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

Chapter 22

Drake

I f his crew’s information was accurate, they should be half a day behind Villiers. The men had been angry when he’d ordered them to load up and set sail so soon after the attack, and he couldn’t blame them. He’d promised them days of rest after weeks at sea. Instead, they were back on the water, pursuing their enemies. The crew believed they were hunting down the stolen treasure, and in a way, they were. But Drake’s treasure was far more precious.

Despite their frustration, Drake’s singular focus on getting Aurelia back eclipsed everything else. He was ready to bulldoze through anyone or anything that stood between him and the chance to hold her safe in his arms again—where she belonged.

He hadn’t wanted to admit it, knowing it would only complicate his life. But with Aurelia now out of his reach, Drake was forced to confront the truth—he loved her. For days, he had turned the problem over in his mind, wondering what to do with her once they were found. But after Peter’s betrayal and Villiers’ kidnapping, Drake realized what he feared most— she wasn’t safe aboard his ship. Keeping her there was selfish, placing her in constant danger. He had lost people before, but losing Aurelia? That was something he couldn’t bear.

Sebastian appeared at his side, clapping him on the back. “I’m sure she’s fine, Drake. Villiers wouldn’t have taken her just to kill her. He’s after something else.” He paused, realizing the grim direction his thoughts were headed.

Drake couldn’t even entertain the thought of Villiers hurting her. It twisted inside him like a burning coal, fanning his rage with every passing moment. Amaro Villiers was considered a monster, even among pirates—unnecessarily cruel. Drake had crossed paths with his crew of miscreants before, but Villiers had never so blatantly challenged him like this.

Sebastian cleared his throat awkwardly. “I do wonder, though—what’s your plan for the mermaid once we gallantly rescue her from our enemy’s clutches? Surely, you’re not thinking of keeping her aboard with us.”

“And if I do?” Drake’s voice was steely.

Sebastian gaped at him. “I’d say you have lost your damn mind.”

Thankfully, before Drake could respond, Emilio joined them. “Is Sebastian making things worse as usual?” he asked.

“Of course not!” Sebastian threw his hands up. “I’m just wondering if our Captain has been knocked one too many times in the head. I’m the only person on this ship with any sense left!”

Drake chose to ignore his outburst. “What do you know about the Veiled Island, Emilio?”

“From what the crew’s told me, it’s supposedly cursed.”

“How so?”

“They say no one sets foot there unless allowed. The fog never lifts, and the sun never shines. Sail too close, and you’ll feel an overwhelming urge to turn back. According to legend, a witch has lived there for centuries.”

A thought occurred to Drake. “A magical island, home to a witch. It sounds far-fetched, wouldn’t you agree?”

Emilio chuckled. “Considering I met a mermaid who walks on land like any human, I’d wager there’s plenty about this world we still don’t understand.”

Drake’s mind drifted to his conversation with Aurelia only days ago. She’d mentioned the Sea Witch—a creature powerful enough to grant her legs. There was no doubt the two were connected. But what role did Villiers play in all of this?

As they neared the island, the fog clung to the ship like a living thing, thick and suffocating. They were sailing blind now, relying only on the compass to guide them. With each passing minute, the ocean became more turbulent. Waves crashed hard against the ship’s hull, their force increasing, yet there was no wind, not even a breeze to carry them forward. Without wind, they were at the mercy of the current, pushing them forward, deeper into the thickening fog. Drake could feel the island’s presence. It clawed at his mind, an eerie sensation as though they were being watched.

“This isn’t normal.,” Sebastian muttered beside him. “Tell me you feel it too, Drake.”

“I do.”

“I say we abandon the mermaid and her treasure and sail back East. What say you, Emilio?”

Emilio sighed deeply. “One of these days, Sebastian, that mouth of yours is going to get you killed.”

“If I live through this, that is,” he muttered.

Suddenly, the ship jerked hard to the left, throwing them off balance. Drake’s gaze snapped to the helmsman, who was trying to steer the ship off course, his face white with terror. On the main deck, the crew scrambled, their eyes wide with panic.

Drake turned to Sebastian. “You handle the crew.”

“I think the crew has the right idea. This is madness!”

Drake’s eyes swept the chaos unfolding before him. Sebastian was right—it was madness. The sea raged beneath them, but they could see nothing through the fog, giving the eerie impression that the world was trying to swallow them whole. The men ran about in disarray, gripped by dread, minds poisoned by whatever curse lay upon these waters. The signs all pointed to their impending demise, but Drake would not be cowed. Not by the sea, not by curses, and certainly not by his own crew. He would reach Aurelia—nothing would stop him.

“You seek to challenge me, Sebastian?” Drake’s voice was sharp. “I didn’t think you were so weak-willed that a mere island’s curse could sway you.”

Sebastian gaped at him, taken aback by the accusation. Then, regaining his composure, his gaze hardened. He studied Drake’s face, realizing there would be no turning back. With a curt nod, he left to manage the crew. Drake knew he had been harsh, but there was no time for a battle of wills with Sebastian.

“Emilio, watch the compass. I’ll deal with the helmsman.”

Even Emilio looked uneasy, but he nodded in agreement. Drake marched to the helm, grabbing the wheel from the panicked helmsman. The motion jarred his wound, sending a sharp pang through his side, but he gritted his teeth and bore it.

“I gave you orders. Do you dare disobey them?”

At that moment, a wave crashed over them, drenching them both, but Drake didn’t flinch, his grip steady.

“Cap’n,” the man stammered through the chill, grappling for the wheel, “we must turn back. These waters are cursed! We’ll be doomed if we go any further!”

“That’s not for you to decide!” Drake growled. “Step back, or I’ll send you overboard myself.”

The man gulped audibly, his defiance crumbling, and removed his hands from the wheel. Drake took over, locking eyes with Emilio, who gave a silent nod when they were back on course. A breath of relief escaped Drake as he loosened his grip. Below, Sebastian appeared to have regained control of the crew. Though still uneasy, they were at least following orders. A grim smile tugged at Drake’s lips. Despite all his grumbling, Sebastian’s time as acting captain had sharpened his leadership.

Drake turned his gaze toward the unseen shore where he imagined Aurelia waited for him, praying she was safe and unharmed. If Villiers had laid a hand on her, he would beg for a quick death.

No mercy. No escape. Villiers’ end would be slow and certain.

Gradually, the fog began to lift, and the ocean’s fury subsided. After what felt like hours, the island emerged—a small, foreboding mass of land encircled by towering cliffs, a natural fortress.

Drake turned to Emilio. “Climb to the crow’s nest and look for a break in the cliffs.” Then, to Sebastian, he added, “Have the crew keep watch as we sail.”

The fog cleared further as they navigated the island’s perimeter, but Villiers' ship was nowhere in sight. This only confirmed what Drake suspected—there must be a way inside. His eyes scanned the cliffs, looking for any sign of an entrance.

“Ahoy, Captain!” Emilio called down from above. “Look to your left!

Drake’s eyes followed the direction and scanned the rock until he saw it. There was a small break in the cliffside, well hidden, but Emilio had a sharp eye.

“Aye, Emilio! I see it!” Drake called back.

He steered the ship toward the narrow opening. As they neared, the path revealed itself, dark and winding, like it had been carved through solid rock. The sight only deepened his sense of foreboding. Behind him, the crew moved in hushed tones, their faces pale and tight with tension. Whispers spread through the men. Superstitions about the Veiled Island swirled in their minds, poisoning their courage. A few crossed themselves. Others cast uneasy glances at Drake as if questioning whether their captain had finally gone mad.

“We can still turn back, Drake,” Sebastian muttered, stepping up beside him.

Drake returned the wheel to the helmsman and turned to his oldest friend. “Sebastian, we cannot foresee what awaits us on this island. Tell me now—what grievances do you hold against Aurelia?”

“All right,” Sebastian’s hard stare locked with Drake’s. “I want to know why you’re behaving so recklessly. Why are you throwing away everything we’ve built? And for a mermaid, of all things?”

“I’m throwing away nothing,” Drake said through clenched teeth.

“But that’s where you’re wrong, Drake! First, you let the treasure slip through our fingers after we’ve spent weeks chasing it down. Then you haul us all on this fool's errand to save your little mermaid— instead of the treasure , I might add. And now you say you plan to keep her aboard—a mermaid, on a pirate ship! Can’t you see how it looks like you’ve gone completely mad?”

Drake ran a hand through his hair in frustration, his gaze drifting to the cliffs as if the answer to everything lay there. As captain, he wasn’t accustomed to explaining himself. But if anyone deserved one, it was Sebastian.

Drake’s voice softened, an unusual vulnerability creeping into it as he admitted, “I love her, Sebastian. I’d do anything to keep her.” It felt like confessing to a weakness that could cost him everything.

For a moment, Sebastian was speechless, his mouth hanging open in shock. “You... in love?” He laughed, incredulous. “I don’t believe it. I never thought you capable of feeling something so soft.”

“In truth, neither did I.”

Sebastian assessed him a moment longer, before a grin split his face from ear to ear. He clapped Drake on the back. “Love can turn a man into an utter fool,” he chuckled. “If you’re throwing everything away, you might as well make it count.”

For a brief moment, their interaction reminded Drake of his late brother, Jonathan, who had always been affectionate—especially with his younger, colder brother He would’ve adored Aurelia, Drake realized, his chest tightening at the thought.

From behind, Emilio muttered, “For a smart man, he sure can be dense.”

Sebastian stepped back, ignoring Emilio’s quip. “All right, my friend. Let’s save your beloved. Maybe she’ll even reward us with her treasure afterward.”

“Captain,” the helmsman called, “we’ve entered the cove. How should we proceed?”

Drake turned his attention to the front of the ship, where a large rock formation obscured most of the shoreline. “Hand me the spyglass.”

He scanned along the edge of the rock, spotting the stern of a ship just visible beyond it. Villiers .

“Sail to the outskirts of the rock, but keep us hidden and drop anchor. I need a clearer sense of what we’re up against,” he ordered.

After they anchored, Drake sent out scouts in a rowboat to survey the situation. When they returned, their report confirmed it was Villiers’ vessel, crewed and anchored. Two figures stood alone on the beach—likely Villiers and one of his men. But there was no sign of Aurelia.

Drake’s mind raced, formulating a plan. It wasn’t a good one— reckless , as Sebastian had called him—but there wasn’t time to deliberate. This was personal, and immediate action was required. He would need to relinquish some of his tightly held control if he wanted Aurelia back.

“Emilio,” Drake ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos around them, “ready the crew to board their ship. I want Aurelia’s treasure back. Sebastian, you’re with me. We’ll confront Villiers directly on the shore.” His gaze hardened. “Aurelia’s with him—there’s no other reason he’d bring her all the way here.” A slow, dangerous smirk curled Drake’s lips. “We have the element of surprise. Villiers thinks I’m dead.”

Sebastian grinned in response, the familiar thrill of danger lighting up his eyes. “Let’s show him otherwise.”

“Aye, Captain,” Emilio said, an identical grin splitting his face.