Page 35 of Siren's Kiss & Feral Beasts
The water around us seems muted in my despair. It feels my sadness. I’m beginning to see that I’m more than lost, that I’ve been lied to, and information has been withheld.
She claims our family heirloom was a gift, while my grandfather wants to save his wife.Somebody is lying.
“What I am is wasting away, my child. This is the penance for a love deferred; the cost of the choices I made to protect my people and savehim.”
“Him?” I ask, but I already know the answer.
“Ephraim Daire.”
She was mated to a wolf.
I’m mated to a wolf.
Same bloodline. Same story.
History repeats itself.
“Enough,” a voice booms from outside the hall, seconds before he steps in. Regal. Commanding. King Atlas glides forward with deliberate motion, eyes shifting to his wife before locking on me with calculated scrutiny.
Behind him, Orion and Naia of all people follow, and I’m more than confused.What is she doing here? With them?Their expressions are blank, yet tension radiates from her in pulsing waves.
I’ve known her since we were babies, growing up and getting into trouble together, trained by my father to fight and protect—the same way our army does. And yet, seeing her standing next to my grandfather feels like a betrayal.
The air vibrates with expectation, and I stay quiet. If they came to find me, they’ll make the first move.
Not that he waits long. King Atlas swims toward his wife, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “That name is forbidden, my love. You know this.”
“To some,” our queen answers calmly, fin sawing back and forth. On the outside, she seems calm, but I notice the twitch of her fingers beneath mine. The flash of anger in her eyes just before she pushes the Cordis Lux back into my hand and nods for me to step back. Her movements are subtle, as is the urgent look she gives me. “You know this.”
“To all, my queen. I’m a jealous merman.” He sits beside her, ignoring her response and what I now know is a jab, and takes her hand in his. Only then does he turn his attention fully on me. “You’ve done well, my child. Thank you for returning the stone to its rightful owner.”
“Did I?” There’s a challenge in my tone; I’m not ready to deal with him. “Because I feel?—”
“You and Orion did an excellent job, Granddaughter. I’m so proud of you.” While his tone appears proud, the undertone of warning is there. It says to leave it alone. “We will honor you both under tomorrow’s moon. The ballroom is being prepared as we speak.”
I ignore the proclamation and raise a brow. “Why was Orion in Port Avaria? Under whose orders?”
“Mine,” he says. Calm. Unbothered.
“Whywas he following me?” My acerbic tone bothers Orion, and he stomps his polearm with the twin forked blade. Its heavy and strong staff is made of basalt stone, and the sound reverberates throughout the room. Icy and daring me to continue, much like his glare. “Is there a problem, General?”
“Respect the crown, Nerissa.” Not yelled or hissed at me, but I still bristle at the reproach. So does my grandmother, but before she can say anything, I do.
I glide toward him and stop inches from his face. My eyes meet his, and it’s hard, but I bite back a smile when I take note of his injury. He should’ve never messed with my wolf.Control yourself, Nerissa. Kai isn’t yours.
“Or what?” Two words, simple and honest, and spoken just as coolly as he did to me a few seconds ago. “I am not beneath you, General Orion.” The use of his name and title is on purpose. For someone who thinks highly of himself and is a firm believer in hierarchy, I just punched him where it hurts. “I will never justify my actions to you, much less my personal relationship with my family. Those do not, and never will, concern you.”
That bothers him. His jaw clenches, eyes flicking to my grandfather for a minute before softening when meeting mine again. “My apologies, Princess. I’m just?—”
We’re interrupted by a sudden knock at the door. It’s sharp and insistent; my scales ripple with unease. I hear mygrandfather call for the person to enter, feel my grandmother’s tired body slide in beside mine, and then feel all eyes on me.
Yet none of it matters as a guard delivers the news that my father’s been found unresponsive beside my mother’s memorial, his slumped body clutching a single pearl in his grip.
And if I thought my heart hurt before, I’m in agony now.
“Please…” my voice breaks, a sob catching in my throat “…take me to him.”
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