Her hand trembles as it lifts, and when she clutches weakly at my arm, that small, desperate grip undoes me, reality hitting me hard.
She’s alive. Somehow, she’s alive!
Relief floods me, and a broken, breathless sound escapes me as I pull her into my chest, burying my face against her once more.
She’s here. She’s breathing.
“You can’t leave me, Little Liar. What do you think you were doing?” I ask hoarsely.
She touches my face and forces me to look at her, her gorgeous, pink eyes widening as she sees the tears on my face, staring at them as if stunned I was capable of them.
I didn’t know I was either, until it came to her. Her trembling fingers tenderly brush the tears from my face. Then she lifts one to her lips, tasting it, and smiles at me through her own tears.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I just wanted you to live.”
The words hang between us. And then Gideon’s voice, calm but sure, cuts through the silence.
“By doing so,” he says, “you managed to break the curse. A sea siren’s nature is selfish; it takes and clings to what it wants, thriving on desire. But you gave yourself. You chose someone else’s life over your own. That selflessness, born from true love… it is the one thing the curse could never withstand.”
He pauses, letting it sink in. “We always misunderstood it. The curse was never meant to destroy; it was meant to test. And in that moment, you proved it can be undone. Not by power, not by strength, but by the courage to give, fully and without any thought for yourself.”
We simply stare at one another, and I look down at her wound that has begun to close, barely a scratch now, the only reminder that it was there is the blood.
“You willneverleave me again, do you understand?” I say quietly.
She nods, her eyes fluttering shut before her body becomes limp and her breathing soft. And as much as I want to grab her and make sure she’s ok, that I won’t somehow lose her, I let her rest as I stand tall, carrying her. The odd pain in my body is gonecompletely.
She really has broken the curse.
“Regarding the future of this kingdom, we will talk terms tomorrow. For now, I need the cracks in the veil barred for good, until further instruction,” I order.
“Yes, My King!” they say in unison.
Zeran steps forward. “Allow me to show you to your quarters. Rest for as long as you need.”
I nod curtly and follow him, carrying Siralaine in my arms.
“We-we’re her sisters, we will remain princesses, correct?” Kalina asks, blocking my path, Maerina beside her.
I’m about to answer when Siralaine turns to them. “I forgive you,” she whispers before closing her eyes once more.
I step past them. She may forgive them, but I never will.
The murmurs are soon left behind as I follow Zeran. He looks over at me, clearly wanting to say something.
“Spit it out,” I say, my voice filled with exhaustion from the last few days finally catching up.
“You will truly defy Varkhazan and become King?” he asks.
“Yes. That was the deal I made with Siralaine,” I say quietly.
He nods. “It won’t be easy. He will keep trying to infiltrate Varindor.”
“Yes, but I will be here on the front line protecting my people. I may not be gentle or good with my words, but I will defend and protect this kingdom. I’ll be there to be a just and fair ruler.”
He nods. “That is all I needed to hear. I will stand in your favour tomorrow. Now rest, it has indeed been a long night.”
“Thanks,” I say curtly, entering the large room. I swiftly scanit, listening for any small sound. Only when I’m satisfied that it is just us, I place her gently on the bed. She shifts into human form, curling into a foetal position. I head back to the door, locking it, before returning to the bed, kneeling beside it as I brush her hair off her face.
