The Exiled Prince and His Siren

Chapter 11

Violetta and Maximillian easily fell into step with one another. Excitement was coursing through their veins. Callahan had taken the role of the opposing party. As the former queen’s commandant, he had decades worth of fighting experience in his arsenal.

Having trained Maximillian, the prince was very well accustomed to his type of training. He was interested to see how Violetta will display her abilities in this training.

The young royals quickly caught on to the other’s timing and opening. The teamwork was impeccable. Although Callahan took note of where they missed a few, but they were off to a good start despite the difference in their techniques.

Maximillian has always approached with more brute accompanying the accuracy and precision of his attacks. He knew how to weaken an enemy, almost taunting them to the satisfaction of his beasts, and end with victory.

Violetta on the other hand, had more finesse and smoothness in her movements, but the force came with each strike. Enough to bring her enemies to their knees. She would reserve her energy where the strike would matter the most. On top of that, she didn’t waste time on letting the enemy recover. Swift and deadly.

This was good, he tried to convince himself. However, he can see everything. He can see how they look at one another, watching out for each other’s sides and acting quickly when they saw a window of opportunity. Always looking out for each other. There was concern and an underlying fear, he knows, even if they don’t, are for each other.

In any other circumstance, he would have been happy for them. Yet with the knowledge of the fate they both have, the bond they’ve built is a cause for his and Arissa’s worry.

By the time their training was over, a proud impressed smile took over Maximillian’s face as he looked over at Violetta. She returned his smile as she shook off her adrenaline. Her beast sat back, satisfied.

“Good job both of you.” Callahan said simply, his voice grave despite the compliment.

Max furrowed his brows, confused at the tone but Callahan disregarded it.

“Let’s head inside. Breakfast is waiting on the table.” He said, before turning to head inside first.  

Violetta and Max nodded and followed suit. Maleroy and Arissa were already in the dining room.

“That was utterly impressive, it reminded me of how your parents fought together prince Maximillian.” Maleroy blurted out.

“Maleroy” Arissa scolded, glancing at the prince, but Maximillian seems to have paid it no mind as he pulled out a chair for Violetta.

Arissa sighed internally at the exchange.

“Well,” Maleroy clapped his hands. “There are pressing matters that needs to be addressed at the moment."

“Did they find us already?” Violetta asked.

“Not yet, but they will soon.” Arissa answered.

“They’re already moving towards Malhelm.” She addeds.

“They know where we are.” Max concluded.

“Possibly” Callahan said.

“They will be coming for you your highnesses.” Maleroy stated. “Now, you may be skillful and powerful but you need more than that to go against the dragon king, his army, and his hunters.” He said.

It was Violetta who spoke up this time. “To take a page out of history, we need to gather allies of our own as well.” She said.

“The dragon king obviously refused to accept that the force of his power comes from the people, he was bound to make enemies throughout the years. If not that, then there might have been some who opposed his usurpation all those years ago.”

Maximillian nodded in agreement. “We need to find them then.” He said.

“Now the fun has begun.” Maleroy said, his tone dripping with excitement.

Violetta took time to be with herself after the meal. So, she headed to the pond to have a little peace of mind. She made the suggestion to find allies but she now realizes it’s easier said than done.

She released a shaky breath. The pond was wide and stretched towards the other side of the land. The house was walled and like the cottage, they were far into the forest for anyone to find them, even then, she had no doubt Maleroy charmed the place to be hidden from anyone unwelcome.

Her eyes fell on the body of water in front of her. This was her domain. When she was younger, she refused to accept she didn’t belong in the water as the rest of her people. She could breathe fine under water like the rest of them. She could move just as fine in the water like the rest of them. Her beast would come through the surface on the water like the rest of them.

Yet that wasn’t enough for them to see her as equal. Not even being the child of the queen made them see her as one of them.

But this was her domain.

Her abilities were called by the water.

Yet they deny her, her home this just because they cannot accept a part of her should have never been possible in the first place. Much more, they refused to accept someone whose sole existence was to pay for the actions of their queen.

Sirens saw the world as black and white, but Violetta saw the gray areas in hers. Another part of her they cannot accept. She was too different and they didn’t like that.

The water was her domain. They could try to ignore her all they want, but they will hear her.

“Hear me my sisters. I’m in dire need of help.” She said to the water.

A gift all sirens share is the ability to show that which they desire the most. A gift she would like to access now.

“Show me our allies.” She said.

She waited for a moment. There was nothing.

She shook off the disappointment.

“Please” She pleaded.

Sirens were apathetic to say the least but every now and then they would do things that would make them feel good, sometimes inadvertently helping the common good. She’s hoping she could push her luck.

Still there was nothing.

This time, Violetta decided to take on a different route.

Gulping down her nerves, she said, “The fate you have placed me on has started mother.” She addressed her mother.

“I met the prince.” She started. Not bothering to go into details, she continued. “I will right what you have done wrong. Whether you regret giving hand to the dragon king’s usurpation or not, it doesn’t matter. This doesn’t make me feel good at all, but I need your help.”

“There is no one we can trust here, and this is the only way I know how.” She whispered the last part desperately.

Her legs itched to stomp her foot in frustration but she held it down. Tantrums never make for a good audience with the queen.

So she waited.

Still there was nothing. Finally, she closed her eyes in defeat and let out a deep sigh.

She looked away from the water to hide the pain screaming from her eyes.

Maximillian found her in that state.

“What’s wrong?” He asked from behind her.

Violetta took a deep breath to calm her heart before she turned around.

“Nothing, I thought I’d do some thinking.” She said simply. Maximillian didn’t buy it, but he didn’t question it.

He approached until he was right in front of her. Instinctively, he raised his hand to stroke her cheek. Violetta leaned in on reflex.

Lost in the moment, they were unaware of a pair of azure blue eyes watching the exchange. A foreign feeling of ache engulfed her chest at the image. She carried herself a cold queen but the sight of her daughter in the arms of the child whose parents she had no choice but to betray, sent a dagger to her heart.

A decision was made then, one she knew she won’t regret this time.