His Seafaring Siren (Caledonia's Captives) (2 page)

He slid his hands down her arms to her wrists and restrained them in his hands. Mowriyah’s head flew up and he locked on to her glare. Her eyes were wide and he knew she was surprised.

Tugging her forward, he slammed her into his chest. Her breasts pressed against him and warmed the skin beneath his tunic. With his hands still gripping her tightly, he grinned, feeling her heartbeat speed up. Her mouth twitched at the corners and he watched as she tried to hide a smile by biting her lip.

Septimus licked his own lips instinctively. She squirmed, rubbing her breasts against his chest with every writhe. “What am I going to do with you?” he growled.

The smile escaped and her face lit up. “That’s a good question. What
will
you do with me?”

Septimus looked over his shoulder and saw no one, sure that Decimus and Abagail were making up as well. He released her left arm and twirled her around to face the ocean. “Use your free hand to grab the rail, my dear. If you’re going to make this journey with me, you need to get to know my first love.”

Abagail did as she was told, gripping the railing and pushing her backside against his swollen manhood. Septimus gave a grunt, pushed his breeches down his hips, and slid his mass into the many folds of her gown. She jostled beneath him and urgency ripped through his body. Lifting the length of fabric and exposing her bare cheeks sent his head exploding with want. He spread them with his thumb and middle finger. Gazing at her pucker, his pleasure stood at its fullest and threatened to burst.

He could feel her pulse quicken in the wrist he held and knew she was ready for this as well. He slid his free hand from the base of her back, down her rounded bottom, and pushed between her legs.

He reached farther, deeper, until he felt her hardened flesh peeking from beneath its cover. He stroked in circles and heard her let out a throaty moan. She pushed into his hand, urging him on.

He slid his hand back and grabbed the base of his erection. As he pushed into her slowly, she swelled for him, and took him easily. He knew this place of warmth and comfort. It was maddening and drove him to his basic primal need.

Sliding out and then delving into her, he used his free hand to tempt her forbidden realm. Following the curve of her bottom, he once again found her crease. Separating her cheeks, he watched her flesh take him, surround him, time and again. Pushing his thumb down between her folds, he circled her rim. He watched her muscles clench and her deep cave squeezed him while he plunged inside. His heart pumped faster as he matched its rhythm with every thrust. Mowriyah’s moans climbed to audible words, praising his actions and bidding him forward.

Her sounds vibrated through his body and rippled through his blood, until it peaked at his tip and forced his orgasm to burst within her. Releasing her hand, he grabbed her rear and pulled her against him for one final thrust. He felt her inner walls quiver around him as she released and then practically collapsed to the deck after finishing himself.

Septimus caught her and cradled her in his arms. Her eyes were heavy and a wide smile graced her face. He bent ever so slightly and kissed her on her forehead. She closed her eyes, appearing to Septimus as a goddess sent straight from Mount Olympus into his arms.

She opened them and he could feel her studying his face. “I’m still going with you,” she said in a snarky tone.

“You are the most strong-willed, stubborn woman I have ever encountered.” He released a heavy breath. “How could I have ever thought I could stop you?” He enjoyed her body too much, and he didn’t want to be away from her for even one night. He kissed the corner of her devilish grin and helped her to stand. They stepped from the boat onto the pier and turned to walk back to the little house.

“Septimus.”

“Yes, my sweet?”

“I love your boat.”

They walked side by side as comfort surrounded them. Septimus thought about the rhythmic, spontaneous sex that had erupted between them and said, “I love it too.”

***

Mowriyah sat clutching Abagail’s hand while watching Decimus and Septimus load the ship with provisions. Though they were not truly related, the two men looked similar. They both had the same sun-tattered coloring, distinguished jaw line, and dark tousled hair. However, Decimus was a few years older and the first signs of gray were showing around his temples. Septimus still had that wild look of youth in his clover green eyes, though clearly he was nearing his thirtieth year as well. Both men were muscular and looked as if they were carved to mimic statues of the gods, though Mowriyah noticed that Septimus’s shoulders and arms were larger than Decimus’s.

She felt Abagail squeeze her hand and heard a light sniffle. She turned and saw her sister’s eyes welled with tears. “You have to come back,” Abagail murmured through quivering lips.

“You know I will.” She clutched her hand in reassurance.

Abagail rubbed her stomach. “We need you. This child will need family.” The wind caught her straight chestnut hair and strands of it blew across her face.

Mowriyah patted Abagail’s stomach. “You better wait for me to get back, little one.”

Abagail turned her head and met Mowriyah’s gaze. “You won’t be gone that long, will you?”

“Of course not.” Mowriyah reached her hand to Abagail, pushed the blowing hair out of her face, and tucked it neatly behind her ear. “The plan is a month. But if things are different from what we expect, or if something happens, it may take us a little longer.” She wiped a tear from Abagail’s cheek. “I’ll be back, Abby, and with Leihla. We will all be together again soon, and this baby will have all the family he or she needs.” She moved her hand back to her sister’s belly.

A loud, sharp whistle assailed Mowriyah’s ears. She stood and looked toward the ship. Septimus was on deck waving her to him. “I guess it’s time to go. Walk with me?”

They walked together to the dock in silence. Decimus met them at the ship’s ladder. Mowriyah saw worry in his eyes as his gaze darted between Abagail and herself. Abagail pulled her hand, jerking her back. She hugged her tightly and Mowriyah felt like she couldn’t breathe, not from Abagail’s strength, but from a sneaking fear that suddenly clutched her throat.

Mowriyah tried to calm her breathing and remain strong. “I’ll see you soon.” Unfortunately, a quiver in her voice released the dam and she gave way to a stream of tears.

She straightened her shoulders, determined to look more confident for her sister’s sake. “When I escaped from the palace, I swear I saw Leihla. I’m sure I can find her there.”

“You saw her? And you never told me?”

“I told you I knew she was alive. I just didn’t tell you everything. And you know Leihla, she’s stronger and more stubborn than either of us. She’s going to be fine, and I
will
find her.”

She glanced over her shoulder to Decimus. “You are so lucky. He truly loves you, to not only marry you once, but also choose to marry you again in God’s eyes. He is willing to stay behind with you and protect you. Everything is going to be fine here. And everything will be good for us on our trip as well.”

Septimus shouted down from the bow of the ship. “Let’s go, first mate!”

Mowriyah reached forward once more and hugged her sister. “Okay, Abby, I have to go.” Suddenly filled with excitement, she stepped back and winked.

She walked to Decimus. “You take care of my big sister.” She grabbed him around the waist and hugged him as well. “And take care of that baby.”

Decimus patted her on the back in reassurance.

“Hey!” Septimus shouted.

Decimus gave a hearty chuckle and released her. He bent down to her ear and whispered, “He really does care for you. Give him time.”

Mowriyah backed up and pushed her lips together in a thin line. “Time? I don’t think that’s the problem. Septimus wants me to be his, but he also wants every other maiden he sees as well.”

“I will admit—”

“No. Let us simply say goodbye.”

Decimus nodded. “As you wish.” He bent forward and hugged her again, then released her and helped her climb the rope ladder to the deck. She had to admit, the shorter tunic and long breeches made it far easier than climbing in the gown she had worn earlier.

Septimus grabbed her hand from the top and helped pull her over the ledge. “Welcome aboard. I’m the Captain and you’re my first mate. Time to start your training.” Septimus grinned and motioned to Decimus, who cast the mooring lines off from the pier.

Septimus pointed to the rope that was far aft. “Start pulling that one up and laying it on the deck,” he said to Mowriyah. “We’ll stow them later after they dry some.”

Mowriyah trotted back to the aft of the ship and reached for the line. She strained at the weight of the wet heavy rope, and cursed silently beneath her breath. She looked to Septimus, who was laughing loudly as he yanked the lines up with ease and coiled them on the deck.

Frustration rose within her and she tried to quicken her motion to no result. She continued through the pain that was forming in her upper arms and looked down at Decimus and Abagail one last time. Decimus was holding Abagail and the pair were waving.

Septimus joined her and helped her finish the line. “Next, we set the sail.” He quickly showed her the rigging lines and told her how to pull and tie them off. “I will go aloft, and wait for you to lift the sail.” He scaled the mast pole and waited for the cloth to meet its halfway point.

Mowriyah pulled and tugged on the rope, steadily making the sail rise. Septimus grabbed its hook and bound it to the mast. He scurried down with a shuffle and Mowriyah couldn’t help but think he was making her work this hard on purpose.

She rubbed her arms at the burning sensation that spread from her shoulders down to her wrist. Septimus passed her with a wide grin across his face and headed for the rudder stick. Grabbing hold, he pulled it hard left. He yanked on a line and the sails shifted to catch the wind that would take them away from the dock. As they drifted toward the open water, Mowriyah joined him at the aft of the ship, anxiously awaiting her next instruction.

She looked over the rails once more and saw Decimus wrapped around Abagail, who was obviously sobbing into his chest.
Everything will be all right, Abby.
She breathed in the last smell of home, wild onions and salty air filling her lungs.

She swallowed and then turned to Septimus. “So, Captain. Do we have a plan?”

Septimus raised his eyebrows and playfully grabbed at her breeches, pulling her close to him, with only the wooden pole in between.

“Well, every Captain has a first mate. Your training has begun.” He kissed her nose and then her lips.

Mowriyah shivered with anticipation, but could only think of two words to say. “Yes, Captain.”

Chapter Two

Mowriyah and Septimus navigated the ship together for six days and were now only a day from the Mediterranean Sea. He had trained her on almost every aspect of the ship. She was a fast learner, and she grew her sea legs easily.

The sun was setting in the west and millions of sparkles reflected on the water’s surface. Septimus’s instincts had him wary and on high alert. He walked around the ship’s deck several times, looking out in every direction. The air felt thicker. The scent of rain mixed with the saltiness of the ocean had him panicked. On the eastern horizon, the clouds darkened and thunder rolled across the sky.

Septimus turned to Mowriyah, who had joined him on deck. “This is not the time for Jupiter and Neptune to fight. We must hurry.” Septimus raised the sails to full open and pointed toward the rear of the ship. “Stay steady on the rudder. The waves are beginning to conspire against us.” He watched her jump to the rudder stick and hold tightly as it started to shift under the crashing of the waves. The wind was rolling in and Septimus cursed the howling that followed.

Septimus ran to the swan neck, perched himself on the rail, and peered out into the distance. The waves on the horizon were much larger and the darkness was now enveloping the whole sky. He wiped the sweat from his brow. How could this storm have happened so fast? There was hardly any warning, and with his inexperienced first mate on board, he was unsure of its outcome.

He looked back toward Mowriyah again, whose hair beat at her face. She stood battling the waves at the rudder pole and actually smiling. “Are you okay?” he shouted over the crashing thunder to the aft of the ship.

“This is wonderful!” She raised her face to the sky.

He knew they were traveling fast, and with the storm getting worse, he had to change his plans of outrunning it. They really were out of time.

Septimus ran to Mowriyah. “To prepare in time, we will simply have to let it float and work to untie the sails.”

She nodded and a crack of lightning belted overhead. “What do you need me to do?”

“See the mast? I need you to climb the ladder and unhook the sails. Once you do, I can pull them down quickly and we can stow them below deck.”

She eyed the mast and another wide grin covered her face. “On my way, Captain.” She slid past him and gave him a pat on his backside as she walked by.

Amazing. She fears nothing
. Septimus followed her to the rigging and tried to help her onto the ladder, only to receive a scoff. He retreated and allowed her to go on her own.

Small, pestering drips of rain had begun to fall and cover the deck. She scurried up the ropes like a monkey, swinging her legs wide and using her upper body strength to ascend. He stood below and watched with anxiety as she shimmied to the top of the mast and grabbed the sail ring with her right hand.

He saw her struggle with its weight. “Pull, love! You can do it!” Then, horror struck deep in his chest as he saw her release her other hand and lean in to remove the ring with both hands. Thunder boomed directly above the ship. “Mowriyah! Stop!” But she didn’t react to his words.

He tried waving from below and still received no response. He could only watch as Mowriyah held tight in this rough sea with only her legs. He cursed himself repeatedly for putting her at risk.
If something happens to her, it will be my fault. Decimus and Abby would never forgive me and I would never forgive myself.