“Compared to your mate, they are,” Drustan replied. He didn’t even sound cocky as he said it. In his mind, it was probably a simple fact. The equivalent of saying, “the grass is green” or “the sky is blue.”
I grumbled and pushed on Drustan’s chest, making him release his hold on my face. He frowned as he stared down at me, his hands balled into fists.
“You’re overstepping here big time,” I informed him. “I’m not some simpering, controllable woman, you manipulative ass.”
“Oh, I’mveryaware,” Drustan replied, holding his ground.
“I can’t—oh my god,” I grumbled and gripped the roots of my hair, something I often seemed to do in his presence. “If there wasevera chance of you getting into my pants before, there sure as hell isn’t one now.” I was so heated, I wanted to punch him, “I’ll kiss you after you take your throne, but then that’sit. One kiss, and you’llneverbe able to put your hands on me again. Your celibacy will be officially activated.”
Drustan lifted a shoulder and said, “As you wish.”
I hated this. He truly seemed unbothered.Asshole.
“If you two are done,” Hush muttered, “This is where we leave you, your highness.”
I recognized the area immediately, and to keep my thoughts to myself, I started thinking about my composition, containing my favorite melody that has been haunting me for months.
Drustan gave me a look I couldn’t decipher before he nodded and scanned the surrounding area with his eyes. “I’m going to linger, ensure no more of my father’s guard are present.”
“Thank you,” Hush muttered, “But you need to leave us before we continue.” The siren prince rolled his eyes and silently muttered her words back to her, as if he were mocking a sibling, and not a double agent. He turned to stalk off, but before he did, his hands clenched at his sides. Drustan took one more step forward before shaking his head turning around to march back toward me.
Alerted, I started backing away from him. “What are you—” But my air was cut off. Drustan had wrapped his hands under my arms, around my waist, and lifted me in the air so he could buryhis face in my neck. For stability, my arms wrapped around his large shoulders while the toes of my sneakers dangled in the air, not touching the ground. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been lifted in the air for a hug. Perhaps I was a child. But this, this didn’t make me feel like a child.
The way Drustan’s breath inhaled against my skin, rubbing his face against my neck, as if absorbing as much of me as he could, I felt…cherished. He didn’t say anything. Just…breathed me in. His chest pressed against mine with his inhale, tightening his hug around me.
I took a moment to indulge myself. I dipped my nose toward his neck, tightening my hold around his shoulders, and breathed in his spicy, delectable scent. Forcing away the guilt that burned from my indulgence. Audrey wasn’t here to judge me. Hush didn’t seem to give a shit if I sniffed her prince. My nervous system liked it. I became grounded as Drustan wrapped his entire body around me like this, but I couldn’t explain why.
It was just a hug. But I could feel his heartbeat against my chest. I soaked in the warmth of his large body, seeping into my own. His soft hair brushed against my arms, and my eyes fell shut for a moment as I calmly breathed him in.
Just like he was doing with me.
After a few tense moments, Drustan sighed and lowered me to the ground. His hands lingered on me, though. His large palms cupped either side of my jaw as he rested his forehead against mine. He had to bend quite a bit to make it happen, since my feet were flat on the ground again. But he just held me, pressing his lips together, squeezing his eyes shut, as he held my face.
Then, without a word, he disappeared.
“Let’s go.” Hush didn’t give me time to adjust to what the hell Drustan and I just experienced. Instead, she grabbed my hand and led me deep inside the Fjellenheim tunnels.
Chapter 23
Audrey returned later that day, right when the sun was setting on the horizon. Not that I could keep track of time that well in the tunnels.
I was sitting with a group of teenagers in a little alcove where some instruments lingered for entertainment. Hush assured us that we were deep enough in the mountains not to be heard by anyone potentially stalking the surrounding area, so we had a quiet little jam session.
This was where Audrey found me.
“No, no.” A teenage boy, I would guess he was about seventeen, put his hand on mine when I played a note incorrectly again. “Like this.” He took the instrument from my hands, one that reminded me of a bass guitar, and strummed it with precision.
“Sorry.” I giggled to myself, amused at how strict these kids were with music.
Throughout the day I spent here, I learned that playing music was similar to a religious experience for sirens. Something all siren children dabbled in at a young age. The type of instrument didn’t matter: string, wooden, wind, or even their own voice. Music, of all genres, was a heavy part of siren culture. Though Iwas amused at how strict and serious a teenage boy was acting, I tried my hardest to show the craft the respect it demanded.
“You’re really talented,” I said when he was done demonstrating.
“I keep telling him that!” A teenage girl in the group piped up who had been busy giving him big, dreamy eyes as he played. He let his dark shaggy hair fall over his face more, his gold eyes quickly glanced up at her before he focused back on the bass in his hands. “I’m no more talented than anyone else.”
The teenage girl made a scoffing sound. Teenage crushes and angst were a thing no matter what realm you were born in, apparently. I gave her a smile of camaraderie, because I, too, was a simp for emo boys with shaggy hair at her age. She grinned up at me, but her focus kept flicking back to the boy as she spoke.
“I miss my band,” she sighed. My heart twisted for her. She couldn’t live like she used to, because she randomly woke up with the gift of whismerra at sixteen years old, unable to control it. Her mother had scooped her up and kept her hidden until, somehow, Hush found them in the woods days later.
