Page 25 of Surfaces
Luckily, I didn't have time to do more than watch her smirk in my direction before other men from the tournament reached me.
Julian was first. The scientifically-minded siren had a darker complexion than most others, his skin a metallic bronze instead of the gold typical of sirens. His pale-green hair had grown a tiny bit scruffy in the week since I’d met him, the tips floating around his ears as his light-brown eyes studied me perceptively while his feet flickered back and forth beneath him so quickly that they were nothing but a blur.
Sirens' swimming techniques were nothing short of magical. Though they looked like breathtakingly beautiful humans, and were quite dangerous, with enchantingly alluring voices to those on land, under the sea, their only magic seemed to be their ability to rapidly flutter their feet as fast as hummingbird wings.
We exchanged greetings before Julian cleared his throat and stated, “I’d heard that tonight there was to be a feast to celebrate the completion of this round of the tournament since obviously it was canceled yesterday.”
I nodded and confirmed the rumor. “That’s true.” Mayor Deacon had been quite insistent upon moving the dinner but keeping it, and I understood why. It was important to rub elbows with the locals once more, to discuss opportunities, to end this visit to Reef City with a positive impression rather than the memory of disaster.
Queen Gela always said, "People remember the last thing you say to them, so make it count." It was something I'd taken to heart over the years.Technically, I can’t take anything to heart any longer.I swallowed a grin at my own grim joke and focused on the handsome siren in front of me. Though his coloring was unusual, the contrast between his hair and skin was quite beautiful.
Julian’s face broke into a rare smile at my response. He typically looked serious and studious and rarely relaxed, so the sight made me grin a little. He clapped his hands together once in delight. “Wonderful. I’d love to introduce you to a local scientist whose work on a device known as a paint press, which uses paint to stamp out multiple notices in a single day’s time, will revolutionize the way heralds deliver messages. No more memorization. No more shorthand. Notices can even be posted around the town for the literate.” His tone grew progressively more excited as he talked about the advancements.
“That sounds wonderful,” I smiled. It actually did sound quite useful, and not for the first time, I wondered if Julian’s quest to promote science amongst a world of magically dependent realms wasn’t a good enough reason for us to unite. He’d provide a different perspective when I called my husbands together for council. His logic might help me the way Declan’s steady thoughts helped steer Bloss toward logical conclusions.
Oblivious to the mental evaluation I was giving him, Julian responded, “Oh, itiswonderful! You know the misinformation that gets around these days? Atrocious. Just this morning I swam out to the market, just to see what was being said. Some people called yesterday an omen! A portent!” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Ridiculous.”
Another man from the tournament joined us, this time a shy siren named Stavros. He had typical siren coloring: blond hair and blue eyes with golden skin. But unlike most sirens who had an aura of confidence, he didn’t. He was very reserved. Of course, as soon as I had that thought about him, he undermined it, saying, “Yes, well, if I had a coin for every time my grandmother called something I did an omen …”
“You’d have a million sand dollars?” Julian finished the well-known joke.
“Or more,” Stavros agreed. My eyes met the shy siren’s liquid blue gaze, which was lit with amusement.
Though handsome, he wasn’t as memorable as other sirens in group settings. He was quiet, but witty in a smaller group, and I didn't quite feel like I had the best grasp on his personality. Hopefully, this little exchange would help me learn more.
“My grandmother used to predict I’d have the entire world under my thumb.”
“Ha! Bet you loved that growing up!” Julian said.
“Promised her I would,” Stavros retorted.
“How’s that going for you?”
“I’m not sure. How’s my attempt at world domination faring, Your Majesty? Will I make it to the next round?” He gave me a solemn look as he laced his fingers together and tilted his head inquiringly.
“You’re doing just fine. Though I’ll warn you, I’ve no plans for world domination.”
“Yet,” he winked at me and Julian laughed, setting us all off.
“Don’t forget, his grandmother said it will happen.”
“In that case, we better have your grandmother down to the castle for tea, so that I can learn exactly what she saw." I smiled at the shy siren, suddenly eager to hear more about his family.
Stavros’s expression dropped and I froze, unease spreading through me.Oh no. I put my foot in it, didn’t I?
He confirmed it when he sighed and gave a little shrug with one shoulder, his eyes staring down at the fluttering feet which kept him aloft in the water. The silence grew nearly unbearable before he said softly, "Unfortunately, she's passed on. Most of my family is gone. The ones I acknowledge anyway."
"I'm sorry," I said, trying not to pry, but wondering what kind of rift had occurred in his family line.
"Perhaps your grandmother knew you'd someday meet me, and that we'd revolutionize this abyss and shed some light on things,” I contributed.
He glanced up with an odd sort of smile, twisted, as if he were smiling through pain.
Dammit Avia.
"You could be right. Lately, magic has been irritating me."
"I think magic needs to be used in moderation," I contributed. Perhaps these men would spread my view around and buy me some time while I trained with my own magic. Though, neither seemed like the talkative, gossipy type. Oh well.
