Trapped with the Alpha King-Chapter 256: Ship

The scent of salt and sea reached Althea before the sight of it did. She stepped down from the carriage and froze.

Before her stood the grand ship of Lunaris, docked proudly against the wooden pier, its massive hull gleaming despite the winter-gray sky. The vessel was far larger than anything she had imagined.

Tall masts rose like sentinels toward the clouds, their dark sails neatly bound, bearing the silver crest of Lunaris that caught the light even in the cold morning. Thick ropes were coiled, and the deck bustled with quiet, disciplined movement as sailors prepared for departure.

Althea slowly lifted her head, eyes wide, lips parting in pure awe.

“So this is a ship,” she whispered, almost to herself.

Her gloved hand tightened around the edge of her cloak as she took another step closer, craning her neck to take everything in. The gentle creak of wood, the distant call of seabirds, the rhythmic slap of water against the hull. It was all new. All overwhelming in the best way.

She looked like a child seeing the world for the first time.

Behind her, Gavriel paused. He did not rush her. He did not speak. He simply watched.

There was something dangerously soft about the way she stared at the ship, her eyes shining with wonder, her earlier worries seemingly forgotten.

The cold nipped at her cheeks, painting them pink, and her breath puffed out in small clouds as she slowly walked along the pier, taking in every detail like she wanted to memorize it all.

“You’ve never boarded one before,” he said gently, though it was more an observation than a question.

Althea shook her head without looking at him. “I’ve only ever seen them from far away. They always looked so small from the cliffs.” She laughed quietly, disbelief lacing her voice. “I didn’t think they were this... grand.”

Gavriel’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“It’s one of the finest ships Lunaris owns,” he said. “Built to endure storms and long voyages. It will take us home faster than any road.”

She finally turned to him, eyes bright. “You travel by this often?”

“Enough,” he replied. “But it never looks like this to me.”

She tilted her head. “Like what?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Like magic.”

Althea blinked, then laughed softly, clearly unaware of how her joy had shifted something deep in his chest. She reached out, fingers brushing the polished wood of the gangplank as if to confirm the ship was real.

“It feels like I’m stepping into a story,” she murmured. “One I never thought I’d belong in.”

Gavriel’s hand settled at the small of her back, firm and warm even through the layers of fabric. “You belong wherever you stand,” he said quietly. “And this ship sails because you are on it.”

Her breath caught at that, and she looked up at him again, something tender flickering across her face before she nodded.

With his guidance, she stepped onto the gangplank.

The ship shifted slightly beneath her weight, and she let out a surprised gasp, instinctively grabbing his arm. He steadied her at once, his grip secure.

“It moved,” she said, half laughing, half startled.

“It will do that,” he replied, amusement warming his tone. “You’ll get used to it.”

Once on deck, she turned slowly in a full circle, eyes darting everywhere at once. The ropes, the towering mast above them, the sailors bowing respectfully as they passed. The vast stretch of water beyond the railing seemed endless, a silver-blue expanse that made her chest feel tight with something close to exhilaration.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.

Gavriel leaned against the railing beside her, watching the wind toy with the loose strands of her hair. He had seen battlefields burn and kingdoms kneel, but nothing struck him quite like this. Althea standing at the edge of the world, eyes alight with wonder, reminding him of things he had long forgotten how to feel.

“You look pleased,” she said suddenly, glancing at him.

“I am,” he admitted without hesitation.

“Why?”

“Because you’re happy,” he answered simply.

She smiled at that, a real smile, unguarded and warm. Her heart fluttered, butterflies stirring in her stomach. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

As the crew called out final preparations and the ship began to stir with life, Gavriel remained at her side.

The moment the ship began to move in earnest, Althea felt it. A strange lightness settled in her head, followed by a faint sway in her balance that had nothing to do with the cold wind brushing her cheeks. She frowned slightly, gripping the railing a little tighter as the horizon tilted just a fraction too much for her liking.

Gavriel noticed immediately.

Without a word, he stepped closer and gently turned her toward him. Before she could ask anything, he lifted a small piece of candy and pressed it between her lips.

“There,” he said calmly. “Keep it there.”

Althea blinked, startled, then tasted the sweetness melting on her tongue. It was mildly minty, with a hint of honey beneath it.

“What is this?” she asked, her words muffled for a second as she adjusted it in her mouth.

“Helps with dizziness,” Gavriel replied. “Especially for first-time travelers.”

She raised a brow, amused. “You sound very prepared.”

“I don’t enjoy seeing you uncomfortable,” he said simply.

The faint unease in her head eased almost immediately, and she let out a quiet laugh, touching her lips. “It actually helps.”

“I know,” he replied, watching her carefully, as if prepared to catch her should she sway again.

That was when a rather unpleasant sound reached her ears.

Althea glanced to the side and saw Melva a short distance away, bent over the edge of the deck, one hand gripping the railing while the other clutched her stomach. A maidservant hovered nearby, clearly unsure whether to step closer or give her space.

“Oh,” Althea said, trying not to laugh and failing miserably.

Melva groaned. “I hate ships.”

Althea covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she leaned closer to Gavriel. “She looks worse than I feel.”

Then Althea tugged lightly on his sleeve. “Give her one of those candies too.”

He didn’t hesitate. Gavriel turned and gestured to a nearby maidservant, speaking quietly.

Moments later, the woman hurried over to Melva and offered her the same small sweet.

Melva looked at it suspiciously but accepted it anyway, muttering something that sounded like reluctant gratitude before straightening just enough to pout in Althea’s direction.

“You are not allowed to laugh,” Melva said weakly.