Whispers of the Tide

The Missing

Serene's POV:

I woke up with a start. Sitting straight up, I was covered in sweat. I had had that same nightmare of the captain being torn from my grasp.

  I flopped back onto the soft pillows with a grunt. I could hear the sounds of a busy morning up on deck as the crew readied The Black Soul to sail north.

 I was surrounded by the most hypnotising musky scent of the pirate captain. I brought the pillow around so I could hug it to my face. I cradled it in my arms as I lay on my side in the fetal position. Closing my eyes I buried my face into the soft fabric and let the lustful scent fill my lungs. 

I was interrupted when I heard a deep, sexy chuckle. My eyes snapped open, in the doorway stood the captain. 

Why does this keep happening to me?

  His dark golden hair was knotted back into a messy bun at the back of his face, loose strands falling out and around his face. He only had a pair of pants on and his tanned muscular chest was beaded with sweat. As he laughed his eyes shone in a way that made my breath hitch and my heart flutter. I immediately knew this was the best sound I had ever heard.

“Mornin Serene! He chuckled. “We have just set course for the town of Banroke.”

    “Is this where the reports of missing people are coming from?” I asked as I sat up and kicked my legs off the side of the bed.

  “Yea, it’s the latest and the closest south the reports have been. Early reports are of mostly missin women up the Northern coast.” This interested me further.

“Can I see this on a map? I have a feeling the town we are heading towards is surrounded by my ocean kingdom. Most of the missing merfolk have been going missing from the second kingdom. Including some of my subjects who had ventured out of territory. I can’t speak for the third kingdom. They are not open to sharing information. And do not act in accordance with merlaw.

 “So what ya saying is, yea Seafolk are goin missin in the same area as the humans?” He asked.

 “Yes, that is what I am thinking captain.” 

“Ya can call me Connor, Serene.”

I smiled and threw the blanket off and stood.

  “Thank you for the bed. I hope you slept well.” At that he shrugged and turned to leave.

“Captain...Connor...” I started. “Say it again.” Be whispered with his back still turned. 

“Connor.” I couldn’t help but purr. I felt my cheeks redden as he turned back to face me. 

“I like it when ya say me name.” He looked at me, eyes full of lust that I had no doubt matched mine.

“What were ya wantin to say Serene?” He asked.

“Just, thank you. Thank you for taking everything so well. I didn’t expect it but I appreciate it very much.”

“I need ya help with this mission. That's it. Don’t get carried away. It doesn't mean I trust ya or even like ya” He states and then turned and stomped up the steps to the deck.

I sank back onto the bed. That man was exasperating. I needed a swim to calm myself and freshen up.

I took off the pants and left off the tee shirt that covered me just below my bottom. I tiptoed up to the deck hoping no one would notice me. Luck was on my side, everyone was busy with their morning chores. I slipped around to the stern of the ship. I was about to take off my shirt when I felt the tingle of eyes on me and the familiar burn in my chest. I looked up over my shoulder. 

The captain was on the upper deck watching me. I couldn't help but smile, he brought out my mischievous nature. He could say he didn't like me, but there was no denying the s****l tension between us, but he is as aware as I am that nothing can happen between us. However, that didn’t mean I couldn't have a little fun teasing him.

I couldn't help myself. I turned back to him to face the water. I removed his borrowed shirt, discarding it at my feet. My white, blonde hair trailed down the length of my back. I turned my head towards the captain and winked over my shoulder at him, as his mouth hanging open, I laughed and then dove neatly into the waiting ocean.

I wanted to see my friend Danni, I ached to tell her of my venture. But I would never put my friend in such a position knowing information such as that. I was feeling lonely in a way. I missed my father, even though I was mad with him for taking Talian’s side, he was still my father. The only family I had left. But there was no way I could see him right now.

I was too far from the quant resort town of Valvere, which I have grown to love, so seeing Lexi was out of the question.

Maybe I could track down Danni without disclosing too much about what I am doing.

I was floating beneath the surface of the water, I let the feeling of the ocean surround me. The current swirling my hair around in the water above me.

Closing my eyes, I reached out for the familiar feeling of Danni’s aura. It was like a quiet untuned radio with an almost a bird song threaded through it. Whimsical and mysterious. A little heavy but also light.

She wasn't far, in fact she was only about a twenty minute swim away.

I opened my eyes and smiled at the thought of seeing a familiar face, and took off in the direction I could feel her in. 

I reached a coral reef just off the shore of one of the small islands that cluster around these parts. I quickly spotted Danni, she was collecting ocean litter that had drifted into the reef from the mainland. She has always been passionate about taking care of our ocean home and spoke often about advocating to humans about being less careless with their rubbish and pollution. I loved that about her, and it was a passion we both shared.

“Danni!” I sped over to her and wrapped her in a hug, nearly bowling her over in the process. “Gosh it has been a long few weeks since i've seen you. How are you?”

“Serene? Oh my goddess I can’t believe you’re here! It has been ages. Where the hell have you been? Everyone has been worried sick about you!” She pulled out of our embrace so she could look at me, holding her hands in mine. 

“I know, I know.” I let out a breath and pulled her to sit beside me on a rock ledge. “I needed a change Danni, everything was getting too much.”

“What happened when you went to see your father after we talked the day you left?” she asked.

I filled her in on what I had heard transpire between Talian and my father in his office.

“Oh wow, I knew your father adored Talian but I didn't realise it was that much. I’m sure if you just spoke to your father about the way you’re feeling he would understand.” Danni responded.

“Maybe, perhaps I did over react a little. I think I just really needed to get away. I know I need to talk to him, and I will. I just need more time.”

“What do you mean Serene? You’re not back?” She got up, and started swimming back and forth. 

“No Danni, I have things I must do first. I have made a promise and my heart tells me I must follow through with my word.”

“A promise to who? What are you talking about? This is all very mysterious.” She was starting to sound agitated and it confused me.

“I really do not want to go into this Danni. I do not wish to put you in a position of withholding information if asked about my whereabouts.” I calmly responded as I swam up from my seated position to face her.

“Don’t give me this s**t Serene. How long have we been friends?! You really don’t think you can trust me?” Her voice was getting louder now. I really did not want to draw attention.

“You know what Serene? I’m done with our friendship if this is what it's like to be your best friend. You disappear without even saying goodbye. Now you just show up like nothing happened, and expect to not tell me about where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing. And now you are going to leave again?! Screw it, this is bullshit and you know it!” She was now right in front of me, I could see she was angry.

“Please Danni, that is not what this is. I had to leave. You know I couldn't tell anyone where I was going. I did not even know until I got there anyway. I missed you, I wanted to see you. I am however sorry that you have been worried about me. Truly.”

“Forget it Serene, Talian should feel lucky he escaped your mind games and lies. He’s too good for you. I will be sure to tell both him and your father that I've seen you. Expect the royal guards to be hot on your heels old friend.” She grinned at me with malice. I was truly blown away and shocked beyond words. I never in a thousand years would have thought my oldest friend would turn against me. But here we are, and I am devastated. I would not let her see that though. I was soon to be queen, I will not allow her to see me cry. Instead I pasted on my royal smile.

“Thank you Danni for that very enlightening information. I will be going now.” with that I turned and darted off, back in the direction of The Black Soul with my heart broken and my eyes brimming with tears.