From the Depths
Call me Ren.

It had been two days since Henry had found out about the King’s new pet. Together they had been taking care of the Siren, though much to Henry’s dismay. He never left her alone in the cavern again after the incident where she had been pulled under. Consistently stopping her from going in any deeper than the swallows of the pool. It was honestly making her rather frustrated with him.

The Siren seemed to be studying her as much as she was him, and she wanted to get closer, to examine him, to know him. The scientist in her taking over very nearly completely.

“You know we will need to go into the water to clean the rocks of algae growth soon. It’s unavoidable.” She stated.

During the day it was hard to tell they were inside a cave, the mages had done wonders with the enchantment that made the area have an artificial sky. The water wheel they had made splashed water in the distance, the sound echoing lightly through the cavern. Henry’s eyes darted to the sudden sound then back to her, he always seemed on edge inside the cavern. However for her, it was different, she felt alive down here away from the castle and Lord Haith.

“If he truly wanted to eat us we would be dead by now, the legends of the siren song say that nobody can resist.” She added when he didn’t respond.

His head snapped toward her. “Not true, the women on board claim to not be affected when the men are, maybe it’s a gender thing. So I’m not in danger but you are!”

She rolled her eyes at him. “I can’t do my work from the edge any longer. I will have the King kick you out if I must!”

His eyes narrowed on her, the look he gave her only reminded her that they were not friends. “Fine, but don’t expect me to drive in again after you again!” He hissed before turning on his heels and heading outside.

They had been arguing for hours, his antics stopping her from working the way she wanted. Thankfully he seemed to understand that she at least needed to feed the siren. But still, she’d clearly upset him, honestly, she didn’t care. Pulling her dress off, she was already wearing her swimming gear underneath. As she stepped into the water the Siren swam to the surface popping his head above the water line. He was always eager to meet her at the water’s edge.

“Good afternoon!” She began as she walked deeper into the pool.

He lifted his head higher from the water before replying. “Afternoon.”

“You don’t like Henry either huh?” She half laughed. He never made a point to be close to the surface when the Knight was around.

“He hurt you intentionally, I dislike him.”

Her eyes widened, he was already speaking in sentences. Incredible. She plopped herself down on the edge of the shallows.

“You lied again.” With a kick of his tail, he swam closer to her, hovering at the water’s surface before her with his head slightly tilted so that he looked up at her.

“How so?” She asked.

“The algae will take much longer in this large of an area to be a problem.”

She laughed. “True, but Henry doesn’t need to know that.”

“Why?” He asked blinking his eyes at her a little too frequently than one normally would.

“I guess, I wanted to be closer to you.” She responded honestly. “Your mere existence fascinates me, I want to learn more about you.”

“Me?” He was so close now. He’d moved forward placing his hands on the ledge, his palms resting on either side of her legs, pushing himself up and out of the water. This had him hoisting himself out of the water, making them almost at eye level with one another.

She remained completely calm and still as he invaded her personal space. She watched as he blinked, it was quite unusual for him to have eyelids, all marine life forms didn’t need to blink underwater. So why did he have such a human feature?

“Yes, you.” She reached up. He flinched back slightly but didn’t move away. Her hand gently moved the wet strands of hair that were slicked to his face causing his eyes to blink rapidly. His eyes followed her movements very carefully.

“Do you not fear me?” He asked.

“I should be asking you that question.” She laughed and shook her head. “I don’t fear you, no. Maybe a little cautious of the spikes and spines you have, but not fearful of you."

He looked over his shoulder, the spines started only as small bumps along his spine, spreading down his back and turning to larger spikes down his tail.

“You should, the man is incorrect. The females only choose to go after the men on a ship for breeding practice.” He stated.

“Practice?” She asked slightly shocked.

“I unintentionally enchanted you, I will be more careful.” He sank lower into the water, the strain on his arms too much to keep holding himself elevated for so long. But he remained in place somewhat straddling her limbs between his arms as he looked up at her again.

Kirea was taken aback, she had thought as much but to have him admit it was interesting. “You mean when Henry pulled me from the water?”

He looked down at the water and nodded as though ashamed. “Not just our voices are used, our eyes are special, but I was never trained...” He trailed off.

“It’s okay, I can tell you didn’t mean it. So... Sirens don’t eat humans?” She asked.

He scrunched up his face as though disgusted. “No, it tastes bad. Fish is better.”

She laughed. “Then I will continue to bring you fish as food.”

He nodded. “Thank you.”

“I’m sorry... I can’t help you escape.” She saddened. “But I promise to do everything I can to make your stay here comfortable. You can ask me for anything and I will try my best to get it for you.”

“I don’t wish to leave.”

She frowned. “You don’t?”

He shook his head not giving an explanation. Confused she wasn’t sure what else to say.

“I am comfortable here..” He paused for a moment. “Come back after dark and I will show you.” He offered.

Normally she would leave at sunset and head up to the castle to make her reports, as per the King’s orders, before heading to bed. The next morning she would wake up early and head for the fish market. She needed to be quick to get the larger live fish that was for sale.

“I’m not really allowed out of the castle at night, since Henry has to see to his men in the evenings.” She pondered to herself. “You’re making me break all sorts of rules.”

“You will not come?” He asked mildly disappointed.

“I’ll sneak out, I’ll be here.” She smiled and let out a small laugh as he beamed with joy.

As if on cue with her scheming plans Henry entered the cavern. He narrowed his eyes on the two who were still awfully close. “We should head back up for Lunch soon.”

Kirea sighed. “I told you we should have packed a lunch to go.”

“The merman looks fine to me, why don’t you just tell the King he’s perfectly healthy already!”

“Why don’t you?” The siren spoke in a questioning tone causing their arguing to stop.

Henry looked at the water shocked. “It can talk?”

“Yes, he’s quite intelligent, as I’ve been trying to tell you for days now.” She urged. “He just doesn’t like talking around you.” Kirea gasped as the siren gripped her sides and placed his tilted head on her knees, his face half submerged under the water. She watched as Henry’s face grew red with rage.

"You’re doing that on purpose you sly siren". She whispered. She knew he had heard her when she felt his cheek move on her bare skin, she imagined he was grinning.

“Don’t touch her!” Henry’s hands balled into fists.

The Siren lifted his head up, resting his chin on her knees so he could look up at Kirea. “I like it here, you helped me to breathe like this, it’s comforting.”

She couldn’t help but smile down at him, her head reaching to rest on his now-damp hair. “I don’t mind at all.”

Henry let out a frustrated scream before kicking at the water’s edge.

“He is not your mate is he?” The siren raised a brow at her.

She laughed a little too hard at that. “Heaven’s no, never!”

“What does he mean by mate?” Henry called from away.

“A mate is what a sexual partner would be for animals and such.” She explained.

“I only ask because he seems protective of you.” The siren let her go and sank back deeper into the cavern’s pool.

“That’s his job, he is a knight.” She pushed herself up to stand, the swallow waters coming up to just above her calves.

The Siren disappeared under the waters since it was clear that she was leaving.

“Woman, you will be the death of me! If not by the King’s hands, from pure stress.” Henry threw her dress to her.

“Kirea...” The siren’s voice had her spinning on the spot. He’d popped his head above the water again. “Rendrick, that’s my name. It’s what the others called me. But Ren is fine.” And then he was gone.

Sighing she dressed and exited the cave with Henry, extremely disappointed that she had not been able to swim with the siren- Ren yet again.