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

16

Nimreth begins to pace back and forth. "Auburndale are planning on striking a treaty with King Johaan..." she said. "And it is bad. Very bad news for us. They seem to have discovered that your mortal is here - and now they plan on marching on our city once their agreement is complete".

They wouldn't. Surely not? Never in a million years would Joseph stoop to that level where it came to an allegiance with the Hydra lands. 

"Not if I have anything to do with it". I told her confidently. "With the size of the army that we have? Our abilities? They would be fools to".

"You need to tell Steven the truth. This could change everything Hale. Defences or not, once again our people are being threatened. We cannot risk having everything destroyed after working so hard. He needs to return to Auburndale, if not to stop this happening, then to avoid sending war in our direction".

I swallowed. "And if he does not believe me".

"He will believe every word of it, especially after seeing his parents and how they were after his wife and child died". Her lip curls as the snarl of words left her mouth, the next part she mutters. "Once a betrayer, always a betrayer".

"I know..." I sighed, knowing that I couldn't avoid this any longer.

Steve needed to know the truth about what happened. How his own mother had betrayed my kind just years before he was born, and how even now she still did so. I had trusted her, considered her a friend. But after discovering she had sold me out just to keep me from him (or at least that's only some of the story), spun him lies that he had been under my siren spell in order to take the title of high lady - meaning there would be a Siren ruler. A ruler that could easily kill him. I knew that once day I would get even. Telling Steve about her would kill him though. She was his mother after all - and even if she had sided with his father through everything, it didn't mean that he didn't love her.

It would be a heavy blow, but one that I was willing to inflict if it meant keeping him and our people safe.

"I will speak to him, and if I need to call upon you, would you show yourself to him? Tell him that I am not lying".

She nodded. "I will. But you will not need my input Hale - but we need to stop this from happening at all costs." Then looking at me knowingly.

I knew what she meant.

Whatever it took. I was to keep this city standing and its people protected. Even if it meant giving my own life for it.

"You have my word that if any of our blood is spilt? I will not hesitate to dispatch those responsible".

"You husband underestimated you, amplified your abilities as a way to show how unified you were - but he was also a fool, because you were able to overpower the strongest Eternal, and kill him".

I looked away, that same feeling of betrayal that I had that day seeping back through my veins. I had grown to love Ikaris - but after hearing about what he did? It made my trust in men disappear even more than it had with Steve. My anger, rage - it had overcome me, and as a result I had overpowered him with my siren song, luring him in before I'd simply commanded him to fly into the sun.

And he had.

I can't remember the hours that had passed after, but I knew that Thalia had been with me, comforting me until I finally picked myself up and vowed to make this land a place for my kind.

I sent the call rippling through the water, passing through streams, lakes, waterfalls, anywhere it would run.

And they came in answer. 

Day after day more would arrive, homes were built, trade struck up. They made this place what it is - it had nothing to do with me. I never self proclaimed myself as their lady or anything at all. They simply did that for me. And now here we were with the threat looming over us.

I wasn't about to let it all be for nothing.

"I need to go to Steve...I will send word on what is decided. I can only hope he believes me though".

"I will wait for your call. Now go...time is of the essence". She instructed and I made for the palace without another word. My head was spinning, wondering how to convey the whole truth to the man who had come here for safety.

Now if he stayed? It would mean my people would pay dearly, and if he left? He would also be in danger from them perhaps thinking that he was under some sort of spell, at risk of being married off just to keep their bloodline secure.

Either way, neither of us could win.

As soon as I entered the palace, I went to his room - staying there until he appeared as I had told him to a while later. I'd had time to process a little more, and looked up as he closed the door and locked it.

Instantly, he could see something was wrong.

"Hale? What is it?"

I looked at him calmly, clammy hands clasped in front of me as I tried to keep my composure.

"We need to talk about your mother, and you will not like what I have to say, but you must know I will not enjoy telling you about all of this. But you will get your answers as to what Ikaris did, and what is about to happen. But please...just listen. Do not interrupt - and if it comes to the end and you still do not believe me? Then I have someone who can validate everything to you".

He frowns and then takes a seat, looking up at me - ready to hear what I have to say.

"Ok...I'm listening".