A/N: Yes, I know I have other fanfics to finish, don't remind me. I haven't abandoned A Magical Competition, A New Reign, or Untainted. To be honest, the idea of this story just excited me, and I had an urge to write it. As usual, expect infrequent updates. Although, I'm going to be writing more now that EWW is over, possibilities of the next episode won't be looming over my mind. I hope you guys like this as much as I do :)
"Don't you just love the sea air, Andi?"
"I prefer being able to run on the ground, myself."
Emma tore her gaze away from the blue ocean water to face her lady-in-waiting. She gave the noblewoman a grin.
"And to think, these ocean waters are leading me to my beloved," Emma sighed dreamily, her eyes fluttering to the sky.
"Technically, isn't it the ship that's leading you there?" Andi teased. "And please don't go all mushy on me, you know I hate that stuff." She promptly gagged.
The noblewoman laughed, "oh, Andi, you're going to find love one day, I know it! I'll help you!"
"Thank you, Emma, but I don't want some timid nobleman," she scoffed, although gave her a friendly smile so she'd know that she wasn't being mean. Just as quickly, it vanished. "But seriously, what do you see in Daniel Miller?"
"He's," Emma paused, smiling. "He's wonderful. He's so handsome, and kind, and sweet, and noble-"
"Timid, babyish," Andi smirked, fighting a snicker.
"Andi!"
"Emma!"
The noblewoman sighed in exasperation. "Please, Andi, stop. He's going to be my husband in a week."
"I just," Andi paused, taking Emma by the shoulders so she'd have her full attention. "Is this what you really want? You've only known each other for a month. I just want you to be happy. Not even your dad likes Daniel."
Emma frowned, the memories of her father around Daniel flooding back into her mind. When Daniel first came to France, hearing of the 'beautiful' noblewoman Emma Alonso, he got along with her father. Francisco gave Daniel permission to court Emma, but as the couple started liking each other more and more, Francisco began hating Daniel more and more.
Unfortunately, the English nobleman was very clumsy around her father. All sorts of disasters would occur, leaving Emma shaking her head.
When Daniel proposed marriage, Emma elatedly accepted.
Her father angrily refused.
It took time, but eventually Francisco was no match for his daughter's begging. He didn't want her with that Miller, but he was willing to overlook his dislike for his precious Emma's happiness.
And now here she was, on a grand ship to England to become Lady Emma Miller...the thought was enough to elict a sigh from her.
"Yes, I'm sure I want to marry him, Andi. Although I do appreciate your concern."
Andi smiled tiredly. "Whatever makes you happy, Em."
"Milady! Milady Emma!"
Startled, she turned to see one of the crewmen running to her, gasping for breath when he came to a stop in front of her.
"You and your lady-in-waiting need to go to your rooms, there is danger!"
Emma's eyebrows furrowed in concern while Andi's eyes glowed with excitement.
"What kind of danger?" Emma asked, voice shaking a bit. Immediately all kinds of horrifying options ran through her mind.
The man gulped, "pirates."
"Pirates?!" Andi exclaimed, bouncing a bit in barely-held back energy. "That's so cool! Finally, something exciting happens on this trip!"
"Andi!" Emma scolded. "This isn't exciting, this is bad! We could die...or worse."
Emma had heard the rumors of what male pirates did to captured women...
"Please, get into your rooms now. Your safety is of utmost importance to us." The crewman bowed his head before running off.
"Although I really want to stay up here, as your best friend and lady-in-waiting, I have to make sure you're safe at all times," her friend smiled.
"Thank you," Emma replied gratefully. "And as your best friend and noblewoman, I have to make sure you're safe at all times too. Now let's get to our rooms."
The young women ran below deck, and a few short turns later, were in Emma's room. Andi's was connecting, separated only by a door.
After what seemed like an eternity later, Emma heard men's shouts, cannons booming, and running. Emma desperately hoped her ship's men would win the battle.
It wasn't long after that she heard the sounds of clashing swords. Emma sucked in a worried breath. They were already invading her ship.
"Emma, just cast a spell," Andi whispered fiercely, if someone could possibly hear them.
"I can't," Emma closed her eyes, letting out a moan in anguish. "No one can know about my magic, do you know what people do to suspected witches? Not even my dad knows about my powers!"
"But-"
"We'll just have to depend on our crew. It's too dangerous to use my powers."
Andi sighed, knowing she was right. Emma couldn't blame her for being disappointed. All it would literally take would be a few words, a wave of her hand, and the pirate problem would be over. However, there would be more problems if she did use them.
Emma thanked God that her father was still in France, delayed by work. He promised her he'd be on the next ship; he wouldn't miss his 'baby girl's' wedding for the world...even if he did hate the groom.
Suddenly, the clashing metal noises stopped.
The women froze.
Footsteps pounded closer to them.
Andi grabbed Emma's arm.
She let out a squeak as she was shoved inside the closet.
Andi stood in the center of the room, prepared for the intruder.
An older, greasy-haired fat man kicked the door open with his leg, giving the unfazed woman a lazy smile.
"Hello, dearie."
Andi briskly nodded in greeting. With this pirate's arrival, she knew the battle was lost.
"Now, if ye could just tell me where the Lady Emma and all yer valuables might be, I won't cause ye any harm." The pirate smiled, his yellowed teeth sickening Andi.
"I believe you are mistaken," Andi answered stoically. "Lady Emma is not on this ship."
"See, now I know yer lyin' te me," he took a step forward. "This be one o' Francisco's ships. I know the Lady is on her way te marry that Daniel Miller in England. Now, I expect ye to cooperate with me."
"I've told you before, and I will tell you again. Lady Emma is not aboard this ship." Andi remained rooted to her lie.
He shook his head, "why'd ye have te be like that? I was tryin' te be nice."
Before Andi could calculate his movement, he took two quick strides and held her tight, the blade of a sword just below her chin.
"Tell me where the Lady is and I might let ye live," he threatened.
Emma had heard enough. She wouldn't let Andi die on her account.
"Stop!"
Andi and the pirate turned to see the noblewoman. He smirked evilly, his gold tooth shining.
"I am Lady Emma Maria Alonso, please do not harm my lady-in-waiting." She tried to remain strong, but her tone had a touch of pleading in it.
"As ye wish, me Lady," he grinned, releasing her best friend. "If ye could now just direct me te yer treasures?"
Emma wordlessly nodded, going around the room to gather every piece of jewelry she owned.
The pirate then ordered her to pack all her dresses in a trunk, the same with Andi. They only had five minutes to get everything ready.
Well, at least this means they weren't going to be killed...right? Besides, she seemed important to these rogues. What importance would she be if she were dead?
When the women had their belongings (the ones that weren't stolen, anyway) they followed the terrible pirate to the main deck.
Emma squeezed her eyes shut tightly at the sight of the blood and bodies. Most had deep gashes in their throats, others were completely missing their heads. She didn't miss the frozen surprised look at the crewman who had warned them to stay in their rooms.
Andi saw the silent tears cascading down her face. "Don't look at them, Emma. Just keep your eyes closed." She wasn't about to say 'it's okay' because it really wasn't at this point.
"Nay, ye better keep yer pretty brown eyes wide open te cross te our ship. We can't afford te have ye fall and drown." The pirate threw back a mocking grin, complete with a snicker.
Emma bravely opened her eyes, not taking a glance at the bodies. Inside, though, she said a quick prayer that they rise to heaven.
Carrying their trunks, the women crossed the plank leading to the pirate's ship. They were immediately surrounded by twenty or so men, all leering at them and laughing.
Emma felt utterly humiliated.
"So, I guess yer fancy ship was no match fer ours!"
"Aye, it was hilarious te see them try and fight us!"
"Nothing makes me feel better than a victory on a nobleman's ship!"
Emma blinked, fighting back the tears.
"Now, now, gentlemen. That's enough," a smooth, accented voice admonished amusedly. "If you keep that up they'll jump overboard, and we need them alive for the pay of the century."
The men parted to reveal another man, more well-dressed than the others.
Emma held back a gasp, her eyes widening slightly.
He was the most handsome man the noblewoman had ever seen. Short, black hair was styled perfectly atop his head, just a tuft of hair in the front sticking up. Thick, black brows sat atop deep brown eyes, the latter twinkling with mischief and amusement. His lips parted to reveal a set of perfect white teeth in a smirk. Emma's knees felt suddenly weaker at the sight.
She dazedly shook her head. She was supposed to be marrying Daniel in a week, and she was thinking another man to be handsome!
A man way more handsome than Daniel, a voice in her head whispered. Emma willed it to disappear.
"Welcome to the Liana, ladies," he executed an overly-dramatic bow. "I'm sure you'll find your stay to be agreeable."
The men around them snickered.
"I am Captain Jax, leader of this wonderful crew. As long as you behave, we will not harm you."
Emma was broken from her trance by Andi's curse.
"Bullshit! You killed everyone on that ship except for me and Emma. What makes you think that we'll trust you?"
The men's eyes enlarged at the woman's sharp tongue.
Captain Jax chuckled. "I personally don't care if you trust us or not, we just need the Lady to be alive. But as for you, we don't even need you. I'll make you walk the plank to a watery grave if I'm bored, or I'll give you the lady's way out and let you take your own life with a sword. My options are open."
"No!" Emma cried out, pleading. "Please don't harm Andi, Captain! Please, she's my best friend!"
The Captain turned to the noblewoman, the edges of his mouth curving into a grin.
Emma fought against the butterflies in her stomach.
"Why should I? I only need you to be alive."
"Is it 'Hate Andi Day'?" Andi muttered with a scowl.
"She's my best and only friend. I care about her so much. Please," her voice trembled, "let her live."
Jax pretended to think it over. He had never intended on harming the Lady's friend at all; he never killed women. He was gauging on how she'd react to the threat. A snobbish noblewoman who didn't give two shits about their servants didn't please him at all.
"Very well, Milady, I will let her live."
She noticeably breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Captain."
He grinned, liking how she said his title.
"My first mate will show you to your rooms, however, I regret to inform you they won't be as extravagant as the ones you're probably used to," he smirked. "After that, I expect to see you in my office."
The Captain walked away, another young man taking his spot. The other pirates wandered back to their own doings.
"Hi, I'm Phillip. Follow me," he said, walking away. He had a mop of brown hair and brown eyes, but looked approachable. He seemed friendly so far.
They picked up their trunks, following after the First Mate. They ended up walking below deck to a much smaller room than her old one, but at least the bed was large enough for the two girls to sleep on.
"I'll lead you to the Captain's office," Philip stated.
Emma nodded, wordlessly following him.