Chapter 16

Caspian sat upon the high backed chair in the Captains' room waiting for Lucy to finish clucking over that man like a mother hen. She promised him a logical explanation, and he damn well will receive it. Though he would prefer if it was before the sun lighted the eastern skies.

"Lucy, what are you doing with this Pirate?"

"Caspian, he sa–"

Carter heard the name, and thanks to his loyal crew was deep into a bottle of wine, jumped up shouting happily, "So you're Caspian. Heard a great deal about you my boy. Welcome aboard Heartbreak." His face fell from its height into a deep sadness. "Your hand are not noble enough to hold such a treasure. I could protect it for you. You don't deserve it."

Lucy placed a cold press against Carters' forehead. "Lay back before you open you're your stitches you silly man." Once Carter was safely resting with a soft snore Lucy joined Caspian by the desk. "I'm sorry I let you worry."

"Worry? Lucy, I was terrified; that your drowned, the you were gone from me. I spent three days in fever because I jumped over board to find you. The men who jumped in after me had to knock me unconscious just to haul me back on board." Caspian sat back as if he no longer possessed the strength to remain seated upright. When he spoke next his voice was strained with unspoken emotions, "I thought I lost you."

"For a moment there, Caspian, you almost did." Lucy knew the instant that Caspian caught onto her double meaning for he took a long inhale through his nose. "He saved my life. I know I have only been with him a few days–"

"Three weeks." Caspian corrected.

"Three weeks? Surely you jest."

Caspian shook him head. "You've been missing for three weeks, Lucy. It's been three weeks since you disappeared. Three weeks I have been in agony. Three– "

"Yes, I understand. Three weeks. To me it just hasn't felt that long."

"Maybe if you weren't playing damsel to his hero you would have paid more attention to what mattered." Caspian snarled.

"I was on a strange ship, Caspian, with people who became my friends. What more did you want me to do?" Lucy asked, her voice rising with every word.

"You should have told me."

"How, Caspian? How was I supposed to tell you that I was rescued? By Pigeon? By dove? If you happen to know where I can find one in the middle of the ocean, please let me know so that on my next kidnaping."

"Did you kiss him?" Caspian demanded sitting forward in his chair. Lucy was stunned into silence. A silence that angered Caspian further. "DID YOU KISS HIM?" He shouted pointing at a sleeping Carter.

"What I may or may not have done on this ship is none of your business." Lucy told him bitterly.

"Well," Caspian said softly sliding back in his chair. The position made him look at mighty as the king he was. "I guess that answers my question."

Lucy was on the verge of tears. Instead of allowing Caspian to witness their decent she ran from the room.

Caspian watched the door long after it had swung shut behind Lucy. So many thoughts flying through his head it was hard for him to focus. All he kept telling himself was that she was safe. She was safe.

"You're wrong, Heartbreaker." Came a blurred whisper from the bed. When Caspian glanced at him, Carter continued with his confession. "I was the damsel. I kissed her. I fought for her, but she guards her heart well; for it belongs to you, Heartbreaker, and she won't be releasing it to anyone else so soon." Carter allowed this information to sink slowly into Caspians rushing thoughts, like a stone to the river bed. "Go talk to her." Carter instructed. "Start of with an apology. Women love to hear apologies."

Lucy watched the small waves splash against the ship as her tears fell to joining the countless of others in the black salty waters below. Why do men have to be so controlling?

She looked up at the bright white moon with its faded halo incasing its beauty. "What am I doing here, Aslan? Why did I return?" she looked away wiping the back of her sun kissed hand a crossed her moist eyes. "I just want to go home. I can't do this anymore. It's too painful."

"Lucy?" came a soft voice behind her.

She turned to face Caspian as he paused on the top step of the stairs that lead to her position on the stern. "Caspian, please I just want a moment– "

"LUCY LOOK OUT!" Caspian shouted as he lunged forward.

Black wing emerged from the sky wrapping around Lucy like a black robe. With a high pitched screech, both Lucy and the Creature disappeared into the night.