“Sirens believe in innocence until proven guilty,” he said carefully. “But Draveen will be questioned as well before he is banished from Naiadon.”
Raylik was dragging Draveen’s motionless body out of the armory.
“I need to make sure Raylik doesn’t beat the life out of him. Good job, Elowyn. I’m happy you didn’t die.”
Hylos followed Raylik, dismissing me. That was it.
I looked to Morvyn and Lumina, who just held sorry, sympathetic looks. They saw it too. Hylos would never hold Calypstra accountable.
Summer 5344 AT
The contractions began early this morning. I have gone the day with the pains growing and growing but show not an ounce of pain. Tonight, the babe will come. A funny thought crossed my mind. Maybe it is the pain that is making me mad, or this entire situation, but today I realized the purpose of this silly journal that I’ve kept for so long.
Aegir gave it to me to allow a place to pour out my soul, an escape, a haven for my truth. I wonder if he always knew that even under the sea, behind closed doors, I hid parts of myself to never pain him. This journal has held my true heart for so long, and now I know why. It is for you, little babe. So you may know me when I am gone.
Because after you are born, sweet child, I shall send it with you to the other side of the portrait, in Naiadon. Then I will face my husband, with you no longer a swell in my stomach. He will be angry. Furious, even, but I will never let him put eyes on you.
In my absence, you may have the absolute truth of my heart.
Please, do not be sad for me. Not for a single moment. The many lives I’ve lived, even in the worst of times, have been the greatest any one person could wish for. They led to your sister. They led to you.
Your father will tell you of me, and when he speaks of me, if even one tear wells in his eye, remind him not to be sad either. Because this life was beautiful. Messy at times, but entirely mine. I have loved it. As Iloved him. As I love you.
Please remember, I will always be with you when I am not with your sister. I will need to divide my time equally between you two as any good mother should. But one day, please find her. That will make my work of being with you both all the easier.
When you find her, tell her of the freedom below the waves. Tell her of Naiadon and your great people. Tell her that there are worlds where women are leaders. Where they are safe to love who they choose. Tell her of me and the life I truly lived, not the lie she witnessed.
See you again, my love.
Chapter 38
“She must have been a noble,” Arlo called to me from the bedchamber. He was on his second read of the journal, hoping a clearer answer on how the portal worked might be hidden in the faded, handwritten words.
I finished the final touches on the braid I had woven. Rose oil that I worked through my curls to tame them lingered on my fingertips. The scent calmed the turmoil in my mind.
My hands still trembled as fear threaded through me from the Jawro competition and Draveen. Hylos hardly cared that Calypstra was behind every terrible thing that had happened to me in Naiadon. It hurt, which was more surprising than his lack of action.
I walked across the room, the marble cool under my feet. I wanted to fall apart in Arlo’s arms, but forced a smile instead. After this, there would be time for falling apart. I hadn’t told Arlo the full truth about what had happened. I gave him pieces, and let him know Alistar was still alive. Safe with Nixie somewhere. But I left out the part about just how near death I came. He would need a clear head for us to escape, and if he knew someone in the castle was trying to kill me, he’d never be calm enough to do what needed to be done.
Arlo continued, “It would only make sense she was noble because—” he lifted his eyes to me and silenced. The warmth in his gaze blazed to something hotter. “What in Infernum are you wearing?”
“Nixie picked it out for me for Hydroxia tonight.” It was a red silk dress that clung to me, dramatizing the curves of my hips and thighs. A thin chain of silver clasped it around my neck.
He looked like a man possessed.
I smiled devilishly.
“You haven’t even seen the back yet.”
I turned, showing how it plunged dangerously low toward my ass. It was gorgeous, and I looked like a Guardian myself in the sanguineous fabric.
Arlo put the book down carelessly and buried his face in his hands. I walked closer, working in between his thighs.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“I don’t know if I can handle it.” His words were a low snarl that vibrated through my body.
“What?”
