Fury burns through my fear, flaring like a storm, my eyes blazing with rage.
“He’s stronger than you think. I will never kill him!” I snarl. “He’ll come for you, and he will end your reign of terror.”
His smile widens, a cruel sneer on his face. “I’m counting on it. I doubt he’s that strong. You have, after all, already poisoned him just by loving him.”
With that, he turns and swims away, the cell door closing behind him. I slam my fists against the bars, but it’s just me again, and the ripples fade until the water lies still once more.
I sink to the floor, trembling, the silence pressing in.
Kai… What have I done?
I remain there, not knowing what to think, but one thing sticks out in my mind that doesn’t add up… the wave weavers. According to what Father has told me, he needsmeto kill Kai, but the wave weavers said they were ordered to kill me.
Did someone else give that order? But if it wasn’t Father, then who?
And why?
The thought coils around me like an eel, and I shiver.
I am missing something.
Fractured Trust
Kai
Isee the portal close and fly further out of reach, my heart hammering loudly in my chest.
She’s gone.
That thought sends a ripple of emotion I have rarely felt in my life through me.
Fear.
The fear of losing her, even though seeing her morph into one ofthem,made my blood run cold.
She is one ofthem.
All this time, I was falling for a sea siren, something that never ever should have happened. Every touch is a betrayal to the life I’m meant to lead, and yet, I can’t stop wanting her in my arms.
She’s a sea siren.
Fuck.
Deep down, maybe I already knew. The signs were there, butI refused to face them because I knew she was my fated, and the thought of being mated to a sea siren made my stomach churn.
I fly low, swiftly, before they can react. I sweep up my bag and sword before flying as far as I can. A few arrows come my way, but I dodge them as I fly further away, not looking back.
All my life, I have never run from anything, but today I did.
I land high up in a tree after flying for several minutes until I can’t anymore. I won’t get too far, but at least I’ll be out of their sight for now. They didn’t seem to care that I got away. Capturing her was their main goal.
I rest my head in my hands, taking a deep breath. How did it come to this? And what do I do now?
Do I let her go and pretend this never happened… or do I go after her?
I’ve fallen for a sea siren, the very species I vowed to end… and now one is bonded to me.
I sit here like a man defeated. My beliefs, my turmoil, the pain, it only adds to the ache in my body. I’m not sure what was in those arrows, but I feel far weaker than I should. Opening up my bag, I splash some regular antidote over the wounds, hoping it helps a little, before resting back against the tree and closing my eyes.
