This Chapter is about 10% plot line and 90% fan service if I'm perfectly honest. It most certainly is NOT A BRIBE in order for you guys to forgive a two month absence. *coughs* 

If I'm honest, I'm finding this story harder and harder to write at the moment and that's probably because I'm not quite sure where I want it to go from here. I have a vague idea of where I'm working towards but I feel like the plot has gotten a little wishy washy and  I haven't really decided yet how to fix it. 

And so in the mean time I present you with this Chapter - longer than usual and with the characters perhaps showing some feelings that are a little unusual for them, but hey, fan service is fan service right?! ;) 

I hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas/ New Year and that 2017 is treating you at least a little better that 2016 did! 

Love Always,

Daisy xox

______________________________________________________

OBSIDIAN

I was back inside the dungeon. The blackness was absolute, darker than I had ever remembered it being. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face but a chain clanked around my ankle, the grinding metallic sound grating through the silence. My breathing came in short panicked gasps as I blindly looked around, my eyes stretched wide in desperation as they searched for any kind of light. I felt as though I was literally drowning in the darkness, the thickness of it clogged my lungs with every breath until it spilled back up out of my throat and my nostrils.

And then the wailing began.

My breath shortened and paused for a moment as my mind recognised the same sound that had tipped me to the edge of insanity last time. The high strangling keen continued on and on and on and on until it had wriggled into my brain and now it was rattling around in my head and even though I clamped my hands tight over my ears, the sound was still there, piercing and persistent.

My lips shaped soundless words that fell on equally deaf ears. "Stop, please, just stop."

"And why should I?"

That voice. I opened my eyes again but still there was nothing to see and the wailing continued in the background, eating into my bones, knawing away at my brain like an insect.

"So helpless," The voice said coldly, "You are such a disappointment, to think that I ever allowed such a snivelling brat like you to take my life."

There was a scratching sound and a flicker of flame appeared, the dim light shining like the sun before my light depraved pupils. I shrank back automatically against the damp dungeon walls, the coolness shocking my exposed flesh. His face appeared out of the gloom, eerily lit by the flame that wavered inside the lantern he was holding.

My Father looked disdainfully down at me, his lips twisting into a sneer of disgust. He reached out with one hand to yank the bars of my cell aside, the lantern light flickering in his free hand as it swung back and forth. He stepped forward into my cell, his body looming over me as his form twisted in the shadows, his face morphing as well until a demon looked back at me. No, not just a demon, he was the Devil himself and I was trapped in my own personal hell. His fingers resembled talons as he reached out to squeeze my throat and drag me forward, bringing me closer to his terrifying face.
The shrieking keen was so loud in my ears now that it felt like the person or beast emitting the noise was standing right beside me, hidden only by the darkness that dwelled on the edges of the lanterns flame. My teeth jarred together as he slammed my head back against the stone wall of the cell and then suddenly the flame went out, plunging me back into the void.

He was still there though, his fingers were hot against the skin of my throat as he slowly began to starve my lungs of oxygen, his grip tightening, his breath warm against my ear as he leaned in to whisper.

"So Pirate King, what will you do now?"

*

For a moment I couldn't wake up. My eyes stayed shut as though they were glued together, my body motionless on the bed below me. His face lingered on the inside of my eyelids, his voice echoed in my ears and my whole being screamed at me to awaken, but it was as though a weight was pressing down on me and I couldn't push it off.

And then the weight was gone. My eyes snapped open but still my body wouldn't move. I found myself pinned to the bed, looking at the ceiling in horror for a good half a minute and it was only when a deep breath of air rattled into my lungs that I realised I had forgotten to breathe. The dull ache of my wounds penetrated my mind and I began to relax, realising for now that the dream was indeed gone.

My head fell to the side as I became suddenly aware that I was not alone. My eyes found a face that was shockingly familiar lying opposite me and, for a short moment, my brain faltered and I stupidly believed that I was looking at reflection of myself.

It was only for a second though and then the reflection moved of its own accord, it's mouth opening in a yawn, it's arms stretching up a little before falling back down and shifting closer towards me, bringing to my attention the person that lay between us.

She was almost completely submerged in the blankets, her little nose peeking out from under a mass of blonde hair, the covers pulled up to her mouth. I watched her breathing for a while until my heart beat began to slow, my eyes drooping a little as sleep sat back down upon them.

It was really warm, so warm and so comfortable. My heart felt uncomfortably full in my chest as the last tendrils of the dream dissipated. This fullness, it was a foreign feeling that I didn't quite understand. As I lay there, a thought entered my mind and I vaguely realised that for once, there was nothing, absolutely nothing that I needed to go and do. There was nothing that could pull me from this bed right now, nothing at all. I had told Cobalt the truth, Circe was with me, things between Zalas and I -well I wouldn't go as fair to say that they had been settled, but for now, he was not a threat.
My Father's pendant was back in the hands he had stolen it from, my debts to the Kingdoms paid, my name all but cleared as most of those who would pursue me believed me to be dead, although I wasn't sure how long that would last.
This bed was my own, this room, this ship, the people on board – I was back from the dead and had somehow managed to wind up in a better position than I had been in before.

Circe shifted a little in her sleep, mumbling something incoherent. Cobalt moved at the same time, his arm slinging over her carelessly, a move that would have normally stirred my jealousy. However right now I was in a passive mood so I simply observed as his weight ceased her distress and pulled the covers down a little further, exposing more of her face. She let out a little huff of breath and rolled onto her back, her hands moving to lie on either side of her head, fingers folded softly in sleep.

I reached out and grasped one of those hands, her skin so soft to touch and immeasurably warm. Bringing her hand to my lips I kissed each one of her fingers gently, savouring the smell of her skin. Her hand twitched slightly and another murmur of sleep babble fell from her lips. Cobalt replied to her with nonsense of his own as he rolled onto his stomach, one arm still resting across her waist, his face turned towards her.

They both looked incredibly peaceful as they slumbered and I found myself staring at them as I tried to ignore the pain that was quickly spreading to encompass my entire body. The weird feeling in my heart was back and disregarding the throbbing in my shoulder, I stretched out an arm to encompass the two of them, squeezing them gently until they swelling in my heart was sated.
Neither of them woke but as I fell back against the pillows I saw that Circe had a small smile set upon her lips, her eyelashes fluttering as her eyes moved about under her eyelids. I pressed my nose against her cheek tenderly and wondered what she was dreaming about.

I tangled my fingers in her hair, gathering up a fistful of the golden locks and bringing them to my face where I breathed in deeply. Her smell was like a drug and I forgot the pain in my body as I let her presence envelope me. The jealously and possessiveness that I had felt upon realising she had approached Zalas willingly still lingered and as I stared at her I swore to myself that once she woke, I would make sure that she knew she was mine.
Family ties or not, she would not leave me for another again, no matter how briefly. Part of me wanted to stay awake until her sea blue eyes opened and gazed upon me once more, however the other half that I had no control over was being pulled back into sleep. My breathing evened out slowly and I tugged her towards me a little more, slipping an arm under her head so that she was nestled in the crook of my shoulder.

Cobalt had shifted with her, his arm still slung across her chest with his face pressed into her side. My extended hand touched the top of his head gently, fingertips tousling the black strands. I was careful not to wake him for if he woke I would have no choice but to kick him out. Admitting to the fact that I had let him stay, that I hadn't wanted him to leave – it was too embarrassing for words and I doubted he would ever let me live it down. For now though ... my thoughts fell silent, my hands moving back to my sides as I rolled back over to look at the ceiling. By the time Circe finally opened her eyes many hours later I was fast asleep.

*

CIRCE

I woke with a yawn, sitting up with some difficulty as I did and stretching out from underneath the warm mass that covered me. My arms reached high above my head and I sighed as I felt the tension in my shoulders release. Sitting still for a moment I rubbed my eyes, blinking blearily and yawning again. I felt like I had slept for an age, where was I?

It was then that I became conscious of the steady breathing that surrounded me. I looked from side to side in a daze taking in the two faces that lay on either side of me, their arms still extended out towards the space I had left in-between them. I felt my cheeks heat up as I noticed that Obsidian lacked a shirt, although most of his torso was covered by bandages, his deeply muscled chest expanding and contracting with each steady breath. Cobalt was there too and I rubbed my eyes again, unable to remember when he had appeared. For once, his hair was shorter than his brothers, his face serene. His white shirt had come unbuttoned in sleep, bunching up under his shoulders and when he shifted a little I could see that the material had left indentations on his cheek.

I realised that I had never seen both of them asleep in one place before and now as a consequence, my heart was thudding embarrassingly loud in my chest and all of the blood seemed to be pumping up to my face until it was as red as the setting sun. Both of them were so innocent in sleep and it was now, when their faces lacked all expression that they looked the most alike. When they were awake Cobalt's face was defined by his softer eyes and wide grin, Obsidian by his wicked smile and predatory gaze.
Another round of blushing commenced as I became aware of the fact that I was staring quite shamelessly at the both of them and I wondered for the first time as to how on earth this situation had come to pass. It was most unlike Obsidian to share anything with his brother, least of all the bed that I was sleeping in. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty, but as I told myself repeatedly – whatever had caused the situation to arise, it had nothing to do with me if I hadn't been awake to protest it.

I rubbed my eyes again and shuffled down to the end of the bed until my feet met wooden floor. Unwilling to wake them, half because I was scared of the potential chaos that could ensue, and half because I wanted the moment to last a little longer, I unwound the blanket from around my body and left it behind me on the bed when I stood up.
I turned and automatically covered my hand with my mouth to suppress the squeak that threatened to come out of it. In my absence they had both moved towards the warm spot I had left behind and were now cuddled together, Cobalt's head tucked under Obsidian's chin, with his older brother's arms wrapped securely around him, Obsidian's face pressed into his hair.

The blush returned in full force as I clamped my hands over my mouth, trying to suppress the urge that I suddenly had to wake them up and have them find themselves in that position. I watched, (definitely shamelessly now,) as the two cuddled closer together, their face's so still and tranquil in their slumber, and tried to imprint the scene in my mind so that I might remember it for the rest of my existence.
The Siren that lurked eternally within my soul chose that moment to fill my head with devious, impure thoughts and I shuddered impulsively, my hand sliding from my mouth to cover my eyes as I shook my head back and forth and batted her aside, although I was unable to completely wipe away the grin that stretched across my face.

Turning away from the temptation of crawling back into bed, (conscious this time,) I dropped my hand with the intention of exploring my brother's room a little more. To my surprise though, the room that surrounded me was not unfamiliar, in fact, this room was as familiar to me as the person who occupied it. The mermaid door opposite me confirmed my suspicions; this ship did not belong to Nathaniel, but instead to the ferocious Pirate currently recovering on the bed behind me ... in the arms of his brother.

I snickered.

*

The sky was showing signs of setting when I finally stepped outside. I had spent some time in my old room finding that surprisingly everything was exactly how I had left it. I expected that the clothes I had left behind to be in bad condition but it seemed that all of the possessions in my room had been maintained by someone, their meticulous care warding away the relentless pursuit of time.

Obsidian and Cobalt were still asleep as I left, sneaking stealthily out on the deck, closing the door quietly behind me.

"Well if it isn't sleeping beauty!"

I started a little and tried not to look guilty as I scoured the ship, finally spying the smiling face of Hobbson standing up on the quarter deck, another familiar face by his side.

I pulled out a name to match with the face and spoke it tentatively. "Jack ... is that you?"

The old man grinned and gave a little wave. "Pleasure to meet you again Princess, it's been too long."

A smile was beginning to grow on my face. "Yes, yes it has."

"Circe!"

"Circe look over here!"

I realised then that there was another ship anchored alongside the one I was currently standing on and from the Water Kingdom detailing it could be none other than Nathaniel's vessel. A bridge had been placed down between the two and a young girl was running across it, her black curly hair flying out in the ocean breeze.

"Lacy!"

Our bodies collided in a fierce hug and she knocked me backwards onto the deck, tears already streaming from her eyes.

"I missed you so much!" She cried, clinging to me as she sobbed.

I buried my face in her hair, my hands grasping her back tightly. "I missed you too."

"You've been asleep for two whole days! Hobbson said we weren't allowed to disturb you," the younger girl pulled away sniffing and wiping her face. I shot a look up to where Hobbson still stood, leaning over the railing with his arms crossed, a sly grin crossing his face. Next to him Jack cackled, slapping his comrade on the back. I grimaced at the knowing look in his eyes, what had he seen?

"Circe!"

Pulled from my thoughts I looked over Lacy's head towards the man who had called my name. I was becoming aware that on the other ship, quite the gathering was happening. The deck was busy with people but they didn't seem to be working. Now that I had noticed them I could hear the sounds that were coming across the water, music, laughter, the clinking of plates and glasses. A few people were pulling away from their meals as they realised my appearance, their arms rising as they waved in welcome.

"You woke up just in time for dinner," Lacy said brightly, her moods swinging about as drastically as it had always done. The tears had not even fully dried from the corners of her eyes but now she was getting to her feet, extending out a hand that I took gratefully, letting her pull me up as well.

"Now that the Princess is awake we might as well turn it into a party!" Jack guffawed, making his way down to the main deck. "Never mind those two scoundrels in the Captain's cabin," he said as he saw me looking back to the door. "They will join us soon enough."

I felt my heart swell with a happiness that I hadn't experienced in a long, long time. The feeling was too much to contain inside and it burst out onto my face in a grin so big I felt my cheeks cramp. I couldn't speak so I just nodded, wiping away a stray tear of happiness.

"Unn! Let's go!"

*

That night, I felt my torn heart truly begin to heal.

The other ship was bustling with all the activity of two crews and one dragon jammed together on a single ship. Good smells wafted out across the water and Nathaniel quickly found me, his hands full of plates of food. Lacy wouldn't leave my side as I ate and the three of us sat together on the long table that had been set up on the deck. Dinner had been brought outside tonight, Nathaniel had explained, the day had been hot and slow to cool down – the heat carrying over into the evening. With everything going as well as it was, the good cheer of both crews was too much to contain within a dining hall.

The high spirits were contagious and as I munched on a skewer of meat, I tried hard to take in everyone and everything at once. Lacy was babbling in my ear about all that had happened while I was gone and I listened contentedly to her with one ear while my gaze travelled around the ship. Nathaniel's presence was warm at my side, his arm slung around my shoulders as he laughed occasionally at Lacy's story telling, the sound reverberating through his chest and into my body.

Neither of them had asked me questions about where I had been and I was grateful, for what could I tell them apart from an answer that would only bring pain? I had been lost and now I was found. That was all.

Anthemin had noticed my presence and had welcomed me, but he was currently occupied with cooking meat for the feast.
Samson and Jacob and a man whose name I didn't know, but wore a Chef's hat atop his dark brown hair, were providing the young dragon with meat to roast by placing it atop a massive stone plate and then watching in awe as the dragon blew flames from his nostrils, charring the steaks to a medium rare.
Judging by the expression on his scaled face Anthemin thought it was a little silly, but he was also a little more flattered than he was letting on. I could tell through our link that he was greatly enjoying the hilarious reactions of admiration and astonishment that they gave him every time he performed his little 'trick.' My hand flew to my mouth to cover my laughter as I watched them cut another perfectly cooked hunk of meat apart before falling over each other as they exclaimed their wonderment.

Away from the fire show a