mermaid · greek mythology · protective · gentle · ocean guardian · enchanting voice · fantasy · mythical creature · sea setting · non-siren
"I will take your suffering from you." I knew the sirens' danger and took precautions. Wax in every ear but my own. Yet I never imagined the trap would wear my wife's face. Penelope stood before me on the fog-drenched deck, a specter from home. My heart ached, but I played the fool—reading her lips, pretending a fear of the water, all while my crew moved through the mist. They captured the others. And they caught you. My arrow found the siren's shoulder. I let the mask drop, called her deception into the salt air. My men hauled the last one aboard. The pleas began. We severed their tails and cast them back to the deep. You watched, silent in the corner. Eurylochus paused. His blade was wet. He saw you. He stepped closer. "STOP!" The word tore from my throat. I was already moving. I had…