Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
The sun hung low in the sky, spilling golden light across the glistening surface of the river.
Jabir lay sprawled on a sun-warmed blanket, his arms behind his head, watching the flickering dance of sunlight through the trees above.
Beside him, Jewel’s fingers trailed circles in the wet sand, her iridescent tail half-submerged in the water, lazily flicking with each idle thought that crossed her mind.
They’d found this quiet bend in the river two days ago—a place where the current ran slower, where the trees arched protectively overhead, and where time felt like it paused just for them.
Every morning since, Jabir had woken with a flutter in his chest and a grin on his face.
He’d packed a small picnic that morning—sandwiches, fruit, and sweet buns still warm from the oven—thanks to Cory, who’d winked and handed him the wrapped bundle with a knowing smile.
Jewel had laughed when she saw the contents, delighted by the idea of dining like land-dwellers.
Afterward, they’d spent hours in the water, splashing and drifting on their backs, tracing the clouds and making up stories about their shapes.
And when the sun had climbed high overhead, they’d dried off on the blanket, talking about everything and nothing.
Now, in the amber hush of late afternoon, the only sound was the whisper of the water and the slow drag of Jewel’s finger as she drew swirling patterns in the sand.
Jabir turned his head, watching her in silence. The sunlight caught in the strands of her damp silver hair, painting it with threads of gold. A sigh slipped from her lips, quiet and wistful.
He reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Hey,” he said softly. “What’s wrong?”
Jewel didn’t meet his gaze at first. Her fingers stilled in the sand. “I wish we didn’t have to go back,” she whispered. Her jade-green eyes found his, shimmering with longing. “To the lake. To the village. I wish we could just stay here… forever.”
His heart ached at the quiet honesty in her voice.
Without a word, he leaned in and kissed her.
She hesitated for a heartbeat—then melted into him.
Her hands slid up his chest as she climbed over him, pushing him gently back onto the blanket. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Her weight settled against him, warm, soft, and perfect.
When she pulled back, her face hovered above his, her hair falling around them like a silvery curtain. But her eyes… her eyes were uncertain.
“What is it?” he asked, brushing his knuckles along her cheek.
Jewel hesitated. “Do you… like being with me because I’m a siren? Or because I’m a girl?”
The question hit him square in the chest. He blinked, then lifted his hand to cradle her face.
“Because you’re a girl,” he said honestly. “Because you’re you.”
She blinked in surprise. He could see the question still lingering in her eyes.
He smiled. “So tell me—do you want to be with me because I’m a dragon… or because I’m just a boy?”
A small laugh escaped her, and she traced her fingers along his collarbone. “Because you’re both.”
His dragon rumbled with smug delight.
“Great,” Jabir said with a chuckle. “Now you’ve made him completely full of himself.”
Jewel giggled, and he kissed her again.
When he pulled away, he exhaled, brushing his forehead against hers. “I never want this day to end.”
She smiled and looped her arms around his shoulders.
He was about to roll her beneath him, to tell her how much he cared, when she stiffened in his arms.
“Jewel?”
She gasped and pushed upright, her tail smacking hard against the water. Her eyes were glazed, distant. Trembling, she dipped her tail into the river.
“Jewel, what is it?” he asked, sitting up with her, alarm rising like a tide.
Her fingers clutched at her stomach, and she looked at him with a pained expression. “We have to go back. Now. My mother has discovered I’m missing.”
Without hesitation, Jabir shifted to help her—but when she tried to form legs, her transformation faltered. Her body wavered halfway, and she collapsed into his arms with a low cry.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, her voice weak. “Even though we played in the water… it’s not the same. I didn’t realize how weak I’ve become. I thought… I thought it would be enough.”
Jabir’s chest tightened. He scooped her into his arms, cradling her gently against him. “Hold on. I’ll get you back to the lake.”
He didn’t wait for a response.
Heat shimmered around them as he summoned his dragon, pushing every thought aside except getting her home. Scales shimmered over skin, his wings unfurled with a snap, and in the next breath, they were airborne.
He clutched her close to his chest, willing his scales to warm her, to give her the strength she needed.
Faster, his dragon urged. I go faster.
They sliced through the sky like a falling star, the trees and rivers a blur beneath them. Jabir flew harder than he ever had before, his wings aching with the effort, but he didn’t slow. Not once.
Nearly an hour later, the familiar curve of the lake came into view—only it wasn’t calm.
It was chaos.
Jabir’s stomach dropped.
The waters churned violently, waves slamming against the rocks and boats. Fishermen shouted as they tried to steady their crafts. On the shore, women cried out, pulling their mates away from the edge.
And above it all… was singing.
Beautiful. Haunting. Terrifying.
Jewel gasped, her fingers clutching his chest as her eyes widened in horror.
“My sisters.” Her voice shook with dismay. “They’re calling the village men.”
He heard it too now—woven through the storm, the siren’s song, thick with compulsion.
“Jewel… what’s happening?” he asked.
She shook her head, fear clear on her face. “I don’t know. But I can feel my mother. She’s angry. So angry.”
He landed by the boulders—their boulders—where they’d met each morning.
Jabir crouched, placing her gently into the shallows. As her body touched the water, she released a shudder of relief. He could see the color slowly returning to her face. She slid deeper, her eyes locked with his even as her fingers clung to his hand—tight, reluctant—before they slipped free.
“I’ll find out what’s happening,” he promised, his voice low. “I won’t let whatever is happening keep us apart.”
Her jade eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Be careful. Please.”
Then, with one last look, she turned, disappearing beneath the surface in a flash of silver and blue.
Jabir stood there for several minutes, his chest heaving. The siren’s song still echoed over the water, but he ignored it. Only one siren could ever claim him… Jewel.
In his heart… a shadow of dread curled cold around his dragon’s fire.
He had a sinking feeling that whatever was happening—whatever had awakened the fury of the lake—
It had something to do with him.
And he feared the cost of loving Jewel might be more than either of them could bear.
Palace of the Isle of the Monsters
From her perch atop the upper palace balcony, Nali watched the horizon beyond the jagged cliffs of her domain. Mist clung to the mountains like a shawl, parting just enough to reveal a glimmer of movement—large sails catching sunlight.
She narrowed her eyes, one elegant brow lifting.
Drago’s airship.
Her gargoyle Captain of the Guard had informed her of its approach less than an hour ago, the massive creature landing with an impressive crunch and bowing low as he told her, “A dragon airship approaches, Empress. It bears the royal insignia.”
Nali hadn’t been expecting Drago’s visit. Normally, he sent a missive informing her of a pending visit. It gave her time to warn the sea monkeys to behave. For some reason, the mischievous creatures took equal delight in tormenting Drago, Ashure, and Koorgan.
Now, as the majestic carved dragon’s head of Drago’s airship came into full view, cutting through the clouds with the slow grace of a sea creature breaching, Nali’s curiosity stirred.
“Well, my love,” she murmured with a twitch of amusement, folding her hands along the cool stone rail, “it seems we’re about to receive visitors.”
Beside her, Asahi stood with his arms folded across his chest, his short black hair ruffled slightly by the breeze. “Unscheduled ones,” he noted. “Think Drago’s here for tea or to return the sea monkeys again?”
Nali laughed softly. “More than likely, the sea monkeys. Ashure and Koorgan have taken to setting my pets on him lately. I’m surprised Ashure isn’t tied to the mast. I guess we should greet him properly and find out what’s going on.”
Wings unfurled from her back—glossy and smooth like obsidian glass—and she leapt gracefully from the balcony. Asahi’s wings flared beside her, the wind rushing around them as they descended in elegant tandem.
The palace docks bustled as always, but heads turned and bows deepened as Nali and Asahi landed just as the airship released its final hissing breath and settled into place.
Nali waited as the gangplank dropped.
Drago descended first, followed by the ever-serene Orion.
That surprised her. Orion rarely ventured this far from his family.
She straightened, her eyes glued to the cluster of teenagers.
They were a riot of color and energy tumbling behind the two men.
Her gaze settled on one young girl in particular.
Nali’s eyes lit with recognition. “Phoenix.”
Phoenix Reykill stepped forward, a little hesitant but smiling. “Empress Nali. It’s good to see you again.”
“You’ve grown,” Nali said, warmth in her voice. “And brought friends.”
Phoenix gave a sheepish nod as Asahi came to stand beside Nali, eyeing the group with curiosity.
Orion inclined his head. “Apologies for the abrupt visit. There’s been… a bit of a portal mishap.”