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Aurelia sighed, her mind wandering while the deranged scientist and siren took turns exchanging information and questions. Watching him cozy up to the bird-girl made her stomach churn. The fact that she showered him with tender affection, oblivious to his intent to use her as a means of escape when the time came, rose bile in the back of her throat. She did her best to ignore them.
As the siren was the only one to come through, it stood to reason she had the key. Whether she was safeguarding it or simply too daft to realize she had it on her, Aurelia didn’t know. But she had no intention of letting the siren out of her sight anytime soon. Nor did she intend to leave Enoch alone and unsupervised with their strange new friend. Lest he craftily persuade his way out of his bindings and decide to cross realms, promptly closing and sealing the barrier once on the other side. Instead, she focused on the bridge.
“What do you mean ‘not entirely human?’” Enoch probed.
“They look like deformed humans,” the siren said.
“Curious ...” Enoch sounded truly fascinated. “Perhaps, we should take a closer look, my queen? See what these strange new evolved guilers are for ourselves.”
Aurelia stood, dusting off her satin gown. “Yes, we. Not you.” She gestured to one of the guards, who took hold of Enoch’s arm and hoisted him to his feet. The scientist gave an exaggerated whimper, slumping in the much–larger man’s grasp. “Come, siren. Let’s investigate this guiler of yours.”
The siren glanced from the guard, Enoch, and Aurelia and shook her head. Shifting her eyes back to her wings, she extended them out completely, a full seven feet across the cave. Her silver eyes lit the cavern as a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “You know dragon, it wouldn’t kill you to say please. You may not fully trust me or Enoch over here, but he seems full of information. Though, I do have one question before we jump on this train. Do you know what other species live ... wherever this is?”
“Prisma Isle,” Enoch informed, sulking as he stayed true to his nature. He crumpled to the ground, forcing the guard to carry his full weight.
Aurelia rolled her eyes at his theatrics. “The continent is Prisma Isle. The Land of Clouds is home to the dragons,” she amended, pointing to the sky beyond the confines of the cave. “Drakes cast out by my predecessor roam the lands. Tiny beasts stripped of the majority of their power for defecting during the war and siding with the guilers, among others. The manticores and others exist to the north, amid the forests not far from Mysteria Mountains. The chimera reside in the southern region. The shapeshifters keep to a small village within the forest. Plus, varying species live in the enchanted forest and beyond. And, last but not least, the sirens stay in the skies out of draconic reach in a region known as Pteryrina.”
The young siren raised an eyebrow at Enoch, then she turned her full attention to Aurelia and nodded as each place was ticked off. “Well, that certainly explains a lot. Shall we?”
Bearing a grin, she didn’t wait for Aurelia to agree. She took off for the cave’s mouth, her talons scraping against the stone. With a quick leap from the opening and a brief flap of her wings, she soared through the night sky toward the bridge.
Her golden hair turned to whips in the currents swirling inside the cave. Aurelia allowed the wild winds generated by the siren’s flashy takeoff to settle.
“Bring him,” she growled. “I may yet require his ‘wealth of knowledge.’” She cloud-stepped her way to the bridge, leaving the others to catch up.
Aurelia found her regent bowing an introduction to the siren, low and elegant as if she belonged among the best of them. He paid her too high an honor, one she didn’t yet deserve.
The siren smiled. “Seru, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m Thalasia.”
He seemed to catch Aurelia’s glare and straightened in response, smoothly switching gears to attend her with a quick rundown of his observations.
Cocking her head, Thalasia peered over her shoulder at Aurelia, her multi-colored blue wings tucked in tight. “Nice of you to join us.” With a smirk, she focused on Seru and walked forward gesturing to the boards. “I’m sure you’ve noticed the symbols engraved in the panels across the bridge. To me, it says this bridge and its barrier are linked to this land: Prisma Isles. While it would be easy to blame me, you can’t ignore the fact that there is a possibility there is something going on in the land. You may know the species, but have you had any contact with them to discern if there have been any changes to their parts of the continent?”
Seru stepped between Aurelia and the siren. “Thalasia may be correct, Regina. The engravings alternate, repeating in pattern and color.” He indicated each board on the rainbow bridge with his quill. “If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say they’re emblems—one for each species present on the continent. The ambassadors permitted to grace the Land of Clouds have seemed ... uneasy in recent years. I’ve heard mention of many disturbances—infertility, illness, loss of crops. The imbalances could indicate a shift in the magics that govern all the lands.”
“Uneasy? In what way?” Enoch piped up from where the guard held him at bay, a safe distance from the bridge. He peeked around a wall of polished gold. “Oh, hello there, Seru. I almost didn’t recognize you. Looks as though you’ve risen since last I saw you, no longer doing the queen’s dirty work, eh? What a pity. Rending the land red with the blood of innocents suited you.” He couldn’t keep the grin from his face until a harsh static rippled through the clearing. A snap of electricity pierced the scientist, momentarily silencing him.
Thalasia’s nose wrinkled. Grimacing, she stroked her throat and rolled her shoulders. Her face consumed by disgust, she muttered, “Fucking destiny.”
Shaking her head, she shifted her glower from Enoch and softened her gaze as she looked to Seru and Aurelia. “It seems to me that in order to understand everything, we need to visit the other species.”
“So, it would seem ...” Seru confirmed, dipping his chin and exposing the red tint coloring his cheeks. After a moment, the regent returned his attention to their task. “In order to proceed, we must learn of the plights of the earthbound and reacquaint ourselves with the land. We can join forces with Thalasia until these matters are resolved.”
Aurelia’s displeasure washed over them in a scalding heat, her lips recoiling to expose her fangs.
Crossing her arms, Thalasia half-covered a stifled yawn. Her eyes drifted to her fingers, to the white grains of sand, and finally landed on Aurelia. “That’s okay. I’m happy to do it alone.”
“Oh, spare us your lone ranger bull.” Aurelia turned on her. “You’d be lost before your eyes rose above the cliffside.”
She stole a moment to collect her thoughts before proceeding. “Seru and I will go with the siren. Jaeriko will escort our unruly prisoner back to his cell. Vera” —Aurelia shoved down her pride before naming her suitor— “and Cynric will take my seat in court until we return.”
“Regina—”
“You may return to collect anything we might need for our journey. I think the Cloud Court and the Sky Temple can behave themselves while we uncover the source and cause of these disturbances.”
Seru bowed his head in compliance. “May I fetch you anything, Thalasia? I’m afraid I’m not as well versed in your species’ needs as I am in our own.”
“Not yours. Just hers.” Enoch’s raspy voice, rougher than usual, came as he hauled himself upright. The guard took hold of him and ferried him back to his fortress in the low-hanging clouds before another fight could ensue.
Interlacing her fingers, Thalasia offered a small dip of her chin to Seru. “Thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I was able to find food in the forest edge before making a nest in the cave.” Tensing her shoulders, she narrowed her silver eyes at Aurelia. “If I were you, I’d stop assuming I’m useless. I guarantee I’ve seen more in my life than the length of time you’ve been in that high and almighty chair you believe has given you the right to behave like a petulant child. As a word of advice, it would be best if you lost the attitude before we speak to any of the other species around here. Otherwise, we’ll get nowhere fast. Think you can handle that?”
Aurelia opened her mouth ready to break what few restraints remained intact after an evening in such trying company, but Seru interceded on her behalf once more, saving them all the headache and destruction.
“I don’t believe that will be a problem,” Seru said. “Most earthbound have come to fear or worship dragons—we’re akin to gods. Not unlike your Demeter. Though, as a precaution, I think it best we lay low and try not to draw too much unwanted attention to ourselves until we’ve achieved a better grasp of the situation, and better gauged the temperament of our company. Now, if you ladies will excuse me.” Seru disappeared into the night.
“Hmm ...” Thalasia’s gaze leveled on Aurelia. “Have a good night, your highness.” The last two words dripped with sarcasm. Without saying anything else, she shot into the sky and flew off.
No species she’d ever dealt with had been this difficult before. Yes, she’d always had to watch them carefully. It came with the territory. Not that these dragon-shifters—and whatever Enoch was—appeared any different. The so-called matriarch had already noticed the one thing she worked so hard to keep hidden. Although it seemed she had successfully redirected the female’s attention elsewhere. But it wasn’t the only secret she had to protect.
Thalasia stared out from her perch in the highest tree along the forest edge. No way she could return to the cave, not having been discovered there earlier. She’d sat on these branches for a good hour or so. It was necessary to ensure she hadn’t been followed before she took action.
None of those she’d met thus far could be trusted.
Certain she was alone, Thalasia removed the lyre charm from beneath her tank top. What the hell? She lifted the trinket and eyed its strings. Two had snapped off. Shit. When had that happened?
Lifting her gaze back out to the deep blue sky, she swung her eyes toward the bridge. She could make out the dragon-shifter’s form. The young woman had likely stayed to study the bridge.
Her entrance to Prisma Isle. That had to be when the strings on the lyre broke. The fog had tossed her into this realm, which had been followed by ... damn it. It could’ve occurred when her vision had thrown her up against the cliffside.
Sighing, Thalasia shook her head. It didn’t change what she had to do. She reached for the blade tucked in the back of her waistband and partially extended her left wing. It had fully healed, minus a few feathers that had yet to reform. It served as the perfect hiding place.
She sliced open her skin without feathers. Grimacing at the pain, Thalasia inhaled a deep breath and continued to cut out a small pocket within her wing. For all of Demeter, it hurt like hell, but it had to be done. Enoch and the Matriarch had spent too much time with their eyes on the chain around her neck.
Her mother’s words replayed in her mind as she clutched the charm in her fist. Keep it hidden. Never let anyone see it. It’s as special as you are. She scrubbed her face and tucked the tiny golden lyre into the pocket she’d created. A burning sensation lanced over her body as the two-inch cut began to heal.
Exhaling, Thalasia looked out over the night sky once again and returned the blade to its hiding spot. Would they notice the lack of weight on the chain? She couldn’t take the chance they would. Although Seru hadn’t seemed to pay it any mind, she was positive it would come up between him and the matriarch—a woman whose name she still didn’t know. It hadn’t been hard to notice the way he placated the bitchy queen.
She wasn’t the first stick-in-the-mud-almighty-pain-in-the-ass she’d had to deal with. Thalasia suspected she wouldn’t be the last either. With a small snicker, she broke off a piece of bark and collected some moss. She formed it into the outer shape of a lyre, attached it to the golden necklace, and tucked it back inside her tank top. It wasn’t the best option, but it would do.
For now.
Readjusting in her new nest, she scrutinized the bridge. Could Enoch and the dragon-shifter have been right? Could the broken barrier be her fault? Did she truly possess the key? No. It couldn’t be possible. Neither of her parents had ever mentioned anything about the lyre being a key. Of any kind.
But maybe ... what if they’d done it to protect her? Thalasia pinched the bridge of her nose. There was almost no way around it. She’d have to go to Pteryrina and find some answers.
Without giving up the charm or revealing the truth, to anyone. Least of all that female dragon-shifter.
Aurelia said nothing, ever watchful of the rainbow bridge. As her eyes fell to the strange harp gracing the blue board, her hand slipped into the folds of her dress and she held up the glowing crystal she’d confiscated from Enoch. The living core of a star was the purest source of magic in existence. And there were dozens scattered over the isle, raw and waiting to fall into the wrong hands. She needed to locate and secure them before that happened.
In the meantime, this tiny crystal would be more than enough of a boost to deal with whatever came their way. As the others departed, Aurelia finally allowed the rage she’d worked hard to contain unfurl. It blossomed into a roaring flame in her palm, ,growing until its pink, blue, and purple tongues lashed out, illuminating the white sands in an array of color.
Screaming her frustrations to the winds, Aurelia hurled the celestial flame across the bridge where it slammed into the cliffs. An enormous crater, scorched black by the flame’s intensity, marred the glowing embers of the limestone.
She pressed her taloned thumb and forefinger into her eyes. It did little to dull the wave of exhaustion or quell the rising sense of dread. If they didn’t get to the bottom of this soon, it could spell disaster. She wandered off, dragging her feet through the sands until she came to a sole driftwood log, its surface worn smooth from its days at sea. She resigned herself to staring at the bridge, memorizing the alternating color pattern and distinct symbols etched in each.
“Vera sends her regards.” Seru handed off a knapsack to Aurelia where she sat atop a driftwood log.
“Thanks,” she muttered, weighing the bag in her hand. “Light as a feather.” She cringed inwardly at the observation. That silly siren was swiftly becoming more of a headache than she was worth. Aurelia imagined her cooking up some clever scheme in the brush while she stood watch over the bridge.
“Crafted with magic that compresses space, I think,” Seru offered, taking a seat next to her. “I’ve never seen you so downtrodden with the promise of an adventure so close to your fingertips. You’ve even managed to escape selecting your first tribute. What troubles you?”
She gave him a strained smile. She appreciated his concern, but as always, he saw through the façade. “Looks like you’ll have to take his place,” she teased, her voice sounding deflated and tired, even to her. “As the sole male on this venture, it would seem you get the pleasure of that blue-feather chicken and your new matriarch. You’ve got to be the unluckiest man on this forsaken island.”
Seru managed a bitter chuckle. “Oh, I don’t know about that ... I’d be honored to even be considered an option among such a pair of fiery and spirited young women.”
“Even the bird?” Aurelia gave the face the comment deserved.
“Yes, Majesty, even Thalasia has value.” He paused. “You two aren’t that different. You’re both powerful forces of nature. You should try to smooth the feathers that have been ruffled. She’s much more valuable as an ally than an enemy.”
She dug her toes into the soft sands, frowning. Her talons bit in the porous wood.
“You may even surprise yourself and make a friend,” he suggested when no response came.
Aurelia snorted, unable to keep the laughter out of her tone. “You’ve got to be joking. Dragons eat birds, Seru. We don’t befriend them. There’s a reason the sirens stay in Pteryrina.”
“Perhaps, as the stars have shown, it’s time for all that to change.”
Thalasia flew overhead, enjoying a moment in the morning sky with the sun beating down on her back before landing on the shore. She had a good night’s rest without any further interruptions from the dragons. Her wing had fully healed, new feathers and all. The hues of the new feathers were a darker blue than across the rest of her wing. She nodded first to Seru, then to the dragon-shifter pain-in-her-ass. Why had she agreed to this journey with these two again? Right, answers. Ones she hoped to get without difficulty. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, Thalasia,” Seru replied, smiling warmly.
Dragon-girl stayed in her place on the driftwood log, likely as she had all night.
“Regina, we—”
“Morning ...” the dragon-girl mumbled, slinging a bag over her shoulder as she rose. “Let’s get a move on before sleeping beauty’s coma for a few fancy new feathers lands us in the end of days.”
“Forgive her, Thalasia,” Seru apologized. “She’s not one to remain idle in the face of a good puzzle, or in this case a problem.”
No shit. Thalasia smirked. Wait, that’s right ... she’d forgotten that dragons required less rest. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “I didn’t rest for some new feathers, dragon-girl. I rested because I’ve been on the move for the last two weeks. Plus, sometimes a good puzzle is better solved in the daylight.”
With a shake of her head, she looked between Seru and the dragon-shifter. “Anyone bother to see if the guiler I killed is still over there?”
Dragon-girl scowled.
“I thought we might take your lead in that matter ...” Seru started, reaching out to rest a hand on the dragon-girl’s arm. She promptly came to a halt in front of the bridge. “I think it best if Thalasia and I cross first, in the event the barrier is unstable or we somehow trigger it to reclose.”
The dragon-shifter planted her feet in the sand, ready to argue.
“If there are more of these guilers, you’re the best chance we have at deterring an invasion. The guards will follow your command.” Seru placed a hand on his chest. “The Land of Clouds—all of Prisma Isle requires your protection. I’m but a mere advisor. If I were to be trapped, or worse, there’d be little loss.”
Dragon-girl nodded her consent before narrowing her eyes, which were brimming with power, in Thalasia’s direction. “If anything happens, I’m holding you responsible. So, don’t even bother returning without him.”
Thalasia stood there listening to the two of them. Despite the fact that Seru probably placated himself to her royal highness more than needed, he cared for the woman. Something she hadn’t had in nearly eight years. She frowned, scrubbing the memory before it had a chance to reach her eyes. Tilting her head, she cocked an eyebrow at the girl. “Leave Seru? That wouldn’t happen. I like him.”
Shifting her gaze to the man of the hour, she dipped her chin at the bridge. “Shall we?”
Seru followed her lead, nervously slipping a finger inside the metal band encircling his neck. He stepped onto the bridge, hesitating a moment. When nothing bad came calling, he trailed behind the pair of blue feathers, heaving a sigh of relief.
Glancing over her shoulder, Thalasia noted the moment of hesitation and slowed her pace until they were both certain he’d be fine going across. If she was lucky, the creature’s body would be right where she’d left it and they could investigate unscathed. Not because she wouldn’t protect Seru, because she would. She just didn’t need her secret bubbling back to the surface. Looking back to the collar around Seru’s neck, she nodded at it. “Mind if I ask what that thing is?”
He reacted like a child caught stealing a forbidden sweet as his gaze met hers from beneath his thick black lashes. “Ah, you may.” Seru swallowed, allowing his hand to drop to his side as they crossed. “It’s a gift from the previous Matriarch, the woman who created me. An ... instrument to ascertain her influence and will. It links me to her, ensuring I don’t stray from the path she intended. I suppose, you could say it controls my fate.”
Her head jerked back and her silver eyes widened a bit. She didn’t expect him to answer. Nor did she expect the answer he gave. It almost seemed ironic to share anything with either Seru or his leader. Thalasia’s features softened as her eyebrows drew together. She understood him all too well. “We should all be allowed to choose our own path. Too bad destiny, or fate as you called it, doesn’t work like that.”
“Reality is a cruel mistress, indeed. There’s no shame in resisting her unkind rule,” Seru agreed. “Though that’s not to say there won’t be a hefty penalty in doing so. Those risks, those choices are what make us different from those that seek to control us. I used to believe the deeds I committed in Her name simply to save my own hide were unforgivable, reprehensible. However, in time—and with the kindness and support of a certain fierce purple princess—I discovered even I had some say in the way my destiny played out.”
“Not everyone has that luxury.” The goddess ensured that didn’t happen with her. It didn’t mean she hadn’t tried, because she’d battled her visions for almost a year after she’d found herself all alone in the world. At least until her view changed.
Thalasia stopped as they stepped off the bridge. The guiler’s body should’ve been about fifty feet away, right at the edge of the forest, but it wasn’t. What truly caught her attention were the two guilers waiting just beyond the trees. She hissed at Seru. “Go back!”
The bridge creaked underfoot as Seru tensed at Thalasia’s call. Across the clearing two oddly contorted figures stood within the cover of the trees. One resembled a golem with a tough stony exterior, and his friend, though alive and well, seemed to match Thalasia’s earlier description—a skeletal creature.
In an attempt to cover their retreat, Seru opened some internal lid enough to allow a blanket of white-hot electrical energy to flow forth, spilling outward around Thalasia and over the land before rising to create a temporary barrier between them and the two creatures lurking in wait. The energy crackled and snapped.
The collar responded to Seru’s power, coming alive with a searing heat as it constricted around his throat.
Well, shit. That was pretty impressive. Not her plan, but impressive nonetheless. Thalasia reached for the steel blade in her waistband. It might be better to attack with her power, rather than her knife. Less likely a vision would occur unless—
The two guilers separated, each coming out of the forest in opposite directions.
Of course not, no chance of that happening. One of them looked similar to the one she’d fought yesterday. Great ... more air manipulation. That she could handle, except ... shit, she had no idea how her song would affect Seru. Hmm, maybe if she ... it would sting, but hopefully it would work. She yanked a few of her feathers from her wing with a wince and handed them back to Seru. “Plug your ears.”
He gave her a look that the bizarre request deserved, but didn’t question it in the midst of a fight. Seru did his best to stuff the fluff from the proffered feathers into his ears as they beat as hastily a retreat as they could manage, backpedaling toward the other side.
Their options remained limited until they were both clear and the enemy closer. The last thing they needed was the bridge catching fire while they were still on it.
Thalasia listened for him to move. She didn’t back up any further than the edge of the bridge. The technique she used on the guiler from the previous day may not work for these two, but a siren’s song was adjustable. Opening her mouth, she executed a darker aria and used the melody to intensify the wind around the two guilers.
It whipped around each creature like a hurricane and sandstorm barreling down on them all at once. The waves from the ocean responded in force, raging against the shore. Both of the guilers attempted to react in some way, but neither could fight the strength of the wind.
Seru winced. The feathers were a slight buffer, but they weren’t a complete barrier against the sound as Thalasia had hoped. The wild energy emanating from him settled just as their two foes were sent sprawling.
“Nicely done,” he commended.
With the song finished and their enemy swept away, she glanced over at Seru and smiled. His appreciation for her ability distracted her from the way her heart pounded and her pulse raced. Her third eye opened before she had the chance to look away. Thalasia’s eyes rolled into the back of her head until nothing, but white could be seen. Her knees buckled, but before she hit the ground she had the sense of a pair of arms coming around her body.
Without warning, Thalasia collapsed. Seru reached out and managed to catch her fall.
“Thalasia,” he called. “Are you alright?”
When she didn’t respond, he lifted her in his arms, surprised at how light she was. He momentarily wondered if—like most birds—her bones were hollow. He carried her across the bridge and thought back to the sight of her song. He’d only read a few cryptic myths and legends regarding the siren song. The opportunity to bear witness to the phenomenon was truly extraordinary. The strength and poetic nature of the ability proved far superior than what texts had described.
As they approached the other side, Thalasia stirred. Her body stiffened as she rested a hand against Seru’s chest. “You can put me down now, please.”
Seru nodded, gingerly setting Thalasia on her feet. Though he made certain to linger within arm’s reach until he was sure she was steady. “Are you alright?” he repeated.
It didn’t take too much for her to gain her balance. Her gaze swung away from him and toward the sun. “Yes, I’m fine, thank you.”
He couldn’t help but be amused. As he plucked the feathers from his ears, he allowed his curiosity to get the better of him in hopes of distracting her. “Your song worked wonders on those guilers. Can you do that anytime you want? Or are there certain ... prerequisites?” he asked, offering her what remained of the blue quills.
Quietly accepting the quills, Thalasia turned to the bridge’s banister. She opened her hand and released the quills into the water. “Any time I want. I acclimate the song to the situation by altering the notes and undertones based on what I need.”
“That must take a tremendous amount of skill.”
Thalasia shrugged off the comment. “I learned at a very young age how to control my voice.”
“Perhaps you can offer a spot of advice to the young matriarch,” Seru said, sounding a tad uneasy. “She’s likely to give us both a lashing upon our return. Thank you. Your quick thinking saved us.” He rubbed at his ears, which were still ringing slightly.
Peering at him for the first time since he’d set her on her own two feet, Thalasia smirked. “I don’t think she’d care too much for my advice.” Her nose wrinkled with a brief wince. “Sorry about that. I guess feathers aren’t the best barriers.”
“Not your fault,” he replied. “Now we know for the next time. We’ll be better prepared.” He glanced down the remaining stretch of bridge, back towards Prisma Isle. “We’d best report in. Preferably before the Regina loses her head.” He extended a hand towards Thalasia.
Tilting her head, she studied Seru for a moment. Thalasia opened her mouth and snapped it shut. She exhaled a deep breath. “Thank you.” With a curt nod, she steeled her shoulders and let the unspoken remain in the air as she walked toward Prisma Isle.
“Thalasia ...” Seru called after her. “If you ever wish to ... get anything off your chest, or simply care to talk, I hope you know that I’ll gladly listen and offer my assistance in any way I can. We’re in this together. Whether by choice or destiny’s demand.”
She stopped in her tracks and looked back at him. “I wish it was that simple, but experience has taught me otherwise.”
A tightness around his eyes said he understood. Nonetheless, the offer stood. “I’m sure our new Matriarch’s brash accusations have only served to enforce that. And while I realize my apology in her stead is but a shadow of what’s truly deserved, I offer it nonetheless. You don’t strike me as a true enemy here. Sadly, our culture has led us to be wary of strangers and to strike first rather than wait to be betrayed. You’ve most certainly caught the worst of that since your arrival. I know it’s still early in our venture, but I do hope in time we can learn to trust and confide in one another. My offer will remain open until you’re ready.”
Thalasia blinked and a small sigh escaped. “I appreciate it, as well as your need to apologize on her behalf. But she’s not the first to accuse me of something. One gets accustomed to the ill-laid blame when they stand out like I do. I’ve learned it comes with the territory.”
“So, it’s true then ... that most of your kind aren’t as vibrantly and beautifully colored as you?” Seru inquired. “Even here, sirens are a rarity. Much like us, they choose to keep to themselves, barring the odd trade deal or political envoy.”
“Yes. That’s true.” She tugged at the hem of her tank top and readjusted it again. “I don’t look anything like my parents. I believe they were closer to what every other siren looks like.”
“Your coloring might be unusual, Thalasia, but it isn’t something you should be ashamed of.” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to still her self-conscious fidgeting. A hand on the now-cool metal collar, he continued, the artfully inscribed glyphs dictating the terms of his imprisonment glistening in the low light reflecting off the water’s surface. “I’m not at all like the rest either. I know much of that is easier said than done. You shouldn’t allow others to determine your value, instead allow it to be their undoing. Their underestimation of you and your value serves you more than you know.”
Her silver eyes sparkled as her gaze danced over the minute details of the collar. “Have you ever wondered what your life would be like without that thing?”
Seru offered a bitter smile. “Every second of every day. Though, I also fear the day it finally comes off ... when my true nature is set free, I’m not certain I’ll still be the same me. I can’t help but wonder how much of this careful control belongs to the former Matriarch’s intricate bindings and how much is my own.”
“You don’t know that. If you’re not in control, then you have no way of knowing your true self,” Thalasia said. She tentatively reached up to the collar and scrutinized its nuances. “I’d like to help you get this off. One of us deserves freedom.”
“I was born of malicious desire to destroy,” Seru replied. “Sadly, that doesn’t leave much room for ...” He pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn’t intended to go this in depth. He shook his head as if to clear it, some semblance of a smile shining through. “Forgive me, Thalasia,” he said. “I intended to be of some assistance to you, but instead I seem to be taking advantage of your kindness. Truly, I appreciate the offer. And I hope I can one day return the favor. However, I do believe we have more pressing and troubling matters to tend to first.”
“For the record, you can’t help with my tether. It comes at a sacrifice and I’ve accepted it.” Thalasia swallowed, carefully regarding him before she took a step back and put some space between them. “But you’re right. We do have more pressing matters.”