I woke up the next morning and the gloomy clouds were replaced with a warm sunshine that flooded into my room. I turned and looked at the door, no sooner did Miss Prism walk into the door.
"Good morning, Ms. Linphea." the older woman greeted as she pulled open the shades. I winced at the bright sunlight and groaned.
"Good morning, Miss Prism." I sighed as I stretched out across the large bed.
"I have heard from Mr. Wilde that you and Mr. Saladin will be traveling to Iceland for the weekend. I don't know why you would want to go to that cold country but I was told it was of great importance. Nevertheless, I have picked out something that will keep you warm. Now, out of bed." Miss Prism placed a hanger with a heavy garment on my bed. I slowly sat up and rolled out of bed.
I rubbed my eyes and walked behind the small partition in the room to take off my nightgown. Miss Prism handed me the undergarments of the dress and once I had put on the satin slip, I stepped outside so that Miss Prism could help me with the rest.
"Ms. Linphea, what happened to your collar?" My eyes widened not remembering the bruises that I had from yesterday.
"It's...It's nothing." I stammered. I lifted my hands to my neck and collarbone, trying to cover up the small dark marks that stained my skin.
"Flora..."
"I really don't want to talk about it." Miss Prism lowered her head and silently began to lace my corset. I felt bad for being so short with her but I wanted to place the memory of me and Kipling out of my mind. I would rather think of the good things that happened to me yesterday. The way that Helia kissed me and placed his warm and strong hands on me.
I was brought back to reality when I felt a warmth around me. I looked down and saw that I was dressed in a thick wool skirt and a grey jacket which Miss Prism assured me was fake. The dress and jacket were heavy but we were going to Iceland after all.
Miss Prism once again placed my hair into a large bun and gave me a bag with a hat and gloves inside. I thanked her and she gave me a small hug. I knew she wanted me to open up to her but I couldn't do that.
I walked out of the room and down the stairs to see Oscar and Helia waiting for me, I hope that I had not kept them long.
"Flora, my dear you look stunning! As always!" Oscar beamed as I descended the stairs. I couldn't help but blush. Oscar took my hand and gave it a small kiss. I smiled at him and then glanced at Helia who was glancing at me as well. He gave me a soft smile and the red returned to my face.
Oscar let go of my hand and my hand was then encased in Helia's own. I don't think that I would ever get tired of Helia holding my hand.
"Well, we must be off. The boat will be leaving the port shortly. Alfred has arranged for clothing to be brought to you and your room is ready on the boat. And I must apologize, you are not to act as a married couple. When Alfred secured the boat, he had to tell the porter and captain that you two were master and servant."
"Excuse me?"
"I do apologize, Flora. That was the only way that Alfred could get you on the ship."
"You have to do everything that I say." Helia slyly smiled towards me.
"Helia...please." I glared at him and he gave a small chuckle. I could feel the eyes roll within my sockets, he was pushing it.
"Helia, this is not a joke to me. Especially after what happened yesterday." I let go of his hand and crossed my arms. His smile dropped.
"Flora, I am sorry. I didn't..."
"Who said that you were the servant, Flora?" Oscar chuckled and raised his eyebrow.
I look up at Helia and smiled widely, sticking up my nose at him. Payback.
"What?" Helia exclaimed.
"I think that I will enjoy this." I smirked and received a nudge from Helia as he walked past me to grab his bag.
I smiled and turned back around to Oscar, "Thank you for everything that you have done to help us."
"You are not home yet so do not thank me yet. Now, you must be going to the docks, the ship will leave soon."
I gave Oscar a small hug before walking outside where Helia was waiting for me by the small black carriage.
"My lady." Helia extended his hand to help me onto the carriage.
"Why thank you." I took Helia's hand and climbed into the carriage. Helia followed behind. The door shut behind us and we left towards the docks.
At the docks, Helia and I boarded the boat where we were led to a small room below the deck of the ship.
"I offer my sincerest apologies, Ms. Linphea. When Lord Alfred notified us that you were coming, we had already filled rooms. Of course the trip will only take a few hours but we still are sorry." the porter said as he opened the door.
"That is quite alright. I understand."
"Thank you, ma'am. There is an extra place for your servant."
"No, that will not be necessary. Helia shall be staying with me." I interjected.
"There is only one bed." the porter said.
"Like you said, the trip is only for a few hours. I do not intend on sleeping or making use of the bed. Helia can stay with me. I would enjoy the company."
"As you wish. Lunch will be served at 11. Will your boy be joining you there as well?"
"Yes, he will. Thank you." I tried to hold back an eye roll.
"Very well." the porter left and I let out a sigh of relief. I turned to Helia and he opened the door to the room.
The room was ornate but small. There was one large bed and a small couch adjacent. There was a small vanity and a wardrobe.
"Well, at least it is cozy. I wouldn't mind spending a night in here. Reminds me of being back at Red Fountain." Helia said as he set down our bags by the small couch.
"It does have a certain charm to it. I am glad that we are only on this boat for a few hours. Being away from the nature of solid Earth for too long drains me. I bet that Aisha would love this though. Do you want to go up to the top?" I asked as I walked towards the door.
"Right behind you."
Helia and I left the lower deck and made our way to the top of the ship where we heard the sounds of the dock workers and the crashing of the small waves against the ships. I made my way to the edge of the boat where I looked down and saw the water ebb and flow. I soon felt a lurch and the boat left the port. We were leaving the somewhat familiar world of London and were making our way to Iceland.
The boat picked up speed and the wind whipped against my face. I felt pieces of hair hit my face, Miss Prism would kill me for ruining her creation. I watched as the water hit the side of the boat and I felt the world spin under my feet. The rocking of the boat and the smell of the air became overwhelming.
"Ahhh, don't you just love the smell of the sea air?" Helia walked beside me but I was too busy focusing on my feet. I was getting dizzy and I wanted to be off of the boat. "Flora, are you alright?"
"I think that I am going to be sick."
"Come on, let's get you back to the room where you can lie down." I felt Helia's arms around my waist pulling me away from the edge of the boat. He guided me back below the deck to our room. However, despite being below the deck, I could still feel the rocking of the boat under my feet.
Luckily, there was a window in the room.
I stumbled over to the window and felt a tightness in my chest. The tightness made its way up to my throat and I lost it. I managed to lose the contents of my stomach from this morning and possibly the night before.
"Flora, are you okay?" I heard Helia's soft voice ask.
I turned around after I managed to catch my breath. "I think I am just seasick." I stepped away from the window and over to the vanity where I poured myself a glass of water. When the water entered my mouth, it calmed the stinging in my throat.
I set down the glass and looked up at Helia. "I'm sorry." I gasped.
"Don't be sorry." Helia walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You do look very pale though."
"I think that I need to lie down." I felt my head get light and the room began to spin.
I tried to walk over to the bed but I felt my knees go weak. I could no longer hold myself up but before I hit the floor I felt Helia's arms around me. My feet were off the floor and my head was next to his chest. I heard his heartbeat as he carried me to the large bed. My body hit the plush quilt and I sank into the warmth.
"Do you need anything, Flora?" I heard Helia ask but I still could not see anything that was in front of me.
"I think I just need to sleep or something." I struggled to get out the words. All I really needed was quiet. My head was killing me and my body felt weaker and weaker.
"Do you want me to leave? I can go down to the servants quarters if you would like." I groaned at the sound of his voice. I wanted him to shut up. I heard his footsteps make their way to the door, the heavy sounds of his shoes grating on my nerves.
"Don't move."
"I can't stand here for hours." I heard Helia scoff.
"Then sit down." I heard his feet move again. "Stop."
"What?"
"Just sit down on whatever is closest. I cannot stand the noise." I am sure that I was not being the most easy of people to deal with but the sound and lack of nature drained on my energy and I was desperate for quiet.
Helia's feet did not move signifying that he had found a place to sit but I soon felt a sinking feeling. I opened my eyes to see Helia staring right back into my eyes, a smile across his face.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"You said to sit whereever was closest." he chuckled.
"Fine." I huffed and proceeded to close my eyes once again. "Please wake me up when we reach solid land."
"Whatever you say, Miss Linphea." my eyes shot open again into a glare. Helia laughed and wrapped his arm around my waist. "You are so easy to tease."
I narrowed my eyes but they soon widened in shock as I felt Helia pull me closer to him. I forgot how strong he was, the movement was swift, like a magnetic attraction.
"You are also easy to make blush." Helia smiled down at me, his voice was low.
I did not feel the warmth on my face because the warmth of his body was far greater and far more pleasurable to my skin. I buried my head into his chest the smell of cedar filling my nose. The unpleasant rocking of the boat soon became a gentle lull when I was in Helia's arms. I heard the soft beat of his heart and his muscles relaxed around me.
I felt myself slowly drift off to sleep feeling at ease in Helia's arms. Before I fell into a deep slumber, I felt Helia's lips rest on the top of my head. Maybe being on a boat wasn't so bad.
Sorry that I have not updated in awhile. I have been extremely busy. This chapter is just fluff and the next chapter will probably be as well, plus with some M themes. I hope that I haven't lost all of you yet and I hope to be back with a new chapter soon.