Siren's Song

Chapter 4

Serenity ~~~~

"Get a warm wash cloth." a gentle voice said

"Yes My Queen."

There were loud footsteps and the closing of a door.

I felt groggy, like I had just woke from a deep sleep. My head felt like it was splitting in half and my bottom half felt numb.

I squeezed my eyes closed.

"Don't worry child, you're safe."

I opened my eyes slowly to find a beautiful woman leaning over me. Her hair was black as night and her eyes a shimmering blue. She wore some kind of beautiful garment that hung on her body in a flattering manner.

Oh gods, I'm in the presence of a human!

Has she seen my tail?

I leaned forward and tried to move but and excruciating pain stopped me.

"There there dear, your leg is badly injured I don't think you should move just yet." the woman said

"LEG?" I shrieked

I lifted the pile of fabric that was over my body and looked.

Where my tail should have been, there were two slim, tan legs. I concentrated on wiggling my toes. I was shocked to find that they moved. I noticed a long garish cut along my leg. I winced as I noticed the cut was so deep.

I touched my collarbone to find some source of guidance from my ancestors to help me understand what was going on, but my neck was bare.

"My necklace," I said "Where's my necklace?"

The woman stood and walked gracefully to a vanity much like mine and picked up something that was laying there.

"Here you are," she said handing me my necklace

"Thank you," I whispered

"What is your name dear?" she asked

I looked into her blue eyes hoping to find some knowledge of what she must think of me.

"Serenity." I said

"Well that's a beautiful name," she smiled showing a dimple in her left cheek.

"If it's alright may I ask who you are?"

"I'm Cassandra, Queen of Verona."

"Verona? As in the kingdom with that king that used to hunt down Mermaids and Mermen?" I asked

My pulse was racing. Of all places to end up it had to be the one kingdom where my kind was hunted? Thank you so much Poseidon.

"That was a long time ago, my husband hasn't hunted since my eldest was born." she said

"Eldest? You have children?"

"Only two. My eldest, Patrick is 21 and my daughter Arayuh is 4." she explained "How old are you?"

"18," I said

Merpeople aged the same as humans. We grow old and sometimes we die. Sometimes we live longer than anticipated and therefore become an elder. We're then considered the wisest and oldest of those in our kingdom.

"How did you end up at sea?" Cassandra asked placing a warm hand on mine

"I was swimming," I began "I thought I could make it back home before the storm...but I didn't." I paused

I thought about my family and how worried they must be. I felt an overwhelming feeling of sadness overcome me. Something warm and wet traveled down my cheek.