The Siren Princess

by Lichelle Slater

  A few men lost their balance and fell to their knees. Others steadied themselves on something nearby. A few sailors, like myself, anticipated the sudden lurch forward and somehow kept our footing. I caught Ulrich by his arm and kept him upright.

  “It worked,” he breathed.

  “I told you that you could do it.” I grinned.

  He smiled back at me proudly.

  Beyond him, the cliffs flew by, a blur on the horizon. We would arrive at Delphi before dawn at this rate.

  “And now you need to sleep,” I insisted.

  Ulrich looked at the stone in his palm. “Will everything be all right if we sleep?”

  “James usually has a few lookouts stay awake all night so we can be safe. I’m sure they’ll let us know if something happens with the spell.”

  James suddenly started yelling at Tootles to get down from the rigging while Slightly scrambled up after him.

  I grinned. “Those boys are going to give him gray hair before he’s twenty.”

  twenty-five

  I woke when Sky burst into the room and shouted, “Captain, you’ve got to see this!”

  I had been snuggled against James’s chest with his left arm around me. He’d had a bath in Zelig and smelled amazing. But being rudely woken by Sky yelling, James tore out of the bed so fast I didn’t have time to be groggy.

  We made it out onto the deck to see thousands of seagulls flying overhead. Their little black bodies stood out from the moonlit sky, and their anxious caws were almost deafeningly loud as they neared.

  “That’s not a good sign,” James muttered.

  Gerard stumbled up the steps with a few other sailors, pulling a shirt over his head. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone annoyed. “It’s a bunch of birds.”

  “Flocks of them,” James corrected. “Seagulls don’t fly at night, and only like this if there is danger. Typically, creatures will flee if danger is coming, such as a hurricane or tsunami. Or something bigger.”

  I patted James’s arm. “Look at the sea.” I pointed.

  White-tipped waves had drawn my attention. Not typical waves from the rough seas, or the green-tinged enchanted waves from the summer stone flying us to Delphi, but movement as if all the sea’s creatures were fleeing as well.

  My theory was confirmed when the white waves reached us and we spotted the humped backs of whales, arching dolphins, and even some fish jumping as they swam away.

  I swallowed hard.

  The sound of the creatures faded behind us, leaving behind a deafening silence broken by the steady rush of the waves propelling us forward. We had made it around the southernmost tip of Terricina, and the shore was in sight.

  Ulrich stepped forward, his face paling. “I see why they fled. That’s Delphi.”

  “What?” I blurted with Sky at the same time.

  “He’s right,” James confirmed. He held a looking glass to his left eye, balancing it on his hook. “I can see the shoreline. It’s no longer a gaping hole. Water rushes down the street and into the ocean.”

  “We need to stop the ship now,” I said, grabbing Ulrich’s arm.

  He didn’t hesitate to remove the stone and rubbed his thumb over it. “We’ve arrived. Halt.” He shrugged at me, likely unsure if what he said would work.

  Luckily for us, the ship gradually slowed until it rested at a normal pace.

  “Close the sails. We need to stay out of sight as much as possible,” James ordered. “Why would your mother have raised the capital? I thought that was her play to get Ulrich to give up his throne?”

  I shook my head. “She must have decided to take the throne herself. She doesn’t need us.”

  “She actually does,” Ulrich disagreed. “She isn’t the one born on the throne. My father was. He’s a descendant of a line of kings centuries old.”

  I scoffed. “That’s not what my mother told me. Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  “Because I was too tired to think. Look, you know what your mother told you, I know what my father told me. Either way, someone is lying.”

  I opened my mouth to object, knowing in my heart I truly couldn’t believe anything my mother said anymore. After all, she’d lied to me before, and she’d already done it again. She would say anything to get what she wanted.

  “Okay, then.” Ulrich rubbed his hands together. “Best time to take her by surprise will be at night, under the cover of dark. Especially right now, since she likely isn’t going to think we made it here so swiftly.” He turned around and faced us.

  “We have a couple of hours before dawn,” Sky added.

  Gerard cleared his throat. “If I may, you’re all sirens, are you not? Whether she’s sent for the other pirates or not, you could intercept them and tell them what is really going on. Get them on your side.”

  “I’ll do that,” Sky offered.

  “Maybe we should wait to approach her until we have all of the reinforcements,” James tried. “It does us no good to try and attack her without additional support.”

  “Unless we don’t want her to know we have additional help on its way,” I threw in.

  He shrugged a shoulder. “I suppose that’s true.” He rubbed both eyes with his hand. “I’m trained on attacking ships, but this? I have no experience.”

  I placed my hands on my hips and let out a sigh. “I wish we knew what she was doing.”

  The fairy boys scrambled up the stairs, each looking disheveled. I wondered if the boys had stayed in their hammocks or chosen to return to their fairy size and sleep somewhere else.

  I walked over to redirect them downstairs, but Bins darted around me.

  “We can help!” he proudly announced.

  “Oh?” James crouched, trying his best to give the boy a smile, but I could tell he was annoyed by the thought of listening to the ideas of a child.

  “We’re fairies, right? Fairy dust! You just think happy thoughts, and you can fly!”

  I glanced at Ulrich.

  He shrugged.

  Gerard chuckled. “How is that supposed to help us? They can all swim to shore.”

  Tootles stepped forward and moved his hands.

  Curly stepped forward to explain. “He’s saying that she might expect you swimming, but not flying. You can get through the city a different route.”

  “Huh. That’s not a bad idea.” James rubbed his chin.

  “Fairies are very common in my country,” Gerard said.

  James rose to his feet and gestured with a hand for Gerard to carry on.

  “Fairies actually have more magic than you think. Because of this, they are often sought after. Also because of this, they tend to be captured. Seeing one as a servant is quite a way to show off your status. Having seven or more?” He shook his head. “It’s downright distasteful.”

  “How does one even catch a fairy?” I asked.

  “That’s a discussion for a different time. And, to be honest, I don’t know that I would tell you,” he confessed.

  “You believe this can work?” James repeated.

  “Yes.” Gerard nodded. “If you believe in their magic, they can do practically anything. But we need a little more of a plan than just flying and entering Delphi from the north or whichever direction.”

  James inclined his head. “Sky will swim to Port Mere. Hopefully, he will spot some of our people along the way. I want three men to go with him. You will speak with the other pirates and request they join us to stand up against Athena if we must. Some pirates are best to avoid, including my father. I trust you can figure out the others on your own. They are loyal to Athena, and the last thing we need is them somehow letting her know our plans.” He turned to me. “I will go with you and the rest of my crew. We will approach your mother in the least threatening way possible. Give her an opportunity to back down one last time.”


  I raised my brow. “Absolutely fantastic. All we have to do is say Ulrich is the rightful heir and demand she returns home. Sounds easy!”

  James frowned.

  “She’s wanted this my entire life, James.” I sighed. “I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as a conversation.”

  “You won’t let us take her by surprise and kill her,” James said softly.

  “Let me go in alone.” I exhaled, feeling a heavy weight on my chest as I spoke. “You and your men stay outside of the palace, away from the guards. Don’t let anyone know you’re there.”

  “Let you go in alone?” James objected.

  “Then I am the only one who will be hurt, or whatever might happen.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair, something he always did when he was worried. “How will we know if you need help? How will I know when I need to step in and help you fight?”

  I looked over at the fairy boys and grinned. “Hey, Grumpy. Why don’t you accompany me?”

  “An adventure?” His face went from completely stunned to the biggest smile that rivaled his brother’s. “Yes!” He pumped his fist in the air.

  “I’ll carry him in my pack,” I explained to the others. “If I need help, he will fly and get you.”

  “That’s smart,” Gerard said.

  Grumpy rubbed his hands together eagerly and turned to the other fairies. “Everyone, fairy form! Let’s sprinkle fairy dust on this smelly lot!”

  All seven of the boys transformed into rather small human-shaped beings with translucent wings of varying colors. Happy and Grumpy had blue-green wings with Happy having more green in them and Grumpy having more blue. Curly’s wings matched his lavender eyes, Nibs had green wings with a red and purple undertone, Tootles’ were a vibrant red with glittering pink in them, Bins’ wings were as black as his hair, and Slightly had shockingly bright wings that shimmered every color, rather like a hummingbird.

  “They all come from different regions,” Gerard pointed out. “I understand why they called them the lost boys. Who was the boy with the black wings?”

  “I’m Bins!” the boy shouted at him—though it sounded more like a squeak due to his size. He flew around Gerard in a spiral up to his head.

  Gerard smiled. “I meant no offense. You’re the rarest one here. Midnight fairy, am I correct?”

  Bins landed in Gerard’s extended hand and puffed up his chest.

  “Mathias said they were children but older than us?” I asked.

  Gerard nodded. “Very much so. Equivalent of a typical human’s six or seven-year-old child. I’d wager they’re equivalent of around sixty to seventy years old. I’m ready to fly, Bins.”

  Sky walked over to me while the fairies set to work covering everyone else in fairy dust, one at a time. He took my hands. “I know you’re more fond of James than you are of me. I can respect that.”

  “Sky.”

  “Let me finish.” He gave me that genuine, dashing smile that had stolen so many hearts. “He’s better for you than I am. I also want you to know I’m sorry for everything that’s happened. After your mother took your memory and separated you from James, I finally saw my chance. But I think we’re better friends. I hope you’ll be able to help out both sirens and humans in your new position.”

  I rolled my eyes. “If I even take the throne.”

  He shrugged. “Good luck.” He gave me a big hug. “Whatever you do, remember your mother is a siren too.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means there’s a reason she’s been able to manipulate so many people for so many years.” He tapped his lips.

  Of course. A siren’s song. If a siren could lure a man—or foolish pirate girl—to their death with a simple song, what was my mother capable of?

  Slightly fluttered over to me and covered me in dust.

  I watched Sky jump into the inky waters, followed by three other pirates, and they disappeared.

  “Now, think of something happy and we’ll be on our way,” Grumpy said, fluttering just a few inches from my face.

  Around me, pirates floated in the air, their arms outstretched, laughing at the feeling of flying. Even James hovered in the air, grinning like a child.

  What was the happiest thought I could imagine?

  I tried to imagine being a pirate captain and how happy that would make me, but my feet didn’t leave the deck. I tried to imagine myself as a princess and that didn’t help either. I thought about being a siren, being out at sea, sailing under Captain Avery, and even being with James. None of these worked. Every memory from my childhood had been blackened by worried thoughts. My mother had manipulated me my entire life, and facing her alone a second time terrified me.

  If I failed, who knew what she would do to get her way?

  James landed at my side and took my hand. “What is it?”

  “I can’t imagine something happy,” I confessed. “I’m too worried.”

  “Not even me?” He pouted.

  I blushed and tried to look away.

  James reached out and touched my cheek. “What about the family you never knew you had? A father you might get to meet, and a brother . . .” He gestured with his hook toward Ulrich.

  I felt my heart swell, and my feet lifted from the wooden planks. However, that joy and happiness was immediately masked by fear. “What if he doesn’t like me? My real father?” My feet hit the deck again. “What if I can’t even talk to my mom, and then it will be my fault she won.”

  James cupped my face in his hand and hook. “Odette, there is a lot to be afraid of right now. But there is joy in every trial. What is something right now, right in this moment, that makes you happy?”

  I looked around. Pirates had become braver and were flying about the ship, laughing. I pushed aside what they might be thinking about to help them fly and focused on James.

  “The touch of your hand.” My voice sounded soft. I closed my eyes and tilted my cheek into James’s hand. “The joy I felt when I remembered you. How you make me feel safe and wanted. You’ve never had any expectations for me. You’ve never demanded anything from me.” I pushed away all fear, all doubt, all worry, and opened my eyes. “James, I love you.”

  His handsome face spread into a beautiful smile. He kissed me. “Look down.”

  I peered down to see I floated a good four feet in the air. I beamed at James. “That worked.”

  He kissed my forehead. “Now we all get to know what the birds feel like.”

  I laughed. “I suppose we do.”

  “This way!” The fairies darted ahead of us.

  I leaned forward and we shot across the sea faster than we could have swum. We flew across the land, over the darkness of the broken mountain and thick forest. Within the hour, we set foot on the edge of Delphi.

  The buildings were in even worse shape than I had thought when I’d seen it in the sea. Piles of rubble resided in perfect squares in a row on a street I knew had once been homes, and everything was covered in a mossy sheen.

  We were completely exposed without buildings to hide behind.

  The fairies spread out and searched the spaces where a pillar still managed to stand or the corner of a building that had forgotten to fall. We didn’t see any signs of people until Tootles came back with a zip, his hands moving furiously.

  I didn’t know what he was saying exactly, but the size of his eyes and the movement of his body signaled he’d found some kind of guard or soldier, or perhaps a really tall man with sharp teeth and—wait.

  I jabbed James with my elbow.

  “Ow! Careful!” he whispered, rubbing his arm hard.

  “It’s a siren. He’s saying she turned the sirens into guards.”

  Curly blinked at me. “You’re right. You catch on fast.”

  “Wonderful,” James said sarcastical
ly.

  “You all need to find somewhere to lay low.” I turned to the one spot of light in the city—the palace. I opened the pack I’d flung over my shoulder. “Grumpy?”

  The little fairy darted in, then rested his arms on the edge and peered up at me. “My name is really Michael, you know. My brother’s name is John.”

  I winked. “I’m glad I have you coming with me, Michael.”

  He flashed a bright smile, then disappeared into the bag. I gently closed the top and hoped I didn’t jostle him around too much as I headed for the palace.

  I made it to the next road over before two men ran for me from either direction. One was bent at the waist like an old man, trying not to move his upper body as he loped toward me. The other sort of scampered sideways as if he were afraid to get too near me. As humans, they were barely more attractive than their siren ancestry. They were both bald and had the same elongated faces as the sirens.

  I had felt threatened and afraid in the water, but seeing them on land, I knew I had the upper hand in this fight. My hand instinctively rested on my sword hilt, but I made no move to draw it. “I demand to see Athena.”

  The one to my right jerked his head a little unnaturally. He tapped his teeth together. He jabbed at me with a metal spear.

  I rolled my eyes and continued on my way, followed—not quite escorted—by the two siren men. I ran my hand over the soft leather bag at my side as if I could somehow comfort myself by comforting Michael, though I didn’t know if he even knew what was happening.

  The nearer we drew to the palace, the better the buildings had been kept together. I recognized the row of buildings in which Ulrich had briefly imprisoned the pirates, and then we turned onto the main road which led to the palace doors.

  The men who greeted us at the doors must have been Ulrich’s original palace guard because they looked and acted far more human than the sirens behind me. They also wore armor with their helmets open-faced. Beneath the arch of the brow of the helmet, I saw the men’s pupils dilated in fear.

  I nodded to them each. “I am Odette. Ulrich sent me,” I said as softly as possible to still be heard. I didn’t know if the sirens understood human speech or not, but I needed to let the humans know I was on their side.