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

2

I couldn't have been more relieved than to have returned home where Thalia was waiting for my return. The palace bustling with members of the court and servants alike.

The lands were no longer known as 'the eternal lands' instead being renamed by mortals to 'the siren lands', because I ruled over them, and more of my kind came seeking sanctuary and a new permanent home where no one could bother us. It's a long story, but the main point was that we now had a home and could hold our own in strength and numbers.

"Do I want to know how it went?" Thalia asked cautiously as I threw myself down onto the bed and let out a muffled and frustrated groan into the pillows. "Ah...not good then".

I lifted my head up, blowing some hair from where it hung over my face. "Were you really expecting me to come back and tell you that Steve and I were friends again?" I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. "He is broken, more than I have ever seen him. Even when I was facing execution he never looked as he did today".

"He has just lost his wife and child - it's understandable. I suppose seeing you didn't help with matters". Trust Thalia to have said it how it was.

"I wanted to let him know I still care..."

Thalia began flitting about, putting things away and gathering various clothes to launder. "I really don't think that he would believe you given that just last week you so graciously returned four corpses back to him".

"I've returned more". I turned my head and threw her a look.

"Did you tell him about the-"

"No", I said abruptly cutting her off. "There is a time and a place for that, not that he would ever listen or believe me".

Gathering the last of what she was going to launder, she looked at me. "But by not telling him, it only makes you look like the villain. If he knew about what went on then he would see that you are innocent. His view would change..."

"No it wouldn't". I snapped and then instantly felt bad on doing so. "I'm sorry...but whether he knew about everything or not, it wouldn't change his opinion. Not now. He saw me as the enemy in the end and that's what I made myself, he knows about what I did to Ikaris". 

Thalia fell silent and then muttered, "But no one blamed you".

"True, but it's still another figure to add to the men who I have killed. Husband or not". I sighed.

"The lands are better now. The Sirens have a true home, and you lead them with as much confidence and skill more than any High Lord could".

The High Siren, Siren Queen, The Eternal Siren. Many names that people had given me ever since they had discovered that these lands were no longer occupied by the Eternal gods. The water called to all the sirens to make their way to the place they could live - and they came until a whole new city was established. Villages were built within the flush forests, farms began to thrive. Rivers, waterfalls and lakes were built up around to add to the tranquillity, because we were exactly that when not out calling for sacrifices to the sea. Even though it seemed like perfection before - it was better after the Sirens arrived.

And now I ruled over it all.

"Do you ever regret it?" Thalia asked. "What happened with..."

I stopped her, not wanting to talk about it any longer. "Go on, you have your duties to attend to".

Taking the hint, she left in her usual sweep of skirts and I was alone once more. Of course all thoughts then turned back to Steve, and even though the room felt open and breathable - I found myself suffocating, heading out onto the balcony and praying for air to enter my lungs.

It was a beautiful day like any other, ships were making their way in and out of port for their usual trade. Sails blustering against the winds once they got further out from land. These lands were the first kind of peace that I had ever felt. Even when Ikaris was here it was just that. Now it was a safe haven for my sisters, and some male sirens who also had made themselves known through the word that had travelled. All of our kind were welcome here. I turned my back on no one unless they posed as a threat.

**

"Did you see him?" Mother's voice cut through the silence that I had been relishing in, and I turned seeing her loitering cautiously by one of the pillars. She knew I possessed more power than before, could hold my own - and yet she still worried for me even after everything.

"Yes. It was just as I had expected. Bad. He is not the man who I knew..."

She nodded at this and came to stand next to me.  "Well he wouldn't be. The man has suffered a great loss. Did you at least try to let him know that you are not who he sees you as..."

"That would be a little hard considering any other time he would have taken the opportunity to put a knife in my heart. He cannot see past the siren anymore. He only sees the threat, not the person". I said.

Mother didn't bother to start with another lecture, as she knew well enough by then that I didn't take too kindly to being told what to do anymore. Thus, she kept her mouth shut, lips tightly together.

"Do you think he will call for you?" She asked after a moment's silence had passed.

"No". I said and then turned to her. "Anyway I need to go and see Erskine. I will see you later".

"No you won't". She smiled sadly. Mother lived within the city but not once had I visited her at home since her arrival. I felt bad, but being the one in charge my days were taken up with duties as well as sending unfortunate failed assassins back to Auburndale. She lived comfortably like the others though, not having to suffer the same squalor that we had been resorted to back across the border. "You should take an evening to come and have supper with me. You need the company".

I noted how she said that I needed it and not her. "I should be getting on". I replied so as she would take the hint that I had things to do.

Without another word, she glided out and left me to my own devices which was going to pay a visit to the court alchemist. Erskine. He had been serving Ikaris after escaping from the Hydra lands - King Johann having kept him imprisoned whilst he demanded that the potion he was working on was completed so as he could consume it himself. Erskine sought sanctuary here and repaid Ikaris for his kindness by staying on. I met him soon after I had arrived and had sought out his council for various things ever since. He was more advisor than alchemist and I welcomed his thoughts.

Finding his room, I knocked lightly on the door and walked in, seeing the older man hunched over his bench and placing various ingredients into a bowl. He looked up with a smile. "Ah, Lady Hale, I wondered whether I would be seeing you today - are you well?"

"A little drained". I admitted, "But I shall be fine, I wondered how you were coming along with your potion?"

He stood back and I noted the hole that was in the bench. "Now...there was one ingredient that I have put on the 'do not use' list".

I smirked, "Are you any closer though?"

"I believe I am, but I need to create enough so as I can test it - I do not want the same thing happening as it did with King Johann the first time around".

I winced. I didn't even know of this information until I came here and asked Erskine more about his time in captivity. It seemed that the King of the Hydra lands was more dangerous than I had first thought.

"How would you test it?"

"I do not know yet, but I'll think of something" Erskine smiled. "Now, take this tonic - it will make you feel less drained". He passed me a small vial and I took it gratefully.

"Whatever would I do without you?" I smirked again and he just made a small 'pah' and waved me away.

Downing the tonic, I made for my room again, flopping down onto the bed and closing my eyes tightly. I didn't count on Steve Rogers invading my dreams for the first time in years - except it was anything but peaceful.

I dreamt that he finally got his wish and stuck the knife in where it could kill me the quickest.