Page 65 of Bound By Roses

“That is not up to you.” I’m getting real tired of Erwyn’s objections, but in this room, he has a right to voice his opinions. Just as I have a right to argue mine.

I turn to him, my courage returning. “If you want my help in this war, then it is.”

He scoffs. “You may be Terranous’ Chosen, but we do not need you.”

“The people of Rosewood follow her.” Quinn says, taking my hand in his.

Kaylee stands. “As do I.”

That earns a stunned look from Erwyn. “You cannot mean that! Your place is here.”

“Without Arabella, I am no weaver. No one knows Lunae better than its rightful heir. You would be a fool to disregard her.”

Rhett stands, and for some reason, I know it has nothing to do with Kaylee. “We have a responsibility to save as many as we can. It doesn’t matter whose people they are. I’m with Abby.”

Merrick is next. “I grew up in that city. Although I hold no love for it, the innocents truly are that. We’ll fight, but we’ll only kill those who need to die.” That’s better than I could have expected.

Aurelia rises from her chair, leaving Erwyn the last to be seated. “We will save as many as we can if the opportunity presents itself, but first, we need a plan.”

Quinn leans across the table and slides the large map closer. “When we faced Imelda before, I noticed most of your people fought from the sea and those who fought on land struggled.”

“Your point?” Erwyn growls.

“I was trained for this. If we’re to take the fight to Lunae, I can ready any able sirens to fight on land. In exchange, will you teach my people to swim?”

“Swimming lessons?That’syour idea?” As a general of sorts himself, I can understand his objection. But if I know Quinn, there’s a reason for his madness.

“We’re at a disadvantage here and many of us have never seen the ocean. Swimming can also strengthen us for other forms of combat.” That’s not it at all. A trade like this makes them equals. Erwyn already sees Quinn as an enemy.

Before Erwyn can finish grumbling his agreement, Jade suddenly strides for the door.

“Stop,” Merrick barks after him.

Jade’s feet freeze into place, but it’s clear that it was by his own will. “Is that an order,Regent?” His laugh masks the sounds of his footsteps as he walks out of the room, undeterred by Merrick’s command. I’m getting really tired of his mood swings.

Quinn doesn’t even seem to have noticed the commotion as he hurdles a question at Aurelia. “We need to start trusting each other. We’ll share our secrets if you share yours. Do you have other influencers?”

“Yes, but none as gifted as Imelda.”

“I’d like to meet them, regardless. The more tricks we have on our side, the better.”

I don’t know why the thought never occurred to me. Of course Imelda can’t be the only siren with powers. Some can heal the body while others influence the mind. If we’re going to do this, we’ll need every advantage we can get.

“I will ask them. You must understand that many still see you as our enemy.”

Quinn hesitates for just a moment before moving for the door and calling back over his shoulder. “Have everyone meet me on the beach. It’s time we rectify that.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

QUINN

I’m only left standing on an empty beach for a handful of minutes before swells of sirens spill from the waves. Tails become legs hidden beneath the scale-like robes they wear in colours that match their fins. I knew Marein’s numbers had dwindled after our last encounter with Lunae’s forces, but there are far fewer people gathered around me than I’d hoped.

The scene is a stark reminder of my first hour in Marein. Exhausted from the journey, Aurelia had led me down to an arena of sorts where these very same people took turns throwing punches my way. Which isn’t all that dissimilar to the reason I called for this gathering.

“Thank you all for coming,” I say as Abby flashes me an encouraging smile. She doesn’t know what this is either, and I’m certain that smile will fade once she understands why I’ve called for this gathering. “I’m sure most of you would rather be doing other things, so I’m just going to get right to the point. Who here still sees me as an enemy?”

A quick count shows about twenty-five hands in the air, which is less than I expected, considering there are about two hundred sirens here. If I’m right, that number is about to grow.

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