Companion

"We should be halfway there, now." The male siren spoke, green eyes glancing over his shoulder to the other siren with him.

Ione just nodded, a distant look in her eye as she swam close behind him. It was still just... so hard to believe. When she was young she was told that things like mermaids and sirens didn't exist. She grew up thinking such things and didn't really pay much mind to it. And now, after the horrific incident she had gone through just days before, she was something she still couldn't quite understand nor believe. The long, fish-like tail that now replaced her legs and the male leading her around only further testified to the fact that they were real.

That wasn't the only thing on her mind, though. All of what happened a few days ago still replayed in her mind. Her husband... The man she had vowed to love in sickness and in health, the man she had loved and respected for nearly all their married life. That wonderful man had turned into a monster. Where did her husband go? That was not the man she knew. The thought, alone, of the unfeeling look upon his face nearly had her bursting into tears even now. Would they even be seen in the water, if she cried?

She knew she would've felt so much more alone if Brontes hadn't allowed her to stay with him. Heck, she would've been dead if he hadn't come. Oh, and he had been so patient with her, more patient than she had originally expected. He had taken it upon himself to teach her what he knew, and he still did to this day. She barely knew him and yet she felt so attached that she wasn't sure what she'd do if they had to part ways. In some ways she felt indebted to him for all he had done, yet in others she thought herself selfish for wanting to stay with him. But... he seemed lonely, too.

"Do you want to rest a while?"

The male's voice called her from her thoughts, pale yellow eyes now looking to him as he slowed down to swim beside her. Those eyes of hers looked him over a moment before she shook her head.

"No, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Well, alright. But let me know when you get tired, okay?"

"Okay." He seemed reluctant, but ultimately began to swim ahead of her once more.

That was something she picked up on right away, the fact he often asked so many questions like that. Any answer she gave was often followed by a few more questions after that. She knew she'd have to get used to that... and the fact that he'd be there all the time. Her husband, in the last year of their marriage, was barely ever home.

So many changes, so quick. So many questions and concerns and thoughts and feelings...

At least she had a traveling companion.