Page 79 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“Fine. But stick to the path.”

Ursula pocketed the letter, and we continued into the cave. On one side of us were stalactites and an underground river on the other. I craned my neck to catch a glimpse of any sirens, but only the crystal-clear water stared back at me.

“I told you. It’s empty here during the mornings,” Ursula said, leading us farther into the cave. Light beamed in from cracks in the thick rock, illuminating our way.

“She’ll be in the birthing wing.” She took a hard left down a narrow corridor leading to a large opening where shallow pools of water housed pregnant sirens. Some were in human form, others in their more mer shape, but each one’s belly swelled with a child.

The siren queen sat high above the pools, perched on a stone throne. She was unlike anything I expected. Eight purple tentacles wriggled beneath her human torso. Hair as black as night cascaded down ample breasts, where two sailors suckled greedily. Tentacles wrapped around their necks.

“Let my milk nourish you. So that you may, in turn, nourish our young,” she said, tilting her head back in pleasure. Around her neck sat a large sapphire encrusted with diamonds.

I noted the guards positioned sporadically throughout the room. Ursula and I could easily take them down if necessary.

A low hum echoed through the air. I looked at Ursula, who quickly stuffed something into her ears. I raised my mental shields, focusing on keeping their song out.

We approached the throne. The siren queen lowered her intimidating gaze upon us.

“You dare to interrupt my feeding time? These sirens are nearly ready to birth.”

I swallowed hard, trying to hide my growing fear that something terrible was going to happen.

Ursula clicked her tongue at the queen before bowing low. “Queen Calliope sends her regards and hopes you have a fertile and successful birthing season.”

I bowed in unison with Ursula, and she gave me a look that said, “Any time you want to jump into her mind would be great.”

I widened my eyes at her, wishing she had planned this better.

The queen scoffed. “Now, I know that’s a lie. My sister and I have been at each other’s throats for centuries.” She turned her fishlike gaze upon me. “And who, may I ask, are you?”

My mind screamed at me to lie, but my Woodland armor already gave me away.

“I am Aelia Springborn.”

“Ah, the Traitorous Queen. Looking to burn down another kingdom? Or do you only do that to your own family?” She chuckled to herself.

I gritted my teeth; she was technically a member of my court. I needed to keep the wild part of me contained for as long as I could. She was trying to provoke me. I knew it, and she knew it. Still, it did not ease the sting of her words.

“I am here as an emissary from the Woodland Realm to send my king’s well wishes.”

The siren queen eyed me suspiciously.

“It’s about time the Alder King took some interest in me. I had been trying to court his father for years. And now that his heir has taken over, it would be wise for him to make an alliance with me.”

Jealousy pooled in my stomach, and I dug my nails into my palms to keep myself calm. Is this how Tharan felt when he saw me look at Caiden? I stilled myself before responding.

“What kind of alliance are you proposing?”

She let out a hearty laugh. “Why, marriage, of course. We could rule land and sea together. Calliope would have to bow before me. And our offspring would reign for a thousand years—sylph who walk on land and breathe in the sea.”

“I’m happy to bring it up with my king.” A lie, and one I hoped she would believe.

Calypso opened her mouth to speak, but a loud wail ripped through the room before she could, bringing Ursula and me to our knees.

“What’s that noise?” Ursula said, covering her ears with her hands.

More wails came from below.

“It’s the birthing. It’s beginning early.” Calypso motioned for her attendants to help the laboring mothers.

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