《Forbidden Grace》


 1.

    The sea frothed like a rabid animal. It was stained pink like fermented pomegranates; every white beach on the Isle of Silthia was a stew of sweat and blood, and mangled limbs enmeshed in seaweed.


    Calls of agony warbled throughout the night, and at dawn, the maidens left from the castle with Princess Alanis at their head, descended the rocky cliffs bearing in hand cotton bindings and medicine. Behind them, came her grace''s personal guard, ready to defend the women should any unsavoury creatures attempt to ravage them.


    But the efforts of the women were too late.


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    During the night, the opposing forces of Merfolk must have crawled their way onto the beach with knives. Not one of the creatures washed ashore was left with an unslit throat.


    Alanis took great care not to tread on any of the fallen, but as the bodies were more numerous than the grains of sand, she found herself walking in the shallow waves, still crimson in colour. The sea was still frothing desperately, as if it were choking on the foulness of war and foaming at the mouth.


    For hours, they searched to no avail. There was not one faintly beating heart along the beaches, not one small voice that cried for liberation of pain, not one shallow breath that could be rescued from the clutches of death.


    "It can not be." Cried Alanis in distress. "If I can save but one!"


    But her lament was cut short by the excited cries of her maidens.


    "Your grace!" They shouted, near a small cove isolated by rock pools and heavy winds. "Your grace, come quick! We have found a survivor!"

 2.

    There was a trail of half man, half fish corpses leading up to the edge of the cliff. Someone had been playing at Hansel and Gretel, but in place of crumbs, had used bodies and limbs.


    These must have been the Merfolk who crawled onto Silthia the night before, the ones who had slain the wounded, and now lay in tatters themselves.


    Alanis pushed back the faint thoughts that prickled her mind, whispering they deserved such a fate for their heinous acts.


    Mercy is for all. She reminded herself. Even if some are more rotten than others.


    Her maidens and several of her guard, were constellated a fair distance away from a small cave, waiting anxiously for the Princess to approach.


    "Your grace, through there..." One gestured to the cavern, and Alanis tread carefully to the entrance, straining her eyes against the dark.


    At first, it was barely unnoticeable through the narrow entrance, nothing more than a shadow against the darkness, but then, then it moved ever so slightly, and the shimmering glint of a sword pierced through the dimness.


    "If you can understand me," said Alanis to the darkness, "we''re not going to hurt you. We just want to help."


    It was unlikely that whoever was within the cave could understand her tongue. Merfolk spoke in songs and melodies, something her language most certainly was not.


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    Following two of her guards, each of which held a filigree oil lantern, Alanis descended through the narrow entrance into the depths of the cave, where the winds whispered through the cracks and played with her skirts.


    The floor had a welcoming mat of blood-soaked seaweed, and one of her guards held her arm as she jumped over the corpse that blocked their path.


    Once they cleared the opening crevice, it opened into a small cavern, water dripping from the stalactites, creating a shallow pool of water wherever they stepped.


    And there, pressed against the wall amidst a puddle of blood, was the most terrifying, yet pitiful creature Alanis had ever set her eyes upon.


    He was clad in armour consisting of vibrant shells, gemstones, and metal, but the designs were splattered and laced with blood. He was lacking a helmet, unlike most of the corpses she had seen, and his blond curls were bloodied and stuck to the side of his face, snaking down his neck and brushing the top of his shoulder.


    He did not have a fish tail like the Merfolk, but it had been several hours since the battle, and absence from water transformed their tails into legs, as was evidently the case.


    The glint from the tip of his sword blinded her momentarily, and Alanis retreated in fright, her back pressed against the rocky wall.


    "Stay...away." He tried to speak, but it was more of a hoarse whisper then anything. He did not lower the sword, but she could see his arm trembling even in the dim light.


    "I''m not here to hurt you." She gestured for the guards to step back and held out her hand to show the bandages she carried, "please, we wish to help."


    The maidens from the other side of the tunneling were calling to her, but Alanis shushed them, turning to the creature.


    "You''re not safe here," She insisted, "come with me."


    He didn''t seem to be listening, it was if he could barely hold himself upright against the wall.


    "You''re hurt." Alanis stepped towards him, and he dropped the sword, uttering something in a language she could not understand.


    She took another step, but he collapsed like a puppet to the ground, a pool of blood now visible where he had been laying.


    "Hurry!" Yelled Alanis to her maidens, "quick! Help me carry him!"

 3.

    His beauty was unparalleled, even as he lay asleep in her bed, even with his face marred with small red lines and his body hidden under layers of bandages, and her quilt. His golden hair cascaded onto the pillow, shimmering in the sunlight which streaked through the curtains, and Alanis sighed.


    It had been a full day, and still he had not awoken. She and the physician had taken the liberty of bathing and stitching him, and now she hid him away in her chambers.


    The guards, handmaidens, and indeed her advisors, had pleaded to accompany her, but she saw the wickedness, the lust, and the impurity behind their words. She refused.


    He was a prisoner to them, an asset, an experiment, a toy.


    The King hadn''t chosen her accompanying court without reason.


    "We can not have an heir as naive as you." His words rang in her head, "it would do you good to learn that."


    Fourth in line to the throne, and yet it seemed unlikely that she would ever acquire the cruelty, or the ruthlessness the King desired.


    Until then, her morals had doomed her to this isolated Isle of Silthia. And unless her courtly mannerisms improved - or the reaper claimed her, she would remain.


    "Your grace, dinner is prepared." Came the voice of her handmaidens from behind the oak doors.


    Alanis turned in her velvet chair, set down her embroidery. "Hush, you may go to it yourselves. I will join you later."


    "Your grace, has he awoken yet?"


    She glanced back at the creature - man - in her bed. "Not yet."


    "Then come, your grace, if you are hasty, he will not miss you long."


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    With a relenting sigh, Alanis consented to the wishes of her maidens, and left her chambers for a time.


    She returned within the hour, bringing with her a bowl of fruits should the mysterious creature have awoken.


    He had not.


    Alanis was slowly coming to the realization that it had been a rather daft idea to place a creature of the sea in her bed.


    Suppose he awoke in the middle of the night, frightened, and took it upon himself to fight his way back to the sea? The mess of bloodied Merfolk corpses they had found scattered near him was proof enough that he was a force to be reckoned with.


    Quietly, she set the bowl next to her embroidery, and crept towards the edge of the bed. Her footsteps were delicate, and she made no noise as she knelt beside him.


    It had been long enough.


    She took a slow breath, and in a soft voice, spoke hushed words of old. They were no more than a distant memory to her, but the words aligned, and she felt a light sensation flowing from her neck, her eyes, her fingertips.


    At first, there was only quietude, the distant laughing of her maidens through the open windows. A murmur of the sweet song from the birds nesting in the wisteria. The sigh of a breeze dancing in the curtains.


    Then the echoed whisper of her words touched him, and his eyes fluttered open, and he awoke with a gasp. The golden streaks of sunlight bathed him in its touch as he sat up hastily, in a confused daze.


    Alanis rose slowly from the side of the bed, "do you remember me?"


    The creature fell back against the bed frame, dragging with him the quilt, pulling it against his chest as if that alone could save him.


    "I am called Alanis." She said, placing her hands on her chest as she sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. "Alanis."


    "Maiden of Mercy." The creature replied in a hushed whisper, eyes refusing to meet hers. "I know."


    "You speak our language."


    "You merely have ears willing to listen." He sunk a little lower, his voice barely audible, "thank you for saving me."


    "You didn''t require much saving." Alanis smiled gently, "we just stitched you up a bit. You should be alright in a week or two, and then you may return home."


    His eyes widened at that, and then narrowed just as quickly. "I can not. "


    Alanis hesitated, "why?"


    "You rescued me from the clutches of death." His eyes trailed up to meet hers, and she was taken aback by the vibrant ocean of colours staring back at her. " Alanis of Mercy, I can not leave you without repaying the debt."


    "What do you mean?"


    "You saved my life, and now it is yours." He leaned across the bed, holding the blanket to his chest with one arm, the other taking her hand in his own. "Take me as I am, wretched, and broken, and wholly indebted to you. I will guard you. Evermore."

 4.

    With the night, came a storm, fierce and murderous. It tore through the Isle of Silthia in the darkness, howling against the windows, and rattling the shutters.


    The faraway thundering grew ever near, and it kept her awake in its misery. Alanis lay beneath her blankets, trembling, eyes locked on the frescoed ceiling as she counted the number of engraved flowers.


    Three hundred and eighty-two.


    A flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed shortly by a peal of thunder.


    Three hundred and eighty-three.


    It was a hopeless matter, to look for safety in the flowers on a roof, which could so easily be torn off should the winds rise high enough.


    And it was even more hopeless to search for sleep on such a night. Even as she lay weary beneath the warmth of her covers, the battle of winds in the wisteria, and against the shutters did not wane.


    She wondered how the man from the sea felt.


    Despite her desperate attempts to keep him in her chambers, her governess, and indeed all her advisors staunchly refused the notion, and she had been forced to concede.


    And now he was locked up in the furthest reaches of the castle. Presumably, this would be the first storm he had ever experienced, and he was isolated, undoubtedly terrified out of his mind.


    "Your Grace." Came a harsh whisper from behind her door. One of the maidens. "Your Grace, there is an urgent matter."


    Footsteps soft against the wool rug, Alanis crept to the door. A twist of the handle, a creak of the hinges, and Alanis pushed it open to find Daphne, the youngest of her maidens, shivering in a nightgown.


    "Your Grace," Daphne''s eyes fell to the floor, "he''s gone. The man from the sea is gone. Mistress Miyra found the room empty."


    "Gone?" Alanis exclaimed, "but he can not be gone! The door was locked from the outside, and he was in the highest tower; he can not have escaped."


    Daphne seemed hesitant, and she opened her mouth as if to speak, then hurriedly closed it again.


    Seizing her cloak from the hook on the back of the door, Alanis pulled it around her shoulders and stepped out of the room. "Take me at once."


    "Yes, your Grace." Gaze still averted, Daphne led her along the narrow passageway while the faded oil portraits stared them down, through the double doors of mahogany, to the furthest reach of the castle. Here, at the base of a stone staircase leading to the tower, several of the guards, as well as maidens clustered together, muttering.


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    Upon noticing Alanis and Daphne, they fell into silence, and several of the maidens shot quick glares at the servant girl.


    "Who discovered him missing?" Alanis demanded.


    Eyes raised to meet hers, before falling back to the ground, and there was silence.


    "Who?" She repeated herself in a louder voice, and this time one of the maidens spoke.


    "I did, your Grace." The woman stood hastily, clasping her hands behind her back. There was an uncertainty in her demeanour, in the way she refused to look up.


    Alanis frowned, "you are fully dressed."


    "It was cold." The woman sniffed.


    Alanis gestured for her to reveal her hands, and reluctantly the woman did so.


    "And your hand is bandaged." Alanis turned the woman''s hand over, then let it fall. ¡°Cutting potatoes in the dead of night?"


    "No, Your Grace."


    Silence.


    "Mistress Miyra brought water, but when she knocked - nothing." Volunteered one of the maidens, pointing a finger at the woman with the bandaged hand. "An'' when she opened the door, there was no one there, an'' she came to find the guards an'' she tripped down the stairs an'' cut her hand open."


    The woman, Mistress Miyra, nodded in agreement.


    There was another uncomfortable silence, before Alanis pushed past them to ascend the staircase. "Wake the rest of the guard. Search the castle, and the grounds."


    "Your Grace!" Protested several of the guards, "it''s too dangerous to go up there yourself, suppose he has returned?"


    "Daphne will accompany me." Alanis stretched out her glove to the young maiden, "come along."


    "Daphne!" Cried the maidens, "she can not protect-"


    Alanis shushed them, and Daphne took her hand, following behind her as they crept up the stairs.


    Their footsteps echoed as they spiralled up and up and up, skirts rustling against their ankles. Alanis felt her heart crawling up her throat, slowly choking her as they drew nearer and nearer to the tower.


    They reached the uppermost stair and were met with an open door.


    The circular room seemed untouched. The bed in the centre was perfectly made, white silken sheets unruffled. The rugs were spotless, unstained, and the small bookcases lining the lower wall were ordered.


    On top of the bookshelves sat an assortment of oddities, ranging from wrinkled old maps, compasses, candle holders covered in waterfalls of wax, to pages of a diary, torn up and discarded, and a one-eyed teddy bear.


    The tower; a storage room for lost memories - her lost memories. Forgotten for years - and yet it appeared pristine.


    It had been as if no one had entered at all.


    And then she saw it, the tiniest mark out of place, in the corner of the nearest window.


    Blood.


    It was only a drop, but it was fresh.


    "What a curious thing to find." Alanis mused. She scraped it from the glass with her pinky and wiped it on Daphne''s apron. "Most peculiar indeed."


    "Your Grace," whispered Daphne shakily, "I swear I had nothing to do with it."


    Her head snapped towards the younger girl, "to do with what?"


    "I..." Daphne''s voice lowered to a quiet murmur, almost nothing more than a hushed draft of air, tremble-some and weak, "Mistress Miyra''s never properly been with a sea man before and the others thought...thought...they wanted to see I suppose."


    Alanis'' face crinkled in disgust. The impurity never left them. She should have known.


    "He escaped." Daphne muttered, head low. "Stabbed Misstress Miyra in the hand with a quill and ran. The guards tried to stop him but.... he kicked Elo down the stairs."


    "I see." Alanis pursed her lips. "We''d better find this creature quickly then, before the rest of the court is after him in their undergarments."

 5.

    Moonlight danced through the open curtains, pooling in silver puddles on the library floor, illuminating the mosaics of old which stretched their colourful fingers around the base of the shelving.


    Alanis slunk in the shadows. Her back pressed against the stone walls as the cold crept through her nightgown and sent shivers across her skin. Her feet quiet and careful, she inched closer to the balcony, where the curtains swayed in the night breeze; and where he stood.


    He faced away from her as he gripped the balustrade. Blond curls cascaded down his back; white robes draped across his body. He seemed entranced by the waters glistening in the light of the moon, crashing beyond the horizon; so close, yet so far.


    ¡°Man of the sea.¡± Alanis spoke, drawing herself out of the shadows. ¡°Why do you harm my servants? What have they done to you?¡±


    He turned slowly, and her gaze was drawn to a blemish on his clothing. A spot of darkness; blood on his sleeve. Blood from the servants.


    ¡°Their morality is unlike yours.¡± He said in a calm voice, as if nothing had just transpired. ¡°I could not allow their way; it would bring ruin to your name, as they are yours.¡±


    ¡°I will have them punished.¡±


    ¡°Punishment can not cure sickness of the soul.¡±


    ¡°But it can discipline, so it never recurs.¡±


    The man of the sea laughed; a lighthearted sound, almost melodic, like a young child playing the piano. ¡°That is a daydream. Morality is innate; it can not be fixed.¡±


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    "It can." Alanis stepped forward to join him on the balcony. "I can fix them, and I will."


    ¡°And I want to believe you.¡± He smiled sadly, ¡°but dreams are simply dreams.¡±


    There grew a quietude between them. The crashing waves in the distance overtook the silence. Echoes of the court hurrying about the castles in search of them danced in the wind, their lanterns bobbing up and down in the darkness beyond the balcony.


    ¡°You can not return to your old room.¡± Alanis said presently, ¡°you understand, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Sadly.¡±


    The moon shone across her face, glowed in her hair, as if a halo lingered around her head. Her complexion was a mix of sombreness, and something else, though he could not place it.


    ¡°I am not aware of the customs of your kingdom,¡± Alanis muttered, ¡°but what I am about to propose certainly violates most customs I know.¡±


    He remained quiet, waiting.


    ¡°Henceforth, I¡¯m afraid we will be sharing a room, man from the sea.¡± She turned to meet his gaze, ¡°I can rely on your morality, can I not?¡±


    ¡°Always.¡± He lowered his gaze; placed a hand over his heart. ¡°I am yours.¡±


    Alanis reached to take his hand and held it in her own, ¡°I will accept the service of your morality, but nothing more. And tell me, man from the sea, you claim to give me your life, yet I do not even know your name.¡±


    ¡°My name?¡±


    ¡°Names reveal the spirit.¡± She ran her fingers up his arm, to the blood stain on his sleeve. ¡°So, tell me, what is yours?¡±


    Gently, he pulled away from her, clasping his hands behind his back. ¡°I was christened Cassiel.¡±


    ¡°Cassiel.¡± She repeated in a whisper, ¡°it reminds me of starlight.¡±


    ¡°It has another meaning where I am from.¡± He smiled, slightly. ¡°But thank you.¡±


    ¡°I think it is time to return inside, the night is growing cold.¡±


    So, she led him inside, through the towering shelves of the library, along the cold and forsaken corridors, to her own chambers where the maidens did not dare to wait.


    And so, the rest of the evening was spent in peace; Cassiel resting on Alanis¡¯ bed after her insistence proved to be unwavering, while the princess herself wiled the night away in the opposite room; composing poetry by candlelight and fantasizing about the wondrous things she would do as queen.

 6.

    Alanis awoke in the early morning, as the first streaks of dawn light shimmered through the curtains and traced soft patterns over her cheeks. She sat up slowly from her desk and found a fur blanket draped around her.


    ¡°Cassiel?¡±


    But he was gone, the bed was made, and she was alone.


    In haste she dressed herself, and hurried to the grand hall where several of the servants were busy cleaning the marble floors.


    ¡°Call together the household at once.¡± She called to them, ¡°assemble them in the gardens for me.¡±


    As they scurried about to gather the others, Alanis returned to the furthest reaches of the castle in search of Cassiel. But her efforts yielded nothing, and he was nowhere to be found.


    Presently, she gave up her search and ventured to the front steps of the castle, which stretched into the extravagant maze of gardens.


    A fountain in the likeness of a mermaid sprouted forth water into a mosaic pool, and around it congregated the entirety of her household, lined in orderly rows with neutral expressions.


    Beyond them stretched rows of perfectly cut hedges, and arches enweaved with roses and ivy, but her attention lingered on the gardens only a fleeting moment, before she returned her gaze to her servants.


    She paused, clasped her hands behind her back and spoke calmly. ¡°Would those involved in the events of last night please step forward.¡±


    Three of the servants stepped forwards, including Daphne.


    Alanis frowned, ¡°all those involved step forward.¡±


    There was an uncomfortable shuffling amongst the servants, and hesitantly two more stepped up.


    ¡°You.¡± Alanis pointed to the woman with the bandaged hand, whom she remembered. ¡°Explain to me what transpired.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace, I¡­¡± The woman swallowed nervously, ¡°my mind isn¡¯t as sharp these days, it was all a blur. I fear I am unable.¡±


    There was a murmur of agreement from the others involved, and all save Daphne lowered their eyes.


    ¡°Are you defying a command?¡± Alanis felt her tone shift to threatening. Her hands tightened into fists behind her back, but she did not waver. ¡°Tell me what conspired or¡­¡±


    Or what?


    She was the lady of mercy after all. The moral one.


    But was there to be mercy for someone who did not repent?


    And how was one to combat immorality without becoming immoral themselves?


    If she were to threaten a drastic punishment, who would believe it would be carried out? She would not even believe it herself.


    ¡°Or I will have you sent as a gift to the Prince of Ecasia.¡± A gift it would be, a certain improvement in their social standing ¨C at the expense of their dignity and comfort and security.


    Those who served under the prince suffered greatly. It was well known that the prince received great pleasure in the torture of his household. And yet, it was also a great joy to be a part of his court, as the monetary benefits were substantial ¨C despite few in his service making it past their thirtieth birthday.


    ¡°Your Grace!¡± The woman with the bandaged hand sunk to her knees, ¡°I beg you have mercy!¡±


    ¡°Describe to me the events which unfolded, in clarity and honesty, and I will.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace will punish us severely when she discovers the truth.¡± The woman was crying now, tears running down her cheeks, her mouth was contorted into an ugly grimace, and she sobbed, hands clutching the necklace hanging over her heart.


    ¡°It was a mistake of drunkenness!¡± Offered another servant, falling to his knees as well. The rest began to follow suit.


    ¡°Have mercy, your Grace!¡±


    ¡°We are but captives of our foolish nature, you can not blame us for our perverted desires.¡±


    ¡°We are not as blessed as you are, your Grace.¡±


    ¡°Our hearts are unlike yours!¡±


    They fell into silence; on their knees, heads bowed.


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    ¡°I command one of you to step forward,¡± Alanis said, ¡°tell me in complete honesty with no masking or omission of any detail, what transpired with the man of the sea.¡±


    ¡°It began after an evening of heavy drinking¡­¡± Snuffled one of the servants, a stringy haired man with weasel eyes.  ¡°We were just playing cards, when Morna-¡± He thrust a finger towards the woman with the bandaged hand, ¡°Morna mentioned the sea monster.¡±


    ¡°It was a harmless joke!¡± Morna protested, ¡°I meant nothing of it!¡±


    ¡°Silence.¡± Alanis interrupted, ¡°let the man continue.¡±


    ¡°Some of the guards were with us too.¡± Said the man, ¡°some of them had seen this creature, this freak of nature, this¡­¡± He trailed off, calmed himself, and began again, ¡°they said it was beautiful, and of course Morna couldn¡¯t resist that.¡±


    ¡°Your Grace has not permitted us to venture inland for far too long.¡± Morna whimpered.


    ¡°And she set it on the rest of us to join her. With the guards, since they held the second keys to the tower.¡±


    ¡°We weren¡¯t going to hurt it.¡± Cut in a servant.


    ¡°Just take a look.¡± Said another.


    ¡°Just touch it a little.¡± Said a third.


    ¡°Morna thought it would be asleep when we got there. It was midnight after all.¡± The man cleared his throat, ¡°but when the guards opened the door, it was awake, like it was waiting for us.¡±


    ¡°Damned beast.¡± Came the murmur from several of the household, but it was an echo, and Alanis could not place the speakers.


    ¡°We weren¡¯t expecting that.¡± The man put a hand to his forehead, wiping the sweat off his brow. ¡°The guards tried to pin it down on the desk, and Morna almost got close enough but it stabbed her with a quill.¡±


    Morna nursed her bandaged hand but said nothing.


    ¡°I tried to help, but there were too many of us to see much of what was happening. There was a lot of screaming, and I think it kicked a few of the guards. Elo fell down the stairs, and by the time I realised what was happening the monster jumped out the window.¡±


    The man swallowed, and lowered his gaze, hands twiddling in front of him nervously.


    The rest were silent. All that could be heard was the splashing of the fountain, and the crooning of seagulls.


    ¡°I see.¡± Alanis whispered. ¡°I find it¡­rather treacherous¡­ that my court sees it as acceptable to take what is mine.¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°That man, that monster, you all took to be as free as the wine in the cellar. But which of you is the daughter of the King? Which of you determines what is free for you to do with as you please?¡±


    Silence.


    ¡°Take this as a final warning.¡± She breathed in deeply to settle the rising anger in her spirit, ¡°whoever touches him without my consent will not only lose their hand, but also their place at this castle.¡±


    She let that sink in for a few minutes, before ushering them off to their duties.


    In a panicked mess, the household dispersed from the gardens, hurrying off into the castle to prepare breakfast and finish cleaning the grand hall. Alanis was left alone. She sat at the base of the fountain, with her fingers in the water, lost in thought.


    After a short while, it came to attention that she was in fact, not alone. She could feel someone watching her, and her gaze darted around the garden until it settled on him.


    Cassiel was leaning against a rose archway beyond the fountain, clothed in white, observing her with a certain demeanor of peace.


    ¡°Good morning.¡± Alanis rose at once, for the sake of politeness. And then sat again for the sake of nervousness.


    Suppose he had heard what the servants had said? What she had said?


    Maidens of mercy do not threaten to cut people¡¯s hands off.


    ¡°Good morning, Alanis.¡± Cassiel approached her leisurely and sat next to her on the edge of the fountain. ¡°The sunrise was quite beautiful.¡±


    Alanis nodded slowly; kept her eyes locked on him, searching his face for clues. But he did not look at her, his gaze was too enamoured by the shimmering waters.


    ¡°I apologize for last night.¡± She said at last, ¡°I promise you it will never happen again. They will not try to-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± His voice was a whisper, ¡°I may be weak now, but they are still weaker.¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t have happened in the first place. It was my responsibility an-¡±


    ¡°Shh.¡± He shook his head, and his gaze met hers, stern, but also soft, ¡°do not dwell on it. I forgive you.¡±


    Her brow furrowed, ¡°how much did you overhear this morning?¡±


    ¡°All.¡±


    ¡°Then do you forgive me for¡­ my lack of mercy?¡±


    ¡°Lack of mercy?¡± Cassiel asked, bemused, ¡°please elucidate.¡±


    ¡°Surely you must have heard that I threatened to cut off their hands.¡±


    He paused, ¡°what do you seek from me?¡±


    ¡°I seek the truth. I will not find it from them.¡±


    ¡°The truth? From a monster of the sea? Alanis, I find you are rather concerned with your morality.¡±


    Alanis bit down on her tongue.


    ¡°You have been told that you are na?ve. And you are. But you wish to justify it with¡­this idea of morality. Because at least you would have something of merit besides your appearance.¡±


    ¡°I¡­¡± She closed her mouth again, hesitated, then gathered her wits to speak, ¡°those are very bold assumptions.¡±


    ¡°Did I not tell you the truth? And is the truth not what you claim to desire?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant¡­how did you know they call me na?ve?¡±


    ¡°I have heard of the Princess of Silthia. Locked away until she should succumb to the nature of her father and accept his way of life. Except she¡¯s very stubborn.¡± A small smile played on his lips, but it was gone in a second, ¡°many have heard of her.¡±


    ¡°How are your wounds healing?¡± She asked, hoping to divert the topic.


    Cassiel also lowered his gaze to the water, ¡°you put a spell on me.¡±


    ¡°Did it work?¡±


    ¡°It has. Only scars remain. I thank you for that.¡±


    ¡°Did you really mean it?¡±


    He looked up at that, ¡°pardon?¡±


    ¡°That you would be mine evermore.¡± Alanis suddenly regretted asking, ¡°that¡¯s what you said, don¡¯t you remember?¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± He turned back to the water, ¡°yes, I meant it.¡±


    ¡°So does¡­¡± She trailed off, ¡°what does that mean? Because when people say things like that on Silthia you know¡­I think it carries a different meaning.¡±


    ¡°It means whatever you would like it to mean, Alanis.¡± Cassiel rose slowly, smoothing out his cloak, ¡°I am yours. Do with me what you will.¡±


    He turned to leave, but she grabbed him by the sleeve of his garment, ¡°wait, you haven¡¯t eaten yet, come with me to breakfast, please.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t know what you eat, but there is much to choose from. I¡¯ve had them prepare a good selection.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°So, come.¡± And taking him by the arm, they made their way to the conservatory, where breakfast was waiting.

 7.

    Several days had passed since the incident in the night, and although the servants had not dared to raise their eyes up to Alanis, their gaze retained a thirst for the man of the sea ¨C though they feared greatly that it should be discovered and did not act upon it.


    Yet the man of the sea himself, whose name was Cassiel, despite being the subject of attention in the household, maintained his secrecy. He was rarely seen during the day; perhaps a lucky glimpse might catch the train of his robe disappearing into the library, or soft footsteps retreating behind a rhododendron bush ¨C yet to chase after him yielded nothing but dismay. The nature of the sea to conceal its secrets was certainly not exempt from him.


    Occasionally, Alanis would find him in the drawing room by the roaring fire, with a heap of dusty books piled next to the lounge. He never invited her to join him, but he didn¡¯t protest when one night, she did.


    ¡°May I ask what you are reading?¡±


    ¡°The Chronicles of Silthia and Alathia; the genealogy of the monarchy.¡± Was the murmured reply.


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit boring, isn¡¯t it?¡± Alanis sank down to the wool rug next to his feet, the warmth of the fire running over her exposed arms.


    ¡°Quite the contrary.¡±


    She watched as he flipped through the faded pages with enamoured interest. ¡°The Kingdom of Alathia has long been separated from us; they haven¡¯t come ashore for many years; you must know that. These records are centuries old.¡±


    ¡°They are.¡±


    ¡°Cassiel?¡±


    He sighed, ¡°yes?¡±


    ¡°You never told me where you¡¯re from.¡±


    ¡°The sea.¡± His hesitancy spoke more than his words.


    ¡°Clearly, you were half fish when I found you. But I¡¯ve never seen a slaughter like that before.¡±


    ¡°A familial conflict.¡± He snapped the book shut abruptly, ¡°political troubles. I¡¯m sure you can understand.¡±


    ¡°Silthia has not seen Merfolk for a hundred years.¡± Alanis frowned, ¡°and suddenly hundreds of their soldiers wash ashore ¨C and you, decked in finery and gold, speaking our language perfectly? I just simply don¡¯t understand.¡±


    Cassiel closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the lounge. ¡°It pains me to recall; I would rather not.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what happened to the Kingdom of Alathia after the separation?¡±


    ¡°If you are worried of impending danger, you need not. They will not come ashore, your Grace.¡±


    Your Grace.


    He had not called her by name. Alanis narrowed her eyes. ¡°Cassiel, I seek the truth.¡±


    ¡°The truth will find you.¡± He muttered idly, ¡°but not today. And not tomorrow. It¡¯s too soon.¡±


    ¡°Soon for what?¡±


    ¡°I overheard your servants discussing a rather important event, do not think you can hide that.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°A visit to the Prince of Ecasia.¡± Cassiel opened his eyes lazily to gaze at her, ¡°quite the charmer; I¡¯ve heard.¡±


    ¡°The celebration has not been fully confirmed.¡±


    ¡°The servants are preparing the carriages as we speak.¡±


    Alanis pulled her knees to her chest, staring deeply into the ochre fire. ¡°We wait for the ravens to confirm departure.¡±


    ¡°You do not sound very pleased.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She pursed her lips, ¡°my father, the King believes it time for my betrothal.¡±


    ¡°A betrothal, how interesting.¡±


    ¡°A betrothal indeed.¡± She whispered.


    ¡°You do not sound very pleased about that either.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of him. The servants are not lacking in gossip.¡±


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°Then you know what he has done; and what he will do to me.¡±


    ¡°I have.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s a bit ridiculous of me to prefer being locked up in a tower to being treated like a whore.¡± She spat bitterly, ¡°a princess must do her duty after all.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he will not take a liking to you.¡±


    ¡°Every prince has taken a liking to me; a na?ve daughter of the King, who wouldn¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Na?ve daughter of the king.¡± Cassiel repeated slowly, ¡°gorgeous as the sun, but with a mind of childish pleasures. Certainly, the most gullible of them all¡­¡±


    She glared at him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that,¡± he smiled softly, ¡°don¡¯t you see? Your demeanor will enamour them, and you will take their minds hostage.¡±


    ¡°Tthat¡¯s absurd. I am not capable o-¡±


    ¡°Shh.¡± Cassiel shook his head in bemusement, ¡°you will be Queen one day, Alanis. Might as well learn the game now.¡±


    ***


    The ravens came at a quarter past midnight, confirming the location and date of arrival ¨C with instructions for Alanis to bring the ¡®creature of the sea¡¯ with her. The court wished to see it for themselves, to confirm its existence; so, they claimed.


    So, at one in the morning, when the tide had let out enough for the rocky path to be exposed, twelve carriages left from Silthia, crossing the narrow bridge to the inland. At the head of each carriage, were two black mares, with soldiers of gold bearing the flag of Silthia.


    The carriages themselves were intricately carved from mahogany. The rims of the doors made of tungsten and iron; the interiors lined with velvet; soft and inviting for a late-night journey along the barren clifftops.


    Alanis occupied the first of the carriages, accompanied by Daphne ¨C the youngest of her maidens ¨C and Cassiel, for she did not trust the servants.


    Daphne soon succumbed to sleep, and with her mistress¡¯ permission, laid out on opposite the lounge to rest. Alanis remained with Cassiel on the other; thoughts of the celebrations whispering in her mind like a restless torrent of wind.


    ¡°Don¡¯t fear.¡± Cassiel whispered, throwing his cloak around her shoulders as she trembled in the dark, ¡°your people have carried my sword with them.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t just stab someone, Cassiel.¡± She whispered back, ¡°especially not a prince.¡±


    ¡°I will do whatever pleases you, Alanis.¡±


    ¡°It would please me to not start a war, thank you very much.¡±


    ¡°Accidents do happen, and I heard the prince has a fine taste for wine.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t simply blame his death on drunkenness. It¡¯s too coincidental to my arrival. And yours.¡±


    ¡°Will not most of the King¡¯s court be in attendance?¡±


    ¡°I am not planning on his demise, Cassiel. Nor should you.¡± She leaned her head against the window, watching as the crescent moon rode alongside the carriages.


    It was too dark to make out the craggy clifftops, but the hiss of the wind and the wailing of seagulls permeated the air, and she knew they had much further to go before the path carved inland, towards Ecasia.


    ¡°It would not be moral, after all, to kill a man.¡± Cassiel mused, ¡°I suppose you are right. Much rather you would suffer a life of torment under the guise of duty and morality.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Replied Alanis bitterly, ¡°yes, I would.¡±


    They spoke little for the rest of the journey. Alanis drifted often into a light sleep as Cassiel remained awake; ever watching the stars pass by through the narrow window.


    It was at the break of dawn, when the horses drew to a pause outside a village. In the distance, snow capped mountains spread ahead of them, and a chill wind tugged at the golden banners of Silthia which hung from the back of every horse.


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    The pause was at request of Alanis, who claimed she could not bear to sit idly, sleeping or otherwise, in a carriage for more than a few hours at a time.


    And indeed, as soon as the horses had slowed to a halt, the door of her carriage was opened by guards. At once she was off, skirts in hand, sprinting through the meadow of wildflowers.


    None bothered to chase her; there was nowhere for her to run, and escape was not her intention. She fell, breathless, into the flowers, and stared up at the amaranthine sky as the first tendrils of sun crept over the mountain tops.


    The entrancing scent of violets, of lilies and lavender elicited memories of another time; a time when her mother was still alive. A time when she was still permitted to live at court, and her mother would order the servants to pack flowers under the wool rugs to mask the smells of the palace, and of the plague.


    Once the betrothal with the Prince of Ecasia had been settled, the arrangements for marriage would be begin. She would be allowed back at court once more. She would see her brother again. And she could finally visit her mother¡¯s grave.


    ¡°Your grace!¡± Called out a breathy voice, and Alanis sat up slowly, leaning on her elbows, to see Daphne jumping across the flower field towards her, ¡°your grace, they want to continue on so we will arrive by nightfall.¡±


    With a sigh, Alanis struggled to her feet, and meeting Daphne halfway they turned back to the encampment of soldiers and carriages to continue the tedious journey.


    ***


    The Silthian carriages halted outside the sandstone walls of the palace, waiting as iron gates grated open, and a vast array of fine cladden young servants filed out.


    They surrounded the carriages, and seizing the horses from the guards, escorted the entourage into the depths of the palace where the court resided.


    The prince of Ecasia was a generous host, and in honour of Alanis¡¯ arrival, kindly skinned and flayed eighteen of his servants and had them displayed in cages along the inside of the walls. Eighteen servants, one life for each year of Alanis¡¯.


    She could not bring herself to peer out the window of the carriage as they passed the bodies. Pools of blood shimmered beneath the cages, the smell of it still fresh. Alanis buried her face in her shawl, and feigned tiredness. Her stomach roiled but she bit back on her tongue and stayed quiet, until at last they were past, and the grand entrance came into view.


    Stairs of slate grey rock ascended into the heavens, the base of it concealed by smog. It cast a looming shadow over the carriages, and the height of it blotted out the moon so that darkness consumed them. The palace itself was set up into the clouds, with the highest tower stretching its gnarled peak to brush the stars.


    The door to her carriage was tugged open, and two butlers in suits of black offered her their gloved hands. Alanis accepted gingerly and was led to the base of the steps; Cassiel and Daphne behind.


    From amidst the smog, a desolate figure emerged on the stairs, shorter in most regards, to all who surrounded him, but with a demeanor as furious and wicked that what he lacked in physicality, he made up for in terror.


    ¡°Good evening, your Grace.¡± Said the prince of Ecasia with a tone so dead she felt as if a corpse addressed her.


    His eyes were equally as dead, resembling lumps of coal more than anything else. His skin was pale and cakey, as if physicians had smeared chalk over his complexion to mask boils or other revolting afflictions. Simply by being in his presence, Alanis felt just as sickly as he looked.


    ¡°Good evening, my Lord.¡± She returned and hastily averted her eyes.


    He remained on the last of the stairs, so that he was slightly above her, and so that she could see the hilt of his sword peeking out under his cape.


    ¡°I see you have brought many of your entertainers with.¡± He pointed a lithe finger at the servants behind her, but hesitated and dropped his hand. ¡°And you have brought a man unlike them too. A lover?¡±


    Alanis scoffed, ¡°my specimen from the sea.¡±


    ¡°That is no fish.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Curious.¡± The prince paused, then gestured for his servants, ¡°bind this creature and bring him in. The court will be¡­ecstatic.¡±


    ¡°He belongs to me.¡± Alanis cut in, ¡°he shall not be bound.¡±


    ¡°You stand on my ground, princess. He shall be bound, and at once.¡±


    The servants snapped into motion, seizing Cassiel and snaking chains around his wrists. He stood motionless all the while and accepted his fate with patience; even followed them calmly when they tugged him up the stairs.


    The prince turned with them, lingering behind slightly while climbing the stairs, as if expecting Alanis to accompany him.


    Gritting her teeth, Alanis hurried after the prince, joining him in step as they ascended to the palace in the skies.


    ¡°What a lovely thing to do, to steal away my specimen.¡± She snapped irritably, ¡°I hope you drown in wastewater; you withered old rag.¡±


    The prince did not even break stride, and even had the audacity to sneer at her outrage. ¡°Yes, you in that tight dress and dainty slippers strike fear into my heart. You frighten no one. That creature shall belong to the court, and to me. But I shall permit you to have it in the evenings.¡±


    If she thought she felt sick before, it was nearly unbearable now. Her own servants were terrible enough but forsaking Cassiel to the hands of the prince¡¯s household would certainly be the end of him.


    ¡°How gracious, my Lord. Would it be possible to have him mornings as well?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me sew your lips shut.¡± The prince hissed, ¡°contest me again and I will.¡±


    Alanis suppressed a stinging retort, reckoning that any words she uttered would be wielded against her regardless of their wit.


    Thankfully, they had reached the top of the stairs. A grey marble balcony stretched around the base of the castle and glittered in the torch light of the guards. Chandeliers of candles hung from the archway into the palace, and from the domed ceiling inside, but the darkness was heavy, and the light did little to pierce it.


    Two curved pillars supported an archway into the blackened stones, and a rug, intricately woven with silver and gold threads, unraveled a path before them.


    Cassiel, along with Daphne and the rest of the servants, at command of the prince, were led in the opposite direction, further along the balcony, to the other side of the palace, much to Alanis¡¯ dismay.


    ¡°Come along, princess.¡± The prince held out his arm to her, as if she were intended to take it.


    Alanis stared for a moment, and then conceded, and linked her arm through his despite the worsening of her newly acquired illness from his hideous complexion, and the clenching of her stomach.


    Their footsteps were soft against the rug. The further they progressed into the depths the palace, the thicker the silence became, so that even his cloying voice was welcome to her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories of you.¡± He said presently. ¡°The delicate flower of Silthia.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ve heard stories of you; the thorn in the King¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°I am a thorn in everyone¡¯s side.¡±


    ¡°I would not contest it.¡±


    The prince grunted and turned sharply to the left. Another hall, longer than the last appeared before them. Tapestries depicting battle scenes and the wars of heaven stretched along the stone walls, glowing ethereal in the torches set above them. The guards followed behind at a distance; always at a distance.


    A set of mahogany doors, taller than several man, grew ever closer, and creaked open as the prince reached them.


    Boisterous voices from the other side hushed to murmurs as Alanis entered. It was a dining hall, with a banquet table filled to the brim with pastries, roasted peacocks, black bird pies, cooked swine, cakes, and other delicacies.


    At the table, were seated all the members of the court, staring at her with narrowed eyes and sneers. Their clothing was pompous, and laden with shimmering gems and feathers. Their faces were coated in several layers of blush, and the women¡¯s hair was done up so ridiculously that it appeared twice as large as their heads.


    ¡°Ah, she has arrived.¡± Said a gruff voice, and Alanis stiffened. The king sat at the head of the banquet table, in a throne of steel and iron. His hair was faded and stringy, and a cape of violet was pulled around his body to hide his barrel of a stomach. ¡°Bring her here, Lukyan.¡±


    The prince grabbed her arm, pulling her roughly around the table to the King.


    ¡°Alanis, my¡­¡± The king sucked in a breath, ¡°you look more like your mother than I recall.¡±


    Alanis bowed her head in silence; hands clasped humbly in front of her.


    ¡°Sit with us my dear, sit, sit.¡± The king gestured towards one of the courtiers next to him, and the man scrambled to his feet, pulling his chair out for Alanis to take his place.


    She slid onto the velvet seat gracefully, mindful of her skirts catching on the gargoyles that choked the table legs.


    The prince of Ecasia, Lukyan, displaced another noble and took a seat across from her.


    ¡°How are you finding the isles, daughter?¡± The king said through a mouthful of boar meat.


    ¡°Lovely. The views are spectacular.¡±


    ¡°You find exile lovely?¡± The king let out a loud guffaw, and there was a brief silence as the court turned to look at them, ¡°don¡¯t lie to me, girl.¡±


    Luykan cut in before Alanis could speak, ¡°I believe she speaks the truth. It appears Alanis of mercy has bestowed her grace upon a creature of the sea.¡±


    At this, the king perked up, and dropped his fork onto his plate with a clatter, ¡°a creature of the sea?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I confiscated it from the princess earlier.¡±


    ¡°And it lives on land?¡±


    Alanis felt beads of sweat trickle down her neck. How long would it be before the king took an interest in Cassiel and stole him away?


    How long before the court broke into madness for a chance to touch this mythical creature? She alone could not stop them.


    ¡°Indeed, it has the likeness of a man.¡± Lukyan smirked.


    The king snapped his fingers, and two guards standing by the arched windows strode forwards. ¡°Bring this creature to me.¡±


    The guards nodded, and disappeared beyond the iron doors, reemerging a few minutes later with Cassiel between them, his wrists still bound by chains.


    ¡°This is the creature?¡± The king demanded, standing up from his throne as the guards forced Cassiel to his knees.


    At once, the court fell into silence, and the eyes of the courtiers shifted to Cassiel as he knelt before the king, golden locks spilling over his shoulders, and eyes downcast.


    Lukyan rose also, casting a wicked glance at Alanis, ¡°yes, splendid creature, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Magnificent.¡±


    There were murmurings from the court, and Alanis crossed over to the king¡¯s side, her footsteps shaky and light on the stones.


    ¡°He had other belongings with him, of gold and silver and gemstones.¡± She said, ¡°would it please the king to see?¡±


    ¡°Later. I wish to see it sing.¡± The king waved for the guards to lift the creature up. ¡°Does it speak our language?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± Alanis muttered.


    ¡°Good. Then,¡± the king pointed a sausage finger at the creature, ¡°sing for us.¡±


    Cassiel retained a steadfast demeanor despite the situation, and at the king¡¯s request, he dared to speak, ¡°it would not be wise, your majesty.¡±


    ¡°Wise or not, it shall sing.¡± Snapped Lukyan, and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword, ¡°or it shall never speak again.¡±


    Alanis turned in dread to the king, but it was pointless to argue. With both Lukyan and the king encouraging each other to force the creature into submission, they would have their way regardless of what she said.


    A glance back at Cassiel proved he was calmer than she, and they locked eyes for a moment. If she had not been watching him, she might have missed him wink at her. But it was quicker than a flash of lightning, and then he was facing the king again.


    ¡°If your majesty wishes me to sing ¨C I shall.¡± Cassiel bowed his head deeply, ¡°but I ask that the women be removed. The mysteries of the sea are not for lesser ears.¡±


    A loud cackle erupted from the king, blustering and sharp. Lukyan joined in also and the noble men too until nearly the whole table was a roaring sea of laughter.


    ¡°Ah, the princess has been slighted by her own lover.¡± The king wheezed when the noise subsided, and placing a thick hand on her shoulder, he pushed her towards the doors. ¡°You, and the rest of the noble women; be gone.¡±


    There was a shuffling around the table, as the noble women clambered from their seats, their layered skirts swishing across the stones as they made for the doors.


    Alanis obeyed, and clasping her hands humbly in front of her, departed from the banquet hall. The guards lingering outside escorted her through the narrow passages of tapestry covered walls, into the depths of the labyrinthine palace.


    They led her to a room set in the depths of the structure. Within, was a single bed against a bare wall, a small vanity table, a large window overlooking the valleys shrouded by night, and a rough wool carpet, well worn out over the years. Her portmanteau was left in the centre of the room, untouched.


    It was not a prison cell, but Alanis certainly felt it was a message from the king. And when the guards turned to leave, and the doors slammed shut, she was certain she heard the clinking of keys in the lock.


    With a resounding sigh, she settled in for the night, and awaited the return of morning, and her man of the sea.

 8.

    A knock on the door echoed in the darkness, stirring Alanis from her sleep. Hushed whispers emanated from outside, and the brief flickering of a torch under the door.


    The door swung open as she scrambled to her feet. Two guards stood in the of the corridor, bathed in the light of their flaming torches. Between them they held the arms of a third man. His head was hung low, masses of golden curls cascading down his shoulders and arms.


    ¡°The creature of the sea.¡± Scoffed the first guard and thrust Cassiel to the stone floor. Alanis dove forward in time to catch him before he stuck the ground. The side of his face was streaked with blood, and from what she could tell the sleeve of his robe was torn.


    The guards slammed the door, and the thunder of bolts sliding into place reverberated in the chamber.


    ¡°What have they done to you?¡± Alanis whispered, easing Cassiel to his feet so she could lead him to the side of the bed.


    A crimson gash ran down his cheek and the side of his neck. His clothes were torn as if he had been in a fight, and his arms were covered in pink scratches.


    ¡°It appears¡­¡± he muttered, ¡°that they did not appreciate my singing very much.¡±


    Alanis sat next to him on the bed, running her fingers along his cheekbones carefully, her eyes tracing the red marks on his skin. ¡°Who struck you?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult to say.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± She exclaimed, ¡°who did this to you, Cassiel? Tell me at once!¡±


    ¡°Let us simply say¡­that I have had my retribution, and you need not interfere.¡±


    Alanis frowned and reached to touch the cuts on his arm. The words of aged magic were on her lips, but before she could speak them, Cassiel took her hands in his own.


    ¡°Do not.¡± He said quietly, ¡°do not heal me, darling. Your talent ought to remain a secret.¡±


    ¡°I am the princess of Silthia; I shall do as I please!¡±


    ¡°I thought it pleased you not to start a war?¡± Cassiel murmured, ¡°if they discover your talent, rest assured, there will be war. A princess does not simply acquire magic that has been lost for centuries.¡±


    Alanis reluctantly pulled her hands back to her lap.


    Now it was his turn to run his fingers over her cheek, ¡°I thank you, Alanis. You are truly kind to me; like no other. But we must focus on greater things than temporary pain. The court is in your hands now, I assure you.¡±


    ¡°They detest me, and they detest you. I do not know what I shall do.¡±


    Cassiel kicked off his boots, and crawled next to her on the wool blankets. ¡°You shall rest.¡±


    ¡°Rest does me no good. It only delays the inevitable.¡±


    ¡°And what is that, Alanis?¡± Cassiel leaned close to brush a stand of hair from out of her face. His soft eyes; seas of beryl and indigo, sunk deeper into her soul with every passing second. She almost felt it was pointless to respond; could he not see her inner thoughts already?


    ¡°Death.¡± She whispered, ¡°death is the only inevitable thing.¡±


    ¡°You know that¡¯s not what we are speaking of.¡±


    ¡°Tell me, then.¡±


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    ¡°Do you really think I am a common fish of the sea?¡± A smirk tugged at his lips, ¡°tell me, do you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? I know you are not a fish.¡±


    ¡°What of my sword, Alanis. Tell me, where is it from?¡±


    She blinked, and her brows furrowed in confusion. ¡°Cassiel, why do you mince words with me? You are from the sea. A soldier. From Alathia? I assumed you are from the lost merfolk of Alathia.¡±


    A long, wicked smile swept over his face, ¡°not only a soldier. And we are not merfolk.¡±


    Their closeness was suddenly too close, and Alanis sat up. ¡°What are you?¡±


    Cassiel closed his eyes, lifting his arms above his head to brush against the pillows as he stretched slowly on the bed. His golden curls spread around him like a pool, and his robe shifted enough that she could a glimpse of his abdomen, and his eyes flicked open, catching her gaze.


    ¡°Your remind me of the moon, Alanis.¡± He spoke in a low sing-song voice, a whisper, a murmur; a lullaby. There was something entrancing in his eyes; they shimmered in the dark like silver coins. ¡°When the tides return to the sea, we crawl to the shores and there we find ponds of silver and gold, glowing in the light of the stars, and the crescent moon above. It is beautiful, we worship it. I worship you.¡±


    His voice was piercingly sweet, and with every word her skin prickled. The words spiralled around her head in a low tune, a hum, a melody so entrancing she was unable to turn away ¨C she didn¡¯t want to.


    ¡°What are you doing to me?¡± Alanis hissed breathlessly; and her hand flew to her heart and found it beating rapidly against her fingertips.


    ¡°You remind me of a pearl.¡± Cassiel rose slowly from the sheets, leaning towards her. She felt her back press against the wall at the head of the bed. ¡°A jewel of the ocean, and of the land. Beautiful like no other.¡±


    His lips brushed her neck briefly, but then he pulled away as if crossing an unspoken line, and instead his breath drifted up her neck, up her jawline, until his breathy words tickled her ear, ¡°should I kiss you I would not be ashamed of it.¡±


    His face was before hers, his body hovering above hers, trapping her without a touch. She was staring into the eyes of another creature. And this creature was ravenous.


    ¡°Cassiel¡­¡± At that moment she knew that if he kissed her, she would be helpless to it. Her body yearned for his touch; her mind was a whirlwind of desire and confusion, and him.


    Cassiel smiled. Two rows of sharp, ivory teeth. Wicked, and dangerous.


    Then it was gone. She blinked, and the trance was gone. The desire was gone. Alanis fell shaking into his arms.


    ¡°There, there.¡± He embraced her warmly, a hand on the back of her head, and the other around her waist. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to frighten you.¡±


    ¡°What did you do to me?¡± She wailed.


    Cassiel sighed and buried his face in her hair, ¡°a little trick of mine.¡±


    She pushed him away with a rasping breath and smoothed her hair, ¡°you tried to seduce me, Cassiel! What is wrong with you?¡±


    Cassiel blinked lazily at her, and fell onto the pillows, making himself comfortable before looking back up at her, ¡°I owe you my life, Alanis. I am yours. I would not seduce you unless you wish me to. I¡­I thought it would be best to show you what I am.¡±


    ¡°A seducer!¡±


    ¡°A siren.¡± He murmured with a smile, ¡°so, yes, I suppose you are right.¡±


    ¡°A siren.¡± Alanis echoed quietly, ¡°oh gods.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of me, Alanis.¡± He reached to take her hand in his own again, ¡°I wanted you to see, so that you understand what I have done to the court.¡±


    ¡°You-¡± her voice caught in her throat, ¡°you did¡­what?¡±


    He turned his gaze to the ceiling, ¡°they are in your hands now, Alanis of Mercy, just as I am.¡±


    ¡°No, you can not do that for me.¡± A new feeling overwhelmed her, she felt ill, desperately ill. ¡°You did not let them touch you. No.¡±


    He eyed her from the side, ¡°that is a privilege only you hold. But they did try.¡±


    ¡°Is that why¡­¡± Her fingers traced next to the wound on his cheeks, and the gashes on his exposed arm. Cassiel didn¡¯t stop her.


    ¡°Yes.¡± His voice was quiet; he seemed caught up in her touch to do little else but watch her fingers dance over his skin.


    ¡°Let me heal you; just a little. You¡¯ve already done so much for me.¡± She pleaded.


    ¡°Alanis, you tempt me too much.¡±


    ¡°I shall not have you bleed on my bedsheets.¡±


    Cassiel winced, ¡°do as you wish. But know I advised against it¡±


    Having received his permission, at once Alanis whispered the words of old. A lightness in her chest swelled, and a small light came out of her mouth and landed on Cassiel¡¯s arm. It crawled upwards over his arm, transforming the red streaks back into the alabaster tone of his skin.


    He squirmed slightly, but made no sound, and once he was made well, Alanis spoke a second word and the light retracted, leaving the gash on his cheek untouched.


    ¡°There. I have left the obvious mark. There ought to be no suspicion.¡±


    ¡°Now let us sleep.¡± Cassiel leaned forwards, gathering the blanket from the end of the bed and pulling it over Alanis, and then himself.


    ¡°I hate this place.¡± She whispered, letting Cassiel tuck the blanket around her, ¡°I hate it. I hate it all. When I am queen, I shall never sleep in a dungeon like this again.¡±


    Cassiel smiled, and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, ¡°I will make sure of it. Now sleep, my darling. Tomorrow, you have kingdoms to conquer.¡±