Once Upon a Silent Song: Once upon a Story, #2

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time , the good and fair Queen Darya ruled the Siryian Sea, and all who lived there prospered. During her rule, Darya had five children with her only consort, Varun. But soon, everything changed.

On a routine visit to land, Darya met a mysterious and kind Mage named Emrys, and the two fell in love. But out of necessity, Darya returned to the sea and her queenly duties. Soon, a daughter unlike any other was born of their brief union and she was named Mariska.

Whilst pining for Emrys, Darya birthed a final child by Varun barely more than an annual later and named her Nimue. These two youngest princesses were close in both age and friendship.

As Darya became more and more emotionally distant from the sea, Varun’s jealousy and bitterness grew. He poisoned his older children with negativity and hatred for Mariska, destroying any chance of a loving bond. Neither Darya nor Nimue noticed. Darya was too caught up in yearning to recognize the problem with Varun, as such possessive emotions were rare among Sirens. Nimue was too young and naive to realize that others didn’t love Mariska the way she did.

Darya did notice that Mariska struggled to fit in. So she decided Mariska would benefit from training at the Mage school as soon as she was old enough. Darya grasped at the excuse to leave the sea and journey with her daughter on land where she could return to her beloved. Darya rationalized that since her eldest daughter, Anahita, was old enough to rule, she could forever leave her burdens behind.

With Darya and Mariska gone, Varun seized power that should have never been his, declaring himself king. Despite his usurped power, or perhaps because of it, Varun’s hatred for those on land only grew with the passage of time, corrupting the throne with violence and evil.

It is on the eve of Mariska’s return to the sea that our story begins.

CHAPTER ONE

Nimue

What started out as a routine solitary swim outside the Coral Palace quickly turned into a cascade of emotions. The beauty of the sea, filled with all its wonders, was nothing compared to the sight of her long-lost sister. Her joy was soon followed by confusion and then distress. Mariska was home so much sooner than Nimue thought possible.

Did she already finish her training?

But the more she observed as she swam toward her sister, the more she realized something was wrong.

Nimue pretended not to notice, but she was disturbed by the open animosity toward Mariska—not only from her brother, but also from the people avoiding her and surreptitiously staring. Mariska was their princess. She should be shown respect, not treated as if she were some abnormality!

Was it always like this for Mariska?

Calling attention to her observations would serve nothing. At best, it would make the situation more awkward. At worst, the tension could ramp up significantly, putting her favorite sister in danger. That was assuming she wasn’t already in danger. Nimue couldn’t fathom why Mariska would be endangered, but she didn’t like the threatening way Kai seemed to be guiding their sister with his spear.

The water brought the faint smell of blood to her, indicating he may have done a little more than merely threaten, but if that was the case, Mariska wasn’t letting on at all. Nimue took the situation in for only a moment after noticing Mariska before she decided to simply show her joy for her sister’s return, pretending ignorance of anything else.

When she was close enough, Nimue squealed and rushed at Mariska, throwing her arms around her sister. The force of the motion sent them somersaulting through the water. She hoped it wouldn’t hurt Mariska if she was injured, but she didn’t know any other way to appear oblivious to the tension.

Mariska! You never sent word you were coming. I would have met you at the surface if you had. Oh, we have so much catching up to do. She prattled on as if she hadn’t a care in the world. When they finally stopped spinning, she gave Mariska another big squeeze, ignoring Kai’s obvious irritation.

Kai coughed, making it impossible to continue ignoring him, so she turned toward him with a grin.

She needs to meet with King Varun. By his tone, Nimue knew he didn’t want her there—not that he would ever tell her that outright.

Although she was sixteen annuals old, being the youngest sibling still had some perks, one of which was that her six older brothers and sisters were protective of her. Her brothers were especially so, even if it was just her feelings they were protecting.

Of course. I’ll come with you both. We have so much catching up to do with Mariska. I can’t believe she’s back. It’s been far too long, though not as long as I expected. Ignoring his tone, Nimue grinned and linked her arm with Mariska’s. If she wasn’t so worried about her sister, she’d think the situation was funny. Kai always had been too serious.

I am escorting her, he said in the same gruff tone, trying again to get rid of her without actually stating it.

There’s no reason she can’t have two escorts. Nimue beamed at him, still clutching her sister close.

I don’t think that’s a good idea, Nimue. This was probably as close as he would get to blatantly telling her to leave. Nimue was impressed that he went that far in trying to dismiss her. Not that it would work.

Nimue snorted, unable to resist addressing the tension—just a little. She relinquished her hold on Mariska and put her hands on her hips to show she wouldn’t back down.

Lighten up, brother. She is our sister, not some intruder come to ruin us. You sound like you think she’s a threat.

She has been gone with the Mages for a while. We don’t know where her loyalties lie. How do we know she does not come with some nefarious Mage scheme for exactly that purpose? I don’t want her to hurt you. Though his sentiment sounded genuine, and his concern for her was undoubtedly real, Nimue knew it wasn’t only about keeping her safe. For whatever reason, he apparently believed Mariska was untrustworthy.

Nimue laughed at the absurd idea of Mariska harming her. Very funny, Kai. Mariska’s my sister. She’d never hurt me, no matter what. We’re all family. Even if we were threatened, I’m certain that none of us would harm another. I’ll be perfectly safe.

As he started to form yet another protest, she continued, infusing justifiable pride into her voice. Besides, if my sister did wish me harm for some reason beyond fathoming, have you forgotten what I am capable of with my Voice? I know you all want to protect me since I am the youngest, but I am more powerful than all of the Protectors we currently have. In only a couple short solars, I will join you, and our defense will be stronger than it’s ever been. Regardless, the age thing is merely a formality, and I am perfectly capable of defending myself against any threat that may come to me.

Fine. I suppose you are old enough to make your own choices, he caved with a grumble. His narrowed eyes and stiff posture showed that he wasn’t nearly as convinced as he sounded. He stiffly and silently continued toward the palace.

Pushing her luck, Nimue coaxed him with her most innocent voice and a sweet smile. Lower your spear, Kai. You’re a bit too close to Mariska. I know you don’t want harm to come to any of your sisters.

He reluctantly complied, but the daggers he was staring into Mariska’s back indicated he truly had a problem with her return. Nimue’s heart broke with the thought, but she refused to let it show. Better to just outwardly ignore the situation and try to improve things through feigned ignorance.

She resisted the urge to bite her lip in worry at the way Mariska was being treated. That would ruin the illusion she was trying to create. It took an extreme amount of willpower to ignore the greater urge to immediately act upon her worries and drastically alter the situation. Now wasn’t the time for change. Not yet. She would need to think about the situation a bit before attempting to change it. Figuring out the angle to approach it was just one of many things she needed to consider.

Instead, Nimue took Mariska’s arm and prattled on about everything Mariska missed while she was gone. Cheer was its own kind of weapon, and Nimue would wield it to help her sister return to her rightful place. Mariska was a Siren princess. She didn’t deserve any of the hostility Nimue saw coming from random passersby and especially from their brother.

She knew the path well as they swam down to the palace. Nimue barely paid attention to their direction as Kai took the lead, frequently looking back at Nimue and Mariska with a frown. Upon entering the palace, Kai led them through the corridors. Nimue ignored their opulent surroundings, focusing her whole attention on her sister. Nothing she said was of consequence, just something to fill the silence and break the tension.

Once Kai left them, Nimue dropped her act. With Mariska, she could be open in a way she hadn’t been with anyone in a long time—not since Mariska and their mother left annuals ago. Frowning, Nimue commented sarcastically, How very kind of our elder brother to give us the plainest, smallest waiting room. I wonder if he’ll bother to summon someone for refreshments.

Like many rooms in the Coral Palace, this room was mostly underwater with an air pocket in a small section higher up, meant for dining.

Mariska laughed humorlessly, gently pulling her arm from Nimue’s and putting some distance between them. Her face, so stoic before, now clearly showed weariness and fear. If he does, it will be for your benefit and not mine.

Nimue gaped in horror as her earlier suspicions were confirmed. This isn’t new. How did I never notice before? I mean, I knew you were closest to me out of everyone, but I always thought you were at least accepted by the others.

They were interrupted by a servant in human form entering from a door on the elevated side of the room. Somehow, the amount of food looked a bit small for serving two, seeming to prove Mariska’s point. The servant set the tray on the table and bowed himself out.

Mariska responded to Nimue as soon as they were alone again. You were only a child back then. Mariska gave her an affectionate smile. How could you have noticed? You were always the happiest girl I ever knew. To you, the world down here was always just as bright as the world above, and everyone was good and right in your eyes. I remember that you were the only one of us who was ever eager to head up to the surface. For the rest of us, it was just a chore Mother imposed regularly. Just one more obligation of being her daughter.

Nimue sighed, struggling to repress the guilt. She knew Mariska meant well, but her reassurance only made Nimue feel worse about her obviously poor childhood observation skills.

You mean I was wrapped up in my own delusions about the world. I did always love going on land—it was such a great adventure. But the rest of it—my perspective of the world? She laughed self-deprecatingly. Well, that all changed when you and Mother left—not that I’ve given anyone cause to notice the difference. I still act bright and bubbly. But things have changed and I worry about it. I don’t know for certain yet, but I fear the consequences of Mother’s abandonment. Did you notice Kai’s title for our father? We don’t have the word ‘king’ in our language, and for good reason. That’s an Athysian word, and it doesn’t belong in Siren vocabulary.

They moved up to the refreshment table. Nimue didn’t bother to change. Instead, she used her arms to heft herself up onto the ledge, sitting with her tail fin half-in-half-out of the water. Mariska changed into her human form, otherwise mirroring Nimue’s position.

Mariska worriedly hugged her arms to herself. I did hear Kai call Varun the king. How is that possible?

Nimue shrugged, at a loss for any explanation. Although she was also confused, there was nothing she could do about the situation.

"Mother left without naming a successor. Father was her consort. He claimed leadership of the Sirens, bearing Sirena’s trident as proof that she intended him as her successor. Who could have challenged him? Anahita is the only Siren aside from Mother with that right. She would be Mother’s natural heir, but Anahita’s been his biggest supporter. She was always the closest to him out of all of us anyway.

There was a bit of grumbling from the people at first, and everyone expected Anahita’s challenge, but so much time has passed that it’s clear it will never happen. Now, everyone is just trying to prove their loyalty, and I especially worry that the people apparently fear him. I haven’t managed to figure it out yet—I don’t want to let on that I’m aware something is wrong. Our siblings don’t tell me much, and most of our people seem to be afraid to speak up. Unfortunately, unless Mother returns, Father will remain our leader until he steps down or dies.

But Sirena couldn’t possibly approve? Mariska’s eyes were wide, and her voice mirrored the disbelief Nimue had once felt. She’d gotten too used to the strangeness to feel more than sorrow, confusion, and nagging worry about it now.

The Goddess has given us no indication of approval or disapproval in this matter. Likely, She is unaware. She has been sleeping for ages and is expected to continue sleeping until the world’s end. Though we can call upon Her power, we can’t get any answers from Her.

I suppose you’re right. Mariska shuddered and her voice turned dark. I only wonder what he’ll do with me. My very existence has always offended him.

Nimue closed the distance, scooting closer, and gently embraced her sister. It was the only comfort she could offer. Unlike the way everyone else treated her, Nimue’s father’s feelings about Mariska were no surprise. She didn’t bother to deny that he openly hated Mariska. Not that I am not glad you are here, but if you were worried about your reception, why did you come?

Mariska gave a hollow laugh, pain etched on her face. I’m wanted among the Mages just about as much as I am here. Which means that I’m barely tolerated. My training progressed quickly and they assigned me to work here with the Sirens.

Nimue smiled with pride, burying the anger she felt for Mariska’s lack of welcome on both sides of her kin. Focusing on the negative never helped anything. The fact that Mariska’s training had advanced so quickly was a good sign. "You must have done well with developing your Mage powers