Chapter 12: Captured
There was no other escape for Nadeira, so she simply accepted her fate.
If her mates were not lying, they would come and protect her…
The merchant stepped forward, brushed his coat against the crates. He peered at Nadeira as if inspecting fruit at a stall.
"Well, well," he said, clicking his tongue. "What treasure washed into my hands? Two little doves, trying to snoop."
Maribel glared at him, and clenched her fists immediately. "We're not your treasure."
The man laughed softly, bending closer. His breath smelled of sour wine. "I think that you are. Look at you… eyes good, spirit sharp. And this one…" He touched a lock of Nadeira's faded-purple hair. "Rare. I've never seen such a color. Not blond, not violet, but in between. Yes… the Baron would pay a fortune for hair like this."
Nadeira jerked her head away, her skin crawled where his fingers brushed. "Don't touch me."
The merchant's smile widened. "Fiery. That makes the sale sweeter."
He motioned to the two men holding them. "Bring them below. Lock them tight. I'll decide later whether to send them to the Baron… or to someone else who likes strong mares."
The sailors dragged Nadeira and Maribel across the deck.
The stairs made a sound like an old sponge being squeezed, and as they were forced down into the belly of the ship, Nadeira bit her lower lip.
She noticed rats scurried along the edges, their tiny claws were probably the ones that scratched the wood.
The merchant walked behind, humming to himself, cheerful as though leading children to a feast.
Finally, they reached the cells. Rusted iron bars lined the walls, and the smell of salt from the sea made the girls feel like they were under the water.
The men shoved Nadeira and Maribel into one cell, slamming the door and giving them a weird smile.
The merchant came closer to the bars. "Comfortable, doves?"
Nadeira's fingers wrapped around the cold bars. "You can't do this. Do you know who we are?"
She tried to scare him, knowing damn well both of them meant nothing to this cruel society.
"Someone valuable," the man purred. "That's all that matters. A face like yours, hair like yours, eyes that burn even when you're afraid… oh yes. You'll fetch a fine price. The Baron might even fight to own you."
Maribel stepped in front of Nadeira, her body that was tiny trembled but she didn't want to show any weakness. "Leave her alone. She isn't for sale."
The merchant's grin only grew wider. "Oh? And what about you, my darling? That hair of yours shines like coins. Nobles love novelty. You'd make a perfect companion for someone who likes their pets glittering."
Maribel's lips pressed tight. She held Nadeira's hand without looking at her.
The man crouched, his face level with the bars. And instead of speaking in a normal tone, he began to whisper instead. "Do you know what the Baron does, pretty one? He likes to train his brides. Makes them sweet, soft, obedient. At first they fight… but soon they bend. They always bend. And when they don't…"
He moved his head up, smiling like it was a secret. "…he finds a way to break them."
Something inside Nadeira's body felt like breaking free. She forced her voice to come, though her throat burned. "If you think I'll bend, you don't know me at all."
"That's what makes you expensive. Men will pay double for fire they can put out."
He stood up and rapped the bars with his knuckles. "Rest now. Tomorrow we will sail. By the time the sun sets, you'll be someone's property."
He turned and left, humming the same sick tune as before. His boots thudded up the stairs until his shadow disappeared.
Silence filled the cell…
Maribel sank onto the bench, pulling her knees close. "He's lying," she whispered, though her voice was shaking. "He has to be lying."
Nadeira leaned against the bars to rest her head and body. "He isn't. That's the same Baron. The one my father promised me to. He was waiting for me. Now he's trying to replace me with children."
Maribel's eyes widened. "Children?"
Nadeira nodded slowly, sounding bitter. "The sweets. The way he talked. He's grooming them, making them obey before they even reach him. That's what he wanted for me, too. My father called it an honor."
Her chest tightened with old rage. She pressed her forehead against the iron. "It was a cage…Nothing more."
Maribel scooted closer, laying her small hand on Nadeira's arm. "We'll get out. The princes won't let this happen. They'll find us."
Nadeira gave a short laugh. "You trust them too much. So did I one day ago…They'll be too busy with their royal bullshit to notice two lost girls."
"Not true," Maribel said, stubborn. "They care. Even if you don't believe it."
Nadeira didn't answer. She stared into the dark spot of the cell.
Hours dragged like years. Every sound of the ship sounded like footsteps. Every light looked like the merchant returning with another sly grin.
Nadeira sat on the bench, keeping her hands wrapped around her knees. Sleep didn't come. Anger kept her awake.
She thought of the little girl upstairs with the ragged doll. Was she locked in another cell? Was she alone? Did she understand what was happening?
Her nails dug into her arms. 'I won't let him win.'
Maribel dozed off against her shoulder, soft breaths filled the silence. Nadeira stayed awake, waiting for the merchant's return.
And when she finally heard the noise of the stairs above, her whole body went stiff.
The merchant's voice came from the darkness. "Still awake, little dove? Good. That makes it more fun."
"My mates will help me kill you and your baron…just you wait."
"The mermen princes?" He mocked Nadeira.
"You know?" Nadeira jumped from her spot.
"Of course, I do. I already informed my baron that his original bride is coming back home. But unfortunately, we won't sail the sea. I don't want your little fish to come and hurt my treasure."