Sacrifices of the Siren [Sirens and Sailors 6] (Siren Publishing Allure) (20 page)

“We could pause for a breather,” Rechavia agreed, now that they were back into the tranquil waters.

“Suits me.” Aitan grinned, looking around at the mass of ocean which surrounded them. He anchored the ship and they all took turns jumping into the cool water and cleaning the stinking remains from their bodies.

“There’s clean clothes under that bench,” Farris pointed out to Blandon as he emerged, naked from the waves.

He had discarded his shorts and shirt, realizing he had no hope of removing that putrid stench from them. He felt much better for his wash and quickly grabbed a clean pair of shorts from the storage holder which lined the benches of the ship’s well.

They all took a break and had some lunch while they recalled the horrors of their encounter, and basked in the bright sunshine which beamed over them.

“There’s something up ahead.” Rechavia squinted as he pointed to something moving way in the distance off the starboard bow.

“I’ll take the wheel,” Farris offered and got up. Refreshed and revived the sailors’ excitement grew as they neared the moving object.

“It’s him!” Aitan yelled as he recognized the figure in the distance.

Farris accelerated even more and they chatted hopefully as they closed in.

The monstrous giant’s torso rose from the still waters, and his muscles rippled as he hauled his fishing nets in toward his body. He had his back to
The Refraininan
and they could see his long, wavy hair glinting almost white in the bright sunlight. He turned gracefully to face them as they drew near, and Farris cut the engine. His wrinkled, tanned face looked surprised to see them, but not unhappy. He had a long dark beard which reached down his throat, and a moustache covered his top lip. His bushy eyebrows raised in recognition as the sailors lined the starboard hull.

“We apologize for the intrusion, sir,” Rechavia began, “but we must speak with you.”

“I’m listening.” Poseidon’s voice was low and boomed through the still air. It was as if every fish had stopped swimming and the whole world stopped to hear him speak.

“It’s about Melantho,” Rechavia went on. “She had a baby.” He went on to explain what had happened and Poseidon frowned intently.

“We ask for your blessing for her to keep her baby and bring him home to Refrainia,” Rechavia finished.

“I made that rule for a reason. Sirens could only get pregnant if they and their partners truly loved one another. I assumed it would never happen as they only ever met once, and I—foolishly—have never believed in love at first sight. I see that Hermandine had upheld my rule and for that I cannot blame her. The island is remote and dangerous. I still believe it is no place for a baby.” His voice was calm but firm.

“Sir, if I may be permitted to speak,” Farris interjected as the giant turned to go.

The sea-god looked over to him with kind eyes and nodded.

“I have spoken with her doctor, Dr. Jasun. Melantho has been very ill and recently suffered a mental breakdown. She has recovered incredibly well since being able to see her child. He believes that she needs to be with him for the sake of her health, and the little one desperately needs his mother.”

Poseidon nodded sagely. “I understand what you are saying. However, my duty is to the people of Refrainia and I feel that a baby would not thrive on the island. There are no schools or hospitals for children, and the whole dynamic of the island would be altered indelibly. To this end I must uphold my decision. I am sorry.”

“Please!” Blandon cried out as the gigantic man turned away. His massive, taut body dived into the deep ocean and disappeared.

“He can’t do this.” Blandon choked back his despair. “I won’t let him.”

Melantho had enjoyed spending some girly time with her best friend. They had both been to see Owen and Ademia had fallen in love with him. They had played with him for hours and taught him to say ‘Mel.’ Mel had given him lots of hugs and was more determined than ever not to let him go.

“I’m definitely keeping him,” she told Ademia as they sat waiting for the return of their men the following day. “He needs me.”

Ademia smiled. “We’ve got your wedding to plan, too. Oh, Mel, I’m so happy for you.” The large blonde-haired girl took her friend in her arms and hugged her tightly. They both giggled with excitement.

“They’re on their way,” Dr. Jay told them as he caught up with them in the day room.

“Will we see them from here?” Melantho asked, jumping up and rushing over to the large window.

Dr. Jay shook his head grinning. “I’m afraid not, Mel. We’re on the wrong side of the building.”

“That’s so unfair!” Melantho protested, laughing. Then she blushed at her uncharacteristic outburst.

Ademia and Dr. Jay laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Farris appeared in the doorway, grinning. Ademia ran over to him and he took her in his arms, just as Blandon entered the room, followed by Rechavia and Aitan.

Blandon immediately put his arms around Melantho and hugged her tight.

“What happened?” she asked excitedly.

“Why don’t we all sit down and talk about it?” Dr. Jay suggested, “I’ll grab some drinks.”

They all hugged one another before pulling up some extra chairs around one of the little coffee tables in the quiet day room. Dr. Jay brought a selection of cold drinks for them to enjoy and pulled up a chair.

Melantho’s cheerful mood was dwindling as she sensed the atmosphere.

“Did you see Poseidon?” Dr. Jay asked slowly.

Rechavia sighed. “Yes. We told him everything.” He went on to retell the conversation they had had with the huge sea-god, and the disappointing outcome.

“That’s it then,” Melantho said in a small voice. Tears flooded her eyes and she ran from the room. She felt her heart pounding and she grew very hot as she rushed to her little side room and closed the door. Throwing herself onto the soft bed she sobbed hard into her pillow. Everything was wrong. Everything was ruined.
Nothing could ever go right for me!

Melantho guessed that she must have eventually fallen asleep, as it was several hours later when she awoke to find Ademia placing a tray on her nightstand.

“You missed lunch,” the blonde-haired girl told her with a smile.

“I’m not hungry,” Melantho replied, sitting up. The massive lump in her throat would prevent any food from going down if she tried anyway, and she really didn’t feel like eating.

“At least drink some tea,” Ademia offered.

Melantho reluctantly took the cup. Her throat felt raw from all the crying, so it was actually a relief to get a warm drink down it. “Where is everyone?” She looked around but they were alone in her little room.

“Blandon’s with Jay and Dr. Ernaut. They’ve said we can go see Owen before he has his supper if you like? The others had to go back to Refrainia. They need the ship back for another delivery tomorrow and Farris needed to get some more equipment back across.”

Melantho flushed, suddenly feeling guilty. They had all done their best to help her and she had just run out on them. Now Ademia was here without Farris while Dr. Jay would be working again.

“Didn’t you want to go with them?” she asked in a small voice.

Ademia smiled. “I wanted to stay with you. Besides, I want to see Owen again. Farris has plenty to do on the island.” She shrugged, but Melantho knew she was missing him already.

It was already late afternoon by the time Melantho had washed, composed herself, and was ready to go to the orphanage. Blandon gave her a massive hug as they piled into the back of Dr. Ernaut’s car.

“You missed all the excitement, Mel,” Ademia chatted away as they drove out of Harborside. “Our men had to fight off a drakon on their way to see Poseidon.”

Melantho felt herself glow hot inside and out. She felt even guiltier that they had risked their lives for her, and she gasped in horror, staring at Blandon. “You did?”

Blandon held her tighter and grinned. “Yep. It was massive, have you ever seen one?”

Melantho shook her head. As Sirens the girls had never been allowed to venture very far into the sea because of all the dangerous creatures which lurked there, but they had been taught about them.

Blandon described the huge monster which had attacked them, though she suspected he was playing down the dangers for fear of frightening her. He described its beautiful wings and its scaly skin. Melantho listened in amazement.

“You could have all been killed,” she whispered, horrified.

Blandon shook his head. “Nah, it was seriously outnumbered.”

She snuggled into his warmth.

Staring out of the window as they drove through East County, Melantho’s stomach lurched. She hated all the huge, concrete buildings and the busy traffic. The noise of all the people in the street, dogs barking and the constant “shush” of the electrically powered traffic thrummed in her ears. She didn’t like it here. The only good thing was that she could see Owen.

* * * *

After an enjoyable visit, in which the girls played happily with the little boy while the men went to speak with Argi, they returned to the hospital just in time for tea.

“I’m not hungry, thank you,” Melantho explained when the nurse came to fetch her tray and found it still full. A sickly feeling had nestled into her stomach and she really couldn’t face food. She turned to study the photograph of Owen while she waited for Ademia and Blandon to return from the canteen, where they had done with Dr. Jay for their meal.

“You need to keep your strength up,” Dr. Jay cajoled her that evening after Blandon and Ademia had left for the night.

“Poseidon doesn’t want me to have Owen back, does he?” she asked sadly.

“You still need to keep yourself well. You never know what might happen.” He sat on the edge of her bed with a sigh.

“What
will
happen?”

“I don’t know. We’ll sort something out,” he promised.

“If I can’t have Owen someone else will take him, won’t they?” She had been aware of uneasiness between the men when they had climbed into the car at the orphanage, but no one was telling her anything.

Placing a gentle hand on top of hers he nodded slowly.

She stared into his face and felt herself grow hot. “S–someone wants him, don’t they?” The lump in her throat was the size of a boulder and she felt like she was being strangled. A heavy knot churned her stomach and she retched violently.

“Here,” Dr. Jay offered her a bowl from the cupboard of the nightstand and she vomited heavily.

She went to clean her teeth and wash her face at the little sink in the corner. Dr. Jay had to help her stand up and walk, as she was shaking violently.

“Nothing’s been arranged yet,” he assured her, helping her into her gown and tucking her in bed. “A young couple came to see him this afternoon. They were very taken with him, but Argi explained that there was a possibility that he would be going back with you.”

“B–but what if he’s not? If Poseidon won’t let me take him back what can I do?” Tears streamed down her face and she felt weak and sick.

“Let’s wait and see. You need to get some rest now,” he said softly.

Melantho tossed and turned all night. By morning she was tired, irritable and lethargic. She refused breakfast and the nurse tutted when she checked out her observations. “You were doing so well,” she chided.

Melantho didn’t care. She sat staring at the photograph of Owen on her nightstand. She couldn’t even get excited when Ademia and Blandon came to see her.

“We need to start thinking about your wedding,” Ademia chirped. “Have you thought what kind of dress you’re having?”

“No,” she replied wearily.

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” Blandon said despondently, as he kissed her on the forehead and headed out the door.

Melantho was aware of her friend chattering excitedly about dresses and food and parties, but she wasn’t really listening. The sight of her little boy filled her mind. The touch and smell of him was all she could think of.

When lunchtime finally came around Ademia and Blandon left her to eat the soup and sandwiches that the nurse placed on the small table for her. She daren’t refuse the meal so she said nothing and waited for the nurse to leave the room. Climbing out of bed for the first time that day, her legs felt wobbly and her body was weak. Slowly she walked over to the tray of food and took it out into the corridor where the staff was starting to stack the empty dishes. She quickly threw the food in the bin and stacked the tray on the trolley with the rest. Her intention to help gather up the other patients’ dishes was thwarted when she felt her stomach retch and she headed back to her room as quickly as she could manage. She made it just in time to be sick.

Melantho had just cleaned herself up when Ademia and Dr. Jay came back to see her. “I was just going to get dressed,” she told them, and then noticed the sad look on Ademia’s face. “What is it?”

“We’re not taking you to the orphanage today,” Dr. Jay explained, patting the bed for her to get back in.

Melantho felt herself flush hot and she stared at him. “W–what’s happened?”