Page 24 of Song of Her Siren

I tensed, then inwardly berated myself when she didn’t speak. She kept her gaze fixed on the mages as they landed on the beach before us, shaking the ground beneath my feet and spraying us with sand from the heavy beating of their wings. There were about a thousand of them. Her personal army. I recognized a few faces. Drae was among them, though I couldn’t make out his face through the plume of dust. I swiped sweat from my brow, the heat from the firemage army radiating toward me like a solar flare.

I rubbed the grit from my eyes. “If there’s anything I can do—”

“Kill the demons, Shirina.” Her glare turned to molten iron as she faced me. “Every last one. But first, I want you to make them suffer.”

“Aunt?”

“You heard me,” she snapped, thunderstorms brewing in her eyes. “Make them writhe in pain from the blood that boils in their veins. Shatter their bones. Liquify their skin. Make every last one suffer an agonizing death. Even then, it won’t compare to the pain in my heart.” She clutched her chest, her voice turning to a feverish pitch. “To the shattering in my soul every waking minute of every single day.”

I swallowed at that, remembering my sister’s mate was once demon possessed. And though the demon had control of his body, Helian had still felt pain. Her personal army stood at attention after forming several symmetrical square formations. Dressed in their fighting leathers, they tucked their wings behind their broad backs, not a feather out of place, their gazes lovingly fixed on their queen. No doubt they dreamed of gaining her favor and becoming her next seasonal lovers. And she wanted me to torture and kill any of them who were demon possessed.

“Aunt.” I tried hard to keep my tone neutral, though an edge of panic slipped into my voice. “These demons are living in Fae bodies.”

She arched a thin brow. “So?”

“So if I torture the demon, I’m torturing the Fae too,” I argued. “Besides, once we figure out the spell for expelling demons, I can save the Fae they have possessed.”

She made a snort of disgust. “And we are doing that for your father and for your sister’s pet prisoners, but these Fae are just common soldiers.”

Pet prisoners?Enso and Lady Arabella? Why were their lives more valuable than the lives of these Ravini soldiers? Common or not, they were loyal to their queen. Didn’t that mean anything to Malvolia? My mates were Malvolia’s soldiers too. Would she order their execution if she suspected they were demon touched?

“A-and they don’t deserve to be saved?” I stammered, shocked by her callousness.

“How many dungeons do you think I have?” She cocked her head, glaring at me as if I was an errant child. “Cell space is limited after Helian’s dragon destroyed my tower.”

I refused to back down. “I think we should find the room and try to save them.”

Her lips twisted, as if she’d eaten rancid food. “I didn’t ask what you thought.”

“I know you didn’t,” I said, forcing a note of calm into my voice, “but we will need as many soldiers as possible when the demon army invades.”

“Your heart is too soft, Shirina.” She shook her head while looking me up and down like I carried the plague. “You must harden it if you are to rule Delfi when I’m gone.”

The breath expelled from my lungs. Had Malvolia just named me her heir? “I’m not going to rule Delfi, and you’re not going anywhere.”

“You are my heir, niece.” She averted her gaze, narrowing her eyes as her soldiers patiently waited. “And losing Mortimus has reminded me that my own demise looms near.”

“Aunt, no offense,” I blurted, “but I don’t want to be your heir.” I hated it here. Abyssus was my home, and no way could I spend the rest of my life navigating court politics. I’d lose my mind. Besides, how could my aunt expect me to inherit her throne after all the animosity and heartache coveting it had caused our family?

Her nostrils flared as she spun on me, ink rings spreading from her eyes. “I didn’t ask what you wanted.”

I pulled back my shoulders, refusing to let her bully me. “After this war, my mates and I are returning to Abyssus.”

The ink rings retreated, and she waved me away as if she was shooing a fly. “I’m sure you can spare one mate to rule Abyssus, but your place is in Thebes by my side.”

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.No. No. No.“Aunt—"

“Do you think your feather-brained mother could rule a country?” she interrupted, her nostrils flaring. “And your sister will be queen of Caldaria, which leaves only you. I never wanted to rule Delfi, either, but the wicked mage, Djall, made that choice for me when I was just fifteen. You at least have mates who will help you. I had only my flighty sister, who was too busy chasing after suitors to help me.” She waved toward the crowd of awaiting mages. “Now, call forth the demons.”

I swallowed back a lump of apprehension while facing the crowd. I managed a wobbly smile for Drae, who stood at the head of the crowd, clearly visible after the dust had settled, his dark hair slicked back in a queue, a glint of steel in his eyes.

Everything okay?he projected to me.

Terror solidified my veins.She’s making me her heir.

Oh, was his response, his voice deflating. He sounded as disappointed as I felt.What did you say?

I tried to reject it, I answered,but she insisted.

---