The Siren Read online

  “Clear the way!” Paddy yelled as he made the first swing with his axe. Blow after blow rained on the mast as the crew cut into it. Even above the noise of the storm, they could hear it creak and groan; could feel it tremble under their onslaught until, with a final shudder, it crashed to the deck, smashing into the ship’s rails and falling drunkenly part-way into the sea which extinguished the fire and bore the loose debris away.

  Ottilia saw a huge wave building in size as it rolled towards them. It grew out of the sea like a monster from the deep, surging over the surf until it towered over the Manatee and crashed down onto the ship and nearly swamping it.

  Losing her footing, Ottilia pinwheeled through the air. Grabbing hold of a rigging line, she swung into a rail and clung on for dear life. The weight of the great mast stopped the ship from righting itself and black water poured down the stairways into the living quarters below.

  “Cut away the main mast!” Gabe roared. There was a boom like a cannon blast and the mast splintered and crashed into the sea. With the enormous weight gone, the ship righted itself and was immediately hurled back into the waves.

  “Man the pumps!”

  With the immediate danger of capsizing or catching on fire eliminated, men hurried down to the pump room to empty the bilges. They had to pass by Ottilia who was still desperately clinging to the rail. “Get out of here, Jonah!” one of them snarled and Ottilia recoiled from the hatred she saw on his face.

  ‘I didn’t do this!’ she cried but no sound came out. The sea-witch! She had stolen Ottilia’s voice as payment for using her Siren song!

  “My god! What’s happening!”

  Ottilia spun round, covering her face against the rain, and saw the Prince, who was standing at the top of the steps, gripping the rails tightly with both hands. He looked pale and bewildered and out of place in the mayhem. Captain Gabe fought his way towards them.

  “Go below!” he shouted over the roar of the storm. “Both of you!”

  Arik yelled out a warning and Gabe turned just in time to push his cousin out of the path of the loose rigging that was swinging towards him. “Go!” he shouted and the Prince clambered down the ladder and back to the safety of his cabin.

  Ottilia couldn’t move. Transfixed by the destruction unfolding before her, she simply stared. The Manatee had seemed so huge to her; yet, now, in the maw of the storm, it seemed impossible for something so small to survive the fury of such a huge and angry ocean.

  As Gabe turned to Ottilia, a wave swept her off her feet and slammed her into the jolly boat.

  Ottilia woke to find Captain and Stitches standing over her.

  “How are ya feeling, poppet?” Stitches asked, giving her fatherly pat.

  Ottilia opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She remembered then she had no voice. She nodded to let the kindly man know she was fine and winced as the pain hit her.

  “You got a bang to the noggin, so it will hurt for a bit,” he told her, He turned to the Captain. “Remember she has had a nasty fall so go easy on her,” he said, before he departed and left Ottilia alone with Gabe. He stood over, looking down at her as though trying to find the right words. Eventually, he released a long, tired sigh. “Tell me what happened.”

  Ottilia looked at him in confusion. He thought she had done this? She shook her head, appealing to him with her eyes.

  “Don’t give me the silent treatment ,Princess. The men heard it. They said they heard music rising from the ocean and then - boom! - the storm hit.” He pulled up a chair, sat down and leaned forward. “I’m not angry. I just need to know what the hell you did - and if you’ll do it again.”

  What could she tell him? She didn’t know what had happened. Her song should not have caused the storm. The Sirens had different songs they sang, depending on what they were trying to achieve. She had sung a song of promise, which was meant to entrance and enthral. The storm could not have come from her song … unless … another Siren had heard it and responded. Dear gods of the deep, she hoped that wasn’t the case!

  “So, you’re not going to tell me?” Gabe scraped back his chair and stood. “Then I have a ship to repair. I think it’s best you stay here for the time being. The crew aren’t feeling too friendly towards you and I’m not sure I can blame them.”

  When he had gone, Ottilia closed her eyes. Despair washed over her. Nothing was going as planned and she had such little time to spare. She couldn’t waste it worrying about what the crew - or even their Captain - thought of her. She couldn’t allow anything to distract her from her goal. She had to make the Prince fall in love with her. And quickly.

  In the bright light of morning, the damage to his ship looked no less terrible than it had last night when everyone had eventually dragged themselves off to bed. Or, in Gabe’s case, to his office, his cabin being occupied already by a strange woman. He’d certainly never met one stranger than his damsel in distress was turning out to be. Nor, for that matter, one so contrary.

  “The hull is as dry as we can get it, Captain, and the cabins and galley are being cleared now. The worst of it is the masts,” Arik said. They were standing on the forecastle and taking an inventory of the damage. Gabe stared up at the stump of his mainmast and the burnt, splintered wood that represented the remains of the foremast.

  “At least we didn’t lose them all,” he replied and laughed humourlessly at the reality of their situation. “It’s going to be a long ride home, Arik.”

  “Aye, Captain; but we’ve managed worse,” his Commander said, clapping him on the shoulder. “By the way, your cousin has been asking for you.”

  “That’s all I need!” Gabe muttered. He saw the cabin boy on the deck below. “Pip! he called. The child looked up, shielding his eyes against the sun.

  “Yes Captain?”

  “Go and tell Prince Sebastian to come up and see me.” Gabe didn’t have time to run around after his cousin. Now that he was well enough to get out of bed, the Prince could bloody well come to him.

  “You can’t blame Sebastian for this, Gabe,” Arik said. Having known the cousins for most of their lives, he knew how the younger man could rub the Captain the wrong way. “He couldn’t have foreseen this.”

  “Maybe not, Arik, but we’re on this fool’s errand because of him and it’s time to put an end to it.” They watched Sebastian cross the deck, his open shirt billowing around him. “It’s time he stopped acting like a blasted romantic fool and started taking some responsibility.”

  “Good luck with that!” Arik said with a bark of laughter. “I’ll leave you to it!”

  Noting Sebastian’s pale countenance, Gabe sighed. “Have you eaten today?”

  “No. Colbert said the stocks took a hammering from the storm and he’s still sorting them out.”

  “Then you’re going to have to eat whatever is available.” His cousin’s insistence on eschewing all but fruit and vegetables from his diet had put a burden on the the ship’s cook; not to mention the ship’s crew, who had to go without such fare in order to keep the Prince from starving.

  “I’ll be fine, Gabe. I don’t need you to mother me,” Sebastian said congenially. He looked around the ship seeming not to notice the damage. “So, where’s the girl I’ve been hearing so much about?”

  “She’s in my cabin. She took a knock to the head in the storm last night.” Gabe narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to know?”

  Sebastian smiled at his cousin. “Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. “She might be one of them, Gabe!”

  “One of whom?”

  “Come on, Gabe: you know! One of the Mers.”

  Gabe thought about the tiny, fair-haired woman huddled in his bed and shook his head. “She bears no resemblance to the creatures you described.”

  The Prince shrugged. “Perhaps she has disguised herself.”

  Gabe sighed in frustration. “If she is a mermaid, as you and the rest of the bloody crew seem to believe, then why did I have to re
scue her from drowning?”

  “I don’t know - but I intend to find out. I’ll invite her to dine with us tonight,” Sebastian replied, grinning at his cousin’s irritated frown. “Cheer up, Gabe! Even if she’s not a mermaid, it’ll be nice to see a pretty face on the ship for a change!”

  “I thought you had declared yourself in love!” Gabe snapped. “You have certainly had us running round in bloody circles looking for this mythical creature for long enough.”

  “My goodness, you are in a foul mood,” Sebastian laughed. “Surely even you, with your cold heart, can see that, if I must leave the love of my life behind in these waters, then maybe finding solace in the arms of another is just what I need?”

  “Do not lay a hand on that woman, Sebastian!” Gabe said, giving his cousin a threatening look. “Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes!” Sebastian held his hands up, as though warding off a physical blow. “I had no idea you had laid a claim to her.”

  “I have laid no claim to her. She is not a treasure to be won.” Gabe took a deep breath. It would do no good to lose his temper with Sebastian. “I feel a responsibility to her because I rescued her, that is all.”

  “Yes … from the middle of an ocean. Strange - no?”

  “Go, cousin! Eat something and, for the love of God, if we are to invite our oceanic visitor to dinner, wear something more suitable than your present attire. Mermaid or not, our guest is a lady and shouldn’t be expected to look at your pasty chest through dinner.”

  Sebastian roared with laughter. He turned on his heel and disappeared down the companionway. Gabe watched him go. His cousin would probably spend the rest of his day writing poetry for their guest while everyone else made repairs to the ship.

  Chapter Eight

  Pip had brought Ottilia a clean shirt and breeches to wear and told her she had been invited to dine in the Officers’ Mess. Shyly, he had given her directions and then hurried away. Ottilia crossed the gangway and up to the wardroom. She passed several crew members who made a point of turning their backs on her. Steadfastly ignoring their slights, Ottilia held her head high and walked sedately past them.

  “In here. Miss,” Pip called from his spot outside the Mess. He opened the door for her and announced importantly, “Miss Florin, Captain!”

  The men rose as Ottilia entered and she felt her cheeks redden under their interested gazes. There were four of them at the table but she kept her eyes on Captain Gabe whose presence at least felt familiar.

  “Miss Florin,” he said, “allow me to introduce you to everyone. Commander Reed,” he said and a huge man with a warm smile bowed to her.

  “A pleasure to meet you again, Miss Florin,” he said with a twinkle in his eye that suggested she had missed something. Ottilia nodded regally and glanced at Captain.

  “My sailing master, Flint.” A tall, thin man with a dark, swarthy complexion and piercing blue eyes nodded respectfully. “Good evening, Miss,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. Gabe pointed towards the last man for whom Ottilia needed no introduction. “My cousin, Prince Sebastian,” he said, seeming to watch for her reaction.

  Ottilia was careful to keep her expression neutral as she faced the Prince. She gave a small swish of her derriere, as she would were she to meet any member of royalty. It was somewhat less elegant without her tail and raised the brows of the men around the table.

  “Good day to you, Miss Florin,” the Prince said with a charming smile. “No need for formalities here. Just call me Sebastian.” He pulled out a chair for her. “Here, sit next to me. I am eager to hear all about how you became lost at sea.”

  Ottilia hid her irritation as best she could. The Prince had not recognised her! Did she look so different without her tail? She smiled shyly at him and sat down and the men followed suit.

  “Are you feeling better, Miss Florin?” Sebastian asked. “I hear you took a nasty tumble in the storm.”

  Ottilia nodded. While she had no voice, she could do little else. A most irritating turn of events: now was not the time to be a jelly fish! Not now she was finally in the presence of the man she was soon to marry!

  “Miss Florin doesn’t say much,” Gabe told his cousin. “She prefers to throw cutlery instead.” Ottilia returned his mocking look with a glare and then dazzled the Prince with the benefit of her full, undivided attention.

  Sebastian whispered, “There’s nothing wrong with the a little introspection, Miss Florin. I indulge in it myself.”

  Ottilia smiled warmly. He was more understanding than his insufferable cousin. She thought - briefly - of her own intolerable cousin, Petra, and allowed herself a moment of triumph that it was she who was here with the Prince.

  There was a flurry of activity as dinner was brought in and covered plates were set in front of them.

  “Cook apologises for the meagre veggies, yar Highness.”

  Sebastian looked down at his plate, where sat a small portion of root vegetables. “Thank you, Bertram,” he said. “Tell Colbert my appetite is not yet up to much else anyway.”

  Bertram laid a plate in front of Ottilia and removed the lid to reveal a small portion of raw fish. Gabe noticed Ottilia’s plate.

  “What is that, Bertram?”

  The man shrugged. “Cook reckons you said she don’t like ‘ot food so he’s served it raw.”

  Angrily, Gabe scraped his chair back from the table. Snatching up both Ottilia’s and Sebastian’s plates with an oath, he stormed out of the wardroom. An awkward silence followed.

  “Well, that was all very intriguing!” Sebastian said in an amused tone. They heard the distant sound of shouting and Ottilia blushed, sure that she was the cause of yet more trouble.

  “Colbert’s a damn fool,” Arik said, giving Ottilia a sympathetic look. “It’s not your fault, Miss Florin. The crew are simple folk with superstitious ways - but don’t worry: the Captain will set them right.”

  Captain was defending her against his crew? After all that had happened, he was choosing to take her side! How would he feel if he learned the truth about her? Ottilia chewed worriedly at her bottom lip.

  “Wait, Arik! We do not yet know if our guest is a mermaid or not,” Sebastian said excitedly. “Are you, Miss Florin?”

  Ottilia just stared at him. Should she reveal herself and risk the wrath of Captain and the crew? But, there again, wasn’t it the Prince who mattered here? Once he knew she was the mermaid he had been looking for, then - surely - there would be nothing any of the others could do to jeopardise her safety.

  “Come now, there is no need to be afraid,” Sebastian said, taking her hand in his. “I am not unfamiliar with the Mer. Why, I have even found myself the hopeless victim of one of them - a beautiful creature with midnight-blue hair and a turquoise tail. She is actually the reason we are here!”

  Ottilia’s heart sank. She was doomed. The Prince had just described Petra. It was her cousin he had come back for - not Ottilia!

  Gabe found Ottilia on deck, staring out at a pod of dolphins.

  “They’ve been following the ship since the storm.” He didn’t bother to tell her the men believed they wanted their mermaid back.

  She turned to him mournfully. “I’m sorry about dinner,” he said. Gabe had been furious with Colbert. He had not held back. The cook’s position on the ship now balanced on a knife’s edge. He would not pander to the Prince’s finicky eating habits, nor insult the lady by messing with her food ever again.

  “I had him cook the fish for you. I can have it sent to the cabin if you like. At least it won’t be hot by the time you eat it,” he said, trying to tease her out of her melancholic mood. She smiled up at him and he had to resist a sudden urge to pull her into his arms.

  “Sebastian says he upset you too with his foolish talk of mermaids.” She shrugged and turned away but Gabe could see something had upset her. If only he knew what was going on in that head of hers. He watched as she looked up at the tattered masts and wondere
d at the feeling of protectiveness that stole over him. Her long hair shone silver in the moonlight and her skin was pale to the point of iridescence … but it wasn’t her beauty that drew him to her. He was used to being around beautiful women; ladies who fluttered their pretty eyes at him and flattered his ego. He smiled wryly at the thought of this particular woman bothering with such wiles.

  “Poor Manatee,” she said suddenly and brought her hand to her throat as though she had been surprised by her own words.

  Gabe smiled, pleased that she had finally spoken and amused at her choice of words. She really was the strangest creature. He never quite knew how she would react in any given situation.

  “We’ll fix her,” he reassured her. “She just needs a bit of attention is all.”

  She looked into his eyes. “I didn’t do it, Gabe,” she said earnestly. And he believed her.

  Despite what his men thought, Gabe still had a problem believing she was a mermaid or that she could have caused such a powerful storm. There was no arguing the fact that the storm had come out of nowhere and the men had heard the sound of singing from the ocean. He just couldn’t make any sense of it - or her.

  “I want to believe that. I really do,” he said now. “But I am having a hard time convincing the crew.” Ottilia looked away but Gabe turned her to face him. “Tell me who you really are, Florin, and where you came from.”

  Ottilia wanted to tell him. She felt a long way from home and, for the first time in her life, truly alone. Now she knew it was Petra the Prince had been seeking, she realised just how foolish she had been. Yet if she told him, Gabe would have no choice but to send her away. And she didn’t want to go: she had nowhere to go.

  She had made a deal - an unbreakable deal - and now she was stuck with the consequences. Her only option was to divert the Prince’s attention to her; to make him forget Petra and fall in love with her instead.