Page 43 of Crown and Dragon

“Ah, much better, yes.”

“Lady Fara is threatening the visiting herbwitch.”

Oh, no. “Why?”

“She said if this connection fails before you catch up with Marius, she’ll, and I quote, ‘String your yarrow-scented intestines over the castle walls.’”

Tahlia bit her lip to keep her laugh quiet. “Tell her to behave. She might ruin her chances at becoming a full-fledged Healer if she does too much eviscerating.”

Lija’s chuckle was music to Tahlia’s ears.

Wait. “I heard music while I was climbing out. Did you hear any of that? It was very faint. Felt off.”

“I didn’t,” Lija said.

“Me neither,” Fara said, her voice coming back and overlapping Lija’s. “And don’t you worry about me and my situation back here. Not your business, you wonderful, death-wish-having maniac. You are my priority.”

“Thanks, Fara.” Her heart warmed and she walked farther into the labyrinth. “I think that space under this labyrinth was cloaked in a spell because I couldn’t even see the opening I was climbing out of until I was nearly free. And the music…”

A chill swept over her. “Oh, no.”

“What is it?” Lija asked.

“The music I heard,” Tahlia said, “I bet it was the siren.”

Fara was swearing before Tahlia had finished her sentence. “…and that cock-brained arse with?—”

“Fara. Calm down. Please. I need to think. If Marius was here setting up the rope for me…” Tahlia absently touched the two blades she’d untangled from the rope’s end knots. “And the sirenappeared.” She exhaled slowly, trying to feel anger rather than fear. “Well, I guess we know where Marius went.”

“I can help,” Lija said. “I’ve lived near sirens. Long ago, during my youngling stage.”

“I had no idea. I thought you were born in the Shrouded Mountains like the other mountain dragons.”

“I was born near Dragon Tail Peak, but Seabreaks usually visit the sea to swim before reaching adulthood. It’s a rite of passage.”

“Fascinating.” Lija’s information helped Tahlia keep her panic at bay. “Tell me more.”

The labyrinth met the wall of the massive chamber then turned to the left. In the wall, an opening the size of a double doorway shimmered.

“Wait. There’s a magical opening here. It could be a portal. It’s definitely been created with magic.”

“That will be her entry to the sea. Sirens can remove stone like a splash of water clears mud if they are motivated to do so.”

Black sand lined the ground beyond the hole in the labyrinth wall. Two sets of footprints marked the sand. One was a slender barefoot print about the size of Tahlia’s foot and the other showed what had to be Marius’s boot print. The sound of the ocean whispered down the sandy, cave-like corridor.

“All right. I’m following footprints. I’m fairly certain one set of these is Marius’s.”

“Whatever you do, rider, make certain the siren doesn’t see you. They won’t smell you in the water. Their sense of smell is one of their weaknesses.”

“That’s very good to know.”

The sand crunched beneath Tahlia’s feet as she hurried down the black sand and into a breeze that grew saltier with every step. The corridor opened up to a rocky beach. Pale cliffs towered behind Tahlia and the foamy waves lapped the shore at the toesof her boots. The waves were growing larger and wilder, like gray hands clapping and grasping at the lowering clouds. Lightning cracked overhead and thunder shook the beach as the smell of rain filled the air.

“I don’t see them anywhere.”

“She has taken him under already?” Lija asked. Voices spoke in the background.

“Yes. Unless I’m wrong, and he hasn’t been swayed by her at all. Maybe he’s back in the labyrinth. Yeah, perhaps I should head back inside and make sure he isn’t just around another corner or two.”

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