Joseph looked at her tenderly. The sky was painted orange and the only sound was the waves on the sand.
"My God! I love you so much, Clarisse!"
"So do I, darling. So do I…" And she laid her head on his chest. Joseph stroked her back and pulled her over to him. She kissed his chest.
"You're salty!" She smiles.
"You are also spicy, my love! " And they laugh.
"We'd better get to them. It's getting dark and they have not made a fire."
"Of course. But stay away from her!"
"As you wish, my Queen…" And he kissed her. First gently, then almost fiercely.
"Wow, that was wonderful!" She said, while recovering they breath.
"I have to take advantage ... I do not know when I can kiss you again!"
"Why? Are you planning changed island and letting me here?" She said with a smile and without taking her arms from his neck.
"Not even dragged they can take me away from you!" And kissed her again.
"So, we better go. They are looking at us."
Clarisse started walking and Joseph followed her… two steps behind. Clarisse stop and looked at him… He smile and they started walked again… side by side.
"We are thinking that you guys are going away," said Michael with a smile.
"We thought about it but the water is very cold." Joseph said. "What about this fire?"
"We were thinking of doing two or three. What do you think?"
"Excuse me, sir. But if you do that, we ran out of wood before midnight." Paul said shyly.
"I fully agree with you, Paul." Joseph said. "No one should be able to get much sleep tonight. So it is better to stay comfortable."
James and Paul began to stack the wood. Michael carefully reeled off a dried palm leaf, to serve as firelighters.
Agnes and Harry seated near Silvia. Ruth approached Joseph but he went to Michael and Clarisse didn't bother to hide her smile.
"May I help you?" Ask Clarisse.
"Your Majesty, please, no!" Paul and James answer at the same time.
"Clarisse! My name is Clarisse!"
James blushed and Paul replied shyly:
"Nice to meet you, Clarisse! I'm Paul!" And give her a handshake, which made everyone laughed.
"Now that we know each other as it should be, can I help?" Said Clarisse.
"Clarisse!" Called Harry.
"Yes?" Answer Clarisse with a raised eyebrow.
"I was talking with my wife and Ruth, and I think it's better to all of us, if we clarify the things right now, since none of us know how long has we gonna stay here."
"Clarify?"
"Yes, How's in charge here!" Said Harry challenging.
"Excuse me? What are you talking about?"
"Royals are always royals. Even in a desert island! I'm sure no one expect us to do anything…"
"How dare you? So, what do you suggests, Your Highness? Breakfast in bed, perhaps?"
"Careful, Clarisse… Do you really want to know how I want in my bed?"
One second later, Joseph is behind him.
"Careful, Harry… I'm still her bodyguard… and with a bad temper…"
"Well, it was just an idea. I still think it absolutely needed an hierarchy, but if you prefer the caos… It's up to you!"
"Hey, look Boss, it's start to burn!"
"Well done, James!" Said Joseph.
"I'll get the jackets."
"And I help you, Your… Clarisse!" Said Silvia, and rose.
"Thank you, dear.!"
Joseph, Michael and Paul went into the vegetation.
"Where are you going?" Asked Silvia.
"We saw some plants with broad leaves. They are good to put in the ground, so we do not lie in the sand." Michael said. "We do not linger"
Minutes later, Clarisse and Silvia returned and distributed the jackets. Then sat near the fire.
"I'm starving… Does anyone want bananas?" Asked Silvia.
"I want. It's better than nothing."
"Me too!" Said James. Silvia rose and grabbed two bananas for each one.
"Thank you, dear!" Said Clarisse.
"We also want. Bring some bananas here. "
"Ruth! Rose yourself and pick them up. Silvia, you are not her employee."
"Clarisse, you're unbearable!" Said Ruth furious.
"Whatever!" Answer Clarisse with a smile. Silvia approached Clarisse and whisperer:
"Is not better to bring them the bananas, Clarisse? I really don't want to cause you troubles. I don't mind…"
"No, dear. Not at all!" Clarisse leaned over and whispered in her ear:
"Furthermore, I believe that a certain commander should not take long!"
Silvia blushed deeply and looked down.
"Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"
"Clarisse! Until you called me Clarisse, I do not answer you!" And she smile. An accomplice smile. Silvia was going to answer when she saw Ruth pick up the banana bunch and take it away. Clarisse and Silvia ignore her. When Ruth sat with Harry and Agnes, Silvia turned to Clarisse.
"Why do you say that, Clarisse?"
"Because I saw the way you look at him…"
"Well, I don't… I mean… He's… well!"
Clarisse laugh.
"You're completely in love, my dear!"
"He's married, Clarisse!" She said sadly. "And I never tell him nothing. He didn´t know I love him."
"I know he's married, my dear. And I know Michael is a wonderful man…" Clarisse stop talking because they arrived.
"Well, well, well! Look who's coming… I start wonder where did you go?" Clarisse rose and pointed the flashlight at them.
"Do you miss us?" Asked Joseph with a cheeky smile.
"Not at all. Silvia and James kept me busy. And ask me to dinner and I gladly accepted."
Joseph dropped the leaves and fell to his knees, then with a very dramatic expression, put her hand over her heart and said:
"Ho no! I'm not needed anymore! No one cares for me! Hooo… I think I'm will died with sadness!" And he dropped back. Clarice couldn't stop laughing.
"Boss, you can fool me!" Said James crying with laughter.
Joseph sat and Clarisse put his jacket in his backs.
"That feels good, thank you. It's getting cold."
"You're right. Do you want a banana?"
"Yes, but I will get it myself." He rose and asked:
"Where's the bananas?"
"In here, sweetheart." Said Ruth.
"I'll get them, Sir!" Said James and walked to the 'royals'. Then pick up the bunch and brought it.
"Thank you!"
"So, Michael and Paul, do you have the slightest idea where can we be?"
"No. This is all so weird." Said Michael. The six of them are sat near the fire, Harry, Agnes and Ruth were sitting further.
"We fly three hours. Then we received a warning about the weather… But I can't say when did we lost contact with the Lisbon Tower. Whoever sabotaged the plane, knew what he was doing. Everything seemed to be working well. I just saw that something was very wrong when I needed to ask concrete data to Lisbon tower. So, I know we changed course, but I can´t said to where. Then, the boat trip… And the wind… I think we are supposed to die." Clarisse looked down and Joseph put his arm around her shoulders. The three 'royals' joined them.
"Mabrey was a clever man!" Said Harry.
"Indeed, but… We're still alive!" answered Joseph. "And I'm sure they are looking for us."
"But, I'm afraid they are looking at the wrong place. The last communication from Lisbon said we crashed into the sea…"
"Mabrey is mad… completely mad! He gladly kill nine people just to get the crown… I'm so worried about Amelia! She's so young. What if he kill her too?" Joseph pressed her against him and she rested her head down on his shoulder.
"She's not a threat to him. She can only be crowned at twenty-one, which give him a lot of time to change the rules. I really think Mia is safe!" Said Joseph.
"I pray that to God!"
"I need to rest! This was a horrible day. I just wanna sleep and forget."
"You're right, Agnes. I need some rest too. Joseph, do you thought of a solution?"
"Well Clarisse, tonight we will sleep here. Near the fire. Tomorrow we must think in a better solution…"
"But why? They came to rescue us… Isn't it true? Harry? Ruth?"
"Yes, but… Just in case it took long then expected…"
"This is scary. There is no light, no water, no beds, no clean clothes or towels..."
"You're right, Agnes, but… We're ALIVE! So stop complaint. There is nothing we can do…" Clarisse was beginning to lose patience.
"You are not that brave, Clarisse!"
"You are right, Agnes. But no one has to be listening to me whine."
"Here are the leaves. Put yourself comfortable." Said Joseph. "And, by the way, tomorrow each one has to do his own things. But, we are five man and four woman. I think we can help the lady's, don't you think?"
"Absolutely, my friend. I suppose you will help Clarisse..."
"Of course!"
"Silvia, can I help you?"
"Really, Commander? I mean… You will help ME?"
Clarisse smile.
"Yes… If you don't mind, of course!"
"Thank you, Commander."
"Hey! You call Clarisse to Her Majesty and I'm Commander? That's not fair!"
Silvia laugh.
"I'm sorry, Michael!"
"Better!"
"Your Majesty… Clarisse! I will help you too!" Said James. And Paul looked down…
"Your Highness, If you don't mind, I will help you." Paul was mad… He just don't like her… but…
"And I, obviously, help my wife."
"Good night everyone."
"Good night, Clarisse." And everyone said good night to each other. One by one, caught the leaves and prepare to bed… This will be a LONG night!
