Page 36 of Rise of the Siren Queen
The air thickened with tension, her presence unsettling. I kept my eyes on her, my guard up. Whoever she was, I sensed the energy radiating from her, in heated crests of ember flames, and I wasn’tabout to let my guard down, not this time.
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice low, trying to mask the wariness that gripped me.
“I’m Elora, a close friend of princess Iryen,” she said fiercely, her voice sharp and unwavering. “And captain of her royal guard.”
Princess. Iryen was indeed royalty. An heir to their throne. Another reminder of just how little I knew about her world and the complicated web I was now entangled in.
It made sense, though, the way Iryen carried herself, the authority in her voice, and the depth of her power. And now this woman, Elora, stood before me, fierce and commanding.
Captain.
It suited her. How she moved, the way her eyes seemed to challenge me without fear or hesitation. Everything about her screamed loyalty, as if protecting Iryen was as natural to her as breathing.
Though I still kept my distance, backing away, wary of another encounter with a siren. Elora’s sharp eyes tracked the movement, her lips tugging in the corner in a knowing smirk.
“Afraid?” she asked, her eyes glinting under the light and amusement rolled from her tongue.
I narrowed my gaze, refusing to let her get under my skin.
“Cautious,” I corrected, my voice steady. “Last time I got close to one of your kind, I nearly drowned.”
Her smirk widened, the challenge in her eyes growing bolder.
“You’re still standing, aren’t you?” She flicked her tail lazily, sending small ripples through the water. “Besides, if I wanted to harm you, you’d be dead by now.”
Her words ring in the air as a warning, making me scowl and retreat another step. There was no mistaking the deadly skill she possessed.
Everything about Elora screamed confidence, like someone whohad never faced a situation she couldn’t win. But I had learned my lesson. Looks could deceive, and I wasn’t about to underestimate anyone in this world. Especially not someone as unpredictable as her.
“If you’re not here to harm me, then why are you here?” The words tore from my throat, raw, bitter, and laced with venom.
Elora’s expression remained unfazed, though her smirk had disappeared, replaced with something more neutral.
“I’m here on princess’s orders, to deliver food and water.” She reached behind her, producing a tray encased in a bubble of air. Inside was a spread of fruits, shellfish, salad, and a perfectly cooked salmon steak, along with a knife, a fork, and a decanter filled with water and a small chalice.
She set it down near the edge of the pond, the bubble dissolving as it connected with the ground. The scent of the food wafted toward me, my stomach growling in response, but I kept my guard up.
“And she couldn’t deliver it herself?” I asked, still wary.
Elora gave a small shrug, her movements casual, but her eyes never left mine. “The princess has… other matters to attend. You’re lucky she cares enough to send me at all.” She raised a brow, as if daring me to question her further.
I stepped closer, cautiously eyeing the tray. “So, what? I’m supposed to trust you just because you brought me a meal?”
Her smile returned, though this time it was more of a challenge than amusement. “Trust is earned, not given. But you’re in no position to refuse hospitality, are you?” She turned as if to leave, her tail flicking water in her wake. “Enjoy your meal, human. We’ll be watching.”
I watched her disappear back into the depths, her presence lingering like a shadow. Despite my wariness, the food looked good, and hunger made my stomach growl. I hesitated, then reached for the tray. Trust or not, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I needed strength.
I separated the fruits, setting them aside for later, just in case this was the last meal I’d get for a while. Survival instincts had kicked in, and I wasn’t about to leave myself without a backup plan. Once that was done, I dove into the shellfish and salad. The aroma hitting me hard, my hunger spiking even more.
My first bite was… incredible. An explosion of taste in my mouth, briny, rich, but with a sweetness I’d never experienced before. The shellfish was tender and slightly sweet.
The salad was fresh, while the salmon had a buttery texture, almost melting as soon as it touched my tongue. Fine dining was familiar to me, yet this was unlike anything I could compare, vibrant, a symphony of flavors that danced on my tongue. Thinking of it remember me of my mother’s cooking. Every bite a revelation.
I did not know if this was common fare for them or if Iryen had specifically chosen something more luxurious for me, but it didn’t matter. I devoured it, feeling my energy slowly returning with each mouthful.
I took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. Whatever was to happen in those remaining days, I needed to be ready. And that meant learning more. About her, about this world, and especially about this power growing inside me.
With a last bite, the memory of that awful conversation with my father flooded my mind, highlighting why I’m in this situation.
