The Siren Princess

by Lichelle Slater

  Ulrich glanced at me. “Sir, I am sure if you allow me to approach, you will see I am the prince of Terricina. I travel with these sailors because they are the only ones willing to assist me right now. With the storm coming in, we would prefer to get as near the castle as possible before we are forced to stop and find shelter.”

  There was no response this time.

  Ulrich’s gaze scanned the cliffs.

  “Do you think they believe you?” Sky muttered.

  “I don’t know,” Ulrich whispered back. “I pray they do. If we can’t get Zelig to assist us . . . I will have to travel inland to Arington or Griswil.”

  “But you don’t have time. The summer solstice is near,” I reminded.

  Ulrich gave me a look that let me know he was more than aware of how little time he had.

  At the entrance of the pass, a small group of men appeared, led by a man in blinding silver armor with a beautiful yellow and orange feather sticking out the top. “You come most unprepared,” the man said as he approached. “Not a piece of winter clothing or blanket?”

  Ulrich sighed in relief and bowed his head. “Lord Tomblin. I’m afraid we didn’t have time to adequately prepare for this journey.”

  “It seems so.” The man scrutinized us, his piercing blue eyes rimmed with yellow. His gaze settled on me, and in the instant our eyes connected, I felt the air sucked from my lungs as I suddenly recalled rolling up the pirate flag before we left the ship. “You must truly be desperate to side with pirates.”

  I glared at him.

  “They were the only ones willing to help,” Ulrich reiterated.

  “If you feel we are untrustworthy, you are welcome to accompany us to the castle,” James added.

  “What is in it for you?” Lord Tomblin asked. “Why do pirates join a prince on a journey that requires they come inland?”

  Everyone turned to James, even Ulrich. And James looked at me for help.

  Lord Tomblin locked eyes with me again.

  “Because I need the summer stone, and Prince Ulrich is in possession of it,” I blurted before I could hold my words back.

  Lord Tomblin nodded and turned away. “Come along, then.”

  Ulrich followed without hesitation, but James faced me with his mouth agape.

  “I couldn’t stop myself!” I told him.

  James leaned close. “He has the summer stone and you didn’t tell me?”

  “Was I supposed to?” I looked him up and down.

  He rolled his eyes and looked at Gerard. “He’s got the stone.”

  “I heard,” Gerard frowned. “Let’s get this done so I can get back.”

  “Wait, he wants the stone too?” I asked.

  “Why on earth would Gerard want it? Why would you give it to him?” I grabbed James. “For once in your stupid life, will you be honest with me?”

  James motioned for the others to continue. “Gerard joined me on my maiden voyage with the entire purpose to be finding that summer stone. That’s what we’ve been searching for all along.”

  I shook my head. “Why would a landlubber want the stone? And why would you keep it a secret this entire time?”

  James’s jaw flexed. “He’s giving me something in return.”

  “Oh of course.” I rolled my eyes and shoved him. “You know, I guess I really am pathetic.” I started marching after the others. “Just like you said. So pathetic not one person will tell me a single truth. I must have really messed up to earn such distrust.”

  “Odette,” he tried to interrupt.

  “No. No, I can’t handle it anymore! I’m going to a foreign queen or sorceress to get answers because the man I’m best friends with and the man who claims to love me, don’t have the balls to tell me!” I carried on, without any concern over who listened.

  “Giving a stranger the stone I need so you can get something so mystifying, so secret you can’t tell me? Can’t tell me anything. Like the fact all the pirates are sirens. That’s sort of a big deal, but don’t tell Odette. No one should trust Odette! Born and raised a pirate, and with you nonetheless.”

  I was more than aware that every single pirate and soldier of Zelig was able to overhear me, and quite frankly, I didn’t care. The whole forest, nay, the whole world could hear how cross I felt!

  Behind me, James seethed. I knew because he couldn’t think of a comeback sharp enough to spit back.

  “Care to share how you made me reveal my intention with the stone?” I asked Lord Tomblin, hoping to add some other form of conversation now that thick awkwardness hung over us.

  “I’m blessed by a phoenix,” Lord Tomblin explained, gesturing to the feather in his helmet. “Part of that blessing is the gift of seeing through people’s exteriors to their true intentions. It provides me the ability to interrogate without causing harm.”

  “Other than invasion of privacy,” I sniped.

  Lord Tomblin grinned over his shoulder at me. “I like you. But if you address the queen the way you just addressed your captain, she’ll lock you up. Mind your words when we get to the castle.” He turned away, but I didn’t miss the muttered words, “I would never dream of speaking to a superior in such a way.”

  I managed to resist the urge to look at James and successfully avoided the nonexistent temptation to apologize. A handful of soldiers prepared horses for us at Lord Tomblin’s request.

  Ulrich nodded to Lord Tomblin. “We’re going to have to double up on horses.”

  “Odette?” Sky jumped onto a horse and held his hand out to me. “Considering you’re upset with James, maybe you should ride with someone who actually cares.”

  I snorted. “In that case, I’ll ride with Ulrich.”

  “Ouch.” Sky scowled.

  “Odette, a word,” James said unexpectedly.

  Ulrich shook his head. “I’m riding with Sky.” He looked at me and leaned close. “You need to resolve your issues anyway or it’s going to come to a head, and you can’t afford to explode in front of the queen.” Ulrich took Sky’s hand and climbed up behind him in spite of Sky’s pouting.

  I pursed my lips and pushed them to the side of my face before glowering at James. Unfortunately James was too busy trying to get on the horse to see my expression, and I had to give up and storm over to his side.

  Of course he would struggle to get on a horse’s back. He had one hand and a hook, and neither of us had ever ridden a horse in our lives. Luckily, with some guidance from one of the soldiers, James figured out how to get up. After struggling myself, the soldiers had to lift me on behind him.

  An hour earlier, I would have relished the thought of wrapping my arms around James and holding on. But I was still furious at everyone for keeping secrets and wasn’t about to let it go.

  James intentionally waited for everyone else to lead the way ahead of us, then looked over his shoulder at me. “I didn’t know you were looking for the summer stone. You didn’t share that information with me. In contrast, it is not my duty to share what my intentions are in any voyage. You know that.”

  I looked away. “I just thought you would trust me. Considering everyone on your crew likely knew and I’ve supposedly known you better and longer.”

  “I do trust you.”

  “No, you don’t!” I spat. “Don’t lie to me, James! All you do is lie!”

  James gritted his teeth, keeping calmer than I wanted. I wanted him to yell back so I could be justified in exploding on him. “Gerard needs the summer stone. I stopped asking why.” He held up his hook. “In return, he will give me back my hand.”

  “Wait . . . why does he have your hand? And don’t you dare say it’s complicated!” I quickly added.

  James shook his head. “The honest truth, I don’t know. I don’t know how he got it, why he has it, or how he will return it.”

  I slumped my shoulders. “Wh
y couldn’t you just tell me this?”

  He opened and closed his mouth before glancing away. “Because I was nervous about what would happen if I did. I didn’t want you going off on some adventure trying to get it.”

  I tilted my head. “Okay, I would probably do that.”

  “Why do you need the stone?”

  “While we are sharing the truth”—I held my hands out helplessly—“because if I give my mother the stone, she will finally see I’m worthy to be a captain.

  “You want the stone to give to your mother?” His eyes widened. “Why would you do that? Are you crazy?”

  And like that, my anger was ignited again. “Maybe I am.” I slid off the horse. “I’m so crazy, I’m walking.” I started away from him, up the path after the others.

  “Miss, it’s quite the journey,” one of the soldiers tried.

  James nudged the horse and cut me off. “You can’t keep walking away.”

  “And why not? You avoid my questions. Why shouldn’t I avoid your calling me crazy?” I tried to go around the horse.

  “I can’t tell you the truth!” he said for the millionth time.

  “Which is why I’m finding someone who can.” I shrugged and managed to finally get past the horse.

  “Why must you be so stubborn?”

  I didn’t look at him.

  “Fine. If you want to get another infection or pass out from exhaustion, fine. You have no idea what I’ve sacrificed for you.” James rode on ahead without me. “When we get help for Ulrich, I’ll make sure to take you directly home so you can despise me the rest of your life.”

  I sassed him from behind.

  As long as I stayed on the path, what could go wrong?

  sixteen

  A lot.

  A lot could go wrong.

  I didn’t realize how steep the incline of the trail was, how exhausting the back and forth of the path could be, the stones I’d have to step over, or that the entire three-hour walk was just to get to the top of the cliffs. To make matters worse, by the time I reached the top—out of breath—everyone else was well ahead of me.

  Including James. I wished I’d swallowed my stubbornness and ridden with him.

  I had an ache in my side, my leg was throbbing from the stitches, and I had to stop to grimace and swear silently at myself. It was my own fault. I’d proven it repeatedly. I was impulsive and rude.

  Slowly, I took a seat on a boulder, and my heart dropped. I rubbed my hand up and down my aching leg. Why did I have to push people away? Especially James.

  “Hey!”

  I jumped to my feet and spun around so quickly my heel caught on a stone, and I lost my balance and fell.

  The boulder I’d tried to sit on rocked back and forth and turned, revealing two large eyes that narrowed at me. Whatever the rock creature was, it had a mossy beard and clumps of stone and mud for hands.

  “I . . . I’m sorry,” I blurted. “I didn’t know you were—”

  “Course not. You’re a fish. Why would you know a rock can talk?” it grumbled.

  I studied the creature again. “I was trying to rest before catching up.” I nudged my head in the direction of the others.

  “Oh, young lad, you’re falling quite behind.”

  “I’m a girl.”

  It was quiet a moment before asking, “Why are you walking? The others rode beasts.”

  “Because I was too stubborn to forgive someone,” I mumbled. I was too tired to get back up and rubbed my hand over the wound again.

  “Arguing with your lover, eh?”

  “I don’t know what we are,” I confessed. “He claims he cares about me but keeps everything a secret.” I shook my head.

  “Perhaps he is protecting you from something? If not, find someone else to care about.”

  I felt my lips tug in a smile at the irony. I’d been with Sky too, and he hadn’t shared anything either.

  “Perhaps you are more upset about the situation itself and not this lover of yours?”

  “Yes,” I admitted. “Because . . . I guess anyone could have told me. My mother most of all. Maybe I should ask her instead of getting mad at them.”

  “There you have it. Go see your mother, fish lad!”

  I chuckled. “There’s no way. She’s on the other end of the continent.”

  “Course there is.”

  I raised my brow and looked up at the stone.

  “The mirrors!” It grinned, at least, I thought it was a grin. “Of course, you’d have to sneak into one. Queen Grimhilde isn’t exactly fond of sharing her mirrors. But if you get through one, you can get to your mother and find out the truth once and for all!”

  I gave the creature a skeptical smile. Maybe planning with a boulder wasn’t the best idea. Travel through mirrors? “Thanks for the advice.”

  “You can’t expect people to give you what you don’t show them.” It nodded. “Show a man trust, he’ll return the favor.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’re made out of rock.”

  “Not always.” It sort of huffed, but I wasn’t sure if it was because the creature was annoyed with my astute observation or because it was trying to make itself more comfortable before settling back into the ground. “A wizard made me this way. However, it was due to my own choices.” There was a sound of grating stones. Perhaps a chuckle? Or a yawn? “He comes.”

  “He comes? Who?” I looked over my shoulder, and to my astonishment, James was riding toward me at a brisk pace.

  He nodded his head when he was still a little too far away to speak, acknowledging that we’d made eye contact.

  I chewed my bottom lip and got back to my feet, rubbing my hand again over my leg. When he was finally close enough, I called to him. “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too.” He pulled on the reins, stopping the horse. “I’d get down, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to get back up.” He quirked a grin.

  I tucked some of my hair behind my ear and gave him a little apologetic smile. “I guess it’s easy for me to get upset with you because you are the closest person to me. I’m not mad at you, though. I’m mad at everyone. I’ve just given you the brunt of my anger. Forgive me?”

  “Of course.” He reached his hand down to me and helped pull me onto the saddle behind him. “When you remember the truth, you’re going to feel really bad about all this.” He gave me a teasingly stern look.

  I rolled my eyes. “Guilt trip right now, hm?”

  “I have to pack it on, you know. Because you’re the one who proved your salt months ago.” He returned his attention forward.

  I didn’t understand how I’d proven my worth months ago. Because if I had proven I was worthy to be a captain then, why hadn’t my mother allowed me to be given the captain’s hat instead of James?

  “Thank you for coming back to get me.” I leaned against James’s back and slid my arms around his waist.

  “I didn’t want to make you walk any further. Besides, I was warned the storm is about to hit.”

  Almost instantaneously, the wind blew harder and cut right through me. I shuddered and held on tighter.

  He chuckled. “Maybe we should travel where it’s cold more often.”

  “Shut up.” I reached my hand up and twisted his nipple.

  “Ow! Watch it.” He reached his hand back and slapped my thigh.

  Pain shot up my leg, and I yelped.

  James flinched. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to hit your cut.” He looked over his shoulder. “You okay?”

  “Of course. It startled me more than anything. Just get me out of this cold.”

  The wind was hardly the worst thing. Soon after, the icy snow hit—giant flurries like seagull feathers whipped around us, stinging my skin. I pressed my cheek to James’s back, trying to hide my face away from the weather, but it didn’t seem
to matter which way I turned, the wind seemed to be able to reach invisible hands to slap me.

  I shivered, and James’s body trembled as well.

  “We need to get some clothes suitable for this weather.” He rubbed his hand over both of mine. “Hopefully Ulrich or one of the others has an idea where we can get something warm.”

  “My hands . . . h-have n-n-never been th-this cold,” I said through chattering teeth. I tried to get as close to him as possible, but I was already as close as I could be.

  He grunted. “They have a fire going, at least.”

  I peeked over James’s shoulder and saw we were near the forest, and indeed a red fire glowed through the darkness. “Hurry and get us there.” I sniffled and rubbed my nose on the back of my hand.

  By the time we reached the fire, we were both shivering so hard we could barely stand. My teeth chattered so loudly I was positive everyone could hear. Ulrich was the first at my side and threw a thick blanket around my shoulders while Sky stepped forward to give one to James.

  “You need to hold each other for warmth,” Ulrich said.

  “Where did you get that?” I demanded, eying his beautiful red cloak.

  He grinned proudly and gestured. “Lord Tomblin has a cache here with spare blankets and cloaks.”

  I didn’t think I’d ever been so grateful to see fire.” I hurried over and sat down right in front of it, noting the wetness on the butt of my pants. James knelt directly behind me and wrapped his arms around me, adding the warmth of both his body and blanket to mine.

  I leaned back against him. “I really am sorry I acted so . . .” I sucked my lips into my mouth, trying to find the right word.

  “Rudely? Spontaneously? Impulsively?” James offered.

  “Yes, all of those things,” I mumbled. “I know I need to learn to change.”

  “Clearly.”

  I looked over my shoulder, and he smiled down at me. He lowered his head and pressed his cheek to mine. The cool touch of his cheek to my skin and the poking from his beard flooded my body with warmth. The rock was wrong. I didn’t need to find someone else.

  “Now everyone is bundled up, we need to continue,” Lord Tomblin said, already on his horse. “We don’t want to get caught here. We still have several hours before we reach a town with an inn for the night.”