The Siren's Call

by Candace Osmond

  I could see him then. Henry. My pirate king waiting for me near the bow, dressed in his new black vest and fancy trousers under the nice jacket I’d gotten for him. His long blonde hair had been neatly combed and tied with a black ribbon at the back of his neck. He looked so handsome.

  And nervous.

  I noticed the way his large hands wrought together anxiously, and his two feet discreetly shuffled in their place. As if he couldn’t bear the burden of standing there in place as I slowly walked toward him. I met his dark, obsidian eyes, now covered in a film of gloss and beaming with pride. I couldn’t help but match his expression and felt a single tear escape as Finn released me and I finally stood by his side. He reached and wiped at it with his thumb.

  “Tears?” he said by way of asking.

  I pressed my cheek into his open palm. “Tears of joy. I promise.”

  “You look like a vision,” he told me, deep and full of emotion.

  “Well, you’re no popper yourself.”

  Henry chuckled lightly and took my hand in his as we turned to face the waiting priest. I hadn’t even noticed him, or anyone else until that moment. My mind only searched for Henry. I glanced over my shoulder to where a giddy Finn and three deckhands sat on wooden crates gleaming up at me. With Lottie and Gus flanking our sides, Henry nodded to the holy man to proceed.

  The next few moments were a blur of words jumbled together with the sound of my heavily beating heart and blood rushing through my head. I repeated as prompted and Henry followed. But when the priest turned the floor to us, to profess our vows to one another, my mind cleared and the world around me came into focus. It was his turn first.

  “Dianna,” he began, both his hands holding mine between us. “My life… it has been nothing but a series of cold and dark places. I felt trapped. I felt lost. As if I didn’t even exist. And, for a time, I even wished I didn’t.”

  He paused to choke down the emotions that threatened to escape his throat and I squeezed his hands.

  “But then, by some divine force, the universe saw fit to throw you in my path. To make me love you. To show me I was worthy of being loved in return. I said it before, and I’ll say it forever. Everything I am begins and ends with you. You are my light in the darkness. And I vow, on this day, to always protect your flame. To cherish it with my soul and keep it warm with my heart. I love you, Dianna Cobham.”

  The resound of tears being shed and sniffed away masked my own and I struggled to find my voice under the bubbles that had formed in my throat. I pulled one hand free of his to wipe at my nose and he chuckled under his breath.

  “Uh, well, that’s a tough act to follow,” I croaked, and a wave of laughter erupted around us. I returned my hand to his and called my heart to speak. “Henry William White. You say I’m the bright light in your darkness, but I’ve always thought you were the force that broke through my empty world. Spilled into it like the ocean that once crashed through my home. I-I harbored so much hate for the world around me until you chased it all away.”

  I had to stop, to catch my breath, and Henry’s chest heaved with anticipation.

  “O-our lives, by some inexplicable fate had been woven together before we even met. That much I know to be true. And like a golden thread, your soul had been tethered to mine and it pulled me in. Dragging me home. There’s no doubt in my mind that I was born to love you. And what I’ve learned is that we’re both worthy of it. Today, I happily hand over my heart, my light, for you to have. To live in the protection of your darkness and sit by the fire of your love. Until we depart this world together.”

  “Blood Christ!” Finn bellowed from behind. “Yer makin’ me bawl like a damn baby. Just git on with it, will ye!”

  “Finnigan,” Henry said boldly and shot him a look under his authoritative brow.

  Finn cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Uh, apologies, Captain. Uh, Sir.”

  A few more words were spoken by the holy man before us and then Henry returned his mother’s ring to my finger where it would stay forever. Shakily, I slipped the one I’d gotten for him over his ring finger. I breathed a sigh of relief that it fit perfectly, and Henry held it up for himself to admire. He spoke no words but gave me a side glance that was full of curiosity.

  “You may now kiss your bride,” spoke the priest.

  We turned to face one another and before I could even blink, Henry grabbed me in one swift movement, throwing me back into the cradle his arms provided and took my mouth in his. My hands, no longer trembling, reached up and smoothed the skin of his cheeks, pulling his scruffy face into mine so I could drink him in. I felt his arms shift and slide under me before Henry scooped me up completely and turned to our friends.

  “We’re married! Let us drink!”

  Our modest circle of friends erupted into a loud cheer, clapping and moving about. Under the blanket of merriment, Henry pressed his forehead to mine and whispered, “I am yours. I love you, Dianna White.”

  “And I you,” I told him.

  Chapter Ten

  The musicians played loud, beautiful music with fiddles and lutes as I sat around and watched my friends celebrate the events of the day. A couple of hours had passed since we returned to The Kraken’s Den and Mister Cresley proved himself more than accommodating. We paid him for a meal and a few drinks to be passed around to our friends, but the lingering guests had joined in the dance and he’d been continuously feeding us plate after plate. Drink after drink. Happy to just be included in the fun.

  My poor pregnant feet throbbed, so I sat comfortably at a nearby table, carefully sipping on a small glass of port that I had watered down. Finn, loud and merry, danced around in a drunken stupor, tossing his free arm over everyone he neared. Telling them how much he loved them. I snickered and tossed a bit of fresh bread in my mouth before turning my attention to Henry.

  Lottie had scooped him up for a dance and he pranced her around like a gentleman to the jig that played. The deckhands, my boys, sat nearby, drinking weak ale and stomping their feet to the beat of the music. Charlie caught my eye and stood before making his way across the room to sit by me. He pulled out a piece of paper and a lead and scribbled something down.

  Happy?

  “Yes,” I told him and smiled. “Very. More than I could ever imagine.”

  He placed a hand over his heart and nodded, telling me he was happy for me, too. Then he scribbled again.

  I have a present.

  “For me?” I asked, and he beamed. “Charlie, you didn’t have to get anything for me. That’s silly.”

  But he waved me off and reached into his trouser pocket to pull out a tiny bag that closed tight with a drawstring. He placed it in my hand, and I loosened the strings to dump the contents into my palm. It was a wooden bracelet. A beautiful, intricately shaped bangle with tiny stars burned along the outer surface. Inside, the words Dianna & Henry carved by hand.

  “Oh, Charlie, this is beautiful,” I told him sincerely. “Did you make it?”

  He nodded and raised his boyish brow as he motioned to the gift in my hands, reaching for it. I let him have it and he placed it over my fingers, slipping the bracelet down over my hand where it sat comfortably around my wrist.

  “Perfect fit,” I said and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  After Charlie bounced back to the crowd, Lottie came over and sat down in a huff of sweat and booze.

  “Sorry for monopolizing Henry,” she said. “He’s just a much better dancer than Augustus.”

  I laughed. “Gus doesn’t dance.”

  “Exactly.” She leaned back on her elbows as she stared out to our friends and slug back another mouthful of ale. “I saw Charlie give you something.”

  I held out my wrist to show off the dainty wooden bracelet. “Isn’t it sweet?”

  Lottie took my wrist, turning it over in her hands. “Yes, he’s quite the little man, isn’t he? That kid adores you.”

  I sighed. “We’ve been through a lot. I owe him my life. A d
ebt I could never repay.”

  “I think you’re doing just fine by taking care of him, giving him a place aboard your ship,” she replied. “Charlie’s as happy as they come, don’t worry.” She took another big sip and wiped at her mouth. “I have something for you, as well.”

  “What? God, you guys. You don’t have to–”

  “Shush now, it’s your wedding day. It’s customary to be showered in gifts.”

  Lottie reached over to the table next to us where her cloak and satchel hung from a chair and reached inside the bag, pulling out the item she procured from the market earlier. The one wrapped in fabric. She handed it to me.

  “It’s not a fancy homemade gift, but I saw it and thought of you.”

  Slowly, I unwound the plain fabric to reveal a book. Leather bound in a warm brown and tied together with thick strands of suede. I ran my fingers over its surface before cracking open the spine to peek inside to find blank pages.

  “The stories you told me about Henry’s journal, and then your mothers, I just thought you should have your own. To write down your thoughts, recipes.” She shrugged. “Perhaps even our crazy adventures.”

  I shook my head. “Lottie, this is probably the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given. Thank you.”

  “Really?” she guffawed. “A book?”

  “It’s not about what it is,” I assured her. “It’s what it could be.”

  “Well, I’m glad you like it.”

  Just then, the front door of The Kraken’s Den opened and the heavy snowfall that now fell in the night came flowing in. We all glanced over, like meerkats peaking their heads around. Some had no idea the person who stood before us, while others tried to mask the gasp which escaped from their mouths. Henry’s face flashed to mine and he took a few long strides over to where I sat.

  “I did not invite her, Dianna, I swear it,” he said with worry.

  “I know,” I told him and turned my gaze toward Roselyn Wallace and recalling the letter I’d entrusted with Cillian earlier. “I did.”

  “What?” Henry’s face became awash with disbelief and anger. “Why?”

  “I second that,” Lottie chimed in and gave me a disapproving look.

  I shrugged. “She cares for you, Henry. As I’m sure you do for her, or did once upon a time. You play a very big role in the life she’s lived, and I think she deserves to say congratulations, to share your special day, don’t you?”

  Henry’s face jumped back and forth between me and the woman from his past who waited in the entryway, unsure whether or not to come in. I smiled and waved her over.

  “Are you sure?” he leaned down and whispered to me.

  “Yes,” I replied. “Now, greet your friend.”

  Roselynn stopped a couple of feet away and I almost regretted my decision at the sight of her stunning beauty. Damn, the woman had no parallel. No one I could compare her to in my mind that would even come close to sharing the natural beauty she held. But I bit back my jealousy and stood to meet her.

  “Dianna,” she said. “Thank you for inviting me. I believe congratulations are in order. I trust your day was something magical, yes?”

  “It was, indeed,” Henry replied for me and stepped closer to my side. “A simple ceremony aboard our ship. Dianna was absolutely radiant.” He beamed down at me.

  “Still is,” she replied and looked me up and down with those chocolatey eyes and cat-like gaze. “That dress is stunning.”

  “Thank you. It was made by Madam Guthrie.” Suddenly, after feeling like a goddess all day, I felt self-conscious in my gorgeous gown. Like all of my flaws were showing. But I brushed it away.

  Wallace let out a quick laugh, a single huff, almost in disbelief. “The witch?”

  “I knew it!” Lottie called from my side.

  I shushed my drunken friend. “You’re not serious?” I turned my attention back to Wallace.

  She shrugged. “Well, there are rumors–”

  “Wallacccce!” Finn bellowed and yanked her by the arm, twirling the startled woman around and then dipping her. “Now here’s a woman who knows how t’throw a party. What are ye doin’ here, ye wench?”

  Still suspended in Finn’s arms, I expected Wallace to reply with anger but was surprised when she erupted into a fit of laughter and swat at Finn’s arm to let her go. “You foolish man, on the drink again, are you?”

  He threw his mug into the air and called out, “Aye, ‘tis a celebration! Drinks are in order! Come, dance!”

  “In a moment, alright?” she promised Finn as he did a clumsy jig back to the crowd. She turned back to us, laughing, but her expression morphed to something serious.

  “I wasn’t going to come,” she began. “I didn’t think it appropriate after the way things ended between us.” She spoke the words to Henry but held my gaze as she did. The apology was for both of us. “I admit, seeing Henry after all these years… I had little control over my actions. But that’s no excuse. You didn’t deserve that, Dianna. I should not have laid hands on your husband. And, for that, I’m very sorry. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  Her words were sincere, but something in her face, something that flitted across her expression didn’t sit well with me. Almost like a warning. But for what? To watch out? That she’ll swoop in and steal Henry out from under my nose if the thought pleases her? I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something deep in my gut told me to watch my back.

  I kept up the charade of niceties. “It’s alright, Wallace. A simple misunderstanding. I think it’s me who owes you an apology.”

  She twisted her brow in confusion. “Whatever for?”

  I masked a sneer with a fluffy smile before Henry could see. “For vomiting in your vase. I hope it wasn’t too much of a mess to clean up.”

  Her eye slightly twitched but Finn came running up from behind and grabbed the woman before she could respond. Soon, Wallace was taken by the crowd, passed a mug of ale, and Lottie ran to join in the fun. I was tired and fit for bed after the long day I’d had. But watching my friends, in that very moment, brought me more joy than anything.

  To see them having fun, free of worry over our mission. If even for a night. It suddenly made me realize that they’d be okay without me. Without us. If Henry and I survived this mess and truly fled to some quiet piece of land where we could be happy and raise our kids.

  Henry sidled up next to me, his long arm draping over my shoulders as I rested my head against him. Happy. Content. We needed no exchange of words and I happily listened to the beat of his heart against my ear.

  “Are you ready for bed?” he asked.

  “No, we can stay if you want,” I replied through a yawn. “Wallace just got here.”

  “I still don’t understand why.”

  Another slight yawn. “I’ll explain later, when my eyelids can stay open on their own.”

  I felt his body jiggle with a slight chuckle, one that formed deep in his chest. “Come,” he said and moved to stand. “Let’s go to bed.”

  I took his hand and that’s the last I remember. At least, until I touched my hand to the linens of our bed. No walking, no stairs. I was beyond tired. My pregnant shape hunched over as I sat on the edge of the mattress. Henry’s hands worked over my body to remove the thick clothing. My ankles, by no attempt of my own, flung up onto the bed and were tucked under the blankets.

  Henry kissed my forehead. “Sleep.”

  One last shot of energy swam through my veins and my arms reached out for him, my fingers hooking the collar of his shirt. I pulled his lips to mine and clumsily kissed them.

  “No, no sleep. What do you mean? We have to consummate our marriage.” I grinned sleepily up at his face as he hovered above.

  Henry’s body lowered down next to me and took me in his arms as my mouth searched for his. I moaned against him. But he didn’t advance, only held me gingerly and covered me with his warmth.

  “Hush, sleep. There’ll be time for that tomorrow.”

  I melted into
his embrace, basking in it as my mind eased into an unforgiving slumber. My body, pregnant and exhausted, had reached its limit of shopping trips and weird witchy old ladies. Of jealous ex-girlfriends and the constant walking around this town. Today… I got married. I held that thought close as the darkness caved in and I fell into an abyss.

  ***

  You know that feeling when you wake up in a tent in the dead of summer, the air wrenched from your lungs, the heat trapped within the tent slowly cooking you from the inside out. That’s what it’s like to wake up in a fire. A real, live house-on-fire.

  I coughed hard, the smoke tearing the skin of my esophagus as I fell to my feet from the side of the bed. My legs weak, I crumpled to the floor. Down there, the smoke wasn’t as thick, and I sucked in a deep breath of air as I realized where it was coming from. Under the door.

  “H-Henry!” I called, my voice hoarse. But he didn’t respond. I coughed and tugged at the blankets that hung down over the side. “Henry!”

  I felt the mattress jostle with his startled movements, and he jumped down to the floor. “What’s going on?” he asked and grabbed my hands as he blinked the remaining sleep from his eyes. “A fire?”

  “Yes, I think so.” I coughed with every word, the smoke getting denser as it seeped into the room.

  “We need to get out of here.”

  He grabbed a piece of loose clothing from the floor and wrapped around the bottom half of my face before pulling me by the hands toward the door. He flung it open and a burst of flames shot through the hallway. The stairway just outside the room was collapsing, and we were trapped. Panic pushed harder, and harder through my body and I cried for the baby inside me. But Henry wouldn’t give up.

  “This way!” he yelled over the noise of billowing flames and cracking wood.

  We went to the other side of the room, to the window, and Henry heaved it open. I gasped for the slight bit of fresh air that seeped in, but it was gone in an instant. He poked his head out and searched the ground below.