Page 20 of When the Wicked Sing
“What makes you so different?” she pressed, her curiosity piqued.
Silence was her answer, leaving no room for further questions.
Mariana didn’t know what to make of his cryptic response. If he could track her scent, there was no point in attempting to escape—at least not yet.
He was a skilled fighter, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was beginning to realize that if he truly was employed by King Stavros, he might lead her directly to Astra. But what about Aurora? She had to be worried sick by now.
Her stomach twisted with guilt as the truth settled over her like a heavy fog. She wasn’t going anywhere, not anytime soon.
The Siren Witch had once taught her about the power of tactical diplomacy, the strength in making allies, even among enemies. It was a lesson she couldn’t afford to forget.
Clearing her throat, she tried to push down the heat rising in her cheeks. “My name is Mariana,” she offered quietly. “Everyone calls me Mari.”
She kept her gaze on the path ahead, refusing to let him see how nervous she was, hoping the small offering would earn her some information in return. But he remained silent, expression unreadable.
Minutes passed before she heard a sigh escape him; it was so soft she almost missed it.
“Dax,” he finally said, his voice low and hesitant, as if revealing his name was an act of trust.
They shared a brief glance, and Mariana found herself at a loss for words for the first time since she had woken up.
Time slipped by in a blur, exhaustion weighing down her eyelids. She fought to stay awake, scrubbing her hands over her face, but the warmth of his chest against her cheek was a comfort she couldn’t resist.
“I recommend you sleep while you can,” he said quietly.
“No,” she murmured, stubbornness lacing her voice. “It’s just as bad as being knocked out.”
“I’m not going to murder you or leave you to die,” he reassured her, his voice oddly gentle. “Sleep so you have the energy to walk when we stop next.”
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her voice fading as sleep began to claim her.
He hesitated before answering, his jaw working as he considered what to say. Finally, he sighed. “We’re going to the Crossing. Once we’re out of the mortal realm, I’ll tell you more. Until then, sleep.”
Mariana squeezed her clasped hands, her mind racing with questions, but the exhaustion was too strong. He’d confirmed they were headed toward the fae realm, but she still needed to know if Astra was alive. That had to wait. The fae didn’t seem to be in the mood for more conversation, so she focused on the path as he carried her, her thoughts drifting as her head settled against his chest.
Within moments, her vision faded to black, and she slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Chapter 10
Therewasverylittlein the world that bewildered Dax anymore. Still, a siren with a vixen’s mouth and was as beautiful as the rising dawn unnerved him more than he’d ever care to admit.
Her turquoise eyes reminded him of the sea she’d come from. Mysterious, endless, and full of storms. Even her tattoos intrigued him; the subtle black lines and soft swirls caressing her body formed images of nature, notes of songs, and reflections of her life under the waves.
The scar on her face was a reminder that life, although it felt endless, was fragile. It did nothing to dissuade him from believing she was a deadly, beautiful foe. Turning his back to her, even for that second, could’ve cost him everything if she’d escaped.
She was a force to be reckoned with, a hurricane on the brink of destruction, yet he found himself drawn to her in every way—like a moth flirting with the edge of a flame.
This wasn’t what he’d expected, and he knew he needed to get her back to Aurelia as fast as possible.
Dax glanced over at her sleeping form covered with a blanket as he wiped his chest and neck clean with a wet rag. She was going to be so pissed when she woke up. A bucket was beside the bed, awaiting the fate that would befall her when the drug wore off.
He yawned, shaking his head. Sleep was a luxury he couldn’t afford with her around, and he needed the silence as he walked to maintain his energy, so he’d knocked her out. The longest he’d ever gone without sleep was five days, and it would take at least seven to get to Aurelia. They were only on day two, and he already felt his body reacting in subtle ways.
Dropping the rag, he dumped the bowl of water out the window of the hunter’s cabin they occupied. It was a stop for anyone who needed rest, but it was apparent no one had stopped there in years. Dust coated every surface; windows and doors hung off broken hinges that creaked in the wind. Thankfully, the cots left on the wooden floors were decent enough. At least the siren wouldn’t have mold infecting her pores.
Mariana.
Even her name did something to him he couldn’t explain. He didn’t want to call her anything, but he knew she would cut him up like a knife if he didn’t call her by her name. Mari. It was simple enough.
