Arlo and I entered through the large archways that towered above us, draped in red, yellow, and blue silks that marked the entrance. A siren chorus lilted in the night and my heart sang with it. My fingers were longing to tap the place where ivory virginal keys were in my mind.
Hundreds of sirens filled the banquet hall as they drank and laughed. The people of Naiadon. Hylos’s people. All beautiful and unique. Completely unaware of the war their leader planned for them just tomorrow. Tremendous change was about to come and upend their lives.
Tonight they were careless and free. A calm before the storm. Another reason to leave this place behind.
If I could stop Hylos’s attack, then maybe only a few of his people would be harmed. He would see how foolish this all was and give up on the idea altogether.
Arlo stumbled back, startled by a large sweeping form made of water in the shape of Nymphaea. She swam above a table filled with food that sirens picked off of jubilantly as the Holy Mother did backflips and waved to the crowd.
My hand found his, and I gave him a reassuring squeeze. “It’s not real, don’t worry,” I consoled. “You’ve got this.”
He wasn’t used to the oddities here, as he had always been lulled from one place to the next. I hadn’t truly realized just how accustomed I’d grown to it all myself.
We made our way to a trio of oversized couches where Raylik and Nixie sat. Nixie’s pale pink legs draped over her lover’s lap. I smiled asRaylik ran a hand down her shins. He was the one who chose her, every day. Especially today.
“Elowyn!” she exclaimed when she saw me.
She jumped up and leaped into my arms.
“Raylik told me all about what you did. How you tricked that big ugly bastard!” She shook my shoulders, her smile beaming. “He said your defensive stance needs work, but we can practice tomorrow.”
Raylik grumbled.
“Oh yes, that’s right,” Nixie said.
Raylik stood up beside her.
“We would like to ask you both something,” he started.
Nixie continued, “The little boy, Alistar. We wanted to know …” Nixie and Raylik looked between one another. “If we could raise him as our own. I know you said he was an orphan.”
“And I know you are like a father to him,” Raylik said to Arlo, who looked warily between the pair. “If you do not agree, I understand and he will be returned to you.”
Arlo looked to me for answers.
We couldn’t take Alistar with us. Not now. Before sunrise, we would be gone.
“They are truly good people,” I said to Arlo, trying to ease his mind.
Slowly, Arlo nodded a yes.
Nixie jumped into our arms, hugging us.
Arlo froze at first as Nixie bounced in his arms. “Thank you! Thank you!” she shrilled. “We both have always wanted to be parents. We swear he will be the most loved little boy in all of Naiadon.”
Nixie broke away from Arlo.
Raylik shoved his hand into Arlo’s grip. A respectful look passed between them.
“Thank you,” Raylik said.
“Take care of him,” Arlo said sternly.
“You have my word.”
“Come now, Hylos is waiting for you both,” Nixie said, still smiling cheek to cheek. She would make a wonderful mother; I knew that in my heart. Alistar would be lucky to have her in his life.
Hylos’s eyes lit at our approach. I dipped my head in his direction as Arlo loomed at my side.
