Page 154 of Rise of the Siren Queen
“Tell me you know we’re meant for this, foreach other. Because I can’t live another second wondering if you’ll slip away.” My voice cracked, bare and desperate. “Please, love… end this torture of not being with you.”
Her lips trembled, and I leaned in close enough to feel the heat of her breath against my skin.
“Because I’m here. I’m standing beside you. Always.”
I whispered every word soaked in love and aching need, raw and unfiltered.
Her gaze locked with mine, her emerald eyes revealing the storm of emotions raging inside her.
“You think is different for me? You’ve consumed me. Completely.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she whispered, “There’s no part of me you haven’t touched, no corner of my soul that isn’t screaming your name.”
She placed her hand over mine, her touch feather-light yetelectrifying.
“You’re not just in my heart—youaremy heart. Every time I breathe, every time I close my eyes, it’s you I see. I’ve fought this, tried to push it away, because I’m terrified. Terrified of losing you, of failing you, of what it means to be yours when I can barely hold myself together. But I can’t deny it anymore. You’re mine.”
Her voice cracked, and she leaned into my touch, her trembling lips brushing against mine as she continued.
“You’ve given me everything, Adrian. Your strength, your love, your loyalty, and you’re right, we’re meant for this. For each other. I’ve known it from the moment I looked into your eyes, even when I was too stubborn, too scared to admit it.”
Her tears came freely now, but there was pride in her expression.
“And I’m yours, Adrian. In every way that matters. And I’ll fight for us, for you, with everything I have. You’re my mate, my home, my future. I won’t run again. Not from you, not from this.”
She pressed her forehead against mine, her voice dropping to a raw breath. “I love you, Adrian. With everything I am. And I’ll never let you go, not as long as I live.”
“Good. Neither am I.” The words barely left my mouth before I claimed her lips, raw, desperate, and all-consuming.
The world vanished, swallowed whole by the heat of that kiss. Her fingers tangled in my hair, clutching like she was afraid I’d disappear, afraid I’d slip away before she could hold me tight enough. Her lips were soft. But the kiss? Nothing gentle about it. It crashed against me—fiery, wild, unrestrained. The storm we’d held back for too long finally broke free. I poured everything into that moment—my fear, my aching need, my love too fierce for words. She answered in kind, arching into me like I was the only thing keeping her tethered, like she could never get close enough.
When we broke apart, gasping for air, our foreheads pressed tight, her trembling hands found my chest, fingers gripping my shirt likeit was the only solid thing left in a world gone mad. I saw it all in her eyes—the love, the pain, the fierce, unyielding resolve. Every wall we’d built between us crumbled, leaving us bare and unbreakable.
“Did you really buy the island for me?”
“Yes, I meant every word.” My voice was raw but steady against her lips. “You’re mine, Iryen. I’ll fight for you every damn day. I’ll tear down anyone who tries to take you from me.”
Her gaze burned through me, tears shimmering like fire in her eyes. “And I’ll fight for you,” she whispered, voice shaking but fierce. “For us. For our future. No matter what.”
I kissed her again—slow this time—letting the heat fade into something deeper, something sacred. She melted into me, and her lips spoke the promises words never could. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a binding. A vow. The beginning of whatever hell or heaven awaited us together.
29
Regaining control
Iryen
“So, what now?” I whispered as I pulled back just enough to meet Adrian’s gaze. My lips still tingled from his kisses, but my worries crushed the moment’s tenderness. “How do we make this work? You’re from Nyssaion, and I’m from Aetheria. How can we build a future together?” My voice cracked, betraying the storm of uncertainty I’d tried so hard to suppress.
These thoughts had haunted me since my grandmother’s words—the possibility of a future with Adrian, the hybrid who was my mate, my equal, and yet so different from the life I knew. Could I truly make him my king? Could I trust this fragile hope amidst the chaos that surrounded us?
Adrian held my gaze, his hazel eyes brimming with warmth, the golden flecks within them shimmering like embers of an eternal fire.
“It’ll take time,” he began, his voice steady and sure. “But I can make it work. I’ll build a home on the island and run the company from afar. My sister can take over the day-to-day, and if something needs my attention…” He leaned in slightly, his tone softening, as if to reassure me. “I can swim there, love. You know how fast I am.”
He teased, and for a moment, the tension in my chest eased. “I can live here, with you,” he said, his words a lifeline to my drowning thoughts. “Be what you need me to be.” He hesitated, his gaze searching for mine. “If that’s what you want. If not, we’ll figure it out. We’ll find a way, even if it means—”
“It’s what I want.” The words burst from me, raw and unfiltered, cutting off his rambling. My hands trembled as I cupped his face, pulling him closer, needing him to understand. “That’s all I want. You by my side. As my king.”
The weight of my declaration settled between us, and I felt a surge of resolve wash over me. I could see the love in his eyes, the unwavering commitment, and it steadied the turmoil in my heart.
