It had been two weeks since Stella had uttered a single word. She existed in silence, moving through the days like a ghost. She ate when Simon brought her food, slept when her body demanded it, and spent hours staring vacantly at nothing in particular. Simon had tried everything to make her speak—gentle words, sharp questions, even pleading—but Stella remained silent, her expression an enigma. Not even Gigi or Mallory could coax a response from her.
The yacht drifted idly within the perimeters of Alloan, its engine silent. Simon hadn't moved them an inch. He was afraid to take her anywhere, afraid to make any decision that might push her further into the void she seemed to inhabit. He spent his time keeping her fed, watching her closely, and battling his own growing hunger. The strain of not feeding was starting to show—his veins burned, his strength waned—but none of it compared to the ache of seeing Stella like this.
She was sitting on the deck now, her green eyes fixed on the fiery hues of the sunset. Simon stood nearby, cutting apples for her. He found himself staring at her more often than not, unable to look away. Her stillness unsettled him, but her pain was what truly haunted him.
Suddenly, Stella moved. She reached for her phone, and Simon's brow lifted in quiet surprise. She hadn't touched it in weeks. He paused mid-slice, his sharp ears tuned to her every movement. Stella switched the phone on and dialed a number.
"Hey, Miles," she said at last, her voice calm—eerily so.
Simon froze. He set down the knife, his focus entirely on her.
"Where the hell have you been, Stella? Everyone's been searching for you!" Miles's voice was loud enough for Simon to catch.
Pain flickered in Stella's eyes, but her expression remained calm.
"I've been kidnapped, Miles," she said, her voice steady but chilling in its detachment. "I don't know where I am. It's dark here. I forgot Mallory's number, and yours was the only one I remembered."
Simon stiffened, his jaw tightening as he watched her.
Stella leaned back in her chair, her gaze still locked on the fading sun. "Save me, Miles. Someone's coming," she said quietly, and then she ended the call.
Simon's chest tightened with questions, but he kept them to himself, watching her closely. She didn't meet his gaze, didn't acknowledge his presence.
Finally, she broke the silence again. "Do you know who killed my parents?"
Her voice was soft but carried a weight that made Simon hesitate. He set the plate of sliced apples on the table and stood there for a moment before speaking.
"They died in Alloan," he said carefully. "But judging by your tone, I'd guess they were killed by Milor."
Stella turned her head to look at him, her expression unreadable. "Do you know who Milor is?"
Simon shook his head and sat down beside her.
"It's Miles," she said, her voice cracking faintly.
Simon's eyes widened, but he didn't interrupt.
"And do you know who the Siren of Cosmos is?" she asked, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper.
Simon frowned and shook his head again. "No."
Stella let out a shaky breath and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "It's Nora, my best friend" she said, her voice trembling.
Simon blinked, stunned. "Nora?" he asked, his voice low. "The girl you did makeup for?"
Stella nodded, her composure finally slipping.
"When the soul in Alloan asked me if it was someone close to me…" Stella's voice wavered as she spoke, her hands clenching into fists. "For a second, I doubted it was Mallory. And you." She paused, her gaze dropping to her lap. "I feel guilty, Simon. I never thought it would be them. They were very dear to me"
Simon's expression softened, and he moved closer, his intense gaze never leaving her. He gently cupped her face, tilting it toward him so she would meet his eyes.
"Hey, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "We all doubt the ones we love sometimes. It doesn't make you guilty. It makes you human." His thumbs brushed her cheeks with delicate precision, as though erasing the invisible weight she carried. "And for every tear you've cried, Stella, I will make sure both of them pay for it. They will regret their entire existence."
His words sent a shiver through her. There was no hesitation, no doubt in his promise.
"When I told you I'd destroy everything for you, Stella, I meant it. You may have been betrayed, but there are still people who would move heaven and earth just to be by your side." His thumbs caressed her cheeks again, and Stella closed her eyes, her tears spilling freely now.
Leaning into his touch, she whispered, "Don't leave me, Simon."
He chuckled softly, his lips curving into a gentle smile. "Even if you begged me to, I wouldn't," he said, his voice filled with certainty.
When she opened her eyes, she found his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that melted her resolve. Even in the deepest depths of despair, she realized, there was one person who could pull her back to the surface—the man standing right in front of her.
"I have a gift for you," Simon said suddenly, breaking the moment. He stood and disappeared below deck. A few seconds later, he returned with a small green shawl in his hands.
"It was your mother's," he said, holding it out to her. "She wanted me to pass it on to you."
Stella hesitated before reaching for the shawl. The fabric was soft beneath her fingers, its intricate designs glinting faintly in the fading light. But as she looked closer, she realized they weren't just designs—they were words.
Her heart skipped a beat. The words were written in Aquaroil, the ancient script of her people. A letter from her mother.
Her fingers trembled as she traced the delicate patterns and began to read:
Dear Stella,
Today is the day your father and I discovered that you are the mermaid of the eclipse. We are both overjoyed and worried, but above all, we are proud. We know one thing for certain: our daughter is the strongest girl—no, the strongest woman—in this world. No matter how many hurdles come your way, you will face them with courage.
We may or may not be with you, but our souls will always watch over you, protecting you. But remember this, Stella: learn to trust, learn to face betrayal, learn to fall, but also learn to rise. You are a fighter, my dear daughter. And in the midst of it all, never lose your true nature. Never lose your identity.
With all the love in the world,
Your Mother, Annabelle.
By the time Stella finished reading, a small, bittersweet smile graced her lips. She folded the shawl carefully, holding it close to her chest, as if drawing strength from her mother's words.
She looked up at Simon, her eyes blazing with a newfound resolve. "They wanted my death," she said, her voice steady and filled with determination. "I'll give them a war."