Page 33 of Song of Her Siren

Ash’s growl reverberated in my head.It’s a ruse to get us to trust her.

Probably, I answered, but what if it wasn’t? Besides, that didn’t mean I still wasn’t obligated to her after she’d saved the girls.

I watched for any cracks in her façade. “They are well. Thank you for asking.”

She held out her ugly, burned sausage arms until the chains binding her went taut. “Did the children send you to heal me?”

I shook my head. “I came because I owe you a debt for saving them.”

Her features twisted into a hateful snarl. “You do, but healing my burns isn’t enough.”

Helian’s chuckle echoed in my head.Ahh, there she is. I knew she wanted something.

“Nothing I do will ever be enough to thank you for what you did.” I regretted the words the moment I said them, but I’d spoken the truth. Without Arabella’s help, my children could have become demon possessed or killed.

She turned up her chin, the demon flashing in her eyes. “Get this demon out of me and help me claim the Windhaven throne and restore Ventus. Then we’ll be even.”

“What about your uncle?” Helian asked. “You said yesterday the forest ate him? Are you sure he’s dead?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” Her eyes belied no emotion.

I shivered as a draft blew into the cell, or perhaps it was the frigid aura radiating off Arabella.

“Good.” Helian crossed his arms, glaring down at Arabella. “Will you rule it like your uncle?”

She matched Helian’s glare with narrowed eyes. “Why do you care how I rule it?”

“Because he was a tyrant.” Helian spoke through gritted teeth. “You both were.”

Her cheeks flushed before she broke eye contact. “I won’t be this time.”

Helian jutted a foot toward her, baring his teeth. “How can we believe you?”

She glanced at her fat hands fisted in her lap. “I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my behavior, and I’ve made a promise to the Elements.”

“What promise?” I asked.

She looked up at me through watery eyes. “That if they restore my body, I will be a kinder Fae.”

“How much kinder?” Helian balled his hands into fists, seeming ready for a fight. “Will you beat your servants for not catering to your every whim? Will you use your beauty as a weapon to manipulate? Will you let your jealousy rule you and order the execution of innocent Fae?”

My stomach roiled and pitched. He had every right to hate Arabella after all she’d done.

She swiped moisture from her eyes. “I will do none of that.”

“Forgive me for not believing you.” Helian tossed back his head, his long silvery hair falling across his shoulders like a curtain of ice. Then he cut his fierce gaze to me. “Get her to swear a blood oath.”

The tension radiating off him set me on edge. I worked hard to unclench my jaw while facing Arabella. “Will you swear a blood oath?”

She visibly swallowed. “Yes.”

I released a deep breath. “Then we can help you secure Windhaven.”

Arabella pressed her lips together while looking away, but I could see a whirlwind of emotion swirling in her eyes.

I’m not ready to do the oath now, I projected to Helian.We will wait for Shiri’s and Isa’s help.

Helian grumbled his agreement.

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