Sea God's Siren (The Brother's Keep) (8 page)

Chapter 18

Arrival

Although Syrena could dwell in the swift yet gentle current of the mysteriously subsistent water forever, she stepped out of the stream into another cavern where everything sparkled in a strange manner. There, in the center, crouched Dagon and Fotyne. They were enrapt as they listened to someone, a third entity—a man. He appeared common enough. Except for the glow that emanated from him, like a divine aura. In fact, Syrena’s breath caught at the brilliance of it. The more she studied the radiance, the less common the man seemed. He spoke while drawing in the sand with a finger.

Syrena remained frozen and watched. She hesitated to interrupt. At the same time, she yearned to run to Dagon and clasp her arms about his neck, smother him with kisses. Taking a step, she faltered and then moved back.

The stranger’s head lifted. He smiled and beckoned her to join them in their circle of light.

When she inched toward the man, all doubt vanished. One glance into his eyes gave her a glimpse into an unknown world of wisdom and compassion. The genuineness made her knees buckle. She crawled to his feet and she moved to wash them with her hair.

“Oh I’ve already done that, dear,” Fotyne offered quietly, lovingly. “But carry on if you must. Though I should think my offerings are far burdened, sins far weightier than yours.”

Without facing Fotyne, Syrena sensed the woman’s humble smile, and sniffed. “We are all unworthy, every one of us.” When she finished, she paused. “Bright and Morning Star?”

“I am.”

“Joy fills me at meeting you at last!”

“I’ve been accessible all along. You needed only to ask. Seek and you shall find.” He chuckled and then lifted her chin. “My precious child.” He gazed at her with a different kind of adoration; one like no other.

“Wherever you lead I will follow,” she said as he wiped her tears.

He clapped and erupted in a hearty laughter. “I was hoping you’d say that!” A twinkle gleamed in his eye as he spoke.

Syrena even sensed a bit of goodly mischief, like he had something up his sleeve, a surprise or something exciting to reveal.

“Treasures unspeakable await, my daughter.” He beamed. “But . . .” That curious word floated out in a singsong manner. “For now, make good with what I provide for you here. And when the time comes, you, and Dagon, others . . . we’ll all reunite in my land of gold by the diamond-coated marine.”

“Don’t leave.” Syrena clasped his long sleeve.

“No, of course not. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be your guide, your shining light if you but seek me.”

“I do, I will.”

He nodded. Then he rose, bringing her up with him. He supported her by the elbow and placed her hand in Dagon’s with a wink. Then he reached for Fotyne’s hand and began to lead her away.

“Mother?” Dagon implored.

“It is time for me to go, my son.”

Dagon glanced at the one who guided, with the question in his eyes.

Bright and Morning Star lifted his countenance with a soft smile, delivering a languid peace.

“Well, now,” Fotyne uttered, as she went back to stand before her son and daughter-in-law. “I don’t know about you kids, but I feel refreshed. It’s as if I’ve been given a new life all over again.” She beamed. Then she reached one last time, pulling the couple into her embrace. “I dislike goodbyes, but I know that it’s only temporary.”

“Can’t we all stay together?” Syrena asked.

“What? No! I’d just be in the way.”

Syrena, about to disagree, stopped short when Fotyne flicked a thumb behind her.

“I’m on a new voyage,” Fotyne proclaimed. “I’m going to that gold city with the brightest star.” She shifted her weight and placed her hand on a hip. “I’m going to build me another boat, yes I am. I have more sailing to do! Except, it’ll be on that sparkly marine belonging to that land of gold. And the boat . . . why, it’ll be bigger and better. A ship!” She clasped Syrena’s face, and then Dagon’s, where her focus lingered, emanating an expression of joy, sorrow, and longing mixed together all at once.

“Someday soon,” Fotyne said, “we’ll see each other again. I’m so very grateful Bright and Morning Star allowed me this gathering together.” She inclined her head and then returned to her guide’s side. “I’m proud of you, my son.”

At that, Dagon bowed his head and wept. Hard.

The cavern filled with an even greater light that made the couple bow. When the Bright and Morning Star departed, Fotyne journeying with him, the place resonated with a holy hue.

Moments passed.

Syrena sensed Dagon’s arm, draped across her shoulders.

They stood and stared at each other for a long span, assessing a moment and emotion they couldn’t adequately describe.

Dagon drew Syrena into his arms. She felt all the love in that squeeze, pouring from his soul, covering her with his affection.

He wiped her tears. She wiped his.

Then he led her back into the deep.

Chapter 19

Freedom

Steffi combed the beach, enjoying a rare moment away from her children who were with Helferd for the time being. A blush caught her off-guard over the thought of how she would show appreciation for her husband’s goodness later. She tucked her chin and stared at her toes that dug into the sand as she ambled.

She heard her name on the wind and glanced up, shielding her eyes from the sun. A figure trudged down the nearby outcrop that protected the eastern side of the village. As it grew closer, the figure became clearer.

“Gwyn?” Steffi mumbled.

Her eldest sister waved, cupping her mouth, calling her again. She moved with increased eagerness, stumbling down the rocky hillside.

“Gwyn!”

Steffi met her halfway up, and they fell into each other, clinging.

Her sister appeared weary but happy. Relieved, really.

“You’ve come home,” Steffi cried.

Gwyn could only nod.

“You will always have a place with me. Welcome back, my sister.”

At last, Gwyn was able to speak. “I tried to return several times, but I lost my way.” She sniffed.

“But you’re here now.” Steffi squeezed her again. “What finally brought you?”

“I saw a strange star in the sky and didn’t realize until recently that it was there all along, guiding me. I just needed to look up.” Gwyn gave a weary snort of laughter, laced with every trial she faced as well as newfound happiness to have come back home.

Steffi threw her arm over Gwyn’s shoulder and they traipsed down the slope together.

“I won’t be in the way?”

She beamed. “Never. Helferd will understand. You and I are family and always will be.”

“Helferd Corby.” Gwyn’s smirk widened into a genuine smile.

Steffi gave her a squeeze.

As they moved toward the village, a loud sound boomed from the sea not far from shore. The sisters both turned but saw nothing.

Dagon and Syrena again leapt from the water and crashed down with such clamor it was sure to create monster waves, reaching the toes of her siblings. Her joy rang out and she wanted Steffi and Gwyn to know all was well.

Side-by-side now, Dagon and Syrena stared in the direction of the departing sisters. Dagon cupped Syrena’s head tenderly, compassion in his eyes. Stirring, they began to move away.

Suddenly, Steffi stopped with Gwyn underarm and waved out to the open ocean. Gwyn studied her youngest sister, a question in her eyes, but Steffi focused on the waters. She found what she sought.

Syrena waved back again and again, giggling with elation, until her sisters finally left the beach.

“Back to our coral home, my love?”

Syrena playfully tugged on a pink seashell dangling from Dagon’s emerald-hued hair before kissing him full on the mouth in response.

After a breathless spell, Dagon slipped his hands from Syrena’s face. Grinning, he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up. They arched, twirled, spun, leapt, and dove . . . their way.