The Silver Siren (Iron Butterfly, #3)(71)

“Yes, we need Xiven. Ask for the man named Xiven and see if he’ll take a look at her.”

Fenri looked down at the ground and then back at me—ignoring Syrani completely. “What do you think the chances are she’ll come out of this unscathed?”

“We’ll all bear scars when this is through. I held up my forearms to show him. But only time will tell. Fenri, what happened between you two after I left?”

Fenri looked horrified at my question, but he saw my stubborn gaze and glanced over at Syrani apologetically. “Your father told me about your betrothal to Kael, since he won the Kragh Aru. I knew then that I would have no chance with you. When it was obvious that you were taken, Siobhan started to show interest toward me. But she quickly left under the pressure of her father’s traitorous actions, before either of us could ascertain our feelings. I swore to myself that, if she returned, I would find out if she truly loved me and if I returned those feelings.”

Syrani sucked in her breath and took a step back from Fenri. It looked like she was going to try and make a dignified exit before hearing anymore. I felt ill for her, because I was the one who’d started this.

“No wait!” Fenri turned and grabbed for Syrani’s hand, but she pulled away from him hard. Tears ran down her cheeks.

“Let me go!” she cried out. “I stayed because of you. I was willing to give up my whole family and heritage because of you.” She yanked hard but was she was no physical match for the warrior Fenri. I knew how strong he was. She raked her nails across his hands, but he refused to let her go. “I was so stupid,” she seethed.

“No, I won’t let you go!” He raised his voice. “We may not have another day together, because tomorrow is not guaranteed. So I will not wait for what could have been. Yes, I felt guilty when I saw Siobhan and what has happened to her. It hit me that it might have been my fault. If I had approached her with my intentions to court her, she may have stayed. She wouldn’t have been captured and turned into that…thing. What are you calling it?” he asked.

“It’s not an it. We’re Sirens.” I spoke irritably.

“Okay, whatever. Siren. I saw her and I felt overwhelmingly guilty for my lack of action, so I wanted to make it up to her. But since then, on the journey here, I’ve had time to think.” Fenri reached to grasp Syrani around the shoulders and pull her closer to him. In a last ditch effort of feminine ire, she slapped him.

Fenri only smiled. “It looks like you’ve had plenty of time to think as well. But just so you know, I can’t stop thinking about you, Meja Tigyr.” He pulled a shocked and crying Syrani into his embrace and kissed her full on the mouth.

I couldn’t help but smile. It would take awhile for Syrani to learn our tongue and to realize that he just called her Little Tiger, which was actually fitting. I looked away and started up the stairs, trying to give them privacy as they made up and poured out their hearts to each other. Fenri was right, this might very well be the last night they truly did have together, so it shouldn’t be wasted being angry.

And if we did all survive, they could very well be the first of a new generation, Denai and Siren living harmoniously together. Oh, how that would be a world worth living to see.

I found a servant in the halls and told them to find Xiven for me and tell him that I would be in the upper tower room. The young boy promised he would immediately search him out.

Exhaustion slowly crept up my body and began to weigh heavily on my eyelids. I hadn’t slept in over thirty-six hours, and I knew that I needed to sit before I collapsed. My father and Gideon were preparing for an invasion. Any moment, Xiven would come and we would spend hours trying to find a way to save Siobhan. I might only have a few moments to myself.

I rubbed my arms as I took the stone steps slowly. Once again I was filled with loneliness. Fenri said he had many hours to think over who was right for him, and I too had spent many hours thinking over my future. Joss and Kael. As much as I tried to tell myself that Joss was the more stable of the two, I couldn’t help but know that I was lying. I needed Kael like I needed air. I wasn’t whole without him. Everything started and ended with Kael. He was there in the prison with me, he was there by my side saving me, training me, guiding me. He was always there, and now he was always here. I touched my chest and felt my heart speed up just thinking about him.

I turned left down the direction Fenri had come and found Siobhan in the fourth room. Exhausted, I pulled up a chair and sat next to her bed to wait. To watch her sleep. No one had cleaned her up, so I took a bowl of water and did my best to get the dirt and grime off of her. When I was finished and I had brushed her hair, I laid my head on my arms at the edge of her bed. I tried to close my eyes and scan for Kael. But I couldn’t. I was now surrounded by more Sirens. My gifts were muted once again. I could feel them, just beyond my reach. It was difficult, but I navigated the obstacles faster.

Then Queen Lilyana’s words came rushing back to me just as I was about to pass out from fatigue. If I could reverse what was done to me, would I give it all up for a chance to be normal? Before, I had said yes without a doubt. But now…I didn’t know if I could.





Chapter 31



The knocking at the door didn’t surprise me—I was expecting it. But I wasn’t expecting Portia to come barreling into the room and wrap her arms around me in a desperate and undignified hug.