Page 73 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Do we have a deal?” Her eyes sparkled with the delight of trapping me.

“Fine.” I held out my hand. “I will secure the song, and in exchange, your queen will remove the monsters from the Isle of Fate so we may dock and hold them off until we are safely back on shore.”

Ursula scrunched her mouth to one side as she contemplated the bargain.

“That seems right.” She moved closer, running her tongue up the side of my neck before grabbing my hand. “Although in the Undersea, we seal our bargains with a kiss, too.”

My pulse raced as her lips met mine, wet with brandy. Magic swirled around us, binding us to our words. Either Ursula hadn’t noticed my specific wording, or she didn’t care that I had given myself an out.

She pulled me in closer and my hand naturally went to her hips, grasping the soft flesh. She fisted her hands in my hair while slipping her tongue past my lips. A heat rose inside me.

I let my lips linger on hers for a moment before pulling away. I didn’t want to upset her.

“The bargain is sealed. I will get the song, Ursula.” I combed my fingers through my hair.

Ursula pouted.

“Oh? The night’s over? But we were having so much fun. Don’t you want to play like we used to?”

I took a deep breath averting my eyes.

“I am loyal to Tharan.” I scooted away from her. Part of me wanted to see if she would fill the space between us, but when she didn’t, a weight lifted itself from me.

Ursula flipped her aqua-blue hair to one side, framing her long face. A diamond not unlike my own whisper stone glinted in her ear. Had the queen been listening in this whole time or was it just a normal gem?

She started to slide her hand toward mine but stopped herself.

“Fine.”

Ursula smoothed out the wrinkles in her dress.

“Let me show you out,” I said, and reached for her hand, but she pulled it away.

“I can see myself out.” Without looking at me, she rose abruptly and floated to the door.

“Don’t be like this, Ursula. You have two lovers waiting for you. You said you wanted to be my friend… so be my friend,” I pleaded.

Pausing, she did not look back at me, but from where I was sitting, I could see her wipe a tear from her eye.

“I know,” she said. Her voice was barely a whisper. “I was just…” Her words faded into nothingness—a dagger to my heart. I never meant to hurt her.

Ursula straightened and adjusted her dress.

“Goodnight, Aelia. I will see you in two days.” She peered over her shoulder. “The sirens will require all of your strength, so be ready.”

18AELIA

I stoodon the balcony of the Alder Townhome, cigarette in hand, watching the lights of the city twinkle around me. My stomach twisted. I hadn’t intended to hurt Ursula, but our relationship started as a job and needed to stay that way. She was bound to her queen in a way I never could be. It had taken me a long time to realize that not all relationships were meant to be forever, but everyone taught me something new. Ursula taught me how to embrace myself. I meant what I said—I wanted to be friends with Ursula. I never meant to hurt her, but things are never cut and dry when it comes to matters of the heart.

Besides, that part of me needed to die. I was not the merciless mercenary anymore. I was not the “Mind Breaker,” or the “Traitorous Queen.” Taking a drag of my cigarette, I let smoke billow into the cold night air. To be honest, I didn’t know what I was—stuck somewhere in the middle of becoming someone new while carrying the weight of who I used to be.

Footsteps behind me caught my attention.

“You don’t have to sneak around. I know it’s you two.”

“You’re no fun,” Amolie said, joining me on the balcony, followed by Baylis.

“Fun is a privilege I haven’t been afforded in a very long time.” I took another drag.

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