Page 25 of A Siren of Beasts

What had once been a humble stone home turned into a castle that grew out of the rock face. Instead of the one story that held his bedroom, it extended to create a second and third level upward and outward for the whole building. The castle was ‘L’ shaped, the entrance still in the shorter portion, then it made a ninety-degree angle and turned to the right. There was a square turret just off to the left of the entrance, perfect to defend the place if there was the need. What had once been an entrance just large enough for two humans to enter side by side was now a massive wooden door that split down the middle and opened inward.

The spell was completed and I felt my magic settle back inside me, pleased that it had been used to provide me with a safe home. Almost as if my magic told me what it’d done, I knew there was a spell to keep this place hidden from those who wished me harm as well as to keep my scent and power dampened so I wouldn’t be so easy to find. An additional spell was placed into the mix that would keep anyone I or Imp didn’t welcome personally from entering, if they discovered the castle.

Letting out a squeal of excitement I turned and hugged Imp, pressed a kiss to his beak, and darted into the castle. There was so much to explore.

twelve

Taking in the dark and mysterious beauty of this new home had me spinning in circles needing to absorb all that had changed. No longer was there a simple common room covered in Imp’s trinkets. In its place was an entryway with stunning marbled floors that were black with veins of white flowing through, creating an abstract pattern of its own creation. A dark wooden curving staircase was at the back of the entryway, twinning its way up to the second floor. A rug ran down the steps in a dark blood red that complimented the whole feel of the room.

There was a door to the right and left. If it was at all structured like the previous house the common room would be to the left. Feeling it would be more interesting than the cooking area, I headed left. Before I could reach the door it sprang open revealing a decadent sitting room with a blazing fire in the hearth and candles lit all around, creating a warm environment for how large it was. Two large couches made of soft tufted fabric took center stage as they curved around the hearth. In addition to those were a few armchairs Hisceas could easily sit in and be comfortable.

When I thought about it, all of this new interior was roomy enough for my large guardian. A piano sat in a corner of the room that had glass walls and a glass domed ceiling. The piano’s black finish gleamed in the candlelight and seemed to draw me to it. Running a gentle hand over the smooth polished wood I smiled, then took a seat on the bench. My fingers settled over the keys and the cool feel of the ivory under my fingertips felt so right.

Closing my eyes, I tried to recall all the moments I’d watched others play this instrument and the stunning sound it made under their touch. Just like learning a song by hearing it, once I knew I would be able to play this with no formal instruction. Picking a song I remembered about lovers who fell for each other even when they might never be able to spend forever together, I played.

Ossian loved Isabelle,

His heart and soul was for nobody else.

She gave her love to him freely and fully,

And into his arms she would melt.

He’d say, “Isabelle, I love you, and I would die for you.”

The moments that they spent together,

Were the moments they’d never forget.

The hopefulness of their love changed into something darker as Ossian was true to his word and protected Isabelle from death—by giving his own life. Bravely, the man walked up to the gallows knowing his love for Isabelle would never fade. As the noose was put over his head he met her eyes and told her what he said to her every day he saw her.

“Isabelle, I love you, and I would die for you.”

With those words, the floor was dropped from under him, but he smiled knowing his love would live, such was Ossian’s undying love for his Isabelle. The mournful tears that fell from her cheeks as she finally understood what it meant to be loved unconditionally and now she must bury the man who gave that to her. Yet every time she closed her eyes, Isabelle’s dreams were filled with the man who loved her until his dying breath and beyond. Even in death, he refused to leave her side, and he’d always whisper that one phrase.

“Isabelle, I love you, and I would die for you.”

My fingers stilled as the last mournful note came to an end. I brushed at the tear that rolled down my cheek. This was the type of love I’d dreamed about having, and up until ending up here, I thought my fate would end the same as Isabelle’s. Who learned the truth, only to have it slip through my fingers and vanish like ash on the wind.

“To have had a love such as that no matter how long it might last would be worth the risk, don’t you think?” a soft voice asked.

“That’s the question I ask myself all the time. Is it better to know true love, or never know it and spare yourself the pain of losing it?” I answered as I slowly opened my eyes to meet those of the monster who’d joined me.

A considering frown tugged at the tree ent’s features. His white bark with accenting black undertone stood out against the dark colors in the room. I’d known the moment he joined me but since the spell on the castle was intact, I knew this monster didn’t wish me any harm. What I couldn’t figure out was how he was standing here when I didn’t invite him in and Imp certainly wouldn’t have.

“What if by saving yourself that much pain you miss something so important that you’d gladly suffer for it?” he countered.

Twisting to the side, I stood from the piano and leaned against its body as I studied this newcomer. There was something familiar about his voice but I couldn’t quite figure out where I’d heard it before. “Do you think something that amazing exists? I’m not sure I could think of one thing I’d be willing to endure the pain I think losing someone you loved so completely would cause. If that person was truly a part of you, then wouldn’t that mean their loss would take that chunk of your heart with them? Honestly, I believe love like you and the song speak of is meant for the imagination. No one would be willing to risk that, humans are ultimately selfish to their core, unable to sacrifice their comfort.”

“Hmm.” The ent nodded in agreement as he slowly walked to me. “See, that’s where your problem is. You’re basing everything on humans, and they will absolutely fail a hundred times over. What you need to do is remember one simple difference.”

Now, he was right in front of me and I could feel his breath like a fresh spring breeze brushing against my cheek as he leaned forward to get close to my ear. “We’re not human.”

This time when he spoke his voice changed, it was deeper and had a hint of danger mixed into it. I then noticed his bark had changed from white to pitch black, with the parts that had been black now pure white making the contrast stand out. The energy around him had shifted from the gentle soothing caress to something darker and alluring, not at all frightening as he was trying to make it.

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me, but see, I’ve learned something interesting in the past few days,” I whispered back, my voice sounding rather seductive as I placed a hand on his chest. “I’m a monster too.”

Calling on my magic, I made my request of it and the next moment the ent was tossed across the room and slammed into the stone wall. He was held there as the stone seemed to create shackles around his arms and legs. The face I was met with wasn’t one of fear or anger, instead, it was pure lust. Seemed my singing affected monsters just as much as it did humans. What I was curious to see was if he would get violent if I didn’t give in to his desires.