AN: Short-ish filler today. I had a violin lesson today so I didn't get much time to write an earth-shattering chapter.
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Around two in the morning it starts to pour rain. It isn't even the nice summer rain I used to play in, it's an icy winter rain. The tips of my fingers are tinged with blue, and I struggle to keep warm.
I stand up and look over the edge, but the rocking of the ship knock me back down. Some of the swells crash over the boat and a few of those cover the crow's nest. I hold my head in my hands and fight down the urge to puke.
I spend the rest of the night clutching my stomach and shivering. My brother came up at the crack of dawn and carried me down gently. His midnight black kefta was warm and soft and made me feel a tiny bit better. I rest my head against his shoulder as black rings my vision and let him carry me to the cabin. He sets me on my feet and I wobble but I don't let him catch him. He hands me a white gown and leaves the room. I shakily change, my head hurts and I have to stop more than once so I don't pass out. I can barely think but I hide the knife in covers of the bed.
My brother walks in and without a word he tucks me into bed before I can protest. He gently places a hand on my forehead and clucks his tongue. I look at him curious at why he clucked.
"You have a fever," he informs me as he clutches my cold hand.
"I feel like I'll puke," I state without emotion. "You are hurting my hand."
"Sorry," he murmurs and let's go of my hand. I look out the porthole and sigh. My brother knocks on the wall and a few seconds later Ivan walks in. He scowls at me, but stops when my brother glares at me.
"Ivan, I need hot tea with honey, milk, and sugar. Also blankets and some books," the Darkling commands. Ivan nods and leaves with his head bowed. My brother turns back to me and finger combs my hair. I stare at him listlessly as he adjusts the blankets around me.
Ivan walks in with a tray of tea, after him follows a pretty Tailor with fiery hair carrying a couple of blankets and two story books. They set them on the bed and look up to the Darkling for further orders.
"Thank you Genya and Ivan," he dismisses. They both bow and leave. Genya looks back at me and smiles. I give her a weak one in return as she closes the door softly.
My brother stirs a cup of tea after he adds heaping amounts of honey, milk, and sugar. He hands me the steaming teacup. I shakily take it into my hands. I take a tentative sip and savor the soothing sensation on my sore throat. He piles blankets on top of me and he rubs warmth into my freezing hands.
"Thank you," I hoarse. He smiles and runs a hand through my hair. I sigh and lean into his touch, and he smiles even wider and continues to pet me.
"Moi Soverenyi, we need you on deck," Ivan says as he walks in with his head.
"Why?" my brother asks with barely concealed anger.
"You said…" Ivan trails off. I look up at my brother but he keeps his eyes on Ivan.
"Fine," he sighs. He looks down at me and runs his hand through again.
"Where are you going?" I ask, but my voice is rough and is barely audible.
"I'm sorry my little fox, but I have to go. I'll be just on deck," he apologizes. I simply nod, because I know from experience that arguing wouldn't change a thing. He kisses my forehead and walks out the door. Ivan follows closely behind and slams the door shut. I hold my head at the sound.
I grab one of the story books and open it. The binding is old leather and I can't read the writing on the spine. I read the title page and I'm surprised to see it's in Russi. It's an old storybook of Russi fairytales.
I open carefully open to the first story.
Once upon a time…
A little girl in a red riding hood was sent to deliver a basket to her grandmother in the woods. Everyone simply called her Little Red Riding Hood because her only defining feature was the article which she wore every day.
Setting off into the woods to deliver the basket to her grandmother she met a wolf. The wolf wanted to eat her, but he dared not because some woodcutters were working nearby. Instead he asked where she was going all alone.
"I'm deliver treats to my Grandmother," Little Red Riding Hood proudly answered because she was a foolish little girl who did not know that you should never talk to wolves.
"Does she live far off?" the wolf asked.
"Definitely, all the way beyond the mill," she answered.
"Well," said the wolf, "I think I'll see her to. I'll go this way and you go that way and we'll see who gets there first."
The wolf ran fast and took a shortcut, while Little Red Riding Hood took a roundabout away and dwaddled by gathering nuts and picking flowers as she went.
The wolf arrived first and knocked on the Grandmother's door.
"Who's there?" called the old woman.
"It's your granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood," the wolf answered, imitating Little Red Riding Hood's voice, "my mother sent me to give you some treats."
The good grandmother was in bed because she was ill instructed the wolf on how to open the door.
The wolf opened the door and attacked the old woman and swallowed her down in a moment. He put on the old woman's clothes and laid down on the bed and waited for Little Red Riding Hood.
Sometime later a knock came at the door.
"Who's there," called the wolf.
Little Red Riding Hood was first confused but thought it was an effect of her grandmother's illness
"It's your granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood. my mother sent me to give you some treats."
The wolf, softening his voice, repeated the old woman's instructions on opening the door.
Red Riding Hood followed the instructions and walked into the small cottage. The wolf, seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the bedclothes, "Put the treats upon the stool, and come sit on the bed with me."
Little Red Riding Hood sat on the bed. She was greatly amazed to see how her grandmother looked in her nightclothes, and said to her, "Grandmother, what big arms you have!"
"All the better to hug you with, my dear."
"Grandmother, what big legs you have!"
"All the better to run with, my child."
"Grandmother, what big ears you have!"
"All the better to hear with, my child."
"Grandmother, what big eyes you have!"
"All the better to see with, my child."
"Grandmother, what big teeth you have got!"
"All the better to eat you up with."
And, saying these words, this wicked wolf fell upon Little Red Riding Hood, and ate her all up.
I slammed the book shut, shocked at the ending. The Witch of Duva terrified me, but the culprit was caught and punished. In this strange tale it implies that the wolf is still out there. I shiver and bravely turn to the next one.