Page 1 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

The Eastland Forest

One year later

The waves rose tall as they crashed into limestone cliffs. Steady wind solemnly blew Argon’s long, alabaster hair. The Fae King carefully loosened the knotted rope, allowing him to slide off the linen binding the muddy bronze artifact. Within, the antique compass started to reveal itself, sticking out through the sides. Dried mud crumbled with the slightest touch of his fingertips and dropped to the shimmering sand. Then, utterly fascinated, he used the top of his velvet cloak to wipe off enough of the coarse dirt to read the ancient inscription.

“Kroneon,” the king read aloud, then turned towards his sister, Princess Cassia. Her azure-silver eyes would not leave the sea.

Argon brought his gaze back to the compass, which he delicately held in the palm of his hand, and cocked his head to the right, admiring the rustic ore. He felt its cold, stalwart, and vibrating aura against his skin. The weapon held ancient power, capable of destroying entire kingdoms—a relic that could start thousands of wars. He finally had the Kroneon in his hands.

“Maydean,” Argon called to a tall, stunning woman, gesturing to a large rock table standing by the edge of the cliff, and said, “hand me that goblet, if you may. We need to rinse it clean.”

The Siren Queen gently placed a silk bundle on what looked like an algae cradle and then walked towards the goblet. After retrieving the cup, she hurried to a crystalline stream of water pouring into the ocean. Her knees dug painfully into the sharp grains of sand as the siren filled the cup with water. She quickly clamored to her feet and rushed to Argon, pouring the salty seawater carefully over the top of the ancient weapon.

Maydean looked up into the king’s moonlit eyes thoughtfully, exchanging a look of understanding, which went unnoticed by Cassia. The Portland Sea was silent that night. The only noise was the light breeze from the west, pulling in the trickle of waves against the shore.

“How much longer, Maydean?” Argon asked her, looking up to meet the queen’s eyes, which seemed to have every color of the deep-blue sea in them.

“The ships were but a few miles west of the reef before we arrived at the Eastland Forest,” Maydean said. She then lifted her wailing child, Seraphina, from the intricately knitted algae and clutched her close to her chest. She looked down, burying her face into her daughter’s hair, and they appeared to merge into one. Argon stared at them with profound sadness; they looked so alike, mother and daughter, but soon that love would be nothing but a memory.

Queen Maydean’s stomach churned as she looked up. “We don’t have much time before they’re here!” Her voice quivered as she tugged at the swaddle wrapped around her child to keep her secure. Then she asked, “What—” her voice etched with fear, “what do you need me to do?”

The king ran his thumb gingerly over the compass. His eyes transfixed as if power was summoning him. The gleam in the king’s eye made Maydean’s muscles tremble. She knew that look well; he was succumbing to its magic.

She placed her pale hand on the king’s forearm, drawing his attention back to her, away from the enchanted device.

“Argon, do not look upon it for too long,” she urged. The look of concern flashed over her face. She squeezed her fingers, digging her nails into his skin. Argon’s eyes narrowed, and then he blinked.

“Right,” he said suddenly, back to his senses, “we must remove the key.”

A breath of relief left the Siren Queen’s lips as she released the firm grip on his arm. The king placed his hand at the compass’s center and pulled out the key as gently as possible.

“Here,” he said to Maydean, “wrap it in coral. We must keep the compass and the key separated.”

Princess Cassia stepped forward in her silk crimson dress, clearing her throat to speak, but Argon held his hand up. “I know what you want, Sister. It doesn’t belong on our land,” he said.

Her expression hardened. “We have searched for the Kroneon for over a decade, Brother,” Cassia hissed. “There is no safer place than here.”

He fiercely shook his head. “We may as well plan for our kingdom to meet its demise tonight if we do not hide it,” he explained. “Please understand my decision; it is an order.”

Cassia’s lips portrayed a sardonic smile. “Argon, I do not trust the merfolk—”

“Sirens,” the queen corrected, “we are called sirens!”

The princess smirked at Maydean’s remark, but her eyes were hardened with disapproval.

“Listen,” she said, modulating her tone, “our tree will protect it.”

Maydean ignored the princess. Instead, she shifted her eyes to check on her precious baby girl. Despite being near the ocean, the air felt thick for the Siren Queen and Seraphina. She turned from the king, the child cradled in her arms, and began to make her way down the cliff, into the water. Argon and Cassia followed them down and watched the siren stride amidst the cold nightly waves as they stood on the narrow beach. Both immediately understood they had spent too much time on dry land. Maydean was right to assume Cassia would be a problem, but the king insisted she ought to be there.

“I will hide it where no man will find,” Maydean assured. She spoke bravely, trying to mask how terrified she was. “We must leave now, Argon. We have been here for too long.”

Seraphina let out a loud wail as the sea bathed her tiny body. Maydean bounced on her heels to settle her cries and blinked back her tears.

Argon walked towards the Siren Queen, not caring about the water rising to his knees.

“Be safe, Maydean,” he begged, stepping so close his words touched her skin. “Protect the key.”

King Argon looked down at the child whose eyes met his for a moment before she cried out again. Then he reached for a strand of seaweed hanging from the baby’s swaddle and laced it around the key. He looked up at the skies, pleading for strength, then wrapped it tightly around Maydean’s wrist with his eyes beaming into hers.

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