Page 157 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

The hidden meaning of his words did not go unnoticed by the siren. Nola had not only saved Zemira and those on the ship that day. What she did not know was how she saved his heart from loss. She freed him from years of pain and mourning, though he was a fool to make her believe otherwise. The siren rescued his heart.

A small smile reached her lips.

“Where’s Mother?” Nolaasked.

“Oh, she’s takin’ quite the interest in the elves and fairies. Now that the king is dead, and the power he used on the people is broken. There is magic again for all of us to see. ’Tis a glorious day, my child.”

Nola nodded, running her hand down her father’s arm. “Alright. The king has requested to speak with me after the coronation. I will meet you and mum after at the tavern for a drink. Eh?”

Duncan straightened his back before landing a kiss on his daughter’s cheek.

With one nod and a knowing smile, the tall man stepped aside and left her alone again with Lincoln.

Nola watched her father walk back into the castle but then felt Lincoln’s hand come around to her cheek and move her gaze back to him.

“Nola, please come aboard our ship again. I cannot stand lettin’ you go.”

Nola nibbled on her bottom lip. She wanted nothing more but to kiss him. Hold him and not let go. But even with his unrelenting forgiveness, she had no place on that ship.

Lincoln leaned forward, planting a tender kiss upon her forehead. His lips lingered before he asked one more time.

“Is there anythin’ I can say to you for you to change your mind?”

The gentle touch of his breath warmed her cheek.

Nola tried to hide her pout by turning away. However, a flash of pain and guilt, which he did not want her to feel, shone on her features.

“My parents need me, Lincoln. I don’t belong under the sea any more than I belong on your ship.”

The captain squeezed her hands. “Nay, you know that isn’t true.”

“I’ve already given up the crown to rule the undersea. It belongs with Queen Ara.”

“...’tis not the undersea where you belong,” Lincoln said. “You’re a pirate, Nola.”

She tried to step back, but he reached out, taking her arm and pulling her into his chest, planting a passionate kiss upon her lips. Nola tried to wiggle from him, but he held her tighter against him.

“Lincoln,” she said as he released the kiss. “We can’t.”

So, so stubborn,he thought.

The captain reached into his pocket and pulled out a bandana, handing it to Nola before releasing her.

“At least take this,” Lincoln said as she caught her breath.

The siren’s expression hardened.

“You're giving me a handkerchief?” she asked.

The handsome captain placed the cloth in her palm and closed her fingers around it. “A gift,” he said. “It was my very first bandana when I was initiated as a pirate. I had a little somethin’ sewn on it by the town’s seamstress.”

She opened her palm. “I can't take this.”

Oh, bloody woman. Take the damn gift.

He stepped back. “It’s yours, Nola. Stop being so stubborn and take it.”

If she would not accept his plea to go with him on the ship, then he would leave her with a part of him. Just so she would always have something to remember him by.

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