No matter if it’s Barazeth, Alvazakh or Varindor, the sea sirens couldn’t have done it alone.
“Yes, the King of Elmeria, to be precise. Those vile sea folk need to be eliminated once and for all. You, Keiran the Storm Slayer, are to go to the realm of Varindor and find me the traitor, and I will gift you a status that you could only ever dream of.”
“I need no status, but just to serve. I am your sword above all else. I will not only find the traitor, but I will also reconquer Varindor and return only when I have victory,” I vow.
Varkhazan smiles coldly. “That is what I want to hear. Then I, your King, vow that if you succeed in your conquest, I will give you the stewardship to rule in Varindor in my stead.”
Rule in Varindor?
“That is a great honour, My King.” I lower my head, my wings almost golden in the brilliant rays of the sun that is beginning to dip beyond the horizon.
“There is one more honour I will bestow upon you. Perhaps you will see it as an incentive to work swiftly.” He grins, this time baring his teeth, as he waves a tanned hand, and the doors behind me open. I hear two pairs of footsteps, one light, one heavier. I recognise the second, my mood souring. My father’s. What is he doing here?
I remain facing forward as my father, Duke Izard of House Kaldor, stops beside me. Where my wings start with black, fading into brown feathers that blend out to gold, his start in deep brown, fading into white. He, like myself and the King, wears only pants and boots. I’m glad that the resemblance between us is minimal, with us only sharing our golden eyes, a shade unique to House Kaldor. My dark brown, curly hair is nothing like his.
His companion walks over to the King, offering him her hand. Her wings are a lighter grey than the King’s. She wears the style of clothing belonging to the nobles of Alvazakh: a slinky fabric that drapes over her breasts and a skirt that has two slits down the side, with dainty, jewelled sandals on her feet. Her long, light brown hair is braided, a crown sitting above her head.
Princess Varina is the younger sister of King Varkhazan. My stomach shifts with unease as she smiles under my gaze, and I lower my head in respect.
“This shall be your prize, your bride to take upon return!”
Fuck. No.
I didn’t want to be tied to some noblewoman my father or someone else chose. One glance at him makes my stomach coil in disgust. He was one of the King’s greatest confidants, and, clearly, he pushed the idea, wanting power for himself and the name of Kaldor. Not once did he ask what I wanted.
“What do you say?” The King brings me from my thoughts, and I lower my head.
“It would be the greatest… honour.” I force the words out. After all, in the King’s Court, no one else has a say.
“Then you leave at dawn! Pack light, and remember, until this is done, you shall not return. Relay any messages to me via our connections on Earth. Stay a week or so there, make sure you are not followed, and then plan your entrance into Varindor safely. Varindor must be reconquered, do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, My King.”
I stand tall and turn on my heel, striding to the door. One thing is for certain: I will welcome the change.
I return to my room at the castle, packing my belongings. I’m no stranger to Earth. I spent a few years there studying their ways. For a human, it’s a good tenth of their lifespan, but for me, it was just a handful of years.
We never learned how Varkhazan found the tear in the veil that allowed our kind to enter the mortal realm, or how he found the other two realms and dictated his control over them. Earth was not one he was interested in. It contained nothing of desire, and it was just the gateway between the realms for him.
But for me, there are small moments when I observe the humans that feel peaceful, removed from the cruelty of Alvazakh and its people. On Earth, I’m just one of many, not a killer whose presence everyone fears.
“Garren, find Jorah and tell him I request to meet him tonight as I’ll be leaving before the morning light.”
“Yes, sir!” Garren, a young sky siren, replies, bowing low before he unfurls his wings and takes flight.
I start filling my bag, taking only what I need.
I glance towards the bedroom and stand up silently, making my way over to it. Opening the door, I fold my arms and stare at the woman I left bound. Her shirt has risen up, revealing her sexy booty that makes something inside of me stir. She’s lying uncomfortably on her side, her hair trailing off the bed.
She’s from Varindor, and one of Morcant’s followers… She’s beautiful enough to be one of them – no, I won’t think that. My stomach churns at the thought, and I remind myself they are known for their pale hair, while hers is dark.
But I could use her to get what I want, to complete the mission I’ve been given. The question is, will she obey?
Nightmares
Siralaine
The shore is close. I can see the glimmering moonlight from the twin moons, a beacon through the dark waters of the Elmerian Ocean.
