Siren's Song

Prologue

The waves crashed against the rocky cliff; first signs of a storm.

I locked all the windows in the castle just as father commanded. Double checking to see that they were locked tight.

When I finished, I walked down the grand staircase to the dining room where the rest of the royal family sat.

"Patrick!" father yelled holding a goblet of wine in his hand "Bout time you showed up." he then gestured to the maid to fill his glass. The maid did a curtsie and walked back into the kitchen.

I kissed my mother on the cheek and before sitting down next to my little sister Arayuh.

"A prince does not arrive late," Arayuh said mimicking the queens posture while she held her dainty pinky up as she slurrped her pea soup.

"A princess does not slurp." I teased her

She giggled and smiled at me showing her two front teeth that were barely coming in. Our butler a heavy set man who was balding; announced the presence of our guests that would be joining us for the rest of the month.

"Lord Winston arriving with wife Lady Rosemary and his daughter Lady Delia." he said

Lord Winston was a friend of my fathers. They'd grown up together. Although my father was the king of Verona, Lord Winston was 8th in line for the crown in Westbridge. His wife was known for making lingerie for women. Along with being the top match maker in our kingdom. Her daughter, Delia, just one year younger than me at age 20, had held affection for me ever since I had saved her from a horse that had would've trampled her after a snake tried to bite it. Her mother had tried to get us together from that moment on. Setting up tea dates and riding lessons and suddenly disappearing, leaving me alone with her daughter.

The Lord and Ladies moved to sit. I did the gentlemanly thing and stood holding out Lady Delia's chair so she could sit and then sat down next to her.

As we began eating my mother began a conversation with Lady Rosemary.

"Have you many customers of late?" the Queen asked

"No your highness, I've not."

"Probably this nasty weather, cold and rainy. Isn't exactly love weather. Summer and Spring are." she looked at Lady Rosemary for clarification

"Yes my Queen, though I worry for my dear Delia. She needs a strong man to take care of her. I've offered to find someone but she tells me her heart has already been taken."

I snorted

Heart? This woman had no heart. It would be for money if at all. Hope the man she's chosen knows what he's in for.

A guard ran into the dining area soaked and dripping.

"Forgive me, your Majesties," he bowed "Something has washed up on the shore."

"So?" my father grunted "It'll wash back out to sea."

"It looks like a body, my King."

My father got up from the table and followed the guard out into the pouring rain.

We heard shouting and we all ran out to the door of the castle. My father was on the ground next to the guard who was leaning over a body.

My mother ran over and leaned her ear against the persons face

"She's breathing." she said

I took a step closer and looked at the body. The body was a girls. Woman's actually. Her face was wet with droplets and her lips blue. Her eyes were closed. Long lashes rested against her cheeks. My mother covered her naked body with her coat that was hanging next to the door. As my mother walked with the guard who was taking her too a room I looked at her skin. Her skin sparkled. I must have been tired. Though it's strange. I thought I saw scales.