Page 75 of Song of Her Siren

Isat on the chairopposite Helian, who slept on the sofa. My sister sat beside him, holding his hand while staring down at her mate with lovestruck eyes. Thorns of jealousy pricked my heart. I was furious with fate for taking all my mates, and, as ashamed as I was to admit, I was angry with Tari too. She still had one mate, plus two children and another child on the way.

I wondered if this was how it all began with Malvolia. Had she started as a jealous shrew, punishing those she envied with dark looks and snide comments? Had she let that jealousy fester until it poisoned her mind and heart, turning her into a wicked, deadly tyrant? Was this why my parents feared me? Had they seen those thorns in my heart when I was a child?

Even if Blaze and Nikkos never returned and I couldn’t heal Drae, I couldn’t let myself turn into Malvolia.

When Tari stroked Helian’s face, I had to bite down on my knuckles and turn away, trying my best not to let those thorns in my heart turn poisonous. What was wrong with me? Blaze and Nikkos would return, and I’d heal Drae. I wouldn’t accept any other outcomes. I wouldn’t become like Malvolia. I wouldn’t!

Aurora skipped up to Helian, tart crumbs dusting her lips and chest. “Is Uncle Helian going to be okay?”

“Yes, darling,” Tari said, releasing Helian’s hand and wiping the crumbs from Aurora’s mouth. “He just needs rest.”

“Come, darling,” Lady Cassandra said as she held a hand down to Aurora. “Let Uncle Helian sleep, and we will go to the rug and play with your toys.”

Aurora crossed her arms with a pout. “I want to go to my nursery and get new toys.”

Ember squealed her approval as she ran toward her sister.

I winced, my gaze drifting to Helian. He must’ve been exhausted not to wake up to the sound of children squealing. I would’ve been flying out of my bed at the slightest commotion.

When Cassandra gave Tari a helpless look, my sister frowned, tenderly stroking Aurora’s cheek. “We cannot separate, dearest. I will take you to the nursery after Uncle Helian wakes.”

Aurora pouted, then turned toward me. “Auntie Shiri—”

“Auntie is resting after her ordeal,” Tari interrupted, patting Aurora on the back. “Go with your grandmother.” Her voice quickly turned from soft to firm. “We will go to the nursery later.”

Cassandra ushered the whining girls away, and they plopped onto the rug with their toys. I suddenly felt resentful toward them too. Did they not realize how lucky they were? Not long ago they’d had only straw dolls, sticks, and stones for toys. Tari and I had even less when we were growing up. Now my nieces had beautiful dolls with rosy cheeks and satin gowns and toys carved from smooth wood, plus an endless supply of tarts.

Again, I berated myself for feeling bitterness toward my own nieces. Just last month, these precious children were my entire world. What was happening to me? Why was I so bitter and angry?

I jumped to my feet, wishing I could fly out of my own skin and shed myself of my new smoke magic and anything else that reminded me of Malvolia. Pacing the floor, I did my best to focus on anything else besides me turning into my aunt before I drove myself mad. I hovered over Helian while examining his face and arms for wounds.

“There are no cuts or bites on him?” I asked Tari while wringing my hands together.

“No.” Her brows knitted in concern. “What happened? I was so worried.”

I heaved a shaky breath. “Confunderis.”

She angled her head, a confused glaze over her eyes. “The weeds?”

I nodded. “They were everywhere, and then we were attacked by a zombie minotaur.”

Tari’s eyes bulged. “W-what?”

“My siren couldn’t control it.” A shiver coursed through me. “Its blood melted Helian’s sword. The only thing that stopped it was my smoke magic.”

“Smoke magic?”

Was that disgust I heard in her voice? Shame flamed my face, and I resisted the urge to hide my hands beneath the folds of my skirt. Running my tongue over the roof of my parched mouth, I summoned the nerve to speak. “Like Malvolia.” I stared at her, waiting for her full reaction while fearing I’d just lit the last torch on my funeral pyre.

She visibly swallowed, a nervous edge to her voice. “I didn’t know you had that magic.”

“Neither did I until recently.” I smoothed trembling hands down my thighs, unable to hide the accusation in my gaze. “I’m not like her, Tari.”

She winced as if I’d cursed her. “I know that.”

Refusing to respond, I turned my gaze to the sheer curtains that blew through the balcony doors, bringing with it the cool and pungent sea air.

I know what you’re thinking, she continued through thought, her voice a soothing whisper.That I won’t trust you now. Your new magic changes nothing, Shiri.

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