The Scarlet Prophecies

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗-1

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A young boy sat alone on the rocky shore, gazing out at the moonlit sea. His turquoise hair fluttered in the breeze as he absentmindedly brushed sand from his cheek and shells from his pockets, remnants of the day's adventures.

"Why so gloomy?" called a haunting, melodic voice from the waves. Though small, the boy felt no fear. Drawn by the siren song, he rose and approached the water's edge.

He walked until the waves reached his chest, and the forceful sea seemed to calm around him as he approached a glowing, pearl-skinned woman. Her turquoise hair and silver, moonlike eyes matched his own.

"Mama..." the boy said as he came closer.

The siren held out her arms. "Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, my son," she smiled, embracing him as he giggled.

"Now," his mother said, rubbing her nose against his, "why are you so gloomy today?"

Though he denied it, she insisted, "I know you lied...tell me what happened?"

"I'm different..." he confessed into her shoulder. "I don't look like Dad or you."

The siren smiled. "That's because you're unique - half siren, half human. There's no one else like you." She tickled his belly. "Many fall for humans, you know."

Still unsure, the boy said, "I don't believe it."

The siren took him onto her lap and began telling a tale to reassure him.

As the boy sat in his mother's lap, she said, "Let me tell you the tale of Bellatrix, a dark fairy's daughter, who fell in love with a kind prince."

The boy looked up curiously at his siren mother.

"Bellatrix's mother was an infamous dark fairy who ruled the mystic forest. Folks say Bellatrix was fathered by the unseen Hades, Lord of the Underworld," she explained.

The boy pursed his lips. "That sounds scary..."

"Don't be afraid," his mother said gently, tickling his belly. "Bellatrix and her father were said to be just and level-headed."

"What about the prince?" the boy asked.

"Ah yes, the Prince of Venora. He was known for his kind heart towards all creatures. He wanted everyone to live in harmony. When he and Bellatrix met, they knew they were meant for each other, like true love."

The boy nodded thoughtfully. "Are you and Dad true love like that?"

His mother pursed her lips. "Unfortunately not, my dear. Sirens like myself cannot feel that kind of love...not like mermaids can."

"Don't you love me?" the boy asked worriedly.

"Of course I love you. But the love between mates is different, and much more difficult to comprehend," she explained patiently.

"Will I ever find that kind of love?"

His mother sighed. "I don't know. Sirens have little luck with love like that."

"Mom," the boy said after a moment. "Do humans hate creatures like us?"

"Some do seem to dislike what they don't understand," she nodded. "But remember, some humans are good, and some are bad, just like any creature."

The boy asked eagerly, "Did Bellatrix and the prince have children like me?"

His mother thought for a moment. "There are rumors they did, yes."

"Was the dark fairy happy about that?"

She bit her lip. "Unfortunately no. Bellatrix's mother did not approve of her daughter marrying a human."