Though the occupant of the room across the hall slept soundly, Nicolette struggled to drift off when her day finally drew to a close. Xander had excused himself after a day spent exploring the ship, disappearing into his own cabin, nestled directly next to hers. She had agreed, albeit grudgingly, to get some sleep herself. But after an hour of tossing and turning under the warm blanket, she stood to pace the small cabin. The wood floor rolled beneath her as the ship crested wave after wave, yet that was not what made sleep so elusive. Rather, it was the blooming excitement that coursed through her veins like a poison. Her hands trembled at the mere thought of adventuring outside Salvar, and walking seemed to be the only remedy. The physical activity, however hindered by the walls of her cramped room, aided in working off at least some of her anxious energy. Only after trudging a metaphorical trench in her stateroom did the exhausted girl collapse back into bed, just past midnight.
Despite the late bedtime, she was up to watch the sun rise through her porthole window. The blonde rarely slept past dawn, even before her formal training began, as the colors were too beautiful to miss. That morning, the sky was again a deep crimson, staining the golds and pinks she preferred. Nicolette felt herself scowl, the phrase tugging at a distant memory the same way it had the day before. She dwelled on the meaning as she climbed into her dress for the morning. Long sleeves and thick fabric would make for a warm wear as she and Xander passed the day atop the deck, sightseeing as the Khaia sliced through the frigid water. Even if there was little to actually watch, the sheer thrill of the travel would be enough to quench Nicolette's thirst for the time being.
The knock at the door came promptly after she laced up her ankle-high boots, perfect timing on Xander's part. Her best friend had a way of being there just when she needed him, and if she had not grown so accustomed to it, she might have found it uncanny. She went to call out her greeting, moving to the door to let him in, when three more knocks interrupted her. They came in rapid succession, concluded by Xander's barked order. "Letty," he called through the thick wood, "let me in." His aggressiveness, so unusual in the mild-mannered man, rained hesitation down upon the young woman.
"But-" she began softly, eyes narrowing as the door began to rattle on its hinges. The knight was nearly breaking down the door in his haste to reach her.
This time, his voice was even louder, all pretense of politeness gone. "Now!" he boomed. "Open the door." And she did, in a panicked flurry of movement. The moment the lock was removed, the door slammed wide, and the chestnut-haired figure threw himself toward her. Nicolette's petticoats swirled about her legs, nearly tripping her as she stumbled backward, away from the charging bull of a man. He yanked himself to a stop just before barreling into her, then turned to shut the door, and secure the lock behind him.
Nicolette was not quick to anger, but the shock still crackled in her chest, and burned red on her flushed cheeks. Her small hands clenched to fists at her side. "Explain yourself," she commanded of him. But when he turned, and those blue eyes were as wide and violent as a roaring sea, any further words died on her lips.
He was across the cabin in two great strides, his thick arms around her shoulders only a heartbeat later. "You're alright," he breathed into her hair, holding her for as long as his position allowed. He released her, and when his gaze found hers, her expression was equal parts concern and confusion.
"Of course I am," she countered, head tilting as she studied him. His chest rose and fell beneath his tunic, and a thin line of sweat adorned his brow and upper lip. Had he been running?
As if in answer, shouts seemed to come from all directions. They were carried through her open porthole on the icy breeze, and they leaked through the wooden walls and ceiling, the raised voices of men and women alike. All at once, concern and confusion melded into horror. "Are we sinking?" she breathed, her voice barely audible above the chaos around her.
"No," he answered. Xander looked as if he might touch her again, but after a beat of silence, he turned back to face the door. "We are being boarded by pirates."
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