Page 78 of The Shadow of Polaris

We sailed through the night, and at dawn, the rowers began their strokes with cadence chants that shook the boards of our hull. The gentle rocking of the hull skimming across the waves pulled me from a silent sleep. Tucked safely beneath the embrace of the sleeping half-god, I dreaded leaving this bed.

Taking that first step onto the timber deck above brought an end to this dream. We’d have to face another day, another deadly reality. Sighing, I turned to face him. Aryx’s features were so soft, a stark juxtaposition from the hardened creases and lines he normally wore. With his lips slightly parted and a sheet of silky golden hair curtaining his cheek, he was a million miles away. Somewhere peaceful. Somewhere he deserved to be.

With a trembling hand, I tucked the loose strands back behind his ear. My throat tightened when his lips curled into a small smile. I couldn’t pull him back to this nightmare. Sliding from beneath his heavy limbs, I reached for the white linen tunic that lay crumpled on the floor.

“Just where do you think you’re going?” Aryx asked, his voice still thick with sleep. Smirking over my shoulder, I watched him wipe the night from his eyes and yawn deeply.

“I was going to go check in with the oarsman- ensure there was no panic regarding a missing spring prince who didn’t return to his ship last night.”

“Ah-” He sat up, leaning his chest against the headboard and tucking his hands behind his head. “Well, I’m sure a few more minutes of panic won’t do too much harm.”

Sunlight from a porthole washed over the thick black lines engraved into his skin. I couldn’t help but trace the block-work patterns, following them across his collarbones, wrapping around his rib cage until they disappeared beneath the sheets. His eyes darkened, sending waves of heat crashing through me. My toes curled against the floorboards.

“What’s five more minutes, I suppose,” I grinned, sliding back toward him.

Five minutes turned to ten, twenty, forty.

It wasn’t until a knock on the cabin door alerted us we were needed on deck that we emerged, pulling us from the blissful shelter we’d built.

Rah soared high above the sea, his outstretched wings blending into the vast blue sky speckled with puffy cumulus clouds. It was hard to believe these seas were such a threat. Dark navy waves collided with serene cobalt skies, stretching as far as the eye could see. Aryx returned to his ship, taking command of the aft deck and every so often stealing lustful glances across the glittering waves.

Leaning against the point of the warship, I took in the sweet smell of the waves. White foam bounced from each side of the waterline as the bow cut through each swell with a uniform rise and fall. Something glistened off our starboard side, catching my eye. It breached the surface, sunlight bouncing off its iridescent tail. With perked ears, I listened for the splash as its long, green body plunged back into the depths, disappearing beneath sea foam.

“Oarsman, there’s something on the starboard bow.” I called aft, “Everyone be on your guard.”

The creature breached again, joined by another, identical in color.

“What is that?” I squinted, trying to make out its blurred features. Long green hair was wetted back across a narrow forehead. As the two breached again, a third joined them. Their delicate skin was a pale shade of blue as they extended long, webbed fingers in front of them and dove back beneath the surface.

With each leap into the fresh morning air they grew closer, their beauty coming into view. I leaned farther over the railing, trying to get a closer look as they bounced from wave crest to wave crest. I needed to see them, to hear their soft clicks, to touch their smooth skin.

One creature skimmed the surface and glided past the bow. His back, strong and muscular, melted into a glorious fishtail of shining scales. Green hair rushed down to his hips as he jerked his powerful tail and leapt from the waterline, arcing over the bronze battering ram and disappearing beneath a foamy white wave crest on the other side.

With glimmering glazed eyes, I stepped over the railing to get closer. His emerald stare sparkled and beckoned me to join him.

Treading next to our ship, he lifted his graceful webbed fingers to me, smiling sweetly. The way his slender fingers urged me forward was enchanting. Like a net, they cast an irresistible charm. I wanted to touch his cool skin, to feel that spidery webbing against my face. I took another step over the railing, balancing against the metal post on the bow.

“ELPIS! NO!” Aryx cried from the bow of his ship, now rafting beside us. Shaken from the creature’s beautiful trance, its gentle green glow faded away.

“Wh-a-at…What am I doing?” I gasped, gripping against the railing before I fell into the blue depths beneath me. My toes dangled off the decking. The creature hissed at Aryx and dove beneath the sea, kicking the forked fin of his tail furiously as he flurried towards the other ships.

“Don’t follow her! Just stay where you are!” Aryx cried, uncoiling the line to lower the gangway between our two beams.

“Her?” I asked quietly, my eyes scanning the water, hoping to experience the glorious beauty of the creatures below again.

“STAY WHERE YOU ARE!” he called, leaping onto our deck and pushing past my entranced crew, all of their heads nearly touching the surface as they stretched over the rails to catch a glimpse. More of the creatures swarmed us, clicking and cooing at the men.

The male creature had returned, his eyes glowing brighter as he beckoned for me.

It wasn’t so bad. He wouldn’t hurt me.

What if I just let go?

What if I let myself fall and join him beneath the waves? I could leave all the hurt, all the pain, everything behind. I wouldn’t be confined by my guilt anymore. Aryx would find someone else to cherish. He’d be rid of the monstrosity I’d become. It was the perfect escape. I weighed the benefits in my mind, finding no disadvantages present. Those around me would be safe, and all would finally be peaceful in the world. There’d be no more destruction, no more war, no more death. If I let go and disappeared into the great blue abyss, my companions would be free.

So would I.

I let my fingers slide from the railing and leaned forward. The air rushed against my face as I fell into the salty waves.

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