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

Chapter 21

Aurelia

O n her second day aboard Villiers' ship, Aurelia could only assume they were nearing the island. It was about a four-day swim from her home, and this ship moved far faster than she ever could. She spent the day gazing out of her small porthole, not truly seeing the ocean but replaying the horrific scene in the grotto. Drake’s limp body. The vivid red of his blood soaking through his white shirt. Her own powerlessness to do anything but watch in horror.

Aurelia’s emotions swung back and forth between numbness and anguish, which only intensified as they drew closer to their destination. She felt adrift—going through the motions of life but not really living it. Where was she supposed to go after this was over? She couldn’t return to her island. That place was both a sanctuary for her happiest moments and a graveyard for her deepest sorrows. Returning to her parents’ grotto wasn’t an option either. They didn’t understand her anymore and never would again.

She was utterly alone.

Aurelia’s thoughts were cut short as the door burst open. Villiers usually knocked. A large, hairy man stood in the doorway, glaring at her with one eye—the other hidden behind a patch. She shrank back in alarm, recognizing him as the man she had tangled in her net during the fight at the grotto. If his expression was any indication, he might be here to kill her.

“Come,” he grunted, stepping aside and gesturing for her to leave the room.

Aurelia narrowed her eyes but knew she had no choice. She stood, unwilling to provoke him into dragging her out. Stepping into the hall, she saw another man waiting to lead the way while the brute with the eyepatch followed close behind. It seemed like a lot of effort for one little mermaid.

Still, relief washed over her as they led her above deck. Aurelia inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the fresh sea air. The wind whipped through her hair, and for a brief moment, the salty breeze eased the heavy weight of grief in her chest. The ocean felt within her reach once more. Glancing around, she noticed the thick mist surrounding the ship—they were indeed close.

Her captors led her to the ship’s helm, where Villiers stood, looking far too pleased with himself. “Ah, little mermaid, good evening,” he said smoothly. Aurelia winced at the name as though he’d struck her. “Since we’ve entered the fog, I assume we’re nearing the Veiled Island?”

She nodded curtly, refusing to meet his gaze. She didn’t trust herself to speak.

Suddenly, his hand shot out, gripping her chin roughly and forcing her to look at him. “We’re close now,” he murmured, his eyes cold. “You take me to the witch, and you’ll be free.”

Aurelia glared back at him, tears of frustration welling despite her efforts to hold them back. He was right—they were so close. She would fulfill her end of the bargain with the Sea Witch and beg for her help. At the same time, she would be delivering this vile man to her, hoping he would strike a soul-crushing deal with the witch, just as she had.

“How long has it been since we entered the fog?” she asked.

“Not long,” Villiers replied.

“The island should be coming into view soon. Though I’ve never approached it from above the sea, I imagine it’s just as treacherous as below.”

Villiers raised a cynical brow. “Oh? How so?”

“Towering cliffs and rough waters surround the island. It’s always cloaked in heavy fog, and it’s said that anyone entering these waters feels an overwhelming urge to flee.”

He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This witch doesn’t seem too fond of visitors. How do we get close to shore then?”

“There’s only one way—through a narrow path that cuts through the rocky coastline. It leads to a secluded cove.”

The men on either side of her shifted, jostling her slightly. Villiers reached out to steady her, but she recoiled before he could touch her. He paused, his eyes narrowing, studying her as though weighing something in his mind.

“Can I trust you will not dive overboard the moment I dismiss your guards?”

“Have I fought you since boarding your ship?” she shot back.

“Maybe you’re just biding your time,” he countered, a grin tugging at his lips.

Aurelia sighed. “I have personal dealings with the Sea Witch. I won’t be running away.”

Villiers narrowed his eyes, searching her face for any sign of deception. After a tense moment, a sinister grin spread across his face, and he nodded to the brutes flanking her. Silently, they slunk back into the ship.

“Prepare yourself, mermaid. You’re in for rough waters,” he muttered before turning his attention back to the ship’s wheel, dismissing her with a casual flick of his hand.

Aurelia walked to the ship’s edge and peeked over the railing; the ocean below was barely visible through the thick mist. The witch was clever with her spells, yet when Aurelia had first found the island, there had been no such barriers. She had heard the stories of the Veiled Island—just as humans whispered its legends, so did the merfolk. The waters were said to be pitch black, leaving merfolk lost and disoriented. But for Aurelia, they had been crystal clear. She had thought it was just another island, its dangers no worse than any other.

A bitter realization gnawed at her now, a slow burn deep in her stomach. Why had the Sea Witch allowed her passage so easily back then? As the truth uncoiled in her mind, it became undeniable—the witch had been waiting for her, knowing she would come. She had likely foreseen this very moment, knowing that Aurelia's wish would leave her brokenhearted, forcing her to return to the island in despair. Had the witch been watching her all along, guiding her toward this inevitable heartbreak? The thought made Aurelia’s chest tighten with both anger and regret. Every step she had taken, every choice she believed was her own—had it all been part of the Sea Witch’s plan?

The fog slowly lifted as the ship neared the Veiled Island. Aurelia felt no urge to turn and flee, and the crew carried on as usual. The eerie calm of the waters only confirmed what she had suspected—the witch knew she was coming.

When the mist cleared, the island’s sharp, jagged cliffs emerged like silent sentinels standing guard. Aurelia glanced back at Villiers, who watched her closely, his grin widening when he caught her gaze. Her stomach churned, and she fought the urge to dive overboard.

“We’re looking for a small opening in the cliffs,” she called out to him, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

They circled the island until she spotted the narrow break in the rocky coastline. It was so well hidden that one would almost have to know it existed to find it. He maneuvered the ship carefully through the tight gap, the crew silent as they sailed through the passage. Aurelia could feel the unease building among the men. The cliffs loomed high on either side, oppressive and ominous, casting long shadows over them. Even Aurelia, who had been down this path before, felt a chill run down her spine. The unnerving stillness reminded her of her first trip to the island—how the path had seemed endless, winding through the towering rock walls toward the island’s secluded cove.

After what felt like an eternity, the cove finally came into view. A massive rock formation stood in the center, obscuring much of the shoreline. As they sailed around it, the ship slowed to a stop, and Aurelia’s gaze landed on the black sand beach ahead. Beyond the sand, the island’s thick jungle loomed dark and uninviting, a stark contrast to the sunny shores of her former home.

The crew moved swiftly to anchor the ship. Meanwhile, Villiers barked orders, his eyes gleaming with a fierce, almost chilling, determination. Aurelia couldn’t help but wonder what he truly wanted from the Sea Witch. Whatever it was, she knew it couldn’t be good. A fleeting thought crossed her mind—had she made a grave mistake by bringing him here?

“Mermaid,” Villiers said, turning his attention to her. “You, I, and Hugo will be meeting the witch. You’ll behave, yes?” He cocked an eyebrow at her, amusement dancing in his cold eyes.

Aurelia resisted the urge to roll her eyes and nodded curtly. Villiers led her to the deck and over to the ship’s side, where the man he referred to as Hugo waited in a small rowboat below. Hugo was of medium build, older than Villiers, with once-black hair now streaked with gray. He extended a hand to help as she carefully climbed down the rope ladder, the ship swaying beneath her feet. She clumsily stepped into the small boat and settled onto the wooden bench, with Villiers following closely behind. Hugo took up the oars, and they rowed toward the dark, foreboding shore.

The closer they came to land, the more oppressive the sense of dread became. The mist clung to them, and the sound of the oars slicing through the water was unnaturally loud. Hugo looked particularly uneasy, his eyes darting nervously toward the dark, forested island ahead.

When they finally reached the shore, Aurelia climbed out of the boat, her heart racing. The sea air, once a source of comfort, now felt cold and hollow, mirroring the emptiness gnawing at her insides. Her eyes swept over the cliffs, searching for the cave’s entrance. A faint blue glow flickered behind a rock formation, catching her eye. That had to be it. Without hesitation, she moved toward it, the two men trailing close behind, their footsteps muffled by the black sand beneath their feet.

The dark entrance to the cavern loomed ahead as they drew closer. Upon entering, the temperature dropped sharply. The walls glistened with the sea’s dampness, reflecting the shimmering light from clusters of glowing algae that clung to the rocky surfaces. The cave smelled of damp stone and brine, a sharp scent that tickled Aurelia’s nose. With every step, her bare feet crunched on the cold, gritty black sand, the shells cracking beneath her weight. The sound echoed faintly against the stone walls, accompanied by the occasional drip of water from the stalactites overhead and the whisper of the tide.

Tucked into crevices and perched on ledges were jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes, each containing an oddity more peculiar than the last. Villiers picked up one, turning it over in his hand, peering at the strange contents.

“Gently put that down,” came a firm voice from further into the cave. “Sea stars are tricky to find.”

Villiers raised an eyebrow but complied, setting the jar back in its place.

Cautiously, Aurelia ventured further, stepping into a larger cavern. It looked just as she remembered it, though the last time, her mind had been too occupied with the wonder of walking on human legs. To her left, a small pool of water shimmered in the low light that she knew led to an underwater cavern filled with treasures. At the center of the room stood a large driftwood table covered with ancient, waterlogged books bound in kelp. Hollowed-out sea urchins served as lanterns, casting an eerie glow that flickered and danced across the cave walls.

The last time she stood there, the Sea Witch had given her legs and made her human. But at what cost? Aurelia shuddered. She clung to the hope that there was a way to fix it all—that some price, no matter how steep, could undo the terrible things that had happened since she left this cave.

A large cauldron bubbled over a fire of sea-sprayed wood and smoldering seaweed, filling the air with the strange, pungent aroma of seaweed and something sweetly bitter. It prickled at the back of her throat, making it hard to breathe. A dark tunnel mouth loomed at the far side of the room, hinting at deeper chambers.

Next to the cauldron stood the Sea Witch. She was as beautiful as Aurelia remembered—her thick white hair cascading down her back, adorned with shells and beads woven into intricate braids. Her violet eyes locked onto Aurelia’s, and the soft, pitying smile she offered felt like a blow to the chest. She moved silently across the room, her presence commanding even in the stillness.

“Oh, Aurelia,” she said, her voice warm but heavy with sympathy. “I know why you are here. Come sit.” She gestured toward a comfortable-looking chair near the fire.

The Sea Witch’s eyes flicked over the men behind Aurelia, dismissing them without a word. Glancing over her shoulder, Aurelia saw Villiers and Hugo standing still, their eyes wide as they stared at the witch.

“Men, I also know why you’ve come,” the witch said, her tone patient. “But please, wait a moment. I need to speak with Aurelia first.”

The sound of her voice seemed to snap Villiers out of his trance. He stepped forward, his face twisting into a menacing scowl. “Now listen here, wit—”

“Cordelia,” she interrupted.

“What?”

“My name is Cordelia, not ‘witch,’” she corrected, her tone calm but edged with irritation, her eyes narrowing.

By the stunned look on Villiers’s face, her response had clearly rattled him. Even Aurelia was taken aback by the witch’s cool composure. She had questioned whether bringing Villiers to the witch was the right decision, but this strange exchange only solidified her confidence.

“Could you both wait outside?” Cordelia continued, turning her gaze back to Aurelia. “I have important matters to discuss with her, and you’ll only be in the way.”

Villiers crossed the distance between them in a few strides, grabbing Cordelia by the throat and slamming her against the cavern wall. He loomed over her, his menacing face hovered inches from hers.

“You’re not the most hospitable witch, are you?” he growled. “I’ve been looking for you for quite some time, and I’m not a patient man.”

Cordelia remained unfazed, her expression neutral. She lifted a hand, cupping the back of Villiers’ head, urging it down to hers. His grip on her neck loosened, allowing her to lean in and whisper something in his ear. Villiers’ eyes widened, his hold slackening further. For a moment, he seemed to consider her, his gaze narrowing as if weighing his options. Then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed Cordelia, he stepped back, releasing her without a word.

He turned sharply on his heel and stalked toward the cave entrance, signaling Hugo to follow him. “Alright, ladies, we’ll be outside,” he said. “But don’t make the mistake of taking too long.”

Aurelia stared after him in shock. What had just happened? Cordelia’s light, musical laughter drew her attention back.

“You needn’t worry about that pirate anymore,” Cordelia said, amusement lacing her tone. “Now, let’s talk about the one who truly matters.”

Aurelia swallowed hard, nodding, her nails digging painfully into her palms as she summoned her courage. She had come here for Drake, and now it was time to face whatever the Sea Witch had to say.