The Siren Princess

by Lichelle Slater

  There was a mighty crack.

  The ceiling broke, large stones dropping.

  Ulrich ran forward, shouting for his father. But a stone slammed into Ulrich’s back, and he slumped to the ground.

  thirteen

  I looked at Ulrich in shock. “What did your father know about her?”

  Ulrich shook his head. “I assume he knew she was the sea witch. When I woke, I was under a pile of rubble, and my men pulled me out. I saw the extent of the damage, but . . . my father was never recovered. Either he perished that day or the sea witch took him.” He closed the pearl around the stone.

  I didn’t know why, but my heart ached for him. “How old are you?” I asked.

  “Nearly seventeen.”

  I looked around at—what should have been—the capital city of Delphi. His father hadn’t listened, hadn’t believed Ulrich had found that error. Ulrich was in charge of an entire kingdom, most of which he couldn’t access, while trying to figure out how to get the people-turned-siren back home.

  While I had thrown a fit because I wasn’t a captain.

  In a way, I understood where he was coming from.

  “Do you think you can help?” Ulrich asked, eyes pleading.

  “How?” I held my hands out. “What can I possibly do?”

  He licked his lips. “Maybe you can’t directly. But, perhaps, you could take me to Zelig and I could get help from Queen Grimhilde. They’re our ally.”

  I looked at the chain around his neck. “Maybe we can help each other. I can help you, in exchange for something.”

  Ulrich’s eyes narrowed. “Of course you would want something,” he muttered. “You’re a pirate after all.”

  I nodded. “I want the summer stone.”

  Ulrich’s hand grasped it. “This is the power of my kingdom. What need have you of the summer stone?”

  I wanted to tell him about my mother, but I wasn’t certain yet if I could trust him. Instead, I said, “It lets me know that you’re serious about needing our help.”

  “You mean desperate enough,” he said sharply.

  I shrugged. “Deal or not?”

  “You aren’t the captain,” he concluded. “Are you even the one who should be making a deal like this?”

  “Of course I can,” I lied with a scoff. But if Ulrich went to James, he could back out, and then I wouldn’t have the summer stone.

  Ulrich finally exhaled and nodded. “All right. But I don’t give it to you until my city and my people are out of the sea.”

  I frowned. It wasn’t an ideal situation at all, but I made the deal, knowing I could just steal the stone if things got too dicey.

  He held out his hand and I grasped it, giving a firm handshake.

  With that out of the way, we swam around the palace to a row of buildings pressed side-by-side, and surprisingly still standing.

  “You put them in buildings and give me a cave,” I grumbled.

  Ulrich chuckled. “If you can consider structurally unsound buildings a safer option than your cave, then yes. I did give them a better option to stay in.” He swam up to the guards at the entrance to one of the buildings. “I need to speak with the captain.”

  James must have heard because he appeared in the dim light in the doorway. His eyes lit up when he spotted me, and he gave a gentle smile. “They didn’t hurt you?” His eyes assessed me for any damage.

  I shook my head. “Not at all.”

  Ulrich gestured. “Odette and I have come to an arrangement. You and your men will take me to Zelig to get help for my kingdom. In exchange—”

  I coughed and cleared my throat loudly. “Sorry, I inhaled sea water.” I patted my throat and earned a perplexed look from Ulrich and his men. “He’s going to pay us for helping them.”

  “We can’t go gallivanting around the sea saving people,” James muttered.

  “We’re not,” I said before Ulrich’s open mouth could produce a sound. “We’re helping people who deserve to be helped.”

  “We don’t know what they did to anger the sea witch in the first place!” James argued.

  I shrugged. “True. But Ulrich claims he doesn’t know.”

  “I have no idea,” Ulrich confirmed. “I only remember that once she had the contract in hand, my father acted like he knew her. If he had dealings with her in the past, I don’t know about them.”

  “We’ll just have to trust him,” I said.

  James rolled his eyes. “Odette, you can’t make deals without consulting your captain.” He gave me a disappointed look.

  My jaw clenched and heart pounded. “Don’t look at me like that. You’ve held a lot of secrets close to you, like maybe the fact all the men on your ship are sirens?”

  He flinched. “I did tell you.”

  “As I was being pulled into the sea!”

  “When was there another chance?” he argued.

  “Maybe when I woke from my fever, or before that even happened, like when I got on your ship, or months ago after Castle Bay!”

  James glanced at the others as if they would save him from my anger. “Odette, I wanted to tell you. We all did.”

  “And what stopped you?”

  He hesitated.

  The other men looked uncomfortable.

  I gave an aggravated sigh. “Castle Bay?”

  “More or less,” he mumbled.

  “Can we return to the concern of my kingdom?” Ulrich asked. “Are you willing to help or not?”

  James let out a frustrated breath, little bubbles floated away from his gills. “We will take you to Zelig, and then we must return to our mission.”

  Ulrich nodded.

  “Sire, the summer solstice is only a few weeks away . . .” one of the men reminded.

  “I know,” Ulrich said in a low voice. “Tell the people I’ll return with help.”

  We began swimming to the surface. James swam up to my side. “Are you upset with me?”

  “I just don’t understand why everyone seems to know what happened that night, but no one will tell me.”

  “But you’re right.” He grabbed my arm. “There’s so much more you need to know. It’s not that we won’t tell you. It’s that we can’t.”

  I looked him over. “Is it anything to do with the sea witch? Can you tell me that much?”

  He nodded. “That’s all I can say right now.” He swam ahead, quickly followed by his men.

  I groaned and looked up at the surface of the water. “Why does he have to be so vague and complicated?”

  “A lot of men are,” Ulrich chuckled. He put his hand on my back, urging me forward.

  By the time Ulrich and I reached the surface, James was already climbing up the ladder lowered to him by Sky.

  “Where have you scallywags been?” Sky scolded. “We saw you get dragged below, and some of the sirens even tried getting on board the ship! We . . .” His gaze set on Ulrich. “We have a visitor?” He looked back at James.

  James’s fin had already melted away and he stood at the top of the ladder in all his glory. “Not now,” he muttered, grimacing in pain.

  I recalled the pain of transforming back into legs a few weeks ago and wasn’t looking forward to it. I also wasn’t looking forward to watching every man become naked before me, which also meant I would do the same.

  Ulrich, however, watched as the men climbed the ladder one at a time.

  “Why are you grinning like that?” I asked him, careful to keep my voice low.

  “It’s been a few months since I’ve been a human. I’m merely thinking how wonderful it’s going to be.”

  Only four more pirates to go.

  “Did you try to get to shore? I have the ability to return to a human form. Do you?”

  He finally tore his gaze away. “Yes. And I will admit, I’m nervous abou
t trying again because it hurt, but I was desperate. The town nearest to shore now is Layton. I made it a few blocks, but the pain of becoming human again was so severe, I collapsed. The people who found me didn’t believe I was their prince.” His jaw flexed. “They said I was a minion of the sea witch, beat me with clubs. Then dragged me back to the sea.”

  I felt a tad guilty helping Ulrich for my own needs. He was trying to do what was best for his people. I wanted what was best for me. But not guilty enough to conceal the bargain.

  I reached out and took his hand and offered a little smile. “My crew won’t harm you. I’ll personally make sure.”

  “Your turn,” he said.

  “You best close your eyes,” I warned.

  He blanched. “You think . . . oh, no. No, I’m not interested . . .” He gestured between us. “But if it makes you feel better.” He covered his eyes with one hand, holding on to the ladder with the other so he wouldn’t float away.

  “Thank you. James! Get me a blanket, I’m not coming up naked.”

  “Already have one for you,” Sky answered.

  I pulled myself out of the water with my arms, willing my fins to fade away. Unlike the other pirates, transforming back into a person with legs took me a little longer. Also unlike them, the pain seemed to hit me more, but I quickly remembered it was due to the still-aching wound on my leg. Any amount of weight on it made me grunt and yelp in pain.

  By the time I reached the top of the ladder, I didn’t care if anyone saw me. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry.

  Instead, a blanket wrapped around me the instant my hands touched the railing, and strong arms hoisted me onto the deck. Sky smiled. “You made it up. I almost climbed down and got you. Your leg still hurt?”

  I nodded, a little breathless. “I’d forgotten.” And then I scowled and punched him in the shoulder. “How could you not tell me I’m a siren?”

  “Ow. It wasn’t my doing!” He rubbed his arm furiously.

  I rolled my eyes and tried to limp to the stairs.

  James suddenly appeared and scooped me up in his arms. “Not so fast. You’ve got to rinse that out again, and we need more medicine so you don’t get infected again.”

  I glanced back at Sky, who glowered at James and shoved his hands in his pockets. “James, I’m feeling okay. I can sleep with the rest of the crew.”

  James ignored me. He set me on his bed and pulled the blanket aside enough to check on the wound on my leg. He finally exhaled and pressed his forehead to mine. “I was so worried when they took you into the depths. I worried Prince Ulrich had discovered you’re the daughter of the pirate queen and feared he would hold you for ransom.”

  “That would have been a fun conversation for you to have with my mother,” I said teasingly.

  “Odette . . . we’ve had our differences.” He pulled back so he could look me in the eye. “We’ve had our disagreements. But there is nothing more heartbreaking than having feelings for you and suppressing them.”

  My heart skipped and flipped in both elation and absolute panic. “You have feelings for me?”

  “Yes.” He quirked a grin. “I mean it too. I’ve had feelings for you for a very long time.”

  I reached out and touched the nub where his left hand should have been. “Can you please remind me how you lost your hand?”

  Pain darkened his eyes and lined his brow. I expected him to pull away, as he always did whenever I brought it up. This time, he only said, “You were there, Odette. You were there when it happened. You just can’t remember because it was taken from you.”

  I felt my shoulders fall and I rolled my eyes and tried to get off the bed. “Taken? Who would take my memories?”

  James put his hand on my hip and firmly held me on the bed. “I want to tell you everything, I do. I swear on my life, I’d tell you now if I could. Can’t you see that?” He peered up at me with one hundred percent honesty.

  I couldn’t resist. I reached out and touched his cheek. For a moment, I could have sworn he’d looked at me like that before. He’d pleaded with me, begged me to get help. My head began to throb like it seemed to always do when I tried to remember Castle Bay, but I wanted to hold on to the memory. I wanted to see that memory of James.

  He held my face, the hot evening sun blaring overhead. He was begging me not to tell my mother something. He was worried how she would respond. I pushed him away.

  That was all I could recall before my head felt like it would explode.

  I pressed my palm to my forehead and drew a slow breath.

  “You tried to remember something?” James’s voice caressed my ear.

  I nodded slowly. “Yes. You’ve looked at me like that before, and I pulled away from you.”

  “A few times.”

  I opened my eyes and saw a pained smile flicker across his handsome face. “Look at us. Quite the pair.”

  There was a knock. “Captain, we’re ready to set sail,” Sky called.

  James rolled his eyes. “He has impeccable timing,” he mumbled. “I’ll be out in a moment!” he called.

  “Why are you so hard on him?” I demanded.

  “Because he knew of my feelings for you, pursued you, and rubbed it in my face,” he replied stiffly.

  I couldn’t resist a smirk. “Your choosing him as first mate was intended to make him pay.”

  James grinned. “Guilty.”

  “You swear you have feelings for me?

  He kissed my forehead and squeezed my fingers. “I swear on my one good hand.”

  fourteen

  The next day, after having my wound cleaned again and Gerard’s magical medicine applied, I insisted on sitting on the deck with everyone. There was no way I’d allow myself to be confined to the captain’s quarters when a prince was on board.

  Ulrich had started a game of dice with Gerard, Sebastian, and another pirate by the time I made it out. Both Sky and James were busy with their duties. I took a crate beside Ulrich and watched.

  “Why don’t you join us?” Ulrich asked.

  I snorted. “I’m not fond of dice games. They’re all reliant on chance with absolutely no talent involved at all. Anyone can win. Anyone can lose.”

  Ulrich grinned. “That’s why having magic is so fun.” He rolled the dice, a wisp of white smoke—barely visible—wrapped around them, and the dice landed perfectly.”

  Gerard picked up the dice, rolled them between his palms, then dropped them on the barrel. They landed in the exact position as Ulrich.

  Ulrich gasped.

  Gerard smirked. “Unless your opponent has magic as well.”

  “Oh, this is going to be fun!” Ulrich’s eyes lit up, and he rolled again.

  “Where are you from, Gerard?” I asked.

  He glanced in my direction. “Ashwrya.” He looked away and toward the cliffs. “If you go that direction, we are north of Zelig, Griswil, and Arington. I’m from a small area called Somerset.”

  “What does Ashwrya look like?”

  Gerard laughed. “My lady, it is an entire half of a continent. Your southern half has all four seasons, as do areas of my country. Of course, the furthest north is frigid most of the time, but there are summer months that come and go. They just don’t get warm like Terricina.”

  “Wait, your seasons actually change?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Ulrich, you cheat.” He clicked his tongue and lifted one of the dice. “A hex? What kind of hex is it?” He lifted it closer to his eyes, and the small dice exploded in a small puff of smoke, spewing a rainbow of colored ash all over Gerard’s face.

  Ulrich fell off his barrel, he was laughing so hard.

  Even I couldn’t hold back a laugh.

  Gerard sneezed and drew a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe off his face. “Your magic is quick,” he observed.

  Ulrich dr
ied his eyes, still giggling now and then. “Yes, as is yours. I prefer fun magic, though my father wanted me to explore all of the options. I took a liking to the lighter side of things.” He picked himself up and got back on his seat. “Your magic has more of a . . . dark tinge to it, though.”

  Gerard’s face was still smeared with a vomit of colors that almost looked like he’d been splattered by a child with paint. “Yes. In my country, we have need for stronger magic.” He let out a sigh of defeat when he realized he wasn’t getting the ashes off his face.

  “You may need a bath,” I grinned.

  “We can toss you overboard,” Ulrich offered, gesturing to the side of the ship nearest him.

  Gerard put up his hand. “If I wash off, you’re bound to do something else. Throw dirt on me so it turns to mud?”

  Ulrich gave an innocent shrug.

  I leaned forward. “What arrangement do you have with James? What is it that makes him want to help you?”

  “You’ll have to ask him that,” Gerard replied in an equally low tone. “It’s not my business what your captain does or does not share with you.”

  “You were the one to prompt him to tell me about the pirates.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t understand why he didn’t tell you when he saved you from the kraken. You’d already seen him. In my opinion, it wasn’t something worth hiding.”

  “Do you know anything else I don’t?” I pressed.

  “I’m afraid not, miss.”

  “You really don’t need to be so polite.”

  Gerard’s lips spread into a dashing smile, very similar to Sky’s, but I wondered if Gerard used some of his magic to make it even more alluring. “In light of recent events, I have been reminded how to treat women with respect, pirate or not.” He looked at Ulrich. “Are we done with this game?”

  “Do you have a different one?”

  Gerard grinned mischievously, reached into his pocket, and produced a deck of cards. “In this game, two people draw. If one of you gets a black card, you get to make the other person do something. If that person draws a blue card, they tell the truth. If they draw a green card, they do whatever you ask. If they have a white card, they get a pass, and if they get a red card, they get a favor to turn in later.” He mixed the cards a few times, then lay the pile in the middle of the barrel.