Secrets of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 5] (Siren Publishing Classic) (2 page)

She held her hand in front of her face, gazing at her ring. “Are you sure I can’t wear this all the time? It looks so lovely,” she murmured as she snuggled into his warmth.

“I know, but you can always take it out and look at it when you want to. It would be a shame for it to get ruined in the sea or when you’re flower-picking.” He smirked. Relief and happiness filled his heart.

“Can I keep it on a bit longer? I want to show everyone.” Her pale green eyes sparkled like peridots and she had the most amazing smile.

He chuckled, proud that he had made her happy. “Of course you can, darlin’. I want everyone to know how much I love you. And you can tell them they’re all invited to the wedding while you’re at it.”

She frowned a little. “What exactly is a wedding?” She had never heard of weddings before Eban proposed to her friend Amaranda, and they had married on Westland, so she didn’t know exactly what it entailed.

“I’ll show you on the computer later. All your friends and family get together and witness you saying a few words to each other and then you sign your name and then you have a big party. It’s great fun, it’s meant to be the best day of your life.” Aitan sounded so excited.

“Family? I haven’t got any family. So will it just be everyone from the island?” Ligia looked puzzled and a little sad.

“And
my
family, darlin’. I’ve got folks all over the place, Eastland
and
Westland. They’re gonna love you to bits, trust me.” He was grinning at the thought.

“Will they come all the way over here?” Ligia was amazed. It took several hours just to sail from the island to Eastland’s port. It would take over a day to travel from Westland.

“For our wedding? You try keeping them away! Hey, how about we go tell my mom now? Rech’s got the computer.”

He was so excited Ligia didn’t have the heart to refuse. They quickly washed and dressed before heading out.
She had only spoken to Aitan’s mom a few times on Super-Skype, and wasn’t all that sure the woman liked her much.

“Hey, bro, you not fishing today?” Rechavia met them outside his hut, which was only next door.

“Nope, we’ve got something more important going on today.”

Rechavia saw the twinkle in Aitan’s eyes and guessed he had finally summoned the courage to pop the question. “Kally’s inside,” the massive Dom told them with a dazzling smile.

“Hey, Ligia.” Kalliope was just dusting the wooden chairs with a soft leaf.

“We’ve got some news, Kally.” Ligia was a little nervous about actually telling someone what they planned to do, although she had no idea why. She looked up at Aitan expectantly.

Aitan smiled, though he was surprised she hadn’t wanted to tell them herself.

“I’ve asked Ligia to marry me and she accepted,” he blurted out with a massive grin.

Ligia held up her hand to show them her beautiful ring.

“That’s brilliant news, bro.” Rechavia gave his friend a big hug before turning to Ligia. “May I kiss the bride-to-be?”

“Go for it!”

Rechavia chuckled and gave Ligia a kiss on the cheek followed by a big hug. He was even larger that Aitan, and Ligia felt his heat as their bodies touched.

Kalliope was waiting to hug her friend when they finished. “I’m so happy for you, Ligia, I really am. And your ring’s gorgeous.” Ligia was aware of her friend sobbing in her arms as they hugged, and stood back in horror.

“What is it, Kally? What’s wrong?”

“I do want you to be happy, Li, I really do, but I just don’t want you to go.” Kalliope sobbed again as she blurted out the words.

“Go where? I’m not going anywhere.” Ligia stared up at Aitan, confused.

“We’re staying right here on Refrainia, darlin’,” Aitan confirmed with a chuckle. “Unless Ligia wants to go live somewhere on the mainland, of course?”

“No. We’re staying right here.” Ligia was firm about that.

“Kally, are you thinking that just because Amaranda left the island to marry Eban that means Ligia’s about to do the same?” Rechavia understood his girl so well.

Kalliope nodded, her eyes red and puffy.

“No way. I’m not leaving Refrainia, and I’m certainly not leaving
you.
” Ligia gave her best friend another huge hug.

“I’m sorry, I just thought…” Kalliope began.

“Wrongly,” Ligia finished for her, and they both giggled.

“Anyone else know yet?” Rechavia could guess the answer, seeing how inseparable their women were, but thought it best to check, knowing that Kalliope’s lack of tact would have her telling the whole island without a second thought as to whose news it was.

“Of course not. We had to tell you first!” Ligia stared at him in disbelief.

Kalliope hugged her friend again.

“Actually, now that we’ve told the
most important people
, we thought we’d tell my mom,” Aitan announced with a chuckle.

“Of course, bro.” Rechavia grabbed the laptop which he placed on their newly acquired table.

“Aitan, is that you, dear?” A very well-made-up lady with a perfectly shaped, short hairstyle appeared on the screen in front of them.

“Hi, Mom, yes it’s me.” He grinned as he sat opposite the computer. “I’ve got some news.”

“Is everything all right, dear?” The older lady looked worried.

“Yes, Mom, everything’s fine. I just wanted to tell you that I’m getting married!”

His mother frowned. “You are? But how? I thought you were still on that dreadful island.”

Now it was Aitan’s turn to frown. “I’m living on Refrainia, Mom, but there’s nothing
dreadful
about it. It’s beautiful here. And I’ve asked Ligia to be my wife and she’s agreed.”

“Ligia? The skinny one with the red hair? You’re not serious, surely?” His mother was clearly outraged.

Ligia felt herself go very hot and she blushed with embarrassment.

“Mother. I can see you’re not going to be happy for us so don’t bother to speak to me.” Aitan was fuming.

“But she’s one of those…you know…Sirens! Prostitutes. You can’t possibly marry
her
.” His mother seemed astonished that he could even think of such a thing, and totally oblivious to the feelings she was hurting.

That was too much for the poor redhead, who ran for the door as the tears began to pour. Kalliope went to run after her, but Rechavia shot her a look which stopped her in her tracks.

“How could you be so mean?” Kalliope positioned herself in front of the screen and yelled at the older lady. “Ligia’s the loveliest person I know and you should be proud to welcome her into your family. Now all you’ve done is upset her!”

Rechavia’s hand on her shoulder made Kalliope jump back and she immediately moved away from the table.

“Well how was I supposed to know she was there? Oh really, Aitan, you could have told me. Anyway, at least she knows now.” His mother looked more vexed than ashamed, and Aitan was turning red with rage.

“Mother, I shall go now. I need to see if my
fiancée
is all right after what you said. I don’t want to talk to you again. Good-bye.” Aitan slammed the lid down on the laptop and left the house.

It took him quite a while to find Ligia, who had taken herself off to Destiny Rock, the small rocky outcrop at one end of the island. She was gazing out to sea, her face red and tearstained. Sea was all there was around Refrainia. The mainlands on both sides were too far away to see from there. It made their homeland look quite desolate, but Ligia loved it.

“I’m so sorry, darlin’,” Aitan said as he ran over to her. He cradled her in his arms and she began to weep again.

“I think we shouldn’t get married, after all,” she murmured into his broad chest, shaking her head. Her long red hair tumbled down her back, and Aitan stroked it gently.

“Now don’t you go thinking like that,” he pleaded. “My mom’s just ignorant of the facts, that’s all. She believes whatever rubbish they print in those trashy papers without question. I’m sure when she realizes how wrong she is she’ll be back here with her tail between her legs, begging your forgiveness.”

Ligia lifted her head and frowned at him. “Your mom’s got a
tail
?”

His concerned face creased and he guffawed. “I’m sorry, darlin’, I forgot you don’t have animals here. It’s a saying we use to liken a person to a puppy dog. When they do something wrong they hang their tail between their legs. It’s how you can tell they’re sorry. My mother can be a bitch at times but she hasn’t really got a tail.”

Ligia giggled. She loved all the terms the sailors used.

Lifting her head up to meet his gaze, he stared into her big, green eyes.

“Now, you just listen to me. It doesn’t matter what my mom says, I know she’ll come around eventually. But I love you, Li, and I intend to marry you with or without her blessing. We love each other and that’s all that matters, right?” His voice was so gentle and his face so tender, she couldn’t help but reach up and give him a kiss on his tanned cheek. She smiled sweetly, but avoided answering him.

“Now, do you want to go and tell the rest of the island our news or get something to eat?” Aitan stood up and pulled her to her feet.

“Let’s eat,” she said decisively.
I don’t want to talk about engagements right now!

Once they reached their hut, Ligia busied herself by putting the water on to boil. Rechavia was still working outside his own hut and called over to Aitan. Ligia slipped inside and slid the ring from her finger. With a heavy heart she placed the beautiful object back into its box and took it into the bedroom, where she wrapped it in a leaf before tucking it in the trunk under her clothes. She ran back outside and started to prepare griddle scones, while the men were still talking.

“I reckon with a few more flower orders we should have enough to make a down payment,” Aitan was saying to Rechavia.

“It’ll mean a lot of digging around the island, but it could be done,” Rechavia said with a thoughtful nod.

“That’s what I thought. And with any luck we’ll have the bar set up before the wedding. That stock of supplies is coming along nicely.” Aitan sounded very excited about something, but Ligia couldn’t bring herself to join the conversation. Her mind was reeling. Aitan obviously still thought they should get married, but what if everyone thought like his mom? By marrying her, Aitan could alienate his entire family, and become a laughing stock at the same time. How could he even think of marrying a prostitute? She wiped more tears from her face angrily and tried to concentrate on her cooking.

“Hey, are you OK?” Kalliope appeared next to her with a concerned expression.

“Yes, I’m fine.” Ligia did her best to smile at her friend.

“Don’t you take any notice of that awful woman,” Kalliope said, “I told her she was just mean.”

“You did?” Ligia gaped at her.

“Of course I did. And I’d have said a lot more if Aitan and Rech hadn’t been there, too. I know I’m in trouble for it, but I don’t care. I still think I was right to tell her. After all, it’s the truth.”

Ligia leaned over and gave Kalliope a big hug. “Thank you,” she said with a grin.

“Anytime. You need to stick up for yourself more, you know? Don’t let people talk to you,
or about you
, like that.”

Ligia couldn’t help thinking that Kalliope was right. Perhaps it was time she started to become more assertive. After all, she was twenty-five now.

“Kally, do me a favour,” she whispered. “Don’t tell anyone about the engagement.”

“But…” Kalliope frowned, looking down at Ligia’s hand. “Where’s your ring?”

“Oh it’s OK. Aitan said I have to take it off when I’m working so it doesn’t get ruined.” Ligia tried to sound bright and cheerful.

They heard the men coming over, so Ligia dished up the hot griddle scones before pouring the tea.

“Are you girls discussing dresses yet?” Rechavia asked as he tucked in.

“You can have whatever you want, darlin’. We’ll go around the shops on Eastland next time we’re there, and you can look at all the ones on the Super-Web to get some ideas too.” Aitan chomped his scone excitedly.

“There’s plenty of time. Anyway, I wouldn’t want anything too fancy, just a simple one like Kally’s, I think.” Ligia smiled.

“But that was a
collaring
ceremony, not a
wedding
,” Kalliope objected. “You should have something much more decorative than mine.”

“Maybe I’ll have a word with Pallas,” Ligia said. “She’s been teaching some of the girls to sew. Maybe they could make me something.”

“Great idea,” Rechavia said with a smile. He obviously realized Ligia liked to keep things simple, although Aitan would always prefer to indulge her if he could.

Aitan didn’t look so sure, but he kept quiet.

“What are you guys doing this afternoon?” Ligia asked as she collected the dirty dishes.

“Well I thought you’d like to go and tell everyone our news, darlin’.” Aitan looked a little puzzled.