I raised my brows. “What did you have to do to get it?”
“Don’t ask.” Morgana’s lips pressed into a thin line, a shadow lingering across her expression.
Something had happened on that journey that had darkened her and drawn her and Finn closer. Whatever it was, they were no longer enemies.But could they ever be lovers after what Finn’s family had done? Perhaps they were destined to remain in a gray area, I thought, watching the heat fade from Morgana’s neck and chest now that she had moved away from his grasp.
“We will head to the summit tomorrow, but tonight, we celebrate!” Proteus clapped an arm around Finn’s back.
44
Morgana
Theevening’s celebration had been set up in the Thálassian gardens. The songs of Mer musicians rose from below, drifting through my balcony’s open doors, mingling with the sounds of laughter and revelry from early guests.
I lay on my sponge bed and stared at the colorful frescoes on the ceiling. I didn’t feel like celebrating. My mind was still spinning, and the bitter taste of bile lingered at the back of my throat.
I had killed three men. Yes, they’d meant to kill us and steal the box, but still, I had ended their lives. And I hadn’t meant to.
Or perhaps I had, my mind whispered, and the thought turned the nausea in my throat to a slow, rising burn.
You are a killer.The words echoed in my mind.
Killer, killer, killer.The chant drifted in through my window, becoming a part of the Thálassian minstrel’s song.
I had no control over my powers.
I had made an internal vow to my grandmother and theCaptain, who had died for me, that I would find the prophecy, and I had killed three men in that search. Not Drowned silver-stained men already on a path to the Garden of Mortimer from blood-use, but an ancient Siren and two mortals.
Killer, killer, killer.The words curled in from my balcony, strummed on a Thálassian harp.
Finn had let me keep the box, which now sat on my bedside table, taunting me with its secrets and the price I had paid to possess it.
There was a soft knock on my door, and Skye entered. She was draped in Thálassian gold, her dark hair artfully pinned. She looked more comfortable in her Siren’s form, making her all the more beautiful.
She chewed on her cheek as she stood in the doorway. “I thought I’d come and do your hair.”
I sat up and patted the bed beside me, glad for the distraction from my thoughts.
“So,” Skye asked in a would-be casual voice as she began braiding my hair, “did you and Finn havefun?”
I blinked hard, trying to steady myself. “He’s dying.”
“What?” Skye gasped, letting my hair fall and moving around to hold my hands in hers.
“The Shadow.” I tried to shrug off her concerned gaze. “I guess the thought of losing him became a bit of an aphrodisiac.”
“Maybe it’s my new Siren senses, but I understand love now, and I see it all over that merman’s face every time he looks at you. Why don’t you just ask him about your grandmother? Then you two can move forward.” She swanned behind me to fasten a golden choker around my neck.
“He said he didn’t kill her...” I forced down the lump in my throat.
“Do you believe him?”
“I think so. I want to trust him.”
Skye gave me a knowing look but chose not to press further. “I haveto ask you something...” She let out a shaky chuckle, as if wanting to change the subject.
“What?” I arched a wary brow.
“Does Finn use the water to... you know... pleasure you?” She adjusted my hair, biting on her lip to stop a grin.
