Siren and Triton (Book 2)

Chapter five Snow

       
Weeks passed, as they traveled farther north. The cold pierced their skin as the winds picked up. Flurries of snow burned their skin as it melted on their red cheeks. Their breath swirled in white puffs as they stood on the deck, pressed against the ledge, looking out at the winter sky.

Even though it was freezing outside Patrick didn't want to miss this opportunity to show her the snow. He wrapped the wool blanket tighter around her. "Well, what do you think?"

She turned to him. "Oh Puc! It's beautiful. I've never seen anything like it before." She beamed. Her face flushed from the cold.

"We should get back inside."

"Already?" Her face fell.

"You're freezing." He grabbed her hands in his and brought them up to his mouth. He breathed hot air onto them and rubbed them. "We will have other opportunities to enjoy the snow."

"Okay." She was disappointed but willing went back inside.

The days continued to grow colder. They stayed below deck to keep warm. Some days they would visit Taylor in the infirmary. Other days, they would spend their time in the mess hall.

One evening as Patrick and Calliope sat eating dinner, Billī approached them. "May I join you?"

Calliope's jaw tightened. Her spoon hovered over her bowl of stew. She peer up at him. A hard look on her face. "Why?" She forced through gritted teeth.

He bowed his head. "I would like to apologize for my complete lack of decorum. I should have shown you respect. Instead my impropriety was utterly shameful. I have come to beg your forgiveness."

Patrick nervously glanced between the two.

Calliope huffed and pursed her lips as she studied him. Then she crossed her legs and laced her fingers as she rested them on her knee. "Alright. You may sit with us." She stuck her nose up at him; only to let a smirk escape from her lips.

Billī smiled brightly. "You are truly a wonder to behold."

Khillī came up behind his brother and rested his hand on Billī's shoulder. "Who knew my brother could be such a talker. All it took was the right woman." He winked at Calliope.

Patrick wrapped his arm around Calliope's shoulder and pulled her closer. These brothers were getting on his last nerve. "Can you not do that?" He scowled at them.

Khillī raised his hands in defense. "Woah, there. I didn't mean to upset you. Just stating a fact. Billī has said more to you in the last couple of months than he has said to me all year!" He stole a glance at Calliope. "I have to say, I'm so jealous of you, my man. In so many ways."

"She too old for you." Patrick blurted out.

Khillī smiled one of his wide grins and burst into laughter. He doubled over wheezing as he tried to catch his breath. "Man! I will never get tired of messing with you. You have the best reactions!" He wiped a tear from his eye.

Patrick's frown deepened.

"Oh, hey. Have you heard? The real reason I came over here was because James mentioned that you might be interested in showing Calli the 'cursed' glacier. We should be passing by it tomorrow."

Upon hearing that, Patrick perked up. "I guess that makes up for your ridiculous jokes." He locked eyes with Calli. "I can't wait to show you. It's even better than snow."

Early the next morning, Patrick stood outside of Calli's room. An extra blanket was draped over his arm just in case she got cold. He stifled a yawn. He was so excited that he could hardly sleep last night because he was eagerly awaiting the day ahead. He knocked on the door. "Calli? Are you ready?"

She opened the door to greet him. Her silvery hair was a tangled mess. She rubbed her eyes and waved him in.

   He followed her as she stumbled across the room and fell face first onto the bed. Patrick looked around. Then decided to close the door and wait for her to wake up. He gingerly sat down in the wooden chair beside the desk opposite of the bed, hoping that the creaking would not disturb her. The wool blankets were warm as they covered his lap.

   He ran his hand over his face and shook his head in an attempt to ward off the sleep his heavy eyelids were begging for. He tilted his head back and examined the long wooden beams that made up the ceiling of her cabin. It was hard to believe that she was her with him. This trip was already so different from the first time he traversed these waters.

"Puc." Calliope shook his shoulder.

He rubbed his eyes. Not realizing that he had fallen asleep. "Calli?"

"What are you doing here?" She tilted her head to the side. Confusion written on her face.

He jumped up. "The glacier!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. "I hope we didn't miss it."

On deck, they peered over the sides of the ship.

"There it is!" Patrick pointed out to the glacier as they were passing by it. "That's the one that James told me is cursed."

Calli squinted her eyes, then leaned over the ledge, and looked into the water below them. "Huh. That's weird." Calli dove in without a second thought.

"Calli!" Patrick yelled but she didn't respond. He jumped in after her. The water was freezing as it bit at his skin. He could feel his muscles constricting. "Calli?" He started shaking uncontrollably as he desperately searched for any sign of Calli; but it was dark all around him except for the glacier.

   It subtly glowed like a light shining through the darkness. The closer he got to the glacier the warmer he felt. As though it was casting away all the cold he felt. Something unseen compelled him to follow. Pulling him down deeper into the water. Like an invisible path, leading him under the iceberg. There, near the base, he found Calli.

   As he approached her he noticed that she was waiting at the entrance of an icy cave. She turned to see him when he placed his hand on her shoulder. "It's hollow." Her words were hushed.