Page 78 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Does the siren queen know we’re coming?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, of course not. Early in the morning, most of her clan will be gone hunting. Only the breeders will be left behind, and they can’t do much to stop us.”

“What about guards? She is a queen, after all.”

“There should only be a few this early in the day. But we may have dispatched a few, if you know what I mean.”

Now it was my turn for an eye roll.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“I miss the old Aelia, who wasn’t afraid to kill anyone. That Aelia was a lot hotter.”

I breathed deeply. “Let’s try to keep the killing to a minimum. I’m sure your queen would appreciate that.”

“Fine. If you say so.” She finished her coffee, and I watched her eyes take in my new Woodland armor. Boiled leather embossed with golden leaves and braces with a hidden blade.

“The Alder King treats you well. I am almost jealous of your armor… almost.”

“I’m happy to ask Tharan to provide you with a set if you’re ever in the market for a new employer.”

She scoffed. “And live on land full time? Never.”

A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

“Suit yourself.”

We took a carriage to the edge of Ruska, where the elven lands touched the free city.

“What exactly are we going to say we’re here for, Ursula?” I asked as the carriage bumped along the quiet morning streets.

“Official Undersea business.”

She stared out the window, unable to meet my gaze.

By now, I knew what to expect from Ursula. She was loyal to a fault to her queen, which meant she would try to double-cross me at some point, but what choice did I have?

“So, we’re just going to waltz in there and what? Demand the queen let me dig around in her mind?”

“The siren queen has angered Queen Calliope, and we are there to discuss diplomatic terms.”

My stomach hardened at her words. I couldn’t shake the feeling something bad was headed our way.

“Mmhmm,” I said, knowing full well there was more to this than just procuring a simple song. “I’ll let you lead.”

She smirked. “I always do.”

The carriage stopped just before the border, where a path led down to the riverbank. I pulled my cloak tighter around my neck, preparing for the icy chill of the breeze wafting off the river.

“It’s just down here,” Ursula said, whipping her blue hair behind her shoulder.

We followed the narrow path marked with footprints down to the river’s edge, then along a narrow ledge to where the mouth of a massive cave opened. The smell of fish mixed with the salty scent of the cave made my stomach turn. Two male sirens kept guard, spears in hand. Seaweed crowns twisted over their heads. Their bare chests exposed to the elements. Waves crashed upon the jagged rocks, spraying us with frigid water.

“What business do you have with Queen Calypso, mer?” one of the guards said, disdain dripping from every word.

“That’s for me to discuss with Queen Calypso and her alone. You may show her this if she insists.” Ursula held out a piece of parchment embossed with the seal of the Undersea; a trident skewering a fish.

The guards eyed the letter before exchanging glances.

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