Ch

Ch. 29

I found myself the object of interest to everyone I passed, and their whispers further fowled my temper as I stormed through the labyrinth of halls in search of my 'fiancé.' I shuddered at the thought, and glared at an innocent Uday. While I felt bad, I could not help it. I was in too poor a mood to apologize. I was on the hunt, and I would destroy my prey.

I found my prey cleverly hiding among the alpha hunter, Captain. I could only glare as I watched him smile at Captain as he spoke. What lies could he be weaving around Captains head? Either way, I needed to stop him, and I stormed in to do so.

He grinned when he saw me, and I snarled at him. He had me, for if I slipped up, he might very easily spill my secret in front of Captain. Not that Captain did not trust me, but I doubt very seriously that he would approve of such an older man such as Henry. Then again, he had approved the sleaze-ball Prabir, so who knows, he might embrace him…

Captain smiled at me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "You've chosen a good one, Marina," he assured me. I could have cried, and I think he saw it, for Prabir jumped in quickly. "I do believe she's yet to become comfortable with the idea that we'll be married soon. After all, she never planned too…" he slid in as a snake a struck and I looked at him in shock. How had he known that? Had the men really passed gossip along the ship about my fight with Maitreya? Hymp, and they say only women gossip.

Captain nodded good-naturedly at Prabir, "Yes. Marina, did you complete your rounds?" he asked, and I nodded to him, "Everything is fine." He smiled, "Good girl, come. The path is set, and you've yet to see it," he said, and ushered me away from Prabir. He pulled me in the Salon, which was currently empty, and motioned for me to sit. I did so willingly, grateful to be away from Prabir, and glad to be with Captain.

Captain did not bring me a map, but sat across from me and laced his fingers together, resting his chin on them. He watched me for a moment before saying, "Out with it, I know for a fact that man has not been courting you for years in secret, Marina, and I did not humor his lies for nothing, " He said without mirth, and I grinned. At least I was not the only one who found Prabir annoying. Even so, I could not tell Captain what was going on. If I were to do so, Prabir would tell my secret, and then where would I be? Locked in my room, lest I seek eternal torment by the crew. I shivered at the thought of their teasing and shuddered at my shame.

"Forgive me, Captain, but I cannot tell you the details," I apologized. Captain sighed and closed his eyes, "Can you at least tell me how long this game will last?" I gave him a small grin, and shrugged my shoulders truthfully. He sighed, and the conversation ended thus, and we moved on to other things. Looking over the charted course, speaking of the battle to come. For several hours, Prabir did not exist, and I was grateful for the time spent alone with Captain...

My joyful time with Captain ended as I followed him back to the helm. Apparently, Prabir had taken it upon himself to take up station at the helm. I sighed when I saw him, and Captain patted my shoulder. I grinned up at him happily, thankful for the silent encouragement, and turned to face Prabir.

I motioned for him to follow me, and I heard him plodding behind me as I lead him out of the helm. He followed close behind, and I frowned at his close proximity. What an arrogant man he was! How I wished to hurt him, but it would have to wait, just a bit longer…

I opened the door to the empty storage room and motioned for him to go in. He did so with a raised brow, and I rolled my eyes and glared at him. How dare that fool look as though he thought I could possibly ever do anything with his dirty self! I slammed the door behind me and leaned against it, angrily continuing my glare. He merely smirked, and said, "Marina dear, and I thought you hated me."

Without thinking, I spit at his feet. I did hate him, I hated him so much it hurt. In the darkened room, with his face contorted in disgust, I could very well have cut him up without care. However, that was not my plan.

My plan, which I had thought of while speaking earlier with Captain of weapons, was ingenious. How best to end the engagement and make the ship away of his trickery than by his own mouth? I smirked at his disgust, and stepped forward.

"I will not marry you," I signed, and left no room for question in my stance and face. His disgust evaporated into amusement. "Very well. You left Henry to rest in his room, did you not? I think I'll go have a chat with him then…" he grinned crookedly, and walked forward. Before he could pass, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and snarled. He merely smiled, "Did I not make it clear the first time? If you refuse to marry me, I'll tell everyone."

I let go of his collar and planted myself in front of the door. "You made it perfectly clear. However, we both know I'll never be happy with you." He grinned and chuckled, "Few marriages are about happiness. While it's unusual for you to be, together, we shall be a normal couple."

I shuddered at the thought, and shook my head. "I shall make everyday of you life torment," I warned, and he merely shrugged. "I shall make you a joke among the men, in more ways than one," he retaliated, and I bristled.

"Enough!" I signed angrily, "I have a bet for you! It's simple, and will end this for good," I signed to him. He tilted his head after a moment to show that he was listening. I took this as a good sign, and continued:

"We shall fight, one on one. Whatever weapon we choose is allowed. The first to know the others weapon from their hand wins."

The silence that followed was deafening. Was he considering? Not as though he could deny my offer, unless he was ready to become a joke among the men. In any case, he made a noise like, "hmmm," and asked, "So if you win, the engagement is off?"

I shook my head, "No. If I win, not only do you call off the engagement, but you tell Captain and the crew that you blackmailed me to make me agree." I told him.

"And what do I get? Hopefully something of value," he said, and his crooked grin was back. I frowned, and it was my turn to be disgusted. "If you win, I become your wife, and I'll no longer hassle you about becoming so," I told him. Then I added, "You can't ask for more…"

He stared at me in silence, then grinned, and the grin truly scared me. The grin was that of those who had already won, and I could not understand how. "Deal. Tomorrow at noon," he told me, "Don't be late." I moved out of the way and watched him open the door before he disappeared from my sight. I looked around the half-lit room and sighed. Tomorrow, my fate would be set.

I would not lose…

Side Note:

Okay everyone I am so sorry that I've fallen so behind (I owe you all three chapters this week) but my life has been a bit horrible these past three weeks. I apologize, and hope you don't take it out on the story, because it was all my fault, and Marina and the others shouldn't be punished for it. Again, my apologies, I hope you enjoyed this chapter...