The Mermaid-Cursed Pirate

Chapter 36

Recap:

Killian opened the pouch to reveal the necklace. It's ruby red gem caught the glow of the lamps beautifully. Sirena could feel its magic in the air. She took in a shaky breath and closed her eyes. She felt the captain step closer to her and then felt the weight of the chain on her neck. In her anxiety, it felt like it was pulling her to the ground until she heard a gasp from Viviane. When she opened her eyes, she saw the shocked face of the captain, illuminated in a bright red glow. She looked down to see that her hope was not in vain. The man in front of her was truly her soul mate. She had found him. He would save her.

The pair stood in silence, dumbstruck. Tears of joy slipped down Sirena's face. This was the moment she had dreamed of having for hundreds of years on Neverland and it was finally here.

Viviane cleared her throat as she watched them. "Um, I think I'll go to the mess hall to get myself a snack. I'll see you two later." She stumbled past the pair with awkward steps. They didn't register that the other mermaid had spoken or left.

"Now what?" Killian asked in a mumble.

"Well, this says that you're my soul mate. You can break the curse."

"Yes, but how?"

"You don't remember what I told you?" Sirena frowns. He shakes his head. "With true love's kiss, captain."

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Killian's eyes widened in shock as he remembered. "Oh, that's right. So do you want to do that now or-"

He was cut off by the mermaid's lips covering his own. At first, nothing happened as he was still in shock. But as the shock wore off, he returned the kiss with a hunger he had never felt before. Then he felt a tug in his heart, much stronger than the last time he experienced it. The mermaid felt it too and she grinned into the kiss before they parted.

Once the pair separated, she floated slightly off the ground, the air around her glowing a soft yellow. She looked down in surprise. No one told her this would happen when her curse broke. She realized no one thought her curse would ever be broken, so of course, no one had thought to explain how it worked.

She closed her eyes as she felt herself turn slowly as the air blew past her. Her legs turned into her tail. She could feel her magic get stronger. She could hear the sea creatures around the ship chattering to each other. The boat rocked harshly as the transformation.

Viviane burst into the room. "Dammit, captain! I didn't think you guys would just go ahead with it. We have to get her in the sea before your precious ship capsizes. She can't control her powers right now."

Killian shakes his head to regain his focus from the spectacular sight before him. The yellow glow of the magic, the red glow of the necklace, and the blue shine of the mermaid's tail were breathtaking together. He grabs the mermaid around the waist and under where her knees would be, carrying her bridal style.

He reached the deck with a glowing mermaid, which shocked the crew, to say the least. He startled them further by running up to the edge of the ship and, after exchanging a few words with Viviane, threw the girl overboard. The men rushed to the side of the boat as it continued to rock in the rough waters that had come out of nowhere.

The water stilled as soon as the mermaid was in the water. She rose to the surface, floating on her back as she continued to glow for a few minutes longer. The crew watched in awe as the mark on her arm transformed, snaking outwards from the original band in patterns they didn't recognize. Viviane could read them, though.

Mermaid runes ran along the outside of her arm, spelling out the captain's name. A band separated each letter from the next. On either side of each rune was a collection of curling and foaming waves. A few waves that curled next to another formed hearts between the bands. The vivid colors faded as the mark stilled. It was now the same chestnut color it was before. The runes on her wrist faded away with the colors of the transformation. The solemn reminder of how much time she had had left was washed away as she lay in the sea.

At long last, the mermaid opened her eyes again. Confusion covered her face as she realized she was in the sea and not Viviane's room.

"What happened?" she shouts at the crowd gathered behind the railing.

"Get yourself up here and we'll tell you all about it, lass," Killian shouts in reply. She grins and creates a wave to place her on the banister beside him.

"Well? Let's hear it," she requests with a soft smile to the captain.