The Tides of Loss and Longing (Love from the Deep #1)

Chapter 2

Drake

D rake’s eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry as he struggled to make sense of the dim light filtering through cracks in the rock above him. His head pounded—the sharp pain in his temple pulsing with every beat of his heart. He squinted against the light, allowing his eyes to adjust. The slow drip of water echoed nearby, accompanied by the gentle lapping of waves on the shore. The air was thick with the scent of salt, seaweed, and the mustiness of stale air.

As he sat up, pain radiated through his head. With a groan, he lay back down and gingerly touched his head, searching for the injury. His temple had a large, tender bump, but thankfully, the skin was unbroken.

Drake examined his immediate surroundings and realized he was lying on a curious blend of fabrics—soft, textured cotton, dense velvet, silky satin, and warm, fluffy fur. Carefully, he sat up again, fully taking in the cavern.

He could hardly believe his eyes.

A treasure trove of untold riches surrounded him, bathed in sunlight filtering through the gaps in the ceiling. Gold, silver, and precious gems shimmered in the light, their reflections illuminating the cavern with mesmerizing brilliance. Gleaming coins lay strewn about the cavern floor, their metallic sheen calling to him. Ornate chests adorned with intricate carvings and gilded embellishments were nestled amidst the treasure.

Drake’s mind swirled with questions. He had to be dreaming… or dead.

Drake shook his head to clear the fogginess, ignoring the pain, but the treasure remained. Confused and disoriented, he attempted to stand up—big mistake. Stars exploded in his vision, and he collapsed back into the nest of fabrics.

On his second attempt to stand, he moved cautiously, slowly easing himself off the ground. Finally upright, Drake took in the entirety of his surroundings. He was in a vast cave chamber with a pool of crystal-clear water lapping at a small shoreline. At the back of the cave, a shadowed tunnel led either to the exit or a more extensive cave system. He prayed it was the former.

Drake bent down, brushing his fingers across a pile of coins that shimmered in the dim light. They were cold to the touch, but their weight felt real, solid. He picked up a golden goblet, running his thumb along its intricate designs. Was he dreaming? The dull ache in his head told him otherwise. Drake searched his recent memory for how he had gotten here or why he was alone, but nothing came to mind. He remembered the storm, the chaos on deck, and the blinding pain when the rope had whipped across his head. But what had happened after that?

As he looked around, there was no sign his crew had been there, but they would not have abandoned him. Yet, here he was, utterly alone in a mysterious cave brimming with treasure. Nothing about this situation made sense.

Closing his eyes, Drake tried to recall more information. Flashes of pink and an iridescent shimmer flickered in his mind. Then, a melody—a beautiful, soft voice—rose to the forefront of his thoughts. He softly hummed the tune, but the words and the identity of the lovely voice eluded him.

A noise from the pool of water drew his attention—something stirred beneath the surface, a faint ripple that made him freeze in place. A sense of unease rose within him. He had faced plenty of dangerous, life-threatening situations before, but this was different. The eerie silence in the cave, broken only by the gentle lapping of the waves and the muffled cawing of birds overhead, unsettled him. It was too peaceful for what this cavern hid. This treasure had to belong to someone.

Drake turned slowly, mindful of his aching temple. He had an inkling he knew precisely where he was, but how? How had he gone from guiding his crew through a storm to being alone in a treasure-filled cave? He hadn’t come here on his own—s omeone had brought him . But for what purpose?

The uneasy feeling of being watched made the hairs on his neck stand up. Instinctively, Drake reached for his cutlass, but his hand grasped only air. He looked down, realizing his belt was gone, and his bare feet sank into the cool sand.

Where were his boots?