I couldn’t stop myself from walking down the path for a closer look.
The sea shimmered under the moonlight, the waves catching the silver glow like liquid mercury. The haunting music lingered in the air, and the creature was now standing closer than it had before. My heart raced, but I couldn’t bring myself to run. Something about it was both mesmerizing and unsettling, like a secret whispered just out of reach.
I squinted, trying to make out more of the details. The figure stepped forward, the water lapping at its legs, and I froze. It wasn’t just some ethereal creature from the depths of the ocean. It was a man.
Tall and impossibly handsome, his presence radiated an otherworldly magnetism. His skin was pale, almost luminous under the moonlight, and his silvery hair framed a face so sharp and elegant it could have been carved from marble. His eyes were a piercing seafoam green that glowed in the darkness. They held an unreadable intensity that made it impossible to look away. His clothes, though wet from the waves, were impeccable—an open dark coat revealing a crisp white shirt beneath, the fabric clinging to his lean, athletic frame.
He stood with an air of calm control, the kind of confidence that came from someone who knew the power they wielded. Even the ocean seemed to respond to him, the waves at his feet gentle despite the tide.
“Vivian,” he said, his voice smooth as silk and hauntingly melodic. He didn’t move closer, but his presence filled the space between us like a force I couldn’t ignore. “I’ve been waiting to meet you.”
I blinked, my pulse quickening as I took a step back. “Who are you?” My voice was steadier than I expected, but I kept my distance, every instinct on high alert.
He inclined his head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Izo Maren,” he said simply. “Lord of the Ashen faction.”
His words hit like a blow to the chest. My stomach twisted, and I glanced around, half-expecting someone to emerge from the shadows.
“What do you want?” I asked warily, clutching the robe tighter around me.
“Nothing you should be afraid of,” he said, holding up a hand in a placating gesture. I felt a wash of peace come over my mind. “In fact, I hear congratulations are in order. Your marriage to The Shadow presents… an interesting opportunity.”
I stiffened at his mention of the marriage. “What kind of opportunity?” I asked, my voice sharp with suspicion.
“To destabilize his power. Your husband is a man of considerable influence, but his family’s legacy is built on a foundation of forbidden magic and bloodshed. The Ashen have personal grievances with his bloodline.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of grievances?”
His gaze darkened. “His father killed mine.” His voice carried an undercurrent of bitterness. “Aterritorial dispute, they calledit. But it was nothing short of murder. I’ve waited years for the right moment to exact justice.”
“So what do you want from me?” I asked, crossing my arms. “If you’re looking for help, I’m not exactly in a position to?—”
“I think you are,” he interrupted smoothly, his lips curving into a soft smile. “I assume your marriage to Raffaele wasn’t your choice. That choker around your neck keeps you here, doesn’t it?”
I swallowed hard, my hand instinctively moving to the diamond necklace. I nodded slowly, unwilling to admit exactly how deeply I was tied to Raffaele. Izo’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as though I’d confirmed what he already knew.
“With your help,” he said, stepping closer, “we can drain him of his power. Leave him weak. Defenseless. A shadow of the leader he claims to be.”
“How?”
“You’re a conduit. Your bond to him makes you the perfect vessel for my kiss. It’s a gift, you see. My siren’s kiss, when combined with some other, unmentionable magic, siphons power and leaves its victim utterly powerless. All it takes is proximity and intent.”
I stared at him. The idea of rendering Raffaele powerless was tempting—so tempting it scared me. But I didn’t want that. Not really. Izo’s tone was too smooth, too calculated, and it set my nerves on edge. Yet when I looked into his eyes, I felt completely at peace. My heartrate wasn’t elevated, my palms weren’t sweaty. There was no indication of me being nervous, other than the passing thoughts that drifted through my mind.
The bond stirred with a faint ripple of confusion and unease that wasn’t mine. My fingers tightened around the choker as I tried to sort through the sensations, unsure if they were coming from me or Raffaele.
“I have to go,” I muttered, turning to leave.
Before I could take a step, Izo’s voice turned melodic, the haunting tune lacing his words. “Stay.”
The word was a command that threaded through me like silk. My feet faltered, and despite every instinct screaming at me to run, I found myself turning back toward him.
“Izo—” I began, but the song grew stronger, pulling me closer with every note. I wanted to resist, to push him away, but I couldn’t. My body moved without my consent until I was standing in the water, the waves lapping at my ankles.
He reached for me, his hands cold against my skin as he cupped my face. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and when his seafoam-green eyes locked onto mine, everything around us faded away.
“You’re perfect,” he murmured. “The key to everything.”
Before I could react, his lips descended on mine.
