Chapter 6
Sinbad woke up that with a smile on his face. He wondered if he dreamed the night before, but when he saw where he was he knew that for once he was in reality. He spent the entire night holding Maeve, his chest to her back, his front thighs to the back of hers, her hair in his nose smelling as he remembered, like lilacs and the ocean. Nevertheless, he disappointedly realized he was alone. He remembered falling to sleep listening to her breathe, he tried as hard as humanly possible to stay awake, scared if this was a dream and he would wake again on the ship, alone, but the tranquility he felt being near her won out in the end; and the captain of The Nomad fell asleep.
He lifted himself out the bed and put back his boots and sword, hoping to get to his quarters before anyone knew he was missing and started asking questions. Looking out in own window he saw The Nomad still there ready and waiting for its crew to return, he realized by looking at the sun he must have slept through half the day, the sun had already reached its peek in the sky. The laughter he heard from outside brought his attention to the beach. There he saw one of the most beautiful sights he ever could have imagined.
Maila was giggling uncontrollably as Doubar held her high in the sky and brought her down with speed, he then repeated this act a few more times before placing the child on his shoulders. Maeve was with Dermott, Rongar and Firouz watching the giant and child interact, "Sister, I believe Doubar has found a playmate," Dermott said to his sister's ear, Firouz finished with his own adage, "yes, I believe our large friend has found someone to truly appreciate him." She and Rongar both let out giggles at the two. She then opened her arms out to the girl, "I believe it is my turn though." The little girl swiftly slid down the giant into Maeve's arms, and Maeve spun her around. From the door that linked the palace to the beach Bryn stood leaning against its side.
"Oh, my word." She yelped as Sinbad tickled her from behind. She punched him in the shoulder in response, "you know Maeve's right, you would do better as a worm." He laughed at her knowing neither sorceress would ever do it. "So is this some sort of battle strategy that they are dramatizing, or is everyone working this hard?" She smirked at his comment and answered, "Toris thought it be best if everyone took some of the day off, and in his words 'you want soldiers happy as long as they can be, especially if they may go into to battle, they should be content as long as Allah allows them.' He then took Deora's hand and ran off. Shalice is getting food ready for some grand feast tonight. So we took Maila and brought her out here."
Sinbad turned back to see the little girl in Maeve's arms. This was the first time since he met the child that he saw her smiling. He looked up to see Maeve's smiling too. He realized by watching the interaction how much she must love the child, and the child loves her. It brought him back to think of the night before, her screaming the girl's name. He never wanted Maeve in pain again; he knew that was an impossible objective, but he knew he had to try if for nothing more than his own sanity.
"Morning Brother! Where have you been all day?" Doubar called out from the passageway. Sinbad smiled and he and Bryn walked to the group waiting on the beach. "Well brother I had pressing matters to deal with last night and decided to take the morning for slumber." He looked at Maeve, who put the little girl down, and began to blush. "You were not in your room this morning." Said Firouz puzzled by Sinbad's statement. Maeve's cheek went from a slight pink to a cherry red, and she refused to look anyone in the eyes. She was worried about his answer, she knew he would probably come up with something, but then again it was Sinbad. "When did you become my keeper Firouz," he laughed trying to change the subject slightly, but by his intelligent friend's facial expression he knew he needed to give an answer, "if you truly feel like knowing I slept somewhere else. I meant to go back to my own room, but once I fell under the *spell*of the area, I found myself sleeping better than I ever remembered."
Maeve's eyes widened at his admission, she knew that everyone must have known where he was, what had happened, how much she was going to KILL Sinbad. However, when she looked up they all had seemed not to care. The only person to notice her nervousness, besides Sinbad, was Rongar. He held her at her shoulder and raised his eyebrows; she knew that to be asking if she was all right. She timidly smiled and then turned her attention to the girl. "Maila, why don't you come inside with me, I have work to do, and I think there is a spell or too I think I should teach you." The girl nodded happily and took Maeve's hand. Maeve walked back to the palace, but a magnetism made her turn back her head. Sinbad, he was watching her, no smiles on his face or boisterous behavior, just watching her walk away. It sent chills up her spine, 'Girl, for Allah's sake, stop what you are thinking!' she thought as they entered the palace and out of sight.
*****
The feast was enormous. The dining hall was renovated from the battle from before. The silk curtains and crushed pottery were all replaced anew. The table was filled to the brim of fine foods, wines and other delicacies. The crew and soldiers from the village were also given their own feast and festivities. Toris had made sure that whenever this great battle were to take place that everyone would have a night that gave them pleasure, because it could be their last.
Everyone enjoyed the feast, the food, entertainment made the night great, but Maeve still felt it. What she felt on the beach, Sinbad's eyes on her from across a table. Whenever she tried ignoring it the power would prick her, and when she tried to witness if it where true his head would turn. He was good at his stalking because she was not quite sure if he was actually doing it or if it was just her driving herself mad. She took this as a sign that she should try to get some rest. So with quiet goodbyes to only Shalice and Bryn, she grabbed an already sleeping Maila, and snuck out the room.
When Sinbad turned his eyes back to Maeve, hoping she was not investigating his gazing any longer, he turned back to find her gone. He jumped and ran to where she had been sitting in lightening speed. He asked Bryn where she went, "She said she was taking Maila to bed and then would retire herself." His heart sank; she left without telling him. He looked around the dining hall.
Everyone was to engrossed in their own entertainment to notice if he slipped out as well, so that's exactly what he did, "Hey great Captain, where are you off to?" The question startled him as it came down the hall. Sinbad turned to see that Dermott had followed him out the room, "I'm off to get some sleep." Dermott nodded and Sinbad started walking off, "Tell my sister I said good night." Sinbad stopped in his tracks and turned to face him, "I have no idea what you are implying, but I think your sister may turn you back into a bird if she heard you say that." Dermott let out a quick chuckle at that thought, "She might, but the truth would still be what it was. YOU love her and SHE loves you. And if you were not going to her tonight I would say you are being as absolutely FOOLISH as you two always are." Sinbad was ready to say something in his own defense but was beaten to it, "And before you make laments of how you and her are great friends please spare us both the time and tiring explanations. We all know how you feel about each other. You both know it, whether you choose to admit it or not. All those games of keep away, grabbing her waist, the gazing across a table, her endless blushing, the way you two looked when you saw each other again before Vexicus arrived, give me some courtesy to not lie to my face. Now good captain I believe you are about to return to where you were last night, so as I said tell my sister good night, and have one yourself." With that Dermott went back into the dining hall leaving Sinbad even more determined to see Maeve than he once was before.
*****
He had entered her room to find her already asleep. He watched for a moment as she slept with the moonlight across her face, he made his steps toward her light as to not wake her. However, before he knew it he had a piece of steel at the bump of his throat. He looked sown and saw she was not at all asleep as he thought. This scene became very reminiscent of the dream he had before coming to Cestria, so he played it out as such.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" the words were the same so he decided to give the same reply and kept silent knowing it would drive her crazy. "I asked you a question, but fine if losing your neck will not deter you from your silence. maybe the loss of something else would." He felt the dagger lift from his throat and trail down to where his.....yeah that's where.....He couldn't contain himself anymore. He burst into laughter.
"SINBAD......What in Hades are you doing in my room?!" she got up off the bed as he back into the door. He stopped his laughter for a moment to notice she was in a night shift that was also identical to the undershirt she wore in his vision. His urges were to grab her, and make his dream a reality, but he knew he had to handle this differently. "Get out of my room please." He decided to have a little fun. He slammed the door completely shut and moved the latch to lock it. "I had other plans in mind sorceress." He said as he leaned against the door. She held out her hand, "well I had the idea to sleep, so now leave my room or become fire wood to keep me warm." 'I have other ideas to keep you warm my dear.' He thought to himself as he saw her hand go up. She made idle threats on the ship as such, but he knew she would never do it cause the ship was made of wood and she would burn the entire boat. However, being in a room made of stone and metal made her threats somewhat less unused. Sinbad was determined though, and he knew what to do if she fired.
As if on cue, the ball of fire came from her hands and she threw it across her room next to Sinbad. She would never hit him, but scare him was definitely an option. Without her realizing Sinbad took the opportunity of her being distracted with the fireball and tackled her onto the bed. The fire died as soon as it hit the metal. She giggled a bit for being so brave to actually do it. He laughter subsided when she felt herself pinned under Sinbad, his hands sent shivers down her spine as she also realized he wasn't laughing. The intensity in his eyes made her comprehend just how dangerous the situation had become. She felt so much power in his eyes, so much magnetism, but she knew they shouldn't. "Sinbad get off me please." He just kept looking into her eyes, and she could not help but look into his. She tried moving, but his grasp was much stronger than she was aware of, than she remembered.
"Say you don't feel it Maeve, and I will leave this bed, and I won't come back." She tried moving again, but he refused to let up, it was now or never. "What would you like me to say Sinbad.....What exactly am I feeling? Yes, I missed you, is that what you wanted to hear.....fine I missed you." You kept his stare and just replied, "More." She shook her head, fully understanding what he was asking, but she did not know how to formulate the words, so she another route, "What exactly would you care for me to say Sinbad."
He was not sure what he wanted her to say, but the moment had become so parallel to his dream that he felt it is what needed to be said. Of course reality Maeve was much more stubborn than dream Maeve, but Reality Maeve was more beautiful, more sensuous, more real. He decided this position was not going to get him what he needed. So he sat up, but kept a hold of her and lulled her on top of his lap so she sat astride his legs. And to both of their surprise he embraced her.
She felt it, she knew for sure now, and with that feeling, she embraced him back, and they sat there for what felt like eternity in each other's arms.
TBC.....
This scene is not over...but I thought it fitting to have you on your toes... And I love to tease you guys....
So as promised. Especially for a certain someone who has been waiting for this....next chapter...appropriately titled...HEAT.....
Sinbad woke up that with a smile on his face. He wondered if he dreamed the night before, but when he saw where he was he knew that for once he was in reality. He spent the entire night holding Maeve, his chest to her back, his front thighs to the back of hers, her hair in his nose smelling as he remembered, like lilacs and the ocean. Nevertheless, he disappointedly realized he was alone. He remembered falling to sleep listening to her breathe, he tried as hard as humanly possible to stay awake, scared if this was a dream and he would wake again on the ship, alone, but the tranquility he felt being near her won out in the end; and the captain of The Nomad fell asleep.
He lifted himself out the bed and put back his boots and sword, hoping to get to his quarters before anyone knew he was missing and started asking questions. Looking out in own window he saw The Nomad still there ready and waiting for its crew to return, he realized by looking at the sun he must have slept through half the day, the sun had already reached its peek in the sky. The laughter he heard from outside brought his attention to the beach. There he saw one of the most beautiful sights he ever could have imagined.
Maila was giggling uncontrollably as Doubar held her high in the sky and brought her down with speed, he then repeated this act a few more times before placing the child on his shoulders. Maeve was with Dermott, Rongar and Firouz watching the giant and child interact, "Sister, I believe Doubar has found a playmate," Dermott said to his sister's ear, Firouz finished with his own adage, "yes, I believe our large friend has found someone to truly appreciate him." She and Rongar both let out giggles at the two. She then opened her arms out to the girl, "I believe it is my turn though." The little girl swiftly slid down the giant into Maeve's arms, and Maeve spun her around. From the door that linked the palace to the beach Bryn stood leaning against its side.
"Oh, my word." She yelped as Sinbad tickled her from behind. She punched him in the shoulder in response, "you know Maeve's right, you would do better as a worm." He laughed at her knowing neither sorceress would ever do it. "So is this some sort of battle strategy that they are dramatizing, or is everyone working this hard?" She smirked at his comment and answered, "Toris thought it be best if everyone took some of the day off, and in his words 'you want soldiers happy as long as they can be, especially if they may go into to battle, they should be content as long as Allah allows them.' He then took Deora's hand and ran off. Shalice is getting food ready for some grand feast tonight. So we took Maila and brought her out here."
Sinbad turned back to see the little girl in Maeve's arms. This was the first time since he met the child that he saw her smiling. He looked up to see Maeve's smiling too. He realized by watching the interaction how much she must love the child, and the child loves her. It brought him back to think of the night before, her screaming the girl's name. He never wanted Maeve in pain again; he knew that was an impossible objective, but he knew he had to try if for nothing more than his own sanity.
"Morning Brother! Where have you been all day?" Doubar called out from the passageway. Sinbad smiled and he and Bryn walked to the group waiting on the beach. "Well brother I had pressing matters to deal with last night and decided to take the morning for slumber." He looked at Maeve, who put the little girl down, and began to blush. "You were not in your room this morning." Said Firouz puzzled by Sinbad's statement. Maeve's cheek went from a slight pink to a cherry red, and she refused to look anyone in the eyes. She was worried about his answer, she knew he would probably come up with something, but then again it was Sinbad. "When did you become my keeper Firouz," he laughed trying to change the subject slightly, but by his intelligent friend's facial expression he knew he needed to give an answer, "if you truly feel like knowing I slept somewhere else. I meant to go back to my own room, but once I fell under the *spell*of the area, I found myself sleeping better than I ever remembered."
Maeve's eyes widened at his admission, she knew that everyone must have known where he was, what had happened, how much she was going to KILL Sinbad. However, when she looked up they all had seemed not to care. The only person to notice her nervousness, besides Sinbad, was Rongar. He held her at her shoulder and raised his eyebrows; she knew that to be asking if she was all right. She timidly smiled and then turned her attention to the girl. "Maila, why don't you come inside with me, I have work to do, and I think there is a spell or too I think I should teach you." The girl nodded happily and took Maeve's hand. Maeve walked back to the palace, but a magnetism made her turn back her head. Sinbad, he was watching her, no smiles on his face or boisterous behavior, just watching her walk away. It sent chills up her spine, 'Girl, for Allah's sake, stop what you are thinking!' she thought as they entered the palace and out of sight.
*****
The feast was enormous. The dining hall was renovated from the battle from before. The silk curtains and crushed pottery were all replaced anew. The table was filled to the brim of fine foods, wines and other delicacies. The crew and soldiers from the village were also given their own feast and festivities. Toris had made sure that whenever this great battle were to take place that everyone would have a night that gave them pleasure, because it could be their last.
Everyone enjoyed the feast, the food, entertainment made the night great, but Maeve still felt it. What she felt on the beach, Sinbad's eyes on her from across a table. Whenever she tried ignoring it the power would prick her, and when she tried to witness if it where true his head would turn. He was good at his stalking because she was not quite sure if he was actually doing it or if it was just her driving herself mad. She took this as a sign that she should try to get some rest. So with quiet goodbyes to only Shalice and Bryn, she grabbed an already sleeping Maila, and snuck out the room.
When Sinbad turned his eyes back to Maeve, hoping she was not investigating his gazing any longer, he turned back to find her gone. He jumped and ran to where she had been sitting in lightening speed. He asked Bryn where she went, "She said she was taking Maila to bed and then would retire herself." His heart sank; she left without telling him. He looked around the dining hall.
Everyone was to engrossed in their own entertainment to notice if he slipped out as well, so that's exactly what he did, "Hey great Captain, where are you off to?" The question startled him as it came down the hall. Sinbad turned to see that Dermott had followed him out the room, "I'm off to get some sleep." Dermott nodded and Sinbad started walking off, "Tell my sister I said good night." Sinbad stopped in his tracks and turned to face him, "I have no idea what you are implying, but I think your sister may turn you back into a bird if she heard you say that." Dermott let out a quick chuckle at that thought, "She might, but the truth would still be what it was. YOU love her and SHE loves you. And if you were not going to her tonight I would say you are being as absolutely FOOLISH as you two always are." Sinbad was ready to say something in his own defense but was beaten to it, "And before you make laments of how you and her are great friends please spare us both the time and tiring explanations. We all know how you feel about each other. You both know it, whether you choose to admit it or not. All those games of keep away, grabbing her waist, the gazing across a table, her endless blushing, the way you two looked when you saw each other again before Vexicus arrived, give me some courtesy to not lie to my face. Now good captain I believe you are about to return to where you were last night, so as I said tell my sister good night, and have one yourself." With that Dermott went back into the dining hall leaving Sinbad even more determined to see Maeve than he once was before.
*****
He had entered her room to find her already asleep. He watched for a moment as she slept with the moonlight across her face, he made his steps toward her light as to not wake her. However, before he knew it he had a piece of steel at the bump of his throat. He looked sown and saw she was not at all asleep as he thought. This scene became very reminiscent of the dream he had before coming to Cestria, so he played it out as such.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my room?" the words were the same so he decided to give the same reply and kept silent knowing it would drive her crazy. "I asked you a question, but fine if losing your neck will not deter you from your silence. maybe the loss of something else would." He felt the dagger lift from his throat and trail down to where his.....yeah that's where.....He couldn't contain himself anymore. He burst into laughter.
"SINBAD......What in Hades are you doing in my room?!" she got up off the bed as he back into the door. He stopped his laughter for a moment to notice she was in a night shift that was also identical to the undershirt she wore in his vision. His urges were to grab her, and make his dream a reality, but he knew he had to handle this differently. "Get out of my room please." He decided to have a little fun. He slammed the door completely shut and moved the latch to lock it. "I had other plans in mind sorceress." He said as he leaned against the door. She held out her hand, "well I had the idea to sleep, so now leave my room or become fire wood to keep me warm." 'I have other ideas to keep you warm my dear.' He thought to himself as he saw her hand go up. She made idle threats on the ship as such, but he knew she would never do it cause the ship was made of wood and she would burn the entire boat. However, being in a room made of stone and metal made her threats somewhat less unused. Sinbad was determined though, and he knew what to do if she fired.
As if on cue, the ball of fire came from her hands and she threw it across her room next to Sinbad. She would never hit him, but scare him was definitely an option. Without her realizing Sinbad took the opportunity of her being distracted with the fireball and tackled her onto the bed. The fire died as soon as it hit the metal. She giggled a bit for being so brave to actually do it. He laughter subsided when she felt herself pinned under Sinbad, his hands sent shivers down her spine as she also realized he wasn't laughing. The intensity in his eyes made her comprehend just how dangerous the situation had become. She felt so much power in his eyes, so much magnetism, but she knew they shouldn't. "Sinbad get off me please." He just kept looking into her eyes, and she could not help but look into his. She tried moving, but his grasp was much stronger than she was aware of, than she remembered.
"Say you don't feel it Maeve, and I will leave this bed, and I won't come back." She tried moving again, but he refused to let up, it was now or never. "What would you like me to say Sinbad.....What exactly am I feeling? Yes, I missed you, is that what you wanted to hear.....fine I missed you." You kept his stare and just replied, "More." She shook her head, fully understanding what he was asking, but she did not know how to formulate the words, so she another route, "What exactly would you care for me to say Sinbad."
He was not sure what he wanted her to say, but the moment had become so parallel to his dream that he felt it is what needed to be said. Of course reality Maeve was much more stubborn than dream Maeve, but Reality Maeve was more beautiful, more sensuous, more real. He decided this position was not going to get him what he needed. So he sat up, but kept a hold of her and lulled her on top of his lap so she sat astride his legs. And to both of their surprise he embraced her.
She felt it, she knew for sure now, and with that feeling, she embraced him back, and they sat there for what felt like eternity in each other's arms.
TBC.....
This scene is not over...but I thought it fitting to have you on your toes... And I love to tease you guys....
So as promised. Especially for a certain someone who has been waiting for this....next chapter...appropriately titled...HEAT.....