Page 154 of Song of Her Siren

“Thank you, darling child,” my father whispered while stroking my hair.

My mother cried out, then fell on top of my father, nearly crushing me. I managed to squirm out from beneath her as Ash helped me off the bed.

Father Marius grabbed me in a fierce hug, kissing the side of my face. “You are a wonder, my child.”

I wiped tears from my eyes. “Thanks.”

He handed me to Finn, who held me tight. “I knew you could do it.”

“I didn’t,” I answered honestly, “but I think I’m getting the hang of it.” Obviously, necromancy was one of my magical gifts, or perhaps near-necromancy. He’d had a pulse, and his spirit was nearby. I just had to show him the way home.

“How do you feel?” Finn asked while rubbing warmth into my arms.

I placed a hand on my rumbling stomach. “Famished.” Powerful healing always worked up my appetite.

He squeezed my hand with a smile. “Let’s get you some food.”

“This calls for a celebration,” Marius said while joining Derrick and my mother on the bed. “Tari, will you and your mates stay and celebrate with us?”

I shook my head. “We need to return to Helian.”

“Of course.” Mother swiped tears from her eyes, frowning like a petulant child. “I’d ask Shiri, but she won’t come.”

“We’ve just brought Nikkos back to her.” My chest heated with ire as I felt the need to defend my sister. “I don’t think she’s leaving her bedchamber tonight.”

Marius loudly cleared his throat, side-eyeing my mother. “Yes, she’ll need to stay with him.”

Ash insisted we return to Helian, and I was glad to have the excuse to leave. I hugged my parents one last time and patted Wolfy’s head, then let my mates lead me out of the cell.

We stood at the heavy cell door that would lead us into the drafty stairwell, but I couldn’t stop my gaze from wandering toward Arabella’s cell. I touched Ash’s shoulder. “Wait,” I whispered before turning toward Arabella.

I didn’t know what compelled me to walk up to the rusty bars that housed her.

Her pile of straw had been replaced by a sparse cot. Though it wasn’t nearly as grand as the bed in my parents’ chamber, it was a big improvement over sleeping on the ground. She still had sausage arms, a sign that she was not the mistress of her own body. I wondered how strange it would feel to be taken over by a terrifying foreign parasite.

Annoyance flashed in her eyes. “What do you want?”

Don’t waste your time on this bitch, Ash grumbled through thought.

Don’t forget she saved our children, I reminded him.

I swallowed, then averted my gaze, angry with myself for letting Arabella intimidate me. “I’ve come to check on you.”

“Where’s Helian?”

Finn’s wolf’s rumble rolled through my mind as he squeezed my hand.She hasn’t changed.

Maybe not, I answered.

I glared at her, curious why she wanted to know. Was she still in love with him, or did she only ask because the question would irritate me? “With the dragon army.”

Her eyes widened. “They’ve accepted him?”

I nodded. “He’s their king now.”

“I knew he’d do it.” Clasping her hands to her heart, she flashed a dazzling smile, one of the last vestiges of her external beauty before the demon had taken over.

At least I had my answer. She was most certainly still in love with my mate.Mymate.

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