The memorizing song tickled him deeply. But there was magic and then there was MAGIC. Jax could not say he really felt the hands on his ears or the eyes trying to look into him. The power came when something touched his lips. Something was offered to him, given to him from the one place he dreamed of but didn’t expect. The touch of lips on his cracked the icy hold, warmed the fake alluring calls like a tub of boiling hot water on a tiny ice cube. It only took the first taste for Jax to realize what was alluring and what was not. Nicki broke the ice. Nicki heated his soul.

She was warmer and sweeter than any magic could ever be. Sirens had no chance with Jax against the power of Nicki. He blinked his eyes knowing she saved him. Then closed them again just wanting to feel the thrill of those lips.

His one hand left the wheel and found the small of her back. Jax knew she would pull away once she was sure the music no longer had him. Selfish of him, he knew. Small of him, he was sure, yet he let the press go on until the Dust Skate herself shook under his feet. 

He pulled back and smiled to her. “I am yours.” He whispered not even knowing why. 

The quake he felt from the ship was the recoil of the cannon and he looked quick to the explosion of the ship on fire. His hand flew to the wheel catching Nicki between it and him and he spun hard against the direction they were heading away from the fire, the ship and the screeching song. Come on babe he mouthed or almost said with Nicki in his arms and his lady ship under his firm grip. He eased the wheel and felt her spin away with the touch of a lover’s response. Nicki still caught in that grip and the ship turning for him was a rush of feelings no siren could ever hold. 

He looked to Nicki quick, smiles in his eyes for only a minute until the urgency of the moment took a firmer hold. “Thank you.” He said as he loosen his arm . “Saved with a kiss from you will be something I dream about for nights to come.” He leaned in to kiss her again. But he stopped himself knowing she needed to get to work and save them all. 

He pulled his eyes away and up to the sails. “Get the foot and the clew of the main mast tighter. Trim the sheets. We are running head down. And we are running fast.” He managed to grip his lady ship in a race with the wind in their sails away from the fires, away from the wailing cries. Not music now, they were the screams of attack.

She responded. Oh how she responded. The Drust Slate of course. She hit the waves and caught the wind just as Jax had urged. She spun away from all the fake calls and listened instead to the open sea and the pushing winds. 

But those denied to not do so easily. Fed and surprised. injured and confused the vindictive sirens were not to give up and go back to the dept of their waters. Yet they were slowed. Fat from the feast and caught off guard they paused before they rose again. But rise they did. The race was on. 

Jax could guide his lady love the ship. He would seek Nicki to keep his attention clear. But how could they keep the witches of the sea away?