Page 47 of King of Tides

Bourne blushes and waves but remains silent. Billy gives them both a bright smile. “Hello there. It’s so nice to meet you,” she coos.

Bourne gasps and looks up at me. “She sounds like a siren. Is she safe?”

Sirens were partially responsible for the deaths of the boys’ parents. They led them to the monster who took their lives. I put the sirens responsible to death, but the boys have been wary of sirens ever since. It took a long time to get them to trust anyone.

I noticed the enchantment of Billy’s voice last night. It has always been alluring to me, but it took on a new pull last night. It is a lot like a siren’s call.

“Not every siren is bad. I’ve told you this before. And yes, she’s safe. Billy would never do anything to hurt you,” I reply.

“You’re pretty,” Beck says. “Will you play with us? We always have so much fun with King Ardan.”

“I would love to play with you guys, but I have to leave soon. But if it’s okay with your mom, I’d like to play with you some other time.”

“Oh,” Beck says and climbs off my lap with a long face.

“What just happened? What did I do wrong?”Billy says in a panic through our link.

“Their parents were led to slaughter. They don’t have a mother, and they don’t live here. Coming to headquarters was a treat for them today.”

“I’m so sorry. I … I”

“You didn’t know. It will be fine.”

Billy gets up from her throne chair and squats in front of Beck. He looks at her then looks at me as if asking if it’s okay for him to engage her. I give him a nod.

“What’s your name?” Billy asks softly.

“I’m Beck and that’s my brother Bourne. We are water titans. Our dad was a sea guard. One day, we’ll be big and strong, and we’ll take his place.”

“Quiet, Beck. No one is to know that,” Bourne chides his brother and scowls.

“Your secret is safe with me. I’ll protect it with my life,” Billy says and winks at Bourne.

She then reaches to run her hand over Beck’s curly blond hair. Beck’s entire face lights up. He’s always the first to warm up to people. He’s also the most lethal of the two boys.

“Bourne is right, I shouldn’t have told you that.” He looks at me. “I’m sorry. I will do better.”

“You are fine. Your queen is here to keep you safe. You shouldn’t tell anyone else, but this once you are forgiven.”

“How old are you guys?” Billy asks.

“We’re five,” Bourne replies.

“Oh, you’re tall boys. Maybe we can play another time. I should be free this weekend or the one after that. Ardan can bring me to you. You don’t have to come here,” Billy says.

“Really?” Beck says with hope in his eyes.

“I will bring you to a meeting place. We will play together then,” I reply.

“Oh, no. I made another mistake, didn’t I?”

“No worries, pretty one. I will tell you all you need to know about them and anything else you need to catch up on. We can’t go to where they live because it’s guarded heavily for their sake and everyone else’s.

“There are others who would love to take them and have control of their powers. They may be children, but they are both very powerful and will be forces when they grow up. For now, I keep them safe somewhere known to few and accessible to fewer,” I explain.

“Is King Bradan here? Can he play with us before we have to return?” Bourne asks as he looks up at me with his big bright-blue eyes.

“He is not, but I will let him know you asked for him,” I say.

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