Kyrian Remembers

Kyrian leaned on the poop deck’s rail and gazed into the water, feeling like his blood was aflame. Had his mother ever seen the open ocean? Would she have felt the same?

Perhaps—but there was something else at work here. He stole a look around to make sure no one was watching, then began singing softly. He’d only heard the song once, but he remembered every word. And for the first time, he understood: even had he known that his love was doomed, the knight would have loved the mermaid anyway.

Kyrian looked back to the shore, where Murann was just vanishing from sight. He remembered something else she’d said: “Indeed, nothing we can do will hold back the sea forever. That is why it is best to make the most of each moment before it is washed away.”

Those words were meant for Kyrian. He hadn’t followed that advice. But he would now.

“Goodbye, Ligeia,” he whispered, and headed below decks without looking back.