Not to mention it would have taken an entire day and I can't imagine you exerting yourself, she added to herself silently. Over the years she had always thought of herself as Delilah's friend and the lady had appeared to feel the same. She had even said so a few times. Yet over the last few months, Fleur felt a change in their relationship and she certainly didn't like it.
What was worse was, she wasn't sure if perhaps she deserved it.
"And why couldn't we have taken a Pegasus?" Delilah demanded, throwing an arm over her eyes to block out the light. Fleur knew that would only make her seasickness worse but she decided it was better to keep her mouth shut than get her head bitten off.
"Because riding a Pegasus carries the same risks and only experienced messengers are permitted to fly across the ocean," Fleur explained before adding, "Plus we would have arrived days before your luggage and then what kind of impression would you make for the people of the Summer Isle?"
Delilah twisted her head and eyed her with a single eye from beneath her arm. "What kind of impression will I make wobbling off this ship with a green complexion?"
Fleur wasn't sure how to answer that in a way that wouldn't enrage Delilah's short temper. She thought quickly.
"I am sure that the ship will be a little more steady when we dock," she suggested, hoping she was saying the right thing. "Maybe the captain will let us remain onboard until our stomachs have calmed."
"Oh, fae gods, no! I want to be off this ship as soon as it docks!"
Almost as if her words had brought the land to them, Fleur began to hear the raucous calls from above that came from the ship's crew bellowing instructions at each other.
In the distance she could also hear seagulls and beyond that she was sure she also heard the clamor of the dock, of people talking and goods being ferried about and traded. Was that a pig she heard oinking? For a moment she was sure she even heard the neighing of a horse or perhaps even a Pegasus.
The banging on the door announced that her suspicions had been right. The captain and his crew had let them be for the entire journey other than when Delilah had been invited to dine with him every evening. After the first night she had refused, saying she would eat nothing but broth until they arrived back on land, determined it was solid food that made her want to throw up.
Now was certainly not time for the evening meal. Glancing out of the nearest porthole, Fleur was sure that it couldn't have been any later than midday.
"Come in!" Fleur called when Delilah made no attempt to invite the newcomer in. She remained where she was, only leaning over the side of the bed as if she might vomit.
The captain, a silver haired fae who also happened to be a distant relation of Lady Delilah, entered. Just like her, he was a beautiful specimen with long flowing hair tied back in a low ponytail and high cheekbones. His ornate navy blue and gold cuffed uniform along with his hat made him easy to target as the captain of the Golden Dawn.
"Lady Delilah, Miss Fleur, I am pleased to announce we have docked in Summer Harbor. I have come to escort you onto land."
"Thank goodness!" Delilah stumbled to her feet and the only thing that stopped her from stumbling directly onto her knees in the corner were the quick reactions of the Captain.
"Steady on there, My Lady," he advised, guiding her towards the door of the quarters by her elbow.
Lady Delilah barely paid him any mind, too determined to get up on deck and the land beyond.
"Thank you, Captain Seamus," Fleur said. Every time she said the man's name she couldn't help but think of how much it suited him or the fact that she couldn't help but wonder whether it was the name he had been born to or one he had chosen for himself.
"You are very welcome, Miss Fleur." He offered her his elbow, clearly past helping Delilah if she was unwilling to give him her gratitude.
"I can make my own way, thank you," Fleur said quickly knowing that her mistress would not take it lightly if the captain was seen to be showing her companion favor.
And why shouldn't he? Becoming a captain's wife is better than remaining a spinster, Fleur thought. Perhaps it was her nerves at stepping off the ship talking or maybe she was just trying to broaden her horizons. All she knew for sure was that she was no longer happy simply being Delilah's companion.
"As you wish." Captain Seamus gestured for her to take the lead and Fleur wandered down the corridor, headed straight for the wooden steps that would take her up onto the deck.
Above the ship was a hive of activity. The ship's crew were flitting to and fro, some tightening ropes, others gathering luggage from below to carry onto shore. Delilah's other servants, her cook and maid and bodyguards had been given separate quarters and all stood a little way off, waiting their turn to disembark.
The gangway had not yet been lowered but Delilah stood close to where it would be, yelling at the fae sailors to hurry up.
Fleur looked apologetically at the captain. "Please apologize to your men for us, Captain. I am afraid My Lady has not handled this journey well."
"Many don't," Captain Seamus responded simply before tipping his hat to her. "Though you appear to have handled it with dignity and grace, Miss Fleur."
Her cheeks began to flush instantly and she couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face at his charming words.
"Thank you for saying so, Captain, but it is simply my job to represent My Lady in the best way," she explained, trying to give off an air of professionalism.
"Even if she does not." The captain's words were so quiet that Fleur wasn't sure she was supposed to hear them. She quickly decided that it was probably better to pretend she hadn't.