Chapter 26 #2
“The curse of the sirens,” the guide explained solemnly.
“When a siren truly loves another being, their existence becomes bound to that love. If their love is ever unrequited, if the object of their affection stops loving them, even for a moment… they dissolve into seafoam, returning to the sea from which their kind first emerged.”
Understanding dawned on me with terrible clarity. “So if Nerion loves me...”
“And you ever stop loving him in return,” the guide finished, “he would cease to exist.”
“That’s why he tried to keep things casual,” I said, the pieces falling into place. “Why he made me promise not to fall in love with him.”
“He was protecting himself,” the guide nodded. “But it may already be too late.”
The scene shifted to Nerion in his room, packing his belongings after being expelled. Tears streamed down his face as he hastily threw clothes into a bag. His movements were frantic, almost desperate.
“He’s running away,” I said, my heart sinking. “He thinks I’ll stop loving him.”
“He believes it’s inevitable,” the guide replied. “Siren bonds are rare for a reason. Few beings are capable of the constancy required to sustain them.”
I watched as Nerion paused, holding the sketch he’d drawn of me while I slept. His fingers traced the lines tenderly before he placed it in his bag with shaking hands.
“He loves me,” I whispered, the realization hitting me like a physical blow. “That’s why he lied about enchanting me. He’s trying to push me away to save himself.”
“And perhaps to save you as well,” the guide suggested.
“The responsibility of holding someone’s life in your heart is a heavy burden.
And he watched both his parents disappear before his very eyes.
His last memories of them are anguish and gut-wrenching misery.
Perhaps he wishes to protect you from ever experiencing such a sight. ”
I thought about that curse, about the terrible weight of knowing that if I ever fell out of love with him, even momentarily, he would cease to exist. It was terrifying. But as I watched him crying over my drawing, something resolved within me.
“I need to go back,” I said firmly. “I need to find him before he leaves.”
“Are you certain?” the guide asked. “Having seen all of this? The manipulation you’ve endured from your parents, the potential consequences of loving a siren?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything,” I replied. “My parents controlled me with magic my entire life. Nerion is the only one who’s ever helped free me from that, even unknowingly. And he never once used his power on me.”
The guide studied me for a long moment. “Very well. But there is one more truth you must see.”
The scene shifted again, this time to my parents’ home. They sat in my father’s study, looking grave.
“If they do a cleansing ritual on him,” my father was saying, “we’ll need to take additional precautions to ensure Theodore doesn’t stray again.”
My mother nodded. “I’ve already prepared a stronger binding potion. Once he’s home, we can begin rebuilding the enchantments that school has weakened. And we’ll find someone to wipe this siren from his memories for good.”
“And this time,” my father added, “we’ll include specific aversions to non-humans. The Purity Front may be gone, but that doesn’t mean I’ll allow my son to throw his life away on some monster.”
“They’re planning to enchant me again,” I said, anger rising within me. “To make me forget Nerion completely.”
“Yes,” the guide confirmed. “They believe they are protecting you. But they are also protecting their investment in your future and their ideology.”
I clenched my fists. “I won’t let them. Not anymore. Never again.”
“Then it is time for you to return,” the guide said, their watery form beginning to dissolve. “Remember what you’ve learned here, Theodore Voss. The truth of your past, and the choice that lies before you.”
“Wait,” I called as the guide began to fade. “Who are you? Why are you my guide?”
For the first time, I saw a glimpse of a face within the hood. It had scales and human features blending together, ancient eyes that seemed to contain the depths of the ocean.
“I am what remains of those who came before,” the voice echoed. “The collective memory of all sirens who have returned to the sea. I help those who seek truth in the waters of memory.”
With those cryptic words, the guide vanished completely, and the Dream began to collapse around me. Colors swirled, memories fragmented, and I felt myself being pulled back toward consciousness.
I gasped, my eyes flying open as I returned to my body. I was lying on the floor of the Elder Council chamber, the seven robed figures still standing in a circle around me. My chest heaved as if I’d been running for miles, and my face was wet with tears I didn’t remember shedding.
Elder Calaxos knelt beside me, her antlered head tilted in concern. “Theodore? Can you hear me?”
“Yes,” I croaked, my throat painfully dry. “I... I remember everything.”
“And?” she prompted gently.
I pushed myself up to a sitting position, my limbs shaking with exertion.
“Nerion never enchanted me. Not once. I love him with my own heart, not because of some magic spell.” I looked around at the Council members, meeting each hooded gaze in turn.
“But my parents have been manipulating me with magic since I was born.”
Murmurs rippled through the circle of Elders. Elder Calaxos’s expression darkened.
“This is a serious accusation,” she said, though I could tell she believed me.
“It’s the truth,” I insisted. “And if you come home with me, I can prove it.”
Elder Calaxos nodded, holding out her hand. “If you can provide evidence, the Council will hear your case.”
I took her hand, her strength surprising as she easily pulled me to my feet. “But first, I need to go back to Widdershins. I need to find Nerion before he runs.” I turned to Elder Brina. “And you need to revoke his expulsion.”
Elder Brina looked irritated that some twenty-one-year-old witch should be giving her orders. But when she looked to Elder Calaxos, I could see the acknowledgement in her eyes.
“Come,” Elder Calaxos said, pulling me toward one of the chamber doors. “We have much to do and little time. If your parents catch wind of this, they will run. And witches of their stature are notoriously hard to track.”
“Don’t worry,” I growled, feeling the fury building deep in my belly. “I’ll make sure you get them.”