Page 18 of Songs of Retribution

"How do you feel, priy?" the Maharani asked, her voice gentle.

"I feel well, thank you." I wanted to laugh and cry, hug everyone in the room, and curse the saints for whatever the fuck had happened. But I would do none of that in front of the Maharani.

She frowned at Sai, though, who still had sweat gleaming across his forehead. "You gave more magic than necessary. Why?"

Sai shrugged, though I could see exhaustion weighing his posture down. "I just had a feeling about something. Besides, I have plenty of magic to spare."

He hadn't wiped his tears away yet, and I gave Elisa another squeeze then stood and wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me tight. "Goddess, I'm glad you're okay."

"Thank you."

My body was different, more energized and lighter. They'd turned me into a fae. I could feel what had to be magic flooding through my body, whirling through my heart, heightening my senses.

"If you'll allow it," Sai's father said, "the healers would like to do an examination."

"Right."

Amyra and Veena both nodded to me as they cleared out of the room. Everyone else remained, and my palms broke out in sweat at the attention. The sirens in the room sang, their magic ringing through me, and I clenched my teeth. I tried to focus on Elisa, who had a grin pasted on her face, as I attempted to ignore the crawling sensation climbing up my spine.

I stood near a corner that blocked the light from the window and allowed shadows to gather. I took a step back.

"If you could, please stay still," one siren said.

I nodded, but my heart pounded as their magic continued reverberating through me. It was all too much. I wanted nothing but to escape everyone's focus and the glistening, trembling magic invading me.

The shadowed corner looked more appealing by the moment. I forced myself to remain still but leaned back towards it.

Several people gasped.

The sirens stopped singing.

Elisa jumped from the bed. "Neia?"

I stepped forward again, my feet touching the solid ground with an intensity I'd never experienced. "What's wrong?" I asked her as I grabbed her elbows.

She touched my cheek, my hair, and my lips, her eyes frantic. "You disappeared."

"What?"

"You were there then you were gone."

Sai grinned and stepped forward to clap me on the shoulder. "I knew it."

"Perhaps," the Maharani said, wariness in her voice, "you could inform the rest of us of what you know, Prince Sai?"

He turned towards the group. "Neia is a Schattenwanderer."

I blinked at him. No. That couldn't be possible. I had the magic he'd always desired—the rare and coveted ability to disappear into shadows? "How?" I asked.

Sai shrugged and looked down at me like I was his kid sister, back from the dead. "I always suspected you had a heritage of that magic."

Elisa clutched me to her and whispered into my ear. "See, you were supposed to be here with us."

I swallowed tears that wanted to claw their way up my throat, then slowly met the eyes of each being in the room, Orman and Luz, Shaan and Lennox, the Maharani and her husband, each of the sirens who had likely saved my life, and finally Sai. “Thank you all. I can’t say how much I appreciate it.”

The Maharani bobbed her head, her sharp gaze assessing me. “We will give you some time, priy, to orient yourself.” She shot a sharp look at Shaan, and he cleared his throat and grabbed Lennox's hand as he gestured towards the door. Lennox looked at Elisa, hesitating, and she nodded. I wasn't sure I understood whatever had happened between them on the island—holy fuck. The last I remembered, pirates had taken Elisa, and she was stranded on some dangerous island. Saints. My head spun.

The others left the room with a hum of conversation, except Sai and Elisa. The latter held me like she'd never let go and I hoped she never would.

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