Siren Song || Tedros x Reader

For a moment, no one was sure where the knock came from.

But then came another. This one louder. Someone was at the Never doors.

"The Circus is closed!" the wolf roared.

Two more knocks.

"I thought teachers were locked in their rooms," Agatha whispered.

"So it's not a teacher," I answered anxiously.

Agatha and I met Hester's look across the aisle. Spooked, we girls turned back to the doors, shuddering from another loud knock.

"You will not be let in!" the wolf thundered.

The knocking stopped.

Then slowly, magically, the doors creaked open all on their own.

Into the Theater of Tales slunk a figure shrouded in a black hood. Hundreds of eyes watched the stranger glide down the aisle, footsteps quiet, snakeskin cape trailing behind like a wedding train. Smoothly, silently the black shadow ascended to the stage and stood still beneath the Circus Crown, cape scales glimmering in flame light, head bowed like a bat's.

The doors slammed shut.

Pale fingers slithered from under the cape and pulled the hood back.

Sophie glared down at her audience, nose and chin marred by warts. Patches of white speckled her dyed black hair. Her emerald eyes were now murky gray, her skin thin enough to see veins.

Slowly she scanned the crowd, taking in scared faces with a widening sneer. Then she saw Agatha, regal in blue, and lost her smile. Sophie stared at her, gray pupils clouding with horror.

"I see we have a new princess, or two new princesses," she said quietly. "Beautiful, aren't they?"

Sophie suddenly swivelled to Tedros and smiled.

"My dear Teddy! Fancy seeing you here. I believe I still have my talent to show."

"You're a little late," Tedros spat.

"Athena's my opponent, isn't she?" Sophie said. "She hasn't gone yet, so I believe I'm perfectly on time. But of course, it's your turn, Teddy. Why don't you show us your talent."

Tedros clenched his teeth, fighting his pride.

"Show us, Teddy," Sophie said sweetly.

Tedros crossed onto the stage. He dropped to his knees.

Nevers exploded in victory.

With a pitying sigh, Sophie swept towards the kneeling prince. She gently took his head by its flaxen hair and peered into his scared blue eyes.

"Forfeiting? So quickly? I expected better from you."

Tedros hardened. "Still my turn."

He ripped out his training sword and Sophie drew back. Tedros stayed on one knee, pivoted to the aisle, thrust the blade towards the crowd.

"Athena."

He laid down the sword.

"Will you be my princess for the Ball?"

Sophie froze. Nevers stopped cheering.

In the dead silence, I tried to find my breath. Then I saw Sophie's face, shock melting to pain. Looking into her sunken, scared eyes, I couldn't help but feel some sense of pity. But that feeling quickly washed away

"Yes."

Chaddick dropped to his knees before her.

"Beatrix, will you be my princess for the Ball?"