Chapter 105:Storm begins.
He didn’t react at first but adjusted her sleeves while she glared at him.
"You’re attracting attention," he quietly but loud enough for both women to hear.
"I don’t care," she calmly replied.
Atheline sighed inwardly. The bloodied dagger easily slipped out of her hand into his sleeves.
"I’m not feeling well," he said.
That caught her attention.
The woman let out a strained breath," I didn’t mean to ...."
Atheline ignored her as his focus was on Lilith. He didn’t oppose her actions but they were supposed to be hidden not attract too much attention to themselves.
"Please let..."
"If there is a misunderstanding, it’s better resolved without an audience, " he talked over the woman silencing her pleading.
In a lower voice, he continued.
"People tend to exaggerate what they see."
Lilith held his gaze for a moment before a smirk curved on her lips. She understood Atheline’s words without him trying.
She stepped back leaving the dishevelled woman on the floor.
"This is a lesson you should never forget," she calmly said as though she hadn’t disfigured her.
The woman sagged in relief too quickly. Lilith didn’t even look at her but Atheline took one last pitiful glance at her.
The boat shook, as though the sea itself had acknowledged her kindness.
"The sea tends to turn the most unforgiving heart more forgiving," she quietly added.
Atheline nodded.
They left the dining hall under the surprised gaze of everyone.
Dark elves were known to be naturally violent and held grudges, that’s why no one was surprised by her attack or even tried to interfere.
The strong will always rule applies to them more than any other species.
Atheline came to a stop at the top of the upper deck stairs overlooking the dark sea.
The wind ruffled against their hair as they gazed at each other before she turned to the waters.
"I know you’re furious, " he stated quietly almost fondly, "I know that look."
His fingers tilted her chin slightly, forcing her to turn her attention back to him.
"I want to kill her for daring to covet you right in front of my eyes," she hissed through gritted teeth.
Lilith had come back only to see an unfamiliar person seated opposite him and moving closer to him by the second.
She even tried to touch his hand then his thigh, everything about him belonged to her, she had seen red at that moment.
’How dare she touch what’s mine’
"Who said you can’t," Atheline replied.
Her gaze followed his to the sea.
"If you had killed her like that, it would have become an unnecessary scene," he took her hands into his colder ones," witnesses, questions, delays."
’At the moment it’s only a cat fight between women, a very common occurrence.’
Atheline massaged her hand carefully then added absentmindedly.
"But if she were to fall overboard... in the middle of the night, or during a storm... "
His gaze met hers. He leaned in and kissed her slightly.
"Tragedies happen, " he mummbled against her lips.
Her already growing smile widened.
"You really know me the best," she whispered.
Atheline nodded. He tilted his head sideways and took her lips under the signs of the oncoming storm.
When Lilith had gotten angry Atheline had been observing the room. The older man seemed to get excited then settled down when he noticed his gaze.
There was no way everyone in the boat didn’t recognise them, there had to be a few odd ones who did.
Weakness washed over Atheline at that moment, and he stumbled a little. The familiar pain came searing through him, and a groan slipped.
She held him tightly her worried gaze searching his face.
"It’s time for your suppressants, " she quietly said.
Atheline nodded.
"I think you’re right."
"Come, you should already be resting. "
She guided him back to their room.
.
.
.
The second day was almost passing peacefully with only a few winds and little rain, but the ocean seemed to have decided to unleash its fury.
Just after dinner, which they had in the cabin, the storm hit.
It didn’t arrive at once but slowly crept in. The moon was slowly covered by the gathering clouds then the silver waters turned dark and restless.
By midnight the ship was already groaning under the assault. The two had spent the whole time in their cabin unaffected by the raging storm.
Lilith looked down at the sleeping Atheline counting each of his breaths to make sure he was fully asleep.
Her gaze went through the window to the outside deck where the water slashed angrily.
A piece of wood broke off, taken away by the raging waters.
A plan was formed.
She silently left the room, confirming one last time that he was still asleep.
The corridors were much quieter than the night before. Most nobles like them, had opted to dine in their rooms leaving only servants and guards scampering around.
Fear was the only prevalent emotion in the boat at the moment.
Tales of ships getting lost in the sea floated into everyone’s mind except Lilith.
She walked through it all unbothered and untouched by the chaos unravelling around them.
Her goal was set, and it was the perfect condition. She couldn’t leave a loose end behind , she had learnt that the hard way, even the smallest ant could grow an army.
In their room, Atheline woke up the moment she left. He hurriedly put on his overcoat and walked out in hopes of catching up with her.
He found her near the staircase leading to the main deck.
"You should have woken me up," he said in a low voice, trying not to draw attention to them.
Her gaze shifted to him briefly then back ahead.
"You are not well," she seriously said but didn’t stop him from following.
The ship lurched, hard at that moment.
A sharp tilt that sent a nearby servant crashing into the walls, a tray shattering violently to the ground.
He reached out instinctively to hold her, but she was already steady.
"You should return to the cabin," she said, they stared at each other a sigh escaping her," You’re not going to."
The ship’s tilting seemed to have made her aware of the environment.
"No."
Silence fell between them. An exhausted sigh escaped her.
"Stay close," she said softly.