Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom

live.
The moment the Wicked Wench broke through the fog-shrouding
illusion, and entered the harbor of the Shining City, she realized,
Ayisha would die. It would not be Ayisha who walked down the
gangplank from the ship to the dock—it would be Princess Amenirdis.
From that day forward, her life would be the life of Princess Amenirdis.
Ayisha, the former slave, was as wild and free as those dolphins.
She could do as she wished. Princess Amenirdis was not free; she
had responsibilities to her homeland, her people, and her family.
Spotting Jack up on the bow, she rose and descended the steps,
and went to join him. “Jack,” she said quietly, “how many more days of
sailing before we reach Zerzura?”
“At least ten, maybe twelve days, love,” he said, then smiled.
“Depending, of course, on the wind.”
“Our journey together is almost ended,” Ayisha said, softly.
“It is,” Jack agreed. “Soon you’ll be a princess again, and I’ll be
nothing but the humble ship captain that brought you back home.”
Ayisha glanced up at him in surprise as she heard him echo
something of her own thoughts. She managed a faint smile. “Not
humble,” she said. “At least, not very often.”
“You’re one of the few people that has ever seen me humble,
love,” Jack told her.
It was the first time he had ever referred—even indirectly—to the
time they’d kissed. Ayisha saw his eyes linger on her mouth, then
move downward to the bodice of the gown she’d sewn from the rose
cotton. “Another new dress? Very pretty, love.” He chuckled
reminiscently. “I was getting quite tired of that old blue one.” The hungry
look was there again, in the back of his eyes. It made her knees feel
weak.
Ten days, maybe twelve, to live.…
“I threw that one into the ocean yesterday,” Ayisha said. “I couldn’t
stand the thought of ever putting it on again.”
“Good,” Jack said. He smiled at her again, seemed as though he
might say something else, but changed his mind, and went striding off,
to oversee some minor task.
Ten days, maybe twelve, to live.…