the hoarseness of my voice.



A woman stepped closer to me and said, "Captain Rowaen is inviting you for breakfast. We would like to help you prepare for it." Her smile was sweet and I bet any man would be on their knees just to taste those lips. I couldn't understand why all women in the Pirate City seemed to be more interesting than me. Her blonde hair was neatly combed and the silk clothing she was wearing seemed to be showing the excellent curves she had in her body. I saw some pirates of the Obsidian glancing at her group.



"That was so, so kind of him! However, I plan to skip breakfast today." I glanced at Captain Drakon to get some help but he remained formal and nodded for encouragement. He was silently telling me that I had no choice.



"I'm afraid Captain Rowaen doesn't take 'no' for an answer. I'm sure you wouldn't like the consequences once you refuse his invitation." She was still smiling as she said those words as if to put sugar on the evident threat.



I looked again at Captain Drakon and he seemed to be worried about what my answer would be. I sighed and stepped out of my room and closed the door. I looked straight at the woman in front of me with no fear in my eyes. "I will take his invitation not because I'm afraid of him, but because I don't like him bringing harm to the Obsidian and its crew," I said.



I had been sailing with the Obsidian for a long time now and it kept me safe from the storm and the rage of the sea. Aside from that, it was where I found the Skull and stayed with him. I wouldn't let anyone ruin it.



The smile on her lips widened and held out her long, soft hand towards me. I hesitated at first but I grabbed it after a while thinking that I should stand on my words. She pulled me towards her group and we started walking away from my cabin towards the entrance of the Obsidian. The women with her were trailing behind us.



"Come with me and I'll make sure that it will be a beautiful morning," she said as the sunlight welcomed us when we reached the deck of the Obsidian. Is it another threat? Because it sounds like one to me.