Page 4

He is different

After the Decree of the Seven Seas, a fragile peace settled over the ocean, but not all sirens remained bound by its rules.

From among them rose those born with rare gifts, souls stirred by curiosity and forbidden longing. Some crossed the sea’s edge, drawn to the world of men.

The scrolls speak of one, a siren who fell in love with a mortal. She left her kind, forsaking the sea to walk beside him. From their union came the first hybrid.

Neither fully siren nor human, these beings possessed the strength of both worlds, near-immortal, swift, powerful beyond measure. Feared by some, revered by others, their existence threatened the balance the Elders fought to preserve.

But prophecy whispered of one who would change everything.

“When a hybrid, born of sea and land, sets foot upon Astralis, the world will tremble, and the kingdom will find its true ruler.”

Whether salvation or ruin follows… only time will tell.

And so, through currents and legend, the hybrids endure, symbols of forbidden love, untamed power, and a destiny yet to unfold.

* * *

Iryen

Aetheria council’s grand chamber, nestled deep in the royal, was as imposing as ever.

Towering pillars adorned with coral and aquatic flora stretched up towards the domed glass ceiling through which natural light filtered, casting shimmering rays across the chamber.

The ornate carvings on the arches and sculptures bore the marks of the kingdom’s lineage—my lineage, merging elegance with the natural beauty of the ocean.

Despite the grandeur, today the chamber felt different. A palpable tension overshadowed the usual serenity of the blue and green hues.

An unspoken unease permeated the water, its ripples touching the very pillars that had stood the test of time. Even the beauty of the surroundings, with hints of gold and bronze glinting off the decorations, couldn’t dispel the thick air of anticipation and apprehension that filled the chamber.

They sat in a semi-circle around the chamber, wore expressions ranging from skepticism to outright hostility.

The only gaze offering warmth and reassurance was my grandmother’s. Seated upon the throne that commanded all eyes, she radiated the timeless authority of our ancestors, her regal figure at the center of the raised dais like a beacon of unwavering strength.

The throne itself was a magnificent structure of dark polished wood, its high back elegantly arched and carved with tales of Aetheria, mythical creatures entwined with waves. Rich blue and gold fabric, plush yet authoritative, upholstered the wide seat, signifying its power.

Flanking its sides were elegant armrests shaped like mythical fins, while an ornate canopy draped in silks above mimicked the ocean waves, embroidered with celestial motifs that connected to the sea.

As I stood there, a wave of anxiety threatened to engulf me. The Queen’s voice, though softer than usual, held an undeniable authority as she began the meeting.

“I have summoned you to discuss urgent matters facing our kingdom. A man exploring the island stumble into the cave and fell into the Moon Pond tonight.”

The murmurs among the council erupted, growing louder with her words, a chorus of concern and speculation that echoed in the grand chamber.

“As you know,” Nerina continued, her gaze sweeping across the room, “Princess Iryen, along with Lady Elora and Lady Sienna, were performing the ritual tonight. They found him and immediately requested my presence.”

“Why wasn’t the cave shielded?” Thalor snapped, his tone dripping with menace. “Surely, Your Highness, you could have ensured a simple shield spell to fortify the barrier. Could you not?” He sneered at my title, contempt clear in his eyes.

I loathed him, always against me, perpetually looking me down.

“I’m quite capable, Lord Thalor,” I drawled his title, my voice steady. “And I assure you, the shields were in place.”

Queen Nerina raised her hand, demanding silence as Thalor was about to retort.

“Enough,” she said, her voice firm. “It doesn’t matter the reason. Only what we are going to do about it.” Her authoritative gaze lingered on Thalor, a clear signal to back down.

“We could drown him, you know,” Ithra’s voice dripped with malice, her eyes gleaming with wicked intent. “After all, we are sirens.”

“No!” The word bursts from me, louder than intended, as a strange, urgent protectiveness surges through my veins. “I mean… we’re not savages, Ithra. We don’t drown innocent humans, you know that.”

“Before anything, we must assess him. We all know the prophecy about hybrids diving into the Moon Pond under a full moon at Astralis. We need to determine if he’s just a human, then we proceed with releasing him.” Lady Thalia, ever composed, voiced the fears I couldn’t articulate.

What I’d do if he wasn’t just a human? But a hybrid and the solstice magic drew him to the moon pond? And if the barrier glitch wasn’t just a result of the Astralis?

The questions raced through my mind like a thunderstorm, chaotic and relentless, but I couldn’t afford to dwell on them now.

I need to focus, push aside the tempest of doubt and fear, at least until we knew more.

Time would answer the questions. Now, I needed to stay grounded and ready for whatever the council decided.

“But we also can’t leave him unsupervised or free,” Ithra interjected, her tone sharp and unwavering. “I still vote for drowning.”

Her insistence on drowning that beautiful man sent a chill down my spine, twisting my stomach in knots. How could she suggest such a thing? Losing him, taking his life without understanding his fate, felt unbearable.

Memories of the past flashed in my mind, bloodied hands reaching for me, a menacing smile twisting his lips. I pushed the horror down my throat, as I always did, forcing myself to return my focus to the meeting.

“We could let Princess Iryen be in charge of his containment. I’m sure she would appreciate being the one to confirm if the texts are accurate,” Thalor said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, draining my patience with every word.

My grandmother, as always, was quietly assessing all the suggestions before deciding. While I appreciated her careful consideration, the slowness gnawed at me, leaving a foreboding sense of unease.

“At the moment, we will keep him in a specially warded area of the cave to prevent any escape or interaction with the outside world. Two royal guards will remain stationed, one at the land entrance and the other at the submerged entrance.” Queen Nerina’s words were imposing, each syllable carrying authority, fitting for the ruler she was.

“Iryen,” she turned her gaze on me, sharp and unyielding, “you will oversee his containment and report your findings directly to me.”

My heart raced, thumping painfully against my chest as I bowed under her command. “Yes, my Queen.”

“You are all dismissed.” My grandmother cast me one last soft glance before leaving the chamber, her regal form retreating to the solitude of her quarters.

I knew this was the best outcome. The safety of our world depended on it. Yet, as I swam restlessly toward my chamber, my thoughts swirled in a whirlpool of worry and intrigue.

His powerful, muscular frame and his intense aura burned themselves into my memory.

There was something about him that deeply unsettled me, a force beneath the surface that made him feel more than just a mere human.

It was as if the very air around him crackled with untapped power, leaving me both intrigued and wary.

I reclined in the secluded tranquility of my private chamber. The luxurious drapes cascading from the shell-shaped canopy above my bed cocooned me in their embrace.

The room was a masterpiece of architecture, bathed in shades of blue and gold that mirroring the kingdom’s color. Soft, rich fabrics adorned my bed, their textures fluttering gently in the currents.

Tall, arched windows framed panoramic views of the azure depths, allowing shafts of natural light to filter through and dance across the sparkling marble floor.

The walls, encrusted with vibrant coral and swaying sea plants, pulsed with life, their colors more vivid under the glow of jellyfish-like chandeliers that floated above, casting a soft light.

Here, in my sanctuary, I found a momentary peace, a rare oasis where I could truly breathe. Yet, a gentle knock shattered the fragile calm of my escape.

“Come in.”

Elora and Sienna entered, their expressions heavy with concern, yanking me back to the reality I had desperately wished to avoid.

“Your highness we need to discuss what happened earlier,” Elora said, her voice low but laced with urgency.

I nodded, motioning for them to take a seat. “Yes, we need to. The council put me in charge of assessing the human, for now.” The memory of Thalor’s face as he suggested ignited a flare of anger within me.

“We know. Ronan and Kieran are his guards. My father instructed them to use their invisibility and stay out of sight.” Elora’s sneer at Ronan’s name cut through my mind. She despised him.

I vaguely understood their hatred for each other, but that doesn’t concern me now.

Her hatred for him formed when were teenagers, but that hatred amplified since he returned from his mission abroad early this year before the Astralis.

I haven’t had the chance to speak with her about it.

Between my royal duty and the upcoming coronation, I haven’t had the time. Now I need to handle this situation.

Sienna moved closer, her pale lavender eyes wide with wisdom, the moonlight casting an almost unearthly glow on her skin.

“My princess.” She whispered, her voice laced with enchantment that made the water around us still. “We can’t let any harm happen to him or we’ll face the goddess’ wrath. There’s something… He is different .”