Dark Tides: A Wicked Fairytale book 1

By J.J. Marshall

With the unexpected death of the siren King, Princess Serena finds herself next in line for the Adrellan crystal throne. But with a new ruler, comes a new agenda. Betrothal to the Land King's son was not what Serena had envisioned for herself and now she must find a way to live without her vicious instincts. Serena faces love and death. Hear

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.J. Marshall
• Release date: May 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781734772401

J.J. Marshall

I am currently studying a BSc Physical Geography Degree at the University of Reading in Berkshire, England, with the intention of pursuing a career in teaching secondary school pupils. I was born and raised in England and am presently twenty years old. “When the World Ends…” is my first publication and I’m incredibly excited to be working with the people at AuthorHouse in bringing my story to real, tangible pages! Writing has always been a hobby and a passion of mine from a very young age; I can recall writing a novel on my first family computer which was inspired (as well as a being blatant rip-off!) of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. It was really this book; the first full novel I had ever read by myself, that inspired me to write for myself and to create worlds beyond our own and fictions that can redefine the past or give suppositions about the future. I would list J.K. Rowling as one of my top inspirations, as well as the likes of Anthony Horowitz, Ian Banks, Charlaine Harris and Suzanne Collins. I also draw inspiration from TV shows and scriptwriters, such as Joss Whedon, J.J. Abram, Maurissa Tancheroen, Steven Moffat and Jane Espenson. Their work and the way that they construct characters and stories spur and challenge me to create my own little realities. So welcome to one of my little realities! I hope you enjoy it.

Book preview

Part I

Water

The water understands

Civilization well;

It wets my foot, but prettily,

It chills my life, but wittily,

It is not disconcerted,

It is not broken-hearted:

Well- used, it decketh joy,

Adorneth, doubleth joy:

Ill- used, it will destroy,

In perfect time and measure

With a face of golden pleasure

Elegantly destroy.

- Water by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Prologue

Deep in the waters of the Adrellan Pass was a city made of crystal and inhabited by creatures of the sea. Adrella, as the metropolis was known, was ruled by a selfish king, labeled by most as the King of Sirens. The king wanted Adrella and all of the waters and land around it for himself, destroying anyone who sailed into the Pass above. He was determined to keep his kingdom and all of its treasures hidden and with good reason. 

  After his wife, the late queen, was brutally torn apart at the hands of Andoverian fishermen, the king grew dark and angry. His reign changed the course of the underwater city forever. His daughters became weapons against the land above, using their voices and songs to enchant sailors. They capsized ships and brought those intruders to a watery grave. 

This pleased the king of the sirens, so much so, that he encouraged all of Adrella to utilize their gifts. Together, they would avenge the queen and destroy King Marlow of Andover and his kingdom.

But some of the sirens disagreed, wanting nothing more than to live in peace. They fell in love with the men above and became pregnant, leaving their city and taking to land. Their bodies shattered as each siren underwent a transformation from sea to land, but their time in Andover was short, weakening their bodies day by day. When the time came for the sirens to give birth, the enchantment on their men wore thin, allowing them to see their children’s true form. Large scales tore through flesh as they dotted the infant’s arms and chest and serrated teeth appeared where teeth should not be. The offspring took on human form, changing only when immersed in water. The sailors called them monsters, but the siren women saw otherwise. Anger from rejection flowed through each siren woman, and taking vengeance for themselves and their children, the sirens ripped the flesh from the sailor’s bones, devouring them whole before returning to the sea with their offspring.

King Marlow of Andover was furious, seeing his sailors murdered in his city and the streets running red with their blood. He called together the rest of his sailors and sent an armada of ships into the Pass to wage war on Adrella and avenge the lives that had been stolen from his kingdom. The water ran thick with blood and fearing the King of Sirens may win, King Marlow commissioned an enchanted crown for himself, one that protected the life of the wearer.

 For many centuries the children of the sea fought against the children of the land, each trying to claim Adrella and seek revenge for themselves and each failing. War between sirens and sailors dwindled until eventually it was extinguished completely. 

The King of Sirens grew weary of the humans and commanded his eldest daughter, Ophelia, to infiltrate the kingdom of Andover and gather information for him. Ophelia had no choice but to follow her father’s orders. She’d spent the better half of twelve months on land before returning with intel, but her body was weak and she inevitably perished. The king, struck by grief, buried his daughter and commanded the Adrellan troops to ready themselves for land and took to the world above himself. The sea and the land were ravaged by war once again until the King of Sirens perished. Adrella mourned the death of their king, and his second eldest daughter, Aramis, was chosen to ascend to his throne. She gratefully accepted, though her heart was tainted by darkness and she vowed to avenge her father. She would defeat the land and take the Adrellan Pass for Adrella.

1

Aramis

Queen Aramis sat upon her crystal throne, listening to the thrum of voices as sirens filtered into the throne room and took their seats among her court. Her grip tightened around her father’s ancient golden trident as she thought quietly about her impending speech. 

Her reign would bring change upon Adrella. It had to. The war raging between the sea and the land above had stolen too many lives, and the bloodshed needed to end. It was a decision Aramis had wrestled with for weeks. 

Your Highness, a friendly voice greeted from beside her. Shay, her best friend, was one of the most beautiful sirens in all of Adrella. She was as deadly as sirens came, and had been sought after by many suitors, but that was expected as she was the queen’s advisor and closest confidant. Her long dark locks fell in waves past her neck, resting on her exposed sun-kissed breasts. Hints of purple and green on Shay’s tail shimmered as the sun hit them. Shay ignored her glittering tail and lowered into her seat. 

You’re so formal, the queen muttered, consumed in her own thoughts as she turned her gaze away from her friend and towards her following. Aramis sucked in a deep breath before letting out a sigh. Gripping the armrests of her throne, Aramis rose. Those gathered fell silent, the men and women gazing upon their queen. 

For too long we have been at war. Sons and daughters of Poseidon dying brutal deaths at the hands of Zeus’s kin. My heart breaks for our dead. They did not deserve to die. My father, your righteous king, did not deserve to die. My eldest sister, your first princess, did not deserve her fatal end. Aramis’s voice rose, demanding to be heard.

For as long as I can remember, there has been bloodshed. Our waters are painted red, our hands are stained in blood. I say, no more! We can coexist with the humans and allow them to pass through our waters without harm. Murmurs sounded throughout the room as the sirens shot wary glances towards their queen. Aramis set her jaw. She would be damned if her kingdom challenged her word. She raised her palm towards the crowd, quieting them. "I am not saying humans can be trusted and I’m not asking for you to trust them. I am; however, asking you to think of our fallen. Each and every one of you has lost someone dear to you in the war. I will not turn a blind eye to our loss. We will mourn and honor them the best way we can and end these senseless, brutal deaths.

Living amongst the humans will grant us peace and prosperity. Adrella will flourish as will Andover, but it will take time. And in that time, Adrella will need eyes and ears above. Some of you have been selected to be just that—my eyes and ears.

You’re asking us to become nymphs for God’s sake! one siren shouted. Murmurs of agreement began to sound throughout the room. They were not freshwater nymphs, and to be asked to take to the land was offensive. Aramis shifted under their gaze, her attention focusing on one young male. His eyes scrutinized the young queen and his fists were clenched at his side. Aramis blinked as she listened to the muttering of the room. Shay, to her right, arose. Aramis shifted her attention to her confidant, watching as her own fists clenched. 

You will watch your tongue when you speak to the queen, or I will carve it out myself and shove it down your throat as an example to anyone who dares to challenge her. Now, sit down and silence your mouth, Shay hissed, glaring into the tanned boy’s sea-green eyes. Aramis watched silently as he moved closer to Shay, baring his teeth. 

"You speak bold words in our queen’s name, and yet you don’t fear the same fate. You live your life in the lavish company of Our Majesty, while the rest of us stand the chance of being sent to the land. Have you ever endured the Ascension? Have you ever felt the burning of your tail as it splits into two? Have you ever felt the fire boil your skin as you push into the human state? No? How fortunate for you. Carve my tongue out if you like, but I for one, want to hear the queen’s response." The court murmured again. Did they all disagree? Aramis held up her palm to the crowd. She turned to face the boy—no older than sixteen, a year younger than her younger sister—and pursed her lips. Serena would learn of her fate soon enough. Aramis blinked, taking in every detail of the boy. It wasn’t often that a siren male was born into Adrella. His olive skin was etched with markings of battle, trophies of his victories both above and below the sea; his golden locks fell to his shoulders with ease. So young, and yet so hardened by circumstance. The boy remained unphased as Aramis approached him, ignoring Shay’s objections. 

What is your name? she asked, coming close enough to touch the crowd, to touch the boy before her, and she did just that. Aramis reached out and gently tilted his chin back with her index finger. The boy’s green-eyed gaze met with her own and then faltered. 

Tadd, he replied and swallowed. The queen watched his Adam’s apple bob up and then down as his gaze flicked back to her own. 

Tadd, Aramis cooed, "we are far from naiads. It is true that every siren will have to endure the Ascension, but I have endured this, many times myself. I did not come to this meeting today on a mere whim and I certainly did not come unprepared."

And you expect us to just follow you blindly? Tadd sneered, speaking out of turn, yet again. 

"Who do you think you are to question me, your queen? Aramis asked. Irritation coursed through the young queen’s veins as she stated, I expect you to mind your tongue. Now, take a seat." She cleared her throat and fixed her eyes to her court.

I have visited Andover and spoken to King Marlow myself. He has agreed to a peace treaty with our kind in return for a siren queen. Tadd crossed his broad, muscular arms and arched a brow at Aramis. 

"We will die on the land. You are asking for us to willingly die for you. How is that any different?" he growled from his seat. Voices muttered their agreement throughout the court, as Aramis peered around. She had to get the court back under her control and avoid any further discussion on the matter. 

We may live shorter lives, but the bloodshed ends, she replied. 

And what of the siren queen, Your Majesty? a smaller female asked, taking her place beside Tadd. Shay rose from her seat, catching Aramis’s eye as the sun glinted off her tail. 

How dare you speak out of turn. How dare all of you speak out of turn! Shay snarled. Aramis turned, gesturing for Shay to take a seat calmly, and returned her attention back towards the crowd.

I’m glad you asked. The only way we can trust our kin will live in peace is to place siren royalty upon their throne. Andover will be ours.

You plan to marry? she heard Shay whisper behind her. 

Not me, but Serena, she replied over her shoulder.

So, from this moment on, Princess Serena of Adrella is hereby betrothed to Prince Aaron Nolan of Andover. Long may she reign, Aramis said, her voice echoing through the room. 

Voices roared as sirens stood from their seats. Even the queen’s court shouted in outrage as she turned to sit back on her throne. She wasn’t sure if her plan to destroy Andover would work, but Serena would destroy the humans from the inside out. Aramis sat tall and reached for her father’s golden trident.

My word is final, Aramis hissed, slamming the trident down upon the rocky floor beneath them. The throne room trembled, silencing the outrage of every siren. Aramis flexed her jaw, gritting her teeth together and took a deep breath before dismissing her court. She turned to face Shay, whose expression mirrored the grim feeling Aramis herself felt and whispered, Gather Serena and bring her to me.

2

Serena

The sun beat down on Serena as she rested on a sharply pointed rock above. The sun warmed her flesh as she stared up into the crystal blue sky. She didn’t care about the speech Aramis had planned for the Kingdom. Her sister would fill her in later when she chastised her for being absent. Instead, Serena decided to wait for a ship to sail through the Pass, carrying her next victim. Seagulls squawked overhead, circling the waters in hope of a meal as Serena let out a groan. She, too, was hoping for a meal as her stomach grumbled, twisting and knotting in pain. It had been ages since she had tasted the flesh of a sailor, and with no ships in sight, it would be ages before she would taste another. She groaned again and flipped onto her stomach, staring at the shores ahead. Her stomach growled again when sounds coming from the shore caught her attention. 

She focused her sights on a figure approaching the beach. He was handsome and looked divine. 

Okay belly, Serena whispered, patting her exposed milky stomach, I’ll get that human for us.

 Slipping from the rock, the icy water enveloped Serena as she dipped below the surface. She followed the waves rolling onto shore, stopping close enough to keep her scales and fins hidden beneath the surface. The young man was beautiful, and Serena bet he would taste just as great. She approached silently, creeping in with the roll of the waves. His tanned skin poked through his white linen shirt, a size too large for him as it slipped from one shoulder and opened at his chest. She could faintly make out the hardened lines of his pecs. Serena licked her lips. His hair was darker than the darkest waters of the sea, and his eyes were blue and full of life.

A life she would take. A life she would watch slip from those bright eyes before she devoured them. Serena smiled at the thought and began to sing. 

Come with me and then you’ll see

For the children of the sea, we were born to be. 

Die you must

To join us. 

In our haunting melody.

Serena continued to sing, watching as the man’s body stiffened. His gaze locked on her own as she repeated her melody, enchanting the boy to come to her, to slip beneath the surface and join her for eternity. He stood, transfixed on Serena and slowly moved into the water. Serena watched as his pants clung to him; her stomach grumbled again. She was close. So close. 

Serena, she heard Shay’s voice echo within her mind. Rolling her eyes, Serena continued to sing, watching as the boy grew closer to her. Gods was he divine. Only a few more steps before she would feast upon his flesh. Shay called through her mind once more, but Serena ignored her and reached for the boy’s hand, feeling his icy touch. Then before she knew what had hit her, she was ripped beneath the waves, leaving the boy in her wake. 

"What do you mean I’ve been betrothed? Serena roared at Queen Aramis in her private quarters. Her blood boiled beneath her thick skin. How could you do this to me? How could you sink so low as to sell me to the land king? I am the daughter of Poseidon! Gods! Do you ever think about anyone besides yourself? How could you be so selfish, Aramis?" Serena clutched at her skull, grazing her scalp with the points of her nails as she raked her fingers through her scarlet locks. She huffed a ragged breath and turned to face her sister. 

Aramis lounged atop of a seaweed- covered rock she called a bed and watched the spectacle of her sister play out before her. Serena turned, gazing into her eyes with hate, picking at wounds she knew had yet to heal. 

Everything I do is for the kingdom, Aramis growled. I remember what you did to Calix,