Chapter 29: Chapter 29

“Keep alert,” I hear a man say behind me.

I watch numbly as we are anchored, and Siron’s men set out for the capture of the great healer. ~This nightmare is almost over~, I keep telling myself.

Eltson’s life depends on Siron being healed, a worthy ransom for the aid of his personal miracle worker. It is still dangerous from what Mort was telling me before we arrived onshore.

I have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Apparently, we will be staying on the island of Mora Veil. It’s a very small island, but very rich and off the radar.

It’s like a vacation destination, from what I’m told. A destination for the corrupt, a place to cleanse a dirty soul. Eltson’s wealth is vast, buying him an island and a towering castle.

I take a breath and glance around the tropical island. I still do not feel good about it, but that could just be my own guilt clouding my instincts.

I will have to face Apollo soon, and I am dreading it like the plague.

My legs are wobbly, still feeling like the ocean swaying under my feet. A wave of dizziness clouds my vision before it rights itself.

It seems like forever before carriages and horses come to fetch us. The massive carriages have yellow glowing lights around them, like space carriages from the future.

It really is awesome to see another world’s technology that is so different from our own.

I take another breath as my eyes take in the scenery. The beach is stunning, and the towering mountains in the distance remind me of Mount Olympus. Home of the Greek gods.

Like Apollo.

“Let’s go,” Laura says beside me, and picks up her light blue dress to walk, “before some vicious mob pops out of the trees to kill us.”

~Really?~

“Did the ransom work then?” I glance at Laura. Siron left about an hour before everyone else, so who knows what is happening right now. I guess they struck a deal then?

“I have no clue, I can only assume,” she says as we are led into a plush carriage.

The ride is bumpy, making my stomach even more upset than it already is.

“I really like him.”

I glance at her and frown. It takes a moment for my brain to work. “Who?”

She grins, looking like a feline. “Well, if you have not noticed, I have been hanging around a certain someone.”

My eyes brighten up as I think. “The hairy man?”

She bursts into laughter. “I like it, ~and~ I can tell he is very handsome under all of that manly facial hair. He’s a great kisser.”

I just stare at her. “Kisser?”

“Girl, you’re not the only one who can have fun here.”

I laugh, placing my hand over my mouth. At least someone is winning here. Too bad he is not the prince in question. I’m sure Laura would not fall for two men. What a nightmare.

“What’s his name?”

“He won’t tell me.”

“What? Why?”

She shrugs and giggles. “He said he would soon.”

Well, that is odd. “Why on Earth would he keep that from you?”

“I think he is just being mysterious.”

I raise a brow. “A cutthroat pirate? Being romantically mysterious?”

She frowns at me.

“That’s,” I pause with a grin, “a little out of character. But what do I know?” I sigh and glance out the window. “I wouldn’t take any advice from me.”

~Do the opposite of anything I say or do.~

There is silence. “Well, I did think it was odd.”

I look at her. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“It could be something.”

Great, now I’m making her paranoid.

Laura leans forward. “I actually think this whole Siron being a ruthless pirate thing is bullshit.”

She continues with a pointed look, “We have been treated like queens, Viola. This man is supposed to be feared beyond imagination.”

“I know.”

“It does not add up.”

I nod. “We need to talk to Mort and Leenie.”

“Agreed.”

“Another thing,” I say. “What do you think all of the other girls are doing while Apollo is in a coma?” Even saying that makes me sad, guilt filling up my thoughts.

“Probably falling in love with other men…getting laid. I don’t know.” She shrugs.

I nod with a chuckle.

“Destiny likes that butcher’s son,” I remind her.

“He’s hot. I saw him.”

I nod and glance out the window again.

Laura bites her lip. “Do you think he is some horrid outlaw, and that’s why he won’t tell me his name? Has he killed hundreds of innocent men?”

I stare at her. “It’s possible. But he treats you good?”

She nods.

“Then I don’t know. You will have to ask, I guess. Pry it out of him. At least he can talk,” I say, and grin at her.

She laughs. “A small win.”

We arrive at a large palace of white stone with gold accents; large pillars grace the entrance of the three-story entry. Like everything, it is stunning.

Men lead a handful of us into a lovely sitting room with men I do not recognize. Laura’s manly man with no name walks up to the foreign men in white and gold finery.

They speak in a language I do not understand, but they are shaking hands and conversing as though they’ve known each other for a long time. Laura and I sit on the couch and wait patiently.

My heart is hammering. I just need to get to the healer and get back to Apollo before it’s too late.

I have this insane sense of urgency. I don’t even know if Apollo is still alive. I feel a wave of panic at that thought, willing the butterflies away.

~Positive thinking.~

It feels like forever before we are finally led to a room to freshen up in. I need to know if Siron was successful in getting healed. I need that medicine yesterday.

“Mort here.” She is suddenly beside us, making Laura yelp.

I get up from the soft bed. “Mort! Talk to me.”

“So, I think everything is going to plan, for once. Siron, from what I hear, has already received his first round of treatments for his ailments. He should be a healthy man in no time, according to Pierce.”

She continues, “You need to track him down. We need that cure for Apollo, or we are going to lose him. We do not have time to spare.”

I can feel my pulse hammering in my neck. “Where is he?”

Mort grins. “Follow me.”

***

I follow the little white butterfly down long hallways.

We are sneaking, though no one told us we could not leave the room they placed us in. I just want to be sure I am not seized and taken back. I need to talk to Siron desperately.

“Hurry, Mort,” I hiss. Butterflies are not the quickest bugs. It’s rather frustrating waiting for Mort to make up her mind which way to go.

We finally stop in front of a large door and Mort does not fly further. This must be it. “Through here?”

Mort appears in front of me. “Be quick. Pierce told me this is the recovery and spa wing. It’s through this door and to your left.”

Mort is gone.

I close my eyes and pray Siron will be reasonable.

Please let him help me.

I walk through the door and smell earthy smells. It’s not unpleasant. The only thing missing is the Indian spa music.

I go through and see an opening to my left—a small room with an arched entry. The room is steamy, almost like a wet sauna, but not as intense.

I walk slowly, cautiously. I would hate to barge into this room and have weird men in here and not Siron. I shiver. That would be very awkward.

~This is not where I parked my car~, I would say, and run away.

I suck in a breath as I inch further inside. It’s then I see the one and only Siron laying on a bed with only a towel covering his trim waist.

My face heats instantly.

This might be a bad idea, and I should have just waited until he was feeling better. I go to turn around then think better of it. ~Don’t be a coward.~

I hope he is not dead.

I walk up to him slowly and notice his deep skin color looks very healthy. His bare chest is glistening from crystal-like water droplets, making my mouth dry up.

I notice that he is still wearing his black mask, shocking me. I wonder if he ever takes it off. How strange—maybe he is scarred.

The slow rise and fall of his chest assures me that he is living and breathing, not a Greek statue in the process of being sculpted.

Each ripple and dip of his muscle seems like a work of art, perfectly smooth and hard at the same time. I bite my lip as I stare at his perfect mouth.

I reach for his mask, knowing this might be my only chance. Just a little peek.

His hand snatches mine, making me scream. He sits up so fast I do not register that I’m now pinned underneath him.

My heart is beating so hard I think I will have a heart attack at any moment. “Siron,” I breathe. “Let me go.”

I can see his eyes almost look confused as he stares at me.

“Ursula?”

I frown.

He is breathing hard as his dark gaze pins me.

The pressure and heat from his body is making it hard to focus. “Yes. Though you don’t usually call me that?”

I can tell he is frowning, his chest rising and falling quickly.

I try to move, but he is not budging. Taking a slow breath, I try to stay calm, keeping my voice level. “I really hope this healer didn’t do anything weird to you.”

“What in the fuck are you talking about?” he hisses.

Immediately I am alarmed.

This is not good.

“Siron,” I gently say. “Let me go, you’re hurting me.”

“You have two seconds to tell me what’s going on, Angel,” he says in a smooth voice.

I know that voice.

My heart is drumming against my neck. I feel lightheaded.

“What did you just call me?”

Another voice from behind us commands, “Easy. Get off her.”

Siron stiffens and glances back.

The man is the hairy, bearded pirate. He is now standing right beside us, gently prying Siron’s hands from my wrists. “That’s it, nice and easy.”

I am about to freak out at any second, but I keep my cool until I am freed. “What is going on?” I whisper, shaking.

The bearded man sighs loudly. “Nice to see you again, my lady. Forgive me for all the deception and disguise.”

My eyes widen, the voice hitting my memory. It’s not gruff anymore, but smooth and elegant. He takes off his eye patch and my breathing escalates as I try to register anything coherent.

“Tarren, at your service.”

I pale. “What?” I barely say.

He looks very apologetic as he nods to Siron. “Looks like our prince has come back to reality,” he quietly murmurs. “Take off the mask.”

I can barely hear over the rushing in my ears. Siron looks at me and something flashes in his gaze as he takes off his mask.

I scream.

Because I’m staring at a dark ~Apollo~.

~What in the ever-loving shit?~

I pass out, I think, because everything goes blissfully dark.