Sirens Flames

Siren's Flames chapter 3

Charles

How could she even think of winning against Jarred. If she had just stayed with me then I could have convinced the council to let her be Queen. We could have ruled together. Even without a gift she exuded power. She never seemed to notice that my gift didn’t work on her. Jillian had told me that she had seen Lilly with a man not from our colony. Had she been cheating on me?!

Jillian said that she had watched Lilly walk past her place around ten. Why was she out so late unless she was going to go see him. I figured she would go to her favorite spot. That pond way out in the woods close to the border. But then why did she go by Jillian’s house? That was on the other side of the colony.

I decided to head for her pond. Maybe she was just out walking but she always went there to think. This time I would make her see reason. Clearly I was the only one who could rule by her side.

When I got to the pond she was standing naked with a naked man holding her wrist. Had she slept with him?! She seemed to be trying to leave. Maybe she needed me to help her. Then she would see that I was meant for her. They parted and got dressed. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. The man then kissed her hand and she in turn stood up to kiss him. They clearly were close. How long has she been with him?!

I quickly left to the outside of the woods where I could talk to her without him. The man was large and quite powerful looking. Without knowing who I was dealing with a fight seemed dangerous. Suddenly Lilly came running out of the woods.

“Charles?!” she was stunned that I was waiting. “How long have you been there?”

“Have you been cheating on me with an outsider? Is that why things have to stop?” I lashed out. How could she do this. We had been together for three years. Didn’t that means anything to her?

“You know about Daegon?” her eyes went wide. She seemed terrified. “How much do you know?” Her eyes became dark and serious. No longer scared but protective. Was she in love with this outsider? She stood tall which for her was still about a foot shorter than me but her power rolled off of her. Had she always been this dominant?

“Enough to know that your comfortable naked with him,” I spat at her. She froze for a moment then relaxed.

“So you don’t actually know anything,” her shoulders released their tension and she ran a hand through her curls. “Charles just go home and forget about this. No I didn’t cheat on you I just met him. I have a big day tomorrow and need to get some sleep.”

“Maybe if you weren’t out all night sleeping with strangers you would be ready for tonifht. Goes to show you aren’t capable of taking care of your people if you can’t even prepare for a battle you know is coming!” this was for the best then. Fighting Jarred would just further seal her fate.

“Excuse me! One I have not slept with him! Two I am prepared for tonight. Three I have other duties that you are not privy to given you are not my partner. So leave me alone and go home!” she tried to walk past me so I grabbed her wrist. Before I could say anything a hand pulled my shoulder back and held tight. Behind me was the man from the pond. I had been right about him being powerful. His eyes blazed like fire.

“Let go of her.”

Daegon

Something was wrong. I could hear yelling. It was definitely Lilly and a man. Who would raise their voice to their princess. I decided to follow her. Nobody was going to talk to her like that. Even if I wasn’t supposed to be there.

I was close to the edge of the forest when I heard her tell him that she hadn’t cheated on him and that she was ready for tonight. When she started to leave he grabbed her wrist. Cathal tried to break free.

Without a second thought I pulled him back by the shoulder. “Let her go.” He seemed to grasp just how dangerous I was at the moment and released her.

“Daegon. What are you doing here? I can handle Charles,” she came and put her hand on my arm. I relaxed and let go. She put herself between us. She may have been smaller than both of us but her power demanded that we both calm down.

“Charles is it? She is your princess and you should show her the proper respect she deserves. She may not have cheated on you but she sure can do better. Someone who is willing to fight her battles with her not against her.” I wasn’t going to let him try and control her.

“Daegon please. This is only going to make things worse right now,” she put her hand on my chest this time with just a little bit of pressure. Not pushing but showing that I needed to calm down. “Charles go home. He doesn’t concern you”

“You are going to regret this Lilly. An outsider can’t rule here. The council will never allow him to stay here.” He at least wasn’t coming after Lilly. Instead he turned and left. I hoped I hadn’t made things worse for her. Seemed she was in a rough place with her people. Were gifts that important?

“I’m sorry Lilly. I was going to leave but when I heard yelling Cathal almost came out. No one should speak to you like that or grab you that way,” she just looked up at me and smiled. How could she be smiling like that right now? What Charles had done was insubordination. He would have been sent to the dungeons for doing that to our princess.

Lilly

This was the last thing I needed Charles thinks I cheated, he knows that Daegon is here (but that seems to be all he knows thankfully) and is now trying to stop me from leaving. The last thing I expected was Daegon to come out and stop Charles. They were nearly eye to eye with Daegon being just a bit taller. In a fight it would be close. I had to stop this now.

Standing between them seemed insane but I had no other choice. Charles backed up as soon as I got Daegon to release him. “Daegon please. This is only going to make things worse right now,” I put my hand on his chest and lightly pressed. I hoped he didn’t think I was pushing him away. He relaxed a bit thankfully.

Charles threatened me but left. I looked up at Daegon who was apologizing for stepping in but all I could think was how amazing it felt to have someone stand up for me. I pulled his face to mine and kissed him. He went stiff briefly when my hand went behind his neck but relaxed into my kiss quickly.

“Nobody here but my mother has stuck up for me the way you just did. Please stop apologizing.” He kept his head close to mine, closed his eyes and released a breath that seemed like he had been holding for ages. I chuckled. “Not the response you were expecting, I’m guessing.”

“No but it is preferred. Especially if that is how you plan to silence me,” he grinned at me. Was this gorgeous man really my savior. He was everything I could want. If I have a say than this man would be my partner. Strong, compassionate, loyal and caring. All the qualities I want in the person to rule with me.

“Now that Jillian and Charles have seen you I might as well take you home to see my mother. We can ask her for permission to have you at the challenge tonight.” He actually looked nervous. “Scared to meet my mom?”

“More surprised I’m meeting her after two dates,” he winked at me. So he does have a playful side.

“Well, two might be a stretch. Although both times I have seen you naked so I think we have skipped some steps.” I could play this game too. He chuckled but took my hand. Mom was certainly going to freak. Even when Charles and I were together we weren’t particularly lovey. We were more of an arranged couple. The colony wanted the prodigy to become the king given Jarred was destined to be our healer. I personally would have preferred Jarred before meeting Daegon. How am I going to explain this to my mother.

“Shall we get this over with? I’m honestly not sure how my mother is going to take this.” I was genuinely nervous because Daegon was already very important to me in a way that I didn’t understand. Having mother tell me that he could not be here tonight would make things difficult. It felt like I needed him close at all times.

“It will be okay. Even if she says I can not observe tonight I will stay close. You can come see me right after. No matter what happens tonight.” He kissed my hand and we started heading for the manor. My mind was focused on my strategies for tonight as we walked. I felt more focused now that Daegon was close. Almost like the part of me that thought he would disappear was gone. Allowing me to focus on other things.

“We are here,” I squeezed his hand and he opened the door for me. Such a gentleman. Seriously perfect. As we walked in my mother was in the living room directly across from the entry way. “Hi mom. Umm I have someone I need you to meet.”

She stood up and took a couple steps before stopping when Daegon stepped in behind me. The look on her face was one of terror. Did she already know what Daegon was?

I turned to look at Daegon who had dropped to his knee with his fist upon his chest. Is he doing this because my mother is the queen.

“Mom? Daegon?”

Daegon

Our Queen!! Kneel! Cathal’s demand was too strong I knelt to Lillie’s mother. She was a spitting image of our lost Queen. How was this possible. Why would our Queen be here in a sirens colony? “My Queen. Your command is my order.”

“Rise Daegon. It has been many years. How did you find me?” I did as she instructed me. She knew my name? Well, Lilly had just said it but she said it has been many years. How did she know me then?

“Why are you here My Queen? We have been searching for you?” I wanted to know so many things. She had been so close for how long. If she is Lilly’s mother than she had Lilly before our King was killed. How was any of this possible?!

“I know there are many things you want to know. First let us sit down. This is not an easy story nor a short one. Please come in.” We went to the living room and motioned for us to sit on the couch. Lilly sat first still looking confused. I sat beside her holding her hand as it seemed the only real thing at the moment.

Freja

“It has been 20 years that I have resided with the sirens. Lilly you were so little not even a year old. I was a Queen of the Northern Dragons from an arranged marriage. While out securing our wards around the valley I stumbled upon a pond where your father was. His colors still amaze me today.

“I had see sirens before from a distance but had never been this close to one. His tail was such a deep navy you would think it was black. He shimmered magnificently in that clear water. When I approached in my human form something connected between us. We locked eyes and knew that there was something special.

“It turned out that your father was my life partner. Dragons usually find their partners by the time they are 18 or they are arranged to marry. I was already 30 when your father and I found each other. His late wife had been gone for two years and the council was pressing him to wed another.” I stopped to let them absorb the information I was telling them. Lilly must have so many questions. This day was bound to come. When her dragon did not come I thought it was for the best. She would not have to hide away her whole life.

“We saw each other in secret for nearly a year. I revealed to him what and who I was. That is being together was not possible,” I looked down not able to meet my daughter’s gaze. “He told me that none of that mattered to him as long as he could still see me.” The smile was something I could not hide from her.

“I loved your father dearly Lilly. We became pregnant with you. My dragon King believed it was his. When I delivered you, I told him that you were stillborn. It was the only way I could be sure that you were safe. Your father kept you with a wet nurse here. I came to see you as often as I could.

“20 years ago the southern dragons attacked my, our people in the North. Daegon may remember some of this,” I looked at him to confirm that he did indeed remember that battle. “You were so young Daegon but you and your dragon fought fiercely. I’m sure you have served the dragons of the North valiantly.” He smiled at me never letting go of Lilly’s hand. I knew now why he was here. It had nothing to do with me. Although it may have started with a search for me it ended with him pairing with my daughter. The dragons would never allow this. The sirens were already not happy about an outsider being their Queen. With Lilly not having gifts from the sea God I did not know where she stood best in this dangerous world.

“Daegon, you were searching for your Queen and found your partner. I can see it in the way you need to be close to her. How long have you known?” he would be old enough to have been married off. I did not want my daughter’s heart broken although I knew how strong the bonds were.

“We have only met twice now my Queen. I know your concern but you should not worry. When your brother in law took the throne he did away with arranged marriages believing that it was best to find our partners wherever they may be. Mine happens to be here,” he looked at Lilly. She would be well protected with Daegon. I wondered how big his dragon had become.

“Wait, partners, dragons a war. I am so confused. So am I a siren or a dragon? Am I even possible? Why did you never tell me any of this?!” Lilly was now standing on the verge of tears. She had every right to be upset with me. Her love for dragons had always been strong believing them to be extinct when in fact her mother was a former dragon queen.

“When your dragon did not appear I felt happy that you would never have to hide like the rest of the dragons have had to. When you were blessed with a gift from the sea God I felt sad knowing things would be difficult for you. Then I felt pride as I watched you overcome each hardship bestowed upon you by the council and our people. You are strongest siren here and should have the throne. I believe you and Daegon can lead the sirens into a future where we are not so secluded from the world. That was your father’s dream when I came here after the attack on the dragons.” I looked at my daughter and the heartbreak in her eyes at the knowledge bestowed upon her origins.

“The council will never allow Daegon to rule beside a giftless Queen. If I even become Queen. This fight tonight mean more than it did before this conversation. You do realize that mother.” She was pacing as was expected of her. Lilly’s mind was in overdrive trying to solve the current problem she was now faced with. This was why I knew she would become Queen. The fight tonight would only seal what she already knew to be true. Lilly was meant to rule.

Lilly

How was any of this even possible I’m supposed to be a dragon and a siren! Well I guess just a siren given my dragon never emerged. Why hadn’t it? What was so wrong with me to not be blessed by the sea God and now not have a dragon. Also, Daegon was my partner. I mean not that I am opposed it is just not what I was expecting.

“How do I fight tonight knowing that if I win the council will try to keep Daegon from me and force me with Charles? Or if I lose be an outcast from both of our kinds. I am not normal.” I sat back down on the couch next to Daegon who put his arm around my waist.

“I will be with you no matter what Lilly. Even if that means we must leave both our kinds. You are my partner and that is important to dragons. King Lucia’s would not separate you from me. He would allow us shelter with the dragons.” He squeezed me a little and I felt some tension release. It did help knowing that we wouldn’t be homeless or on the run should tonight not turn out

“Lilly, I don’t believe that you will lose tonight. You have never shown anyone even me your siren’s tail but I have a strong suspicion that it amaze all of the colony tonight. This is what you were meant to do. All the trials you have faced have made you strong for this moment tonight. Have faith in yourself. When I said you were special this was what I meant. The blood of a siren King and a dragon Queen flow through you. Tonight will not be easy but you will grow from it.” Mother smiled at me. She was right. I had to win tonight. Not for me but for my colony. They needed an unbiased leader who did not want power.

“Okay. Tonight I fight. For all of us. Dragons and sirens. I will teach out people of the world they are leaving behind.” I looked at Daegon who had a big grin on his face. He was so handsome and turns out he was all mine from the beginning. “I do need to get some rest as I have been up all night.” My mother raised an eyebrow at me. She knew that I had been with Daegon. The heat on my face was so strong. I’m sure I looked like a lobster.

“Go rest. And Daegon can come tonight. I assume that was why you were bringing him to me in the first place. It would be best if you two were together for this. After all, this challenge tonight won’t be easy. One less thing for you to worry about my Lilly flower” she smiled at me and I gave her a big hug. Mother always knew what I needed. Trusting her was all I could right now. I took Dragons hand and led him to my room on the second floor.