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

Chapter 19

Aurelia

A urelia woke abruptly as Drake’s arms tightened around her, pulling her firmly against his chest. His body was rigid against hers, his grip almost painful. She shifted slightly to loosen his hold, her muscles sore from their night of lovemaking, but he only held her tighter.

“Wha—” she said sleepily, only to be silenced as Drake’s hand pressed over her mouth.

His breath was hot against her ear as he whispered, “People are approaching. Quiet.”

Alarm shot down her spine, and she froze, straining her ears. Multiple footsteps echoed through the cavern passage, growing closer by the second. Fear raced through her. Who could have found her grotto? Had Drake told his men about the secret entrance? She pushed the thought away. No—he wouldn’t. Just yesterday, he had vowed to protect her, even threatening to kill a man who dared to touch her.

Drake held her tightly as he rose from the bed, lifting her with him. Reaching behind her, he pulled something over her head. The soft fabric of a nightgown fell against her skin, cool to the touch. The dim light of dawn crept into the cave, casting shadows that made everything feel more ominous.

Her confusion only deepened when Sebastian and Emilio appeared at the entrance, gagged and bound, followed by three men she didn’t recognize. Two held swords to Drake’s crewmates’ backs, forcing them into her grotto.

Drake’s voice cut through the tension, calm but sharp. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to see you again, Villiers, but given the circumstances, not so much.” Despite the danger in the air, he spoke with unsettling casualness.

The man Drake addressed was tall, with tanned skin and unruly black hair. Gold and silver jewelry adorned him in abundance, reminding Aurelia of her own collection. He was handsome, but there was something unsettling about him—something that felt almost sinister.

“The pleasure is all mine, Hawthorne,” Villiers responded with a vicious grin—all sharp edges, a smile that never reached his eyes. “We happened to be passing by when I noticed that impressive fire you built on the beach. Thought I’d stop in for a visit, and look what I found—Mermaid’s Grotto.” He spread his arms wide, his gaze sweeping over Aurelia’s treasure. “Your men were quite helpful in showing me the way—though not without some... persuasion.”

Aurelia’s heart clenched. No, Drake wouldn’t have betrayed her—he couldn’t have. But how had they found the waterfall entrance? Fear gripped her, and she stiffened in Drake’s arms.

Drake’s hold on her tightened as he replied, “I assume you’re here for the treasure then?”

“Naturally,” Villiers said, his dark eyes narrowing as they shifted to Aurelia. “But I’m also intrigued by your lovely companion.”

“She’s no one,” Drake said roughly. “Just a common whore to warm my bed.”

Tears welled in Aurelia’s eyes, even though she knew he was lying to protect her. The sting of his words still cut deep.

Villiers grin widened, his gaze turning even darker. “Perfect, then you won’t mind if I take her along with the rest of the loot.”

Drake’s cutlass was out in an instant, positioning Aurelia behind him. “Try it,” he snarled.

Villiers tsked, shaking his head. “Hawthorne, your men are already secured outside.” His gaze flicked to Sebastian and Emilio before returning to Drake. “And in here. I’m afraid you’re out of options.”

“You’ll just have to kill me then,” Drake growled.

“No!” Aurelia cried, trying to move around Drake, but he blocked her with his body.

Villiers grinned, clearly pleased. “I was hoping for an excuse to finally cut you down.”

Drake’s eyes locked with hers, desperation flashing in them before they swept toward the water. She understood the silent command: run, swim away, survive. Her body tensed, every instinct roaring at her to flee, to dive into the ocean’s embrace and escape while she still could. But even as fear clawed at her insides, something deeper took hold—something stronger.

No .

Aurelia shook her head, refusing to surrender to that instinct. If she wanted a future with Drake, she couldn’t keep running, not this time. Her chest tightened, and her heart pounded with the weight of her decision.

She wouldn’t leave him— not ever .

Without warning, the men holding Sebastian and Emilio slammed the hilts of their swords into their heads, sending them crumpling to the ground. Stepping over their unconscious bodies, the three men advanced on Drake and Aurelia, cornering them between the water and the cavern's entrance. The rising sun cast their shadows long and menacing on the walls.

“Aurelia, please,” Drake’s voice was tense, his eyes never leaving the attackers.

Before she could respond, the men lunged. Drake fought them off with fierce, skilled movements, keeping Aurelia firmly behind him as he swung his cutlass. The clash of steel echoed in the cave, but three against one was impossible odds. She couldn’t just stand there helpless—Drake needed her. Desperately scanning the ground, her eyes landed on her whalebone knife near the cave’s wall. Without a second thought, she darted toward it.

“Aurelia!” Drake’s shout rang through the cavern, panic lacing his voice as one of the pirates broke away to chase her. She snatched up the knife and her fishing net, her only defense against the towering man with a sinister gleam in his eye.

The pirate sneered, advancing on her with slow, deliberate steps. He was larger, stronger, and more experienced, but Aurelia noticed his eye patch—a vulnerability. Heart pounding, she jabbed at his left side, aiming for his blind spot, but he was quick and blocked her attack with ease, swinging his sword in return. She barely dodged, but his blade still nicked her side, the sharp sting making her cry out.

“Aurelia! Leave now!” Drake demanded. He sounded enraged.

Blood seeped from the wound, but it wasn’t deep. She had no time to dwell on the pain. In a desperate move, she threw the net over the pirate, watching as he struggled against the tangled cords, buying herself a precious moment. Ignoring her injury, Aurelia rushed toward Drake, frantic to help him.

He was being driven backward as Villiers and his man pressed their attack, forcing him closer to the water. She had no plan, only the hope that distracting one of his attackers might give Drake a fighting chance. His eyes found hers again, filled with urgency—a silent plea for her to run.

Just as she neared, Aurelia saw the deadly shift in the battle. Her approach had distracted Drake, leaving him exposed. Villiers seized the moment, driving his sword deep into Drake’s side.

“No!” Aurelia’s scream ripped from her throat, raw and unrecognizable. Her legs buckled beneath her as she watched in horror. Drake collapsed to his knees, blood quickly saturating his white shirt in a dark, widening stain. With a cruel smirk, Villiers brought the hilt of his sword down on Drake’s head. He crumpled to the ground, motionless.

Aurelia crawled toward him, her breath ragged and shallow, her heart slamming painfully in her chest. Tears blurred her vision as she reached out, her trembling hand inches from his body. “Drake, pl—please get up,” she sobbed, voice breaking.

Before she could touch him, strong hands seized her from behind, yanking her upright. She screamed and thrashed wildly, swinging her knife, but her captor was too strong. Her wrist was wrenched painfully, and the blade clattered to the ground.

Aurelia’s mind spiraled into chaos. The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony ripping through her chest. Was Drake dead? She could barely comprehend the thought.

The pirate tightened his grip, pulling her back against him as he leaned in close, his hot breath brushing her ear. “Shhh, now lovely,” he whispered mockingly. “Don’t cry. I’ve heard bleeding out is a peaceful way to go. I’m showing him mercy, you see?”

Tears streamed uncontrollably as she weakly struggled against him, but it was no use. Exhaustion and helplessness overwhelmed her. The sight of Drake’s still, bleeding form made her stomach twist violently. His white shirt was drenched in red, and the thought that he might be gone was unbearable.

“No, please, no,” she cried.

“There, there,” came Villers cruel voice as he dragged her toward the water’s edge. “I need to test an idea that came to me during our little skirmish. You see, I met a woman once who claimed she was a mermaid. At first, I didn’t believe her.”

He shoved Aurelia toward the shoreline. She hit the water limply, too broken to fight. The coolness of the waves barely registered as the tidal wave of grief crashed over her, paralyzing her.

“I demanded proof,” Villiers continued, his voice almost amused as he watched her. “And you know what? She walked into the sea and transformed right before my eyes—like magic.”

As the salty water lapped at her legs, they began to shimmer. Her human form melted away, replaced by the familiar iridescent sheen of her mermaid tail. The pirates gasped in awe, but Aurelia barely noticed. Her heart was shattered.

Suddenly, Villiers was in front of her again, crouching by the water’s edge with a wicked grin. “Now tell me, mermaid,” he sneered. “What magic is this?”

She stared up at him, tears still streaming down her face. Numbness began to creep in, dulling the sharpest edges of her pain.

“Who cast this spell on you?” Villiers demanded, pressing the cold blade of his knife to her throat. “Tell me, now.” His dark eyes gleamed with malicious intent.

Aurelia’s thoughts drifted back to her bargain with the Sea Witch. It felt like a lifetime ago, though it had only been a few full moons. The witch had warned her of the price she would pay, of the pain and cruelty that came hand in hand with the beauty and freedom of human life. But Aurelia, eager and blinded by desire, had thought being human would complete her, make her whole. Now, as she sat alone, her heart shattered, and her world upended, she realized just how naive she had been. The true cost of her wish was far more than she could bear. And now, it was time to pay her debt.

Aurelia glanced at Sebastian and Emilio, slumped unconscious on the ground. She couldn’t let this monster hurt anyone else. Looking up at the man who had taken everything from her, she whispered, “I can take you to her.”

◆◆◆

Time was cruel. Only hours ago, she had been wrapped in Drake’s arms, her heart fluttering with the uncertainty of their future together. Now, she was imprisoned on a pirate ship, abducted by the man who had killed him. The shift was staggering. Her old worries felt so painfully trivial compared to the harsh reality she faced now.

When Villiers had dragged her aboard, he’d locked her away immediately while his men greedily looted her treasures. The room she was kept in was small and bare—just a circular window, a net serving as a bed, a securely locked chest, and a single lantern swaying from the ceiling in time with the ship's gentle rocking. She stared out at her island, her former sanctuary, now forever tainted by the worst day of her life.

Her heart— a part of her body she had never paid much attention to—was breaking in ways she hadn’t known possible. It was as though her entire being was unraveling. No matter how many tears she shed, they wouldn’t stop. It felt as if she was losing all the water inside her, withering from the inside out. Aurelia longed to retreat into numbness, to shut these feelings down, but she feared if she did, she might never crawl back out.

The sound of the lock turning startled her. The door creaked open, and Villiers strolled in, that vicious grin plastered on his face. “You’re quite the pitiful sight, mermaid,” he said, leaning casually against the frame as if he hadn’t just shattered her world.

Aurelia’s grief simmered into something darker. Something hot and sharp. She had never known true rage until now. It burned through her, almost consuming her. Her hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms painfully.

Villiers noticed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Ah, there it is. Fire. For a moment, I thought you’d gone lifeless. You’d have been dreadfully boring then.”

She glared at him in silence, fury stoking the embers of her broken heart. It was better to feel this than to lose herself in the void of despair.

“I came to inform you that you’ll be dining with me tonight,” Villiers said, his tone mocking. “I have questions, and I expect answers. So dry your tears… or don’t.” His gaze dropped to her tear-stained cheeks, lingering with a predatory gleam. “I’ve always found women’s tears rather... arousing. But keep the rage.” He winked at her, a cruel grin twisting his lips before he turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Aurelia slumped against the wall as his footsteps faded away. She felt raw, torn apart from the inside out. Another flash of Drake’s bloodied shirt burned in her mind, the image of his body collapsing haunting her. No. She forced the thought away. She couldn’t afford to break down—not yet. There would be time for grief later. Now, she had to finish what she started.