27. A Tankard Or Two Of Ale
YILEYNA
Night had fallen and it was still thundering, but things were back in order, although we had some bruised crew members. Ryan had come and given Theon pants quite quickly, but despite that, Barbara kept staring at his lower regions and licking her lips ever since.
I wondered if Theon even noticed because it was really irking me.
An annoying blue-eyed brat.
But I realised Theon had been very distracted. He was usually quiet, but it was almost as if he was mulling something over in his mind.
Most of us were now in the Mess as Ailema handed us all mugs of ale. It was silent, the weight of what had happened fresh in all our minds. “How did it not affect you?” Flynn asked Theon sharply. It was obvious he was just a bit salty because he had fallen for the siren’s enchantment. “It’s a good question, that is.” Ryan agreed, tilting his head as he looked at Theon. “We all know that it is harder for women to fall into their trap.”
“But even women can fall victim to their song.” Leto murmured, gulping down his ale.
The light from the lantern hooked above cast shadows over his face. I wonder what crossed his mind…
“Yeah, they can.” Theon added, a flash of something in his eyes catching my attention, but he looked away.
“Aiy, tis true.” Nate nodded, sighing heavily.
“So how do you stay focused Theon? I think we can all use the tip.” Charlene persisted.
She was sitting next to me, she had given me a scolding for being reckless but then told me she was proud of me.
Theon didn’t reply for a moment, staring ahead at the far side of the wall as he gulped his Ale down. My gaze dipped to his Adam’s apple. “Pain. As long as you are in a lot of pain, your mind won’t allow you to shut it out.” He replied.
He glanced at me for a second, and like always, his gaze melted me. “Pain alone can’t keep you focused. you need to have a very strong resolution.” Valentin added, looking at Theon thoughtfully. He was one of the older guards and seemed to be sizing Theon up as he scratched his beard. “I guess it depends on your inner strength then.” Theon responded. “Maybe you could teach us some time, I wouldn’t mind learning how to resist the deadly charm of sirens.” Barbara added flirtily, I snorted, rolling my eyes, quickly covering it with a cough.
“I’m with Barbara on this one.” Charlene nodded.
“Shame I’m not here to teach anyone anything. Just keep a dagger close. If you hear a siren’s song, use it to stay focused.” Theon sat back, his voice emotionless. “Tomorrow we will reach
The Lifeless Abyss; it is far more dangerous and there will most likely be Sirens.”
“I still don’t think it’s the ideal way to go.” Flynn muttered.
Madelia tilted her head.
“I will work with Sam and Ailema to put some protective spells up. Fae magic will help.” She added, smoothing out the velvet skirt of her dress.
“I was trying to weave my magic into the ship, but it didn’t work, I didn’t manage to complete it.” Sam sighed staring at his calloused hands.
“You tried, that’s the main thing.” I comforted him gently. He had been there, trying his best regardless of whether he had been successful or not. “Yeah… maybe so. Cleo here told me you tied me down before you went for the wheel. Thank you, kid.”
I smiled. Despite being called a kid, I was just glad he was ok. Looking around, it was obvious everyone was happy to be alive.
“I got to agree, if it wasn’t for you taking the wheel, we could have suffered a lot more damage. “Flynn remarked, giving me a smirk. “To our pretty little damsel with a heart of courage!” He raised his tankard and Charlene smiled as everyone present raised their glasses, everyone but Theon that is.

“To Yileyna!” Charlene cheered. Everyone downed their drinks, making my cheeks burn due to all the attention. I didn’t do anything that required such attention.
I glanced at Theon. Our eyes met, and then, to my surprise, he raised his tankard ever so slightly, making my stomach flutter with a swarm of butterflies.
“This deserves another round! Here girl, drink.” Cleo grinned, passing me a fresh tankard of ale.
“I think I have had enough…” I murmured but gave in.
Everyone was happy after that terrifying, unexpected occurrence. I didn’t blame them, it hadn’t been expected and with the upcoming journey through the lifeless abyss, I think everyone wanted to cherish the happy moment of surviving one near-death experience. I smiled as I raised my tankard and downed it all as everyone cheered. Leto began tapping his hand against the table and to my surprise began singing a sea shanty. I couldn’t help but smile at how good he actually was.
“Oh at sea we sing to all the adventures we be seeing…” Charlene began clapping as some of the other crew members joined in the singing. Barbara stood up and began dancing, I tapped my foot and moved my body to the music as Madelia whispered a little enchantment and the room filled with music,
“That’s how you do it!” Raiden grinned, accepting another round of ale from Cleo.
The mood had instantly lifted, and even Flynn joined in with the singing.
“Come on, let’s show them what we got.” Charlene whispered, motioning with her eyes at Barbara who was dancing directly in front of Theon. He was sitting back on the chair, his face as passive ever, a sexy pout on his face, his left ankle resting on his right knee. He was only one who hadn’t joined in with everyone’s enthusiasm.
I placed my empty tankard down, letting Charlene pull me up as she began dancing. Compared to her and Barbara, I was shorter, but I didn’t let it bother me. I swayed my body to the music,
“When the nights were lonely and cold, did you miss me, or did you find another?” They sang.
I spun around, turning my back towards Theon and shook my hips sensually, before spinning around and smiling at Charlene, who was now singing along to the song. She took my hand, whirling me around, both of us flicking our hair as we blew kisses at the men. “Were you missing me at sea? Or did you find another love?”
My eyes met Theon’s, my heart skipping a beat, I gave him a wink before turning away.
“…In your arms to hold
Nay, all I could think of was you, my lassie…”
The song came to an end, and everyone clapped and cheered. I hugged Charlene, unable to stop the fit of laughter, I don’t think we have done anything as fun as that together in a while.
“Goddess that was fun!” I giggled, as Charlene nodded. “I know!”
“I think it’s nice to have more women on board. Don’t you agree, boys?” Flynn chuckled.
Barbara didn’t look impressed, and I felt Theon’s anger before he even spoke.
“The Silver Storm women are not for your entertainment.” He remarked.
“Ah, of course not. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare take what you have claimed.” Flynn grinned, I had a feeling he had had a bit too much to drink.
Although as a werewolf he had a high tolerance, it seemed he had indeed reached his limit. Theon didn’t respond, but Raiden smirked at Flynn’s remark. Charlene looked at me, and for a moment I wondered if she had an inkling that something was going on between the both of us.
“Well, it’s been a long night, I think I’m going to head to bed too.” I decided, suppressing a yawn.
“Me too. Thank you everyone for all your constant support and for taking this trip with us.” Charlene said before Valentin and Patrick stood up to accompany her.
We left the room together and I hugged her farewell outside of her door as the two guards hung back, giving us a little space, although they’d be able to hear everything either way.
“Yileyna…”
“Hmm?” I asked about to turn away.
She tilted her head and gave me a small smile.
“I don’t want to lose you… Don’t do anything so careless next time.” She whispered pleadingly.
“You won’t lose me.”
“Leyna please, I’m serious.”
“Charl, if I didn’t, this ship could have been damaged or worse, it could have turned over and
sunk.”
“I know… But you could have been killed by that siren. You know, it’s an omen… That’s two times now, it scares me.”
“I know, I’m facing death and surviving.” I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eye.
Maybe a siren was an omen of death… but so was … it was because of me that my parents died. I ran my fingers through my hair.
“If we live our lives, always questioning our every action, we are simply surviving, not living… I don’t fear death, Charlene, but I fear losing anyone else I love.”
Her eyes softened and she cupped my face.
“Yileyna, don’t scare me. Promise me you won’t be so reckless?”
“I can’t make a promise I can’t keep.” I replied with a small smile, giving her a gentle hug. I saw the flash of hurt in her eyes and I took her hands, gently kissing them. “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head.
“Don’t apologise, I understand.”
“Thank you.” I responded before we both went to our own cabins.
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