Courtney didn't know when she fell asleep, but it happened so suddenly and when she woke up her comprehension of time was so incredibly disoriented that she admittedly grew slightly panicked.
Losing track of time was not an option especially considering how little resources she had to depend on while on the ship.
She tried to push her thoughts of Duncan out of mind as she slowly got up from the bed. A sharp pain in her backside was an instant reminder of what happened between her and Duncan earlier. That little encounter that shouldn't have happened.
It really shouldn't have.
And the more Courtney thought about it, the angrier with herselfs he got because at this point, she wasn't sure if she was upset for all the right reasons.
Was she angry that Duncan literally went out of his way to fuck her or was she mad that the raven haired pirate hadn't finished the job?
She willed herself to believe it was the first one, but somewhere in the back of her head she could hear a small voice telling her otherwise. Courtney dubbed the small voice as only her teenage sex drive speaking. Duncan certainly wasn't unattractive, quite the opposite actually… It was just his personality… And overall existence that was plain shit.
Courtney tried to push that thought away.
It was in the past. If she went back to England and word got out that the Princess had sex with a pirate and enjoyed it, things wouldn't be pretty for her.
Her walk toward the door was in a strange limp as she tried to coop with the pain that came with each step she took forward, her legs throbbing as she walked. Once she was at the door, Courtney leaned against it to be sure that Duncan wasn't in his study, and when she was positive she didn't hear anything on the other side Courtney opened the door.
As suspected, no one was within the study.
The once broken door from the pirate from earlier was fixed as good as new to Courtney's surprise,
A relapsing memory hit her as she moved her eyes to the ground where the dead body had once been. A single bloodstain was the only remainder of the now deceased pirate.
Even though Courtney knew she shouldn't feel bad, she couldn't deny the tiny piece of human compassion in her that nagged her on how quickly and ruthlessly Duncan had just shot the unsuspecting man in the back to end his life. Although, Courtney supposed she should note, killing him did save both her and Owen.
Courtney continued her way over to the door that ultimately would take her to the deck of the ship, and when her hand touched the knob, she weighed her options of going or staying and thinking of the outcomes.
Realizing she had nothing to lose because, what the hell she was already on a thin line of life or death, she swung the door opened and stepped out.
It was night time so apparently time clearly had went ahead much further in her 'nap' and she found herself growing distressed.
How long was she out?
Several oil lamps were set up on large wooden posts on the ship, and Courtney silently watched several of the ship's crew members walk to and from carrying several items on their being to the lower parts of the ship. Cautiously, she peaked out from the room to view where they were all coming from with the random stuff.
The Rose still docked next to Ravenwood. The same bridge that Geoff and DJ had stood at attention guarding was still up, and from that point, Courtney saw the pirates of the ship actively going on and off between the boats, carrying off valuables that ranged from paintings to provisions from The Rose and onto Ravenwood.
Knowing it was impossible for this to be going on for over a day; Courtney was able to rationalize that it was still the same day. They were just stealing from the other ship…
Her lips contorted into a scowl while she clutched her legs, the pain still fresh and bothersome.
She wondered if Bridgette had something that could possibly help dull the pain. Because God forbid she ask someone like DJ…
Courtney would never hear the end of it.
"Oh, hey Courtney, nice to see you're still alive and well."
Nearly jumping at the unexpected voice that seemed so close to her ear, Courtney snapped her attention over to her left where she saw DJ leaning against the wall near the opened door.
The brunette haired male wore a sly smirk on his lips, "When Duncan left the room earlier he seemed to be in such a better mood than before, we all placed bets on how he killed you, especially when you didn't come out after an hour."
Courtney resisted the urge to knock the amused smile from the pirate's face with a heavy breath, "Whatever, I don't care. Where's Bridgette?" She quickly questioned,
"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking." DJ dryly remarked with his hands in his pockets,
Rolling her eyes, Courtney made an emphasis with her hands, "Where's Bridgette? There is something I need to discuss with her right now."
Arching one of his brows quizzically, DJ watched the royal, "About what?"
"Oh my God, can't you just tell me where the hell she is instead of being so nosy?" Courtney groaned out in annoyance, instantly causing DJto hold up his hands in defense, "I am so sorry, Your Royal Highness. Forgive me for not giving into your whims in a single instant."
"That's not cute. Just answer my question."
"She's in the medic room doing her job." The pirate answer with a shake to his head, "You know, because after you recklessly came out on deck and unleashed a sudden attack from The Rose a number of the crew got wounded so as the new Nurse, she's helping out."
Courtney cringed, DJ's words getting to her a bit more bitterly than she would have liked, however she brushed it off, hoping to keep all traces of offense from her tone, "Alright, can you show me the medic room?"
"I don't think I want to." DJ coughed into his hand and when Courtney gave him a confused look, he glanced away, "Heard from one of the other crew members that Beth's in there helping Brigette out and since it was so crowded and Bridgette was getting stressed, Beth went on a rampage to get everyone out."
Sighing, Courtney looked up to the sky, "She never did work well under pressure."
DJ nodded, "Beth's like her personal body guard though. The second she thinks someone is getting Bridgette upset, the girl gets ready to pounce. Apparently, when Owen and I were talking to her and said something that Beth thought would hurt her, Beth went off the fucking wall."
Courtney resisted the urge to release a snicker as the darker male went on, "Naturally, I had to pick up Owen and run like hell, but the fear of that crazy woman getting her hands on me," He shuddered dramatically, "Too much to think about, mate."
Shaking her head, Courtney watched the playfully distressed pirate run a hand through his hair, "Also, I don't know how helpful this advice may be to you, but just don't ever tell Beth she can't dance. I remember when Alfred told her she couldn't dance…"
"Who's Alfred?" Courtney asked curiously, not too familiar with the name.
"Exactly."
With a snort, the royal cocked her head toward the side, "I'm not afraid of Beth or anyone on this ship for that matter. Just take me to the medic room."
Shrugging, DJ shook his head, "Your funeral, not mine."
The two shared a short and quick laugh as DJ began to lead the way down the further end of the ship. Using as much strength as she could, Courtney attempted to keep a limp out of her walk, inwardly praying that all the men passing by were too warped in stealing stuff from The Rose to notice if Courtney was walking in a strange manner.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Courtney watched over at the slightly smaller ship that was docked so incredibly close to the one she was on, "DJ, what exactly are you all doing with the other ship?" She found herself asking lowly.
Dj paused his steps, giving Courtney a short look before turning his eyes to The Rose, "Marauding it." He answered simply, "They attacked us, they lost, and so we take everything. It's typical in the pirate world. Certainly isn't the first time it's happened to us and more than likely won't be the last if these ignorant pirate captains seriously think they can take us on." He explained briefly,
"Oh… But what happened to the crew? The Captain? Were they all…?" She trailed off, unable to really say the word.
"All were killed." DJeasily responded, not taking any sensitivity to Courtney's reluctance on the topic, "Well, I don't know about the Captain. Knowing how violent Duncan was when he found out they were trying to take you, the Captain's probably still alive with his legs broken so he can't escape the ship. After we finish taking everything valuable from the boat, we sink the ship so the captain will drown. But I don't know, I didn't ask Duncan and I don't plan on it."
Courtney's head accepted this newfound piece of information wistfully.
Duncan was fucking cruel.
Not only would the captain have to live through the pain of both of his legs being broken for several hours, but it'd all end with his lungs being filled with burning salt water.
It wasn't even the man's fault! It was his crew that acted without orders after they saw Courtney out on deck. So Duncan was torturing the poor captain for nothing.
Now, Courtney found herself inwardly slapping herself.
She shouldn't care.
The pirate captain was a criminal who was getting what he deserved… But all the same, no one really deserved to die like that…
The male hummed, "That my dear, is another reason we here on Ravenwood appreciate the fact that Duncan unconditionally loves us with his stone, black heart." He cracked a smile,
"Are you even sure he has a heart?" As she said this, Courtney found her eyes growing wide as she spotted from amid the black shadows of The Rose, Duncan.
From only so far away, the raven haired male appeared incredibly serious. The burning lights from the oil lamps on the second ship left deep orange light and dark brisk shadows on the captain's face as he walked onboard past several members of his own crew.
He stopped in front of one of the men that appeared rather curious about something. Of course, being so far away, Courtney couldn't hear anything, but judging from the faces of the two pirates it was rather deep as Duncan's eyebrows furrowed downward and the way he spoke with an emotionless expression, his eyes serious, the royal found herself a bit surprised by the way the pirate was presenting himself off.
Looking at him now, Courtney could say that he saw a pirate captain. Not the annoying little shit that was constantly dragging her around, but a mature and serious man of the sea.
The conversation continued from the other man's response as he appeared slightly worried before he clearly gave a laugh. Courtney's eyes snapped back to Duncan to see the male's reaction, and the ravenette cracked a small smile prior to patting his crew member on the back and walking ahead toward the end of the ship where the bridge was.
Courtney's blackeyes trailed over the male's movements and the moment that Duncan turned his head to overlook Ravenwood, she found her heart stopping when Duncan's eyes seemingly flashed over her. The pirate captain's mouth opened with furrowed brows as he pointed over at Courtney,
Not taking any time to stay and see his reaction, Courtney snapped her attention back to DJ,
"So, since your boyfriend just spotted us, I'm guessing you want to run to the medic room now." DJ instantly replied,
Courtney had no clue if she should be embarrassed about being caught watching Duncan by DJ of all people, but she let it fall into the back of her mind while she nodded her head and offered DJ a thankful smile, "Yeah,"
Instantly, the two took off toward the direction of the door that led to the rooms down below.
Once inside, DJ expertly slid past all the crew members that were carrying several large stolen articles from The Rose.
Unable to fully keep up with the pirate's slick evasive movements, Courtney found herself crashing into just about every male on her way down the stairs and down the hall, she was barely able to see DJ racing ahead,
"Don't touch me; I'm worth more than you!" Courtney huffed out as she found herself being caught in the arms of a pirate when she swung around the hall's corner after DJ. Surprised, the pirate dropped his arms before the brunette was off after the dark male who was moving faster than Courtney thought she could go.
DJ stopped to a room near the end of the hall, and Courtney slowed her steps while panting heavily, "Next time warn me when you pickpocketer on me and run like you're avoiding the police."
"Haha, you're like Owen. He didn't know how to run like that until I taught him, but don't worry, you'll either learn from practice or osmosis."
Courtney huffed tiredly, "Speaking of Owen, I remember you guys telling me he has a nasty temper. I found it rather strange that when we were in Duncan's study cornered by a pirate from The Rose that he didn't have any weapons on him… Is that how he always is?"
The brunet haired pirate arched a brow as though urging Courtney to elaborate, but before he could respond, the door to the medic room opened.
Beth watched from the entrance with an annoyed eyebrow cocked upward while she glared at DJ, "Why are you back again, DJ?"
DJ immediately straightened himself up to return the leer, "Why can you never seem to mind your own business nowadays, Beth?"
Scowling, the female sized him, "You're in the hallway making noise and Bridgette can't concentrate. So I think it is my business especially when it concerns the health of one of my crew members."
"Hey, step off of him." Courtney defended hotly, walking in between the glaring pair. She glowered at Beth challengingly, "He's back because he brought me here and it isn't your God damn business if he wants to be back again. You aren't the hall monitor. We can make as much noise as we want in the hallway. And if Bridgette can't concentrate she needs to learn that it's okay to not save the lives of a couple of pirates, in fact, it's socially acceptable."
DJ slowly nodded with a stiff stare off to the side while Beth appeared surprised at the royal's on beat reply.
Courtney held up a hand, "Excuse me." She walked around the straight haired brunette that stood at the door way to enter the medic room confidently.
Once inside, she watched Bridgette offer her a coy smile as she finished wrapping a bandage around Geoff's arm.
The First Mate of the ship nodded as he watched Courtney, "Yeah, its okay to not save the lives of a couple of pirates… Because it'd be completely fine if Bridgette failed and ended up killing me."
Entering the room once more, Beth scoffed, "Don't be so dramatic. You only had two moderate injuries. Everything else was nothing you couldn't handle, which is impressive considering how you were literally up against five pirates at once."
Geoff sighed, "I know, but it'll be impressive if I can actually make it out without any 'moderate' injuries like DJ or Duncan." He acknowledged over to the brunet haired male by the doorway.
The royal within the room folded her arms over her chest, "Not to be rude or anything, but I'll need all of you to get out now while I speak to Bridgette about official business."
"Ohhh. Official business. Considering how both of you are captives on a ship, that sounds very serious." Beth laughed out lightly, earning a glare from Courtney.
Clearly surprised, Bridgette watched the brunette in confusion as Geoff stood to his feet in wonder, "Official business? That certainly sounds official."
Bridgette turned her head to look at Geoff and whispered to him, but he waved her off signaling that he was perfectly fine.
"Sounds like something Owen would say so he could sneak extra food from the chef. Hah." The straight haired female chuckled as Geoff began to usher her out with a simple respectful nod Courtney's way. With the three pirates out of the room, Courtney moved her attention back to Bridgette after she quickly went to lock the door.
She moved her ear to the door to be 100 percent sure that they were gone from the hallway, and the moment she was, she turned back to Bridgette who was beginning to organize the cabinet of bandages and ointments.
Expectantly, she turned to Courtney, "Do you have an update on the plan?" Bridgette curiously asked.
Courtney had already told her of the escape plan and she promised whenever she knew more or something changed, she'd inform her. The two were set on escaping the ship and getting back to England no matter the cost.
Shaking her head, Courtney's attention now wandered to her backside that was still throbbing, and her run from earlier did nothing to make the pain go away.
Awkwardly, she breathed out, "Do you have anything to help cope with pain?"
"Hm?" She blinked obliviously.
Courtney tried to mask her shame, "Painkillers… Do you have any?"
"Uhm, I think I might…" She turned back to the cabinet, "Why? I heard about what happened with you and the pirates… Captain Hayes… He didn't hurt you, did he?" She quietly asked.
How the hell should she answer that?
"Well, let's just say Duncan is a major pain in the ass."