Whispers of the Tide

Proclamation

Serene's POV:

I had watched the sexy pirate captain jump over the side of his ship and land perfectly on the waiting dock. He looked around with a furrowed brow subconsciously rubbing his chest, just as I was to try in vain to ease the burn. Was he looking for me?

I followed him to the tavern that was a short distance from the docks. I looked through the window, enjoying the sight of him. He was tense and I wanted nothing more than to help ease his stress. But that was not what I was here for. That however all went out the window the minute I stepped into the tavern. My breath left me the minute I opened the door. I gasped as scorching heat burst from my chest. I took a breath and tried my best to hide my unease. I was a royal after all and presenting the picture of confidence was something I was trained for from a young age. As soon as I sat down next to the captain his eyes snapped to mine.

 "Serene." he breathed and I nearly fell off my stool at the sound of his sexy, gruff voice. 

I had been matching him drink for drink and he showed no sign of being affected. I was a giddy mess but not from the drinks, I would need to drink a lot of alcohol for it to affect me like it would a human. I was giddy from the closeness of the pirate captain.

The band was wonderful and I love music, I found myself up on the bar dancing to the fun and flirty jig. It was better this way, if I did not dance I would most definitely sing and that would more than likely give me away. I was lost to the music and the hum of my body caused by the captain's presence.

I didnt realise I was exposing a little too much leg for these human males to handle, until a greasy hand gripped my thigh. I thought I heard a growl, but I was too distracted by the sleazy hand. I swiftly spun and kicked the creep right in the face. I turned to the sound of the sexiest laugh I had ever heard. I knew straight away that laugh could only belong to the captain. Our eyes met and I was once again lost to him.

We are now heading back to The black soul. I was more than ready to leave that grimy tavern despite my fun. The captain and I are well overdue for a conversation and I need to keep my head on straight if this was going to go anywhere. 

We walked side by side in silence down the beach towards the docks. He stopped and turned to face me. His boots digging in the sand in front of my bare feet and sand covered toes. He reached up to scratch his short, scruffy beard. He was nervous. 

"What are ya doing back here? I mean, what the f**k is going on? You disappeared before I could ask ya anything and now ya just show up here like we're old friends. Why the f**k am I even talking to ya?"

He was now tugging at his dark golden hair that hung above his shoulders. Almost in dreadlocks with the lack of care.

"Look, Captain. You dragged me to your ship and locked me up. What did you expect? For me to sit there and cry and wait for you to come back to boss me around some more?" I snapped.

"Yes! I f*****g did expect that!"

"Well that is too bad isn't it. I am not that kind of Woman, and I will not be treated as such."

"Then what kind of woman are ya then aye?!"

I looked to the ocean, and closed my eyes breathing in the fresh salt air. 

"Captain Connor, may we speak in private?"

He groaned and went to reach for me but stopped before he touched me, he turned and stalked off down the docks. I let out a breath and followed behind him. I watched in awe as the man before me, abseiled using a rope up the side of his ship. 

"Ya coming?" he called from the deck. 

Rolling my eyes I gripped the rope and started climbing. Climbing is not something I was good at, but I would not let him know that, and I would definitely not be asking for his help. My soft hands were burning and my legs were shaking but I would not give in. I felt the trickle of sweat making its way down my neck and back. I may not may not have been as quick to climb but I did it all the same. When I finally got to the top and jumped over the railing I found the captain leaning against the far side of the ship checking his compass. I cleared my throat and he looked up with an amused expression and made his way towards me.

 "Took ya time didn't ya love. But I am impressed."

I went to move my hair from my face when I caught sight of my hand. It didn't escape the Captain's notice either. He stepped into my space and snatched my hand out of the air. His expression turned dark as he turned my hand in the moonlight. My palms were raw and bleeding in some parts and large angry blisters dominated the centre. He quickly picked up my other hand and frowned as he saw that one was just as wounded.

 "Come with me Serene. We need to clean these up." he wrapped his arm around my waist and started leading me below deck. 

"I am ok, seriously. It is no problem. I also do not fancy being locked in your chambers again." I winked at him. I was trying to maintain my confidence but It was wanning.

He chuckled and shook his head.

 "I wouldn't dream of locking ya up again Mi cielito." 

He said, tucking my tangled hair behind my ear. My heart stopped at the contact.

 "Besides, ya would proably just break out and f**k off again wouldnt ya." he laughed and the sound made me giddy.

 "Come on, I feel bad that I didn't help ya up on to me ship, The least I can do is treat ya wounds."

I nodded, and he lit a lantern and I let him lead me below deck and into the familiar captains quarters. 

The lantern cascaded a gentle warm light around the room, casting shadows of our bodies against the walls. The captain placed it on the bedside table and lit another, taking it to a set of draws. Setting the candle lantern down, he opened the top right draw and pulled out a box. He then lifted the water jug and poured water from it into the basin that was on top of the draws. 

"Sit." He instructed.

I walked towards the bed and sat on top of the lush red velvet throw. The captain walked towards me with the bowl of water and box and sat next to me on the bed. He opened the box and pulled out a clean cloth and dipped it into the basin wringing it out. He took my hand, electricity shot through our connection and his eye flew to mine. My breath hitched and I was once again drowning in the depths of his golden gaze. 

"Hold still." he said carefully, as though he didn't trust his voice. He set to work gently cleaning my rope burns and blisters, before wrapping them lightly with bandages. 

"This really isn't necessary." I stated looking down at my now bandaged hands. Little did he know my hands would be healed by sunrise. "But thank you. You kindness, although a surprise, is very much appreciated." I finished.

"Don't get used to it." he huffed, standing to dispose of his first aid box, cloth and basin of water. 

"Captain Conner,  We really do need to talk."

"f**k sakes Serene, dont ya think I bloody know that? Why do ya think I locked ya in here in the first place? You know something about what is going on in the ocean don't ya? Why there are people going missing? Why there are strange occurrences happening in the ocean?"

I let out a breath, staring at my wrapped hands.

 "No, sadly I do not have the answers you seek. However I believe we may be of some use to each other. I did not know humans were going missing also. I am quite confused, much like you are. And I too plan to get to the bottom of it."

"What do you know Serene? Wait, What do you mean humans? Why did ya say humans? f**k!" The flusted captain ran a hand over his face, pulling his beard in the process. "s**t, don't fucken answer that. I don't want to know. But I do want to know how ya found me tonight, and why ya came back."

"I followed you to the tavern captain. I left because I had things to take care of, and being locked up is not something I will put up with. But I came back to you because I believe we have met for a purpose. I believe whatever it is, may have something to do with the matters of which you speak. I do not really know how to describe it but it just feels like..." 

"Fate." he said before I could. 

"I lifted my eyes to meet his gaze and nodded. 

"Yes, like fate. I am drawn to you, I know you feel it too."

He let out an uneasy breath and stepped towards me. I stood to face him but he towered over me. Heat crept up my body and my heart hammered in my chest at his closeness. He reached up and ran the back of his fingers across my cheek bone and down towards my jaw, then slid his fingers into my white, blonde hair, cupping my face. I leaned into his touch, a sigh escaped my lips, my eyes never leaving his. 

"Who are you?" he asked in a whisper.

"Serene." I Smiled "Princess Serene and future queen of the 1st kingdom of the ocean."

My heart stopped, I didn't dare breath as I watched my proclamation sink into the pirate captain. His eyes went from shocked to disbelief to anger. His hand still holding my face started to shake as he dropped it to his side and took a very large step backwards, away from me. I missed the contact instantly. 

His face was a reflection of pure hatred and it hurt. "I f*****g knew it!"