“King. Should we all call youKingnow? Have you given up on your father too?” Lumina said sharply, boldly.
Everyone tensed.
“You know I prefer to be called King Regent,Lumi,” Hylos said, his tone softening.
She winced at the nickname, like that was the worst thing he had ever said to her, but she shook it off. “Do you understand the danger this puts Elowyn in? You wish to go to war with her father, yet declare her identity to all here. Nymphaea sends those to the ocean to be saved, Hylos. You have failed the Holy Mother and Elowyn with these actions.”
My stomach sank. She was right; I was in danger, more so now than before. Caught wounded, bleeding in the center of swarming sharks.
Lumina’s warm eyes locked with Hylos’s ocean stare until he could no longer hold her gaze, his eyes retreating instead to the banquet table littered with half-drunk wine glasses.
“Yes, I understand.” he responded softly, passing a nervous hand through his blue hair.
“And will Calypstra face any punishment for putting Elowyn in danger? Or did you direct her to do so?”
“I would never have done that,” he said, hurt, as if he could not believe Lumina would think such a thought. But he hadn’t answered Lumina’s other question.
“She will face no consequences then,” Lumina said, shaking her head, “because bedding some immoralbitchis more important than honor. Once again.” She brushed past Hylos to the connecting room to carry out his orders.
Morvyn’s eyes went wide as he trilled a whistle. “Oh shit.”
“Shut up, Morvyn,” Hylos said, stepping forward, only a flutter in his jaw showing how much Lumina’s words had hit their mark. “You go too. Help her,” Hylos repeated.
Morvyn looked between myself and Hylos like he had more to say to me.
“Now,” Hylos growled, his demand final.
Morvyn complied and followed in Lumina’s wake.
“Nixie, you and Raylik will escort Elowyn to her chambers. Raylik, remain outside her door for safety and—”
“No,” I said.
His eyes flared, blue lashes fluttering. “This is not up for debate.”
“You invited me this evening. Why?”
“We are not having this discussion right now—”
“Why, Hylos?” I repeated.
“To have you hear of the situation in Oakhaven. I was hoping you would—” He looked down to the marble floor, searching for theright phrasing.
“Hoping I would join you,” I said. If he couldn’t put it plainly, I would. “The daughter of your enemy would be a phenomenal pawn in your war. Is that right?”
“Not a pawn. I would only want your help if you agreed.”
“Is this how you form alliances then? Start with entrapment, hold them against their will, then reveal their identity in front of a crowd of their enemies, hoping to twist their arms to bend to your will?” I challenged, meeting his gaze.
“I did not order Calypstra to do that, and we are not your enemy,” he insisted, disbelief coloring his tone.
“You plan to attack my country. You are my father’s enemy.” The words settled in the air, red-hot and charged. The only way I would be safe in a situation like this on land would be to bow and swear fealty to the leader that held me hostage. That was what I should have done. I clenched my teeth. My vain, prideful heart pounded at the thought. “But I will join your symposion.”
“Elowyn, now that they know who you are, it will be harder to protect you,” Nixie said, her mauve eyes softening as she looked up at me.
“You just said they are not my enemy.” I laughed bitterly, ignoring Nixie’s plea. “Which is it, Hylos?”
“Sirens are unpredictable. Brutal. Especially those not from Naiadon. Here, we are more accepting of humans, but the deeper sea sirens are not,” Hylos added.
