Page 145 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Three creatures crawled from the water, their muscled arms hauling up their transforming bodies. Covered in darkness, their monstrous bodies shifted from tentacles and fins to long, sensual legs.

Tharan’s pulse quickened at the sight of the sea queen. With skin the color of mint, long, white hair, and eyes as white and ancient as Tharan had ever seen, the woman towered over them—a force to be reckoned with. From the shape of her hourglass body, Tharan wondered how many men or women found themselves lured into her bed. She did not seem abashed at her nakedness but instead reveled in it. She snapped her fingers, and Ursula appeared from the shadows, wrapping a silken robe around her queen while another attendant placed a crown of shark’s teeth atop her head.

Behind her, two of her attendants, a male and a female, slipped on robes of their own.

Calliope narrowed her pupilless eyes on Tharan.

“So this is the new Alder King?” She placed her hands on her hips. “I see you have inherited your father’s strong jaw and height… and his penchant for troublesome women.”

Tharan’s blood boiled.

“Cut the shit, Calliope; I know you have Aelia and Baylis. Now tell me what you want to return them to me.”

The queen of the Undersea wagged one long finger at him in disapproval.

“Now, now, that’s no way to talk to a lady. Especially one you want something from.”

Tharan took a deep breath, remembering Hopper’s warning. He needed to keep his head on straight if he wanted Aelia back.

“Excuse my outburst,” he apologized.

“I’ll forgive it this once. Men in love are known to be hot-headed. If I listen closely enough, I can hear your heart racing in your chest.” She tilted her head at Tharan like the predator she was. “You want to kill me, don’t you, Lord of Nothing?”

Tharan squared his shoulders. She was goading him, and he knew it. He would not step into her trap. Everyone in the room held their breath as the two rulers sized each other up.

Hopper cleared his throat.

“We are here for a reason.”

“Yes, we are. You want your little princess back.” Calliope snapped her head at the diplomat.

“I have what you seek.” Tharan pulled out the sapphire containing the siren’s song. Strung between his fingers, the jewel sparkled in the faint moonlight.

Calliope sucked in a breath.

“You insult me, King. I want my sister back, and unless you know a necromancer. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

Tharan did his best to calm his racing pulse. He didn’t want Calliope to think he was up to something, but at the same time, he wanted to call her bluff.

“I do know a necromancer, actually.”

“Bullshit.”

Turning to the darkness he called, “Amolie! Come out here.”

The witch emerged. Her hood covered her face, but Tharan knew she was cursing him underneath. He hoped his little plan would work. Some witch covens dabbled in necromancy, but sea sylph were known to be suspicious of any land dwellers and notoriously bigoted toward witches.

Calliope growled at Tharan.

“A witch? Witches can’t be trusted. Everyone knows that.”

He laid a reassuring hand on Amolie’s shoulder.

“This one can, and she will do her best to bring your sister back if you hand over Aelia, Baylis, and my soldier.”

“There is no bringing my sister back. The siren guppies devoured her body,” the sea queen hissed, her fangs on full display. “All I have left is her head.”

Tharan knew this could go sideways quickly. If the queen felt threatened, she wouldn’t hesitate to attack. He wanted to touch his sword, but neither did he want to alarm her further.

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