The Siren Read online

  Much to Ottilia’s surprise, her mother gave a huge sigh of relief and her father beamed with delight.

  “Ah ha!” The King turned to his court, smiling triumphantly. “As I hoped! King Abdul’s son has made a favourable impression on my daughter after all!”

  The throne room exploded with thunderous applause. Ottilia grimaced, both at the King’s pronouncement and the joyous response it had earned from the assembled Mer Council.

  “I didn’t actually mean Prince Addi.” She spoke quietly but it was loud enough to silence the Chamber. Ottilia looked at her Mother and saw her smile slip. “Prince Sebastian is ….” She paused, chewing on her bottom lip as she considered the best way to break the news.

  “Is what?” the King asked, confounded now that his daughter had discounted the Prince of the Indian Ocean Mer. “Spit it out, girl!”

  “A human,” Ottilia squeaked.

  “Whaaaaat!” The cave fairly shook with the force of King Titus’ roar. The Queen stared at Ottilia in horror, looking for all the world as though her youngest daughter had sprouted a blow hole before her very eyes. Ottilia flapped her hands in front of her father as though that would cool his temper.

  “Papa, please - just listen .…”

  “Helbert!” the King bellowed. Ottilia’s uncle flip-flopped across the Throne Room on his single fin. No doubt he had been summoned as a timely reminder to the Princess of the damage that humans could cause. Ottilia sighed irritably and resigned herself to the lecture she was sure her father was about to deliver. Except he didn’t. Instead, King Titus pointed at his wayward daughter and roared, “Take Princess Ottilia down!”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” Helbert bowed obsequiously to his brother and took her arm.

  “No! Papa, please!” she begged but her father sat stony-faced as her uncle dragged her away.

  Chapter Three

  “Oh my! What a pickle you find yourself in, my dear!”

  The sea-witch slithered to Ottilia’s cell and ran a long, bony finger along the bars.

  “Why are you here, Hortense?”

  “Now, now: there’s no need for the chilly reception, Princess,” the witch crooned. “After all, I am here to help you.”

  “I neither asked for nor seek your help - so please leave,” Ottilia said, turning her back on the witch for emphasis.

  Hortense tutted. “So quick to dismiss me without even hearing what I can offer.”

  “There is nothing you can offer me that I would accept.”

  “Really? Even though you have been banished to the Cave of Disobedience?” Hortense made a show of looking around the cell. “It must be nicer in there than I thought if you are content to stay.”

  “It matters not as I shall be out soon enough.”

  “I’m sure you will be but, perhaps, a little too late for you.” When Ottilia refused to take the bait, Hortense leaned in and whispered, “After all, the Prince won’t wait around too long for his Siren.”

  Ottilia steeled herself against the temptation to ask the questions the sea-witch was so clearly inviting. “I order you to leave!” she commanded, facing Hortense down.

  “Very well, I suppose; if there is nothing in this world you desire,” the witch crooned. Her eyes were no more than slits as they fixed upon the Princess: “Then, as you say, I have nothing to offer you.”

  Hating herself for wondering what the sea-witch had in mind, Ottilia stared after Hortense. Just then, Petra entered the cave and Ottilia slipped back into the shadows. She had no wish to speak to her cousin.

  “What did the sea-witch want?”

  “To see if I wanted the squid or the mussels,” Ottilia shot back coldly.

  Petra sighed. “Let us not bicker, Ottilia. I came to see if you were well.”

  “Oh spare me the pretence, Petra! We both know you are the reason I am here.” Angrily, she swished up to the bars. “I bet you couldn’t wait to go to father when you heard my song!”

  “Your song?” Petra frowned. “Why were you singing at night?”

  “Don’t play the innocent, cousin. You know very well what I was doing.”

  “I was in the plant nursery when I heard Uncle Titus shouting. I looked out and then I saw Uncle Herman taking you away.”

  “Really?” Ottilia replied mockingly. “So you didn’t see me above - at the ship?”

  “You went up to the Manatee?”

  “Ah ha!” Ottilia cried triumphantly. “I knew it! You weren’t up there to check whether the ship was in our territory: you were there to see the Prince! Well, guess what, Petra: it was me who he came to!”

  “What do you mean, Ottilia?” Petra asked carefully. “Did you speak with the Golden Prince?”

  “The Golden Prince?” Ottilia mocked. “How sweet that you have a pet name for him! I mean he jumped into the water to find me.” Only to herself would Ottilia admit it had really been more of a “man overboard” moment than a “Prince leaping off his ship and into her arms” one - but she saw no reason for her cousin to know that. “It was very romantic!”

  “You’re a liar, Ottilia,” Petra cried. “He wouldn’t do that!”

  “How the heck would you know”

  “Because it’s me that he loves - not you!”

  Ottilia’s eyes widened in surprise at her cousin’s bold statement. “A few mournful looks and you think he’s yours!” she scoffed. “Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Petra dearest,” she continued, pushing her face up against the bars of her cage, “but you can’t have him. You might think you can take all that is mine but, on this, you are wrong. I will not let you have him!”

  Petra shook her head. “There’s no point trying to reason with you, Ottilia. You are too selfish and petulant. No wonder everyone despairs of you.” And, so saying, she swam away, ending the confrontation and leaving Ottilia fuming. The cheek of her cousin! Calling her selfish!

  No! The Prince would never belong to Petra - not if Ottilia could help it. She would rather he sink to the bottom of the sea and the wreck of his ship be strewn across the ocean bed - anything rather than permit Petra to take him from her.

  As Ottilia had suspected she would, the sea-witch returned soon after. It was inconceivable that the hag would have given up so easily.

  “Back so soon, Hortense?” Ottilia didn’t wish to appear too keen: it would only serve to make the old witch greedy.

  “I just thought you might like to know the King has sent the Manatee on its way once more,” Hortense laughed - and it wasn’t pretty. “Frankly, I’m amazed it withstood such an onslaught. The King certainly threw his weight behind that particular storm!”

  “The ship has gone?” Ottilia had thought she would have a chance to see the Prince again; a chance to make him hers. “Bring it back, Hortense!” she cried, dropping any pretence at casualness. “That is the thing I wish from you!”

  Easy now, Princess: let us not make any rash decisions.”

  “You asked me what I wanted, Hortense: well this is it!”

  Hortense stroked her hoary chin. “If that is your wish, then I can do that: but there are a couple of things to consider. First, there will be a payment - and I don’t mean some crappy shells or trinkets either.”

  “What is your price, witch?”

  “I hadn’t finished!” Hortense said irritably. “You will need to consider exactly what you are asking for. If you merely wish me to return the ship, think about your father’s next move.” Seeing the blank expression on the Princess’ face, the sea-witch rolled her eyes. “Hint: he’ll blow it away again!”

  “He won’t! I will speak to him!”

  “Yes, dear. I can see what a great influence you have over Papa Titus,” she mocked as she admired the bars of Ottilia’s cell. “Now don’t screw up your pretty face like that or you’ll ruin one of your key negotiating assets.”

  “Just say whatever it is you have in mind, Hortense!”

  “Well,” the sea-witch
said, pausing for dramatic effect, “I thought you might like to be with him.”

  “Exactly!” Ottilia said in exasperation: “Which is why I need the ship back!”

  Hortense sighed heavily. “And then what?” she snapped. “Do you really think your father will change the Prince into a Mer for you?”

  “It’s been done before,” Ottilia muttered, trying to remember where she had heard the tale.

  “Myths and legends are not the same as facts, Princess, and here’s one for you - a fact that is: your father hates humans!”

  Ottilia’s shoulders slumped in defeat. It was true. Ever since his sister, Roshenna, and his brother, Helbert, had been netted by the crew of a merchant ship, the King had lost all tolerance for the humans who crossed his path.

  “Come now, there’s no need to look so forlorn! I can help you.”

  “Tell me how, Hortense!” Ottilia demanded.

  “Well now: there are a couple of options here,” the witch said slyly, “but sacrifices would need to be made.”

  Ottilia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Such as?”

  “Hmm.” Hortense drummed her nails contemplatively on the cage bars. “I have had more than a few successes in my time. I have some wonderful tales of the happy endings in which I have had a hand: but they all involved sacrifice of some sort.”

  “Spit it out, Hortense!”

  “Well - there was that occasion when a mermaid gave up her tail and became human; and do you remember a time before male sea horses unilaterally decided to take on the child-bearing ….?”

  “Wait!” Ottilia cried excitedly. “Did you say a mermaid became human?”

  “Yes, dear.” A smile spread across the sea-hag’s craggy face. “That little mermaid lived happily ever after with her Prince.”

  “I want that!”

  “Hmm. Don’t you first want to hear about some of the other ways I been able to assist the unfortunate?”

  “No!” Ottilia said adamantly. “I have chosen!”

  “You know - a sacrifice should never be made without a good deal of thought.”

  “I have thought about it,” Ottilia insisted. “I love the Prince and I want to be with him!”

  “It’s simply adorable how much affection you have for this human, dear,” Hortense chuckled. “How long have you known him exactly?”

  “I love him: surely that is all that matters?” Ottilia cared naught for the sea-witch’s opinion; after all, what could a hag like her know of true love?

  “Yes, of course you do,” the sea-witch said with a yawn. “So, are you ready to be a human?”

  “A human?”

  “Oh dear. It’s lucky you have your looks to rely on, Princess.” Hortense shook her head and spoke slowly as though to a dim-witted child. “To be with the Prince would mean not just losing your tail but also becoming a human.”

  Ottilia chewed worriedly on her bottom lip. This was a huge decision to make: a life-changing decision, no less. She would have to take her time and think about it carefully. There again, if she didn’t like being a human, her father would surely change her back. There were some advantages to having the King of the Southern Oceans as your father after all. No doubt he’d be furious but he wouldn’t say No, would he?

  “I’ll do it!”

  “Well that didn’t take long,” the sea-witch chuckled. “Are you sure you don’t want to think about it a little longer?

  “No. Just get on with it!”

  “Not so fast, Princess Pushy. There are terms and conditions that come with these things you know.”

  Ottilia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “And what exactly will those be, Hortense?” The sea-witch had been known to hammer out some pretty shoddy deals and Ottilia had no intention of allowing hers to be one of them. “This wouldn’t, by chance, involve you having my soul?”

  “No, thank you!” Hortense said, turning her nose up at the very idea. “As I see it, all you have to do is make the Prince fall in love with you and you get your happily ever after blah blah blah.”

  Ottilia had no trouble whatsoever envisioning a scenario where she won over the Prince. “So?” she asked brightly.

  “So - supposing you fail? My keen sense of fair play insists I mention that this is an all too real possibility.” Hortense caught Ottilia’s complacent smile and she shook her head. “Such confidence,” she said with a knowing smile. “I see the rest of what I have to say is not going to faze you, is it, Princess?”

  “It’s doubtful - but do hurry!”

  Hortense tut-tutted. “I must caution you at least to consider the possibility your Prince won’t fall in love with you, my dear; because, if that happens, you will have to pay. There’ll be no whining to Papa that I was mean or unfair!”

  “Fine! Now what is your price?”

  “Well, if things go your way, all your dreams will come true - no?” Ottilia shrugged in agreement but something in the old hag’s tone gave her pause; her earlier apprehension was beginning to return. “Then, surely,” Hortense went on, “I should stand to gain something good if you don’t pull it off?”

  Ottilia gulped nervously. “Like what, exactly?”

  “Like your body for instance.”

  “Good gods of the ocean!” Ottilia lowered her voice to a horrified whisper. “I am not going to have sex with you, Hortense!”

  The sea witch threw up her hands in exasperation. “Don’t flatter yourself, Princess! What I want is to live inside your body.” She pressed her gaunt face up against the bars. “And, just so we are absolutely clear, that would mean evicting you.”

  “No!” Ottilia backed away, shaking my head. “I won’t do that!”

  Hortense shrugged without rancour. “That’s fine, dear,” she said kindly. “I can understand you wouldn’t want to risk the Prince turning you down.” Then, almost an afterthought, she added, “I wonder if Petra is feeling any more confident about her charms.”

  Ottilia looked at the sly old hag and knew that she would propose the same deal to Petra and that her cousin would accept the offer.

  “No! I’ll do it!” she cried in alarm.

  “There’s no need to shout, girl. I’m not hard of hearing.” The sea-witch skewered the Princess with a look of intense irritation. “So you’ve changed your mind. Again.”

  “Yes - but I won’t change it any more, I promise. Please, Hortense!”

  “Very well then,” Hortense said with a satisfied smile. She produced a scroll from between her sagging breasts. “Let’s get all the boring, binding stuff out of the way first, shall we?” She passed the scroll through the bars. Ottilia took it, snapped the seal and then gasped in disbelief as it unfurled. The scroll kept growing and growing and growing before her horrified eyes.

  “Have a read through and sign at the bottom, dear,” the sea-witch instructed. She handed Ottilia a quill. “Read carefully now - but don’t take too long. I have other things to do this day.”

  Ottilia started to read. The scroll comprised a long, detailed list of instructions and conditions. The wording was pretentious and overblown with tediously extensive descriptions of what she would be trying to achieve. Growing tired of the repetition and pomposity, Ottilia huffed out an impatient sigh and skipped through to the end. Aware of Hortense, who was waiting impatiently on the other side of the bars, the impetuous Princess hurriedly signed at the bottom and handed the scroll back. With a triumphant smile, Hortense snapped it back into a tight scroll and tucked it away.

  “There, now let’s get on with it.”

  “Making me human?” Ottilia asked eagerly.

  “Yes, but first, I must clarify those rules to which you must adhere most strictly.”

  “What rules?” Ottilia hand’t read any actual rules: just long lists of boring instructions that she had - sort of - skipped. Hortense tutted irritably.

  “Why do you silly girls never read the contracts properly? It’s not like I don’t explicitly tell y
ou to!”

  “Maybe because it’s so bloody long!” Ottilia shouted, pressing her face up to the bars. “What have you made me sign, witch?”

  “Ah ah! I didn’t make you do anything!” Hortense chastised, wagging her finger. “You signed the legally-binding-definitely-no–backsies contract of your own free will.”

  Ottilia fell silent. After all, what could she say when she had signed the blasted thing?

  “Now, there is to be no using your Siren song to woo the Prince. That would be cheating!”

  “Fine, I won’t.” Ottilia said, although she had no intention whatsoever of following that particular rule.

  “In case you are so stupid as to ignore that rule,” the witch added, with a sardonic lift of an eyebrow, “you will be punished with the loss of your voice for one whole day.” Ottilia nodded. She was fairly certain she could live without her voice for one day if it meant using her song. “And,” the witch continued, looking pleased with herself, “should you use it again, you will lose your voice for two days. The third time you try - well, let’s just say I’ll be getting measured for my new body!”

  Ottilia shuddered. Thank the gods of the oceans she had time and her incredible powers of seduction on her side. But Hortense hadn’t finished.

  “Oh - and do remember to keep the time limitation in mind. I don’t want you whining that you forgot or anything tedious like that.”

  “Wait! What time limitation?”

  The sea-witch rolled her eyes. “Did you read any of the contract, Princess? I have generously given you a fortnight to make old Prince what’s-his-face fall in love with you.” She smiled and Ottilia felt the chill of it down to her bones. “Of course, should you fail to do so then … well, you know the rest.”

  “A fortnight! That’s not fair!” Ottilia whined and Hortense gave her a fierce look.

  “What did I say about the whining, Princess?” she snarled. “You girls with your ‘I-want-this’ and ‘I-want-that’ without so much as a thought as to how much it’s going to cost you.” She cackled and Ottilia seriously considered, for the first time, whether she had made a big mistake. “So tough luck, starfish! Great things always come at a great price and, for you, that means fourteen days to make the Prince fall in love with you or your body is mine!”