Chapter Text
Sweat glistened on gray skin, contact making the beads spray as the sirens sparred. You watched with keen interest, hardly wanting to blink or risk missing a single move. It was like watching performers in a play; each move choreographed to inspire awe, all the while knowing they were running on instinct and decades of practice.
Every so often Chan would catch your eye and glare with promise. You’d already trained with him; now he was training with the others, and when they were done...Your heart raced just thinking about what he would do to you.
Beside you, Arden watched Changbin, never once tearing her gaze away, like a lovesick puppy, cheering him on every time he landed an impressive blow. Ravenna was more subdued in her interest, her eyes tracking every single move Hyunjin made and smiling to herself when he was able to overwhelm Minho.
You deeply appreciated having female companions in Haven. Already, you’d shown them so many things Chan had shown to you, taking them under your wing though you were admittedly only slightly more knowledgeable than they were. They were also glad for the company of someone who understood what it was like to be a fledgling Storm. And the girl talk was a guilty pleasure you enjoyed greatly.
“Does your siren ever stop looking at you? I feel like all Hyunjin does is stare at me.” Ravenna asked as she leaned in closer with her eyes still fixed on her siren.
“Not in my experience so far.” You giggled and right on cue, Chan glanced up at you, nodded in your direction and pushed Changbin back.
“I don’t mind the attention.” Arden whispered then cheered loudly when Changbin pushed back and caused Chan to stagger.
“Okay, but...,” Ravenna broke her gaze on Hyunjin, “have they talked to you about...sharing?” Her cheeks turned red, and the three Storms giggled loudly, drawing the gaze of every siren.
They did their best to get their laughter under control, finally mastering it so the sirens could turn back to their sparring. You smiled salaciously and whispered, “I’ve already been shared with one of them, though our time was cut short.” You divulged. These Storms were like your sisters now, and you were happy to share, and perhaps overshare...
“Ooo, which one?” Arden asked excitedly.
“Jeongin. You haven’t met him yet, but I’m sure he’ll return with his Storm soon.” You answered with a grin.
“I’m so excited to see who he brings back!” Arden remarked with a wide smile. She was taller than you by a couple of inches, and her bright eyes and easy smile made her an easy companion. Ravenna was almost the opposite in appearance and quieter to start, but once you got to know her, she was just as easy to get along with.
“When they say they want to share...do they just mean the other sirens...or...” Ravenna glanced at you and Arden, and your breath caught in your throat.
“I’d imagine that desire extends to the Storms as well.” You replied easily, though your head was suddenly bursting with images of entanglements with the Storms beside you. Your attention was snagged by a particularly loud growl from Chan who threw Changbin back, then turned to eye you, like a predator sizing up its prey.
“I think Chan caught on to our bedroom talk.” Arden giggled.
“He definitely wants to see that.” Ravenna teased as she bumped your shoulder with hers. Chan was panting as he stared at you, and you decided to poke the bear, leaning toward Ravenna as you kept your eyes locked on his.
“Name the time and place, and I’ll be there.” You whispered. “Sirens optional.” You added and winked at Chan.
Ravenna grinned and whispered back, “I’d climb you like a tree, sister.” You’d come to learn that these Storms appreciated throwing the sirens into a tizzy as much as you, and that was just another reason why you already treasured their company.
“You know, I’ve never been with a woman, but I’d be eager to change that.” Arden chimed in, her big blue eyes sweeping appreciatively over your body. They’d decided to bare themselves as you did, and you were fascinated by the differences between your bodies. Ravenna was shorter than you and Arden by several inches, with curves that put the fertility goddess to shame. Arden was long and lithe; her curves gentler though no less mouthwatering. You liked to think you were in the middle ground, not only in height, but in curves.
Chan called an end to the training for now and strode straight to you, lifting you over his shoulder as you giggled in protest. “Sorry ladies, perhaps another time, I’m a bit peckish.” Chan called over his shoulder as he carried you away. You shrugged and rolled your eyes dramatically as the other Storms laughed raucously, their own sirens moving in to do the same thing from the looks of it.
“You could have just asked me to follow you like a civilized siren.” You teased Chan as he headed out of the training room with you.
“You don’t want me to be civilized.” He countered with an amused growl.
“True.” You replied with a chuckle. Chan stopped suddenly, then set you down, and you turned in time to see Jeongin’s back as he headed down the passageway that led to his room. You could just make out the limbs and hair of his Storm cradled in his arms and a smile broke out on your face.
“Jeongin! Is that your Storm?” You called out excitedly. Jeongin didn’t reply.
“Clearly he’s not in the sharing mood.” Chan remarked. “Come along, Stormling. I’m still hungry.” He looked your way and narrowed his eyes as he grinned at you.
You took a step, but suddenly the passageway was spinning, and you dropped to your knees with a gasp. Chan was at your side in an instant; his arm draped over your back as he gazed up at your face with panic in his dark brown eyes. He was saying something, but you couldn’t hear him.
“There you are.” A cold voice slithered around your mind. You looked around frantically, trying to find where the voice came from.
“Oh dear, you can’t see me. Perhaps more blood?” The voice drawled. You were panting, laboring to draw breath as your limbs shook. Suddenly there was a man before you, resplendent in white leather armor with the crest of Grevalda on his Chest. His emerald eyes bore into you, and you cowered away, making him smile cruelly at you.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you know who I am?” He said as he glowered down at you. It hit you then; the realization followed closely by nausea. This was Philip. Oh, gods, what was he doing here? You shook with fear, unable to break away from his scrutiny, and he sneered at you.
“It’s alright. We’ll find you, then I can take you back to where you belong. Grevalda needs heirs; you were promised to me after all.” Philip’s words were sharp, and you felt terror grip you. He couldn’t come here, he couldn’t possibly reach you now, but what if he found a way? Everyone was in danger!
“Oh, I should tell you: your lady’s maids are dead. Most burned at the stake only yesterday. You should have heard their screams, like a chorus in the temples. Emma screamed the loudest, though her heart did appear to give out. Not as strong as she liked to make herself seem, that one.” Philip glared down at you and your blood ran cold. You remembered the vision you’d seen in the Sanctum; the one whose heart was crushed by the goddess of mercy as they burned alive was Emma.
“Oh dear, have I upset you? I suppose that means I shouldn’t tell you what happened to your father...” He continued, his handsome face distorted with a savage smile. “You see, this spell takes an extraordinary amount of blood, and your father just happened to have the right amount for the task. You should have heard the way he sniveled and begged for mercy.”
So, they were all dead, then? Everyone you knew, not least of all Emma. Poor, sweet, valiant Emma. The ice running through your veins was replaced with fire, and you stood, squaring your shoulders to face the Crown Prince of Grevalda. He jeered at you, and it was like the bowstring pulled back suddenly snapped, and your hand struck his cheek. Philip stumbled, unprepared for a strike that should not have been possible, rage burning in his eyes as he rubbed his cheek and looked at you.
“No need to come find me, dear Philip. I will find you, and I will exact vengeance upon you and your house. The line of Warwick will be cleansed from this earth, no longer to pollute and destroy. I will rain terror upon you, and you will beg for the embrace of death before the end.” Your voice was steely and unwavering, eyes glowing like embers as Chan swept in and shattered the echo of Philip, breaking the spell with his bare hands as he roared.
When the spell faded, you were standing in the passageway with Chan, the pair of you breathing heavily. “Did you just declare war against the Crown Prince of Grevalda?” Chan panted, his eyes wild with shock.
“Yes, I did.” You answered as you looked at the hand you’d struck Philip with; it was red and throbbed slightly.