Page 34 of Rise of the Siren Queen
She leaned back in her chair, her expression soft. “The council doesn’t care about right or wrong, child. They care about power and appearances. Thalor knows how to play that game far too well.”
“I’ll expose him,” I vowed, meeting my grandmother’s gaze with a resolve that burned hotter than my anger.
Her expression illuminated with pride, though I caught a flicker of something in her eyes, perhaps warning. “Well, I will demand a council meeting, and we will address Ithra’s actions,” she said, her voice steady and commanding.
I nodded, feeling the gravity of her words, but my resolve didn’t waver.
As I turned to leave the room, I couldn’t help but think about all of it, my decisions, the delicate balance of power and my role as heir to this kingdom.
I made my way to my chambers, each stride filled with the lingering tension from my conversation with. My grandma. I felt crushed under the pressure of everything. Her warning, the looming threat of the council, and the harsh reality that no matter what I did, peopleI cared about would get punished for their loyalty.
I clenched my fists, wrath rising from the surface. I hated this, hated that they would suffer for being deceived, hated that I had to play this role, hated that despite everything, I felt alone in carrying this burden.
As I reached the heavy golden doubled doors, I paused for a moment, letting the quiet of the hallway settle around me. My mind was a storm of conflicting emotions. Ithra, Thalor, the mate bond with Adrian. All swirled in an endless cycle of fear, anger, and confusion.
I stepped into the familiar space of my chambers, the cool waters instantly soothing, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. My thoughts kept drifting to Adrian.
What would he think of all this? Could I even explain it to him without dragging him deeper into a world he hadn’t chosen?
I sank onto the edge of my bed, burying my face in my hands. I had to be strong, for the kingdom, for my friends, and for him. But in this moment of solitude, the pressure was suffocating, squeezing the air from my lungs.
9
Legacy
All sirens are born with gifts, powers as natural as the tides, woven into their very essence.
These are no mere spells, but the legacy of the ocean itself.
Hydrokinesis. Invisibility. Breath beneath the waves.
These three form the core of their being.
But among them, a few, alongside the mighty Tritons, can take human form.
This gift is sacred… and feared.
It demands strength of spirit and a bond with the ocean’s heart.
And when transformation comes, it brings searing pain.
Those who walk both land and sea do so with reverence and caution, ever aware of the ancient forces that shaped their fate.
* * *
Adrian
She didn’t return after our last encounter, leaving me with a whirlwind of unanswered questions and an irritating frustration that refused to dissipate. The restlessness inside me grew, as if somethingvital was shifting, demanding my attention.
With Iryen gone, I felt an overwhelming urge to delve into this energy surging through me, a power that buzzed beneath my skin, begging to be unleashed. It was time to explore this unknown part of myself, to confront the chaos brewing within.
Every inch of my body thrummed with unfamiliar energy. The power buzzed beneath my skin and hummed in my ears as if it were begging to be released. The water swirled around me, reflecting my turmoil and echoing my doubts.
Stepping closer to the water, a shiver danced down my spine, awakening a darkness deep within me. The surface glimmered like a thousand diamonds.
The coolness was inviting yet intimidating, a stark contrast to the warmth of my skin. I dipped my fingers in, and a rush of sensations flooded over me. The water enveloped my hand like a lover’s caress, cool and soothing yet alive with energy. With each ripple, I felt echoes of memories, whispers of the ocean calling to me, urging me to surrender to its depths.
Salty scent mingled with the fresh air, wrapping around me like a protective shroud, igniting a sense of belonging and awakening my latent powers. This wasn’t just water, it was a part of me, a sacred tie waiting to be unlocked.
