Read Online His Seafaring Siren (Caledonia's Captives) by Lisa Adams - Free Book Online Page B

become nothing but a shadow of who she once was. There was a darkness in her gaze that pierced Mowriyah’s heart. Leihla’s soul had been broken. She had once been so exuberant and carefree. Her months spent as a prisoner to Hadrian and to Rome had taken Leihla to a dark place. Mowriyah only hoped that once they freed her, Leihla would be able to return to some form of her normal self.
    Septimus, who had never been good at dealing with emotions, had stayed away from her. Phaedra had become her new ally. She couldn’t explain it, even to herself, but having Phaedra there to help her through this depressing moment had been comforting. There was a tenderness in a woman’s touch that couldn’t be matched in a man’s.
    Trivian stuck his head into the room. “Mowriyah, it’s time. Are you ready?”
    Definitely. She nodded. “What’s the plan?” She walked out into the kitchen and joined the others.
    Phaedra grabbed her hand and held it. “Trivian, you, and I are headed to the palace. Septimus will be on the boat waiting for us, for a quick departure.”
    “I checked the ship this afternoon. All the supplies have already been loaded for the journey home. The ship’s repairs are sturdy, and barring any major catastrophe, we should be able to make a clean escape.”
    Something wasn’t right. Mowriyah had been feeling unsettled since the visit with Leihla that morning. She had been sure that it was only worry, but there was something else. There was a sensation of loss that seemed to hang in the air. She swallowed, trying to hide her mood from the others. “So, we are ready for the final act of our mission?”
    Phaedra gave her hand a soft squeeze, then released it. She stood next to Trivian and the two embraced. “We can do this together.”
    “Together.” He kissed her nose and held her close.
    Mowriyah turned to Septimus. “I know I have been short with you, but I wish you were going with me.”
    “I wish I were too. But someone needs to be ready at the ship for a quick getaway.” Septimus grabbed her and pulled her to him, wrapping his large arms around her. “Besides, Leihla will want to see you there and may not trust the others without you.”
    Mowriyah leaned her head against his chest. “She was so distant. I hope she will be okay.”
    “The sooner we get her out of here, the better she will be.” He bent and kissed her forehead and Mowriyah felt a surge of warmth radiating through her.
    Interrupting their embrace, Trivian said, “If we are going to do this, it needs to be now. The guards will be changing their posts soon.”
    “Right.” Septimus released her and Mowriyah felt a sudden chill. He grabbed her hand and the group left the house and walked into the darkness.
    At the end of the road, Septimus pulled Mowriyah close once again. “Hurry back and be careful.” He ran his fingers through her hair and she felt her heart breaking as if it were the last time she would see him. He released her and started the walk to the pier.
    Overcome with emotion, Mowriyah called out, “Septimus!”
    Phaedra grabbed her arm. “Shh! People are looking for him, remember?”
    She shrugged from Phaedra’s grip and ran towards him. “Wait!”
    “What is it?”
    She stopped a few feet away. “I...” Her voice cracked. I have to tell him. What if something goes wrong and this is the last time I will see him? He needs to know how much I truly love him, even if he rejects me again. Her voice caught in her throat once more. “I...”
    “I know.” He walked to her and threaded her hair through his fingers. Lifting her mouth to his, he kissed her with a fire that made her knees quiver. “Mowriyah, I can’t imagine my life without you. When we get through this, when we get home...”
    Her heart jumped with anticipation as she hung on his every word. “Yes?”
    “When we get home, will you marry me?”
    “Yes. Yes!” She pounced on him and kissed him there in the empty open streets. “I love you,