Chapter Thirty-Two

"'Cause two can keep a secret if one of them is dead."

"What do you mean you have a job on a ship?"

'Your mother... before she realized anything about us. She offered a job, traveling with the ship. I would be in charge. She thought it would be the only way to repay me, when in reality it isn't... But I cannot let this job go. I need it, Camille." He reached for my hand, and I moved it away..

"I am just suppose to let you go?" I whispered, "And not go with you?"

I looked up, and touched his arm. "You cannot go with me? You have a life here."

"A life, I wish to get away from." I mumbled to myself, and looked down at my scars that were forming. Battle wounds from a man, I was to marry. And I thought of the life I had, and those who died for me, and died because of a small thing I started. I looked down and then back up at Sebastian, and felt him watching me.

"Why?"

"Because, it will give me time to plan my next move. To be able to figure out how to take down the web, while I am in it."

"I wish it worked that way, Camille."

"It can." I looked into his eyes, "Ask for my hand."

He looked taken aback, and stared into my eyes, "Your mother would never agree."

"Yes, she would. She wants me happy. The wedding could happen right away, because I mean I have the dress, we have the place, it's all in set."

"Camillle... it won't work that easy." I looked into his eyes.

"You don't want to..." I mummbled.

He stood up, doubling his fists, "That is not it!" I watched him, "I don't want you to become one of those wives, who are just traveling around... You deserve a better life."

"I deserve to be in that ship, with you. I am one with the ocean, and here in England, I am lost." I looked into his eyes.

"I can see what I can do, Camille. I promise." He exited my room, and I felt tears fill my eyes, as I drifted to sleep.

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The next day, I awoke to my mother, who had a dress for me to put on. I looked around, and she was hurrying around. She smiled at me, and patted my hand. The nurses helped me out of bed, and I lifted my arms, as far as I could. They slid the dress over me, and my mother turned to me finally. "Camille?"

"Yes?"

"I was asked a certain question, do you know what it was?"

"For my hand in marriage?" She nodded, "And?"

"I choose the last time, I know it's hard to do in this day of age, but you choose." I looked at her, and was astonished.

"Yes."

"Okay, then it will happen fast, and soon. Because I want you to be able to get away for awhile." I smiled, and followed her out of the room. The ride home, I felt on top of the world. I watched the trees fly past, and I realized we were not even on our way home. "Mother?"

"I said, it would be fast..."

"My gown?"

"Already there?"

"Whos there to watch?"

"Just those who matter..." She looked at her hands. "I cannot imagine watching you leave again... But it is what is best, darling." She touched my hand.

The rest was a daze. It was a matter of getting me out of the carriage and into the church. I was in my gown, and ready to go down the aisle without me even really noticing what was going on. I followed my mother to the aisle, and saw Sebastian standing at the end. He smiled, and I couldn't believe I already was here. Every step down the asile, I was an inch closer to him. When our hands finally met, I listened, and realized this wasn't a dream.

When the words of I do, slipped from both our tongues, I was shocked. I sat there and stood and touched his face. He smiled, at me, shaking his head. "I love you." He smiled, kissing my lips. Everyone clapped, and that was the first moment I realized, that everyone was watching. I blushed, seeing my family. The Madisons', my mother and grandfather, Aiden and Olivia, and the Lowry's. I turned and faced them, Sebastian holding my hand.

"Thank you all for coming," I smiled.

They laughed, and began to hug us. Each said something different to us, and I felt Sebastian's hand tighten whenever I seemed to far away from him. I found myself watching as those who had been part of this mess, collide together. "We have packed almost everything...." I heard Mr. Madison say, and I turned facing Sebastian.

"When do we leave."

"Tomorrow morning... I am packed, I just must wait for you." He smiled, and offered his arm. "I think it's time to get you sit down." He led me to the carriage, and helped me up. I winced, grabbing my side.

"I am okay," I patted his hand, and he shook his head.

"I still cannot believe this happening..." He smiled, "I never thought I would actually recieve your mother's blessing. But she said yes, and just hugged me, crying."

"I know she doesn't want to watch me leave again, but I know that it is what's best." I smiled, squeezing his hand. "May I have the ring back?"

"Yes..." He handed me the ring of the sea, and then laughed, "What is it?"

"The preist, didn't even see that I forgot to put a ring on your finger." He laughed, and searched through is pockets. He found a ring sliding it on to my finger. It was gorgeous, and it felt lighter then a feather.

"Thank you, dear." I put the ring around my neck, and let it fall against me.

"Are you su-"

"Yes, I am... I cannot live in fear, just because Henry threw an emty threat at me. It's just another piece of a dead end." I smiled, and looked at the ring.

"I just don't want it to cause more problems...."

"I know, and it won't." I smiled, and looked out the window. We had arrived home, and I could see Annie and Lucy waiting beside the steps. They reached out their hands, grabbing me and kissing me.

"So glad you are okay, Miss." They kissed me over and over, leaving Sebastian behind us. I looked over my shoulder, and he laughed. I was being dragged upstairs, and into my room. They kept asking questions, and some I couldn't answer, as they stripped me of my wedding dress, and into a plain dress to spend my time in.

"What shall we pack?" They looked at me, with wide eyes. I could tell it was breaking Annie's heart to see me go. But I touched her arm, and she smiled.

"Umm..." I looked around my room, "As many dresses that can fit in a trunk. All the vanity things my mother bought me, there is a chest in the library I want to bring, the two chests from my father." I smiled, and they nodded, packing things around my room. Sebastian entered my room, and looked at me.

"We have an estate room, but I don't think my stuff is going to fit in there now.." He laughed, teasing me.

"There isn't that much." I laughed, and so did Annie.

"We will have these ready by tomorrow, Miss."

"Thank you, Annie."

She nodded, and Sebastian took my arm, leading me away frmo my room. He looked nervous, and I stopped walking looking at him. "Is something the matter, Bash?"

"No. I just am wondering how life at sea will treat you..."

"I was made for this, Bash, you know that. And I am with you. I will never be bored." I smiled, and touched his hand. "Also, I am not worried about getting away, I am worried that you will through me overboard."

He laughed, and held my waist. "I would never." He pretened to be offended by my statement, and touched my arm, "What are you going to bring to protect yourself?"

"The sword my father had for me," I realized then, he had a box sitting beside the stairs. "What is that?"

"A weddding present."

I picked it up, and sat it on the table, unwarpping the paper. I touched the oak box, opening the lid. Inside, sat a metal heart necklace, that seemed to be missing a part, and a sword fit more to my body. I touched it, and was estonished by the engraving in the blade itself. "Sebastian..." I touched the necklace.

"May I see the ring?"

"Here." I handed it to him, and he took the ring sliding it into the metal heart, to wear only the diamond showed.

"I had it made, so you could wear the ring, but not be so exposed with it.' He smiled, and slide the new chain around my neck.

"Thank you, dear." I kissed his cheek, and shut the oak lid. "For everything."

"You are welcome." He kissed me deeply, and I felt at one with him.

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The next morning came to quickly, as I sat on the bed watching them carry out trunks of my things to a wagon. Sebastain stood directing everyone, and I forced myself to get up, stepping into the library one last time. I looked around, the books seemed empty, and the room felt bare. But I noticed something sitting on the desk. With the handwriting on it, To Camille, on her wedding day.

I sat on the chair opening the letter,

Camille,

If you are opening this, it means I was gone before your wedding day... I am truly sorry that. I hope the man you are marrying treats you correctly and loves you. I wish I could have seen how beautiful you were, and the smile on his face when he saw you. I leave behind this small wedding present... a key to a safe, it's in your mother's study downstairs. I hope it makes you happy, darling. Congraulations, my darling.

Love you always,

Your father.

Tears filled my eyes, as I took the letter and key, and dispappeared downstairs. My mother sat waiting for me in her study, with the small safe box, sitting on her desk. She smiled at me, "Here it is, your father told me to give you that letter if something ever happpned. I just wish I never had to do it." She shook her head, and hugged me.

I took the key opening the small box, and what I saw inside, shocked me. It was a small leather purse with paper bills in it. A small note that read, to begin your lives. I gulped back tears, as I reached for a small braclet with metal charms. All ones that reminded me of my father. I slid it on my wrist. My mother sat behind me, watching. "He always wanted to be here for this day."

"I know, and I wish he could be..." I smiled at my mother.

"I have a wedding present for you darling," She took my hand, and led me outside to the carriage. Sebastian had his arms crossed holding something, and I watched as he turned around, exposing a small puppy. "I figured that you needed something to keep you company while out at sea, and this little guy seemed like he may do the trick." She rubbed the puppies head and I took him from Sebastian.

"Goodbye, Mother." I hugged her tight, kissing her checks. She did the same, before letting me enter the carriage.

When arrived to the ship, I sat there, staring into the sea, looking between the small dog in my arms, and the man who I married waiting for me. I took a step forward, when someone caught my arm. I spun, and noticed it was a couir. "I have a letter for a Mrs. Lowry."

"That's me." I took the letter, and the handwritting was scribbled, and sloppy. Remember, you can run... But you can't hide. We will find you, and you will pay for what you've done. That ring will be ours.

I took a big breathe, and slid the note into my cape pocket, and walked toward Sebastian. "What was that?"

"A wedding congraulations." I smiled, and leaned against the rail. "Are we ready?"

He nodded, and began to command the crew, the sails were lowered, the boards removed from the dock. I put the puppy on the ground beside me, and looked down at the ocean. The note meant nothing, and I would deal with it when the time came. I ripped the note up, dropping it in the ocean, as I heard the men chanting the Poseidon prayer, and I felt a heavy load falling on my shoulders once again, as Sebastian kissed my cheek, and led me under the ship.

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I call to Poseidon, great god of the seas,

fond husband of ocean-dwelling Amphitrite,

son of ancient Kronos and wild-hearted Rhea,

I beseech you this day/night to come forth and bear witness to my rite and heed my warning.

Your waters are being polluted and the children of your realm are being persecuted near to extinction, especially those sea creatures that you hold dear to thine heart. In this I beseech thee to hold aloft thine trident in rage and strike down those who do your children harm for the sake of their own benefits for it is those sailors and fishermen who are the cause of the injustice inflicted upon your children.

Dark-haired Poseidon, to you the waters of the world obey

those briny depths that brought us all into life;

Poseidon, maker and master of horses, trident-bearer,

earth-shaker, lord of the beasts of the deep,

lord of the thrashing waves, sea-god,

show those who do your creatures harm no mercy.

Hail to you Mighty Poseidon Lord of all the waters and Oceans of Gaia may all those who suffer, suffer no more and find peace and serenity within your watery realm.

-Poseidon Prayer.