Page 91 of Song of Her Siren

I swallowed at that, not knowing what else to say. I couldn’t imagine what living almost a quarter of a century without her mate had felt like and prayed I’d never know.

I had just sat down on a bench beside Tari when our mother crossed over to me, her mouth twisted into a scowl that had become a permanent feature on her face. She impatiently tapped her foot while crossing her arms. “What did the bitch want?”

Ahh, so that’s why she’d stayed, to get the latest gossip about her sister. “To tell me that her soldiers will come get me to check the refugees for demons,” I drawled, trying to keep my tone even.

Tari turned to me, her eyes lighting up. “The ones that were outside the wall?”

“Yes,” I answered, smiling when she took my hand. “I guess I convinced her to let them in.”

She toyed with the lace on my sleeve. “You’re the only one she listens to.”

Our mother let out an obnoxious snort. “Keep kissing up to her, and she may make you her heir.”

Tension straightened my spine. Was that what she thought I was doing? “She already has, and I’m not kissing up.” No. I was trying to keep the peace between our family.

Mother arched a brow. “Oh?”

I heaved a weary, strained breath while wishing the stays on my bodice gave me a bit more breathing room. “I know you hate her, but I wish you’d try to get along. We need her help to defeat the demons.”

Mother tossed her hands in the air. “I can’t believe you’re siding with that bitch!”

“I’m not siding with anyone.” My voice rose and cracked, just like the many times I’d had to defend my actions to my mother. I was so tired of spinning my wheels with her. “I’m siding against the demons. I thought we all were.”

We are, sister, Tari projected to me.Don’t let her get to you.

“I’m bored.” Aurora fell against her mother’s legs, looking up at her with big, pleading eyes. “I want to go to the nursery to get more toys.”

I noticed the impressive collection of toys already piled behind her, though decided against saying anything while reminding myself this was Tari’s job now.

Clutching her stomach, Tari slumped in her seat. “Mommy is exhausted, girls.”

“We can take them,” Mother said.

Aurora scowled up at her grandmother, then quickly crossed to Helian, who was sitting at a nearby table with Lady Cassandra and Gadea. “Can you take us, Uncle Helian?”

Mother’s jaw dropped, indignation flashing in her eyes. “What’s wrong with Yaya and Pappo?”

I caught Marius’s eye as he stood quietly behind Mother and quickly looked away when his gaze turned sympathetic.

“Come, Aurora.” Mother crossed over to Aurora and held down her hand. “I’ll help you find a pretty doll.”

Loudly clearing her throat, Tari sat up straight while still clutching her gut. “The girls don’t go anywhere without me or Shiri.”

Mother’s features fell, and she looked at Tari as if she’d just eaten the last of the stale porridge. “You don’t trust us?”

“I don’t trust demons,” Tari corrected.

“I don’t want a doll,” Aurora blurted, stomping a foot.

“Really?” Mother knelt beside her, taking Aurora’s hand. “I saw you admiring your sister’s dolls.”

Aurora jerked out of her grandmother’s grasp. “I didn’t say I wanted one. I like my dragons.”

Mother slanted a smile, her eyes narrowing as if she didn’t believe her. “Oh?”

Watching our mother belittle Aurora made my last thread of patience snap. Anger tightened my chest as I jumped to my feet. “You never understood her.”

Mother stood, straightening her skirts and turning up her chin. “I did.”

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