"ANSWER ME, EDITHA!" Jacob thundered.

I shuddered. He was furious. I did not know how to respond to his anger so I closed my eyes. I felt him hold my shoulders and shook me as he repeated his question.

"Is Prince Eric the man your father arranged your marriage to?" he asked harshly.

I opened my eyes and I stared at him. I know from his eyes that he already knew the answer to his question so I responded with, "I ran away because of that. I told you, didn't I?"

Jacob shook his head. He clenched his fist and turned away from me. "Where is Thaddaeus?" he asked Sandlot.

"He acted as our decoy so we could escape. He got caught," Sandlot replied.

"We have to get out of here, Jacob," Paco told him.

Jacob remained quiet. I know he was thinking… contemplating… planning for our next move. But, I don't want him to remain angry with me.

"Jacob…" I called him

He turned to me right away. His eyes were still seething, "Why keep it from me, huh? Why didn't you tell me that it was Prince Eric that you were betrothed to? Why all the secrets?"

I shook my head. Maybe it was a secret at first but..., "It was not important to tell. I ran away. I chose this life. I chose you--" I reasoned but Jacob was deaf to all my reasons.

"IT IS IMPORTANT! If I had known then we shouldn't have gone to any of Beckforth's territories," he argued.

"But it was your life's mission to aid Beckforth's overseas territories," I reasoned and stepped forward towards him.

He stepped back and it hurt me because he wanted to keep far away when I wanted to draw nearer. "Then, I could've taken more precautions if I had known!"

I stepped forward again. "I did not tell you because it was not important to me. It was a part of me that I was trying to forget… erase even," I tried to explain.

Jacob shook his head and stepped back. "How long have you known Prince Eric?" he asked.

"I knew he was the Prince of Beckforth since youth. But, I just met him twice… I just danced with him twice. I do not know him well," I answered.

"Who approached whom?" he asked with a very stern voice.

"What?" I asked.

"Who approached whom? Did your father approach him or did Prince Eric approach your father?" he asked.

I shook my head, "I do not know. I believe it was Prince Eric who approached Father. I did not wait to know who did it. I ran away as fast as I could after Father gave me the news."

Jacob took a harsh breath then turned to Paco. He hissed.

"We have to leave, Jacob," Paco replied.

"No man left behind. We rescue Thaddaeus first," Jacob answered.

"I'll go with you," I said.

"NO!" Jacob answered quickly as he turned back to face me.

"I could help with the rescue. You know my skill set--"

"I said NO, Editha. NO!" he cut me off.

"But--" I was about to respond but he cut me off again.

"You do NOT know how Prince Eric thinks or how devious he could be. Do you honestly think that he will wait until you are ready before he takes you? When he sees you, he'll take you right there and then, whether you like it or not. I will NOT risk it, Darling. I will NOT!"

"Jacob, you speak as if Prince Eric is obsessed with me," I managed to say.

Jacob closed his eyes and shook his head. I could see frustration painted on his face.

"He is obsessed with you, Darling," it was Paco's voice who answered my question. I turned to him as he continued to explain. "He wanted to marry you after he only danced with you twice. Now we know that most of the chase was not about our piracy but because of you. Prince Eric ordered that. And now, this." Paco held the paper up.

"But--"

"Don't defend him," Jacob told me.

I shook my head, "I'm NOT…" I was getting frustrated. I could feel tears welling up my eyes. "It's just that...that…"

Jacob bridged the gap between us and held my face, "Please… stay here. You get in your room and do NOT come out until we are safe for sure."

"I will not lose you to him. Not you, too," he said and let go. He turned to Paco. "Paco, make sure she's in her room. If you need to stay with her there the whole time, do it. Lowen, crow's nest. Shoot whoever approaches. Neville and Zaki, you stay here too. Gondro, we need those paralyzing needles. Let's go," he ordered.

I watched as my crew mates prepared their weapons, guns and blades alike, to rescue Thaddaeus. They were seriously armed as if they were preparing for a war. I looked at Jacob. I could see the intense anger that he had… that anger that he has every time Prince Eric was involved. And, I understand… especially with what had happened to Angelique. But, the depths of his rage, that I could not still fathom.

Jacob gave me one last look. I wanted to run to him and hug and tell him I love him so much but I remained frozen to the floorboard that I was standing on. I could feel tears falling from my eyes. He turned away and then he left.

I sniffed as I watched them leave without me. I wiped the tears away. This was supposed to be our wedding day. Now, it turned to this! I just wished that we did not anchor in Ithaca. Paco approached me slowly.

"Let's go to your room," he said gently.

I nodded and followed him. I sat on the chair by my desk and put my palms over my face. Then, I groaned out loud. I heard Paco sigh so I took my hands from my face and looked at him. He took the seat across from me and sighed again.

"Maybe it's about time you know what really happened between Jacob and Prince Eric," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well, you see. It's not just you that links Prince Eric and Jacob. Their conflict was already rooted too deep long before you. You see, for a very long time they had been rivals. Well, Prince Eric saw Jacob as a rival. Do you want to know the story?"

I nodded.