Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

T he Stormbreaker sailed steadily toward the isle of Tridor through familiar yet treacherous waters. Karalyn hovered just above the longship near the prow, her eyes scanning the horizon. The encounter with the shapeshifters, who had taken on the guise of sirens, gnawed at her thoughts. Harald should be the one to speak to the sirens, not her. She had heard more than enough insults from their kind. Well, she had insinuated the insults more than heard them as she had blocked her ears to protect herself from their vile singing. Now, she had the sea shell to protect her, but their teeth remained razor-sharp if they dared to attack them…

Harald met her gaze, a question in his eyes, and she nodded. Subtly, he altered their course, and they left the safety of the waters of the mermaids for that of the sirens'.

It did not take long at all for the waters around the longship to shimmer, signaling the approach of the sirens. Harald moved forward with a calm, steady resolve that belied the hint of tension she felt rolling off him in uneasy waves.

Karalyn stayed close, her senses attuned to the energy in the air. The sirens emerged from the depths, their scales gleaming in the dim light, their eyes sharp and wary.

The most beautiful of them swam closer, licking her lips. "You should not be here," she hissed. "Once word reaches us from the maestro and maestra, we will be well within our rights to devour you, bones and all."

"We are not here to incite violence," Harald said smoothly. "We've encountered a threat that we believe you should be aware of."

"You should not be this da in the sea," another hissed. "The mermaids allowed you passage? In exchange for what?"

"Why are you dealing with them and not us?" a third cried.

"Do not concern yourselves with them," Harald said, "or else do so on your time. For now, know this: shapeshifters attacked us, using the forms of sirens. They attacked us in mermaid waters."

The first siren's eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained carefully neutral. "Shapeshifters, you say? I find it hard to believe that such creatures would dare to enter the sea, let alone take on our forms."

"The mermaids would have known if foreigners had entered their waters," the second siren said. "They told us nothing."

Karalyn kept the thought to herself, but if the mermaids and the shapeshifters had been plotting against her, Harald, and the sirens…

Harald nodded to Karalyn, so she said, "We saw them. We fought them."

Her husband nodded again. "They mimicked your appearance almost perfectly, using it to deceive and attack us. We've come to warn you because this threat is real, and it's something that could impact not just us, but you as well."

The sirens exchanged glances, their unease evident, but the first remained unmoved. "And what proof do you bring of this claim, King Harald? How do we know this isn't an attempt to shift blame or stir trouble in our domain?"

Karalyn watched as Harald's jaw tightened ever so slightly. "I killed one, but before they swam off, they claimed the body. I know we have been at odds as of late, but I do wish for peace, both within the sea and beyond. The shapeshifters are cunning and dangerous, and they could use this deception to cause chaos between our people or even all of Evermore."

The siren's gaze hardened, her tail flicking through the water with controlled impatience. "To claim that others can so easily mimic us… it is an insult to our power and presence in these waters."

Karalyn could see Harald's frustration, but he kept his expression calm. "I mean no insult. I'm only asking you to consider the possibility and to be vigilant. The shapeshifters may not have targeted you directly yet, but that doesn't mean they won't."

"A shapeshifter came after me in Fae Falls," Karalyn remarked. "They have taken on the guise of a sylph and now sirens. Who next?"

"How do we know you aren't shapeshifters yourselves?" a fourth siren asked darkly.

"All we seek to do is warn you," Harald said. "At one time, we had a bond, an understanding, and we wish for that again. We have no reason to lie, and every reason to warn you of this threat. The shapeshifters are cunning and dangerous.They could easily turn their deceptions against your own kind."

The first siren flashed her sharp teeth and glowered at Karalyn as if she were the one to blame for all of this. "You speak of bonds, but you accuse us of being easily mimicked by creatures of the land? We are the sea. Do you think we would not know if our waters were being polluted by such filth?"

Karalyn's stomach tightened. She knew she was walking on thin ice. Then again, she had wings and could fly over any obstacle. "I don't doubt your power or your knowledge of these waters, but I've seen these shapeshifters, and they can mimic your appearance. As such, they can create chaos and distrust."

"We can be allies once more," Harald said.

The sirens exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of doubt and irritation.

The first siren's gaze hardened, and she swam closer to the ship, her presence radiating authority and the raw power of the sea. "We will not be fooled by the fears of land-dwellers," she declared, her voice ringing out over the water. "The sea is ours, and no creature, shapeshifter or otherwise, will threaten that. If you believe these lies, then perhaps you are more foolish than we thought."

Harald shook his head. "I understand your doubt, but I ask you to be cautious. We have no desire to undermine your authority. We only came to warn you. We will leave now."

The lead siren's eyes remained cold and calculating, her tail flicking through the water. "We will not tolerate further accusations without proof. You will leave our waters and tend to your own affairs. If these shapeshifters did take on our form… We will tell our leaders, but if we find that you have misled us, or that your actions have brought harm to our waters, the consequences will be severe."

"We understand," Karalyn said softly, "but we have come in good faith. We speak the truth, and the shapeshifters seem to be no friend of ours or yours."

"We share a common enemy, and we are willing to stand… and swim… with you against it," Harald added.

The siren's gaze remained sharp. "Your warning is noted, King Harald. We will watch for these shapeshifters, but do not think that we will tolerate any further incidents without proof. Our waters remain ours, and you will leave our waves at once."

The sirens retreated enough for Harald to turn the longship back to mermaid waters. Once they crossed the invisible barrier, the sirens began to retreat, their forms slipping back into the depths of the ocean. The first siren cast one last, unreadable glance at them before disappearing beneath the waves.

Karalyn watched them go, her heart heavy. "They don't believe us," she said quietly, though she knew Harald didn't need to be told.

"They won't take action until they see the threat for themselves," Harald replied, his voice low.

"What do we do now?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"We keep moving," Harald said, finally turning to face her. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder despite her hovering above the longship. "We've done what we can. If the shapeshifters strike again, we'll be ready."

Karalyn nodded, though the knot in her chest remained. "I know, but I can't help feeling that we've just set the stage for something worse. If the shapeshifters continue their deceit, it could tear apart any chance of peace between us."

Harald's grip on her shoulder tightened. "The sirens may not believe us now, but we'll be ready if the time comes to prove our words."

Karalyn landed beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Are you scared?" he asked her.

"Not while I'm with you."

"I will always protect you."

She snorted and stared up at his handsome face. "I do not need you to protect me."

"Even so, I will always be there for you."

Their lips brushed for a soft, tender kiss, but a sense of unease lingered over them like a storm cloud. The sirens' dismissal of their warning and staunch refusal to allow them to sail through their waters only highlighted how at odds the two sides remained. The encounter had only deepened the shadows on the horizon. While they had managed to avoid conflict for now, the road ahead was more uncertain than ever.

The Stormbreaker glided smoothly toward the beach, the sails fluttering gently in the breeze as the longship slowed its approach. Karalyn hovered beside Harald. At least the rest of the return trek had been uneventful.

The castle at Tridor was a stark contrast to the lush forests of Ashelin or the shimmering waters of the sirens' domain. Built from sand and beautiful in its own right, the castle did not feel like it was hers. Would that ever change? Perhaps once the war was over for certain, things would be different.

A sharp wind whipped the castle walls, seemingly carrying the weight of the past. Harald's love warmed her to the very core, but his father's love had turned cold by grief.

Harald took her hand as they walked up the steep path to the castle gates, his touch reassuring. "I thought we might go and see my father," he murmured, though she could hear the tension in his voice. "Father may be difficult, but he's still family, and if he has any advice for me, I would be glad to hear it."

Karalyn squeezed his hand. "I hope he can help, but if not, we will endure."

The castle gates opened as they approached, and they were greeted by a few guards and servants who bowed respectfully. Harald asked about his father, and they were directed to his room. Harald knocked and waited.

No answer came from within.

Harald knocked again. "Father? It's me."

"If you must," came the gruff reply.

Harald opened the door. The room was dimly lit, with a high ceiling and cold walls, the window covered by thick cloth so no light entered. It always felt as though the warmth and light of the outside world were kept at bay here, just as Westerly Preston kept his emotions locked away.

The former King of the Sea Raiders was an imposing figure with broad shoulders and a stern, weathered face as he sat in a chair near the dark window. His hair, once dark like Harald's, was now streaked with gray, and his eyes, sharp and cold, focused on them as they entered.

"Father," Harald greeted him with a respectful bow, his voice steady. "We have returned from our journey to Ashelin."

His father's gaze flicked briefly to Karalyn before settling back on his son. "So, you've been to the land of the elves," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "You've come back unscathed, it seems."

"Yes," Harald replied, taking a step closer. "We've made progress, though it's been challenging. I wanted to check in with you to see if you have any thoughts on what we should do next."

His father's expression remained unreadable as he regarded his son. "Do what you think is best, I suppose, but don't mistake caution for weakness. Trust no one. No one cares for the sea raiders save for sea raiders. That the sirens and mermaids would claim the sea as theirs and theirs alone… No longships have been out save for yours. What a king you have been so far."

"We are striving to forge alliances. We wish for peace above all," Karalyn said softly.

"We must find a way to navigate these alliances if we're to protect our people," Harald added.

The former king's eyes narrowed slightly, and he turned his gaze to Karalyn. The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees. "And you, Karalyn," he said, his tone as cold as his expression. "What have you to say about all this?"

Karalyn straightened, meeting his gaze with as much calm as she could muster. She always strove to be respectful and kind to him despite his bitterness toward her. She knew the source of his coldness. The loss of his wife, Harald's mother, many years ago had hardened him, and she could only assume that his grief had left him resentful of any reminder of the happiness he had once known.

"We seek peace, as I said. War is not something we want, not for any of the species on Evermore," Karalyn said softly. "We're working together to find solutions that will keep Fae Falls and Tridor safe. My only wish is to support Harald in any way I can."

Harald's father's lips pressed into a thin line, and he let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh. "Support," he echoed, his voice dripping with something close to disdain. "A fine word, but words won't protect this kingdom, Karalyn. Actions will."

Karalyn felt a pang of hurt at his tone, but she refused to let it show. She nodded quietly, choosing not to engage further.

Harald stepped in, his voice firm but respectful. "We understand, Father. We'll do whatever it takes to protect Tridor and our people."

His father's gaze lingered on Harald for a moment, a flicker of something softer passing through his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. He leaned back in his chair, his shoulders slumped slightly.

"Do what you must, Harald," he said finally. "Just remember, the sea is unforgiving, and so are our enemies. Whatever allies I had are no longer. You… Do not let sentimentality cloud your judgment."

Harald nodded, his expression serious. "I won't, Father. We'll be careful."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words. There was little she could do to change Westerly's attitude toward her. Regardless, her place was by Harald's side, and as long as they faced the challenges ahead together, she could endure the former king's bitterness.

After they left the room, Harald's hand found hers again. "Perhaps one day, he will be happy that we wed. He wanted it… but when I told him, he had been furious that my mother had not been alive to know the union would go ahead. It's not about you, Karalyn. He's just never really moved on, and I do not think he wished to rule without her. That might be why he gave up the crown when he had."

Or perhaps he had known war was coming and wanted no part of that even if it meant that his son would be the one to face the dangers.

Harald tugged her hand and led her to their room. Only after he shut the door did he face her, his expression grave and serious.

"My father is a shell now, but after my mother fell ill and died, he was filled with rage. He slew every sea raider seer, blaming them for not warning him or finding a way to save her. He has no fight within him. We are on our own."

Her heart skipped a beat. Hearing this appalled her, and she was still trying to accept that her son or daughter would be forced to wed the son or daughter of the likes of Morlok.

"Ah… we all cope with loss in different ways…" she mumbled.

Harald sighed, his gaze distant for a moment. "I just wish… I wish things could be different, that he could see you for who you are, not as some shadow of what he's lost."

"I wish he could see you," she countered, squeezing his hand gently. "Maybe one day he will, but for now, we have each other, and that's enough for me."

Harald looked at her, his expression softening. "That is more than enough for me too. Come. Let us go and seek out my friends so we can learn what occurred here while we were gone."

As they walked through the cold corridors of the castle, Karalyn couldn't shake the feeling of melancholy that seemed to permeate the very walls. Tridor was a place of strength and resilience, but it was also a place touched by deep sorrow.

But she would not let that sorrow define her or her relationship with Harald. She would face whatever challenges lay ahead, not just for Fae Falls and Tridor, but for the love she and Harald shared, a love that would guide them through the darkest of times.