Page 22 of The Pirate and His Siren

Except I’m hoarding one prize for myself.

Luarna.

While most of the crew accepts Luarna as one of them nowadays, there is still a pocket of those who continue to lust after her.

Marver, their ringleader.

He’s been leering far too much at Luarna for my liking, and today, maybe he’s had enough of hearing her cries of pleasure coming from my cabin.

It’s late in the day when he approaches me, flanked by his cronies, Alarn and Dirk. His breath is foul, making me grimace as he inches nearer to me, whispering conspiringly.Unfortunately, the longer we are out at sea, the more the crew becomes unhygienic.

Even stopping at an island to bury our latest plunder allows the men a chance to bathe when we come across freshwater pools or streams.

“Now the men and I, we be thinking it’s been weeks since we’ve been at sea. We haven’t even been to a port. The men and I… well, we’re getting lonely. We miss the feel of a woman…” He steps closer to me, a sly look on his face. “If you know what I mean?”

“Aye, I do. No one touches Luarna,” I snarl.

“Aye, but can’t you see, Capt’n, ye’ve got to be under her spell. The Captain Kynan Sharpe I know would never hoard his treasure to himself. He’d share it with the crew. You won’t let any of us share her. Ye’ve got to be her under lure.”

I grip the front of his shirt and pull him close. “I warned you before not to touch her. You were even there when I made the decree that she is off-limits.”

“Aye, Capt’n, I was.” He gulps.

My voice lowers to a deathly whisper, “Then you should remember that anyone who touches her loses a hand. Anyone who looks at her with lust loses any eye. But you? You go ahead and try to convince me I’m under some siren’s spell. All for what? A quick tumble in the sheets?”

He swallows visibly.

I shake him. “Answer me,” I yell.

“Aye, Capt’n.”

I look over Marver’s shoulders at the other two. “And do you two feel the same way?”

“No, Capt’n.” Dirk and Alarn back away, their palms up in the air.Cowards.Why are they even on my ship?

“Roberts?” I shout to the side.

“Aye, Captain?”

“Throw this git overboard.” I release him, disgusted by his behavior.

“What, no, Capt’n. I won’t touch her, I swear,” Marver screeches, hurting my ears.

“Too late.”

Roberts and Arkur grab him by the arms and haul him backward, Marver screaming his protests the entire time.

“No.” He struggles against their hold. “We’re meant to vote when it comes to meting out punishment.

“Aye, he’s right.” I hold my hand up to stop Roberts and Arkur, turning to my crew. “Who here votes that this bilge rat, who wants to cause harm to a crew member, be allowed to remain on board?”

“No, it’s not like that, Capt’n,” Marver keeps protesting. “Can’t I be begging your pardon, Capt’n?”

I ignore him and turn to my siren, who’s silently watching the entire scenario. “Luarna, do you consent to be shared with the crew?”

She steps forward. “No, I never have.”

“So, any intention this man has toward you would be against your will?”

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