Memories. Pain. Misery.Slow dark melody.The first time Dante was conscious during the takeover. As the tune spread in his mind, it stirred several memories that were best forgotten. His heart faced as the memories flashed, his screams echoing in his head. The pleadings. The agony. The tears. His hands clutched to his head as he let out a small whimper. Beads of sweat broke out of his forehead as his eyes shut tightly.'Father, please don't let them take me…''I didn't do anything…''No…no please…'His miserable pleas switched to several voices at once.'It's the cursed child!''Get this animal away from him!''Beat him until he begs for death!''Let's set the monster ablaze and free ourselves from his sight!'Dante didn't realize he had stepped out of the barn. The memories wouldn't stop flooding in and his feet were moving on their own accord. He had no idea where he was going and no one bothered to stop him. They just stood aside, aware that his insanity had kicked in. The onl
Kitanna couldn't find Dante anywhere. No matter where she checked and how many times she called out, she got no response from him. She rested the worst. if anything happened to Dante then the princess would definitely deal with her. After searching fruitlessly for him, she inquired from the guards around. He left the palace. Panic cursed through her pains as she ran out of the palace, searching for him. No one was interested in helping her the minute they discovered who she was looking for. "Dante?" She called for the umpteenth time but there was no answer. "Please answer me. Where are you?" Again, no response. The worse was that she couldn't even track his scent. It seemed like he vanished into thin air. Kitanna continued her search until she came upon a sympathetic man."I couldn't help but notice you running around, dear. Permit me to ask what you are searching for?" He asked politely."Dante. I can't seem to find him anywhere," she said, then realized the man probably didn
Dante sat in the garden, reading his novel peacefully when heavy footsteps marched in. He became guarded as soon as he saw them.Xander grinned at the trembling man."G-Greetings y-your h-highness…" Dante stuttered. "Oh dear, look at him trembling already. Do you really think we are here to hurt you?" Xander asked with a mocking smile. Dante stepped back, staring at them apprehensively. He knew these people never visited unless they were planning to bully him. He could sense something boding between them. His eyes scanned his surroundings discreetly for an escape route. When he realized there was none, his blood pressure shot up. Whatever these guys were up to, it was definitely no good. Dante was exhausted from their countless bullying. Why couldn't they just let him be and focus on something productive? "So, tell me, Dante, what punishment would you like today? I'm in a good mood so I'm willing to do whatever you choose," Xander said.'How about we mind our business today?' Da
"Did you think about what I told you?" Kitanna asked Dante. "I… I guess…" he responded with uncertainty. Kitanna wasn't pleased with the skepticism. How hard was it for him to just return her feelings? From The events she witnessed, she was hundred percent certain no one had eyes for him and he didn't like anyone either. So why was he still thinking about her proposal? "I want to be with you, Dante. I don't know how else to prove to you that you mean so much to me. Why are you being unnecessarily difficult?" She asked.Dante didn't utter a word. If he had a way, he would escape the situation. Kitanna's persuasiveness was beginning to get to him. He wanted to take his time. He needed to be sure he was making the right decision. He didn't want to give in to pressure when he felt nothing for her."Won't you say anything?" Kitanna asked when he remained silent for too long."I don't know what to say. I like you a lot but I don't know if it extends beyond friendship. What if I make the
Almira pulled her arms away from him in shock. “Engagement? What engagement are you talking about?” She asked and Xander merely smiled at her. Dante and Kitanna watched expectantly, waiting for an answer as well. “How about we go in and discuss this properly with my parents? You don’t have to worry, everything has already been fixed, so you all you need to do is get in a pretty dress and watch me announce you as mine to the world,” Xander informed her, Kitanna was overjoyed to hear the news. Almira was finally going to wed her mate. The princess would not end up alone as she had always feared. Dante felt the exact opposite of what Kitanna felt. The Princess would be getting married to the Prince in no time. No doubt she would stay off him in order to please her husband.“No!” Almira replied curtly. “I demand an explanation, right now. How dare you organise an engagement without my consent. What if I have no interest in marrying you? Who said I want to spend my life by your side? Wh
Are you in love with him?The question hung in the air.Almira froze, the question echoing in her mind as Kitanna's emerald eyes held her seafoam eyes intensely. No answer. "Why are you silent, princess? Are you in love with Dante?" Kitanna repeated the question. "That should not bother you, Anna. The fact remains that Xander had no right to hit Dante before me," Almira said dismissively. "I'm afraid it does matter, Princess," Kitanna retorted and Almira shot up a brow inquisitively. "Because I confessed my feelings for Dante and he accepted me," Kitanna continued.Almira went numb. Kitanna had feelings for Dante and he… "Why do you seem so shocked, princess? You don't like him, do you? You have a mate, why are you trying to lead him on? You are going to leave him eventually because you are not his," Kitanna continued speaking.Almira stared at her expressionlessly."Since when were you in love with him?" "The minute I set eyes on him, your highness, I felt drawn to him. My fee
Almira knocked him out immediately. Several thoughts ran through her mind as she stared at his unconscious form. She never for once considered the possibility of Dante being manipulated. Her mind flashed back to when he pleaded innocent even when she witnessed everything. It all made sense.Those actions were beyond his control. The Dante she knew couldn’t even hurt a fly, talk less of attacking her. “Princess... Goodness! What have you done?!” Kitanna exclaimed as soon as she saw Dante’s unconscious body. She looked quizzically at Almira who was deep in thought. “What happened to him, Mira? Did you hit him?” Kitanna asked her.“I did,” Almira replied in a monotone. Kitanna’s eyes widened in horror. She already suspected that the princess had something to do with Dante’s unconscious state but she didn’t just understand why. The same woman who slapped a prince for hitting his slave did the very thing she attacked others for doing.“I don’t understand. Why would you do that? Did he of
“Sirens?” Kimorra gasped and the seer nodded. Kimorra couldn’t find the words to speak. The answer she got was certainly not what she was expecting. “I thought they were myths,” she thought aloud.“Thought so too, but apparently they exist,” the old man answered her. “Then how come we haven’t heard or seen any of them?” Kimorra asked him.“I am not supposed to tell you this but I will because your father is a very good friend of mine and it would be wicked of me to watch his only child suffer, but you must promise that you will handle this information wisely,” he said and she bopped her head almost immediately. “I will, I promise,” she assured him.“The existence of sirens was long wiped from the memories of mankind because of a certain greedy king,” he started.“Who?” Kimorra asked curiously.“You know him. The ruler of Greake, King Edwardo,” the seer revealed and Kimorra was beyond shocked.“My father-in-law? How is that possible?”“I’ll tell you the story.”22 Years Ago.There wa
“What happened?” Dante asked feebly. He'd woken up with a very terrible headache. Kitanna’s shoulders slumped in relief when he woke up.“Thank goodness, you're awake. Do you feel any pain? Remember anything?” Kitanna asked him. Dante tried to recollect the previous events but nothing came to mind.His heart sped up. Since he woke up blank, it only meant one thing… He looked at Kitanna, searching for any injuries because he was afraid to touch her. She seemed unharmed. He glanced around his surroundings and that was when he got the answer to his question. He had been in that demonic trance once again. Yet he wondered how Kitanna remained unharmed. Could it be that she wasn't with him earlier?“What's wrong? What are you thinking about?” Kitanna asked him.Dante bit his lip, contemplating on telling her the truth. How would she see him if he told her about the crazy things going on in his life? Would she even believe him? What if she accused him of doing everything on purpose just like
The next few weeks were hell for the people of Greake. More lives were lost and people trooped in their numbers to report to the king. Edwardo knew what he had done and how to avert it but he couldn't bear the thought of letting go of the very thing that made him the richest amongst kings. On the other hand, his wife gave him the silent treatment. Nothing he said or did to appease her worked. Adora avoided him like a plague and ignored him the few times they bumped into each other. His mere sight was appalling to her which was why she was more determined than ever to keep the news of her pregnancy for him. She needed to find somewhere safe to have her baby. Even if it meant leaving Greake. A month had gone by and Adera had everything in place to leave when Edwardo burst into her room with news. Surprise took over his features when he noticed her belongings were packed. “Are you leaving me?” He asked her. Adera was momentarily shocked by his entrance. She planned to leave without his k
Greake was in absolute chaos. The people fled without aim, fought against each other, and killed themselves one after the other. The sirens walked past, unfazed by the unrest as they searched for their queen. Several times they called out to her but got no response in return. Each unanswered call made them more furious, stirring an uproar amongst the people. The killings continued until dawn when they retreated into the sea. At sunrise, the once beautiful evergreen city was covered in blood and bodies. The event shook everyone in the city. Mnt lost their sons, daughters, wives, husbands, name them. Everyone living in the region close to the sea felt the impact. Almost half of the east Greeke population was slaughtered. It wasn't a situation the King could overlook no matter how small the region was. So while the people were mourning their dead, there was a heated argument between the King and Queen in the palace."This is all your fault! Your greed has cost the lives of so many
Adora felt a strange energy throughout the day. No matter where she was or what she was doing, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something disastrous was coming. She became more paranoid by the minute. It extended to snapping unnecessarily and crazy mood swings. It made the king worried for her. "Dora," he called fondly, a small smile touching his lips. Adora rubbed her trembling fingers together, struggling to control her labored breaths.Edwardo sat next to her, pulling her into a warm embrace."Do you want to talk? What's making you so paranoid and jumpy, my love?" he asked softly.Adora sucked in a breath. If only she had the answers to his question. "I… I don't know. I can't explain it…" her voice trembled. Her dainty fingers unconsciously gripped his shirt. Edwardo didn't let it bother him as he was more focused on calming his wife. "Talk to me, Dora, I'm listening," he said soothingly. "I don't know. I just feel this strange energy. I don't know what it is but it's
The next time Adora saw the siren, it was a heart-wrenching sight. Her skin lost its glow and gave off a dusty white color. Her eyes were swollen with glaring eye bags. She was covered in bruises that Adora suspected were infected. She could barely walk on her own as her legs wobbled from exhaustion. “What have you done, Ed? Are you trying to kill her?” Adora asked the king furiously. Edwardo remained unfazed by her outburst.“In the past few days, she has cried to us about five baskets of pearls. Do you have any idea how much it is worth?” Edwardo went ahead to ask like she hadn’t said anything important. Words could not describe the rage that stirred within her.Ahead of her, the siren was held down, the whips hitting her like she were an animal. Even animals did not face such cruelty.“Enough! Let her be!” Adora ordered and the guards froze. Even the king was shocked. “Step away from her, are you deaf?” she snapped and the men quickly stepped back before throwing glances amongst t
The king was enraged on hearing the news. He summoned all the guards and ordered them to search every nook and cranny of the palace for the siren. The gates were shut so she couldn’t escape the palace and go into the city. The men also had their ears blocked with wax to prevent a repeat of earlier.Adora walked to her room, ignoring the chaos. She was internally grateful that the siren had been smart enough to seek escape. Pushing the doors shut, she took off her royal attire and went in for a long hot bath.After dozing for a short while in the shower, she got out and picked a sleeveless knee length gown. The plan was to nap all afternoon and listen to her husband’s complaints later. If they couldn’t find the siren that is. Just as she climbed into bed, she heard a muffled sneeze from underneath the bed. At first, she wanted to ignore it but then there was another sneeze and she got off the bed and got on her knees to check under the bed. Just as she suspected, the injured girl was
Adora stared at the woman before her with shock and pity. Her husband, King Edwardo had a different expression on. It was a thrill mixed with greed and mischief. Adora didn’t appreciate that look. She watched him eagerly pay the sailors for her after they showed him how easily her tears formed pearls. “Your Highness…” She tried intervening but he raised a hand, cutting short her protest. “You have done us proud. I employ to work harder on the search…”“Your majesty!” Queen Adora gasped and Edwardo stopped with an inward groan. He threw her a scolding glance and she retreated. “Well, as I said, you have done well. You have made Greake proud. I employ you not to relent in this heroic act. With time, our city will rise to an enviable height,” he continued.“Thank you, your highness. We shall continue to make Greake proud,” Harold bowed. “Go with the guards. As promised, you will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts,” King Edwardo replied with a smile.“We are grateful, your highn
“Sirens?” Kimorra gasped and the seer nodded. Kimorra couldn’t find the words to speak. The answer she got was certainly not what she was expecting. “I thought they were myths,” she thought aloud.“Thought so too, but apparently they exist,” the old man answered her. “Then how come we haven’t heard or seen any of them?” Kimorra asked him.“I am not supposed to tell you this but I will because your father is a very good friend of mine and it would be wicked of me to watch his only child suffer, but you must promise that you will handle this information wisely,” he said and she bopped her head almost immediately. “I will, I promise,” she assured him.“The existence of sirens was long wiped from the memories of mankind because of a certain greedy king,” he started.“Who?” Kimorra asked curiously.“You know him. The ruler of Greake, King Edwardo,” the seer revealed and Kimorra was beyond shocked.“My father-in-law? How is that possible?”“I’ll tell you the story.”22 Years Ago.There wa
Almira knocked him out immediately. Several thoughts ran through her mind as she stared at his unconscious form. She never for once considered the possibility of Dante being manipulated. Her mind flashed back to when he pleaded innocent even when she witnessed everything. It all made sense.Those actions were beyond his control. The Dante she knew couldn’t even hurt a fly, talk less of attacking her. “Princess... Goodness! What have you done?!” Kitanna exclaimed as soon as she saw Dante’s unconscious body. She looked quizzically at Almira who was deep in thought. “What happened to him, Mira? Did you hit him?” Kitanna asked her.“I did,” Almira replied in a monotone. Kitanna’s eyes widened in horror. She already suspected that the princess had something to do with Dante’s unconscious state but she didn’t just understand why. The same woman who slapped a prince for hitting his slave did the very thing she attacked others for doing.“I don’t understand. Why would you do that? Did he of