Low standards

When Eric's expressions shifted from playful to grave, Xobaria breathed in satisfaction as she had finally seemed to hit right at the target.

"Alright, if that is how you want to play then let it be." It took Eric just a couple of moments to make his decision.

He had to bring a Siren back home in any condition then it wasn't a big deal to marry her. No one is going to know about it as once his purpose will be fulfilled, she will be discarded anyways. "I will marry a Siren but I have my terms." He avoided saying 'your daughter' because if her daughters lacked the quality he was looking for, he wasn't going to marry them because then they would be of no use to him.

"This isn't the right place to be talking about such matters. Let's go…"

"I don't care and I don't have time for these formalities. Just get it done with." He cut her off mid-sentence, annoyance visible from his strained features.

"Alright, what do you specifically want?" She asked when she knew exactly what he was going to demand next.

When Draveric had stepped in the sea, from that very moment she was keeping an eye on him through the help of her dark magic. She had tried to penetrate his head but failed multiple times thus she decided to penetrate his friends head. However, this man was too cautious. He didn't even talk about his plan with his close friend. But as Xobaria already knew about the reason he was coming to her island, it was enough for her to tackle him without having to know what he was planning on doing.

"I want a Siren whose deciduous scales haven't shed yet." The words rolled over his tongue smoothly but seeing Xobaria's unfazed face, his forehead creased slightly. She didn't react how he had expected her to. Did that mean that one of her daughters possessed this quality or was she planning on fooling him?

"And don't think that I can't confirm it. I have my source." He added in case she thought otherwise.

"That's it?" She demanded, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, that's the only quality I am looking for in my woman. If you couldn't tell already, I have lowered my standards pretty much when I decided to marry your daughter." He ran his tongue over his lower lip, satisfied by the subtle burn he tried to give her but she only smiled back.

"Don't worry Prince Draveric, I am always fair in my dealings unlike…never mind. I am willing to marry my youngest daughter to you. She hasn't shed her scales yet. You can go ahead and confirm it by any means. The wedding shall happen only after that." She retorted.

"Wedding?" He laughed like it was the funniest joke he had ever heard. "Like I said, Lady Xobaria, I don't have time for these formalities. Whatever has to happen in order for her to get married to me is going to happen today and I am leaving with her and my friend unharmed tonight." He held such authority in his tone that could make anyone succumb to his words.

"As you wish but give me some time to prepare my daughter for the ritual at least. You know girls have cute little fantasies in their heads about their wedding days." She drawled.

"Whatever but make it quick." He closed the conversation from his side and turned around to leave. He was going exactly where he was supposed to without any hesitation. It was hard for a man like him to get lost. She smirked and then her expressions turned grim with evil and darkness.

"We'll see humans, we'll see…"

~

"Hoooooawwhaaaahaaaaaaaaaa!"

"Stop!" Ms Jelena's voice cut through Aurora's attempt of mastering the basic note of the classic Siren's song. As soon as Aurora went silent the other Sirens took their hands off their ears that have started hurting since they have been hearing Aurora trying to sing for the past half an hour.

"That's right Aurora dear, I think it's enough for today." Ms Jelena softened her tone immediately as she gave the girl a sheepish smile upon seeing her embarrassed face.

"I don't understand why mother Xobaria is so persistent about making her sing." One of them whispered to the other, rolling her eyes at Aurora.

"She can't sing for heaven's sake. I wonder what kind of a Siren she is. Mother should really stop being worried about her now and focus on others." The other replied, her neck stiff in pride as she was declared the best singer on the entire Island. She has also hunted the most men.

Aurora had clearly heard what they were saying. It wasn't the first time she had heard those remarks about herself but they always hurt her like the first time. She was so…different from all of them. The word different was what Kiara had taught her but she would like to say, dumb. They could do everything and she couldn't. She hasn't hunted one man in her whole life yet because she couldn't sing like all of them. It was a shame.

"It's not enough yet, Jelena." It was Queen Xobaria who had spoken.

Everyone stood up but she stopped them with the gesture of her hand as she herself came to stand before Aurora.

"Let's see if she can sing or not."