Siren's Kiss

32: Sugarcane and Its Yields Part Four

Drake smirked, unfazed by the outburst. "Commander Nicolaus, always a pleasure. But yes, we're here by choice."

Purity blinked, then glared at Drake. "So, ye mean to say we've been dragged into yer lover's hideaway?"

Ciel, standing beside Drake, blushed at the word "lover" and angrily pushed Drake away. Confused by what had triggered his beloved siren prince, Drake followed like an obedient puppy, watching attentively as Ciel hurried down to the main deck and rushed to embrace his younger sister and best friend.

"What are you doing here?" Ciel mildly reproached his sister, whose eyes welled with tears at finally seeing her brother safe and unharmed.

"You know I'll follow you; you know I always do! Why would you run away without even letting me know?" Coraline demanded, feeling slightly betrayed.

Ciel sighed. "This is exactly why I didn't tell you. You're as impulsive as I am."

"Well... you raised me this way. Brother, I miss you..."

"Oh, Coraline..." Ciel pulled her into his arms again and patted her head. "It's all right. Nothing can harm me. I'm safe..."

Seizing the opportunity to confront their friend, Purity, and Hawk moved closer to Drake. The Captain of the Crimson Corsairs looked distinctly uncomfortable under their accusing stares.

"What?" Drake finally said.

"Look, mate, you could've been clearer that you just wanted to elope with your lover," Hawk teased. "Who, by the way... is the siren prince."

Drake could only glare at the two, unable to deny the accusation. Suddenly, Purity began sniffing the air. Understanding what she was doing, Drake froze, and the rest of his crew followed suit. Intrigued, Hawk did the same, as did Rowan.

Aside from Drake, Purity, Hawk, and Rowan were alphas. As soon as they caught the lovely scent of the siren prince, mingled with something stronger, it solidified Drake's relationship with Prince Ciel.

"How dare you!?" Rowan exclaimed, fury plain in his eyes.

Unable to tolerate his outburst any longer, Purity stuffed another cloth into his mouth. She turned to Drake, "Are ye insane?! Ye took a noble fer an omega, not to mention that 'e be the siren prince!"

Hawk exhaled in frustration. "Oh, Drake... King Cyraeni is going to kill you."

"What ye scoldin' me fer? Ye sound like me mother."

"If yer mother's 'ere with us, she'd be hangin' ye in the gallows like the rest o' our filthy kin!"

"I've thought of that, but then again, where is the fun in that?"

They all turned to look at the beautiful woman emerging from the captain's quarters, assisted by Drake's first mate Tobias. She was tall, with well-developed shoulders and honey-colored skin. For a long moment, Hawk and Purity stared. Coraline and Sage were equally intrigued by the mysterious figure, while even Commander Rowan ceased his squirming, fixated on the perplexing contradiction of the person before them. She exuded a feminine allure, yet her physique was distinctly masculine and strong.

"It's very nice to have finally met you, Captain Hawk and Captain Ladyqueen."

"Who the devil are ye?" Purity snapped.

"Batten down yer hatch, matey, that's me Mother," Drake unceremoniously introduced. "Or at least, that's what she claimed to be."

"Drake!" Ciel exclaimed, and to everyone's astonishment, Drake promptly zipped his mouth shut.

"Wait," Purity hadn't quite gotten over the revelation and looked between Drake and the woman. "Blimey, ye two do look alike..."

Drake argued defensively, "She's darker!"