Page 9 of When the Wicked Sing
The silence that followed felt thick and heavy, like the weight of the ocean pressing down on them. Above, the coral chandelier flickered, the glowing algae dimming as if it too sensed the tension in the room.
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?” Aurora’s voice startled Mariana, breaking the electric tension between her and Cybele. “I’ll go with her. Together, we can find out what happened and get Astra back.”
Cybele’s head shook slowly, deliberately. “I refuse to send any more of my daughters to the fae realm. This is not up for discussion.”
“Mother, please—” Aurora’s tone was pleading, her gaze unyielding.
“No.”
Mariana fought to keep her voice steady, though frustration simmered beneath the surface. “How can we help her if we do nothing? You promised to stop at nothing to find a way back to Sirenia. Astra might know how to do that. We need to know what she knew and why she was so determined to meet with the king. Then we can form a plan to rescue—”
“We know why she went!” Cybele’s outburst cut through Mariana’s words, startling her into silence. “She wanted to be our emissary, to find a solution to end this conflict between us and the fae. She dreamed of seeing Sirenia restored, just as we all do.” The fire in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a deep, weary sorrow. “I’m the one who let her go. She’s either dead or captured because of me.”
Cybele’s gaze dropped to her hands, her fingers trembling ever so slightly, and Mariana knew her mother saw blood all over them.
“So, let us rescue her,” Aurora urged, her voice soft but firm. Mariana admired her sister’s persistence, but she could see the finality in Cybele’s posture.
“I think they should go,” the Siren Witch muttered, drawing all eyes to her. “Astra is a sister. If we refuse to rescue one of our princesses, what message does that send to the others? That we’ve grown weak? That our fighting spirit has died? Besides,”she added with a sly wink at Mariana, “this could be the perfect opportunity for Mariana to prove herself as your heir.”
Mariana’s heart swelled with a flicker of hope. The witch had always believed in her, teaching her to trust her instincts and respecting her in ways her mother never had. Despite her curse, Mariana knew she could always count on the witch’s support.
Cybele’s frown deepened, her face set in a hard line. “Everyone out,” she commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument. “I want to speak to Mariana alone.”
The hope she felt was quickly replaced with dread, weighing her down in her chair. Aurora and the witch both glanced her way before getting up from their seats and leaving the room.
When the door shut softly behind them, Mariana let out a slow breath as she lifted her eyes.
Cybele’s gaze was icy, piercing. “Why do you do this?”
Mariana blinked, confused. “Do what?”
“You enjoy turning everyone against me,” Cybele spat, her voice dripping with bitterness.
For a moment, Mariana was too stunned to respond.That’s what she thinks?
A short, bitter laugh escaped her. “No disrespect, but you’re doing a fine job of that on your own.” She regretted the words the instant they left her mouth. Cybele’s eyes darkened like an approaching storm; the room growing cold. “Mother,” Mariana tried again, her tone softening, “I didn’t tell either of them to advocate for a rescue mission.”
“And you expect me to believe that?” Cybele’s voice was sharp, but underneath it, Mariana heard something else: hurt.
The realization hit her like a wave crashing against the shore. “Yes, I do.”
“Hmm.” Cybele turned her face away to stare out the massive stained glass windows depicting the rise of Salus. Sisters helping sisters.From ruin, we rise.
“Why don’t you want to rescue her?” Mariana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cybele stayed silent for a long while, her gills flaring as though she was struggling with her composure.
“Mother—”
“You’ve always been like this. So quick to assume the worst of me.” The queen turned to face her, and Mariana couldn’t help the fear that shivered down her spine at what she saw. “I am not just your mother; I am your queen. And when I say you are not stepping foot in the fae realm, I mean it.”
Mariana’s frustration boiled over. “Iwillsave my sister. Iwillbring her home. No matter the cost, no matter the price I have to pay. She needs me, and Irefuseto let her suffer alone!”
“You are not going anywhere!”
Mariana released a harsh breath and shook her head. “Why is it so hard for you to believe in me?”
