Page 3 of Voice of the Ocean

“Stop wiggling,” she hissed, clutching it tighter. “I won’t eat you.I’m saving you.”

But when they reached the sandy floor, her stomach dropped. There was nothing but delicate coral as far as she could see. No place to hide. Celeste let out a curse. She wouldn’t dare touch the sacred reef. Andeven if she could bring herself to break off a piece as a weapon, it would be too brittle to use for long.

Panic tightened her chest, and she fought to keep her breathing even. Her fear would only send the shark into a frenzy. The hesitation had already cost her dearly. The shark shot toward her, jaws open wide.

Celeste spun, throwing her body in an arch at the precise moment the shark went sailing off beneath her. The trick only gained her moments. In an instant, the shark whipped around, ready for a second attempt. It was fast. Much faster than she’d anticipated. Fleeing was out of the question. And she doubted she was strong enough to beat a shark in a fistfight, especially while holding the very thing she was trying to protect.

One option remained. And yet she wavered, dodging the shark again to buy time.You won’t hurt anyone, she tried to reassure herself,and you are out of options. And so as the shark dove for her tail, Celeste focused and opened her mouth.

The Song poured from her lips, haunting and beautiful. A soft, clear sound that beckoned and caressed like a lover. It was a sound that could shatter hearts and bring hundreds to their knees.

Celeste’s body began to glow. Silvery-white light pulsed from the tips of her hair to her tail. The siren stiffened, eyes widening in alarm as she looked upon herself.No. This isn’t right.Stay calm. Stay in control. If she lost focus, the magic of the Song would be undone. That was why sirens ordinarily sang in groups.

As if in response, the Song slipped further from her grasp. But instead of the magic falling away, as it should have, it became a writhing and wild thing all its own. And although the water hardly moved, her moon-white hair billowed around her head, swirling and fluttering. Clouds circled in the shark’s fathomless black eyes, swallowing them whole. Its body slowed to a halt, so close its nose bumped against her tail. Celeste’s shoulders sagged in relief. The Song continued, wrapping around the predator’s frozen form. Holding. Dominating. The shark’s stillness was eerie to behold. Like a moment preserved in ice. In her hands, the baby turtle had stilled as well. She winced.Not again.

Celeste swam forward, beckoning the shark to remain with her. As much as she wished to flee, she had to keep her target within eyesight to maintain the connection. It trailed behind her like a shadow, an extension of herself, obeying her every thought.

Now what? Celeste needed to get to her lessons. Madam Auralia had kicked initiates out for being late. But she couldn’t swim home. That would lead the shark straight to her kingdom. She’d just have to find somewhere to leave the shark.

It took some time, but at last she found the perfect opening in the side of a cliff far from Staria’s entrance. With one gesture of her hand, the shark swam headfirst into the crevice, burrowing deep inside. She backed away, still singing until she was certain the shark was far enough inside. Then she turned tail and darted away.

But it turned out she shouldn’t have bothered. Celeste was in sight of home when she at last felt the turtle’s wriggling begin again. The Song had taken over ten minutes to fade. She cursed beneath her breath.Why did it linger?

Celeste stared down at the tiny turtle, rubbing her thumb against its smooth shell. She could keep it. It’d be nice to have a little friend to take care of. But Celeste’s parents would never allow it. Not sincethe dolphin incident. But who knew dolphins were so contemptible? And even if Celestecouldbring the turtle home, she’d have to explain where she had gotten it. If only she weren’t such a terrible liar.

With a sigh, the siren found a small rock formation beside a busy reef, safe enough for a young turtle to make its home. She unfurled her fingers, enjoying the sweet feeling of victory as the little creature swam free.

“All the blessings of the Goddess be with you, little one,” she whispered with a smile. “Until the tides turn.” Then, with a proud swish of her tail, she made for home.

* * *

The Kingdom of Staria was built in the embrace of a vast cave system in the Southern Ocean. At its front, one small entrance was guarded day and night. Thousands of cycles ago, Celeste’s ancestor, Queen Isla of House Neris, constructed it so she could control all movement in and out of her kingdom. But having one entrance and exit also meant those inside could be easily trapped. And so, secret tunnels had been constructed. Well concealed and hardly used, they certainly came in handy if you were a princess with a secret.

Celeste reached a pile of rocks and pushed them aside to reveal a hole slightly wider than her hips. She swam through, making sure to sweep the rocks back in place behind her with her fin. Beneath, the hole widened into a long, deep cave. She rushed along, the light growing dimmer as she went. Siren eyes were adapted to limited light, but she’d know each twist and turn even in darkness.

The tunnel ended in a wall. Celeste felt along the flat rock until she found a small fracture, and she pushed. The stone gave, sliding to reveal the back gardens of the palace. She slipped through the opening, turning to replace the rock.

A hand clamped down upon her shoulder. “What do you think you’re doing here? The palace is not open to visitors.”

Celeste’s heart plummeted into her stomach. She’d been rushing and hadn’t noticed the guard. They hadn’t recognized her yet, but if she bolted now, they’d pursue her. How would she explain herself?If the queen found out...

With a jerk, the guard swung her around to face them. Celeste winced. She hadn’t had time to think of a lie. Perhapsthatwas what she should have been doing during the swim home. But her mind had been flooded with thoughts of the human ship. No, not the ship.The prince. His dreamy song still echoed endlessly in her ears, a call waiting for her response.

Celeste met the guard’s eyes, knowing full well that her guilt was likely written across her face. But as the guard looked at her, realization dawned. They dropped their hand from her shoulder as though she had burned them.

“Princess!” they exclaimed, lilac skin flushing deep red.

Celeste knew most of the sirens who worked within the palace grounds, but she did not recognize this one. Perhaps they were new? Maybe luck was still on her side.

“Good tides!” Celeste chirped, flashing a too-bright smile. “I apologize, but I don’t believe we have met.”

The guard blinked before inclining their torso, dark hair falling into their face.

“Please accept my apologies for touching you, Highness. I did not recognize you.”

Celeste threw a glance around to see if anyone else was watching but found no one. “Do not worry yourself,” Celeste said graciously. “But I do have somewhere to be...” she trailed off, hinting that she didn’t know their name.

“Maris, Your Highness.” The guard flushed, pleased that she cared enough to ask their name.

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