“There it is,” he said, placing the blade back on its pedestal. “Proof that your heart knows where it belongs, even if your mind hasn’t caught up yet.”
He reached for my arm, pulling me upright. His touch was firm but deceptively gentle, as though he cared. The compulsion made me want to believe it.
“Come,” he said, his silver eyes locking onto mine. “We’ve done enough reminiscing over your soon-to-be ex-husband. There’s still work to be done.”
I nodded, though my mind reeled with panic. Every step I took out of that room felt like I was betraying Raffaele. But the leash around my soul tightened, and all I could do was follow.
The wateraround us began to thin, the warmth of Izo’s magic fading as cooler currents brushed against my skin. The pressure in my ears eased, and within moments, my head broke the surface. I gasped for air, though the bubble around me had never faltered, my lungs desperate for real air after what felt like hours beneath the waves.
Izo surfaced beside me, his silver hair slicked back and glinting in the faint light of the moon. The open air was a jarringcontrast to the suffocating depths below, though the atmosphere carried the same eerie, oppressive energy.
“Almost there,” Izo said.
The palace loomed ahead on land, perched atop jagged cliffs that plunged into the churning sea below. It gleamed like a beacon in the darkness, its shimmering surface reflecting the bioluminescent hues of the water and the starlit sky above. The waves crashed violently against the rocks, sending sprays of mist into the air that clung to the obsidian walls like a shimmering veil.
We climbed from the water to the base of the cliffs, following a narrow pathway carved into the rock leading upward. Izo moved with effortless grace over the slick stone. I followed, my steps clumsy and hesitant, but the compulsion propelled my trembling legs forward.
As we ascended, the full grandeur of the palace revealed itself. The polished obsidian seemed alive, its surface rippling like liquid. Coral formations clung to the walls, their soft, bioluminescent glow pulsing in time with the melody that I felt deep in my chest.
At the top of the path, the palace’s main gate came into view. It was a massive archway of pearly bone and coral, its organic curves both beautiful and grotesque. On either side stood statues of sirens frozen mid-song, their expressions unnervingly lifelike. Lips parted in eternal melody, eyes gleaming with allure and malice, they seemed to watch me as I approached.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” Izo said.
I wanted to look away, to tear my gaze from the grotesque elegance of it all, but I couldn’t. The compulsion wouldn’t allow it.
The gates opened silently as we approached, the coral and bone shifting with a sentient fluidity. A chill washed over me aswe crossed the threshold, the air inside cooler and heavy with the scent of salt and brine.
The grand hall beyond the gates was impossibly vast. The vaulted ceiling was made of a translucent material that refracted the faint light from above, casting shimmering patterns across the polished floor. It felt as though the ocean itself was alive above us, its ever-changing light and shadow dancing in hypnotic waves.
Glowing orbs floated in the air above us. Some pulsed, their light intensifying as Izo walked past. The hum of magic surrounded us, a subtle vibration in the air that set my nerves on edge.
Izo glanced over his shoulder. “Impressive, isn’t it? The palace is alive in its own way. A reflection of my mastery over this realm.”
I didn’t respond. My eyes were drawn to the floor, a stunning mosaic of abalone shell and black marble. The intricate patterns depicted siren legends and victories, the scenes so vivid they almost seemed to move.
I couldn’t deny the artistry of the place. It was beautiful in the way a predator was beautiful, all sleek lines and deadly grace.
Izo stopped abruptly, turning to face me. “You don’t have to look so miserable. You should be honored. Very few get to see this place, let alone walk its halls.”
I lifted my chin, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I’d rather be anywhere else.”
He chuckled, clearly unbothered by my defiance. “Ah, but you’re here. That’s what matters.”
He continued walking, his footsteps echoing softly in the cavernous space. I followed, my legs heavy and unwilling, but the compulsion left me no choice.
We entered a smaller room with a long table and several chairs. The walls here were covered in intricate carvings of sea creatures, their forms shifting slightly when I looked too closely.
“Have a seat,” Izo said, gesturing to one of the chairs.
I tried to resist, but my body forced me to sit.
Moments later, the man from the citadel entered the room. He carried a bundle of fabric, which he handed to Izo with a slight bow before taking a seat at the table.
Izo tossed the clothes at me without ceremony. “There. Put those on.”
Glaring at him, I dressed in the loose cotton blouse and linen pants. The fabric was soft against my skin, but it offered no comfort.
“She’s here now,” Izo said, his tone coldly triumphant. “Which means The Shadow will come soon.”
