Chapter 6: The New Dawn

As they entered Dante looked up from the bed, he smiled and closed the book in his hand. He was wearing a robe.

“I was just reading one of your books, I got bored after the bath, and I noticed a book by one of my favourite dragons that I hadn’t read. You read dragon script too?” Dante asked, wanting to know as much as he possibly could about Xavier, Xavier smiled,

“Yes, I do, I was taught to read and speak in many languages, but dragon script is one of my favourites, it’s just beautiful to look at.” Xavier replied, not adding that the person in front of him was even more beautiful, even though he wanted to. “This is Ethyn and Crimson they’re joining us for dinner.” Dante climbed off the bed and looked around at the crowded room. Xavier winked at him and with a word, the bath disappeared and was replaced by a table. With another word Dante was dressed in a shirt and pants.

They all sat down at the table and Xavier created a meal and looked at Crimson.

“I've met Harpy's before, and I know where their island, Strofades, is so we can return you there, do you know who your mum is?” Crimson shook her head.

“I was told my mum died in childbirth, I never knew her, or even what her name was.” Crimson continued to talk about how she didn’t even know she was a harpy, just that she knew she was not human. Dante and Ethyn ate and listened to their conversation.

“You've been to the Harpy Island?” Dante asked, “What's it like?”

“I've never been on the island, but I've docked there, and it looks amazing.” He said to Dante before turning back Crimson, “You'll be home.”

“Why were you there?” Crimson asked.

“When I first decided to live on the water, I wanted a decent pirate ship so with their help, and the help of mermaids and a few other creatures, The Shadow was made. I've managed to pay back all but the Harpy's. Returning you will pay my debt in full. Losing your mother would have been very painful for them.”

“If they all live on an island, what do you think happened to my mum?” Crimson asked. Xavier thought for a while.

“I know that Harpy's are all female, when they mature, they will feel the need to breed, so they will go looking for male to have a child with. I've taken a few of them on trips to find suitable mates, but I've always tried to look out for them, maybe your mum wasn't so lucky. She might have trusted the wrong person and ended up a prisoner.” Crimson looked at Xavier.

“Do you think they'll like me?” She asked. Dante reached out and took her hand switching her attention to him.

“I've read a lot about Harpies, they fierce and viscous creatures, but they love one another and have a powerful need to protect each other. No matter what, you will always be accepted by them.” Dante answered for Xavier. Crimson smiled at the reassuring words. They switched topics to that of the other prisoners that they rescued and how best to help them before they started to clean up and Xavier whisked everything away. As Ethyn and Crimson left, Ethyn saying he was going to escort Crimson to her room Xavier and Dante looked at each other.

“Do you really think Ethyn is going to take Crimson back to her room?” Dante asked and Xavier smiled at him before pulling him in for a hug,

“No, I don't think my second in command is going to let her out of his sight anytime soon. Although her being a Harpy will create some issues, I think they are starting to forge a bond that is very strong.” Xavier replied. Dante rested his head against Xavier’s chest, inhaling the strong man's scent. Xavier picked Dante up bridal style and lay him down on the bed. With a hushed word he swapped their clothes for soft pants pulled the covers up over them. They both went to sleep content in each other’s arms.

~A few Hours Later~

The dawn was bright and clear, Dante watched the sun rise from the window. It glittered beautifully across the ocean. He woke up in Xavier’s arms feeling safe, warm and truly happy. The horrors of the past few weeks were still with him, but they were almost worth it to be with Xavier now. He wanted to wake up just like this, every day for the next ever. This moment with Xavier, this dawn was absolutely perfect. They only way to make it better was to know that his herd was alright. He missed them, a lot, but he had found the start of his own herd. Xavier and the rest of his ship would be his herd now. He would never leave now that he had found his spot. But he was worried about his other herd, his family. He wanted to know if they had survived, if their protector had been able to handle the mental anguish of not being there to protect them. He wanted to know who gave away the information that the protector’s mate would be in he-. Dante stopped that train of thought, he didn’t want to think about the betrayal. He snuggled deeper into Xavier’s arms and sighed contentedly.

“Are you happy?” The beautiful voice asked from behind him and Dante nodded

“This is the best morning ever.” He replied, yes, he wanted to get home and see if his family was okay. But he knew he had to wait, that it would take time to return the others to their homes which was good because he wanted to spend more time with Xavier without his well-meaning family’s interference which was sure to happen when they met. He had never felt instant trust like he had when he saw Xavier. He knew when the first made eye contact that Xavier would protect him. Even when he first met the herds protector, he was a bit skeptical. The trust grew over time. Even when he was with his herd he never felt as safe as he did in Xavier's arms.

Xavier placed a soft kiss to the back of Dante’s neck; this was his best morning ever as well. He had his mate in his arms and his mate was more than happy to stay there but he had a job to do and knew that they would have to get up soon.

They eventually both got up and went out on deck. As they exited the captain’s quarters, Ethyn and Crimson came up the stairs looking very happy, holding hands. The four met in the middle of the deck.

“We should reach the island by noon; The Shadow was made with the help of the Harpies so it is able to go through the barrier so we shouldn't have any problems.” Xavier said, after they all greeted each other.

“The only thing is, you two will need to be careful how you tell the other Harpies about your relationship. Her grandmother and aunts will probably not be pleased by it. So, if you’re unsure in any way.” Xavier looked at both Ethyn and Crimson as they glance at each other with love in their eyes.

“Which I don't think we will be a problem, but nonetheless they might try to separate you two.”

Ethyn put his arm around Crimsons waist, and she leaned into his chest.

“I won't let them take him away from me.” Crimson said passionately, making everyone else smile.

“Do you think you can make another bath up?” Dante asked Xavier, “I think Crimson will probably want to clean herself before meeting her family, and I want to talk to her alone. Please Xavier.” Xavier agreed, so Dante and Crimson went into the captain’s quarters together.

“So, Dante is your mate?” Ethyn asked.

“Yeah,” Xavier replied. “The Shadow and its crew will be doing something new later, instead of pirating the merchant ships, we will be rescuing slaves and magical creatures from the Kings and Queens. No longer will we allow our fellow people to be treated worse than dogs.” Ethyn nodded in agreement. He had spent time with those they had rescued, some were magical creatures and others were humans that had been sold. He thought it was despicable how they were treated. Both Ethyn and Xavier looked into the distance, wondering if their new loved ones will choose to stay with them or stay with their families.

In his new quarters, Dante and Crimson found two steaming baths with a curtain for privacy between them. They both smiled and silently thanked Xavier. They quickly undressed and got in.

“Are you nervous?” Dante asked.

“Yes,” Crimson replied, “I'm going to be meeting the people who I was meant to grow up with and I still have no idea what to say.” Dante chuckled.

“Yeah, I can understand that. I have no idea what I'm going to tell my family when I see them.”

“What do you mean?” Crimson asked. Dante sighed, and started to search for the words he needed to explain what he was feeling.

“While I can't wait to see them because I want them to know that I'm safe,” He took a moment to get the right words. “I don't want to separate from Xavier. He saved me and that's a part of it. But I think it's only a small part, like if we had met under different circumstances, I would still want to share my life with him.” Crimson smiled a little after Dante finished speaking.

“I get that. I think I will choose Ethyn over my family. To stay on this ship and visit them when we can but spend the rest of my life with Ethyn.” They both hoped that happened. Dante liked his new friend and didn't want her leaving. When there was a knock on the door followed by Xavier telling them they would be in sight of the island soon, they both got out of the bath and got dressed.

They exited the quarters and stood with their partners at the helm waiting for their first glimpse of the island of the Harpies.