“Yes. This is an excellent union, and it is time we do more. The ice fae are powerful, so making allies with them is the best thing we can do.”
Indeed, and you are really trusting them?I think it, but Idon’t utter it out loud.
Instead, I nod, and Father motions one of the wave weavers to unlock the cell door. He motions for me to follow, and I obey. The image of someone who has lost their will to fight, broken and betrayed by the one they love.
“Inject her with some more poison so she can’t use her powers,” Father commands.
One of the wave weavers obeys, injecting me with the same thing they have been giving me since they brought me here, but I don’t fight it. Holding back my whimper of pain as it spreads through me.
Now, to keep this up until we reach the shore.
When we finally make itabove the surface, we head to the water fae, to Lord Zeran’s castle, where the engagement is being held. I’m surprised at this, considering he is one of the rare fae who has a good reputation. When we arrive there, we are led into separate chambers to get dressed, although two guards are stationed outside my door.
I’m still smiling from seeing how much Maerina and Kalina struggled to shift. Their irritation when I shifted without an issue only made the situation more amusing.
Many sea sirens will simply watch from the shores, and those who have shifted and come onto land are few. Father is taking a great risk, or he has something else planned. Is he trying to lure Kai into being careless? Is he hiding guards? But even then, in comparison to what the fae kind will have, it’s far less.
“This is your dress,” one of the servants says. “Her Highness,Princess Maerina, sent it.”
I look at the fabric. It’s black, and it is beautiful, but for someone who has always found dark coloured clothing unappealing, Maerina probably thinks she’s insulting me, when really, I like it.
“Thank you,” I reply simply, and begin to slip into the dress. The servant then begins to style my hair, adding some black glittering jewels to it and then begins on my makeup.
I can feel someone watching me, but I pretend not to notice, simply playing the role of a defeated woman. Even the servants may be ordered to keep an eye on me. After a while, my father enters, and he’s only wearing pants and boots, but when he walks over to me, I’m impressed with how smooth his steps are, considering he hasn’t been on land. Unless… that wasn’t really the truth…
He holds out a sheathed dagger with a strap, drawing my attention to it.
“When you get the chance, you know what to do,” he says quietly.
I nod, accepting it and slip it under the folds of my dress, strapping the belt to my thigh.
“Make sure the job is done, Siralaine, and you will be free forever.”
Does he really trust me? I doubt it… But I don’t trust him either.
“Father…” I begin, staring down at the dagger.
“What is it?” he asks, impatience laced in his voice.
“If I do this, will you allow me to go to Earth, to live there forever?” I ask.
He observes me with his icy eyes, devoid of any emotion, when he nods. “That might just be best for us all. I am tired of having to see you when you look so much like your mother.” The resentment in his voice causes an ache in my chest, but I shouldn’t care. He is a monster.
“Thank you,” I say simply. “I won’t fail you then.”
He nods. “Good.” He turns and leaves me alone once more.
Kai, where are you?
I haven’t heard from him again, and it’s worrying me, but I have to follow the plan, and until Kai gives me a signal, I’d better play the part Father wants me to play.
I join the rest in the grand ballroom, wondering again why it’s here. It’s odd… The ice fae didn’t even call us totheirhome for the engagement. I look across at their high lord, Maerina’s betrothed, Lord Vaan, and instantly don’t like him. There’s a cruel expression that’s seemingly permanently cemented on his face.
Maerina doesn’t look as happy as she did when she gloated to me about this marriage.
“Who is she?” I hear someone whispering, looking at me.
“The cursed sea siren princess,” someone else murmurs.
