I suspect finding a siren tailor who could make something for a human must have been difficult, seeing as the wrap that hugs my hips barely covers my sex. Judging by the currents I feel on my rear, the back leaves just as little to the imagination. However, it does show off the colorful markings of my legs and I believe that was the goal.
In place of my corset is a short vest that ends at my lower ribs and is fastened with a ribbon at my bosom. It offers very little in the way of support and just one swimming error could result in my going topless…an idea I’ve been wondering if I can use to my advantage around Ilryth the next time we are alone.
“Thank you.” I cease my inspection of my clothing. “As do you.”
He’s wearing fabric wrapped around his lower half as well. It’s odd to see, as he usually wears nothing, but the garment frames his tail nicely. Ilryth merely grins.
“We’re going to go on an excursion today so I needed to dress appropriately for the occasion,” he announces. I remember him mentioning as much last night, but I wasn’t sure if it’d happen.
“Where to?”
“Where we are going will serve to further strengthen your anointments and prepare you,” he says, giving me no more information than last night.
“Well then, lead the way.”
Rather than going through the tunnel, Ilryth leads us to the balcony. I follow him, the warriors behind me. I assume their presence is because of this excursion—an escort. Did Ilryth ask for them? Or did Ventris send them? I suppose it’s possible that this is just their general obligation—where I go, they go…but I feel like Ventris trying to keep an eye on us is far more likely, given how adamant he was about my not leaving the Eversea again. Or, really, stepping out of line at all.
The depths of the Abyss are calm this morning. There’s no sign of Krokan. Still, I’m glad we swim close to the castle as we ascend. Though I suspect they do so to stay in the protective haze of the castle’s anamnesis and out of the rot swirling up from the Abyss rather than because of any fear related to Krokan. The red murk seems thicker today, as if it’s worsening with every passing hour. I can’t help but wonder if the old god of death can sense my presence and is growing restless with each day that passes without his sacrifice.
We swim up past the highest tower of the castle, near the large roots of the Lifetree that knot and spill down the cliff it and the castle are perched on. The roots are jagged and scarred with deep gouges. Some have been cleaved entirely in two. The red haze thins as we ascend, as though burned away by the light of the sun. The higher we swim, the brighter it becomes and the clearer I can see all the carvings that have been made into the roots.
That’s when it dawns on me, as bright as the afternoon sun, that we’re going to break the surface of the water. The beams of light that are filtered to ambient haze on the sea floor now strike my cheeks. I blink upward and smile. It’s felt like an eternity since I saw the sun unfiltered, and I didn’t realize just how much I was missing it until this second.
Breaking the surface, I take a deep breath on instinct. The action is still there, but unsatisfying. I no longer need to breathe in this mostly magical form. Still, the motion brings me some comfort.
We bob with the waves. For a large body of water, the Eversea is surprisingly calm. The swells are small enough that I have no problem seeing where Ilryth and the warriors have crested.
They glide toward the massive tree, which looks as though it’s supporting the sky itself in its mighty branches that sway in winds unfelt under the water. Silvery leaves spiral and loop through the air like falling snow. I saw the Lifetree in Ilryth’s memory, but seeing it in person is an entirely different experience. All thoughts still as I stare up at the sentry, which truly looks befitting to hold a god.
“Victoria, this way,” Ilryth calls me over.
I fall back into line beside Ilryth, the warriors right behind us. The underwater shelf the tree sits on slopes up, the gemstone water becoming shallow enough to see the sandy bottom with crystal-clear ease. Ilryth guides us through a maze of gnarled roots. These, too, are scarred with the markings of axes and other cutting implements that sheared away their bark. Applied to each cut and scar are ropes made of kelp and adorned with shells and coral, like haphazard bandages that do little to stop the crusted, red sap that still oozes from the savagery.
The water soon becomes shallow enough that I can stand. Ilryth continues swimming, wriggling until it seems too difficult to carry on. I’m about to ask him just how far we’re going when he lets out a note and the water around him begins to hiss and bubble.
“Ilryth?” I say worriedly.
As he sings, his scales slough off his body and turn into sea foam, revealing two very human legs underneath that bear markings which give the illusion of scales. He stands, the water pooling around his knees. I now understand why he wore clothing on his lower half today. Though my cheeks warm at how the soaked fabric clings to every line of his body.
“Yes?” The water is only up to his knees when it is nearly halfway up my thigh. Even in a human form, he’s very tall.
“You…you’re…”
“You saw me with legs in my memory.” He still speaks without moving his lips. Telepathy remains the only way sirens communicate. “This shouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I knew it was possible, yes, but seeing it is…” I drag my eyes from his toes, still underneath the waves, up his powerful thighs, to the skirt he wears.Is itallhuman?I want to ask, but don’t.
“The transformation could be a bit jarring for someone who’s never seen it before,” he admits, and looks back to the warriors still in the water. “You two may go and pay homage to the sacrifices of the Lifetree for your weapons. We’ll be a few hours.”
“His Grace instructed us to follow you,” one of the warriors says uncertainly. So Ventris did send them to keep an eye on Ilryth and me. Predictable.
“The air is deep with chill,” Ilryth says. I don’t feel it. I wonder if it’s because I can’t anymore with my body as it is, because he’s more sensitive, or if it’s just an outright lie. “The next Human Queen has yet to reinvigorate the seasons. It would be uncomfortable for you.”
The warriors exchange an uncertain glance.
“I will be working on the hymns of the old ones,” I say with an air of authority. “You shouldn’t risk the impact hearing the words might have on your well-being as you have not practiced singing underneath the hymns to protect your minds, as Ilryth has.”
“That is true…” one warrior admits. Self-interest is a powerful motivator. “We will await you here and offer our songs to strengthen Lady Lellia and the offering.”
