Page 15 of Rise of the Siren Queen
Calm. Unshaken. In control.
But beneath the surface, my emotions churned in a relentless storm, twisting and colliding like unseen currents in the deep.
Doubt coiled around my ribs, tightening with every breath, while agitation slithered through me, cold and insidious. I held my composure, my expression a mask of quiet certainty, but inside, the waters were anything but still.
Stay calm. Don’t let him see how much this rattles you.
My mom’s voice flashed through my mind, and a pang of sadness coiled down my spine. I buried deep in the back of my brain like every time when a memory of her threatened to resurface.
“The only way out is if you have a tail,” I continued, watching him closely, searching for any sign showing he was indeed hybrid. Hiseyes held defiance, a fire I’d seen countless times before in those who didn’t yet understand the danger they faced. “And as far I’m concerned, you don’t have one, do you?”
“Hell no. I’m perfectly human,” he snapped back, his voice laced with certainty, almost daring me to contradict him. The conviction in his words was sharp, cutting through my suspicions and planting a seed of doubt. For a moment, just a fleeting moment, I almost believed him.
But Sienna couldn’t be wrong.
I held onto that fact like a lifeline.
Sienna had the sight and couldn’t make such a grave mistake. Which meant…he either didn’t know, or he hadn’t shifted yet. Both possibilities made my stomach twist into knots.
If he doesn’t know, what happens when he finds out?
The gravity of the situation bore down on me, but I couldn’t falter. Not in front of him. Not now. My mind raced through every possibility, every potential disaster waiting to unravel if I didn’t handle this carefully.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady even as uncertainty gnawed at my insides. “Just…don’t. This isn’t a game and the waters aren’t kind to those who don’t know how to navigate it.”
His brows furrowed, but he said nothing, the tension between us thick as the humid night air.
Without another word, I turned and dove beneath the surface, my body transforming effortlessly as I slipped into the familiar waters. The ocean embraced me like an old friend, the pressure of the deep comforting in a way the surface world never was.
Here, beneath the waves, I could be myself. I could let the mask slip, even if just for a moment.
The vast expanse of the ocean stretched out before me, dark and endless, but the safety it offered felt fleeting. The palace loomedahead, glowing like a beacon in the night.
Surrounded by flowing waterfalls and intricate coral gardens, the palace gleams with soft incandescent hues, casting an ethereal light over the entire kingdom. Inside, grand halls lined with iridescent shells and silken tapestries create an atmosphere of regal elegance, reflecting the power and beauty of the royal family.
But even here, in the heart of my kingdom, I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending disaster.
Duty. Responsibility. Strength.
The words played on a loop in my mind, a constant reminder of the burden I carried.
As I swam through the grand, opalescent halls, the light from the moon above filtered through the water, casting silver patterns on the walls.
Overwhelmed by the day, every stroke felt heavier and more burdensome than the one before. I was desperate for sleep. My body screamed in agony after enduring hours that felt like days. Everything had changed.
My thoughts swirled in a chaotic whirlpool as I approached the gilded doors of my quarters, hoping for some reprieve, if only for a few hours.
I heard Aetheria’s pulse, the magic that sustained our city, gently humming in the background, bringing me back to reality for a moment. But instead of entering my chambers, I hesitated, the pull of a familiar presence drawing me elsewhere.
I stopped before my grandmother’s chambers, her golden doubled doors adorned with intricately carved coral patterns and pearls. The sight brought a small sense of comfort. She always knew what to say, always had the wisdom I lacked in moments like these.
I raised my hand, knocking softly against the door, the sound muffled. My voice, though quiet, carried my exhaustion andunspoken fears. “Grandmother… it’s me.”
There was a brief pause, but soon, her voice, soft yet steady, drifted through my mind like a gentle current. “Come in, my child.”
I pushed open the door and the familiar warmth of her chambers immediately enveloped me. A soft glow from vibrant clams bathed the room, casting a soothing, pale blue light over everything. The scent of lavender hung in the air, calming my racing heart.
My grandmother sat near the far end of the room, her white hair cascading around her like liquid silver, her deep green eyes gleaming with both wisdom and concern.
