Page 42 of Sea's Secret

We made our way silently to the stream where we both drank and then walked back to the cave. Meria got to work, first setting the ripped sail on the ground where we had slept the night before. I watched her as she sat down and pulled the comb from her hair and attempted to comb her hair with it some more.

“Can I help you?” I asked, walking closer to her and reaching for the comb. With defeat, she nodded.

I pulled the comb from her hair and picked up a section of her curls. I lightly combed through them. I did not know exactly what I was doing, but I had this strange urge to help her and touch her hair. I knew it was dangerous without my gloves, so I made sure with every single stroke that my bare fingers were only in her hair, and that her skin was far away.

“Oh, I see. That is helping,” she said faintly as I moved through another section after placing a tamed section over her shoulder. I went behind her and continued to comb out her long, beautiful hair. I had never seen such light blond hair, and the pinkish hue in places was incredibly unique. Although tangled, her hair was incredibly soft. As I touched the strands, it almost soothed my pain–made it feel as if it would go away entirely if I continued to touch her.

“I have never done this before, so hopefully, I am helpful.”

“You are helpful. Thank you, and I am so sorry for this.”

“Meria—” I said as I pulled out a piece of seaweed from her hair.

“What?”

“‘Sorry’–Do not keep apologizing. It seems you have a nasty habit.”

“Oh, sorry–” She froze, and I chuckled. She turned to look at me, over her shoulder, and I placed my hands in my lap. Our eyes connected, and I smiled.

“A habit I will help you break,” I said.

She nodded, then turned back around, and after my heart began to beat normally, I continued to brush her hair.

“My father liked it when I did as he asked, and when I did not–well, I had to apologize right away, and then do as he asked.”

“Well, here on our little island, you do not have to apologize to me for existing and needing help.”

“Thank you.”

Once I was done with her hair, I stepped back. She ran her fingers through it in surprise. She jumped and turned to hug me. I found myself wrapping my arms around her. Then I stopped, pushing her away, remembering that I had no gloves, and I had just been touching her hair and her skin.

“Are you alright?” I asked, putting my hands behind my back.

She looked at me strangely.

“I am fine. What is wrong, Dominick?” she asked, and I could hear the worry in her voice.

“I–I should not be touching you without my gloves. I am so sorry–”

“Should I be wearing gloves, too?” she asked.

“No–but I need to wear them–”

“Why? Does it have something to do with the black veins on your arms?”

“Yes–I am cursed.”

“Cursed! By an Ancient?” she gasped. “But how? Only human royals are cursed.”

“It is possible; I was born a royal, although I am not a royal anymore; I am a pirate.”

“A prince–a cursed prince–” she said with fear in her eyes.

I hated that expression on her face.

“What is your curse?” she asked.

“I cause pain, and I can also take it away.” Why am I telling her everything so easily?

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