Page 4 of Of Song and Darkness
My father’s face softened as he met my eyes. “There’s nothing I can do.” As his words took root, a sudden burst of coldness expanded in my core.
I blinked at him a few times, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. When my gaze rose to meet his again, he continued, “There’s nothing I can do, Rhea. I have tried. Not even my trident fazed the Dark Water.” My hope sank like a ship going down in a storm. He knew all along that Dark Water was real. “That’s why I have been so tight-lipped on the matter. It cannot be stopped. I didn’t want everyone living with the fear of knowing that we would all die soon. It’s your responsibility now to hold your head high and continue on as if nothing is wrong—to uphold morale.”
“Nothing can be done…” I repeated, my mind struggling to fully grasp his words.
“Rhea.” He gripped my shoulders and lightly shook me to gain my attention. “You have to be strong. As the Princess of Aquarius, it is your responsibility to shoulder the burden of the people so they don’t have to. I don’t want anyone else to know about this. I tried to protect you as well, but you are so stubborn.” His eyes reflected his unspoken emotions, and I knew his words were true. He inhaled a sharp breath. “If only…”
“If only what, Father?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry you learned of this on the night of your betrothal celebration. I wanted you and the rest of the kingdom to have something to look forward to.” He turned to leave again as I idly floated in the current.
There was something he wasn’t telling me. I felt it. He might be more mature than me, but I would not accept a doomed fate and simply belly up and die. I glanced at his retreating back and swallowed past the dryness in my throat. Sirens could not be swayed by another’s song, yet I had discovered years ago that my song held unusual power. I had carefully guarded this secret, keeping it hidden from all. But now, if I were to uncover the truths my father was so unwilling to share, I had no choice but to take the risk.
My lips parted, and my siren’s melody filled the dimly lit hallway. As my father turned, his eyes immediately clouded with enchantment. I couldn’t predict his reaction if he uncovered my actions, as I was breaking sacred siren laws just by attempting to influence another of our kind.
I held my breath, praying that my deceit would be worth the risk and he would answer me. “Tell me everything you know about stopping Dark Water.”
Confusion washed over his face, and I could tell he was trying to fight my melody, but then the words tumbled from his lips. “There is a rumor about a locket around the neck of a gorgon. It contains a piece of Poseidon’s heart. With it, there might be a small chance of stopping Dark Water.”
Hope dared to flare in my chest at my father’s words. Could it be possible? Was a small piece of Poseidon still in this world? “Where?” I could barely contain the urgency in my voice.
“Eel Cavern. The sea witch, she is the only one who might know where to find it. She knows more about the upper world than anyone I know.”
His response sent a chill coursing through me and ignited my curiosity. The legends painted the sea witch as the epitome of evil. Her dark magic was both forbidden and feared. In truth, I wasn’t entirely convinced of her existence, until now.
“She’s real?”
I did not realize I had spoken the words aloud until my father spoke. “She’s very real and dangerous. I banished her from the kingdom for practicing forbidden sorcery before you were born.”
I wanted to know more, but his hazy eyes were becoming clearer and I knew I was running out of time. I had the information I needed anyway. As my siren song gradually subsided, my father blinked several times until his eyes regained clarity. Once I was sure he was back to his usual self, I lightly brushed a kiss on his cheek and started off toward Eel Cavern before anyone realized I was missing.
I managed to slip past the crowd and reach the gates without anyone noticing me. A quick glance over my shoulder revealed the looming figure of my father, engaged in conversation with his subjects, seemingly oblivious to my deceit. Anxious, I gnawed at my lower lip as I slipped through the gates. I watched the top of the imposing structure, careful not to let the guards see me.
“Where do you think you are going?” Dread gripped my stomach as I turned to see Meleea stalking from the shadows.
I rushed to her side, shoving her back inside the safety of Aquarius's walls. My heart raced, and I spoke in hushed urgency, "Eel Cavern. I have to stop Dark Water."
Meleea's eyes narrowed, a mixture of concern and disbelief flickering in their depths. "It’s not your responsibility to save everyone. It’s too dangerous.”
"I know," I interrupted, the weight of my choices pressing on me. "But I have to try.” With those words, I turned away, desperately hoping that she wouldn’t try to stop me.
The cool current hung heavy with uncertainty as I slipped beyond the city walls, leaving behind the safety of Aquarius. The looming threat of Dark Water echoed in my thoughts, a relentless hum urging me toward Eel Cavern.
As I drew nearer to Eel Cavern, the ocean's chill seemed to intensify. A shiver coursed down my spine, extending to the tips of my fins. At that moment, I couldn't tell whether it was caused by the icy embrace of the water or the apprehension of encountering the sea witch. It was likely a potent mixture of both. My heart banged loudly against my ribcage at the mere thought of defying yet another of my father’s rules, but what did it matter? I had already broken the most sacred law of the sirens. How much more trouble could I be in by going to parlay with a sea witch?
The lush, vibrant vegetation gradually surrendered to a grim terrain of jagged rocks and menacing boulders. The waters grew somber, as if the sun itself refused to cast its light upon this forsaken part of the sea. My certainty in being on the right path deepened as eels cautiously emerged from the rocky crevices, their dagger-like teeth gleaming menacingly. As much as I tried to avert my attention from them, I couldn’t help but be drawn to their disturbing presence, their beady black eyes fixated on my passage.
Finally, I came upon the entrance of a colossal cave, an unmistakable sign that I had arrived at my destination. I drew in a deep breath, attempting to summon the remnants of my courage before daring to enter its dark maw.
“Hello?” My voice shook as I was swallowed by the cave’s darkness.
A sudden movement to my left caused a tight constriction in my chest.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, princess?” a voice called from behind me.
Terror crept up my fins. The speaker had stealthily approached from behind, effectively cutting off my escape route. Summoning a deep breath, I slowly pivoted, my eyes fixing on a silhouette drifting through the murky water. The dim light failed to unveil any details.
“How do you know who I am?” I asked as the being drifted closer to me.