Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) (16 page)

She left the bikini on a dry rock and stepped, naked, into the cool foam. She shivered a little before plunging into the dark water. She was a little afraid of the sea at night, imagining all sorts of creatures which could be lurking in the dark depths. Somehow it didn’t seem so foreboding now, with the promise of the sun’s rays on their way to warm and lighten the world. As she swam through the refreshing waves she imagined this being a new start to her whole life. She would soon be married. Married to the kindest, cleverest, most loving man the world had to offer.
And he loves me!
She sighed as she languished in the ripples for the last time. Aitan had made her deliriously happy, and it was time she did the same for him.

* * * *

Aitan stirred as the early morning sun shone across their bed. He automatically reached out for Ligia, and his eyes shot open when he couldn’t feel her.
She’s gone
. His heart thudded loudly and he felt himself go cold. He clambered out of bed and pulled on his pants as his mind whirled with dread.
Has she changed her mind? Was it too much last night? Where is she?
Unusually for a man who was a born optimist, the darkest scenarios crowded his head, making him feel heavy and sick.

Flinging open the door of the bedroom he searched the rest of the hut before venturing outside. The sun cast a beautiful golden glow over the island, and the smell of flowers permeated the air, though Aitan didn’t notice any of it. To him the world was dark and gloomy and empty. No one was up yet. He walked past Rech and Kally’s house next door and heard them breathing heavily, still asleep. Wandering down the track past the big house he hoped Ademia or Melantho might be there, preparing breakfast for the men of the house.
No such luck!
He looked toward the beach. He knew Ligia didn’t like the sea at night, but maybe she had gone for an early morning dip? No sign. He sighed as he sat on a rock by the side of the mud track, his head in his hands.

I’ve pushed her away. It’s all my fault. I thought I wanted what was best for her. I wanted to improve the island with electricity and mod cons. I wanted to build a bar where we could all congregate at night instead of sitting around on the grass. I wanted to put lights into the huts and make them more like proper houses, instead of relying on the sun and moon to see by. I was planning to have water pumping through faucets like on the mainland. I was even planning to buy her a big, fancy wedding dress and have a massive wedding. My family are coming over today to attend it and I haven’t managed to arrange a single thing. I’ve totally fucked up! No wonder she’s gone.
Taking his head from his hands, he looked up and took in the view which surrounded him. The sun was rising fast, shimmering on the sea and dancing on the grass. The white flowers reflected the light like diamonds scattered all over the island. There was no sound except the gentle shush of the waves as the tide was ebbing away. Then a slight breeze rippled through the grass, which whispered under its touch. Aitan knew that Ligia hadn’t wanted to change the island and he could see why. It was so beautiful. Their life here was simple. That was what Ligia had been trying to cling onto. She was such a sweet thing that she wouldn’t want to quash his dreams by telling him, but yesterday, at the vote, she stood up for what she wanted. Now it was time he did the same…

* * * *

After a refreshing swim, Ligia picked up her bikini and headed off toward the fields. The sun wasn’t quite up yet and wasn’t really hot enough to dry her, but the brisk walk would soon dry her off. There was no one around to see the naked beauty as she puttered around the fields, picking flowers. Their smell was exquisite, and she breathed them in as she made her way among them. Having picked a posy to brighten her home, she donned the bikini before making her way back to the hut. Creeping in, she arranged the pretty flowers in a jug before setting about cleaning the front room. She was careful to keep quiet so as not to wake Aitan, who must have been exhausted after last night’s activities. She smiled at the memory.

Looking around the little hut she felt a lump in her throat. She loved it here. But, she had to keep reminding herself, she loved Aitan more.

Suddenly hearing voices outside reminded her that it must be nearly time for breakfast. She put down the twig brush and scurried outside to put some water on to boil.

“Hi. We didn’t think you’d be up this early today,” Kalliope called over as she came out of her front door.

Ligia blushed.
Did they hear me?

Kalliope read her face and smiled. “I’m sure you’ve heard me and Rech enough times,” she said.

That was true, though Ligia would never embarrass her friend by telling her.
Pity Kally isn’t so thoughtful!
Ligia smiled at her friend. Why should it matter? They had grown up together and knew everything about each other—
everything except this
.

“Kally, I’ve got something to tell you,” Ligia said slowly.

Kalliope came over to join her. She frowned at her red-haired friend. “What is it?”

Ligia wrung her hands. She didn’t really know how to put this.

“Is something wrong?” Kalliope looked really worried.

“No, not really.”

“Tell me!” Kalliope was getting frustrated.

“Shh, Aitan’s still asleep.” Ligia looked anxiously up at the hut.

“So, it’s something he doesn’t know about?”

“Not yet. I wanted to tell you first.”

Kalliope seemed flattered but still a little exasperated. She stared at her friend questioningly.

“I know I said we weren’t leaving the island but now we are.” Ligia let it all out in one breath. It seemed the only way.

Kalliope’s face turned ashen. Her mouth gaped and she stared at her friend in disbelief.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s what Aitan wants and I have to think of him first now.” Ligia’s voice was little and weak, even to her own ears.

Tears were welling in Kalliope’s eyes, and Ligia was just waiting for her to say “what about me?” She didn’t. She didn’t say anything for a long time and Ligia felt her tears stream down her own face while she waited for a response.

“I understand.”

Ligia was stunned. “W–what?”

“It’s OK. You’re right. We love our men and that means doing what
they
want sometimes.”

Ligia had never heard Kalliope speak like this before, and it was her turn to gape. “You’re not mad with me?”

Kalliope managed a smile. “Of course not.” She sniffed back a tear. “We’ve been best friends since forever and that won’t change. I had hoped we would settle down next door to each other and stay together for good. I even wanted to watch you have babies and stuff. But if it’s not what your husband wants then you have to listen to him.”

Kalliope wrapped her arms around her friend and they sobbed into each other as if their hearts would break.

“I’ve got to go,” Kalliope said eventually.

“What about breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry.”

Ligia’s tears continued to fall as she watched her friend disappear down the track which led to the sea. The redhead busied herself with making flatbread for breakfast, but she couldn’t help sniffing back her tears.

“Hey, pretty maid, what’s up?” Rechavia stood in the doorway of his hut wearing nothing but his pants. His muscles rippled as he made his way over to her. He really was gorgeous, though Ligia found his domineering nature a little scary at times.

She wiped a hand roughly across her face, as if she could hide her tears from him. His arm was around her in a second and he was leading her over to a rock where they usually sat to eat.

“Has something happened?” Rechavia’s voice was low and calm.

She took a deep breath and shook her head.

“Where’s Aitan?”

“In bed,” she managed with a sniff.

“You want to tell me what the matter is?” His deep voice reverberated through his body as he held her in his arm. Although usually intimidated by the big Dom, she now found him strangely comforting.

“We’re leaving,” she whispered.

Rechavia cocked an eyebrow. “You and Aitan are going to live on the mainland?” he clarified.

“Yes. I know it’s what he wants and I really want to make him happy.” He was a calming influence on her, and she finally managed to speak.

“Well, it’s obviously not making
you
happy. Does he know how you feel about it, pretty maid?” Rechavia frowned.

She shook her head. “He doesn’t know.”

“What exactly doesn’t he know? That you’re not happy about it, or that you’re moving to the mainland?” Rechavia spoke slowly and clearly.

“He doesn’t know we’re moving yet. I am happy…well, I’ll be happy if he’s happy. I’m just a bit upset to say good-bye to Kally, that’s all.” Ligia sniffed again.

Rechavia looked around. “Where is Kally anyway?”

“She went for a walk, I think. She was upset.” Ligia bit her lip, unsure whether Rechavia would be cross with her for upsetting his girl.

“I’m not surprised. You two have been friends all your lives.” Rechavia pouted as he thought. “Ligia, are you
sure
Aitan wants to live on the mainland?”

She nodded, moving away from him slightly. “He likes all the things they have there. That’s why he wanted the electricity and stuff on the island. I think he misses all that. I think he prefers that way of life to being on the island. We haven’t got all the facilities they have over there. I figured if we don’t change the island to the way he wants it we should go live over there instead. I just want him to be happy, Rech.”

“I see. And have you spoken to him about it?”

She shook her head. “It only occurred to me last night. I love him so much. I’ll do anything to make him happy.”

Rechavia smiled at her, lifting her chin up to make her look at him. “I can see how much you love him. You’d give up your home, your friends, your whole way of life to make him happy.”

She nodded earnestly. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with Kally, but he’s going to be my husband. I have to do what’s right for him, don’t I?”

“You need to talk to him.”

“But he’ll only say he wants to do what
I
want. He wants me to be happy. He’d stay here just to please me and I don’t want that for our marriage. I don’t want him to just try to keep
me
happy, I want
him
to be happy, too.” She sniffed again as tears began to fill her eyes once more.

“Which way did he vote yesterday, pretty maid?”

“The same as me. He’ll always stand by me, I know that.”

“So you don’t think he was being honest about what he wanted?”

“He wants me to be happy.”

“That vote wasn’t about keeping each other happy. It was about what people wanted for the
island
. Are you sure he didn’t vote that way ’cos he realized that the electricity was a bad idea after all?”

Ligia frowned. She would love to believe that. “No. He made me vote first so he could follow whichever side I took.”

“I know Aitan would do anything to make you happy, pretty maid, but I still think he’s as honest as the day is long. I think he voted for what
he
wanted, same as the rest of us.”

Ligia stared up at him. “Are you saying
you
voted for what you wanted, not just because Kally wanted it?”

“I certainly did. I hope you didn’t think
I
was being dishonest?” He gave Ligia a taste of his Dom voice and she shrank back.
How could I have ever thought that?

“Well, no, I suppose…” She struggled with her words as he had made her feel really flustered and uneasy.

“While you were having all that trouble with those pirates, we were having our own kind of trouble, trying to figure out what was best for this island,” Rechavia explained, calmly. “We had a meeting and talked about all the implications and expenses involved in getting the electricity wired up. Most of us decided that, given the facts, it wasn’t such a great idea after all. I think you’ll find that Aitan was with us on that.”

Ligia frowned. It sounded plausible. “I get that he doesn’t think it’s right for the
island
, but I still think he feels that the island isn’t right for
him
.”

“Have you asked him?”

“No, but he was so keen on all the changes. He wants electricity and running water and bars and stuff. If we can’t get it here then I think he should be living on the mainland. He’ll have everything he wants there.”

“Including you?”

She nodded.

He frowned. “Do you think Aitan’s unhappy on Refrainia?”

She thought for a moment. He didn’t seem unhappy at all. “It’s not that,” she replied with a frown.

“I think that’s the most important thing here, actually.”

“But he wanted all that other stuff. Stuff he can’t get here,” she protested.