Siren's Kiss

27: The Marking Ritual

The sudden confession surprised not only Ciel but also Drake, who hadn't expected himself capable of blurting such passionate words. But he didn't regret it, and he wasn't about to take it back. If Ciel had chosen Drake as his alpha, Drake had chosen Ciel as his omega---the only one.

At this point, Drake realized he needed advice from someone more experienced in marking rituals if he truly wanted to claim Ciel as his omega and ensure his loyalty beyond their current voyage. So, with little choice, Drake sought counsel from his mother, the Amazon Queen.

Althea was surprised to find the pirate captain waiting patiently in her throne room like a lost puppy. She couldn't help but smile at his presence, reminded instantly of the infant born from her love for the former pirate king.

"Apologies for the wait," Althea's voice filled the room, catching Drake off guard as he turned to face her. "What brings you here, my son?"

Though he disliked the reminder of her being his mother, Drake needed her advice and didn't want to argue. "I need your counsel. Can you provide it?"

Althea was taken aback once again. "Of course, child. It's the least I can do after sending you away to your father."

Drake stiffened at the memory, resisting the urge to curse her. Why bring that up now, in the midst of his own dilemma? Yet, if he were less clouded in judgment, he might understand why she had left him in his father's care. Being stuck on this island for eternity would be unimaginable...

"I want to mark my omega," Drake declared without hesitation. "I don't want anyone else to claim him. He belongs to me, and I intend to bind him to me, just as you are bound to this island."

Ah, a dominant alpha claiming his property. Althea had almost forgotten the allure of the alpha-omega bond. It wasn't uncommon for an omega to choose their alpha, but for a dominant alpha who could have multiple omegas to desire exclusivity with just one was unheard of. After contemplating for a moment, Althea relented. Prince Ciel wasn't an ordinary omega. He was unique, and a siren to boot. These thoughts left Althea pondering what her grandchildren might be like. How very intriguing...

"Are ye gonna say somethin'?"

"What do ye want me to say?" Althea was surprised at Drake's tone, noting the way he scrutinized her reaction.

"I figured ye'd have a violent reaction or spout somethin' about Prince Ciel havin' a destiny to fulfill, whatever."

"But aren't you part of his destiny? To be honest, you are part of the destiny he seeks to fulfill. That's why the Phoenix God led him to you."

Althea moved to her throne, passing through the pillars to her platform before the gong. Drake watched his mother curiously, her guards standing like statues around her.

"What's in that Forgotten Isle that Ciel needs to fulfill?" he asked as she took her seat.

"Lost things."

If she was trying to be amusing, Drake thought she failed miserably. "I don't want him involved with any of these godly matters."

She smiled. "You're one to talk."

"I'm not jestin'. As 'is alpha, I've a responsibility to keep 'im safe. If ye or the gods plan to use 'im as a sacrificial lamb to some monstrous beast in the depths o' the sea, I'll take him away to a place where no one can find him."

"You think too much and trust no one."

"I don't even trust his own father," Drake admitted freely. "Everyone knows King Cyraeni wants to expand his influence even in the lands o' the Seven Seas. There's no way he doesn't see this as an opportunity to extort any templar officials an' blame them for the lack of action against them merchant vessels."