Page 12 of Enchanted By a Pirate
Unfortunately, she could tell he wasn't going to say more about it — but why not? That was the real question. At least he'd revealed a few things about this country. She had to build on that. A loud yawn escaped her lips and her eyes almost closed, but she managed to keep them open. Had someone slipped her a sleeping pill? She'd never liked being awake when it was dark outside — and liked rising before the sun. But this extreme fatigue was highly suspicious.
"You spoke of four kingdoms. What others are there besides the kingdoms of the sea and rocks?"
"The third is the Kingdom of Winter. The Snow Queen rules there."
Goosebumps appeared on her arms. But they disappeared as soon as they'd come. "The Snow Queen? That sounds like a fairytale. Does she have magical powers?"
"Yes, and she knows how to use them. She's definitely someone to watch out for."
That sounded exciting. "I will keep that in mind. What is the fourth kingdom?"
"That's where we are right now. It is the Kingdom of Flowers — your home, mind you."
"The Kingdom of Flowers? How romantic. It sounds like a nice place to live. Who lives in this realm other than humans? And who governs it? A flower queen?"
"No, there are…" He looked at her uncertainly. "Fairies live here."
"Fairies?" Her eyes sparkled and she quickly straightened up. "How adorable. Are they tiny glittery creatures with wings?"
"Kind of, yeah."
Anna leaned back and then forward and then to the sides, but she didn't see anything magical flashing in the darkness. "I don't see any."
"They go to sleep as soon as the sun goes down and get up with the first rays of light."
"Too bad. So I'll get to see them tomorrow. What time is it anyway?" She yawned again and stretched.
"It should be shortly after midnight. Have sweet dreams, little Anemone, I'll take care of you. And when you wake, we'll have reached your home."
His words comforted her, as if she hadn't been home in a while. He called her little Anemone even though she was a grown woman. But she did feel small compared to him, so it didn't bother her.
She hoped he wasn't taking her further from her home than she already was. But what else could she do but trust him? Without anyone to guide her, she wasn't particularly keen on wandering through the night and possibly falling back into the hands of her captors. At least she knew — yes, as strange as it sounded — that Anton posed no threat.
She snuggled up comfortably on the unfamiliar bed. Even though there were hundreds of questions on the tip of her tongue and she wondered how she could trust a giant so readily, she was asleep a moment later.
6
When warm rays of sunshine tickled Anna's nose, she woke up. She blinked lazily. Since when did her bed rock back and forth? And since when did she sleep without a pillow?
"Good morning, Anemone. Did you sleep well?"
Startled by the calm deep voice, her light blue eyes widened and she shot upright. The memory of the previous evening came flooding back. So, it had actually happened. Pirates had abducted her in a flying ship and taken her to a magical land where she'd met a giant who introduced himself as her best friend.
Suddenly wide awake, she glanced around. The sun's rays illuminated a meadow that stretched to the sides endlessly, the grass appearing a little dry. Not a single flower was to be seen snuggled between the stalks. There were a few bushes and trees, but they weren't blooming either. And it was springtime here. Perhaps the seasons were different in this land. In the distance, Anna spotted a forest that Anton was heading toward.
"We'll be home soon."
Home? No village, farm, or isolated building could be seen.
"Where are the houses?"
"You live in the forest."
"In the forest?" A crooked wooden house hidden between oaks and fir trees popped into her mind. She liked plants and flowers, but she couldn't imagine living among them. When had she lived here? Excited, she sat up and pushed the blanket, — or rather, the giant's handkerchief — off her legs. The sunlight was strong and warm.
Anton took his handkerchief, shook it out once, and stuffed it back into his breast pocket as he plodded leisurely toward the tall trees with Anna in his hand. His movements were calm and steady — or was he actually just exhausted?
Worried, she looked at him. "Did you sleep at all?"
