Cordelia, Daughter of the Sea

style='font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.5pt;color:black'>Chapter 23

style='font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.5pt;color:black'>“No, you’ll talk
first.”

style='font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.5pt;color:black'> 

&n

Cordelia’s
eyes were swollen from the amount of tears she shed while being taken from The
Black Pearl, her hands ached from beating on Dolon’s back, but the physical
pain she was experiencing was nothing compared to the mental anguish that
Ahriman had caused her.

Dolon
had carried Cordelia to Milady’s and made his way towards Ahriman’s
room. Cordelia couldn’t believe what
she was seeing as they passed the women that filled the building.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “No!” she cried. “I don’t belong here!”

One
of the women, seeing that Cordelia was only clad in a sheet, snickered and
said, “O’ course ye don’, dear. Ye
belong in a bloody castle.” Several
women around the one that spoke began to laugh.

“Shut
up, the lot o’ ye,” Dolon yelled. The
women grew quiet, fearing replacement.
After reaching Ahriman’s room, Dolon placed Cordelia on the bed, then
looked at the clothing strewn about. He
picked up a dress that looked close enough to Cordelia’s size and handed it to
her. “Get dressed,” he said plainly,
and he left the room…Cordelia heard him lock the door.

The
dress beside was her like nothing she ever had – or ever would – wear.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The color was a bright, nauseating red and
the neckline plunged toegreegree that made her wonder how its owner could
consider it to be clothing at all. The
skirt wasn’t thick or full, but rather thin and clinging.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> As much as she didn’t want to put it on, she
couldn’t very well stay dressed in a sheet.
She pulled the garment over her head and once again sat down, her head
pounding.

She
had no idea how long she’d been in the room.
It could have been minutes or hours.
When she could no longer stand the throbbing in her brain, she put her
head on the pillow and fell into a tormented sleep.

Ahriman entered the room about a half an hour
later. “Damn Sparrow probably ruined
ye,” he whispered. “Poisoned yer mind
against yer own father, no doubt. Time
for truths, lass.” He gently nudged
Cordelia’s shoulder. “Wake up,
Cordelia.” Cordelia’s eyes shot open
and she immediately screamed. Ahriman
put his hand over her mouth. “None o’
tha’,” he said softly. “I ain’ gonna
hurt ye.” He pulled his hand away.

“Not going to hurt me?” Cordelia asked, her voice
hoarse. “Then why did you bring me
here? I’m not a whore!”

Ahriman’s voice was hate filled.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Oh?
Hard t’ tell, what with ye in bed with yer enemy an’ all.”

“Jack’s not my enemy!” Cordelia yelled, hoping
someone would hear her. “I love him!”

Ahriman slapped her face, causing her to cower away
from him. “Look wha’ ye made me
do!” Seeing the fear in the young
woman’s eyes, he changed his tone. “I
don’ wanna hurt ye, Cordelia, yer me blood.”

Cordelia’s voice was practically pleading when she
said, “But I don’t know you!”

“Why did you leave Adelaide and Collin?” he asked,
ignoring what she had just said.

Cordelia froze.
“H-how do you know about them?”

Ahriman looked at his hands.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “I’ll explain things t’ ye after ye tell me
why ye were with Sparrow.”

“No,” Cordelia said, her voice suddenly
stronger. “You’ll talk first.”