The Siren Princess

by Lichelle Slater

  Being under water, I had to take a gamble on which direction to go. The waves had hurled me about, and I’d lost sight of the horizon. I hoped the ocean was on my side.

  It wasn’t so easy to figure out swimming either. Moving my legs up and down together at the same time—in the form of a fin—felt clumsy and unnatural, and I wasn’t certain I was swimming at all. I had to get past my instinct to try and kick one leg and then the other and started moving them together until I finally swam forward.

  There was also something frighteningly exciting about being under the waves, able to feel the current without the pain or pressure or the waves crashing against me. I also chose to ignore the deep pit of fear in my stomach while trying not to look at the deep blackness below.

  Without warning, a current dragged me forward. It was stronger than anything I’d felt before, and I knew I must be caught in a riptide. I tried not to panic, taking deep breaths and swimming with it until I was able to swim out. Only, I couldn’t swim out.

  A dark shape appeared in my path, wide and dangerous looking. And I realized it was a huge stone too late. I tried to swim away, but the current was too strong. I held tightly to my boots with one arm and tried feverishly with the other to grab on to something, anything.

  As I struck the stone, rough barnacles tore my flesh.

  I cried out as I was dragged, pulled back, and thrust against the stone once more.

  I whipped my tail and got away from the dangerous place. The ground below became shallower until the waves beat faster, signaling I was near shore.

  Finally, clawing my hand through the sand, I heaved myself out of the water and onto shore.

  Breathing in air hurt the gills in my neck, and the sand felt like acid under my body. Like a sunburn, only worse. The rain offered no comfort. I found myself wanting to crawl back into the water, but the scales on my legs began to shed like a snake, and I cried out in agony when I tried to move.

  The gills on my neck finally closed, and I looked around the small beach to try and distract my mind from the pain. The rock I’d been beaten against was a huge boulder that should have belonged to a mountain. Instead, the opposite side ended at a tree line.

  I wasn’t on the shore of Terricina.

  I was on an island in the middle of nowhere.

  seven

  Being stuck on an island without food or water was a fantastic experience.

  I remained curled up under a nearby tree I had somehow managed to drag myself to and fought for sleep that night.

  When the sun rose, I didn’t want to move. I stared at the sea, tears welled up in my eyes, and wanted nothing more than to pinch myself awake from this nightmare and have a hot bowl of grits for breakfast. But there was no waking from this because it wasn’t a nightmare.

  I considered returning to the water and transforming to a siren to swim to shore. But I didn’t know what sort of stamina I had, if I could swim that distance in one go, or what dangers lurked between me and my destination. Any manner of monsters could have been between me and the opposite shore.

  It was one thing to discover I was a siren, and another to realize it had been hidden inside of me. To transform once was a hallucination. To transform twice meant it was real. I wondered if my mother knew, and my mind circled back to the thought that she very well could have known all along and kept me under the watchful eye of captains who would prevent me from discovering it.

  Perhaps my being a siren was some sort of curse and she didn’t want me to be a captain because she didn’t want to risk someone else finding out? Or maybe my being cursed had to do with Castle Bay? Or maybe I’d been cursed at Castle Bay?

  My head hurt.

  I sat my back against one of the damp palm trees, naked save my slightly shredded shirt, and tried to comprehend what it meant to be a siren. I had discovered one thing about becoming a siren—my clothes did not transform with me. By some miracle, my pack had made it through the storm, though the clothes inside were completely soaked. I’d also somehow kept hold of my boots, though they were useless on the sandy beach. My pearl necklace had also survived. I fished out my wet clothes and laid them out on a rock.

  Luckily I was alone and didn’t need to worry about anyone seeing me walk around the island without anything on. It was bigger than I initially thought, with a small hill in the middle covered with trees. There were even small pools of water from the rain, I just hoped they wouldn’t dry up before I could get off or saved.

  However, the only source of life were birds and bugs. I couldn’t find anything to eat, save grass and a few fruitless berry plants.

  By noon, I had walked the entire width of the island, ending at my clothing. My shirt was dry and my pants mostly dry, so I put them on, then leaned against the warm boulder and looked down at the scratches on my arms from the barnacles. I’d scrubbed them out in one of the pools of fresh water, but they were still red and angry.

  I thought being stuck on a ship with no wind was boring.

  Here, I was completely alone!

  I managed to keep myself relatively busy by searching for dried reeds—there were none. I ended up picking up whatever pieces of wood and palm leaves I could find and laid them out in the sand to dry.

  If I could create a fire, I might be able to get off this island.

  Finding a way to start a fire proved more difficult than I’d hoped. I sat on the still-warm sand as the cool night gathered. I struck rocks together I’d found on my walk around the island. I had been hoping the stones would spark and be able to start a fire.

  When I was finally too exhausted, and my fingers ached too much, I lay down and tried to get some sleep. But I struggled between shivering from the cold and my stomach growling.

  The next morning, I sat on the beach, exhausted, starving, and frustrated.

  On the horizon, I saw the tip of a mast now and then. Ships sailed just out of reach. If my little island wasn’t in the path of a ship, no one would find me. And by the looks of the ships going east and west on the very edge of my vision, I was in the wrong location to be found and rescued.

  My stomach growled louder than ever.

  I got up, dusting off my legs, too desperate to sit any longer.

  Captain Josiah should be arriving back in Port Mere right now, I thought glumly. Which means Mother knows I was foolish enough to attempt this on my own. I only hope she doesn’t come after me.

  The waves licked at my toes like an excited puppy, and a tingling sensation tickled up my feet and legs, giving me the urge to go in the water.

  I tugged off my only pair of pants, tossing them to the sand, then stepped into the shallows and walked until I was in up to my waist. I tried lowering my hands in the water and letting them rest, hoping the fish would be curious enough to get closer. Apparently, fish aren’t as brainless as they appear, and they wouldn’t get near me. I tried snatching them but only managed to splash around and expend more energy.

  I stood with my back toward the sea and scanned the shoreline for a stick I could sharpen and make a spear.

  “Now, that’s what I call a pirate booty!”

  I spun around, and to my complete and utter shock, The Sea Devil floated in the distance with a small boat rowing toward me. Sky sat in the boat with a handful of men.

  I gasped and darted for my pants to cover myself. “You could have shouted a warning!” I yelled at him. But I’d never been so relieved to see him. “How did you find me?” I tugged on my pants hastily.

  “We passed Captain Josiah. He told us you sailed out in a rowboat to make it to shore.” His voice drew nearer, and then I heard him splash as he jumped out of the boat into the water. “Of course, Captain Pan didn’t believe him, and we started sailing the coast for any sign of you.”

  I grabbed my pack. “Pretty amazing you found me, to be honest.” I gave him a relieved smile as I hurried over.


  “Yeah.” Sky gave me that adorable grin of his, his scar tugging, and he opened his arms to give me a hug.

  I waded into the water and wrapped my arms around him. “I’m so relieved you found me.”

  “Of course you are. I’m happy to see you too.” He gave me a warm squeeze.

  I didn’t realize how exhausted I felt until Sky had to help me into the boat. Any other time, I would have objected and told him I could manage on my own, but I hadn’t eaten for two days, had been stuck in the sun, and hadn’t recovered from swimming through the storm.

  I leaned against Sky while the men rowed back to the ship.

  “How did you survive?” he asked, stroking my cheek.

  “I was thrown into the water,” I mumbled. “I didn’t know what else to do, so I turned into a siren and swam for it. I had to hope that I would arrive on shore because I couldn’t see anything under the water.” Sky’s body went rigid, and I looked up at him. “Sky? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing.” He flashed a quick smile. “Seems like you had quite the adventure.”

  I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder again. “I could sleep for a week.”

  “Captain Pan won’t allow that, but he’ll probably let you sleep the rest of the day.”

  “James can shove it where the sun don’t shine,” I muttered.

  “Just don’t let him hear you say that. Don’t roll your eyes, I mean it. He’s the captain now.”

  Sky knew me too well to not be able to see my face and know I’d rolled my eyes. I didn’t bother answering because he was right. As much as I hated that James was now the captain of the ship I’d fought for, he was still a captain and still deserved respect.

  But I was going to make him earn it even if he had just plucked me off an island in the middle of nowhere.

  We reached the ship, and Sky grabbed the ladder swinging over the side. He held it steady while I started to climb.

  “Are you certain you can—”

  “Shove a fish in it!” I made it to the deck, without any help, and set my feet on the other side.

  James stood there in his gaudy captain attire, the same he’d worn when he’d been presented the ship, with his hands tucked behind his back.

  He nodded his head at me. “You’re alive, I see.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “You’re welcome.”

  Sky landed on the deck beside me and cleared his throat loudly before ramming his elbow into my side. He hinted at me with his head.

  I rolled my eyes again. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  Sky coughed in his hand.

  I gritted my teeth. “Captain.”

  James’s lips curled in a little smirk. “That was difficult for you. While you’re on board the ship, I’d like you to help the cook with his tasks. His name is Louis.”

  The hair on the back of my neck bristled. “You know I was raised on ships. I’m just as valuable as any other crew member on board. You have no need to banish me to the galley.”

  “This is our maiden voyage. All positions are currently filled, and I’d rather put you to work somewhere.” He shrugged. “So the galley is where you are assigned.” But his smirk didn’t leave his face.

  I found it rather insulting to be put on kitchen duty, but at least James didn’t make me the cabin boy. “I suppose I should thank you again,” I said and gave a flourishing bow. I adjusted the strap of my pack as I passed him, and I went to slam my shoulder against James’s side, but he anticipated the movement and stepped aside.

  “Captain, a word,” Sky said.

  My ears perked, and I overheard him whisper, “She said she turned into a siren and swam to the island.”

  “A siren?” James looked back at me.

  I stopped walking, intentionally meeting his gaze. If they were going to talk about me, I deserved the opportunity to listen.

  But James put his hand on Sky’s back and guided him away.

  So I stormed down to the lower deck and climbed into a hammock for some rest before I would be forced to interact with anyone else.

  Luckily it didn’t take long for me to fall into a solid rest, but when I woke, it was to someone shaking me. I peeled my eyes open and found a short, round man with a mustache staring at me. He grinned. Several of his teeth were missing. I rubbed my eyes to make sure he was really there.

  “You are Odette. I am Louis. You vill come ’elp, yes?” I couldn’t pick out his accent.

  “What if I say no?” I grumbled.

  The man’s smile dipped to a frown. “I vill tell Captain and ’e will not be ’appy. I vould rather not. You seem a smart girl.”

  I groaned and made my way out of the hammock, nearly falling in the process. “Do you have any food ready for me to eat? I haven’t had anything in a few days.”

  “Of course! This vay.” He limped between the rows of hammocks to another set of stairs that led to the kitchen and beyond. One leg was gone below the knee, and he had a wooden leg in its place.

  “How do you get your boot to stay on your leg?” I asked once we made it down to the galley.

  “Same as you.” He bent down and tugged at the boot on his good foot.

  “Not that one.”

  “I know.” He chuckled. “Food for you.” He quickly put together a chunk of bread, some cheese, and even fresh grapes.

  I was so hungry and thirsty I barely even enjoyed the delicious food. I also ate nasty hardtack and an apple, then drank a good three or four mugs of water.

  “’Ow long are you knowing of Captain Pan and Sky?”

  “My entire life. Sky and I have always been inseparable. James . . .” I sighed. “I guess I’ve known him as long, but he’s not exactly the type who takes a liking to girls like me. I don’t know if it’s because my mother is the head pirate, or if he’s just intimidated because I don’t fawn over his muscles like the other girls in town. We just don’t seem to get along much.”

  “Ah yes. He is ’aving lots of attention from girls. You are jealous, no?”

  “What? No!” I got up and set my bowl back on the counter so he could use it again. “I have nothing to be jealous of. I’m with Sky. He is more important to me than Hook will ever be.”

  “Hook? Ah. Vhy did ’e change his name?” Louis set potatoes on the counter in front of me.

  “I don’t know to be honest. I heard he got tired of people calling him that. I suppose it’s because the way he lost his hand is a little sensitive to him.”

  “How was that?” He handed me a small, thin knife.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve heard different stories. Some say it got eaten by a saltwater crocodile, others say it was a shark, and I’ve also heard he cut it off himself to sacrifice it to the sirens.” I glanced at the man. “How long have you been a cook on the ships?”

  “I used to sail vith your mother, vhen you vere a vee lass.” He smiled. “I vas younger den too, of course. And thinner.” He patted his belly and let out a laugh.

  I don’t know why, but Louis made me comfortable. I relaxed. “I suppose it’s good we have you on board?”

  “No vun complains, but no vun else can cook.”

  I joined his laughter that time.

  After he taught me to peel with the paring knife, I set to work cleaning the potatoes and prepping them for our dinner. Louis showed me which seasonings and other vegetables to put in the stew. He explained that stews were good for ships because they were easy to make and satisfying.

  I personally rang the bell, signaling the crew dinner was ready.

  Sky walked over and kissed my cheek as soon as he entered the room. “You’re looking a little better.”

  “What did you tell James?”

  “About what?”

  I leaned my chin down and cocked a b
row.

  Sky glanced around. “He wants to talk to you after dinner. Just wait until then.”

  I tried to remain as patient as possible but also made sure to make myself known. I got my dinner and sat beside Sky. James sat across from us. The young man I’d seen a couple of days ago on James’s ship, the one who had introduced himself as Gerard, sat beside James.

  “What brings you to a pirate ship?” I asked, locking my attention on the stranger.

  “Captain Pan is helping me with something,” he answered cryptically, his green eyes staring at me intensely.

  “What is that?”

  “My business is my own,” he replied flatly. He scratched the stubble on his jaw with the back of his fork.

  I rolled my eyes to Hook. “He takes after you.”

  James ignored me.

  I looked back at Gerard. “My name is Odette.”

  “I heard.” He nudged his head in James’s direction. “Captain Pan told me when he saved you.”

  “You never did tell me why you changed your name.” I dipped my bread in my stew.

  Sky leaned to me. “Odette, back off.”

  “Back off? I only asked a question!”

  “Yeah, with the intent of getting information to use as ammunition later. I know you.” Sky smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

  I didn’t miss the hesitation in James’s chewing as he glanced from me to Sky and back. I drew in a long breath.

  Was James jealous?

  The thought made me both panic and feel giddy at the same time. Because that was the best ammunition I could ever ask for. Something about that thought made me extra giddy.

  “If you won’t tell me about your hand, perhaps you’ll tell me about who you are interested in?” I quirked a grin. I took Sky’s hand and draped it over my shoulders.

  “Not a chance,” he said flatly.

  “So there is someone!” I knew it.

  James locked his gaze on mine. “Yes, there is.”

  “And? Who is she?”

  “Why don’t we talk about how you survived on the island?” Sky asked.