“He’s imprisoned, thanks for asking. And he doesn’t exactly like your kind either. I don’t think he could stomach looking at a siren without being sick. I’d hate to see his face if he saw you lot.”
I wasn’t playing nice anymore with Calypstra. She’d exposed me for whatever reason and put me in danger. Maybe even the captain and his crew. Fuck her. But then, Calypstra’s lip twitched downward for a heartbeat. Did I actually hit a nerve? Just as quickly, it was gone, buttoned back up behind her evil, joyless smile.
“Nixie, are you practicing for the Jawro competition? Draveen and I were just discussing who we would challenge this year.” Calypstra looked at me with a smirk, exposing her sharp canine teeth. “He was saying a human would be a fine opponent, someone he could tear apart limb from limb.”
Apparently she wasn’t holding back anymore either, because that sounded like a threat.
“I’m surprised you aren’t challenging Hylos for the third year in a row to take his throne,” Nixie said to Draveen, who crossed his ridiculously strong arms over his lethally toned, muscly chest. “And you know I train daily, Calypstra. Or is that your formal challenge for me? Because I’d gladly kick your ass. Someone needs to silence that foul mouth of yours.”
Calypstra faked a frown. “Oh Nixie, are you really still mad at me for the other night when I outed your little princess friend? I was just trying to help.”
“More like wondering why you’d go against direct orders and endanger an ally of Hylos.”
“Myking’sguest needed a little push in the right direction, to own up to her identity, instead of us all dancing around the facts.”
“I’m right here,” I said.
“That you are,Princess.For now.”
Yeah, that one was absolutely a threat.
“Ah wait, sorry, should I just call you Elowyn? You don’t have any titles, after all. Isn’t that right? Which makes sense. What king would send hisrealdaughter on a cargo ship out to sea?”
My cheeks burned like the anger growing in my chest.
Calypstra leaned in. “But I wouldn’t let the other Circle leaders find out you’re really a nobody on land. Then they’ll have no use for you.”
Autumn 5339 AT
If wrath was a man, his name would be Aegir, Siren King of the Three Seas. He roared and cursed each Guardian above when I told him of my marriage, which will take place in one month’s time. The ocean churned with him in anguish and the sky was in torrents, as was he.
Aegir offered, again, for me to become siren. To leave the world ashore behind. To truly be his queen. He knew my answer long before he asked, but he will never stop asking. I know that and love him for it.
That was a fortnight ago, but the wounded look in his gray eyes tells me he will never heal from this. Nor shall I. Our hearts will remain forever chained together, no matter what marriage vows to the Guardians I make.
This evening he gave me a gift. He calls it an Opening and explained that the enchantment behind it creates a direct doorway between our two worlds. That way there is no need for him to swim each night to meet me and wait. With this, I can walk directly throughand be in Naiadon. It is like a doorway. It looks like a painting, a beautiful portrait of my likeness, its mirror the image of the sea.
I’d practically run to the library, slowed only by Nixie at my side, trying not to let on how eager I was to tell Arlo about what I’d read in the journal over breakfast in my bedchamber.
Morvyn let out a dramatic sigh of relief when I rushed up the stairs. “Finally! I’m so bored. He won’t even banter with me.” Morvyn rose to his colorless, finned feet.
Arlo continued to work on the instrument and didn’t even bother to look at me as I entered. Which was fine by me. Preferred, actually. Because he hadsomeonewaiting for him. So, if he could just keep working on that damned thing while I talked, then maybe we could actually get out of here without me getting distracted by this dumb, handsome lug.
“See? Boring! He won’t even pine after you, even when you’re wearing that absolutely risqué dress.”
I glared at Morvyn while trying to hide my legs, exposed by the high slit in my skirt. I was running out of modest dress, but what was the point of dressing modestly if everyone else was mostly naked anyway?
“Ah, now you’re fun! So easy to torment and actually entertaining to repartee with. But, unfortunately, HylosinsistsI kiss up to my dreadful aunt and cousin, so you’re on your own today.”
Perfect.
“I’ll be back in the hour, but if you need anything, there will be two guards at the bottom of the library stairs.”
“To spy on us,” Arlo said from the virginal.
“For Elowyn’s safety, Tiny Toes. Just in case you show your true colors.” Morvyn rolled his pale eyes to me. “If you need anything, the guards will assist you.” Swiftly, he kissed me on the cheek. “There, that’ll help get him going,” Morvyn whispered.
I turned and Arlo was staring, arms crossed.
