James Punishment

Captain Blackthorn's eyes blazed with fury as he turned his attention back to James. With a swift shove, James slammed into the rough wooden wall, Blackthorn’s iron grip tightening around his throat. James gasped for air, the only sound cutting through the tense silence. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, stark against his pale, sweat-soaked face. His eyes met his brother’s, pleading for mercy he knew would never come.

"What makes you think you can speak to me like that?"

Blackthorn’s voice was low and menacing, a growl vibrating through the air.

"I am your captain and your brother!" he roared, his words like the crack of a whip.
"You should have learned that lesson long ago.”
“I suppose I will have to teach you again."

The threat hung in the air, cold and final.

Without thinking, I stepped forward, my voice trembling as I blurted out, "Captain, this is my fault."


Captain Blackthorn's piercing gaze shifted from James to me, his grip on James's throat loosening. James collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, his eyes filled with a mixture of relief and fear. While Captain Blackthorn strode towards me, a sense of dread washed over me. I braced myself for what I knew was coming. His hand struck my cheek with a brutal force, sending me crashing into the unforgiving wood wall behind me.

"The only thing keeping you alive is my child," he growled, his voice a chilling promise of future suffering.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself as his piercing gaze held me in place. The room seemed to close in.

"You have endangered my child with your reckless actions," he snarled, his words cutting through the silence like a blade.
"I didn’t mean to," I stammered, barely able to get the words out.
"Intentions mean nothing when consequences are dire," Blackthorn snapped.

Captain Blackthorn's piercing gaze shifted from James to me, his grip on James's throat loosening. James collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. While Captain Blackthorn strode towards me, a sense of dread washed over me. I braced myself for what I knew was coming. His hand struck my cheek with a brutal force, sending me crashing into the unforgiving wood wall behind me. The rough wood cut into my back.


"Brother, you are needed on deck," Captain Blackthorn's voice was cold and commanding, his words leaving no room for argument.

I watched as James slowly rose to his feet and walked out the door. Knowing that his fate was sealed. Once on deck, Captain Blackthorn wasted no time in securing me to the ship's mast, the rough rope biting into my skin as he tied my wrist with expert precision. I could feel the eyes of the crew on me, their whispers and murmurs filling the air with a sense of foreboding.

"Pet," Blackthorn said, his voice a dark whisper.
"You will see what happens to those who defy me."

I could barely breathe as he circled me, the promise of punishment hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break. James knelt before Blackthorn now, his fists clenched, jaw tight.

"You endangered this crew," Blackthorn’s voice boomed, echoing across the deck.
"Such insubordination will not go unpunished."
"I was trying to protect them," James replied, his voice steady but defiant.
"You overstepped your bounds," Blackthorn hissed.
"Take him to the brig.”
“He will learn the price of disobedience."


The crew moved swiftly; their faces grim as they dragged James away. A silent understanding passed between them—they all knew that Captain Blackthorn’s justice was swift, and his wrath was merciless. They led James out. Blackthorn turned back to me. His rough hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. The edges of his ring bit into my skin as his fingers dug deeper. My lip throbbed, the salty taste of blood mingling with the scent of the sea. His next blow grazed my eye, and for a moment, the world went black. Stars danced across my vision as pain seared through me. I gasped, the ship spinning before settling back into sharp clarity.

Leaning close, his breath hot against my ear, Blackthorn whispered, “If not for my child, your punishment would be far worse.”

His words sent fear coursing through me. My wrists ached, the ropes biting into my skin, and I struggled to draw breath. I saw a flash of metal in his hand. Panic surged through me. I shut my eyes, bracing for the worst. Instead, I heard the swish of a knife and the thud of ropes hitting the deck. My wrists were free.

I opened my eyes cautiously. The ropes lay in a heap at my feet. Blackthorn’s cruel smile lingered as he stood before me, knife still in hand. His eyes burned with dark amusement.

“Go back to my cabin,” he ordered, his voice cold.
“Someone will come for you.”

Without hesitation, I stumbled down the narrow hallway, my heart racing. The dim light flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows along the walls. My lip still throbbed, the taste of blood sharp in my mouth. The room was small and suffocating. James’s blood stained the floor, dark and foreboding. I sank onto the bed, the nausea rising in my throat. Just as I tried to steady my breathing, the door burst open. Mauve stormed in, her face twisted with rage.

"What did you do?" she hissed, her voice trembling with barely controlled fury.
"I did not mean for this to happen," I whispered, my voice weak, my lip stinging with every word.
"James was protecting me."
"Protecting you?" she spat, stepping closer.
"James is hurt because of you.”
“How could you let this happen?"

Tears welled in my eyes, the weight of my guilt crashing down on me.

"I am so sorry," I choked out.
"I never wanted this.”
“I tried to help, but…"

Her fury faltered for just a moment, a flicker of something softer in her eyes. She glanced at the bloodstained floor, her voice lowering.

"You had better be," she muttered.
"If you are not, there will not be anything left for any of us."