Sable jumps in, her sweet voice adding a touch of reason to the chaos. "Everyone, let's just take a deep breath. Dani, you’re right—we need to focus. Lucian, control yourself. We have a lot at stake here."
I hold my hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. Lay it on me, ladies. What's the game plan?"
Dani stays silent for a long moment, the gears turning in her pretty little head. After what feels like an eternity of waiting for her to solve world hunger or some shit, she finally speaks up. "I'll go back and take Lucian with me."
Emily, in all her bitchy glory, "Thank fucking god. I can't babysit this overgrown man-child anymore."
"Are you sure that's wise? Bringing him along in his current state?" Sable asks, voicing her concerns.
I mull it over for a second. Is it a good idea to hop dimensions or realms or whatever the fuck they're called when I can barely remember my own name? Then again, it beats sitting around here twiddling my thumbs while surrounded by two sexy witches, one of whom is just itching to snip my balls off at the first opportunity. Plus, it means more one-on-one time with Little Miss Honey Pot over there.
I flash Dani a grin. "Hey, I'm game if you are, sweetcheeks. A little interdimensional road trip sounds like just the thing to jog my memory. And if not, well, at least I'll have some eye candy to keep me company along the way."
Emily makes a gagging noise. "Gross. Can you keep it in your pants for, like, five seconds?"
I smirk. "Sorry, babe. When you're packing heat like I am, it's hard to always keep the safety on."
Sable shakes her head, looking like she's questioning every life choice that led her to this moment. "Dani, are you absolutely certain about this? We don't know what kind of trouble he could cause in Aquaria."
Dani sighs, rubbing her temples. "I don't have a choice. We need all the help we can get, and like it or not, Lucian's a powerful ally. I'll just have to keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid."
"Moi? Stupid? Never. I'm the picture of grace and decorum."
Emily snorts. "Yeah, if grace and decorum got shit-faced and had a baby with poor decision-making skills."
Dani laughs, then focuses back on me. "How about you shut the hell up and focus on not getting us killed in Aquaria? Do you think you can handle that, champ?"
I give her a cheeky salute, my hand snapping to my forehead with all the precision of a drunk soldier. "Aye, aye, captain. One steaming hot order of 'not fucking things up' coming right up. Served with a side of 'I'll do my best, but no promises.'"
I pause, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "But just for the record, if you ever want to use that crown to, you know, play out some fantasies... I'm totally down. We could have our own little roleplay adventure."
Rhyland
23
Istand at the ship's railing, my eyes fixed on the horizon, where the dark blue waters stretch out endlessly. The sea is deceptively calm now, contrasting with the howling storm that nearly tore us apart hours before. In the distance, I can make out an island's lush, green outline, its jungle-covered slopes rising from the waves like the back of some ancient, slumbering beast.
"We be right above the Atlantean Ruins," Gideon says beside me, his voice low and gruff. "And headin' smack dab in the middle of Siren-guarded waters."
"Great, just what we need right now," I growl, with sarcasm. "Can't you get us back on course, away from these Siren-infested waters?"
Gideon shakes his head, pointing to the tattered remnants of our sails. "Aye, lad, once we fix our sails. That bitch of a storm did a number on 'em, and we can't go anywhere until they be mended."
Erik, perched on a barrel to my left, speaks up. "And how long will these repairs take, Captain?"
"About an hour, give or take," Gideon replies, scratching his beard. "I got me crew workin' double-time to get 'em replaced. Once that's done, we'll be on our merry way, puttin' these cursed waters behind us."
I turn back to the railing, my eyes scanning the deep blue waters. Despite the danger lurking beneath the surface, I can't deny this place's raw, wild beauty. It stirs something deep within me, old memories of my Viking days spent sailing the seas in search of new lands and discoveries.
My gaze is drawn to the island in the distance. "What's that place?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
Gideon steps beside me, his weathered face creasing with awe and unease. "That be Tempest Isle, mate. A right treacherous place, shrouded in mysteryand danger."
I feel a chill run down my spine at his words. "And the Sirens?" I ask, my voice tight. "What's their role in all this?"
Gideon's face darkens. "They be the guardians of the isle, lad. Tempest Isle be their domain, and they don't take kindly to trespassers. They use their songs to lure ships onto the rocks, then drag the survivors down to their watery grave."
"What more can you tell us of this island, Captain?" Erik asks.
