Page 54 of Enchanted By a Pirate
And her name was… Anemone.
It took a while before she ventured away from her refuge. The mood on deck was exuberant. The men sang and whistled songs that Anna had never heard before, though she was able to follow the melodies.
Laughing, Johnny came up to her, rubbing his strong hands together. "So, are you ready for a culinary masterpiece?"
Even though she wasn't hungry, she smiled. She certainly didn't want to offend the cook, but she did want to talk to Chris first.
"In a moment, I have to talk to the captain first. Do you know where he is?"
He pointed to the stern of the ship. "Where he has been for years — at the helm." Anna looked at Chris behind the wheel, his dark gaze fixed on the endless sea, exchanging a few words with Freddy. It seemed as if they were no longer at odds but conferring. Jack appeared behind them and since he was also involved in the conversation, she wouldn't disturb them while they were talking.
She climbed the steps to the aft deck. As soon as Chris saw her, his eyes gave her the smoldering look that gave her goosebumps. Freddy spotted them at the same time and his expression hardened. Did he blame her? That was her impression. Or was it his conscience that was bothering him?
Jack stepped forward and clapped her on the shoulder. She had to use all her strength not to sink to her knees in front of the pirates. "Well, Anemone? Are you okay?" His flippant manner immediately lightened the mood and she was grateful for that. Nevertheless, she definitely had to find an opportunity to talk to Freddy in private soon. But, for now, she needed to tell Chris what she had… realized.
"Everything's okay, I just want to speak to the captain in private for a moment."
"In private, h'm." Jack moved his eyebrows up and down meaningfully. "Can our captain steer the ship while doing that?"
Chris gave him a friendly slap on the arm before stepping back from the wheel. "Take over, Freddy!" He stood behind the helm without saying a word, giving her an extremelyskeptical look. It was hard to bear. Apparently he thought she was a problem on board. Luckily, he hadn't betrayed her to Blackbeard. He was probably more loyal to the captain than he initially seemed.
"Come on, Ani, let's go to the forward deck." Chris took her hand, lacing her fingers in his and rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Did he sense her restlessness? Smiling, she walked with him. Jack's whistle followed them, causing a few of the pirates to holler. But one look from Chris was enough for all to fall silent.
As soon as the spar was in front of them, Chris leaned one arm against the rail and turned to her. "What did you see?"
He hadn't forgotten and had probably been thinking about it, and now he wanted answers. Her heart pounded excitedly. Anyone else would have thought she was crazy if they'd heard what she believed she was. Or maybe not. Probably not in this magical land. Nevertheless, it wasn't easy to shake the excitement. Her gaze traveled from the planks to the toes of her shoes until she slowly raised her gaze.
"I saw myself when…" She took a deep breath. "I have seen what I am."
His eyes widened, but he said nothing, waiting for her to say it.
"I now know I am a fairy."
A glow came over his dark face. It could have looked out of place amidst his rakish features, but it didn't. "You remembered." Happily, he took her hands and kissed them. "Everything?"
She shook her head.
"What memory did you recall?"
"I saw us both at the beach. A campfire burned and the endless stars shone above us. I sat in your hand and saw my reflection in your eyes. Me, as a fairy."
"Aye, I remember that night. You landed in my hand, transformed, and then…" He grinned, raising an eyebrow, but then his gaze changed. "Since you now know who you are, have your magical powers returned?"
She turned her hands and stared into the empty palms as if glittering fireworks would appear at any moment. But there was nothing. "Unfortunately not. I don't feel it either. But in my heart, I feel it is true."
"Aye, that's progress. But before we face the Snow Queen, it needs to be reawakened. We have to find a way."
"If only I knew how I lost it. If all my memories came back, maybe I would have some idea how to do it."
His forehead wrinkled as he ran his hand over the back of his neck. She could immediately tell that he was keeping something from her.
"What is it? What are you thinking?"
"Nothing, it…"
"Hey, the truth. Immediately! I trust you and it will only stay that way if I can rely on you to reveal everything. Do you have any idea how I lost my powers?"
He shook his head but said nothing else. It apparently was difficult for him to say what was on his mind. Anna took his hands and squeezed them gently. "You can tell me anything, Chris."
