The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(63)

Sevril’s eyes blazed. “My loyalty has always been that of the people of this land—no matter what their race. I do this for them! So that they can have hope for the future. A cure. Who are you to question my choices and motives?”

I was stunned by the utter fury and conviction that laced Sevril’s words. His eyes were dark with anger, his hands clenched into fists. Even his hair looked as if it stood on end in anger. I had, in that one moment, seen a glimpse of the madness and power that lay sealed within Sevril. Here was proof that he may have been the more unstable one.

My own vision became blurry with fury. I knew I needed to leave and leave now, before I lashed out. I stomped over to the barricaded door and began to forcefully shove the trunk to the side. It was heavy and made a loud screeching noise.

Xiven stepped forward to offer help.

“Get away from me!” I yelled at him and whacked his hand. He moved suddenly, and I fell onto my backside.

Instead of keeping a serious face, Xiven started laughing. Even Sevril began to chuckle, their moods easily tempered apparently. Mine was too far gone.

“Stop laughing,” I said in warning. I tried to focus on my uneven breathing.

The laughing continued and my hands began to shake.

“Knock it off!” I yelled out loudly and stood up, my whole body trembling with the beginning of the power again.

Sevril snorted which caused Xiven to howl.

My ears burned red, my temper loosed, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The anger at my situation, my attempted assassination by Tomac. There’d been too much. I was helpless in finding the solution to my disease, which is what I was now calling it. I was more than frustrated over not knowing what was happening with Kael and Joss. I shouldered guilt over not saving the innocent Denai. It was too much for me to contain, and I let it go with a throaty yell.

I opened my eyes and turned my wrath on the trunk. The power seeped out like a trickle of water through a fissure in a mountain side—escaping even though the rock tried to keep it prisoner. That is how I described what was happening with me. The Siren blood was too loose—too powerful—in me now. It pounded at and weakened the Sinnendor barrier like it had when I splintered the knife. Only this time I wasn’t afraid for my life.

Just furious.

The trunk blasted into a hundred flaming pieces, all of the contents scattered. Apparently, it had been packed with books. Pages of paper fluttered to the ground as they turned to ash. I looked at Xiven triumphantly between half-closed eyes and smirked.

He just clapped his hands in joy. Then he turned to Sevril and said, “You know she is showing you what an unleashed Siren’s gifts are. It’s not too late to reverse your process.”

Sevril stared at the blackened spot, where his trunk had sat in front of the door. He shook his head, “No way. That is too much power for one person to have. Especially me.” Sevril’s eyes sadly left the carnage of burning books to give me a pitiful look. “At least I’m sane enough to know that.”

The smile fell from my face.





Chapter 27



It was easier than I’d expected to leave the castle.

I walked out of Sevril’s room. I listened at every bend for the maniacal laughter of Tomac and followed a group of servants out the front door. My remaining anger fueled my determination as I stormed into the stable and demanded a horse to be saddled. The stable master stuttered, bobbed his head, and ran for a saddle. I was counting on my current palace attire to curb any forthcoming questions.

A few of the Elite gathered outside of the stables to watch my departure with interest. I ignored them, as any lady of a royal house would, and acted impatient. I was surprised when a very large destrier was brought out and presented to me. By no means was he as stunning as Faraway, but he was the largest horse I had ever seen. Sixteen hands tall and well muscled.

Gideon’s head popped around from behind him, and he handed me the reigns. My cheeks flamed red. I was about to explain my actions but he just shook his head.

“You’ll need a reliable companion to see you home.” He smiled wanly.

“A suitable mare would have been fine, but you give me a war horse. Why?”

“I hope that you will one day personally return him. But if it comes down to courage and strength of will, there isn’t any finer than Loker.”

“I may beg to differ.” I said, again wishing for my own friend and companion. The leather reigns of Loker in my hand felt like shackles being snapped around my ankles. All the more reason to leave and leave now. “I should leave. I should have left earlier. If I don’t, you may have the whole Valdyrstal clan on your doorstep. Unanswered questions were all that kept me here.”

Gideon came over and kneeled, politely offering me the boost I needed to get up on the large beast. I stared at the cupped palms he was offering me and hesitated only a moment.

“I’m assuming that since now you are leaving, you’ve gotten your answers.” He adjusted the stirrups on Loker to accommodate my shorter legs.

“All but one.” I took a deep breath and prayed for guidance. “Is King Tieren going to send any more men to attack my village?”

This time Gideon turned red and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve heard that your own family line is not affected the way we are. I’m hoping that with time we can find a cure to help King Tieren and his sons. And I think the answer lies with you. You will see us again, hopefully under better circumstances. We would like to see an understanding between the two great families once again, because our future depends on it.” Gideon pinched his lips in a solemn expression.