Page 30 of Rise of the Siren Queen
One week to figure out what to do. One week.
But what scared me the most wasn’t the idea of failing. It was the idea of succeeding. Because if I decide to accept this bond, there would be repercussions. For the both of us.
As I swam away from the pond, the water growing darker and colder the deeper I ventured into the labyrinthine depths, my mind drifted to another pressing issue. One equally complicated and just as serious.
Ithra.
A surge of anger rose in my chest at the thought of her. She had crossed the line, one that I could not ignore, no matter her reasons. Trying to drown Adrian,my mate,was an act of treason, and I had no choice but to report her actions.
The Queen would not take such treachery lightly, though I knew Thalor would already pull his strings behind the scenes to mitigate her punishment.
He always did.
The place she held with the council and certain families in Aetheria was dangerous. Ithra had always been difficult, but this… this was different. She wasn’t just endangering Adrian. She was defying me, questioning my authority, and, in doing so, threatening the stability of the kingdom I was trying to hold together.
And yet, there was no room for hesitation. No room for leniency. If I didn’t act swiftly, the consequences could spiral beyond my control, especially with her connections.
The waters were eerily silent as I swam, and the use of my powers in such extension drained my energy, slowing my strokes. I had to actbefore Thalor’s influence reached the council. If Ithra’s punishment was too light, it would embolden her, and others like her, to defy me again.
Whatever the cost, Ithra needed to be held accountable.
I had one week to manage Adrian. But Ithra… I couldn’t afford to wait.
I swam swiftly toward the palace, the familiar currents guiding me as I focused my mind. My telepathic abilities purred, and with a thought, I reached out to my inner court.
“Come to the palace. Met me at my study.”
Their responses came like ripples in the ocean, brief flashes of acknowledgment that reassured me they were on their way.
I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of uncertainty. The palace had always been a place of safety, of sanctuary, but after my parents’ death, it felt different. The walls pressed on me, as if reminding the responsibilities I carried, of what my mistake had cost me and how heavy my duty was.
Entering my study, I saw that Sienna was already there, her deep white tail slicing through the water as she swam into the chamber with her usual grace. Her pale lavender eyes met mine, concern flickering in them.
“Is he alive?” She asked urgently.
“Yes, he is and I’m going to make Ithra regret ever going against me,” I said, hot, bitter anger laced in my tone.
I was on edge, the fear of Ithra succeeding haunting me. Memory of Adrian lying unconscious, barely breathing, flashed in my mind, and it twisted an invisible knife deep inside me I couldn’t shake it.
Ronan and Elora arrived next. Ronan’s gray eyes narrowed in suspicion, ever-watchful, taking in every detail around us with that sharp, calculating gaze of his. Elora, though, her eyes were alight with rage, glowing like embers fanned to a flame. I felt her furyradiating off her in waves, her entire body tense.
I wasted no time with pleasantries.
“Where were you, Ronan? What could have possibly made you leave your post?” I asked, my voice low and cold, my disappointment laced in each word.
Ronan’s gaze flicked up to meet mine, irritation barely masked beneath his usually calculated demeanor. Before he could respond, Kieran swam up, his face hard with the same controlled fury that Ronan carried.
“Ithra said that the council had suspended the guardsmen,” Ronan began, his voice tight with anger. “She claimed general Pyros also knew about it. At first, I didn’t believe her, but then Kieran came out and said that Thalor had told him the same.”
Of course, Thalor. But punishing him would be much harder than Ithra. Treacherous bastard. He had always walked the line of manipulation and charm, masking his intentions behind a facade of authority. He had a way of weaving himself into the council’s favor, an insidious influence that made him nearly untouchable.
I turned my gaze to Kieran, who nodded curtly.
“It didn’t sit right with either of us, so we went to confirm with General Kai,” he added, his expression dark. “Turns out, the whole thing was a lie.”
“I see,” I said slowly, letting their words sink in. My fingers flexed at my sides. The anger that I tried to keep in check coiled in the pit of my stomach with a force that threatened to drag me under.
“One of you should have stayed,” Elora snapped, her voice sharp and immediate, her turquoise eyes blazing with fire. She crossed her arms, stepping forward without hesitation, her tail flicking angrily. “it is basic protocol. You’re supposed to think things through, Ronan. You should’ve known better.”
