Sirens and Scales

by Kellie McAllen

  King Nereus had stepped aside from raising Esme and all the wonderful drawbacks that came with having a child. While he loved his daughter, he found her to be troublesome and rebellious. She rarely acknowledged any of his words. Esme flowed with the tides of the stormy sea, disagreeing with just about everything he said and choosing to rebel against his orders at every turn.

  Esme sat in silence as her father droning on about it being so important for a girl of her age, at just sixteen, to be married. He said any lady worthy to be queen ought to be properly matched up with someone who would someday be king.

  Esme hated that idea. She didn’t want to be married. Heck, she had never fallen in love. She didn’t understand the concept of love.

  What is love? she thought. Is it an idea, a pursuit? Perhaps love is only a backstabbing villain waiting to suck you dry as soon as you feel your heart beating inside your chest, pumping away at a million feelings that you don’t really understand but yet you feel intensely with every waking breath.

  Her father, the old and infirm, looked at her sternly, his white beard dancing down from his chin. “Esme, you are sixteen,” he said. “This is the prime time for a girl to be married. It is time you grew up!”

  Esme folded her arms crossly. “I don’t want to grow up! I want to be free, free to roam across the horizon with the sun shining down on my back and the dolphins chattering at me. I never asked for this life!” she said, her pink hair flailing down to one side. She looked hurt, her eyes narrowing as she tried to understand his perspective.

  Her father swung his trident at Esme’s face, holding up her chin as he spoke. “You didn’t ask for this life, but you were born to it. Someday I won’t be around in these tranquil waters, and you will need to step up to be queen. That is your duty.”

  He released her chin and slumped back onto his throne in defeat. The king sighed. Yet again this confrontation showed it was likely his daughter would never commit to the tasks he had set before her. She was too much of a free spirit to be chained to the laws of the kingdom. He feared that she would not be ready for the responsibilities that were ahead of her. And if she couldn’t lead the kingdom, then who would?

  He and Nixie had done all they could to prepare Esme for that time when the queenship beckoned. He had hoped Esme would be mature and ready as all queens should be.

  He watched with great disappointment as Esme stormed out of the throne room, her purple and gold tail swirling after her. He placed his trident down as his daughter fled.

  As for Esme, she had no interest in this discussion. Why was her life being dictated like this? Her father dared to compel her to be a leader of the people. Esme had no desire to lead; she was solitary. She talked with the fishes, exchanging lively ideas with them. She pursued climates of land and sea, vibrating between dreams of fantasy which would always come tumbling back to the dire reality she knew. Crashing back down to the ocean floor. That was always the way.

  2

  Esme’s tantrum had sent her swimming far down into the blackest depths of the ocean. She had never dared to come this far before but rebellious curiosity had prevailed over her senses.

  A tunnel covered in rancid mold glowed in her sights. The mold protruded in lime green slime slicked along the tunnel walls.

  Esme had come so far down in her flight of fury that she didn’t realize just how deep she had gone into this bottomless pit. Feeling free at last, she sank down on the dingy floor. Blue weeds with hooded gray flower heads straggled around the seafloor.

  Esme consoled herself by picking up one of the gray flower buds and tossing it absentmindedly away from her.

  “Why can’t they just let me be?” she mumbled into the abyss. “Surely my destiny is my own?” She played with her pink hair as she sank into solitude.

  It was quiet as she sang softly to herself. She didn’t take heed as a shadow appeared. Colors of gray and black materialized in front of her, soon resembling a figure.

  The shadow took a breath. Laughing.

  Looking up, she was startled to see a merman staring at her with a cheeky smile. She was taken aback. She’d thought she was alone down here.

  This handsome rogue stared intensely at her. Specks of silver emitted from his hair. His eyes glowed with yellow warmth as he watched her curiously.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you alright?” he said.

  Esme couldn’t help but smile. The merman had a charming look about him. Something endearing and yet so mysterious. If she had the time, she could spend eons looking into those eyes of his! Such mellow hues of gold tinged with the boldest of browns.

  “Yes, I’m fine,” Esme said. “I didn’t expect to find anyone down here.”

  The merman chuckled. The vibrant echo of his amusement glowed with glee. “Neither did I,” he said. “But it’s nice to meet you. I’m Lazarus!”

  “Nice to meet you, Lazarus,” she said, taking in his appearance. His emerald tail stood out amongst all the gray in the tunnel. His entire body lit up this place. He was filled with so much light. As she looked up, she saw his gray speckled hair sparkling at her, and as she bravely looked down, she found herself gazing into his eyes. A translucent shade of yellow tinged with gold met his pupils with black. It looked like if you got close enough to them that nothing would be inside.

  Euphoric waves rippled through her soul as she and Lazarus looked at each other. It seemed like Lazarus was looking right into her heart, knowing all she was.

  This was too much.

  “I must go,” Esme said.

  Lazarus laughed, pulling her towards him. Their lips almost brushed. “Don’t be so silly. We’ve only just met! How am I to find you again?” he asked, a glint in his eye as he studied her, perhaps wondering if she was going to swim away from him.

  He looked keen. His body trembled as they floated close together. Her hair floated forward over his shoulder.

  Esme brushed her hair from Lazarus’s shoulder and swam backward. “I’m not being silly,” she protested. “I really do have to go, my father is awaiting me.”

  When he didn’t reply, she found herself babbling on. “I only came here because I was upset and I shouldn’t have came here because it’s so far into the black lagoon, much farther than I had ever gone before.”

  “Alright. I’ll let you go this time,” he said with a wink, “but please tell me your name.”

  “Esme. My name is Esme.”

  She felt intimidated by Lazarus. He had a dynamic masculine presence. Strong, robust, tall. He was enchanting in his manner. He seemed strong willed with a clean-cut physique. She found herself dazzled by him.

  I should be getting home! she thought, taking extra care not to let her feelings show. It seemed like he possessed a power of some kind. He had that look in his eye that told you that he could hear all that you didn’t want to say.

  “Esme! That’s a beautiful name!” Lazarus said, looking down at this wonderful young woman who was still pinned to his chest.

  “Why, thank you! But I really must get going,” Esme said, trying to be strong. This attraction really was something else. This man had a control over her, making her body feel weak at the thought of leaving. It was like he had a magic button that he was pressing to make her go all gooey inside.

  Lazarus smiled. He reached down and pulled Esme’s face to his own, their lips touching without any effort. He softly brushed her lips with his and then pressed them, and lightly stirred the inside of her mouth with his tongue.

  “There. Now, that wasn’t so painful, was it?” he posed, cheekily.

  “I . . .” she stammered, she had no control of her words. She couldn’t say a thing.

  She gazed at him in wonder as he let her loose. That kiss. It left a mark on her although invisible. A part of her longed for him to caress her again. She itched for it.

  “I must go,” she breathed.

  She turned away, not looking at Lazarus, for if she did catch a glimpse of him, she feared he would be a
ble to know how delighted she was.

  He smiled for he knew this captivating siren would soon come rushing back into his arms. She’d be back for more of what he had to offer very soon.

  3

  Esme trembled as she swam into the corridor, barely able to control her body or contain her excitement. She floated outside Nixie’s chamber. Something inside her told her not to go in, but she pushed past that and pulled back the green seaweed curtain.

  Nixie was resting in a large white clam shell, her red curly hair gliding down her feminine frame.

  Nixie looked up at Esme’s entrance.

  “You appear to be a little flustered, dear! Is everything well?” Nixie asked.

  “Yes. Nixie, I need your advice on an important matter,” Esme began. “I’ve met someone, and he’s charming and more exciting than any merman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  “Hmmm,” Nixie said. “Your father wants you to be married, dear. It’s been his dearest dream ever since your birth.”

  She smiled, warming a little. Nixie could see Esme was excited about this mysterious merman that she had encountered.

  It would do no good to reprimand her when she is very much captured by this man’s charms, Nixie thought.

  “Does this young merman have a name?” Nixie asked.

  “Lazarus.”

  Just the sound of his name was magnetic to her! Oh my goodness, Esme thought, this was such an insurmountable feeling! What was she going to do if she couldn’t get herself together enough just to say his name? What spell was she under that kept her so transfixed by him?

  Esme didn’t believe in spells or magic. It wasn’t in her nature. But there was a real energetic force surrounding her, making her feel like she was crumbling with ecstasy.

  Nixie grinned. “Lazarus! Well, I’m sure he is a handsome fellow!” she said. “However, you know you must not see this man ever again. If your father were to find out about your liaison with this charming Lazarus, he would be furious.”

  “I know,” Esme replied, feeling defeated. “I hope you won’t tell him!”

  Esme’s eyes begged her for pity and Nixie relented, easing her posture as she slid down into the clamshell.

  “I won’t say a word, dear. As far as your beloved father is concerned, this discussion never took place. And I wouldn’t want the pleasure of that kind of conversation with him, anyway.”

  Esme caught the lowered tone in Nixie’s voice and she understood. Such things were forbidden and so Nixie would never speak of this or even acknowledge that she had heard of it. The king would be irate if he were to ever find out about this liaison between Esme and Lazarus, and that Nixie knew.

  Esme breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you,” she said and then left before Nixie could say anything more on the subject.

  Now she would need to uncomplicate her life. She needed to know what to do about Lazarus.

  It was probably best for all concerned if she placed these feelings for Lazarus far, far away. Yes, that would have to be the way of it, even if her heart yearned for something more.

  4

  Esme rested on the sand, watching the tide creep up and sweep tiny granules out to sea.

  In the distance, ships sailed the horizon. If she looked hard enough, she was sure she could see the men working on the decks.

  She shouldn’t be here at all, but she needed a place to be alone, to process all these thoughts that rushed through her like a wind in a maelstrom.

  She tried her hardest not to think of Lazarus but instead focused her attention on the ships sailing freely by.

  She thought about her duties as the future queen. She didn’t want to be queen. She didn’t want the responsibility. How could she rule a kingdom? She was sure it was too complex a task for someone of her age to manage. It was unthinkable to even consider it.

  I can’t even comprehend it, she thought. This is too difficult for someone like me to take on! I just want to be free.

  She looked out to the ocean; the waves crashing heavily against the sand.

  Letting out another sigh, a tear came running down her face.

  “Oh please, someone set me free!” she whispered. “Allow me to be me.”

  When Esme arrived home, a strange air pulsated through the atmosphere. She felt it looming over her as she watched the palace guards swimming towards her with looks of doom on their faces.

  Nixie sat alone in a corner in the throne room, a black seashell elegantly sat on her chest. She too looked solemn.

  One of the palace guards lifted his trident at Esme’s approach and fiddled with his beard nervously.

  “Your highness, Esme . . .” he began.

  Nixie silenced his speech with one look. “I should be the one to tell her. Please swim back,” she commanded.

  Esme was confused. She exchanged worried glances with the palace guard, who was now bowing to Nixie and moving away.

  Nixe approached Esme, her eyes red and puffy.

  “Sit down, dear,” she said, struggling to keep her composure. “I bring bad news!”

  “What is it?” Esme asked. Waiting without knowing was agony.

  Nixie took a breath. “Your father is dead, Esme. The king is dead.”

  Esme’s wish had been delivered. She was now free, but she didn’t understand just how much power her words held.

  Had her childish words manifested this event, bringing about her own father’s death?

  One could only wonder if, in some way, they had.

  What was more alarming to Esme was her stepmother’s behavior.

  She turned away from Esme and swam away, not acting like the widow in mourning in the least.

  “You have no more business here. Tell the rest of the people. This kingdom’s day is done!” she told the guard.

  5

  It wasn’t clear after that what would happen to the palace and the once joyful people who resided inside it.

  Nixie immediately returned to her own home. She dashed out of that throne room as if she wanted nothing more to do with it.

  Before she swam away, the former queen addressed Esme coldly. “The palace is no more, child. Go find that merman of yours. Nobody has a home here. Not you. Not me. Not the guards. Nobody. Not anymore!”

  Esme felt bewildered as these words blazed into her ears. She felt numb and couldn’t understand just what was being said.

  Her father had only been gone a matter of hours and now her former home was no longer her home. Her life had been turned upside down in a matter of moments.

  A tempest surged through her mind as she swam away from the palace. The courtiers, the servants, all the guards, everyone simply disappeared. This once glowing, magnificent palace had become an icy blue fortress, tinged with gray.

  If you looked close enough, you could glimpse the once golden candelabras in the dining hall, faded and gray. Desolate and deserted. All that beauty and regality had disintegrated into ruins.

  Esme sought sanctuary in the palace grounds, resting her forlorn fins on an old shipwreck as she tried to make some sense of what had happened.

  Esme had seen Nixie leave so that was one part of the mysterious happening that didn’t need to be solved, but what about the many servants, courtiers, and guards? Some of them had been floating in the throne room when Nixie announced that the king had sadly passed away. What had happened to them?

  It was puzzling. Esme didn’t understand it. How could an entire kingdom just collapse without warning and everybody vanish as if they never existed?

  She didn’t know if this was a curse, but ever since her father’s death, her kingdom had dissolved.

  Esme wasn’t happy with her royal vocation, but she hadn’t wanted everybody inside her home to cease existing. And the question remained: what was she going to do about it?

  6

  Lazarus sat in his blue clamshell as he thought about Esme and the connection they shared.

  Who was this girl? Why was he so wildly attracted to her?

  There
was something about her. That pink hair and the way it glided down her pristine body. Her glinting eyes and the way they showed a rainbow’s spectrum of colors.

  She had looked so serene as she gazed out on the seascape. He had never seen Esme on the shore before, but he found her bravery charming. His mind created scenarios as he pondered the many different ways in which they could get close to one another.

  He was not sure what kind of a man she wanted, but every cell in his metaphysical being told him that he could attain her any way he pleased. That gave him the confidence to smile, and wait.

  Esme looked at her father’s crown, longing for him to return to her. She had not seen eye to eye with her father on so many topics, but she had loved him.

  And Nixie seemed uncommonly cheery despite this catastrophe. You would have thought that she would at least shed one tear, but here she remained beautifully composed.

  It had only been a day since King Neurus’s death and Nixie was glowing as radiantly as the morning sun. Esme felt that Nixie should show some grief, but here she was, as happy as a newborn dolphin.

  Of course, Esme knew that Nixe wasn’t one for showing her struggles. She had a tough exterior with an equally rigid heart. A heart that had not received much in the way of love but had taken many hearts along the way.

  Esme picked up her father’s crown and gazed at it mournfully. The gold elements formed an entwined heart, interlinking with each other in brilliant circular loops.

  It must be so joyous to be wonderfully connected with another person like that, Esme thought.

  Esme breezed above the ocean floor as she stared at the shimmering gold lights in front of her. Its magical and mysterious hues dazzled her as it shone like a beacon.

  She looked closely as she tried to decipher the letters and numbers painted onto the walls of the tunnel.