Page 56 of Siren's Treasure

“She has them already…”

“No! This world can barely hold the magic you will possess—and you made with her a bargain; you promised all the power you had for those legs. The witches just needed you to do this—all of this—touch the blade, refuse to kill your prince, and turn to—to the empress of the skies, so she can pounce on you! Thessa, listen to me! Scylla will drain you like a wineskin until there’s nothing left of you.”

Other than a flinch, the paleness of Thessa’s face hardly changed—she’d already expected her death, but didn’t she see? This terrifying power would be stolen and used against her people… and against Raggon’s.

And he was the only one who could stop this unparalleled disaster. The witches would keep their distance until she’d made her transformation into a Sylph. Their hearts were far from his reach… only one enemy’s was near.

How had it come to this? He was supposed to grow old with Thessa, have little Sylphorian babies, dance under more sunsets like the one now looming—a harbinger of doom for the woman who had captivated his very soul!

And he’d sworn to protect his people, his brother, and now as he drankherin—her goodness, her sweetness, and everything he wasn’t—his hands tightened on her. He’d protect her to the death.

“Honey,” he said… “you’ve got to do this one last thing…” His urgency made his words stumble as he realized exactly what must happen. How did he make her understand? “Circe was right. You have to put that blade through the heart of your enemy.” He took a steadying breath, knowing what she’d say, preparing himself for her objections. “That’sme. Just do… it. Free your father and stop this madness against our people!”

Her eyes widened. He knew she’d put up a fight, she always did. Behind her, he noticed the dreadful march of Circe’s beasts as they emerged from the jungle. That was the true reason they’d prepared for war. They’d take Thessa at her transformation. The golden hour was fast dwindling away. How could he convince her that this was the only way?

That’s when Circe’s words from earlier hit him full force—Thessa wasn’t the only one who could touch Undine’s blade.

He caught her wrist. “You’re not alone in this anymore.” His royal blood carried the same legacy as hers. Circe had hinted what could be done. Did that make him a fool to listen to a witch? None of that mattered anymore. “I’ll take that blade and drive it through myself,” he said, “if that’s what it takes to save you from falling into their hands.”

“Please, stop!” Tears spilled down her cheeks, the droplets catching the light from the fiery sun. He was powerless against those tears, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay.” He’d never let the witches suck her dry of her sylph soul. Why couldn’t she understand? Scylla had realized the danger, knew what would happen if Thessa didn’t love him, but she hadn’t guessed the all, never imagined the consequence of Raggon falling head over heels for his little mermaid.

It was about time these Sucti realized they were dealing with a Sylphorian prince—unfortunately for them, after what they did to his family, they’d made a pirate out of him. It was no longer in his blood to surrender in the face of the impossible, especially when he could lose a love like this.

Let Scylla and Circe make their schemes—they’d never take his heart.

Chapter twenty-five

Thessa would do anything to stop Raggon from making this vain sacrifice! All was lost already—the witches had outwitted her. Her father would die because she couldn’t see through Scylla’s tricks. And now Raggon would try to sacrifice himself for her? It wouldn’t work. He wasn’t her enemy, and she’d never let him touch Undine’s Blade! It hungered for his blood!

Raggon held her close, his fingers clamped tightly to her wrist, making it impossible to toss the dagger as far as she could into these sun-kissed waves where he’d never find it, but she’d find a way! It didn’t matter if she lost everything else—she’d beat him to the ground if it meant saving him.

His hand moved over hers. Panic jolted through her as she realized how close he was to taking the weight of this magic from her. He’d die in the process—the cursed hair had weighed her bloodline, judged it… and had only barely found her acceptable. “No! I beg of you,” she cried. “Don’t do this!”

Too late, he had the hilt in his hand, the rainbow of mermaid hair splayed through his fingers. She screamed as its powers hummed from her skin to his—she felt his body shaking against hers as the magic probed through the depths of his bloodline, searching for something it would never find:“Who is this son of men… of kings… of—of him!”It let out a roar that sent Thessa clawing against his arm to free him. It knew who he was—it would kill him!“The descendant of Huldbrand—the wicked! The treacherous! The deceiver! He wounded Undine with the deepest of griefs, twisted her heart from her chest, destroyed our sister!”

“Please!” Thessa cried. “Release him! None of that is his fault—take me instead!”

Emotion glittered in his eyes as he watched her—his heart in that gaze. She gasped for air, choking over the stuttering breath of her fear, expecting him to crumple into the water, for the skin to melt off his bones, for—for something dreadful!

But he seemed stronger than ever.

“How is this?”The wicked blade thrummed, the strands raising tentatively to touch his skin.“She lives in you? The enemy of our people… she lives in your blood!”

Somehow, Thessa managed to breathe again… becausehestill lived. She tried to make sense of all that was happening.

“Undine became the guardian of the air,” he whispered, “a beautiful, powerful being that served her people. Her family loved her and honored her memory. Through her, I’m an heir of the Divine Sea Sovereignty!”

It was true! The blade grew still between them, accepting the truth that she couldn’t before. Its sharp edge rested against his skin through the tatters of his shirt. The initial danger was over, but a new one threatened. She grappled with the hilt. “That doesnotmake you an enemy of my people!”

“I love you,” he whispered. He stepped back from her.

“You bilge-rat!” she shouted. “Give that back!”

The orange sky burned the image of him into her vision as he got ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. Raggon’s hand tightened on the hilt. “No!” Thessa lunged forward, her scream tearing from her throat. Her fingers clawed desperately around the hilt, but something massive erupted from the golden waves between them. Scylla burst from the depths in a spray of glittering droplets, her iridescent tentacles rippling with otherworldly power in the golden light.

“Not you, Prince!” Scylla shrieked. “How dare you interfere with our bargain? It is not your fate to touch Undine’s Blade—sheis the one I want!”

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