His Seafaring Siren (Caledonia's Captives) Read Free Page B

to conspire against us.” He watched her jump to the rudder stick and hold tightly as it started to shift under the crashing of the waves. The wind was rolling in and Septimus cursed the howling that followed.
    Septimus ran to the swan neck, perched himself on the rail, and peered out into the distance. The waves on the horizon were much larger and the darkness was now enveloping the whole sky. He wiped the sweat from his brow. How could this storm have happened so fast? There was hardly any warning, and with his inexperienced first mate on board, he was unsure of its outcome.
    He looked back toward Mowriyah again, whose hair beat at her face. She stood battling the waves at the rudder pole and actually smiling. “Are you okay?” he shouted over the crashing thunder to the aft of the ship.
    “This is wonderful!” She raised her face to the sky.
    He knew they were traveling fast, and with the storm getting worse, he had to change his plans of outrunning it. They really were out of time.
    Septimus ran to Mowriyah. “To prepare in time, we will simply have to let it float and work to untie the sails.”
    She nodded and a crack of lightning belted overhead. “What do you need me to do?”
    “See the mast? I need you to climb the ladder and unhook the sails. Once you do, I can pull them down quickly and we can stow them below deck.”
    She eyed the mast and another wide grin covered her face. “On my way, Captain.” She slid past him and gave him a pat on his backside as she walked by.
    Amazing. She fears nothing . Septimus followed her to the rigging and tried to help her onto the ladder, only to receive a scoff. He retreated and allowed her to go on her own.
    Small, pestering drips of rain had begun to fall and cover the deck. She scurried up the ropes like a monkey, swinging her legs wide and using her upper body strength to ascend. He stood below and watched with anxiety as she shimmied to the top of the mast and grabbed the sail ring with her right hand.
    He saw her struggle with its weight. “Pull, love! You can do it!” Then, horror struck deep in his chest as he saw her release her other hand and lean in to remove the ring with both hands. Thunder boomed directly above the ship. “Mowriyah! Stop!” But she didn’t react to his words.
    He tried waving from below and still received no response. He could only watch as Mowriyah held tight in this rough sea with only her legs. He cursed himself repeatedly for putting her at risk. If something happens to her, it will be my fault. Decimus and Abby would never forgive me and I would never forgive myself.
    Suddenly, the sails dropped. She had managed to remove the ring and was already climbing back down the ladder that blew heavily in the wind.
    Septimus heaved on the lines and allowed the sails to tumble quickly to the deck. Mowriyah was at his side before the top of the sail was completely down, and working the fabric into folds as if she were a seasoned sailor.
    The rain poured harder now and the ship was tossed about by the waves. Together, they managed to push the sail below deck without losing their footing. Septimus closed the hatch and turned to see Mowriyah back navigating the rudder, a wild look in her eye and her hair wet and plastered to her face. He rushed to her side and grabbed the stick from her.
    “Go down below and wait this out,” he shouted.
    “No. This is wonderful!”
    Septimus shook his head. “Please!” He knew the storm would get worse; he could feel it in his bones. He had to make sure she was safe. “As your Captain, I command you to go down below!” He set his jaw and squared his shoulders.
    Mowriyah’s wide grin and shiny eyes suddenly vanished and were replaced with a cold, hard look that turned Septimus’ stomach. Through clenched teeth, she answered, “As my Captain wishes.”
    Septimus watched as she released the rudder and stomped to the stairwell. She descended with the ease of Neptune’s water nymphs. Then she