Siren (Steve Rogers AU) 18+ - (2)

1

I shouldn't have been there. I knew it from the moment that I had actually decided to return. But with nothing really stopping me - not even my own conscience - I had decided that to pay my 'respects' would be the perfect way of showing that I am not to be despised.

It was an act of politeness after all, but they know I was anything but that. The body count of each of their spies being the prime example of that. But it was their own fault for sending them, one by one they would breach the wall, be given a head start even though I already knew they were there - then I would strike. It's easy kill, but I got bored rather quickly and sometimes would let them just dangle on for a little longer before putting them out of their misery.

It's a shame though. The High Lord of Auburndale could have been spending his resources on far better things than assassins sent to kill me, but for some reason he couldn't grasp the fact that his gold was going to waste as fast as his men were.

Either way as soon as the news reached me I knew what I had to do. Somewhere inside of me there was still a heart - thawed, but not fully. Only a few years had passed but things were still raw. The thoughts, the actions, the revenge.

Now, as I stood there in the dimly lit hall, it only really occurred to me that this was the same room where I'd knelt, exposed for being a Siren, preparing myself to be condemned for it. This hall had seen it all. Happiness, worry and sorrow. I wondered just how many secrets the stones that kept it standing had soaked up. Candles now flickered every so often, setting the sombre mood for the occasion. There had been mourners filtering through all day, all dressed in similar darkened clothing as a sign of their devastation.

And it was devastating - for them at least. I couldn't have given a shit about the one who lay in state, ready to be set in the family tomb to lie there for the rest of all eternity. That's just how mortals are - they live, and they die.

As I had expected, there was no one there at this time. Just the one person who I had really come to see. He had been knelt beside the body for hours, and probably would do so for a considerable amount more. He looked like death itself, but that is what happens when someone who you care for dies. It drains the life from you too...

The flames of the candles danced slowly from side to side as I stood watching from the shadows. I wore black of course. A very dull dress in comparison to the many other soft coloured ones that I had in my wardrobe back home. All light and flowy, giving me the freedom that I had needed after so many years of being confined. But this dress felt tight, restricting. Upon my head I had paired it with a white veil of lace, over my crown that had been a wedding gift from my husband. It wasn't too fussy, but wasn't too boring either. It was the right mix of something that would show my authority but also could blend in.

Only then did I choose to make myself known, preparing myself to make a quick exit if the guards were to be called.

"What a shame it is, to not only lose a wife, but a child too..."

Steve's head had lifted up from where it had been bowed, resting against the side of the table on which is wife's body lay in state. A complete spectacle if I ever knew one. She had failed in her duty as a wife to him, I had heard some whispers as I had snuck in. Then again court gossip had never changed. There would always be people feigning their grief, when on the inside they were smiling.

Where one woman would fail, another would triumph in her place.

"You shouldn't be here". He didn't turn to look at me, voice tired as though he had given up.

I slowly emerged from where I had been standing in the shadow of a marbled pillar and into the light of the moon being cast from the halls large windows.

Only then did he turn to look back at me. To him, I must have looked like a ghost myself. I expect I am. I was all but dead to him anyway. Even as that thought crossed my mind it made me wince internally.

"If you have come to gloat then knock yourself out". He stated flatly before turning back to resume his prior position.

"I'm surprised you haven't called your guards on me". I pouted, the skirts of my dress made a gentle swish across the floor as I crossed it to take centre stage of the hall. "Very disappointing on your part - you could have enjoyed finishing what you started".

He suddenly rose to his feet and stormed towards me, stopping just a few feet short from where I stood. "I have seen enough death by your hands these last few years without now having to have you die by mine!" He spat. "My wife is gone, my son too! And here you are provoking me, challenging me to spill more blood!"

I smirked at this. "And is it so easy to render you this way, when you are at your most vulnerable. Whatever happened to the Steve Rogers that I met, no...wait...saved, from the Chitauri? The man who told me I was meant for more? Because I listened to that - I became more..."

"Yeah, more of a fucking piece of work". He glared, "You lied to me, enticed me..."

"All this coming from the man who didn't even stop his fathers actions so as he could hear me out". I scoffed at him. "If you had listened then you would have known that what we had? It was real. Not an enchantment, not a Siren's spell - it was real love. And you just stood by ready for me to die". The look I gave him was sharper than any dagger could be.

"And just how is your Eternal husband these days? Ikaris isn't it?" He questioned, eyes dropping to the ring on my hand that I had worn since exchanging my vows. Becoming not just a wife, but also being given more power by my husband's hand than I could have imagined.

"Very much as your wife is - dead". I bit back with some venom to my words.

The words took Steve back before he replied. "That's impossible".

I studied my nails. "Yes, I thought so too - but it wasn't my fault that he just happened to fly straight into the sun..." My eyes flickered up to meet his knowingly.

"You killed him".

"I had my reasons" I shrugged, "But up until then we had a wonderful marriage, and the sex? Well it was..."

"Enough!" Steve growled, "Now. Get. Out" Warning me slowly.

I clicked my tongue and let out a sigh. "I suppose I have overstayed my welcome".

"You were never welcome in the first place" He emphasised, "and you dare even try anything, then I swear I will not stop until you're dead at the bottom of the fucking ocean".

"Been there, done that" I rolled my eyes. "But there's something that I would like you to do though".

Steve's stony gaze on me did not falter once at this. "I'm doing nothing for you. Nothing".

"I came here to remind you that even though you still think I am a ruthless killer-"

"Which you are"

I ignored him, "I still can see that you are broken. And should you ever need me, then just tell the sea. The water will hear you, and from that so will I, wait on the rocks and I will come".

He stared at me coldly and then with words just as much so we parted on them. "I will never need you Hale. I thought I did, but I was wrong. What I do need is for you to get out and never set foot here again - otherwise the next grave I will be digging is yours..."

I laughed softly to myself and nodded. "Well, you'll just have to kill me then, won't you?"