Fire and Fantasy: a Limited Edition Collection of Epic and Urban Fantasy

by CK Dawn

  “We do have a few questions for you.”

  He slowly lowered himself back down into the chair and eyed the couple. “What can I help you with?”

  “Did the Scythians ever speak of other shipments?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “They didn’t speak much unless it was to torture someone.”

  The captain’s face pinched at his words. “Was there a specific place where they were planning to drop you off?”

  His brow wrinkled as he thought back to his time on the ship. “No. There’s nothing.” He paused, a spark of something coming forward. He vaguely remembered the warriors taking bets on if he would survive the trip to the caves. Hayjen scrubbed a hand down his face and traced the grains of the captain’s desk with his finger. “After one of my beatings, the warriors took bets on if I would survive the journey to the caves of some sort.” He lifted his eyes as the first mate swore viciously. “Does that mean something to you?”

  Captain Femi glanced at her first mate, then at him. “Just that you’re very fortunate we found you before you arrived at your destination.”

  His lips thinned at her vague response. It was like the woman didn’t know how to give a straight answer.

  “Thank you for your time. That’s all we needed.” Captain Femi stood and fluidly moved around her desk and held her hand out.

  Hayjen stared at it for a beat before clasping it in his large hand. Her hands were so small and delicate in his, but they weren’t the hands of a lady. She had callouses along her palm and fingers that spoke of hard work. The captain tugged her hand from his, making him blush like a besotted idiot. He had held her hand for longer than was appropriate. Hayjen pushed himself from the chair and nodded to both of them. “Good evening. I have a little one to put to bed.” He shuffled to the door, pulled it open and slipped through, closing it behind him. He let out a little breath before moving forward. They hadn’t given him all the answers he wanted, but he knew more now than he had going in. At least he had assured the girls safety, and that’s what was most important. He would have plenty of time to analyze what he’d learned, but for tonight he was just going to enjoy the music with Mer.

  Six

  Lilja

  She was relieved that the girls had settled in easily among her crew. Each day one of them showed progress. Sometimes, it was as simple as saying “thank you” during lunch. They all still had a haunted look in their eyes, but Lilja kept them busy enough that they couldn’t dwell on their time on the Scythian ship. She counted that as a success.

  Hayjen, their burly leader was a much harder nut to crack. His face was perpetually serious unless he was playing with Mer, when the smile on his face was suddenly radiant. He was a handsome man when serious, but he was jaw-dropping to look at when he smiled. His back healed quicker than expected, much to do with her seaweed concoction. As soon as he was able to stretch without tearing open his back, he moved to the girls’ barracks.

  That first night, she had crawled into bed thankful not to have to sleep on her window seat. Lilja had sighed when his musky, clean scent enveloped her before it dawned on her. She was sighing over a man. She practically leapt out of bed and yanked all the blankets off her bed. But even then, she could still smell him. With angry movements, she gathered up the blankets and stormed out of her room. Blair raised an eyebrow at her when she tossed the linens onto the deck with the demand that they be washed. Lilja gave him a rude gesture and stomped back to bed.

  The next day she glared at the male interloper. How dare he smell so good! He never seemed to catch her glares or how she studiously avoided breathing too heavily around him, which was utterly ridiculous. She was a damn Sirenidae! One born to be alluring. Much to her delight she found he didn’t understand teasing. Lilja made it her goal to shock him at least once a day. Her crass jokes and unusual clothing made him blush the most. The other girls caught on to what she was doing, and a few offered her suggestions—much to her surprise. It was nice to have women on the ship. She missed female companionship every now and again.

  The days sped by and screeched to a halt when they reached the coral beds. Colorful coral created a cage of sorts around some of the most breathtaking ocean life and seabeds. The only way to enter was to dive underwater and enter from a small archway the coral had created. Her people loved to visit, and each year they would make sure the arch was well-maintained so you could enter unharmed. The arch was also small enough that Leviathan could not enter. It was a safe place to play.

  They weighed anchor, and her crew practically vibrated with joy. Lilja always made sure they stopped to take a swim. It was a part of her home and past that she could still enjoy—but not this time.

  Lilja blew out a breath as her crew excitedly got ready for their swim, longing to get into the water with them. But even with her scarf, she couldn’t take the chance of their guests seeing her gills. It wasn’t safe.

  It would be a death sentence. The stories of old painted gruesome pictures of her kind. Generation after generation were taught to fear and hate Sirenidae. Lilja had friends who’d been slaughtered out of fear and prejudice. She couldn’t take the chance after knowing them for so little time.

  Blair’s hand slipped over hers as he gazed at the coral beds. “You’ll be able to swim soon.”

  “I ache.” Lilja touched her chest. “It physically pains me not to swim with them. The ocean is calling to me.”

  “I know.”

  She gritted her teeth at the longing rolling through her.

  “I have an idea.”

  Lilja tore her eyes from her sanctuary, meeting Blair’s gaze. “What?”

  “Mer’s parents come for her tonight, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  His eyes lit up. “Well, Mer will need someone to escort her.”

  Her heart soared for a moment as she thought about playing in the sea. But her enthusiasm was short-lived. At some point, they would have to drug Hayjen so they could return Mer to her family. He couldn’t know the young girl was Sirenidae. She had to protect her people from the land kingdoms at all costs. Their secrecy was their strongest weapon. “The next week is going to be rough.”

  Blair nodded. “It’s been peaceful the last couple weeks.”

  She smiled at her friend. “It’s all the women.”

  His lips turned up. “They certainly improve our surroundings.”

  Her smile faded at the thought of how the girls would react to Mer’s disappearance. “They may need to be held as well, but I don’t want them drugged. It could damage their psyche more than it already is if we did that.”

  Her first mate’s smile disappeared. “I don’t want to lock them up after all they’ve suffered, but you’re right—I doubt they will stand down.”

  Lilja turned and stared out at the waves. “Depths below, let’s all hope we survive Hayjen’s wrath.”

  “Aye, no good deed goes unpunished.”

  “Indeed,” she added gravely.

  Lilja’s stomach knotted as Hayjen finished the food on his plate. Blair’s hand landed on her leg, squeezing gently. She cast a sidelong glance at her friend.

  “You were thumping,” he said quietly between bites.

  “Sorry,” she grumbled, turning back to her own plate. Lilja pushed the food around on her plate, her ears straining to hear the conversation one table over.

  “Time for bed, Mer.”

  “Awww…do I have to?”

  “Yes, baby girl. It’s time.”

  She just barely kept her eyes from watching the pair leave the galley.

  “Calm down,” Blair admonished softly.

  She blew out a breath, angry with herself. She liked Hayjen, but returning the little girl and protecting her secret were more important. One by one, her crew and the girls filed out, leaving Blair and her alone.

  “He’s probably gone by now.”

  “I know.”

  Her first mate raised a brow at her tone.

  Her lips thinned. Why was she fee
ling so guilty when she was doing the right thing?

  “You know you have to do this.”

  “I know.”

  Blair straightened and wrapped an arm around her. “It’s going to be okay. The next week will be filled with turmoil, but after that, the survivors will be gone and things can go back to normal.”

  Unexpected tears pricked her eyes. “I know,” she sniffed. “I just…it’s been a long time since I’ve felt at home, or had a measure of peace. Having the girls on board has been an unexpected blessing, and Mer…well, I will miss my niece.”

  “I’ve seen the change in you. You’re a people person. They make you happy.”

  “Am I?” she wondered out loud. She didn’t feel like she was a people person.

  “More than myself. You seek others out. You don’t have to be liked, but you enjoy it.”

  “I don’t think anyone likes to be disliked.”

  Blair’s chuckle rumbled her shoulder. “You’re right.”

  Lilja groaned, straightening and wiping her tears. “I don’t have time for this.” She forced a smile and pecked Blair on the cheek. “You’ll make sure all the girls are tucked in?”

  He watched her for a moment and nodded. “They’ll all be in bed.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and stood from the pillows. “I’ll get Mer.” Lilja spun on her heel and swiftly strode from the room. She crossed the deck and moved into the girl’s barracks. She waved at the women still awake and slipped in next to Hayjen’s and Mer’s hammocks. Hayjen was out cold. His mouth was wide open, deep breaths moving his chest. Mer popped her head up, grinning. Lilja knelt and smiled at the little girl. “Would you like to go for a swim?”

  “Yes,” Mer squealed.

  Lilja held a finger up to her mouth. “Hush, we don’t want to wake the others.”

  Mer slithered over the unconscious Hayjen, her eyes glittering with excitement.

  She held out her hand for the little girl and took one last glance at Hayjen, guilt cramping her stomach. Please forgive me, she thought.

  Lilja turned and began weaving through the swaying hammocks filled with sleeping girls. Lera lifted her head.

  “I’m taking Mer for a swim. Is that alright?” Lilja asked. The petite woman smiled and closed her eyes. Lilja let out a breath and walked through the door with Mer skipping beside her. Mer dropped her hand and scrambled over to Blair leaning against the wall. She leapt into his arms, hugging him. A lump formed in Lilja’s throat when Blair hugged the girl just as tightly and gazed over Mer’s shoulder at her. He would have made a wonderful father. Their connection broke when Mer pulled back and began chattering excitedly.

  “Lilja is taking me swimming! I might see a dolphin.”

  “Really? Now?”

  “Uh huh!” She kicked her legs to get down.

  Her first mate followed the silent prompting and placed Mer on the ground. Mer reached for Lilja and Blair’s hands “Can we go now?”

  The trio made their way to the open deck where her crew had made themselves scarce. They knew her secret, but they still respected her people’s laws and secrecy. Two black fins sliced the water, alerting her to the arrival of Mer’s parents. Lilja dropped to her knees and clasped the little girl’s face. “Would you like to see your parents?”

  Mer’s lilac eyes rounded in her small face. “You found them?”

  “They found you!”

  The little girl jumped in place with a huge smile adorning her face. Lilja made sure to sear this memory in her mind. Mer ran for the edge of the ship and paused at the rail, “I forgot to say goodbye to Hayjen. I can’t leave without saying goodbye.”

  “I’ll make sure to tell him,” Lilja whispered, caressing one of her niece’s chubby cheeks.

  Mer hugged her leg and looked up to Blair. “Can you throw me? My papa always does that.”

  “You don’t want us to swim with you?”

  “Nope, I like flying.”

  “I sure can, little one,” Blair added.

  Lilja looked down to the silent Sirenidae couple, their magenta eyes pinned to her, their pale skin glowing in the moonlight. “She’s all yours, sister.”

  The couple clutched each other and tears filled their eyes when Blair hoisted Mer up.

  “Mama! Papa! Watch this!”

  Her first mate picked up Mer and then tossed her over the rail. The little girl squealed in delight as a loud voice bellowed, “NO!”

  Lilja spun to find Hayjen horror-stricken. “No,” he cried, staring at the railing.

  “Damn it,” Blair hissed, moving quickly to intercept Hayjen.

  Her sister needed to leave now. Mer’s parents were cuddling the little girl, peppering her with kisses. Lilja jerked forward and waved, catching their attention. “It’s not safe.”

  Lily peeked over Mer’s head. “Thank you. I miss you.”

  She slumped against the railing, staring at the Sirenidae woman. “I miss you too,” she called over the hollering.

  “Love you,” her sister’s musical voice floated to her.

  Tears blurred her eyes. She hadn’t heard that voice in years. “I love you too, sis.”

  Mer blew her a kiss and dove into the water just as something huge smashed her into the railing. Her breath rushed out, and she tried to inhale but her lungs screamed.

  “I’ll kill you,” Hayjen screamed next to her ear.

  His weight lifted off her and she sunk to her hands and knees gasping for breath.

  “How could you? She’s just a little girl! What kind of monster are you?”

  Lilja peered up at the out-of-control Hayjen fighting against Blair and Cook.

  “You’re a murderer.” His face was purple. “You killed her. You killed her!” His scream cut off into ragged sobs of someone who had lost everything.

  Blair and Cook dragged him to the stairs leading to the cells below deck.

  She placed her forehead on the deck, still able to hear the muffled cries.

  “Captain, do you need anything?” her deckhand’s soft voice floated above her.

  “No, thank you.” She listened to his feet move away from her. Lilja knew she should get up, but the will to move wasn’t there. She could still see her sister diving below without another glance backward, and Hayjen’s panic-stricken face in her mind. There wasn’t any way he would forgive her after this night.

  Boots thudded across the deck in her direction and paused by her side. Large, careful hands plucked her from the deck and cradled her against a warm body.

  “Oh, Lil.”

  So much was said in that brief statement. Blair was sorry she couldn’t speak with her sister, sorry that she had to keep it from Mer that she was her aunt, sorry that Hayjen hated her—just sorry.

  “I need to go to bed,” she murmured against his sea-stained shirt. Blair tucked her underneath his arm and guided her towards her rooms. Once inside, Lilja sunk onto her window seat, staring out at the black waves hiding everything she cared about.

  Her door clicked shut. “Do you want to talk about it?” Blair asked, sitting next to her.

  Her eyes traced the swirling colors painted on the glass as thoughts whirled through her. “I miss them. I long to be with my family.”

  Blair’s hand slipped into hers. He shared her pain. He knew what it was like to be separated from your people.

  “After all this time,” continued Lilja, “I thought the longing had faded away. But when I saw Lily’s face, all I wanted to do was jump into the waves after her.” A fat tear plopped onto her cheek, making her feel angry. “I hate that I’ve been punished for doing what is right.” She turned to Blair. “Am I doing what’s right?”

  “I am thankful you didn’t turn your back on the rest of the kingdoms like your family did. If you had, I would not be here with you. I would be stuck in that hell.”

  Lilja swallowed and closed her eyes. The decision to exile herself with those who dwelled upon the land had been easy. She had known it was the wrong decision to retreat to th
e sea when Scythians had attacked Nagali. Hiding didn’t solve the Scythians’ corruption or conquest for perfection. All it did was save her people’s own skin. In deciding to help the other kingdoms, she had exiled herself from ever returning to the depths of her home. The claim was that she would be tainted by the world and endanger the others. The Sirenidae had faded from most people’s minds and were now considered a myth. But Lilja was living proof that the Sirenidae were alive and well. Even as the pain of seeing her sister coursed through her, she knew she had made the right decision. If you had the power to prevent a crime, then it was your responsibility to do so.

  She’d seen firsthand what the Scythians were doing. Lilja couldn’t bear to leave the ignorant kingdoms on their own. She couldn’t do much now other than steal back the slaves they captured, but one day she would make a stand against those beasts. Justice and vengeance would be served.

  “You look as if you have the weight of the kingdoms on your shoulders.”

  “Don’t we?” Lilja asked with a weak smile.

  Blair studied her, his brown eyes keen. “We could always settle down.”

  Lilja slammed a hand against the window and stood. She ran her hands over her silvery white braid in agitation. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just—” She turned sharply and met Blair’s eyes. “I am tired of waiting for the perfect time to strike Scythia, but we are just two people. We would need armies to defeat them, to destroy their labs. It feels hopeless.”

  Blair blew out a breath, dropping his eyes to her desk. “I feel the same way, but we must not be hasty. These things take time.”

  “I know.” She truly did. “Then there’s Hayjen.”

  Her friend’s eyes lifted to hers. “He was very angry.”

  She rubbed her mouth, trying to figure out what to say. “I can still hear him screaming.”

  “He thinks we threw Mer to the Leviathan.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “He didn’t see your sister and her husband. All he saw was her being thrown overboard into the water. The Sirenidae’s existence is still safe, but now he thinks we are murderers.” Blair’s voice was bland, betraying that he was upset over the ordeal. “I thought you drugged him, Lilja.”