As the salty sea air touched her, Illiyana’s eyes fluttered open. “Will?â€? She breathed. Looking around startled. “What happened?â€?
“You were dying Illiyana.â€? He said softly. He set her on her feet and wrapped the blanket about her.
“Dying?â€? She asked looking around.
“Yes, I’m sorry. From a sickness that made you blind. Your family was bringing you to be treated somewhere when their ship went down. I couldn’t save them. But you…â€?
Illiyana looked at Will. “Who are you? And how is that you could save me from the ship and from my ailment? And where are we going?â€?
Will laughed. “All questions to be answered in due time my dear.â€?
Illiyana let the thought roll over in her mind. Then she remembered. “So now that I’ve joined you, how long do I have to stay?â€?
“Can you deal with forever?â€? He asked cupping his face in her hands.
Illiyana thought for a moment. “If forever includes what just happened in the cabin… then yes. Yes, I can.â€? And on the bow of the Flying Dutchman, she kissed its captain and sealed her forever.