“I was on The New World heading for Eastland,” he recalled as he peered at his surroundings. He had not expected to reach land this soon!
Eban sat on a warm, flat rock, surrounded by more rocks, with shrubs growing between them. The setting sun threw a pinky hue over the little island and glinted off the turquoise water surrounding them. The air smelled of fresh flowers and sea salt. He put a hand up to his forehead, where it hurt.
“Don’t touch that,” the curvy brunette admonished. “I’ve put a foil-leaf dressing on, but I didn’t tie it very tightly in case it made your head ache.”
How thoughtful!
“Thank you,” he replied, smiling at her. She really is adorable. “Where are we? I don’t remember leaving the ship.”
“This is Destiny Rock, and behind us is Refrainia where we all live,” the young girl explained, gesturing to the large expanse behind them. He noticed that Refrainia appeared covered in lush grass and bushes, with pretty flowers everywhere.
“It’s beautiful, er?”
“Amaranda,” she said, smiling at him. She really has a beautiful smile.
“I’m Eban Gal.” He shook her hand, amazed to see her puzzled expression.
Her hand was cushioned and warm and she did not seem to want him to let go. Eban frowned in confusion as he pulled his hand back, although he would have been happy to hold her soft, plump fingers for much longer.
“You fell from your ship when it crashed onto the rocks,” explained Amaranda, her face a little flushed.
“Oh no!” exclaimed Eban, looking around. “What happened to it?”
“I’m afraid it’s gone, and all the men with it,” Amaranda said softly. “You’re the only one who survived.”
Eban felt the blood drain from his face, and he gasped. All my workmates, many of whom had become almost like brothers to me, gone?
“I’m so sorry,” Amaranda whispered, gently stroking his arm.
“Thank you for saving me,” he said after a few minutes, allowing the sorrow to sink into his tired bones.
Amaranda smiled. “I think we need to hide,” she said quietly, “the women will be going back to Refrainia again soon, and we don’t want them finding us here.”
“Why ever not?” asked an astonished Eban. “Have I done something wrong?”
“I–it’s not that,” stammered Amaranda, “it’s just that men aren’t allowed here.”
Eban looked around. There was no one near them, although he was aware of some activity near the rocks at the front of the island. From where he sat he could see a few scantily clad women milling around. No men?
“Why on earth not?” he asked in surprise. How bizarre!
“It’s just our way,” Amaranda said with a shrug. “Our elders decreed long ago that no living men were allowed here. We have no need for them. All we need is the provisions they bring, nothing more.”
Eban was feeling slightly offended, but tried not to take her comments personally.
“Provisions?” he asked, puzzled. “What provisions?”
Amaranda shrugged again. “Well, food mainly, and whatever else they’re carrying. Once a month the elders take a trip to the mainland with whatever we don’t need. Sometimes the ships bring really useless stuff like coal or oil. They exchange it all for food.”
“Don’t you have your own food?” asked Eban, his tousled blond hair falling over his face as he shook his head incredulously. Surely, with all that lush land they must be able to grow their own food!
“No,” replied Amaranda, matter-of-factly. “Apart from a few berries and fruit we can pick and eat straight from the plants. We don’t cultivate or manufacture anything on the island. We don’t need to – not that we’d know how to even if we did!”
Eban frowned. “So why do these men bring you provisions if you don’t give them anything?”
“We do give them something—sex!”
She had said it as if it were as simple as a cup of tea. Eban gasped. He stood up and looked around him.
“Sex?”
“Yes. They seem to enjoy it.”
I’ll bet they do!
Amaranda shot up and held his arm to steady him. He felt her soft fingers touch his biceps through his white, cotton shirt. She had evidently read his stunned expression as concussion, and he wasn’t about to correct her—she felt too good!
“So where are they, these men enjoying sex?”
He was still looking at his surroundings, enjoying the feel of her so close. He could smell her floral aroma waft over him. She smelled fresh and clean, a hint of salt on her bronzed skin.
“Oh they’ve gone. All the men are gone,” she replied. “Come on, we have to hide you.”
He could now see the size of Destiny Rock, and realized that this was just a stopgap. It was not big enough or suitable for living on. An ideal place to hide out though!
Amaranda led him toward the back of the small island near where the causeway joined it to Refrainia. They were careful to hide behind the rocks as much as they could. She took him into a cave, which had a very small mouth but opened out to a much larger area inside. It was dark, but dry.
“They will be leaving Destiny Rock soon, so we have to wait until they’ve gone. Then I can cross the causeway before it gets too deep. It should be dark by then so they shouldn’t see me,” Amaranda said in a low voice, still holding his arm. “I’ll fetch you some food. There are also some massive leaves on Refrainia which we use to cover ourselves with. I’ll bring over a couple, not that I think you’ll need them, it’s so warm here.”
Eban remembered learning about this area near Eastland. It was always warm in this part of the world, and they only had rain at night. Ecologists had changed the climate of the whole planet to suit themselves long ago. There was enough rain to fill the streams and rivers and make the plants grow, but never enough to cause floods or any other inconvenience. It never rained during the daytime so there was never any need for people to get wet unless they wanted to go into the sea.
The young couple crouched in the cave while the dozen beautiful women sauntered past, chatting and laughing as they went. Each wore a tiny bikini. Clothing was one of the commodities they traded for on Eastland, not that they needed much of that! Eban admired their slender bodies as they walked past, but could not help thinking how much he preferred the soft, round body of the girl sitting next to him, still holding his arm. He put his other arm comfortingly around her shoulders and she snuggled into him. She felt warm and cozy and he thought it was a shame she was going to have to leave him soon.
* * * *
It was getting very dark when Amaranda eventually stirred from the comfort of Eban’s arms, announcing that she had to go.
“I’ll be as quick as I can,” she promised as she clambered over the rocks and onto the causeway.
The sea was rising and she sloshed about on the rocks, trying hard not to catch her feet on the jagged edges again. Salt stung the open wounds which she had earlier treated with embalming foil-leaves. She was still sucking on red berries to prevent her cough, which had eased a lot since this morning. As she got further toward Refrainia, she felt a great sense of loss and realized that she was already missing Eban. He was so strong and protective. She wondered what it would be like to kiss his sumptuous lips.
Amaranda was so caught up in her little dream world that she hadn’t noticed someone watching her gather up the largest of the Elmwood leaves which grew near the outskirts of the village.
“Are you feeling any better?”
It was Kalliope. How much has she seen?
“Yes, thanks,” Amaranda replied as nonchalantly as she could manage.
“What’s with the leaves?” Kalliope watched as she rolled them up to carry them.
“I thought I might feel chilly tonight. I fear I might have a cold,” Amaranda replied, faking a shiver.
“Well, keep warm—you’ve got a big day tomorrow.” Kalliope shrugged as she walked off toward the houses. I had forgotten a
ll about my birthday!
Houses on Refrainia were small huts made of bricks and stone, having been built to last many years ago when the island was first inhabited. In those days, men had been used for their strong labor. It was unusual for women to do anything which might be classed as work. Keeping their little houses neat and tidy was about as much as they did, although Hermandine, the leader of the island, even had someone to do that for her—not that the poor girl, Melantho, got paid as she was regarded as family.
Amaranda quickly gathered up some fruit and berries, which she folded into a leaf to carry, and headed back across the causeway.
The water was becoming much deeper now, as the tide was coming in. Destiny Rock was within swimming distance of Refrainia, so it was never actually cut off, and, as the tide only rose at night, it was never really an issue, as the Sirens only needed to be out there around midday, though they often stayed longer to enjoy the peace. With so much to carry, swimming wasn’t an option, so Amaranda ploughed through the thigh-deep water and arrived at the cave to find Eban waiting eagerly for her return.
“I was so worried about you being out there in the dark,” he said, climbing down to meet her. “Are you all right?” She was sure she could hear concern in his voice.
“Of course. I’ve brought you some Elmwood leaves. They’re thick enough to lie on, and there’s enough to cover you if you get cold.” She handed him the rolled up leaves, which he took in one hand, then offered her his other to help her up over the rocks. They entered the cave which was now much darker than before. The small entrance didn’t allow much light in during the day, and as night had now fallen it was quite eerie!
She watched as Eban looked around as best he could, and evidently decided to place the bed against a dry wall not far from the mouth of the cave. Good choice. He would be able to enjoy whatever light was available there, while still being hidden from sight, should anyone come near. He put two large leaves down on the stone floor, and then took the food parcel from her. She squealed as he pulled her down onto the makeshift bed with him, and snuggled into him as he put an arm around her and started to feed her the fruit and berries, which he shared.
“I ought to get back,” she murmured as he popped a red berry into her luscious mouth.
“Do you live with your parents?” Eban asked. “How did you manage to get away?”
“No,” she sighed. “I live alone. My parents are dead. My father died before I was born and my mother died when I was a baby.”
“I’m so sorry,” Eban whispered, holding her tighter. “That must have been awful for you.”
“The worst part was being passed around the community,” Amaranda replied. “I never knew who I was going to stay with next. No one wanted to look after me full-time so the older women took turns. Hermandine, who is in charge of the island, took a dislike to me and did everything she could to make my life miserable. If it had not been for Pallas, I don’t know what I would have done. She is one of the elders. She is very wise and she has always been there to help me. I loved the times when I went to stay with her, but she is quite elderly and could not look after me all the time. As soon as I was old enough I started to live on my own, I didn’t want to be a bother to anyone. Besides, I like my own company.”
“So no one will notice if you don’t go home tonight then?” Eban whispered, gently stroking her silken hair.
Amaranda thought for a moment and then shrugged. “I suppose not.”
“Good.” He kissed her softly on the cheek.
Amaranda nestled into his warmth and curled her soft body into his. She could feel his heart beating against her own chest as they lay on the soft cushion of Elmwood leaves, listening to the gentle shushing of the waves, and watching the walls become darker and darker, until she drifted into the most peaceful sleep she had ever had.
* * * *
Eban listened to her gentle breathing. Everything about this woman seemed soft and tender. Her warm, snugly body was tucked into his side, and her satiny round arm was wrapped over his chest, her velvety fingers lightly touching his neck. He held her in his strong arms, wanting to keep her safe, not ever wanting to let her go. There was something about this woman—this woman was special…
Chapter 3
The morning sun streaked across the wall of the cave, giving it a warm amber glow. Amaranda woke but didn’t move. She clung to her dream. Then, remembering where she was, and who with, she wanted to stay there forever. Strong arms still surrounded her. She felt safe, secure, protected, cared for, happy. Am I still dreaming?
“I don’t want to move either,” said a soft voice, reading her thoughts, “but I think we’d better.”
She snuggled back into him, making it impossible for him to move. She burrowed into his side and wrapped her arm tightly over his shoulder to keep him in place.
Eban chuckled, obviously suspecting exactly what she was doing. With a strong arm around her, he bent his knees and stood up easily, carrying her soft, round body in his arms.
“Oh no,” she groaned, peeping out to see the floor below them.
“Oh yes,” he said, laughing. “If I have to move, you have to move.”
He placed her gently on her feet.
“I have to go pee,” he explained, and squeezed through the narrow entrance and out into the fresh morning air.
The smell of sea salt wafted into the cave as Amaranda looked out, and the sun glinted off the azure-blue waves. She turned back into the cave.
Amaranda smiled and reached down to the food parcel. Looking at the large apple in her hand, she wondered how people had ever coped in the past when fruit was so much smaller. It was amazing to think how people managed to survive so many generations with so few resources. She remembered learning about it in her history lessons. For hundreds of years industries had been closely monitored for zero emissions, and the world had become a much cleaner place to live. She could not imagine how awful conditions must have been for people before that. Pollution and lack of resources had almost killed off the human race before the People’s Government had taken over. Her only regret was that she had been born to a Siren on this historical island, and, as it was not joined to either of the main lands, their own laws governed them. She longed to live in the “real world” on one of the main lands where people seemed to be much freer than here. It had just been her luck to be born on one of the very few islands left in the world!
Eban climbed back into the cave, carrying a handful of flowers from the nearby shrubs.
“These are for you.”
She thought he looked a little shy as he handed them to her.
“Thank you,” she gasped. “No one has ever given me anything before.”
Eban was stunned.
“Not even for birthdays?” he queried.
“Why would they do that?” she asked in surprise. “The only thing that happens on your birthday is that your role changes in the community. Today I am twenty-one so I become a—” She stopped suddenly, not wanting to say the words, not even wanting to think the words!
“Happy birthday!”
Eban was smiling at her.
“What?” she asked, confused.
“Happy birthday. I didn’t realize it was your birthday today, and your twenty-first at that! That’s really special! Are you having a party to celebrate?”
Amaranda looked at him, totally bewildered. “A what?” she murmured.
Eban looked puzzled.
“Where I come from we have parties to celebrate birthdays, with gifts and birthday cake, and sometimes we decorate the place with bunting and fairy lights,” he explained. “I guess you do things differently here?”
“I guess we do,” she said sadly, turning away from him. “Thank you for these.”
Amaranda laid the posy on the stone floor, and then tidied the leaves they had used as a bed.
“I ought to go soon,” she said.
“Why?”
He stood behind her and put his arms around her waist. �
��Why not stay with me?”
She felt the warmth of his body against hers and relaxed momentarily into his comfort. She wished she could stay with him. Always. Never to return to Refrainia and all its rules. From today, she would be too old to attend her lessons, but should go with the full-fledged Sirens to work at the front of this rock. Today’s shift would be here just before noon, expecting her to join them.
Memories of yesterday ran through her mind. The arousal. The sex. The killing. How could she join that? Amaranda felt nauseous as darkness crept into the sides of her eyes. Her head went fuzzy. Everything went black.
“Amaranda!”
Eban caught the young girl as she slumped down into his arms.
* * * *
“What happened?”
Amaranda’s eyes eventually fluttered open and she tried to sit up. He had laid her on the bed and was gently stroking her pale, drawn face. Her breathing was shallow.
“Keep still,” he ordered, “you can lie there a little longer.”
She gave a weak giggle, as her big brown eyes gazed up into his dark blue ones.
“You’re very bossy!” she said, smiling.
“Yes I am,” he replied, “and I’m going to take care of you.”
Amaranda liked the sound of that!
“And just how do you propose to do that?” she chided.
“First, I’m going to make you rest,” he said, snuggling down beside her, “and then I’m going to feed you, as you haven’t had breakfast yet.”
He pulled over the big leaf, which still contained some fruit and berries that she had brought him last night. He rubbed a red berry over her plump bottom lip, and she smiled as she opened her mouth. She chewed on the delicious fruit, not wanting to tell him that she had already eaten an apple earlier. Amaranda loved being fed by Eban. There was something very caring about the way he made sure she had enough to eat, and took his time so as not to choke her. The feel of his fingers as he placed food onto her tongue was also incredibly sensual.
Last of the Sirens [Sirens and Sailors] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 2
