Page 6 of Rise of the Siren Queen
“I’m quite capable, Lord Thalor,” I drawled his title, my voice steady. “And I assure you, the shields were in place.”
Queen Nerina raised her hand, demanding silence as Thalor was about to retort.
“Enough,” she said, her voice firm. “It doesn’t matter the reason. Only what we are going to do about it.” Her authoritative gaze lingered on Thalor, a clear signal to back down.
“We could drown him, you know,” Ithra’s voice dripped with malice, her eyes gleaming with wicked intent. “After all, we are sirens.”
“No!” The word bursts from me, louder than intended, as a strange, urgent protectiveness surges through my veins. “I mean… we’re not savages, Ithra. We don’t drown innocent humans, you know that.”
“Before anything, we must assess him. We all know the prophecy about hybrids diving into the Moon Pond under a full moon atAstralis. We need to determine if he’s just a human, then we proceed with releasing him.” Lady Thalia, ever composed, voiced the fears I couldn’t articulate.
What I’d do if he wasn’t just a human? But a hybrid and the solstice magic drew him to the moon pond? And if the barrier glitch wasn’t just a result of the Astralis?
The questions raced through my mind like a thunderstorm, chaotic and relentless, but I couldn’t afford to dwell on them now. I need to focus, push aside the tempest of doubt and fear, at least until we knew more. Time would answer the questions. Now, I needed to stay grounded and ready for whatever the council decided.
“But we also can’t leave him unsupervised or free,” Ithra interjected, her tone sharp and unwavering. “I still vote for drowning.”
Her insistence on drowning that beautiful man sent a chill down my spine, twisting my stomach in knots. How could she suggest such a thing? Losing him, taking his life without understanding his fate, felt unbearable.
Memories of the past flashed in my mind, bloodied hands reaching for me, a menacing smile twisting his lips. I pushed the horror down my throat, as I always did, forcing myself to return my focus to the meeting.
“We could let Princess Iryen be in charge of his containment. I’m sure she would appreciate being the one to confirm if the texts are accurate,” Thalor said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, draining my patience with every word.
My grandmother, as always, was quietly assessing all the suggestions before deciding. While I appreciated her careful consideration, the slowness gnawed at me, leaving a foreboding sense of unease.
“At the moment, we will keep him in a specially warded area of the cave to prevent any escape or interaction with the outside world. Two royal guards will remain stationed, one at the land entrance andthe other at the submerged entrance.” Queen Nerina’s words were imposing, each syllable carrying authority, fitting for the ruler she was.
“Iryen,” she turned her gaze on me, sharp and unyielding, “you will oversee his containment and report your findings directly to me.”
My heart raced, thumping painfully against my chest as I bowed under her command. “Yes, my Queen.”
“You are all dismissed.” My grandmother cast me one last soft glance before leaving the chamber, her regal form retreating to the solitude of her quarters.
I knew this was the best outcome. The safety of our world depended on it. Yet, as I swam restlessly toward my chamber, my thoughts swirled in a whirlpool of worry and intrigue.
His powerful, muscular frame and his intense aura burned themselves into my memory. There was something about him that deeply unsettled me, a force beneath the surface that made him feel more than just a mere human. It was as if the very air around him crackled with untapped power, leaving me both intrigued and wary.
I reclined in the secluded tranquility of my private chamber. The luxurious drapes cascading from the shell-shaped canopy above my bed cocooned me in their embrace.
The room was a masterpiece of architecture, bathed in shades of blue and gold that mirroring the kingdom’s color. Soft, rich fabrics adorned my bed, their textures fluttering gently in the currents.
Tall, arched windows framed panoramic views of the azure depths, allowing shafts of natural light to filter through and dance across the sparkling marble floor.
The walls, encrusted with vibrant coral and swaying sea plants, pulsed with life, their colors more vivid under the glow of jellyfish-like chandeliers that floated above, casting a soft light.
Here, in my sanctuary, I found a momentary peace, a rare oasiswhere I could truly breathe. Yet, a gentle knock shattered the fragile calm of my escape.
“Come in.”
Elora and Sienna entered, their expressions heavy with concern, yanking me back to the reality I had desperately wished to avoid.
“Your highness we need to discuss what happened earlier,” Elora said, her voice low but laced with urgency.
I nodded, motioning for them to take a seat. “Yes, we need to. The council put me in charge of assessing the human, for now.” The memory of Thalor’s face as he suggested ignited a flare of anger within me.
“We know. Ronan and Kieran are his guards. My father instructed them to use their invisibility and stay out of sight.” Elora’s sneer at Ronan’s name cut through my mind. She despised him.
I vaguely understood their hatred for each other, but that doesn’t concern me now. Her hatred for him formed when were teenagers, but that hatred amplified since he returned from his mission abroad early this year before the Astralis. I haven’t had the chance to speak with her about it. Between my royal duty and the upcoming coronation, I haven’t had the time. Now I need to handle this situation.
