The Siren

“As long as you are escorted by me.”

“Why you? Why can’t Liam escort the both of us?” I look to Niall who is admiring the view of the horizon at the hull with Liam at her side. 

“Because Liam would like alone time with Niall.” Louis whispers to me.

“What?” I look back at her and she’s donned yet another smirk.

“She wishes to spend time with Lady Horan and woo her. She thinks she’s rather attractive.”

“What—”

 “If you’re going to question the sexual preferences of the crew members I’d find it rather hypocritical of you.”

 “Hypocritical?”

 “If you’re not willing to talk about your own preferences than we are unable to speak openly about ours to you.”

 “Not willing? You rudely brought up an assumption that I wanted to bed you after one encounter! I would have spoken about my preferences with you if you had brought the subject up in a less…a less pirate-like manner!”

 Louis turns to me, “And what is a less pirate-like manner, Lady Styles?”

 My face goes hot. I’m blushing and I know Louis can see it. I’d just admitted that I’d talk about my sexual preference with a woman; someone who had hit on me and there was no going back.

 “I don’t know…”

 “Lady Styles, there are rumors that go around the kingdom that clarify my suspicions. So any statements denying what I know about your preferences are deaf to my ears.”

 “Those are mere rumors.” I scoff

 “So you did not fool around with Lady Flack at the last ball?”

 My face gets even hotter which I didn’t think was possible, “I—uh…”

 Louis winks at me, “You secret is safe with me, love. This crew is close. We don’t judge one another – no matter what. And you could’ve been apart of it if you accepted my first offer.”

 I looked away quickly and stared out at the ocean ahead of us. Multiple things began to run through my mind. Why was Louis keeping us here if not for ransom, which she still hasn’t demanded? How have we nearly arrived in India so quickly? Have any ships been sent for us? Should I try to send a message to them while we port in India? I could. If I could just get away from Louis for at least a minute then I could write a quick letter and give it to a soldier who happened to be around. Or I could definitely clean the plan up before we port. But the first step of the plan is to allow Louis to think she’s in control.

 I remain quiet for a few moments before speaking up, “I accept the proposition.”

 “Sorry?” Louis tucks her hair behind her ear

 “I will allow you to escort me when we make port.” I say a bit louder.

 She smiles with a raised brow, “Good.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When we step off the ship the next day, Louis makes sure to keep a tight grip on my forearm. I try to shake her off but she glares at me to get me to stop. I roll my eyes and look up to see Niall not wearing a dress.

 “Niall what on earth are you wearing?” I look at the trousers and flowing blouse that she has changed into.

 “Do you like it? Liam lent me some of her clothes.” She beams and twirls for me to get the full effect. Her blonde hair swirls around her and she admittedly looks better already. Just a single day back in the sun and free air and she’s happier. I wish I were that positive.

 Louis is speaking off to the side with Liam in a hushed voice. I turn to Niall who is bouncing in her boots, excited to explore.

 “Niall,” she doesn’t stop fidgeting, “I’m going to try to talk to a soldier that’s been stationed here.” I whisper.

 This time she goes still, “What?”

 I make sure Louis and Liam are still engrossed in their own conversation, “When I get the chance, I’m going to find a soldier that’s been stationed here and I’m going to alert him that we’ve been taken hostage aboard the Siren.” 

She seems upset as she looks to Liam then back to me, “Harry…I don’t think you should do that.” 

“What? Why not?” I’m frowning now. 

“Harry, it’s not that bad being on the ship. I mean hasn’t this been your dream? All you talked about when we were growing up was leaving and sailing the world.”

“They kept us in a holding cell…”

“Well we’re out now. Maybe this is our chance to change their minds about us. Maybe they’ll let us be part of the crew!”

I hadn’t told her about the offer that Louis had made during our first encounter. But I was shocked at her statement—did she really think we could do this? And why did she want to do this? 

“I know what you’re thinking. Of course we’re cut out for this life! We know all about sailing! And I’ve gotten to speak with most of the crew. They’re not bad people at all, Harry. Please…please don’t try to send for us…” 

Before I can reply Liam comes back towards us and holds her arm out for Niall, who immediately hooks her arm through Liam’s. They stalk off together and I’m left behind wondering what the hell was going on. She was extremely happy, happier than I’d ever seen her…it almost made me feel sick. But I was genuinely happy for her; she wasn’t scared anymore. 

“Shall we go my lady?” Louis offers her arm to me and I give her look, “Oh come on. It’ll be like I’m a proper escort.” 

I hesitantly hook my arm through Louis and she slowly walks down the dock. I take note again of our height difference but don’t allow myself to be fooled. I recall how strong she was when she pinned me to the wall. 

As if she knew what I was thinking of, her arm flexed against my palm. I find my hand squeezing her arm back. 

There was a moment of quiet between us. I didn’t quite now what to talk about to a pirate captain.

“You know, Liam’s hanging wasn’t the first time I’ve seen you, love.” Louis says once we’ve reached the edge of the marketplace near the dock. 

I pause to look at her, “When else have you seen me?” 

“We’ve made port in your town quite a few times. Of course we always disguise yourself so there’s no way you’d recall me.” 

“I find that hard to believe.” I laugh to myself. 

“Why is that?” she asks. 

“Uh,” I doubt that I’d forget those eyes, “you just have this way about you…” I lie quickly. But it wasn’t completely a lie. Louis was a female captain for God’s sake. It’s supposed to be bad luck for a woman to be aboard a ship, let alone own and run it as its captain. 

“Hm,” she seems to accept my answer, “anyways, we were in a market just as this one. I looked up from bargaining with a man trying to cheat me out of a large sum of plantains, and there you were. A young lady, walking along with your parents. I think that was the day I noticed you were different.” 

I find myself continuously giving Louis the same dumbstruck expression, “How did you come to that conclusion?” 

She inspects a few beads and pieces of jewelry laid across a blanket, “While you were walking past a few beggars. They weren’t actually begging, but as your parents walked past with their noses high, you stopped to give them some money. You were very generous in your giving, my lady.” 

I recall the same day. As Louis said my parents did walk past with their noses in the air, but not before telling me to ignore the poor people leaning against the booth. I did defy my parents and gave the beggars a great sum of money each. I left with a smile and hurried after my parents. 

“Well I believe in the goodness of man and spreading goodwill begins with one’s self.” I look at the same pieces of jewelry as Louis. 

She looks at me with what I can only presume is fondness, “I believe we are similar in that aspect, my lady. Even for a pirate.” She whispers the last part. 

I remembered her statement from our first conversation, about stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, “Louis,” her eyes immediately snap up to mine, “do you really only steal from the rich to give to the poor?” 

She smiles crookedly, “Wouldn’t you like to know, love.” 

“Well, yes that’s why I’m asking. I mean…growing up we were taught that pirates were only lowlife thieves who stole for their own gain.” 

“And what do you think?” 

“Well, so far you haven’t tried to rob anyone while we’ve been on the ship.” 

She smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners, “Not yet, love. You remember those jewels and coins from my office?” I nod, “we’re giving the coins away in sums. Each member of the crew is given a small amount and their task is to give the whole amount away to those who need it only. We meet at a local pub to make sure they’ve given it all away and haven’t spent it on themselves. Not that they would, I’ve picked a good crew.” 

“But you still keep the jewels?” I ask. A certain piece of jewelry catches my eye. It’s a cordage piece with a flat silver pendant as the only decoration. I look closer at the pendant and on it is the intricate carving of a ship. It’s really intriguing and I’m about to ask the merchant how much it is, but remember that I don’t have money. I turn back to Louis who is still answering the question I asked, but I caught the last part of her sentence. 

“…basically, we give away everything we steal from the rich.” She smiles at me again. 

We’re nearly at the end of the market but there’s a large crowd at the entrance, just a jumbled mess of people trying to get in and out of the market. Louis tries to keep a tight grip on my arm as we maneuver through. About halfway through the mass of people Louis’ grip is lost on my arm and I’m by myself. I shove my way to the open space and nearly stumble face first onto the street. 

Strong arms catch me and help me to stand up straight. At first I think it’s Louis until they speak up, “Are you alright, Miss?” 

I look up to see a man in a red coat—a British soldier.