Chapter 62 High Sea Seduction, Part II

Chapter 62 High Sea Seduction, Part II
Morning came as if nothing had happened. I even bumped into Augustus as he made his way back to his quarters from his night duty. 

He curtly nodded at me, hiding a mischievous glint in his eyes. But when we both heard Medea's voice coming from the end of the hall berating Isobel, he immediately walked away. 

Castiel and Kieran, on the other hand, were both busy replenishing the water supply with drops of Siren's Tears. They didn't fully explain what happened last night, but as far as I could understand from their hushed tone, a siren used a different kind of song to heighten their desires.

A song that would drive a mere normal Lycan crazy just by hearing its melody. 

Akasha… That name. I haven’t had the opportunity to ask Kieran about it, and a part of my gut tells me that even if I did, he won’t answer. 

But Fluke’s incessant whimpering gives me an idea of just who this Akasha is. 

We’re in the middle of the ocean. And even if I wanted to ask Lind or somebody to look into it for me, there’s no way I could contact anyone without him knowing. 

I know I’m not entitled to know all of Kieran’s past. After all, even though we’re mates, we’re still two separate people. He’s not entitled to tell me everything, and I him. 

But why does it feel like my heart is being gripped hard by an invisible hand? As if it was squeezing it so hard it was too hard to breathe?

“Is that… a ship?” 

I glanced in the direction that one of the Black Wolves pointed. Fog had begun to creep into our passageway, but from a distance, I could make out a massive silhouette of a…

Red ship.

The Reds were very distinct about the designs of their ships. Skull engravings on the figurehead. Sails carrying the insignia of the Red King. And the distinct black wood used to build the ship, from a cursed species of tree specifically growing in Redlands. 

I grabbed a pair of binoculars hanging nearby and scanned the ship. As we drew closer, I could see bodies of Reds floating around the ship, severe burns painting their bodies after they were exposed to saltwater. The ship was smoking, but I could make out massive damage peeking from its keel, after it struck a group of jagged ocean rocks. 

And by the quarter deck, two figures stood in the middle, calm, as if they had anticipated our ship would pass by. 

Alfonso Vergara. And his right-hand man, Mischa, both wearing casual clothes. 

Castiel didn’t think twice. No one voiced any protests either. It was as if a spell was cast on them, so our crew immediately extended a wooden plank between our ships and helped the two cross. 

I glanced at Kieran.  He just stood by, watching, as the two Reds spoke to Castiel in practiced amity.

“Your Eminence,” Mischa greeted.  “His Highness apologizes for the trouble, but would you mind if we join you in this ship for a bit? We’ll leave after we reach Arcadian Isles.”

Castiel raised an eyebrow.  “Arcadian Isles? I don’t want to snoop around, but what business do you have in that island? It’s not safe for… mere exploration.” 

Mischa’s lips curled into a smile. “His Highness simply wanted to see the island.”

Arcadian Isles. An island conveniently close to the Forbidden Island. An island, which, if one’s unseasoned and untrained to check, might be mistaken as the island Mother had been violently protecting. 

Even sailors warned us of tales about Arcadian Isles. It wasn’t a popular choice for vacation, especially after the rumors that the island swallows its visitors.  Alive. 

What are they really going to do there? Should we be worried?

Alfonso must’ve sensed my gaze; he went out of his way to walk towards me.  His face was still covered by that golden mask, and with the harsh sunlight, it glistened too bright for me to ignore.  

“We meet again, Lady Hestia,” Alfonso greeted as he placed a gentle kiss on top of my hand, which lingered a bit too long for my preference.  He looked up at me with his golden eyes, and I could tell he was…

Why am I thinking of the Stranger once again?

“The pleasure’s all mine, Your Highness,” I curtly replied as I pulled my hand back.  Castiel and Mischa approached him, dragging him once more into a conversation.  

My stomach was twisting in tight knots as I approached Kieran.  Yes, Castiel might only be friendly with them for the sake of the ceasefire.  

And yes, we can’t afford the Reds interfering with the trials. 

But how are they showing up even at the most inconvenient places? Alfonso and Mischa abandoned a substantially-sized ship drowning in the middle of nowhere, with its passengers still aboard.  

Saltwater was only one of the Reds’ natural enemies.  While Lycans dreaded all forms of water due to our wolves being naturally scared of it, the Reds hated the seas and oceans because of salt. 

It burned their skin quickly, almost acting like an acid.  Why the hell would they risk their men’s lives like that, just to simply look at an island famous for not letting its visitors live or leave?

And now, they’re aboard Queen Selena, as if they’re nothing but harmless. 

And Alfonso’s gaze…

“Hestia, will you show our guests their rooms? I believe the one next to yours and Kieran were empty,” Castiel called, snapping me back into reality. 

“Yes, Your Eminence.” 

The hallway in the upper deck felt more cramped and suffocating as I led them to their room.  It was bad that they’re aboard, even more knowing that Alfonso would be sleeping in the room next to mine for a few days.  

I can’t forget his words back in the borderlands. The way he casually offered to make me his principal wife.  His gifts, which kept on arriving at the doorstep of the White Manor despite me turning them all down.  

He knew me well.  So well it felt… dangerous.  

Alarm bells were ringing in my head, telling me to be careful of him, specifically.  Not just because he’s a Red, or because the Stranger might be working for him.  

Alfonso carried this strange feeling as if he would bring me my demise.  

As if…

He was slowly owning parts of me.

It didn’t make any sense, but—

“Hestia, you should rest,” Kieran cut off as he approached us.  He stood in front of Alfonso, his ruby eyes burning. Alfonso glared back at him, with hints of irritation visible in his gaze.  

“Kieran—”

“Let me lead His Highness to his room,” Kieran said in a low, almost growling command.  “After all, I have a lot of questions for him.”