Prologue: Sinking of Maerinys

In a cataclysmic moment, the underwater kingdom of Maerinys is destroyed by a mysterious, god-driven disaster. Amidst chaos, a pirate lord named Cyrus Blackwood flees with a newborn girl, Esmyra, through collapsing tunnels and rising tides. As the city is swallowed by the sea, both are marked by strange, magical wounds—Esmyra with runes, Cyrus with a blackened scar. The sea itself seems to spare them, pushing their boat to safety. This act of rescue, betrayal, and survival sets the stage for a legacy of secrets, curses, and the intertwining fates of mortals and gods. The prologue's emotional weight is one of loss, desperation, and the birth of a legend.

Pirate's Daughter, Siren's Curse

Centuries later, Esmyra Blackwood is a feared pirate and a siren shifter, living under the shadow of her father's curse and her own monstrous powers. She is both weapon and daughter, loyal to her crew but haunted by her origins. Her life is a constant negotiation between compassion and ruthlessness, as she navigates the world of pirates, gods, and mortals. Esmyra's internal struggle is palpable—she is drawn to the sea, yet feels caged by it, and her powers are both a gift and a burden. The emotional arc is one of isolation, longing for belonging, and the tension between her humanity and her monstrous heritage.

Thief in the Market

Esmyra's life on land is marked by deft thievery and a surprising act of kindness. In the bustling market of Lephyrin, she steals with ease, blending in and outwitting guards. Yet, when she encounters a starving orphan, she risks exposure to help him, revealing a hidden softness beneath her hardened exterior. This moment of empathy is contrasted by the ever-present threat of violence and the need to remain hidden. The chapter's emotional tone is a blend of thrill, danger, and a fleeting sense of hope, as Esmyra's actions hint at the complexity of her character.

King's Forbidden Quest

Rumors swirl of King Rowe's obsession with the sunken Maerinys and its supposed treasures. Esmyra learns that the king's son, Draevyn—the Phoenix, a fire-wielder—is leading a secret expedition to find the lost kingdom, defying the gods' edicts. The stakes are raised as Esmyra realizes the king's ambitions threaten not just gold, but the balance of power and the wrath of the gods. She resolves to beat the king to the prize, setting her and her crew on a collision course with Lephyrin's might. The mood is tense, urgent, and laced with the promise of conflict.

Tides of Betrayal

Esmyra's relationship with her father, Cyrus, is fraught with tension. She is both his weapon and his heir, chafing under his control yet bound by loyalty. Their arguments reveal deep wounds—Cyrus is cursed to the sea, unable to set foot on land, while Esmyra is used for her powers. The emotional core is one of longing for freedom, resentment, and the pain of being both loved and exploited. The chapter ends with a new mission: to intercept Draevyn and claim Maerinys' secrets for themselves, even as trust within the crew begins to fray.

The Phoenix and the Siren

In Anchorage Cove, Esmyra and Draevyn's paths cross in a tavern, each hiding their true identity. Their encounter is a dance of seduction, suspicion, and mutual recognition of danger. Esmyra attempts to manipulate Draevyn, but he proves resistant, seeing through her ruse. Their chemistry is electric, charged with both attraction and the threat of violence. The emotional arc is one of intrigue, challenge, and the first stirrings of something deeper beneath their antagonism.

Aboard the Enemy's Ship

Esmyra boards Draevyn's ship under false pretenses, seeking information and an opportunity to strike. She is quickly exposed and imprisoned, her powers nullified by velsinyte cuffs—a substance that drains magic. The experience is harrowing, stripping her of agency and forcing her to confront her vulnerability. Meanwhile, Draevyn is both wary and fascinated by his captive, sensing her power and danger. The emotional tone is claustrophobic, tense, and laced with the beginnings of reluctant respect.

Secrets Beneath the Waves

As the ships near Maerinys, the sea itself becomes a character—violent, unpredictable, and haunted by the past. Esmyra's connection to the water is both a source of strength and a reminder of her curse. She uncovers hidden maps and clues to the lost kingdom, while Draevyn's suspicions grow. The chapter is suffused with a sense of destiny, as both are drawn inexorably toward the secrets of the deep. The emotional arc is one of awe, fear, and the weight of history pressing in.

The Kraken Unleashed

A battle erupts between The Night Wraith and Draevyn's ship, culminating in the summoning of a kraken—an embodiment of Esmyra's unleashed power. The sea becomes a battlefield, and both crews are decimated. In the chaos, Esmyra saves Draevyn from drowning, an act that blurs the line between enemy and ally. The emotional core is one of terror, awe, and the first glimmers of trust forged in crisis.

Prisoners and Power

After the battle, both Esmyra and Draevyn are captured, imprisoned, and forced to confront their own powerlessness. Esmyra's magic is stripped away by velsinyte, while Draevyn is haunted by his own failures and the legacy of his father's cruelty. Their shared captivity becomes a crucible, burning away old enmities and forging a fragile alliance. The emotional tone is raw, vulnerable, and tinged with the hope of redemption.

The Lost Kingdom's Call

Guided by ancient runes and the pull of fate, Esmyra and Draevyn discover the hidden entrance to Maerinys. The kingdom is not dead, but preserved beneath the sea, its people transformed and its magic intact. Esmyra is recognized as a lost heir, and her powers begin to awaken in new and terrifying ways. The emotional arc is one of wonder, fear, and the dawning realization that their destinies are bound to the fate of the kingdom.

The Queen's Masquerade

A grand masquerade in Lephyrin's castle becomes the stage for political intrigue, assassination attempts, and the collision of all major players. Esmyra and Draevyn must navigate a web of lies, shifting alliances, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. The emotional tone is one of suspense, danger, and the seductive allure of power.

Blood and Shadows

In the aftermath of the masquerade, secrets are laid bare—Esmyra's true heritage, Draevyn's conflicted loyalties, and the depth of the gods' betrayal. Blood is spilled, both literal and metaphorical, as old bonds are broken and new ones are forged in the crucible of loss. The emotional arc is one of grief, rage, and the painful birth of self-knowledge.

The Crypt's Revelation

Esmyra and Syrena (her twin) uncover the crypt holding the bones of their goddess forms, Kaelypso and Naerysa. Through visions and ritual, they learn the truth: they are the reincarnated sea goddesses, murdered by the other gods out of jealousy and fear. The emotional core is one of horror, awe, and the shattering of all previous certainties.

The Truth of the Goddesses

As Esmyra and Syrena reclaim their divine power, the cost becomes clear—sacrifice, the unleashing of ancient magic, and the breaking of mortal ties. Draevyn, manipulated by Syrena's compulsion, is driven away, and Esmyra's heart is broken by betrayal and loss. The emotional arc is one of transcendence, heartbreak, and the forging of a new, more dangerous self.

The Breaking of Curses

With their power restored, the sisters shatter the dome imprisoning Maerinys, raising the kingdom to the surface in a cataclysmic display of magic. Curses are broken—Cyrus is freed, only to be murdered by King Rowe, igniting Esmyra's wrath. The emotional tone is one of liberation, grief, and the cold resolve of vengeance.

The Kingdom Rises

Maerinys emerges from the sea, its people and goddesses reborn. The world above is thrown into chaos as the balance of power shifts, and the threat of divine retribution looms. Esmyra, now fully Kaelypso, stands poised to claim her place as both savior and destroyer. The emotional arc is one of triumph, sorrow, and the gathering storm of war.

Wildfire and Vengeance

In the aftermath, Draevyn is left reeling from loss and guilt, while Esmyra's grief hardens into a resolve for vengeance. The fragile hope of love is consumed by the wildfire of betrayal, and the stage is set for a new conflict—gods against mortals, love against power, and the sea against the world. The emotional tone is one of heartbreak, fury, and the promise of reckoning.

Characters

Esmyra Blackwood / Kaelypso

Esmyra is the daughter (by adoption) of Cyrus Blackwood, raised as a pirate and weapon, but marked from birth by mysterious runes and a deep connection to the sea. She is a siren shifter, able to compel minds and wield the tides, but her powers are both a gift and a curse. Psychologically, Esmyra is torn between compassion and ruthlessness, haunted by her monstrous side and desperate for belonging. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns she is the reincarnation of Kaelypso, the lost sea goddess, murdered by the other gods. Her relationships are fraught—used by her father, betrayed by Draevyn, and manipulated by her twin, Syrena. Esmyra's development is a descent into power and vengeance, as love and loss strip away her last illusions, leaving her poised between savior and destroyer.

Draevyn Rowe / The Phoenix

Draevyn is the second son of King Rowe, gifted with the power of flame by the god Irah, but burdened by his father's cruelty and the weight of his own violence. He is both executioner and protector, feared as the Phoenix but longing for freedom and meaning. Psychologically, Draevyn is marked by guilt, self-loathing, and a desperate need for redemption. His relationship with Esmyra is a crucible—enemy, ally, lover, and ultimately, the source of both his hope and his greatest pain. Draevyn's arc is one of reluctant heroism, as he is forced to confront his own complicity in the world's cruelties and the cost of love in a world ruled by power.

Syrena / Naerysa

Syrena is Esmyra's twin, the other half of the lost goddesses, ruling Maerinys beneath the sea. Outwardly serene and nurturing, she is in truth a master manipulator, driven by vengeance and the need to reclaim her power. Psychologically, Syrena is shaped by centuries of isolation, loss, and the trauma of betrayal. Her relationship with Esmyra is complex—sister, rival, and mirror, both loving and using her. Syrena's development is a slow reveal of her true nature: not just a victim, but a player in the divine game, willing to sacrifice anything for freedom and revenge.

Cyrus Blackwood

Cyrus is the legendary pirate lord, cursed to the sea and unable to set foot on land. He is both brutal and loving, using Esmyra as a weapon but also raising her as his own. Psychologically, Cyrus is marked by regret, pride, and the burden of secrets—he stole Esmyra from Maerinys, setting the entire tragedy in motion. His death at the hands of King Rowe is both a liberation and a final wound, igniting Esmyra's vengeance and sealing the fate of the world.

King Barrett Rowe

King Rowe is the mortal king of Lephyrin, obsessed with power and the lost treasures of Maerinys. He is ruthless, manipulative, and ultimately self-destructive, willing to sacrifice his own sons for the promise of magic and gold. Psychologically, Rowe is driven by insecurity and the need to prove himself in a world of gods and monsters. His actions are the spark for the novel's central conflict, and his murder of Cyrus is the final straw that unleashes Esmyra's wrath.

Atlas Rowe

Atlas is Draevyn's older brother, gifted with the power of shadows. He is more diplomatic and compassionate than Draevyn, but caught between loyalty to his family and the demands of the crown. Psychologically, Atlas is marked by survivor's guilt, the trauma of their mother's death, and the burden of being the "good son." His relationship with Draevyn is one of deep love and mutual protection, and he serves as a bridge between the mortal and magical worlds.

Jak

Jak is Esmyra's closest friend and first mate, a woodland shifter with a sharp tongue and a deep loyalty to his captain. He is the voice of reason and compassion within the crew, often challenging Esmyra's more ruthless impulses. Psychologically, Jak is marked by survivor's guilt and a desperate need to protect those he loves. His arc is one of steadfastness, as he refuses to give up on Esmyra even when all hope seems lost.

Riven

Riven is an elven member of The Night Wraith's crew, gifted with the power to manipulate minds and fears. He is both a source of strength and a reminder of the dangers of unchecked magic. Psychologically, Riven is marked by a sense of alienation and the need to prove himself in a world that fears his kind. His loyalty to Esmyra is tested by the events of the novel, and his powers serve as both weapon and warning.

Samwell

Samwell is Draevyn's right hand, a voice of pragmatism and caution. He is loyal but not blind, often challenging Draevyn's decisions and serving as a check on his more reckless impulses. Psychologically, Samwell is marked by a deep sense of responsibility and the trauma of surviving countless battles. His arc is one of reluctant heroism, as he is drawn into the larger conflict against his will.

Elowynne

Elowynne is Atlas's betrothed, an elven woman with the power to manipulate minds and fears. She is both a political pawn and a force in her own right, using her powers to protect Atlas and aid in the search for Draevyn. Psychologically, Elowynne is marked by a fierce independence and the struggle to carve out her own identity in a world that would use her as a tool. Her arc is one of self-assertion and the forging of new alliances.

Plot Devices

Duality and Mirrors

The novel is structured around the theme of duality—twin sisters, twin kingdoms (above and below the sea), and the mirroring of mortal and divine. Esmyra and Syrena are both reflections and opposites, their relationship serving as a lens for the exploration of power, identity, and betrayal. The use of mirrors, visions, and shifting forms reinforces the instability of identity and the danger of seeing only what one wishes to see.

Curses and Power Suppression

The recurring motif of velsinyte—a substance that drains magic—serves as both a literal and metaphorical device for the suppression of power, agency, and identity. Characters are repeatedly stripped of their abilities, forced to confront their own vulnerability and the limits of their strength. The breaking of curses is both a plot engine and a symbol of liberation, but always comes at a cost.

Betrayal and Compulsion

The novel is rife with betrayal—personal, political, and divine. The use of compulsion (siren song, mind magic) blurs the line between free will and manipulation, raising questions about agency and trust. Characters are repeatedly forced to question their own motives and the reality of their experiences, creating a pervasive sense of uncertainty and danger.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing—visions of the past and future, prophecies, and the sense that all events are part of a larger, inescapable pattern. The prologue's disaster echoes throughout the novel, and the characters' attempts to escape or rewrite fate only serve to entangle them further. The use of visions and the Veil of Visions as a plot device allows for the revelation of hidden truths and the deepening of the novel's central mysteries.

Romance as Catalyst and Obstacle

The romance between Esmyra and Draevyn is both a source of hope and the engine of tragedy. Their love is forged in crisis, tested by betrayal, and ultimately shattered by manipulation and loss. The emotional arc of their relationship mirrors the larger themes of the novel—power, vulnerability, and the cost of opening oneself to another. The romance is never simple or safe, but always fraught with danger and the possibility of redemption.

Analysis

A Wraith Beneath the Tides is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that interrogates the nature of power, identity, and the legacy of trauma. At its heart is the story of Esmyra—a woman caught between worlds, between monstrousness and humanity, between the roles of weapon, daughter, lover, and goddess. The novel uses the structure of epic fantasy—pirates, lost kingdoms, gods and monsters—to explore deeply modern questions: What does it mean to be shaped by the violence of others? How do we reclaim agency in a world determined to use us? The romance between Esmyra and Draevyn is both a crucible and a mirror, forcing each to confront their own wounds and the possibility of healing. The novel's use of duality—twins, mirrors, shifting forms—serves as a metaphor for the instability of identity and the danger of seeing only what we wish to see. Ultimately, the book is a meditation on the cost of power, the necessity of sacrifice, and the possibility of redemption, even for those who have been made into monsters. Its lessons are both timeless and timely: that love is both the greatest risk and the only hope, that vengeance can consume as easily as it can liberate, and that the true test of power is not in domination, but in the willingness to break the chains that bind us—and to face the gods, and ourselves, without fear.

Last updated: December 11, 2025