The Siren's Son (The Siren Legacy Book 1)

by Helen Scott

  “Welcome to Tír na nÓg, the Land of Youth.” Brigid smiled, and her entire face glowed with warmth, making Ellie feel safe, like she was at home. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, as you are still healing, but how much do you remember?”

  “I remember being captured by Circe and poisoned.” She thought she remembered Alec, but she had probably just dreamed of him.

  “You were poisoned and injured by the witch, Circe, that’s correct. You were about to die, but the Morrígan heard your call as a warrior. She sent Plur na mBan to retrieve you, but we had trouble locating you since you were unconscious. Plur na mBan found two sirens at your bedside that she had to convince to release you so she could bring you here.”

  “Two sirens?” Ellie’s heart leapt with joy. She almost jerked up into a sitting position, but the sharp stabbing pain, along with a reproachful look from Brigid, forced her back down.

  “One was very upset at your impending death. He guarded you with what were described to me as impressive ebony wings. The other watched over both of you, clearly ready to attack, and yet he stayed his hand. You have very interesting friends.” Brigid smiled again.

  Ellie craned her neck, looking around; a soft light seemed to emanate from the sky above her, and what she initially thought had been a room turned out to be more of a tent. She was in a rocky pool of some kind, and when her eyes drifted over her own body, she was shocked.

  “I’m naked!”

  “’Tis no worry, we are all children of the earth. You must be naked for the spring to do its work. The healing powers cannot reach your soul if it is obscured by the strange materials you were wearing.”

  “It makes me uncomfortable.” Ellie didn’t know where she was or what was going on, and she was starting to panic. “What exactly is Tír na nÓg?”

  “Have we fallen so far out of man’s consciousness that the name of one of the most sought Fae realms is no longer recognizable?”

  “Fae realm?” Ellie’s panic was rising.

  “Remain calm, child.” Brigid extended both her hands, which up until now had been curled in her lap. Ellie immediately felt a wave of calmness sweep over her. She had no control over it, which she knew she should be upset about but somehow wasn’t.

  “Ellie, you are part Fae. This is part of who you are. You have nothing to fear here.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s all a little much to take in.” Ellie looked away from Brigid and focused on the tent. The fabric was like nothing she had ever seen before. It was gossamer thin and slightly iridescent with a green sheen to it. She couldn’t see past it in detail, but she could see vague shapes, like hills or mountains.

  “Ellie, I must leave you for a while and report back to the Morrígan on your progress. She may wish to speak with you, and I will warn you, she can be intimidating, but you have nothing to fear from her. I will return soon. Please try to rest. Let the water do its work.”

  “Thank you, Brigid. I’m sorry if I was rude. It’s just a little overwhelming.” Ellie felt guilty for her response before—after all, Brigid was the one who was healing her.

  “I understand. Rest now.” Ellie watched Brigid leave, fascinated by how the woman moved, almost like fire in the wind.

  As soon as Brigid left, Ellie felt sleep tugging at her, pulling her down into unconsciousness. She awoke some time later to find a raven-haired woman staring at her.

  “Plur na mBan, hear my call,” Alec said, the hot July sun beating down on him. It was the fifth time he had called to the strange Fae. She came every time and always told him the same thing. “Ellie sleeps in the healing spring.”

  A gust of wind had the waves lapping at the shore in a new rhythm that told him Plur na mBan was in here—somewhere. Alec turned and glimpsed the dark-haired Fae disappearing behind a tree. He chased after her. This had almost become a ritual for them. She liked to lead him around and make him work for the conversation he so desperately wanted to have with her.

  It had been six months since they last met, and Alec was not in the mood for games. As he rounded the line of trees, he saw the edges of her robes disappearing down another path. He chose this park to meet in because it was secluded and full of quiet spots; plus, Plur na mBan seemed to like it better than when he had called her to their island. He had a sneaking suspicion she preferred a wooded area to a beach. He caught up with her in a clearing. She was sitting on a downed tree that formed a bench, and underneath her feet, wildflowers and wild mushrooms were growing before his very eyes.

  “Siren.” She briefly dipped her head to him before running her bare toes through the newly sprouted flowers.

  “Plur na mBan, thank you for coming. Has Ellie’s condition changed?”

  “Ellie no longer sleeps but still resides in the healing spring.”

  “She’s awake?” Alec’s heart soared with joy. She wasn’t lost to him forever.

  “She is.” Her voice was music to his ears, and he couldn’t contain the smile that had taken up residence in his heart. “She is under Brigid’s care and will return home when she is willing and able—provided our queen allows it.”

  “What? Why would she not be allowed to return to her own realm?” Alec’s heart was torn in two. Anger and frustration that he was so close to getting Ellie back swallowed half his joy of her being awake.

  “The Morrígan does as she pleases. It is not for me to speculate. Ellie is not fully recovered. She must remain in the spring to continue the healing process.”

  “Okay, okay, I understand.” Alec’s heart sank a little, but he was still overjoyed that she had at least regained consciousness.

  “I must return. You have kept me quite busy these past few days. I look forward to peace and quiet after the decision is made for Ellie to return home or not.”

  “Forgive me. I am simply anxious about her well-being.”

  “I understand, but if you were anything other than what you are, I wouldn’t answer your calls. You are lucky.” Her eyes narrowed on him at that moment. This was another part of the ritual they had established.

  “I am lucky and consider you to be my friend. Thank you.” Alec bowed low, and when he arose, the Fae woman was gone. He jumped back home to tell Hal the good news, his heart swelling with happiness and a twinge of anticipation.

  “Hello, child. You called for me, twice, and now I am here.” Her eyes were as black as a starless sky and just as infinite. Ellie had the sensation of falling briefly, before the woman turned her head away. The skin around her eyes was stained red, matching the gown she wore.

  “You’re the Morrígan?” Ellie gulped. If someone had asked her to predict how her life would have turned out, this would be the furthest thing from her mind.

  “I am. I am also the queen of this realm,” she said with a reproachful glance. Her voice was harsher than Brigid’s, sounding more like a quiet roar than her healer’s bells and light.

  “I’m sorry, I would curtsy but am unable at this time, your majesty.”

  “Your supplication is not required. You called to me. I lent you my strength for a while and brought you to Tír na nÓg when necessary. I am curious as to what made you reach for me.”

  “I know you are a goddess of war and someone to call to when facing a battle. Thank you for lending me your strength and bringing me to Tír na nÓg.”

  “You are most welcome, but it is a debt that will have to be paid eventually. Do you understand?”

  Ellie wasn’t sure she wanted to but couldn’t help feeling like she knew the goddess would ask a favor someday in payment. “Yes, your majesty. I understand. I appreciate your assistance before a bargain was struck.”

  The Morrígan looked at Ellie; her eyes held a smile the rest of her face did not, almost as though she approved of Ellie. “It is funny.” She paused, and for the first time a true smile graced her face. “People call to me still but none in battle. When I used to spend time in the mortal realm, I would dance along warrior’s swords and pluck their enemies’ souls from the battlefield as
you would pick a berry from a bush. The rush of a battlefield was always my favorite place to be, life and death hanging in the balance, each needing just the slightest push in one direction or another to be victorious. I would spread my wings and fly over the battlefield, feeling the rush of energy as the men screamed their battle cries. They were such fierce warriors. I have not done that in such an age, I didn’t think I would ever be called for battle again.”

  The Morrígan’s pale skin glinted in the light as she shook her head, dispelling the memories. “I overburden you with my recollections. I merely wanted to thank you for reminding me of my glory days.”

  “I know people still think of you often.” Ellie wasn’t sure what to say. The goddess of war missed being on the battlefield. “Mortals still fight wars. You could always go to a war zone and see if you like it.”

  “They do not fight with blade and bow anymore. The battles are with guns and explosives.” She laughed at Ellie’s surprised expression. “I still visit the mortal realm from time to time. The battles are not as they were. Besides, it does not do to dwell on the past. Now I focus on being a mother and queen. That is where I am needed, and that is what people call to me for help with. I help where I can, which is why your call so surprised me.” The Morrígan turned her black eyes on Ellie. “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better than when I first woke up, thank ye.”

  “Brigid is the goddess of healing, so I expected nothing less.”

  The Morrígan took Ellie’s hand in her own, and Ellie flinched at the contact. She could feel the power flowing through the goddess and her own powers mixing with it. The Morrígan’s hand was elegant and pale, her long fingers ended in sharp black nails, like a crow’s claw. “The way your Fae bloodline manifested is interesting. You control lightning.”

  “And electricity,” Ellie added, unsure if the Morrígan knew what that was.

  “I am familiar, do not worry. It is a rare manifestation. You are lucky.” She smiled at Ellie. “You need to learn control though. It batters at me like a bee after pollen.”

  “I’m sorry. I only just inherited it.” Ellie didn’t want to displease the queen.

  “I see. You should explore Tír na nÓg when you are feeling better; you might find a teacher.”

  “I was hoping to go back to my realm soon. I have people there who are waiting for me.”

  “Ah, of course.” A brief look of disappointment crossed the Morrígan’s face. “You should take a little time and explore though, you never know, you might like it here. For now, though, I will let you rest.”

  Ellie didn’t want her to leave disappointed. The Morrígan had lent her strength and brought her here for healing, after all. “You could always visit me in my realm, if you would do me the honor, your majesty.”

  The Morrígan turned to her with critical eyes, as though she wasn’t sure of the sincerity of the offer. After a moment of consideration, she said, “I would like that.” She stood and brushed off her dress, the material swaying with her touch. “Brigid will see you healed and returned home as soon as you are ready. It was a pleasure talking with you, Eilidh.”

  “You as well, your majesty.”

  The Morrígan inclined her head to Ellie and turned to leave. It was only then that Ellie noticed the raven feathers interwoven in her hair, creating a subtle crown on her head. When she reached the door of the tent, the Morrígan looked back at Ellie.

  “You will have strong children, worthy of your Fae blood. Do not forget our bargain.” She smiled at Ellie and left.

  Ellie stared after the Morrígan for a moment, unsure what to make of her last statement. Were her children to have something to do with the bargain? She hoped not. Ellie couldn’t imagine the goddess of motherhood taking someone’s child. Besides, she didn’t even know if she would have kids—maybe it was just something the Fae said to one another? Something deep inside Ellie told her she knew better than that.

  She pushed the thought aside. There would be plenty of time for rehashing their conversation later. Now she just wanted to reassess her body. She hadn’t lied when she said she felt better. What she didn’t realize was how much better. Her body felt full of energy and life.

  Brigid burst through the doors. “She didn’t scare you, did she?” She was breathless as though she had been running. Her cheeks were flushed, and her braid now had wisps of hair hanging down from the sides.

  “No, we had a lovely conversation.” Ellie smiled at Brigid, who was obviously concerned for her.

  “Oh,” Brigid said, looking slightly startled. “Well, that’s good.” She seemed at a loss of what to say for a moment before the business side of her took over. “Well, let’s get you out of the spring and into some clothes so we can send you home. You should know that while I was able to heal you, you will still have some scars from the injuries. Even I can’t erase the past.”

  For the first time since she initially talked to Brigid, Ellie remembered she was naked, and she realized she had just had a whole conversation with the Morrígan while naked and hadn’t thought a thing about it.

  The spring suddenly felt like water, not the mud she had felt before. She began to sink and kicked her legs out under her. When her feet touched the rocky bottom, she tentatively put weight on them, pushing herself upward.

  “Take it slowly. Your body has been in the stasis version of the healing pool for a while. Give it time to adjust to supporting your weight again.” Brigid held out her hand for support. Her hand may have been dainty, but it was stronger than Ellie expected. When Ellie took it to step out of the spring, Brigid gasped.

  “Your powers are strong!” she said, a little breathlessly. “You will birth a strong line of Fae children.” A large smile broke over Brigid’s face. “I am so excited for you.”

  Ellie froze. “The Morrígan said the same thing.”

  “Really?” Brigid’s face showed her shock. “She doesn’t usually discuss the fertility side of her power. That is very interesting.”

  “So, it’s not just something you lot say to each other?”

  “No, occasionally we can glimpse how someone’s path will unfold, in regard to our own personal powers. Both the queen and I have talents in fertility.”

  “I see.” Ellie felt overwhelmed. She had never even thought about having kids before.

  “Oh!” Brigid exclaimed, interrupting the whirlwind of thoughts Ellie was having. “I almost forgot.” She reached into a pocket in her dress and retrieved a necklace with a stunning horse pendant. “We had Lugh make this for you. He really is one of the most handsome blacksmiths I’ve ever seen.”

  Ellie took the necklace and was immediately entranced by the pendant. The horse was set atop what looked like waves and encased in a circle. The body of the horse and the waves were done in traditional Celtic knot work. The silver glinted in the light, which seemed to be getting brighter, highlighting the dark recesses of the engraving. The horse’s head was slightly turned to face the viewer, and the eyes were incredibly realistic.

  “This is incredible! I’ve never seen anything so small look so lifelike.” Ellie was in awe of the craftsmanship.

  “Well, this is Tapa, a descendant of Enbarr.”

  When Ellie didn’t react, Brigid continued. “A mortal once came to Tír na nÓg and was sent back on a horse. He was warned that if he dismounted the horse, then the years he missed in the mortal realm would catch up with him. Of course, it was inevitable that he would come off the horse at some point—either on purpose or by accident. We should have realized that.” Sorrow coated Brigid’s voice for a moment.

  “Needless to say, he did, and all the time he had spent in Tír na nÓg caught up with him, causing his death. It was a sad day for all but mostly Niamh and their children. Enbarr, the horse he traveled on, had the ability to cross water, and he had the most beautiful mane. Tapa is a descendant of Enbarr’s and has the same ability to cross water. When you need him, call for him and the pendant will link you to him, thereby all
owing you to cross the waters to get home. I do need to advise you, as long as you wear the pendant, you will be linked to Tír na nÓg, and the healing you have achieved here will remain with you. If you remove the pendant, then the link to Tír na nÓg will fade, as will the healing. Eventually it would cause your death.”

  “So I have to wear this, or all my injuries will return?” Ellie felt sick.

  “Yes. But being linked to Tír na nÓg will also connect you more firmly to your Fae blood, making it more prominent and extending your life.”

  “Wow. Okay. That’s a lot to take in.”

  A chair appeared, and suddenly Ellie was sitting on it.

  “Just breathe.” Brigid rubbed her back. “Everything is fine. These are all good things, provided you keep the necklace on. Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I just didn’t expect that.”

  “Tapa will be a loyal companion for you and can even bring you back to Tír na nÓg, should you desire it.”

  “Thank you. This is an amazing gift. I hope I didn’t seem ungrateful.” Ellie smiled up at Brigid.

  “Not at all. If you want, I have some clothing for you. It is not like the material you were wearing before, as it is a Fae robe, but it would prevent you from traveling home naked.”

  “That would be lovely, thank you.”

  Brigid guided Ellie through to a second room in the tent, and hanging there was the most stunning dress. She had never worn anything like it. Thin, creamy fabric made up the shoulders and sleeves, covering the bodice before flowing out into an elegant skirt. The bodice was a darker cream and more structured than she would have guessed. The entire gown was covered in gold leaves. They started with a collar at the top before fanning out over the bust of the bodice and tucking back in at the waist before expanding again over the hips.

  “Brigid, I can’t wear this. It’s too much.” Ellie stood staring at the dress, wanting to wear it but afraid to.

  “It’s nothing. We have gowns like this all over.” Brigid brushed it off. “Besides, you want to look nice for your siren, yes?”