Page 157 of Rise of the Siren Queen
Kieran, standing beside Sienna, went rigid at her words. His jaw tightened, his hands balling into fists at his sides. His usually oceanic-blue eyes darkened with fury, and his entire frame tensed like a beast coiled in silence, waiting to pounce. The air around him feltelectric, his unspoken rage radiating through the room. I could see it, the desire to have been the one to end Thalor himself, to make him suffer for daring to touch Sienna.
The gravity of what they were telling me pressed down on my shoulders, and I knew what I had to do. My first act as queen couldn’t wait. It had to be decisive.
“Very well,” I said, my voice carrying the weight of my new authority. “Ronan, after the coronation, I want you to infiltrate the witches’ ranks. Find the one who created this poison. Locate the formula, destroy it, and bring the witch to me alive.”
Ronan straightened, his anguish giving way to purpose. “Yes, my queen,” he said, his tone resolute, though the faintest shadow of sorrow still lingered in his eyes.
“Sienna,” I turned to her, “gather the council. I need to inform them about the Queen’s assassination, my upcoming coronation, and Adrian’s position as my king.”
Sienna nodded, a faint, sad smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, Your Highness,” she said softly before exiting the room, Ronan following close behind her.
That left Kieran. His stance remained stiff, his anger barely contained. I turned to him.
“Kieran,” I began, my tone firm, “I have a task for you.”
I conjured an enchanted shell, its surface glowing faintly with magic, and handed it to him. “I need you to take this to Erythion and deliver it to their king. It contains my memories of his daughter and his grandson. It’s vital that this reaches him, and only him. Once you’ve delivered it, I need you to return immediately with his response. This is of the utmost importance. Do you understand?”
His dark eyes met mine, steady and unwavering. “Yes, my queen,” he said, bowing his head slightly.
“Good,” I added, holding his gaze for a moment longer. “Now go.”
Without hesitation, he turned and left, his mission clear.
As the door closed, I felt Adrian’s hand brush mine, grounding me. The weight of the decisions I’d made and the ones still to come pressed heavily on me. But I wasn’t alone anymore. Together, we would face whatever lay ahead.
***
I sat on the throne not because I wanted to—but because I had to. Spine straight, chin lifted, I wore the crown like armor. My parents were ashes. My grandmother was dust. But I was not alone. And this council would learn the cost of underestimating me.
Adrian stood to my right like a shadow carved from purpose, silent, resolute, mine. The lords glanced at him, unease flickering behind their polished facades. Then, their gazes climbed to the crown on my head.
Sienna had pulled the threads to make this meeting happen with impossible urgency, less than a day since I clawed my way back from near-death. I owed her more than thanks. Still, gratitude warred with dread. Telling them about Thalor—about Grandmother—was a blade I’d have to twist in my own chest.
“What is the meaning of this?” Lord Filipos snapped, voice slick with contempt. Always Thalor’s mouthpiece. Always assuming I wouldn’t bite. I said nothing, just let the silence stretch, taut and deliberate, as I met his eyes with a gaze that did not blink.
“Now that all of you are here,” I began, my voice steady. Lord Tryfon opened his mouth to interrupt, but one sharp glare from me was enough to silence him. “I have requested this meeting to make two critical announcements.”
“But Princess Iryen,” Lord Elias interjected, bowing slightly in a rare show of respect. “Lord Thalor has yet to arrive.”
A flicker of knowing passed between my court and me before I turned my attention back to the lords.
“I’m sorry to—actually, no, I’m not sorry.” I said, voice cool, detached, “Lord Thalor will not be joining us. Not today. Or ever.” I let the words hang, brittle and dangerous. “He committed treason. He tortured and conspired to kill the regent queen.”
The chamber fractured into gasps and stunned murmurs, outrage blooming like ink in water.
Shock, denial, fury.
I watched it all play across their faces like ripples on a surface they never expected me to shatter.
“Where is that traitor?” General Pyros’s voice shook the room, flames already flickering around his form. “I’ll burn him piece by piece.”
“He’s dead,” I said plainly.
Lord Elias muttered, “That’s not possible.”
“You doubt our princess, Lord Elias?” Lady Thalia’s voice rang out, sharp and fiery. Her eyes blazed as she rose in my defense.
“Enough!” The word cracked through the air like a storm. Silence fell.
