Siren's Kiss

41: Reckless Valor

As the others hurried forward, following Drake with undue haste, Purity's keen eyes quickly noticed Princess Coraline's state. Just like her brother, she emerged from the water in her physical form, streams cascading down her body. Everyone stared. She instinctively recoiled, curling back into the water, frightened.

Agitated, Purity glared at their male companions. Seeing a naked siren was nothing new in the Seven Seas, but both Ciel and Coraline were raised as delicate omegas within the protected walls of the Elysium Reef deep in Thalassara. Powerful alphas viewed them as grand prizes to be won, a mindset that had instilled a deep-seated resentment in Ciel. He despised his own vulnerability just as much as he loathed the alphas who exploited the weaknesses of omegas.

Purity quickly stripped off her own coat and draped it over Coraline, who looked back at her with gratitude. Ciel, catching sight of this, also glanced at the pair and, to Purity's surprise, offered a rare smile.

Noticing Sage swimming behind the princess as she surfaced onto the land, Purity turned to their companions, ready to ask for another coat to cover him. To her astonishment, Templar Commander Rowan stepped forward and offered his own coat, silencing her request with a simple, decisive gesture.

Sage waved his hand dismissively. "You don't have to worry about me," he said. "I can take care of myself." He then proceeded to emerge from the water in all his naked glory.

Before Sage could protest, Commander Rowan stepped forward, thrusting his coat into Sage's hands and insisting he wear it. Throughout the ordeal, Sage's eyes remained fixed on Rowan's face, who steadfastly avoided looking down, keeping his gaze focused on Sage's upper body. Rowan's respect for a bare body was evident, whether it extended to all omegas or not, Sage couldn't tell.

He didn't know the commander well, but Rowan's unwavering adherence to his duty was clear. The revelation that one of the Grandmasters of the First Order was working with an unknown enemy must have shaken him deeply. Nonetheless, he murmured his thanks to the commander and hid a smile. Rowan simply nodded, maintaining his stoic demeanor.

Meanwhile, Ciel forced himself to stand, trembling like a newborn colt. With Drake's guidance, he took a step but quickly fell to his knees. Drake rushed to his side and saw that Ciel's right foot was scarred, possibly injured during their chase after the deranged Valerian in their aquatic forms.

"Cap'n, we must not stop," Vic interjected, hating to be the bearer of bad news but recognizing the urgency of their situation. "Jo be still waitin' somewhere with Gus an' Ori."

Ciel, doing a mental count, finally noticed the missing members. "Where are they?"

Drake ignored his subordinate, focusing entirely on the siren prince. This was not missed by Commander Rowan, who continued to observe the pair with great interest.

"Put yer arms around me," Drake ordered, his tone unusually soft compared to how he typically spoke to others.

"What happened to Jo, Ori, and Gus?" Ciel asked again, but like an obedient omega to his alpha, he did as he was told and slowly moved his arms around Drake.

Drake stood, lifting Ciel in his arms, carrying him princess-style, showcasing the formidable strength he usually held back. Rowan observed, not surprised. Drake's power was well-known; he ruled the Seven Seas and struck fear into other pirates as one of the Deadly Trios. Despite the bounties placed on his head, no one dared to hand him over to the First Order.

Hawk and Purity, who had known Drake since childhood and shared the bond of being orphans, were exceptions. If it weren't for their history, they too might hesitate to defy him. Drake was a force to be reckoned with, and Rowan knew that if he wasn't careful in dealing with him, he might not survive this venture.