Page 30 of Of Song and Darkness

“My father is there, and my mother, and I have a younger sister. I had an older sister, but she was killed by humans.” That last part came out lined with venom, and I was surprised that neither man flinched or even seemed at all concerned about my sister’s death, but why should they? “When she died, it became my duty to carry on our legacy.” My voice deepened with sadness, gaining me a quick glance from Kai over his shoulder.

“And then there is my fiancé, Orm.” I swear Kai’s shoulders stiffened, and an evil thought blossomed in my mind. “He’s so handsome and strong. Captain of the siren army.” I forced my voice to become loving and dreamy sounding.

“A fine specimen, I’m sure.” When Cael joined in, I was shocked. Stranger still was the smile that spread across his face and the anticipation in his eyes as he watched Kai.

“Quiet, both of you,” Kai scolded. “I’m trying to focus on our bearings.”

Cael doubled over with laughter. “Since when does talking disturb your navigation?”

“Since now,” Kai grumbled.

Cael walked off, still laughing. I scrunched my brow in confusion as I watched Kai.

His gaze finally sought mine. “Tell me, sea demon, how do you plan on defeating Medusa? Anything of flesh is affected by her stare. You may have a better chance as a siren, but I wouldn’t rely on that if I were you.”

I paused. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind. I honestly didn’t think I would make it this far, but as the prospect loomed before me, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

Kai cocked a dark eyebrow at me. “And don’t say your siren song. Medusa is a gorgon. It may not work on her. Do you even know how to defend yourself?”

A lump swelled in my throat, and I swallowed. “No. Princesses are not exactly trained in self-defense…” I bit my lip when he motioned for another man to take the wheel, and then Kai walked toward me.

His presence was suffocating. He was so close I could feel his body heat warm against my skin.

The hiss of metal rang through the air as he pulled his sword from the scabbard, and I cringed.

“Take it.” He handed me the hilt, and I wrapped my fingers around it.

I had never held a sword before, and its weight astounded me. How did this man parade around with this and several other weapons strapped to his body at all times?

“Your stance is important. Spread your legs apart and bend your knees slightly.” Using his booted foot, he maneuvered my feet until he was satisfied with my posture. “This way, if someone or something throws their body weight against you, they will be less likely to knock you over. Medusa will use her serpent tail to try to knock you off your feet. If she does, you will be dead.”

I couldn’t believe he was offering to help me, but I absorbed his words like a sea sponge.

“Hold the blade before your face. You have to protect your upper body at all costs. You have to watch your opponent and use all of your senses. Hear her muscles coil. Smell her skin and the musk it gives off when she is getting ready to strike.” He repositioned my arm when the sword started to droop. “Even something as simple as a quiver of her muscles could give away where she intends to strike next.” Kai positioned my arms and gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “No matter what, do not take your eyes off your opponent.”

I shook my head in understanding as my nerves began to break through the surface of my emotions. I angled my head toward his voice. “How did you survive?”

“I didn’t.” He breathed in my ear. “Some wounds are not visible to the naked eye.”

My fingertips tingled as I tried to process his words. What wound did he speak of?

“Cael, help the sea demon out, will you?” he added before I had a chance to ask him anything further.

My stare shifted to Cael, who had stopped what he was doing to watch the show, along with several of the other men.

“My pleasure, Captain,” Cael answered in a voice that was all too eager.

Cael pulled his sword from his waist, the shiny metal of the blade reflecting in my face. I hesitated as the massive man approached me. He struck out as quickly as an eel, striking my sword with such force that it flew from my hands and landed with a loud clang against the floorboards. Cael raised his blade, lightly brushing the tip along the hollow of my throat.

“He that wavers is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” Kai’s voice made me jump as he came up behind me, his warm breath caressing my neck.

“You’re a poet now?” I asked as he picked up the blade, handed it to me, and repositioned my body.

“No, just speaking words of wisdom.” Kai pressed his solid body to my back and placed his rough hand on top of mine, gripping the sword’s hilt.

His scent engulfed me, flooding my senses and distracting me from the man with the blade in front of me. Cael struck out again. I would have been too late again, but Kai was in charge of this dance now. He parried and blocked Cael’s attack, the blades echoing when steel met steel. The force of the swords coming together sent a vibrating tingle down my arm, but that was nothing compared to what Kai’s closeness was doing to my body.

I tried to focus on Cael as he circled, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. When he did, I blocked it. Kai’s hand was still on top of mine, but he was letting me make the decisions now.

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