Page 19 of Of Song and Darkness

“Why would I do that? That’s what you’re for.” The sarcasm returned as quickly as it had fled. “If you and the sea are correct, we are right on course.”

Before I could respond, he blasted another round of ear-piercing orders and then turned to leave. I watched him skeptically as he leaped over the railing, gripped the rope ladder, and started to climb down. The boldness I had felt with him by my side bounded right over the edge with him. Rat had helped me over the railing, and I didn’t know if I could make it back over by myself without slipping. As Kai plainly pointed out, I wasn’t too good with the use of my legs yet.

“You’re not going to help me? It would mean your death if you let the Princess of Aquarius die aboard your ship. Do you really feel like taking that gamble?” I threw the princess bait out, hoping it would persuade him to help me back down. I was way too stubborn to simply ask this brooding man for help.

The longer I looked over the edge, the higher up it seemed. Funny, I didn’t have this feeling when climbing up. My vision began to crisscross, so I focused on him instead of the thought of falling to my death.

“It would be my great pleasure to watch you splatter against the deck. Besides, you got yourself up here, Your Highness. You can get yourself back down.” His deep laughter rumbled and grated across my nerves.

I inhaled deeply and then slowly straddled the railing. The wind was still whipping, threatening to snatch me to my death. I gripped the railing so hard my knuckles blanched white. I slowly found my footing on the rope ladder. It swayed back and forth under my body’s weight. It seemed like an eternity before I summoned enough courage to release the railing. When I did, my foot slipped and went through one of the holes in the rope ladder. A scream ripped from my throat but was cut off instantly as a strong arm snaked around my waist and steadied me.

“I don’t want you coming back up here again. Do I make myself clear?”

My heart lodged in my throat from my near-death experience as my body was hopelessly crushed between the rope ladder and the brawny captain’s body. “Do I make myself clear?” he growled again.

Still reeling from the situation, I found myself unable to muster a response, especially the typical defiant retorts I would have offered. Instead, I simply nodded in agreement. He reached down, wrapped his meaty hand around my bare ankle, pulled my foot back through the hole, and placed it on the ladder.

“Hold tight and go down slowly. Don’t fight the sway of the rope. Just go with it. I’ll be directly below you if you slip again,” he reassured me before starting down again.

Embarrassment burned through my body as I followed Kai down the rope ladder. I hated to admit that he had been right, and I proved that fact by nearly tumbling to my death. My tense muscles finally relaxed when my feet hit the solid deck. I glanced around, but the captain had already disappeared in the mass of men running around the ship. The urge to duck below and wallow in my shame was tempting, but I refused to return to the stuffy cabin. Leaning against the railing, I found solace in the open space, feeling free and at ease with the wind gently brushing against my skin and the salty sea spray tenderly kissing my face.

The sun began to set, taking with it the warmth. I marveled at the brilliant colors that were etched across the sky and reflected in the waters below. The sight was breathtaking. I don’t know how long I marveled at the view, but I stayed there until the sky darkened and stars started to sprinkle across it. The ship was now anchored a ways from the shore. I turned, realizing that the busy commotion had died down and it was just the captain and me left on deck.

His eyes met mine, and he seemed at complete peace in the silence, leaning against the railing. Hunger and fatigue tugged at me, but I was still not ready to go below. With cautious steps, I made my way up the stairs and stood behind him. I found myself admiring the texture of his silky, curly hair swaying gently in the night breeze. A sudden longing seized me, a desire to reach out and run my fingers through his hair to see if it was as soft as it looked. The fact that the thought even dared to cross my mind appalled me and had me shaking my head to rid myself of the horrid idea.

“A shilling for your thoughts, siren.” His deep voice shattered the quiet, and I startled when he finally decided to speak to me.

“What would I do with a shilling? I will take some fish, though. I’m starved.”

My response awarded me his attention, not that I really wanted it. He glanced back at me with a slight upturn of his lips that I might even classify as a smile.

“Cael informed me that you have not eaten. I suppose I could rustle you up some fish to please your delicate princess palate,” he said with a smugness that I found rather irksome.

I was not being difficult, but I did not intend to eat the strange human food offered this morning. Sloshing in the water pulled my attention from the pirate. I bent over the railing to see a massive school of dolphins splashing around the ship.

“Dolphins!” I said in surprise.

Kai glanced at them and then back at me as I watched their antics.

“Guess they’re attracted to you,” he said as he focused straight ahead again.

I watched them closely. They were acting strange. They were definitely trying to get someone’s attention, but I seriously doubted it was me. No fish or mammals that swam the seas were attracted to sirens. We were predators. They usually swam in the opposite direction, but maybe they couldn’t tell what I was in this human body.

He interrupted my musing. “Better get some sleep. We go to shore just as soon as the sun touches the horizon in the morning.”

“You’re going to let me go on land?” Try as I might, I could not hide the excitement from my voice.

His glance dismissively brushed over me, and the only response I received was a curt shrug. I walked along the railing, watching the dolphins, as I returned to the small cabin in the ship’s hull. Strange indeed.

Dawn shattered the darkness all too soon for my liking. My aching muscles protested loudly as I forced my body out of the makeshift hammock I had slept in the last few nights. I would be glad when that siren was out of my hair and I got my bed back. The crew slowly emerged from their barracks below like zombies out of a tomb.

“Look alive, bilge rats! Prepare the dinghies to go ashore.” They quickly perked up at my announcement and rushed around, eager for the pleasures of land.

Cael walked up beside me and looked out toward the port. “What are you going to do with the siren?”

“She’ll have to go with us.” I huffed.

Turronto Port was not the most reputable port around. It was ripping at the seams with cutthroats, bandits, and prostitutes, but I had little choice in the matter. I was not willing to leave her on my ship. There was no telling what kind of havoc she would cause to my ship without me onboard to keep her in check.

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