“I do love you, Amaranda,” he murmured as he kissed her luscious lips and stroked his tongue over hers.
His tongue explored her mouth as his finger explored her pussy. Both were dripping wet! She moaned into his hot mouth, and he playfully swirled his thumb around her clit, while his fingers slid into her welcoming hole.
“Eban, I want you. I love you so much!” She almost shrieked in his ear as her excitement evidently mounted.
He was gentle and caring, his affection for her oozing from every pore. She looked happy—and incredibly aroused!
“Your wish is my command, sweetheart,” he said, smiling as he nibbled her earlobe.
He lifted his frame and slid his great cock into her, keeping his weight on his arms, and gently teased her…in and out slowly. Too slowly for sure!
“Eban!” she cried, digging her short nails into his shoulders, “Harder!”
He chuckled, and then hoisted himself up further and pushed right up into her.
She gasped as he thrust toward her womb. Amaranda clenched her pussy hard, obviously trying to suck him deeper into her belly. The massive girth seemed to be sending hot sensations through her, while the extensive length fought its way up her in delicious bursts. She writhed and squealed as his hand stroked around her clit.
“Oh God!” she cried.
Eban’s hot breath panted over her neck and face, and she pushed her bosom into his ripped chest. The sensation of his flesh on her nipples felt like lightning! He grunted loudly just as he grabbed her shoulders and swiped the root of his dick over her massively engorged clit. Amaranda screamed ecstatically as he roared out his orgasm. They basked in the euphoria that enveloped their minds and bodies.
Finally, he felt his breathing slow a little and he eased his flaccid cock from her painlessly. His lips found hers again and he kissed her gently, nibbling at the corners of her mouth and playing with her tongue.
As they lay in her tiny bunk, cuddling and stroking each other, they became aware of excited voices from the deck. Eban quickly dressed and passed her a bikini, stealing another kiss before heading up the ladder.
“Look!” shouted Rechavia, pointing over the ship’s bow.
“We must be nearly there!” Eban concluded.
Amaranda was soon behind him, and they all gazed out to sea, as a mass of fishing boats could be seen gathering and laying anchor in the distance.
“This has to be the place,” Aitan said gleefully from his position at the wheel.
As they gradually neared the fishing ground they were greeted by all kinds of draggers, some massive freezer trawlers, some beam trawlers and seiners, of all different sizes.
“Look at that drifter!” Aitan called out, pointing excitedly at a bow-shaped boat with big red sails.
Eban, who was holding Amaranda by the waist, her back to his front, gasped in surprise.
“What?” she asked, puzzled.
“They’ve only just started making drifters again,” he explained. “They were used for catching herring hundreds of years ago, but when our ancestors depleted the earth’s resources, the herrings all but died out. Marine biologists have managed to breed them and now there are enough out there to fish for them again. Drifters became obsolete, but they’ve recently started building them again. She’s a lovely boat!”
“You can say that again!” Aitan concurred, smiling nostalgically at the vessel.
“Look at those two!” Amaranda cried gleefully, watching a couple of pair-trawlers setting up a massive net between their two boats.
“They work together,” Eban said, smiling.
As they neared the other boats, they could hear the fishermen singing as they cast their nets.
“Mind that outrigger! They’re about to set the boom!” Rechavia called to Aitan, signaling him to give the boat a wide berth.
Aitan obliged and turned the wheel swiftly to the starboard.
“I can see why you wanted to be a fisherman!” Amaranda said, smiling at Eban.
“What the…?” Rechavia gasped as he saw a large figure in the distance.
A giant old man appeared to be standing, elegantly poised, waist-deep in the ocean, manually throwing his vast nets into the water. His dark beard hung over his aged, tanned face, and his muscular frame rippled as he moved. Even from this distance, his gleaming azure eyes twinkled as the sun reflected off the water.
Amaranda gulped—“Poseidon!”
Chapter 14
Aitan steered the ship toward the gigantic man, his heart thudding fast.
“You’re not going near him, are you?” shouted one of the fishermen as they passed a beam-trawler.
“Yes,” called Rechavia. “What of it?”
“Don’t make him angry, that’s all,” beseeched the old man. “He’s tolerated us following him here, he’s better than our own sonar! We’re keeping a healthy distance so as not to antagonize him, and keeping to our own area. They’re biting well and I’d hate that to change. If he’s happy he’ll help us all. But if you anger him, we’re all done for!”
“Don’t worry,” shouted Eban. “We’re here to ask for his help.”
The old man nodded as they went on their way.
“What if he does get angry though?” Amaranda asked, trembling. “He was very cross that my mother drowned herself and he nearly destroyed the whole island! What if he is angry that the elders haven’t sorted this out for themselves? Maybe we should have listened to Hermandine after all!”
“No, sweetheart,” Eban soothed as he held her tighter. “There was no way those men would listen to Hermandine even if she spoke any sense. She was out of her depth and she knew it.”
The giant frowned as he turned to face them. Aitan cut the engine and they drifted slowly toward him. All on board stared at the massive man, hearts pounding. Amaranda rushed to the bow and grabbed the handrail as they came to a stop.
“Oh Great God Poseidon, we have come to ask for your help,” she cried, gazing into his deep eyes as his frown began to fade.
“Amaranda!” he said in a thunderous voice, suddenly recognizing her. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk to you, sir, please—if we could explain?”
“Go on,” he said, laying his nets down and turning to give them his full attention.
He eyed the men in the boat.
“Things have changed on the island. I think it was my fault!” she blurted out.
Eban stepped forward and put an arm around her shoulder.
“Sir, I am Eban Gal, of The New World, a ship which was wrecked on Destiny Rock. Amaranda saved my life. She is unlike the other women on that island. She is loving, caring, and giving and…”
Poseidon held up his hand.
“I know Amaranda,” he began, his voice deep but gentle, “she comes from an ill-fated family, descended from none other than Melpomene, the muse of tragedy. She was named after her home. Amaranda means flowery, like the island she lives on. Her mother, Yalene, was a kind, gentle woman who fell in love as soon as she saw Amaranda’s father. This reaction was unheard of in their part of the world, though I believe it is common on the main lands.”
“It is, sir,” Eban concurred.
“I blame myself for my ignorance. Had I realized what was happening I would have stepped in sooner,” the old man went on, a melancholy expression appearing on his kind face.
“Yalene died of a broken heart long before she drowned. I wreaked my wrath on the island and its people, so incensed was I that they had not given her counsel when she needed it. I am so sorry, Amaranda, your mother should not have left you. She often talks of you in her new home in the afterlife, and she and your father are very happy together.”
“Thank you, sir,” she managed through her sobs. “I look forward to the day we will all be together—if the Gods allow it.”
She sniffed, and Eban held her tighter.
“Sir, Amaranda has also fallen in love—with me. She is not like the Sirens on that island, and was
almost raped when the elders tried to force her to follow them.”
Poseidon flared out his nostrils and heaved his great chest, appearing to grow another foot taller as his fury engulfed him.
“Sir, I’m all right! Eban saved me just in time!” the young girl implored, shaking. “That’s why we’re here, to ask your permission to change the way of life for us on the island. The elders do not know what to do. We have come to ask for your help. Please help us!”
The giant’s rage was palpable, though not aimed at the occupants of the ship. He looked at the young couple. They were obviously in love.
“Go back to Refrainia,” he commanded. “I will meet you there. I will talk to your elders.”
“Thank you so much!” Amaranda would have hugged the giant man if he were any nearer.
“What about that monster?” called Aitan, who had remained behind the ship’s wheel throughout the exchange. “He might get us on the way back!”
Rechavia described the monstrous creature to Poseidon, who nodded his head sagely.
“Ah yes, the ‘Teras,’” he said, nodding. “I heard he was badly injured. That would have taken courage and skill. He will not trouble you again. You will have a safe journey back, I promise.”
“Thank you, sir,” came a chorus from the sailors, and Amaranda squeezed herself in delight.
“It was a test!” Eban exclaimed as they sailed away.
“He is our God,” Amaranda said thoughtfully.
Poseidon was as good as his word and they had a pleasant, uneventful voyage home. Amaranda enjoyed learning to cook on a stove, and the men enjoyed having some female company, as they took turns in handling the ship. Amaranda slept soundly that night, safe in Eban’s arms. They carefully circumnavigated Destiny Rock and its hidden outcrops, and rounded Refrainia before carefully anchoring at the little jetty.
The island was a hubbub of activity, with people everywhere! Kalliope and Ligia approached as soon as they disembarked, making a beeline for the two sailors, while Eban helped Amaranda.
The elders gathered to meet them, as did many of the islanders. Many others were lazing around the island and the rocks, enjoying the noonday sun. Some were swimming in the turquoise sea surrounding them. Men and women sat together. No one was singing. Amaranda caught the eye of Hermandine, who glared at her.
“I take it you’ve notice the chaos you have caused to our lives?” Hermandine croaked angrily.
“N–no singing?” Amaranda stammered nervously, clutching Eban’s arm.
“Exactly!” Hermandine snapped.
“You’ve all had a very long journey and I’m sure you need some rest,” Pallas interjected, smiling at them. “Minerva and I have a hot meal ready for you, and then you can tell us all about it.”
She ushered them past Hermandine and up the little path to Minerva’s hut. It was small but tidy and very cool inside. Kalliope and Ligia hung around by the doorway.
“This is lovely,” said Amaranda, looking around at the sparsely furnished main room.
There was one easy chair, a small table, and two rickety old wooden chairs. All of the cooking on the island took place outside on small fires, though it was so hot that they usually ate cold food anyway. A warm meal was a rare treat. Apart from those she had enjoyed aboard the ship, Amaranda had only had a few in her life!
Pallas brought over a couple of chairs from her hut next door, and they all sat down to enjoy the meal. They actually had meat and vegetables! The elders distributed all the food that the Sirens salvaged from the wrecks, so they always got first choice.
They were nearing the end of their meal when a sudden uproar disturbed them from outside. They all shot up and headed for the door. The crowd had gathered at the shore, where the waves were washing toward them. Four beautiful horses galloped through the waves, their golden manes swirling as they went. They were pulling a massive chariot, carrying Poseidon, who wielded a golden whip through the air. Dolphins swarmed on either side, gliding and dancing through the surf. The horses whinnied under their great yokes as they came to a halt at the side of the island.
Hermandine’s face was white as she stared agog at the great giant. The elders rushed to her side and the islanders flooded around them, some swimming out to stroke the horses and examine the chariot, others falling to their knees at the sight of their God. Poseidon held up a hand and immediately silenced the riotous crowd.
“I have come to speak to you all,” he announced, his booming voice resounding over the island.
Hermandine and Solon looked most put out. Ophelie was joyously relieved that here, at last, was someone whom she could hear. Everyone else just felt honored.
“It has come to my attention that there are some things amiss on Refrainia,” the giant began.
Hermandine looked smugly at Amaranda and Eban.
“It would appear that I have been remiss in trusting certain members of the committee with the safety and welfare of the islanders.”
Whoops and cheers ensued, mainly from the men, though many of the women looked agreeably surprised.
“From now on, there will be a much more civilized way of life on the island. It will become a democracy, and you will all have a say in how things are run here. You men are welcome to stay and show these women how to cultivate the land, to grow their own food. You will build boats and take them to the main lands where they can sample for themselves the ways of life there. Should you, or they, decide to stay on the mainland, that is perfectly permissible. However, those of you who make the informed decision to stay on Refrainia will learn how to become self-sufficient. Some of you men will build and repair the dwellings here and thus improve the lives of those who live here.”
Even louder whoops and cheers rose into the air, men lifted women up high, people threw their hands triumphantly into the air, and people were laughing and applauding everywhere. Hermandine looked as though she were about to keel over. Pallas, Minerva, Sofronia, and Ophelie hugged each other happily, while Solon stood with a face like thunder. After a while of reverie, Poseidon raised his hand once again.
“Furthermore,” he added, “I notice that some of you have paired up as couples. This is a normal way of life on the main lands and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be the same here. Monogamy is the most usual way modernists live, and it is to be encouraged. A warning will be erected on the promontory to ward off ships, although a harbor is to be built around the safe side of Refrainia where ships can anchor for trade or respite. There will be no further need for Sirens! You will not grow wings or clawed feet, provided you only fornicate with someone you sincerely care about, or love. Any killing of fellow humans, in any way, will be classed as murder. This will be dealt with accordingly, thereby assuring the safety of everyone who lives on or visits the island. You are all free people!”
The crowd cheered in jubilant triumph, waving and hugging, jumping about with tears of joy. Their adulation for their Sea God was palpable, and he smiled back at them.
“Eban, Amaranda, Rechavia, and Aitan, you have brought this about with your bravery and intelligence. I leave it in your safe hands to organize the best way forward for these people, whether you choose to stay on the island or not,” the Great God decreed, smiling at them.
With a crack of his whip he sped off through the waves, dolphins dancing around his chariot, and islanders swimming after them as far as they dared before turning back, happily, to their island home.
Chapter 15
The Great Hall hosted the most important meeting the island had ever held. Eban, Amaranda, Rechavia, and Aitan sat at the front while the women took the seats in preference of age, and the young ladies and men stood or sat on the ground around the sides of the ruined building. Hermandine and Solon looked very unhappy at being relegated to the audience. The rest of the elders seemed most relieved that this was one situation they did not have to resolve!
“I propose that firstly the men divide into groups, appertaining to their capabilities and preference
s,” Eban began. “Those who know about gardening can help cultivate the land, those who can build can work on the dwellings, carpenters on shipbuilding, and any other groups you can think of.”
There were shouts of encouragement from the crowd, in total agreement with his idea.
“Perhaps some of the men could help the women learn to cook?” Amaranda suggested.
Many of the men thought this a particularly good idea, and the women voiced their eagerness to learn.
Every school taught horticulture, construction, and cookery, alongside metalwork, carpentry, and all the usual academic subjects, so every sailor knew something that would be of use—apart from sailing, of course. Although technology had progressed immensely after the People’s Government took over, it was still felt imperative that students were also taught the basic means of survival, although most of the children felt this was totally unnecessary. Those who paid attention in class were certainly reaping the benefits now!
“What about us?” Hermandine was glaring at them with beady eyes. “What will you have us do?”
There were nervous looks from the crowd. Some of the elders were clearly unhappy at being ousted from their positions. Eban and Rechavia shot a look between each other, concerned that this could mean trouble. Amaranda stood forward, gingerly.
“You ladies have served this community well for many years,” she began, “and I am sure the islanders would like to thank you for your commitment and wisdom. I am also certain that no one here would expect you all to work, as you have obviously done more than your fair share. However, your expertise in certain areas would be a great help to the reshaping of the island.”
“Like what?” derided Solon.
“Well,” continued Amaranda, a little hesitantly, “as you have all had experience in trading, and the best places and contacts to go to, perhaps you would help some of us with this?”
Last of the Sirens [Sirens and Sailors] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 10