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I looked at our boat bobbing where we’d anchored. It wouldn’t stand a chance. “Our best shot is to at least get away from these rocks. We can sail downwind for a bit to put some distance between us and them. Then we’ll have to ride it out and hope for a miracle.”
We all nodded in agreement and started swimming back to the boat. I grabbed Serena’s arm as we fought the rugged waters and boarded the sailboat. “Serena, I need you to go back and wait for me. Wait for me with your kraken, and I’ll come back once I have your crown and Bastian’s dead.”
“Bellamy, you know I am the only one who can kill Bastian,” she groaned. “You can’t do it alone.”
“Please,” I begged. “Let me try.”
“I’ll go back on one condition,” Serena said as I hung on her every word. “You forget me, Bastian and my crown, and you leave things as they are.”
“What?” I threw up my hands. “No! Why the hell are you making this so difficult? Don’t you want to end this damn cycle you’re trapped in? Don’t you want your power back?”
“Of course I do, but…”
“But what?”
“I…have fears. Fears I cannot say, but you must trust me. And if you won’t leave me and promise not to go back to Bastian, then I’m coming with you. Because I am the only chance you and your friends stand against him.” She didn’t allow me the chance to argue. She turned on her heel and walked away with a sigh, sitting on the other side of the boat and leaving me with less clarity than before. What fears was she talking about? And why did she have to be so stubborn? The constant back and forth tore my mind to shreds. But one thing was certain. Someone was going to be disappointed no matter what I did. No surprise there.
The thunder rolling in the distance reminded me to move fast. I dropped the sails as Milo worked the helm, catching the winds from the tempest, and we surged forward, outrunning the storm. Katrina and Serena stood at the starboard side, watching the waves. I knew Katrina must have been stressed about her mom, but this was her best chance of making it back to her alive. And Serena...she was watching the raging sea like a proud parent watches a child.
About twenty minutes later, the clouds were catching up to us, and giant rain droplets smacked the top of my head. “We should probably go ahead and drop anchor,” I said. Milo gave me a nod and we sent the anchor down, waiting for it to snag. When we felt the tautness of the boat against the line, Milo gave me a thumbs up and we both headed for the cabin, calling for Katrina and Serena to get their asses away from the hull and join us.
We waited out the storm, a few lanterns our only light. The cabin was small, but comfortable enough for us all to sit facing each other in the glow of the lowlight. We took turns passing around a Mediterranean beer that we’d found in the cabin, except for Katrina, who understandably opted out.
“Try not to worry,” I said, noticing Katrina’s downcast face. “Bastian isn’t going to do anything to your mom before we get there. She’ll be fine.”
“She has a fish tail, Bellamy!” Katrina snapped.
“And she’s alive. That’s what matters right now.”
Milo rubbed his hands together. Our damp clothes were cold against our skin. “He’s right. Your mom is his bargaining piece, and he’s not going to do anything to hinder his chances of getting what he wants.”
All eyes flickered to Serena, who took a swig of beer and passed it off to Milo. “You are all about to find yourself in hot water.”
“Hot water sounds lovely right about now,” Milo shivered. I laughed.
The storm outside began to strengthen. The rain pelting the deck sounded like an avalanche above our heads. We fought to keep our balance as the boat tipped and teetered back and forth, waves crashing against all sides.
“Enough about Bastian. I’m sick of his name.” Serena said. “Let’s sing a song.”
I was surprised to see Katrina smile at the idea. “A mermaid and a siren queen want to sing to us. What could go wrong?” I chuckled.
“Oh, that’s true. I guess things could get out of hand.” Serena smirked. “Then how about you sing to us?”
Katrina’s smile grew wider as Milo and I protested. “Come on, boys. The crew could use a morale boost. Sing for us.”
“Us singing is really not something that will boost morale, lass, I promise you that.” I stretched my arms behind my head.
“Oh, I think it would,” Katrina laughed, and grabbed Milo’s shoulder. “Come on, teach us a shanty or something.”
Milo rolled his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers. “I think I’d rather go ride out the storm on deck. Wouldn’t you, Bellamy?”
“Aye, man. “We’re not drunk enough for this.”
“Oh, come on,” Serena pleaded. “You weren’t a pirate in your first life. I want to hear a shanty.”
I sighed, resigned to my fate. “Fine, love. For you. Just this once.”
The girls clapped and cheered with giggles as Milo and I turned to each other. “Which one should we do? ‘Drunken Sailor?’”
