Page 103 of Song of Her Siren

Part Two

Curses, Crones, and the Cost of War

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Chapter Sixteen

Tari

“HOW MANY DOLLS MAYI bring?”

I frowned down at Ember, who stood in front of at least a dozen dolls lined up on the sofa as if they’d been invited to tea. “Two.”

“Two?” Ember’s features and shoulders fell. “I’ll get bored with just two.”

Aurora slung a sack over her shoulder, the toys inside clanking with the motion. “I can’t bring my dragons without my firemages.” She had such a serious expression, as if she had to choose between lifesaving potions.

These girls were starting to give me a migraine, and we hadn’t even left yet. I looked at Shiri, who hid a smile behind her hand.

Ember stomped a foot, appearing as if she was about to throw herself onto the floor in a fit of rage. “If Rora gets to bring all those toys, I should be allowed more dolls.”

Rubbing my throbbing temples, I released a frustrated breath.

“Girls, please don’t stress your mommy right now,” Shiri said as she helped Ember pack her dolls, shoving an extra one inside her already stuffed pack with a wink. “She has enough to worry about.”

“Are we almost ready?” Helian asked while popping his head inside the doorway. Moonlight cast his silver hair in an ethereal glow as he stood on the balcony threshold.

I nodded, then faced Shiri, a sickening feeling twisting my stomach in a knot at the thought of leaving Ash.

“Aurora will teleport me here every morning and evening,” I said while grasping her shoulders, “so it won’t feel like I’m gone at all.”

She visibly swallowed, her mouth pinching before she backed away. “Of course.”

My chest felt like it had split open as I followed her retreat. “Shiri, please don’t pull away.”

Turning her back on me, she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m sorry.”

Fighting the urge to hold her, I clenched my hands into fists. “You can still come with us.”

She faced me, wiping her eyes. “I need to stay and figure out my siren song.”

“You can do that on Fallax.”

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