From the Depths

Henry had returned with a pouch of gold coins for the mages, they had replaced their hoods making Kirea wonder if they were hiding the fact that they were elves from the town. With Henry back, they now all stood on the sands of the beach in a rather awkward silence, exchanging glances as no words were spoken.

Riku stepped forward to place a small stone in Kirea’s palm. “There is another in the pool already. You need only place this in the waters where it resides and the stones will do the rest. But be wary it is a one-time use.”

Kirea nodded to the elf’s hushed words and caught Henry’s confused expression, but thanked the elf regardless. Toying with the rock in her palm she frowned, she didn’t know what she was doing when it came to magic. Was it safe, could she pull this off? She shivered at the thought of accidentally splitting the siren in two if she got it wrong.

“Is it safe?” She asked expressing her concerns allowed.

Riku smiled kindly at her. The other two elves however appeared to grow angry as though offended.

“You dare doubt Lady Riku’s abilities!” One of them spat.

“Ladies, ladies, please. It's fine.” Riku raised her hand and gave her subordinates a glare. “The stone will take with it all the water in the container, leaving nothing behind.”

Kirea sighed as relief washed over her. “Thank you Riku, you and the other mages have been amazing.” She watched as they mounted their horses.

The rather common exit slightly surprised her, she had almost expected them to teleport away in a puff of magic or something. She waved to them as they trotted down the beach and slowly disappeared in the distance. She would never have believed anyone if they told her this was going to be her life at the castle serving the King.

“Where’s all the stuff?” Henry’s voice cut into her blissful thoughts pulling her mood back down.

She rolled her eyes, she couldn’t even think in peace around him. “Moved inside, I need to only move His Majesty’s property now. Then my work can begin.”

“Inside where?”

She sighed and eyed him with an irradiated expression.

“Right right, I’m not allowed to know.” He groaned. “But what’s all the wood for?”

“A water wheel.” She responded like it was obvious.

“What in the world do you need that for!?”

She shook her head at him. “Should we just agree that you shouldn’t ask questions?”

She was at least grateful that he seemed somewhat like his usual grumpy self again, rather than the violent scared man from earlier. With nothing else to do on the Beach, they began to head back up the death trap stairs to the castle grounds. Henry constantly had to grab at her to stop her from stumbling.

Her stomach grumbled as he pulled her closer to him once gain.

"Did you just growl at me?" He eyed her.

She blushed as her stomach protested from the continued lack of sustenance, it was now almost time for dinner and she hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

"My stomach is making the noise, I wouldn't growl at the man stopping me from falling to my death now would I?"

“You didn’t stop to eat did you?” He raised a brow at her.

“Did you?” She shot back.

“No, I was running errands all day.”

“And I couldn’t leave the beach. Not until they were done anyway. You expect me to eat raw fish or something?”

“Some people see it as a delicacy... but you're right, I should have brought you something... Sorry.” He muttered.

She glanced at him. “I had intended to eat the rolls I snagged this morning, but as I remember you had a vendetta against them.”

She caught him cringe but they remained silent as they made their way through the corridors until they reached the King’s private dining quarters. The same place the Siren was being held. She’d been away from the creature for nearly a full 24 hours, she was a little anxious to see how his condition was and if he had improved.

Reaching out she gently knocked on the doors, unsure if anyone was there. Though she had a feeling the King wouldn’t leave his precious new pet alone for long, if at all. It appeared her suspicions were correct when the King creaked open the floor, looking down on them with a stern look.

As the recollection of who they were played across his face, he moved aside to let them in. The possessive look on his face had goosebumps rising all over her skin. With a soft click, she knew he locked the door behind them. Turning to face the King, she changed her posture to that of a slight bow, but she did not speak.

“It is done?” He questioned.

“Yes my Lord, all that is left is to move your... treasure.” She chose her words carefully as Henry was still in the room.

He let out a half laugh, “I like that, yes, my treasure.” His tone suddenly changed as she heard him shuffling forward. “But what in the heavens is that?”

She gasped as her head was wrenched up, his fist gripping her hair with such force she bit her tongue from the sudden movement. Her heart started pounding in her chest.

What had she gone!?

How had she fucked up this time!?

She thought she had been in the clear!

Was this it?

Was this to be her end?

His eyes lingered on her neck, the marks from this morning’s misunderstanding with Henry clear as day, deep bruises had begun to form. The dark purple and blue of the Knights's hold on her was hard to miss against her pale skin.

Shit! She should have worn a scarf or something that could cover it up, but she didn’t own anything like that, not here.

“How did this happen? Did I not tell you to PROTECT her?” His voice boomed as his venomous rage was directed toward Henry. All the while his hold was causing her skull to ache as pain shot through the ends of hair he was tugging on.

Henry suddenly began stiff and rigid, frozen in place. His mouth opened as though to say something but nothing came out. She could see the fear growing within him. She saw a small boy scared out of his mind. The King could have him replaced in a second and he knew it.

The King’s attention turned squarely back to her, his head snapping back as he snarled in her face. “What happened!?” He demanded.

A metallic taste coated her mouth as she gasped to speak. “I-I reacted to one of the plants brought in for the project.” She lied. But she needed to make it sound believable. “I had rubbed my neck after handling it, I-I have quite sensitive skin you see.”

He stood for a moment searching her eyes for something, anything. “He did not hurt you?” He narrowed his eyes on her, trying to catch her in her lie.

“No.” She replied with no hesitation while she kept eye contact with him.

His hand let go of her hair only to move to stroke the blue-purple skin. Still tender to the touch she cringed slightly.

Please let this work! She hated him but Henry was an asset in this place, she didn't want him dead. She didn’t want to have to deal with anyone else but Henry, at least with him she knew her body was safe, the others however... she was sure it wouldn't be the same.

She shivered at the thought of what they might do to her.

“Do be more careful.” His tone was flat, uncaring.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I am humbled by your concern.” She bowed again.

He smirked, it was clear she had said the right thing. However, his mood turned sour as he looked at Henry. “See to it that this does not happen again.” He snarled.

Henry nodded but didn’t respond. He clearly looked frightened which surprised her, at that moment she confirmed her suspicions, his hard exterior was simply an act, a survival instinct. One that he had refined and perfected in this horrific state of life.

“You are ready to move the...treasure?” The King questioned using her term from earlier.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I was given a device from the mages that would see to a smooth transition from here to the cavern, no need to worry about prying eyes.” She added.

“Show me.” He ordered.

She complied, holding the small stone in her palms she presented the rock to him. It had a soft glowing light emitting from a rune that had been carved into its surface.

“How does it work?” He picked up the item and turned it over in his hand, studying it.

“I’m not too sure, from my understanding it is connected to the cavern water. I need only place this stone in the, ah-” She pondered the correct phrase. “Treasures case, then it will be moved.”

“A teleportation device? Fascinating.”

“Sadly it is a one-time use.” She concluded.

The King groaned and handed back the stone. “Of course it bloody is, curse those mages. Go ahead then, move it.”

She nodded and rushed over to the covered tank, without pulling the cover off she slipped her hand under the material and dropped the stone into the water.

With a Plonk she heard the stone hit the water.

The whole room shook as a muffled sound like an underwater explosion erupted from within, followed by the cracking of glass. She peeked under the material to see a completely empty tank, it had worked!

She just hoped he had ended up at the other end okay.

“It is done.” She said waiting for his next order, though she was eager to run back to the beach to check on the siren now.

“You two go without me I will meet you there after I finish my meal.” He waved his hand, dismissing them.

That was the cue they needed and they hurriedly exited the room. She was about to take off at a run but he firmly grabbed her arm abruptly stopping her.

He looked different to her, vulnerable. Did it change anything? No, she still hated him, but she was starting to understand him.

“You didn’t tell him... that it was me? You didn’t say anything...” His words were shaky. He looked at her with a questioning gaze, not something she was used to seeing on his rigid face. She could clearly see he was still very shaken up by this whole ordeal. “Why?”

“Are you okay?” She asked quite softly ignoring his question.

The question seemed to shock him a little. “I’m the one that hurt you!” His eyes flickered to her neck. “He would have killed me and replaced me if you had said something... But you didn’t.”

She half laughed. “I’ve had worse, believe me. A horse’s hoof is far worse than your hands.” Tugging him along she encouraged him to walk with her and away from the King’s location. “Besides, I didn’t see the point in putting your head on a chopping block.”

“I really don’t understand you... but thank you.” He mumbled.

“We don’t have to like each other, but I’d like to think that we are allies in this, I’ll have your back if you’ll have mine.” She offered with a smile.

“On my honour as a Knight.” His voice was stern and serious as he agreed with her.