The Mermaid-Cursed Pirate

Chapter 31

Recap:

"Are you still running away from me, lass?"

"No," she lies.

"Sure. And I'm the king of the Enchanted Forest. Now can you come back here so you can explain what you said last time, please?"

She sighs, then walks back to sit on the edge of his desk. "I woke up before you and you were... um... cuddling against me. We both were fully clothed and everything, but I can't remember anything that happened that night." She turns away from him and refuses to meet his eyes.

"I see. Well if it's any comfort to you, lass, even drunk, I would never force myself upon a lady, so you were perfectly safe. There's nothing to worry about. I can even forget that it ever happened if that helps," he suggests.

"That's the problem, captain," she answers, turning to meet his gaze. "I don't want to forget it."

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"What do you mean, lass?" Killian asks with a confused expression, stepping closer to the mermaid.

"I-" she starts to explain, but stops to compose her thoughts. "I don't want to forget that it happened because I think I wanted it to happen."

When she doesn't continue, Killian interrogates further, "What are you trying to say? I don't think I'm understanding you."

"I'm saying that we've grown a lot closer through this whole ordeal. Maybe close enough to a point where sober me wants the same thing that drunk me was able to get." She pauses for a moment, not meeting his eyes. "I care for you, captain."

He closes the space between them and looks into her eyes. "I care for you, too, Sirena. But what happens now?"

"I don't know. But we can figure that out once we get that necklace and find out our fates."

"Then let's go complete our quest, lass. I just want you to know that no matter what the necklace says, you are more than welcome to join my crew if you choose. That invitation is still open."

"Thank you, captain. You have no idea how much I appreciate that."

"I believe I have a pretty good idea," he counters with a smirk. "But you are welcome. Shall we get some breakfast?"

"Yes, I'm starving. I'll meet you there, I still have to change."

"I'll save you a seat," he says with a genuine smile before exiting the chambers.

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The day had finally come. The day when the crew would steal the necklace from the Crocodile. Sirena was so nervous. This was her one shot at saving herself, she couldn't afford to mess it up. Everyone was gearing up for the mission, but Sirena closes herself in the captain's quarters, nervously pacing the room. Killian was double-checking that the crew had everything they needed when he realizes they were missing the mermaid. He knew where to check first to find her.

"Lass, are you in here?" he calls as he opens the door to his quarters. She steps out from behind the screened off part of the room. "What are you doing in here? It's almost time to go."

"To be perfectly candid, captain, I'm freaking out. After all this time, I have a chance to be sure that I've found the cure to my curse, but the bloody Dark One is who's standing in the way! If something happens, I could be much worse off than I already am!"

"Hey, lass. Calm down. We have a solid plan and you know it by heart. You've practiced what to say and you are ready for this. The whole crew trusts you and I know you will be brilliant."

"But this whole plan depends on me doing my part perfectly-"

"And I know you will. But if something happens, we will figure it out as we go. Now, are you ready to show the Crocodile who's boss?" Sirena thinks for a while, but finally nods and follows the captain out to the deck where the crew is waiting. When they see her, they all give a cheer.

"Alright, Sirena's here. Who's ready to skin a Crocodile?" one of the crew members shouts and the rest reply with a hearty yell.