Last of the Sirens [Sirens and Sailors] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Bella Settarra

  Most of the old ladies nodded, muttering to each other.

  “I used to knit when I was a girl,” Pallas offered, “perhaps some of the women would also like to learn that?”

  “I can continue to show them how to weave baskets,” Minerva suggested.

  “Hmm, I’m not so sure about all this,” Solon muttered.

  “Of course, there is always the alternative of settling on Eastland,” Amaranda subtly hinted. “It may be more to your liking as you are surely familiar with it from your visits, and there will be a lot of changes here to contend with.”

  Solon scowled, but Hermandine nodded thoughtfully. “She might have something there,” she murmured into her friend’s ear.

  Amaranda held her breath as she looked back at Eban. He had a hopeful gleam in his eye, which matched hers.

  “You don’t think the island will be spoilt, do you, dear?” Pallas asked quietly, taking Amaranda to one side.

  “We won’t let it, Pallas,” the young girl assured her. “We are going to map out which areas will be cultivated and built on, but the majority will be left to flower as it has always been. Eban will teach some of the people how to fish, too, so we won’t be solely reliant on the ground for all our food.”

  “That’s good, dear, I think I would rather like to end my days here,” Pallas said, smiling as she looked around her, “especially as it looks like certain other parties may be thinking of moving away!”

  Amaranda and Pallas giggled conspiratorially.

  “Eban wants to take me back to Westland, but I think I might consider staying, too,” Amaranda whispered, sniggering.

  A sharp look from Eban told her that he heard that remark—Oh no you won’t. Think again, sweetheart!

  Soon the whole crowd was discussing ways in which they could help each other, deciding who was best for each job, and what they would like to do to contribute. People divided into groups and couples, and they all went off to consider the best way of doing things. A group of strong swimmers dived down to the shipwrecks to see what they could salvage. Some of the carpenters raided the beached wrecks for wood. Gardeners gathered on the fertile land, discussing what crops they could grow there. The whole island was a hive of excited activity.

  Kalliope and Ligia paired up with Rechavia and Aitan once again, and joined them in a discussion with Eban and Amaranda about the future of the island. If all the people who were there now decided to stay, the island would be overcrowded. However, if everyone decided to leave, their whole community would be gone.

  “In order to make an informed decision, each islander must be taken to the mainland to see for themselves what is on offer there,” Amaranda declared. “Some of the sailors have made clear their intentions already, and it is important that those who decide to stay get word to their families to assure them of their safety.”

  “Well I never want to leave the island,” Kalliope stated stubbornly. “I have always been happy here.”

  “Me, too,” agreed Ligia, “I don’t think there can be anywhere in the world like this.”

  “I hope you still think that once things have changed,” Amaranda said a little anxiously.

  “I think I might like to stay, too” Aitan murmured, winking at Ligia, who giggled. “What do you think, Rech?”

  “Hmm, I can certainly see its advantages,” Rechavia agreed as he pulled Kalliope into his lap.

  She laughed and put an arm around his neck.

  “Then I suggest that Amaranda and I take a group over to Eastland tomorrow to see what they think,” Eban announced. “We can take anything which is to be traded with us, and perhaps one or two of the elders can come and show us the ropes.”

  It was late that night before all the islanders finally finished their discussions and went to sleep. It did not rain and many fell asleep where they had been sitting on the rocks. A makeshift red flag had already been placed on the promontory to ward off passing ships, with a salvaged old gas lamp positioned nearby to keep it visible during the night.

  Eban joined Amaranda in her tiny hut. He had a tentative expression as he removed his clothes and jumped into her bed, snuggling next to her soft, naked body.

  “From tomorrow onward Refrainia will be a whole new place,” he said softly.

  “Refrainia has been a whole new place ever since you arrived here,” she replied wistfully.

  “Amaranda, are you OK?” he asked pensively.

  She looked up at him in the dim moonlight, surprised at the question.

  “Of course,” she said. “Why would I not be?”

  “Well, it’s just…we haven’t really talked about what happened yet, have we?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said firmly, nuzzling into his chest.

  He looked down at the woman. His woman. The woman he so brutally betrayed. The woman who was so nearly…no, he couldn’t think it and she couldn’t discuss it. Could they really just put it behind them? They had to try. Scratch that, they had to!

  God, he loved her. The thought of leaving her was just unthinkable. Unbearable. He would take her away—far away from this place, these memories. He would take her home. OK, so she’d argue that this place was about to change, and change for the better—it could hardly get worse! But it would still hold those memories, those horrors, the fear of what almost…He still couldn’t bear to think it. What did that mean? If he couldn’t bear to think about what could have happened to her, or what he nearly did, was it he who wanted to flee this place, these memories? Perhaps. Though one thing was certain, and that was that they couldn’t stay here. He gently tipped her chin up toward him…

  “I love you, Amaranda.”

  That’s all he could say. All he could think. All he could ever need.

  “I love you, too, Eban Gal.”

  His heart flipped. She loved him. Really loved him. He could see it in her eyes, her expression, her beautiful face.

  He couldn’t be with anyone else. Not now. Not ever. But was he worthy of her? Of her love? Of her future? He had to be. He had no choice. He would make himself worthy of her, no matter what it took. He couldn’t bear not to have her. Eban stared into her eyes, those beautiful, dark, deep pools of trust. Love and trust. It was almost too much!

  “Amaranda, will you marry me?”

  His face fell slightly at her bewildered expression.

  “Yes, if it’s something nice,” she replied, smiling hopefully.

  She doesn’t know what marriage is!

  Eban giggled a little nervously.

  “Yes, it’s something nice,” he said, smiling. “It’s a commitment between you and me. A promise that we will always love each other, no matter what.”

  “Then yes, definitely,” she said with a smile, which told him all he needed to know.

  His tongue delved into her soft mouth, and he devoured her smooth, wet tongue. He nipped at her beautiful neck, smelling her scent of fresh flowers. She sighed gently. He felt her silken hair fall about her shoulders, and he kissed that, too. Her shoulders were round and sumptuous, and he could not resist slavering them with licks and kisses. Taking a breast tenderly in one hand, he slowly licked his way all around the nipple before nipping the hard, dark cluster of sensation, causing her to cry out in delight.

  “Eban!”

  Her pussy was soaking wet when he put a hand down to gently cup her luscious mound, and she gasped as he stroked it, and then invaded her hole with his strong fingers. He felt her buck her hips up toward him in anticipation, and he chuckled deep within his throat. He could feel her fingers wrap themselves fiercely around his massive erection, and then it was his turn to gasp as she quickly pushed his cock into herself.

  “Oh my God!” she gasped as he took control and thrust himself in as hard as he could, before retreating almost all the way out, and then delving straight back in again.

  “Amaranda, you are so beautiful—just like a flower!” he murmured.

  It was hard and fast and their breathing was rapid and ram
pant. Amaranda was writhing effortlessly beneath his muscular frame. He could feel her eager pussy dripping all around him, and then the world turned silver as her muscles clenched him from somewhere deep within. With a massive roar, he came at the same time as she did. Her ecstatic cry split the darkness, and for a few seconds they were as stone, neither wanting to break the moment. Eventually he withdrew and flung himself to her side, panting and licking the deliciously salty sweat from her face.

  Neither could speak. Neither wanted to speak. They bathed in the delirium that was their love.

  THE END

  WWW.BELLASETTARRABOOKS.BLOGSPOT.CO.UK

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Bella’s love of writing started at a very young age. While at Junior School, she was once asked to write a story that was to be displayed on the window due to lack of wall space (remember Portakabins?) Unfortunately, once she gets going she tends to run with an idea right up until the conclusion—and it has to have a happy ending! The story was so long it covered several windows and caused a blackout in the tiny classroom!

  She is British and lives in the beautiful English countryside with one of her three gorgeous daughters and her wonderful husband, often referred to as her “current husband” just to keep him on his toes! They live in a big haunted house, therefore Bella’s housework is never done as the ghost keeps moving things around—the bedroom isn’t the only place where things go bump in the night. ;)

  Open-top cars and country music are among Bella’s favourite things and her fondness for shopping is only surpassed by her love of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

  Last of the Sirens is Bella’s first book and she is currently working on more titles to add to the Sirens and Sailors series.

  Bella would love to hear from her readers. Connect with her at: bellasettarrabooks.blogspot.co.uk.

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com