The Siren Page 8

  Ottilia stared after him, her heart breaking. But he was right about it being her fault. She had been stupid and selfish and, now, not only was she paying the price but so was Gabe and his entire crew. Yet, there was still one thing she could do to rectify the situation. She just wished the thought didn’t hurt so much.

  She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then, tucking what was left of her shorn hair behind her ears, she took a last look around the ship - the place she had begun to think of as her home.

  “Goodbye, Manatee,” she whispered brokenly.

  Ready now for what she must do, Ottilia looked out across the still ocean then raised her hands.

  Gabe made it as far as his office when he stopped and slammed his fist on the door. “Dammit!” he muttered. He couldn’t leave her like that. He had to know if what she had said was true. Seized by a sudden sense of urgency, he hurried back along the corridor.

  And then he heard it.

  The Siren song.

  “No!” he roared and started to run.

  By the time Gabe reached the deck, the sea was red and churning and lighting up the night sky. Ottilia was motionless, staring out into the fiery water and watching it foam and boil.

  “Ottilia! Get back!” Gabe yelled - but it was as though she had not heard him.

  “What the hell is that!” Arik pointed to the creature that was slowly emerging from the ocean. It rose up, bigger and bigger, until it towered over the Manatee.

  “Ottilia!” Gabe roared, running to snatch her out of harm’s way. Erupting from the water, the creature swiped him with a huge tentacle, throwing him back across the deck. It bent its grotesque head towards the Siren.

  “So, Princess, you are forfeiting your body after all?” it cackled. “Did things not work out according to plan?”

  “Get the hell away from her!” Gabe bellowed, drawing his sword.

  “Oh how adorable! You’ve found yourself another little playmate!” the monster cooed and - without warning - suddenly snatched Ottilia and whirled her away. Gabe swung into the rigging. He slashed at the creature but his sword glanced harmlessly off its thick hide. Lazily, the monster extended a tentacle and flicked the ship’s shrouds and they shivered and swayed violently as the Captain clung to the ropes.

  “Don’t make me kill you, handsome,” it said with a monstrous wink. “It would be a terrible waste of both our time.”

  “Take me instead!” Gabe pleaded and the creature threw back its head and laughed.

  “Did you hear that, Princess?” it asked, shaking Ottilia back and forth in its tentacles. “He sounds just like one of those heroes we hear so much about!”

  Ottilia went limp. Gabe threw himself at the creature, stabbing his sword into it again and again. The monster swatted him off as easily as a fly, sending him flying onto the deck.

  “Look, hero: it was cute for a while but now I’m getting bored!” the monster roared. It hurled itself onto the stern, upending and almost capsizing the ship. As the Manatee crashed back down, the creature lazily swam away,

  It still held Ottilia in its powerful grip.

  Ottilia fought to stay conscious. She would not allow herself to slip away and lose these last precious glimpses of Gabe before she died, no matter the pain it cost her. When Hortense had shaken her, Ottilia had felt something break inside but the pain was no worse than the agony she felt at leaving Gabe. Losing him was worse than the dying. And at least this way no one else would be hurt because of her.

  “Fell for the wrong fella, did you, Princess?” Hortense chirped happily. “Oh well: your loss, my gain, eh?”

  The sea-witch began to submerge - no small task given her immense size; and made all the more difficult by the boiling and bubbling sea. Suddenly, the water towered over them, dwarfing the sea-witch before falling away in a foaming cascade.

  “Papa!” Ottilia cried silently as the Sea King materialised before them.

  “Well what a surprise!” Hortense snickered. “Old King Titus has come to save the day!”

  “Put down my daughter, Hortense!” he boomed.

  “Save your breath for raising storms, Titus. She’s mine, fair and square!”

  “What witchery have you used upon my daughter?”

  Hortense rolled her eyes. “Oh, here we go again with the accusations! Listen - she begged me! Ask her yourself. Oops! I forgot: she can’t speak. Your nitwit of a daughter has forfeited her precious voice along with that magnificent body of hers.”

  “Whatever deals were made are not binding, witch,” King Titus ruled. He raised his trident and pointed it threateningly at Hortense. “Now let my daughter go!”

  “Hold that thought, your Maj,” Hortense answered. With gnarled fingers, and caring nothing for the look of revulsion on the King’s face, she reached between her large, saggy bosoms and retrieved the scroll. “I have something right here that puts a somewhat different spin on this whole … awkward situation.” She pulled out the scroll and gleefully handed it to the King.

  King Titus broke the seal and - unlike his daughter - read it through very slowly and carefully. What he read brought tears to his eyes. “Oh Ottilia,” he sighed despairingly.

  “You see how fair I have been, Titus?” Hortense said with a sly smile. “I gave her plenty of chances to succeed. For goodness’ sake! All she had to obtain from the Prince was a heartfelt marriage proposal, a declaration of love or - at the very least - a true love’s kiss!” She shrugged her shoulders in feigned regret. “I mean, really! There’s no denying I was pretty generous with my terms.”

  If only she had her voice, Ottilia thought. She would have told her father of the sea-witch’s underhand methods and how she had sabotaged the Siren’s every attempt to win the Prince and retain her body.

  No she wouldn’t.

  Given the choice, Ottilia would choose that one, true love’s kiss with Gabe over a lifetime with the self-serving Sebastian.

  “Who is this Prince?” Titus demanded. “The contract does not give his name.” He pointed his trident towards the ship. “Show yourself, Prince!”

  Sebastian held up his hand up. “That’s … er … me,” he said sheepishly. “I, of course, knew nothing of this contract. Otherwise, I would have … you know …. ” He shrugged and stepped back to hide behind Gabe.

  The King curled his lip. “This is the creature for whom my daughter has sacrificed her life?”

  Hortense gave a snort of laughter. “I’m afraid so.” She gestured towards Petra who was hiding behind one of the rocks. “Oh and, by the way, you don’t want to know what your niece was willing to do to get her hands on him.”

  “I will deal with you later, Petra!” King Titus roared, causing his niece to burst into floods of self-pitying tears.

  Unnoticed, Gabe had climbed to the top of the mainmast. “I will not let you take her, witch!” he shouted.

  King Titus swung round to see who had spoken. “Who the heck is he?” he asked.

  Hortense gave a bored shrug. “Who knows - or cares for that matter?”

  “I am Captain of the Manatee!”

  “Well, unless you are also a bloody good lawyer, that doesn’t count for much at this juncture, handsome!” Hortense snarled. “Now, are we finished? I have things to do - and a body to be fitted!”

  “I haven’t finished!” Gabe bellowed.

  “Oh, for crying out loud! There’s too much yakking and not enough cowering going on here!” Hortense loomed over the Manatee. The sailors recoiled - all except Arik and Gabe, who stood their ground. “In case you’re in any doubt about the proceedings so far, Captain, the Prince was more interested in himself than our little mermaid - so now, I own her!”

  “Again, hag, I hadn’t finished!” Gabe snarled. “I am, indeed, Captain of this ship but I have two other titles to my name. The first,” he said, holding up a finger, “is the Duke of Rothesby but the second,” he added, holding up another finger, “is Prince Gabriel of War
wick!”

  “And?” Hortense chuckled, “what do you what me to do? Bow?”

  “No,” Gabe said coldly. “I want you to unhand my future wife.”

  “Oh! You have got to be kidding!”

  “Give the human a chance to speak, Hortense!” the King demanded. “What claim have you over my daughter, Prince Gabriel?”

  “Your Majesty, “Gabe bowed. “Your daughter told me she loves me and, though I never had the chance to tell her as much, I love her too.” He fixed his eyes on Ottilia. “The contract stipulates a true love’s kiss. Well - we have shared such a kiss.”

  “That doesn’t count!” Hortense howled.

  “Oh but it does, Hortense,” the King said triumphantly. “Now! Unhand my daughter!”

  “No! She belongs to me!” the sea-witch roared and, plunging Ottilia into the water, she turned to sink beneath the waves.

  Gabe dived from the shrouds and into the churning sea. He clambered onto the sea-witch’s enormous back, drew his sword and thrust with all his strength. Screeching in pain, Hortense reared back and breeched the ocean surface as she tried to shake the Captain free. In her agony, she released Ottilia from her grasp and the Siren silently screamed as she fell limply into the sea.

  King Titus wielded his trident and smashed the sea-witch with a beam of energy. Hortense flailed back, smashing into the Manatee. Her eyes bulged and foam spewed from her mouth as her heart exploded in her chest and her immense carcass sank beneath the waves and spiralled down into the dark depths of the abyss.

  Gabe gathered Ottilia’s broken body into his arms.

  “Release my daughter,” King Titus demanded. Gabe shook his head.

  “She’s gone.”

  “My daughter is not dead, human. The Mer are not that easy to kill. Now, move aside!”

  The King pointed his trident at his daughter and a soft beam of light slipped across the water and up through her body. It lifted Ottilia into the air, where she hung suspended, rotating slowly. Titus tapped his trident and Ottilia began to spin faster and faster until she became a blur. Then the light was gone and the Siren fell back into the sea with a splash and Gabe saw her silver tail flick the water.

  “Papa!” Ottilia cried as her father swung her up into his arms and hugged her to him.

  “You are more trouble than all your sisters put together,” he chastised her affectionately. “Do you know that?”

  “Yes, Papa.” Ottilia answered meekly - though her huge smile rather ruined the effect.

  The King heaved a long-suffering sigh. “It’s lucky I love you exactly as you are, daughter, or you would very likely be the death of me!”

  He looked about him: at the lopsided ship; its Captain treading water in the sea; his duplicitous niece cowering behind the rocks; and the dolphins who had graciously come to fetch him. “Now, what am I going to do about you lot?”

  Ottilia looked longingly at Gabe. “I want him, Papa!” She swam into his arms and swatted his bottom with her fin.

  “I should have known that was you!” he growled and pulled her close.

  “Are you sure this is what you want, Ottilia - to live as a human?”

  “Yes, Papa. Not all humans are bad. I love this man and his ship and - well - I’m quite fond of that lot too,” she said, pointing to the crew who were now leaning over the side of the ship with their mouths agape at the sight of their Captain holding a mermaid in his arms.

  Titus expelled a resigned breath. “Very well, Ottilia - but you must promise to visit at least once a year,” he cautioned, “or your mother will never forgive me!”

  Ottilia laughed, knowing full well her father would miss her just as much, and then she made her promise.

  “Now you, Petra.” the King crooked his finger at his niece and, reluctantly, she left the safety of the rocks. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “I’m very sorry, Uncle Titus,” Petra sobbed pitifully. “I couldn’t help it! I just love him so much!”

  “Love who?” the King asked impatiently. He scanned the deck of the Manatee. “Surely not that insipid little ninny who turned my daughter down?”

  “Yes!” Petra wailed. Sebastian, taking no offence whatsoever, held out his arms to her and called, “Beloved!”

  “Dear goddess of the oceans!” Titus exclaimed, rolling his eyes, “and what am I supposed to do with him?”

  “Make me a Mer, Your Majesty,” Sebastian entreated. “I long for a life in the ocean!”

  “Oh yes! Please, Uncle Titus!” Petra begged.

  “Can that fool swim?” Titus asked his future son-in-law.

  “Sort of …” Gabe said with an unconvincing grimace.

  “Right, get in the water,” the King commanded and Sebastian leapt into the sea … and immediately sank.

  The King shook his head as his niece rescued her lover. “Ottilia, come here; and Petra - bring that thing over.”

  Giving his daughter one, last sorrowful look, the King raised his trident. There was a flash of bright light and Ottilia and Sebastian were lifted into the air and whirled around at dazzling speed. They landed in the sea with a heavy splash. Ottilia pumped her legs and swam to her Captain. Gabe hauled her into his arms and kissed her as though it were the last thing either of them might ever do. “I love you, Florin - Ottilia - whoever the heck you are! I love you!”

  Ottilia kissed his cheek. “I love you too!” she said and then proceeded to kiss the rest of his face: his mouth; his eyes; his ears … until Gabe stopped her kisses with a searing one of his own.

  It was Sebastian’s squeal of delight which finally forced them apart. He was lying on his back, admiring his new golden tail. He did a little back flip to show off and promptly swallowed a mouthful of water and Gabe roared with laughter as he came up spitting and spluttering. Regaining his composure, the Prince flipped up his tail and whooped in delight. “Thank you, Uncle Titus!” he hollered at the King.

  Titus glared at his niece’s choice of partner. “Don’t push it!” he growled.

  It was time to go. The crew of the Manatee lowered a rope and hoisted their Captain and his delighted betrothed aboard, King Titus sighed with heartfelt regret that he was losing his youngest daughter to the humans.

  “My gift to my daughter’s new family,” he said and then waved his trident for the last time. The timbers of the Manatee creaked and groaned as they expanded and contracted, reshaping and reforming themselves until the battered ship was like new. Then, satisfied the vessel was as good as she had ever been, King Titus turned to Petra and Sebastian.

  “I shall accept your heartfelt gratitude for taking this one off your hands!” he informed Gabe with a rueful glance at the Prince. Then, with an imperious nod, he sank beneath the waves. Sebastian, who had once again taken no offence at the King’s sardonic tone, waved an enthusiastic goodbye to everyone and then he and Petra dived beneath the waves and followed King Titus and the dolphins to the ocean Kingdom.

  “I hope your father has plenty of patience!” Gabe remarked as he watched his cousin disappear.

  “Oh yes! He’s had to put with me as his daughter,” Ottilia said and glowered as Gabe nodded his head knowingly.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Exactly one year later.

  “I see them!” Ottilia cried and waved at her mother and father. Gabe slid behind her and pulled her into his arms as he nuzzled her ear.

  “Have you missed them?”

  “Yes, of course. But not so much that I regret my decision.” She twisted in his arms and pulled his head down to hers, laying claim to those lips she loved so well.

  “Give it a rest you two!” Arik cried good-naturedly.

  “Ah, leave ‘em be,” Jeb rejoined. “There’s nowt like a bit of romance to jolly up a ship!”

  “Or the hand of a woman for bringing order,” Ottilia added pointedly to the young swabbies. Tucker and Niles groaned because, for them, that meant being told to put on clean cl
othes and to wash more frequently.

  “It does smell better around here, I’ll give you that, woman,” Gabe agreed, kissing the tip of her nose.

  There was a cry of “Ottilia!” and Queen Priscilla surged out of the sea. “You look wonderful, darling!” she cooed, dabbing away at her happy tears.

  “Is he treating you well, daughter?” King Titus asked as he swooped in for a hug - and to give Gabe a threatening look.

  “Yes, Papa. I couldn’t ask for a better man!” Ottilia said, wrapping her arms around her husband’s middle.

  “And how are things going with my cousin?” Gabe asked warily.

  “Ask him yourself,” the King replied. He pointed over his shoulder to where Sebastian and Petra were circling the Manatee.

  “Worry not, my love,” the Prince was telling his bride, “it matters not if the babes be two or three for, together, we make a family.”

  “For the love of the goddess!” Petra wailed. “No more bloody poetry!”

  Gabe hugged Ottilia tight, trying to hide his laughter in her fair, silver hair. “It seems my cousin has found a new outlet for his rhyming couplets,” he whispered. “Here’s hoping he can still verse if the babes be quintuplets.” Petra stared at them reproachfully before diving under the Manatee’s hull to sulk.

  The King and Queen smiled indulgently, pleased to see their beloved youngest daughter looking so happy and content in her new world. After a year of worry, it did their old hearts good.

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