From the Depths

Kirea regretfully exited the pool, but at least now the Siren appeared to be able to move by himself. His body appeared to be rejuvenated by the oxygen, she was glad her hunch had been correct. His physiology was proving to be more marine than mammal at this point. Though she hadn’t spent enough time with him yet to say for certain.

She met Sir Henry at the entrance after stepping through the wall again. He eyed her damp exterior with curiosity but remained silent. Probably because a carriage could be seen off in the distance. She could hear the king cursing at the horses as the carriage wheels were getting stuck in the sand.

“Does he not realize that the wagon’s wheels are not made for soft sand?” She groaned while rubbing her brow as a headache set in. How did a dimwit like him honestly become King?

“Behold! Our ever so stoic leader.” Henry joked quietly.

She stifled a laugh. “You better go help him, or he might see it fit to behead the carriage man.”

He cringed. “Right you are, one moment my lady I shall be back.”

She furrowed her brows scrunching up her face, what had he just called her? Was he trying to be polite to her? She shivered. It didn't feel right.

She watched as he jogged across the sand to the sad state that was their ruler. She wanted to hurry up and get this over with so she could return to her work. This King and his demands were causing delays, but he didn’t seem to care. So why then did he have an interest in the siren? Did he want it as a sort of trophy? No... that didn’t seem right, why hide it then?

It looked like Henry had finally convinced the King to walk the rest of the way, much to his Majesty’s dismay. Honestly, it wouldn’t hurt the King to exercise a little more. As they finally approached her the King was a heaving mess, his brow alive with perspiration.

“Now then...” He had to catch his breath. “Show me.” He ordered.

Kirea nodded and motioned for the King to step up beside the stone wall. “I will escort you inside and have you imprinted on the seal so you can visit whenever you like.” She informed.

The King held his hand out, the same way a Lady would take a greeting from a man. She didn’t want to touch him, but this couldn’t be avoided. She gently took hold of his hand and opened the doorway for herself again by placing her hand over the specific rock, the same way Riku had shown her. When the soft glow remained she knew she could walk through, gently pulling the King along with her.

He made no sound, or expression like she had. He must have seen his fair share of it during the war. Once inside she released the King and stood beside the panel on the inner wall.

“You’re Majesty if you could please place your hand on the panel. Removing it only when the rune begins to glow.” She instructed with her head slightly bowed.

He did as instructed. “So I can enter myself now?”

“Yes you grace, you need only place your hand on the wall as I did outside to open the way.”

“Very well.” He walked deeper into the cavern with her, his gaze on the pool. “This is quite impressive.” His attention landed on the bobbing head above the surface. The siren was watching them both, a curious expression in his eyes.

Kirea thought he looked very much like a child, wide-eyed and open to taking the world in. More than anything she couldn’t hide the smile that beamed on her face. He had moved on his own. He’d slid himself back into the water’s depths, only holding himself above the water by gripping the stone ledge that formed the swallows.

The king forcibly pushed past her, almost knocking her over. She thought she had caught the Siren frown with a slight scowl crossing his features. Catching herself and regaining her balance, though she did stumble backwards a few steps, when she looked back his expression was gone, back to the void curiosity of before. She couldn’t help but think he may be hiding something under the surface of that cute expression. She knew he was intelligent, but just how much did he know and how much would he let on?

The King stood at the water’s edge his mouth open with a menacing grim, his eyes held a possessive stare. “It is swimming! Well done my girl, well done!”

She didn’t like the way the King looked at the Siren, it gave her an unnerving feeling. This creature was not some pet that he could lay claim to, it was an intelligent being with feelings! Like with all animals, she was sure he could feel emotion and experience pain. She pushed her repulsion for this man down and forced a smile.

“How long until it is fully healed?” The king licked his lips.

“I would estimate around 6, maybe 8 weeks. He has sustained burns to most of his body, they will heal slowly.” She lied. “Though he will heal in this environment now, as long as I can keep the water aerated and clean.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to not say that he was healing at an extremely fast rate.

The King pondered that for a moment. “I see...”

“Your grace, if I may?” She asked somewhat hesitantly.

He waved a hand at her, not bothering to turn to face her. “Yes, what is it?”

“I would be a great help if Sir Henry could help me replace the water each day, I’m not sure I can manage it on my own. I am ashamed to admit that I am quite weak, I cannot carry large amounts of water to and from the beach daily.”

He craned his head around to look at her. His happy mood was gone as he looked down on her with a glare. “This would help the creature?”

His harsh tone caused her to flinch. “Yes your Majesty, It would greatly increase the siren’s health. He would be at very little risk of falling ill again.” She lied again, heavens if the King could read minds she’d be a dead woman by now. She didn’t need Sir Henry, she just needed to get the water wheel up and running and replace a few buckets a day to keep the water healthy. As well as clean off the rocky surfaces below the surface once a week.

“Very well, you have my permission. But!” He turned completely to stare down at her, his eyes boring holes into her face.

Her body stiffened as her throat tightened. This man was evil incarnate, he radiated danger and death with an unpleasant pungent smell that was making her eyes water.

“He is not to be in the water with it, only you. I will swear him to secrecy, then you may let him in.” He ordered.

Pushing past her again, she stumbled backwards as her heart was racing in her chest. She lost her footing and tripped on the rocky pathway, falling backwards onto the hard ground with quite a mighty thud. She groaned as her backside exploded with pain.

“I will be back in 6 weeks, make sure it is at peak health by then.” The King disappeared through the rocky opening.

With the King gone her shoulders slumped and she relaxed her now sore body. Then a splash sounded from the pool drawing her attention. The Siren had pushed himself up onto the ledge of the swallows a concerned look on his face.

She laughed. “I’m alright, honest.”

He inched closer staring up at her. Did he want something?

She crawled over to the edge of the pool and slid herself into the water, she felt no fear around him, even though his body was designed as a predator. When she was close to him it was as though a calming effect took over.

“See, not hurt at all.” She insisted as she sank down into the water stretching her legs out the ledge to have them drift down into the deeper water where he resided.

He glided toward her stopping only inches from her legs. His head was completely out of the water, he tilted it to the side as he reached a hand out towards her. She stiffened when his fingers found her skin, more from the awkward stillness than fear. She didn’t want to make any sudden moments that might startle him.

His eyes were narrowed on her legs as his hands glided over her skin, it was as though he was looking for something, or maybe inspecting her. His hands felt smooth and gentle, a heavy contrast to the look of his spined and scaly body. His fingers explored her knee, tracing a ring around her knee, if she hadn’t had her limbs under water it would have likely tickled. Further up his hand travelled, and her eyes widened slightly. His hand rested on her thigh as he inched closer to study her skin. How high was that hand doing to go? Should she tell him to stop, could he even understand her?

His eyes flicked up to meet hers, he hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath until he released her from his touch. Having completed his task, whatever it may be, he gently pushed himself away rolling onto his back and floating in the water beside her. His body gently bobbed between the stone under the water and the surface as his body drifted into the shallows.

“You lied.” He spoke with a soft husk.

Her heart stopped as her mouth fell open.