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

Chapter 17

Aurelia

F rom behind Drake, further back on the beach, Aurelia watched the unfolding scene with fascination and unease. A rugged, motley group of men waded through the shallow waters and onto her island’s shore. She first noticed how weary they seemed—exhaustion clung to their steps, and their faces were lined with fatigue. Their clothes were a patchwork of worn leather, frayed linen, and the occasional splash of brightly colored cloth. She could not help but notice the abundance of weapons—swords hung at their sides, pistols tucked into belts, and daggers slipped into boots.

One man stood apart from the rest, immediately pulling Drake into a hug. This must be Sebastian, she thought. He was as tall as Drake, with striking blonde hair—something she did not often see among humans around here. Where Drake was big and broad-shouldered, with more ruggedly handsome features, Sebastian was leaner, his face more angular and refined, possessing an ethereal beauty that could almost rival the allure of mermen. He looked tired, though, with dark circles under his eyes and sluggishness in his movements.

Beside Sebastian stood another man with thick dark hair and kind, inquisitive eyes—likely Emilio. He was shorter than Sebastian, with a stockier build. His gaze kept returning to her as if he could see what she truly was. The intensity of it unnerved her.

Drake’s crew glanced curiously at her from behind their captain, clearly confused by the presence of a woman on what was supposed to be an uninhabited island. Drake ignored their silent questions, his deep voice commanding as he gave orders to unload provisions and set up camp. He acknowledged their exhaustion, promising a few days' rest on the beach as a reward for finding him.

The scene felt oddly familiar, reminding Aurelia of the time before they met when she would secretly watch him shout commands from the helm of his ship. It was an uncomfortable reminder that this was a side of Drake she barely knew—perhaps the real Drake. The version she knew might just be one small part of him, a part that would disappear the moment he returned to the sea.

Finally, Drake turned, beckoning Aurelia to join him. She took a deep, calming breath before forcing herself to move toward him, but she couldn’t shake her discomfort. She stopped just behind and slightly to the side of Drake, using his large frame as a shield from his crew. Many of the men’s gazes were curious, some confused—but a few made her skin crawl. She may not know much about human nature, but her instincts screamed at her to flee. The lustful stares of men who had been at sea for weeks were all too noticeable. Her heart raced, and she gripped Drake’s arm, seeking reassurance.

“Men, this is Aurelia. She was stranded here with me, and that’s all I will say on the matter. No one touches her—she’s mine.”

There were nods, and a few murmured 'ayes' as the men busied themselves with their tasks. Aurelia exhaled in relief. Feeling braver under Drake’s protection, she stepped out from behind him.

“Why can’t I ever get that kind of response from those scoundrels?” said Sebastian, grinning as he approached.

“Because, Sebastian, you’re nowhere near as intimidating as Drake,” said Emilio.

Sebastian sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. “Do you see what I’ve dealt with in your absence, Drake? Emilio’s constant vitriol.”

Emilio looked skyward, clearly fed up with Sebastian’s antics.

“And who do we have here?” asked Sebastian. “In all my years, I’ve never seen a creature as beautiful as you.” He reached for her hand, but Drake intercepted him, gripping his arm tightly.

“When I said don’t touch her, did you think it didn’t apply to you?” Drake raised a questioning brow at his friend.

Sebastian’s eyes were locked on Drake—face morphed in shock. His eyes flicked between them for a moment before his usual confidence returned. “Well , yes, that is what I thought.”

Emilio shook his head at Sebastian before meeting Aurelia’s gaze. “Es un placer conocerte, se?orita. I’m Emilio,” he said with a nod. Emilio spoke another language, one that Aurelia was surprised to find she understood just as easily as Drake’s. The Sea Witch had kept her word.

“It’s wonderful to meet you both,” Aurelia replied. “Drake has told me much about you.”

“All good things, I hope?” Sebastian smirked, his gaze locking on Drake. “Now, Drake, care to explain how you ended up on this island with such charming company? This is hardly the condition we expected to find you in—quite the opposite, in fact.”

“We were expecting to find you knocking on death’s door, my friend,” added Emilio. “But it looks like this island has been treating you well—too well.”

Drake tensed beside Aurelia and gently moved her back behind him. Sebastian’s expression shifted from curiosity to astonishment as he observed their interaction.

“It is a long story,” Drake said, his voice tight.

“Are we short on time? On this island, where we’ll be resting after searching high and low for you for days?” Sebastian asked, his tone casual, though a sharp edge lingered beneath it.

Drake turned abruptly, positioning himself directly between Aurelia and the two men, blocking her from their view. “Litt—Aurelia,” Drake corrected himself, his voice softening, “It’s late. Head back to your cave for the night. I don’t want you out here with my men.”

Aurelia hesitated, stifling a yawn. “But… will you join me later?”

"Of course,” he said, flashing her a grin. He tilted her chin, bringing her face up to his, and kissed her. It was warm, lingering, and undeniably possessive.

“Goodnight,” she whispered, her breath mingling with his.

Before leaving, she peeked around Drake's broad frame at Sebastian and Emilio to wish them goodnight. However, they both appeared so stricken that she hesitated, offering only a polite smile. As Aurelia walked away, the weight of what was left unsaid pressed heavily on her chest. She could still feel the warmth of Drake’s kiss on her lips, but there was an underlying ache she couldn’t ignore.

By the time she reached the waterfall entrance, the sun was already slipping behind the horizon, casting a deep orange glow across the water. Her heart raced, each beat loud and heavy in her ears as she walked through the cave’s entrance. The cool, damp air of the grotto did little to soothe the nervous energy running through her veins. Though she was grateful that Drake had given her an easy exit, it had been an emotionally charged day, and she felt overwhelmed. She had wanted to talk to him longer, to muster the courage to share what she’d been feeling. But the weight of it all—the arrival of his crew, the looming uncertainty of what came next—had left her unsure.

She wasn’t frightened by the ship or the men it carried. What scared her was what they represented. Their arrival brought her face-to-face with the reality that Drake might leave. And then what? Would he take her with him, or would this be where their paths diverged?

At least she had a few days while the crew rested. Maybe, in that time, she could gather the courage to tell him everything—her hopes, her fears, and what she truly wanted.