Page 13 of Taken By the Alien Siren King

“Consider it done.” Vigas moved to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of amber liquid. “And I’ll keep an ear out for any additional news concerning the humans.”

I nodded my thanks as he poured two glasses. “I’m surprised you’re not more put out by all this. Having your peaceful outpost dragged into a coup.”

“Of all the seas on all the worlds,” he said dryly and handed me a glass, “I had to find myself in yours.”

The gruff taunt was so familiar, so normal, that for a moment I could almost forget the shitstorm we were swimming in. I’d arrived at Stillwater burning with rage at the so-called ‘lesson’ of my father’s. An exile, in pretty words and hard labor. I’d wanted to tear the whole fucking outpost down, had even fantasized about swimming back to the palace and showing them exactly what happened when you caged a prince.

But Vigas had given me somewhere to direct that fury, turning my need to prove myself into something useful. Strange how what started as punishment became the thing that saved my life, again and again.

“Admit it, old man. You missed me.” I raised my glass with a smirk and mock salute. “Most people have to pay good coin for the privilege of my company.”

“Most people haven’t seen you puke your guts out after your first battle.” He took a long swallow of his drink. “Or drag your royal ass through training when you couldn’t tell a spear from your own dick.”

“Those were the days.” I sipped my drink, letting the sharp flavor wash over my tongue. What a spoiled prick I’d been. No doubt I’d been intended to die in some training accident. And who would make the mistake of naming Nedaris as heir, then? “You were a real bastard back then.”

“Still am.” Vigas moved to the window, watching the swirling waters.

I downed the rest of my drink, letting the burn clear my head, then stepped to his side. “What are we looking at, Vigas? How bad is it?”

“Hard to say.” He watched my reflection in the glass. “Communications have been spotty since the attack. TheKnights are blocking standard channels. But I’ve got runners in the water, carrying messages to those I trust.”

“And those you don’t?”

“Several of the coastal lords have already pledged to Nedaris. Others are waiting to see which way the current flows.” His eyes met mine, sharp and assessing. “The Songbird Atolls declared for you immediately. Nedaris has blockaded their ports in response.”

Shit. The Songbird Atolls were some of our biggest producers, their shallow reefs perfect for farming the algae that fed half my kingdom and traded to others. An extended blockade would hurt more than just them.

“What forces do I still command?”

“The frontier garrisons remain loyal to the crown. That’s about two thousand fighters, spread thin across our borders.” Vigas tapped his fingers against his glass. “The royal guard is split—those who weren’t killed in the initial palace culling have either fled or sworn to Nedaris.”

I paced the length of the room, mind racing. Two thousand fighters against whatever forces Nedaris and the Knights had mustered. Not great odds.

“You know,” I said, turning to face him, “you could make this much easier on yourself. Feed me a few lines about gathering allies, then send word to Nedaris that you’ve got me and the human. He’d reward you handsomely.”

Vigas snorted, the sound somewhere between amusement and disgust. “My blade and my song belong to the king. Until you’re dead and your successor completes the trials, that’s you.”

“Thanks for the enthusiastic endorsement.” The words dripped sarcasm, but that unwavering loyalty hit harder than any palace wine. Not that I’d doubted. Much. Vigas was probably the only person in all the seas I trusted completely.

A small, almost invisible smile cracked his weathered face. “What was the most important lesson I tried to instill in you?”

I didn’t hesitate. “The Khadian people come first.”

“Not kings. Not crowns.” Vigas pushed away from the window and set down his glass with a clink. His shoulders drew back as his hands came together at his waist in the picture of a perfect commander. “I’ve seen what the Knights do to any they consider outside of pure, Khadian tradition. I’ve heard the lust in their voices to ensure every molecule of moisture knows it serves Khadian songs.” His disgust was palpable. “I won’t serve that.”

The old seal began to twist, and the door swung open to allow Emme’s entry. The pull in my chest intensified, drawing me toward her like an invisible cord. Her soul song thrummed in perfect harmony with my own, a melody only I could hear.

Vigas cleared his throat. “I should check on things at the bridge.” He nodded to Emme as he passed. “Ma’am.”

The door closed behind him with a heavy thud, leaving us alone. Emme stood just inside the threshold, her blonde hair still damp from bathing, dressed in a fresh linen wrap borrowed from one of the soldiers. The bruise on her cheek had darkened to an angry purple.

I crossed the room in three long strides, cupping her face gently in my hands. Fury coiled in my gut at the sight of that bruise. at the knowledge that Nedaris or one of his Knights had dared to harm her.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, brushing my thumb over the mark. “You should never have been caught in the middle of this.”

Emme arched a brow. “You mean when you abandoned me to the wolves?”

I dropped my hands and took a step back. “I wasn’t abandoning you. I needed to dive deep, and you needed air.”

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