Page 149 of Rise of the Siren Queen
No. No, no, no.
Not like this.
Not now.
“Don’t you fucking leave me, Iryen.” I whispered, my forehead resting against hers as I cradled her in my arms. Cold fear wrapped around my ribs like a vise.
“You are mine. My mate. My queen. My reason. And I will not survive this world without you in it.”
I can’t lose her. Not like this. Not now.
“Lead me to her room,” I barked, my voice sharper than intended. The panic clawing at my chest made it hard to sound anything butdesperate. Sienna, though not directly addressed, answered without hesitation. “I need a healer.”
“Follow me,” she said, her voice quick and controlled despite the urgency. She turned to Kieran, already moving. “Call the royal healer and make sure no one sees you.” Without a word, Kieran vanished down the hallway.
As I carried Iryen in my arms, her fragile form pressed against me. The crimson staining her pale skin burned into my mind, a haunting image I couldn’t shake. My thoughts were a tangle of panic, fury and guilt.
I should’ve killed him sooner.
I should’ve been faster.
I should’ve shielded her.
I should’ve fucking known.
Following Sienna through the maze of corridors, an ornate golden double door with delicate wavelike patterns appeared. Every step felt like an eternity, the oppressive silence pierced only by our hurried movements and the faint, ragged sound of her breathing.
She couldn’t slip away from me. I wouldn’t let her.
Sienna pushed the doors open, and without hesitation, I rushed inside. The room’s golden glow was a blur as I moved to the bed at its center, carefully laying Iryen down sideways with her back to the balcony. The vibrant emerald sheets contrasted starkly with the shards of ice and blood streaking her skin, the sight carving itself into my soul.
I sank beside her, hands clenched so tight with hers I felt the bones grind.
“Come back to me, my love. Please.”
I didn’t care how it sounded. Begging wasn’t beneath me, not for her. Never for her.
I’d seen her break before. But this? Watching her falllike that? Watching the light drain from her eyes, the blood seep from her skin—gods, I could still taste it in the water.
I never truly believed in deities, but now I fucking beg whoever exists above—her goddess—anything to prolong her time with me.
If she died…
No.
I wouldn’t survive it.
I need her. I can’t live without her.
I won’t.
If today is the day, she draws her last breath—it is also mine.
“I won’t let you leave me again, sweetheart.” My voice came out in a low, broken rasp. Panic laced every word, despite my effort to sound steady. I leaned closer, brushing a strand of blood-matted hair from her face. The silvery strands now coated crimson splinters in my chest in silence. A deep ache that leaves my soul hollow.
“I swear to God,” I whispered, my chest tightening as I stared at her pale features, “I’ll hunt you down through eternity if you give up on me.” The words hung between us, a desperate plea and a vow all at once.
Kieran doesn’t take long to rush inside, followed by two other sirens. Their curled brown hair framed identical ebony faces, and onyx eyes gleamed with focus. Everything about them mirrored, down to the flowing white tunics to their green tails.
