Chapter 20
Although strange-colored stares followed me, I walked calmly across the room filled with low-lying couches clustered in semicircles. Sirens lounged casually on them, audience to a lone siren woman who stood upon a bright-blue marble stage framed by two towering columns.
Her deep-violet curls cascading around her olive complexion, she sang exquisitely, eyes closed.
The melody hung in the air, forming a vision above the sirens’ heads in dreamy pastels.
I drew in a sharp breath at the shock of it.
But the other guests did not look up or gawk.
They merely refilled their chalices and continued with their conversations.
It was so beautiful and casual. Not at all where I’d envisioned the discussion of war to take place.
“Where would you recommend I sit?” I asked Raylik in a murmur, slowing my steps, waiting for his answer.
“Starwyrt Circle,” he rumbled over my shoulder, and nodded to a cluster of four fantastical creatures with bright-yellow hair and long, slender limbs that stretched under layers of prismatic fabric.
I looked up at him flatly. Seriously?
“Colorful sirens usually dwell closer to the surface. Starwyrt Circle has experience with humans, as they live so near to shore. They are kind, but talk too much,” he explained.
Fine.
I continued across the room. “Why did Lumina speak to Hylos in that manner?” I asked pointedly as we neared my targets. I looked back at him quickly to show that I wanted a true answer.
Raylik cut me a hard look, telling me this question was bold, but still he answered. “Because she cares for him deeply. That binds her to honesty.”
The pain in her eyes when Calypstra kissed him told me it was far more than care. She loved him.
We stood before the colorful females. “May I join you?” I asked, mustering all my polite sensibility.
Their violently cherry-colored eyes inspected me.
“Princess Elowyn Blackthorn, yes, please sit with us,” the nearest answered, her voice deep and relaxing with a slow, steady cadence. “We were discussing you after that interesting show at the deipnon,” she continued.
“I’m sure,” I responded as I took a seat.
The ethereal being smiled knowingly as I sat beside her.
“My name is Serenous, Leader of Starwyrt Circle. Although I am sure that kind Raylik of Mariscal Circle has already told you my origin.” She craned her lithe neck, encrusted in berry-colored twinkling scales.
“Hello, Raylik,” she said to the watchdog standing a few steps behind me.
“I am Raylik of Aquin Circle now,” he grunted.
“That is right. You have joined Hylos’s inner circle.
Did you know Raylik’s father was a great warrior?
” she said, leaning into me. I tried not to flinch at just how unnatural she looked.
“But he lost all spirit when King Aegir defeated him. The last Circle to fall. That is what they call Mariscal Circle in whispers behind their backs.” She smirked.
“But Raylik is a greater warrior than his sire. He thrives within the Circle his father on his deathbed claimed to be his nemesis. The hard-headed brute never understood that your adversary should always be your closest acquaintance.”
I swallowed the dryness in my throat. This was my safest bet?
“Oh, interesting.” I lunged for the wine at the center, grabbing up a cup. I was going to need a drink.
“Together we are stronger,” Raylik grunted, looking straight ahead, unbothered by the forward conversation, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Indeed,” Serenous agreed. “Princess, this is my sister, Serfie.” She pointed to the siren who shared her couch, propped up on a satin pillow.
“And my daughter, Siggy.” She nodded to the other, much younger and with a thick, yellow braid.
She was pouting. Or perhaps that was just the look of her round face and full lips.
“It is lovely to meet you all. And please, call me Elowyn.”
“Because your father considers you a bastard?” Serenous asked plainly.
“Because that is what I prefer,” I answered promptly, impressed with myself for keeping up. “But it’s reassuring to know even at the bottom of the ocean they debate my legitimacy.”
“Terras are abhorrent gossips and my realm is filled with them.” Serfie scowled. “In the sea, we do not believe in such things as bastards, and titles are not easily given then taken.”
Serenous nodded in agreement. “I hardly knew Siggy’s father. We mated only once, a night filled with such fierce and all-enveloping passion. The man could do wonders with his tongue. I surely orgasmed at least four times.”
I coughed, nearly choking on the wine.
“Mother!” Siggy cried.
Serenous continued, “Siggy is no bastard. She is clearly of my blood. Her coloring tells of her origin. Starwyrt Circle, audacious and true.”
Audacious and true were definitely accurate descriptors for Serenous.
“A lovely sentiment.” I cleared my throat. “I wish my father felt the same way.”
Raylik grunted a bit of warning. Oh, now I was the one oversharing in this conversation?
“Seek nothing from men who murder their wives and abandon their children.” The words hit hard. The truth of it all. But Serenous held my stare firmly, even though the blow had me gasping for air. “But I suppose it matters far more what you think of your father than I.”
Because she believed that would determine what side I would stand on in this looming war. But it didn’t matter how I felt for my father. It was my country I would stand beside.
“Anyway, we like to tell riddles at the symposion; would you care to join us?” Serenous said.
“Sure,” I answered.
“Siggy, you go first,” Serenous said to her daughter, who snapped an annoyed look at her mother.
“Do I have to?”
Her mother just looked on and smiled, not giving her a choice.
“Fine.” She looked at the chalice within her hand then started, “I loosen tongues and warm souls. I make the brave cry, and the fearful bold.” She paused, bringing a thoughtful finger to her pink lips. “I’m present at both the start and end of life. But in excess, I’ll ruin a good time. What am I?”
“Drink,” Raylik answered.
Siggy frowned with a huff that fluttered her heavy yellow fringe. “Yes, that is correct.”
“That was a good one, darling.” Serenous patronized her.
“Now you go, Serfie and Raylik.” She gave him a bold smile. “You may only answer if you sit with us and have a drink.”
Raylik didn’t budge.
“Fine,” Serfie said, as if she had played this game far too many times before. “I’m a symphony of sighs.”
Serenous’s smile smoldered. “Oh, this one shall be good.”
Serfie continued, “In the darkest of night, I’m clear as daylight, a dance as old as time, and if good,” she lingered on the word, forcing a diabolical smile from her sister, “too much of me can lead to a sleepless night. What am I?”
“Well, Siggy won’t know this one,” Serenous jeered.
“Mother,” Siggy whined again.
“Well, do you, dear?” she asked.
“You’re so embarrassing!” Siggy rose to her feet and marched off.
“She’s always been a sensitive child.” Serenous rolled her large eyes. “I know Raylik unquestionably knows the answer, isn’t that right?” She looked up at Raylik, who only nodded a terse yes.
“Of course you do. I see the way you look at that feisty little made female.” Then in a hushed tone she said to me, “His father would roll in his tomb if he knew.” Then she let out a little laugh. “But do you know it, Princess?”
My mind skimmed over the riddle. “I’m not sure I do.”
“You’ll feel quite foolish once I tell you, because I think you’re familiar with this step, although I’m unsure anyone has danced it with you well.”
“If you know the answer, come out with it, sister,” Serfie added dryly.
“Ah, I know the answer all too well,” Serenous responded.
“Then say it. You play the game too slow and turn riddles into other riddles,” Serfie said, irritated.
“That is the fun in it,” she trilled loud enough that guests glanced at her. “You see, Princess, if someone knows the answer or thinks it’s another, that indicates one’s heart.” Then she took a deep, dramatic drink from her chalice and looked at me. “And the answer in this case is sex.”
This would be an interesting night.
“Correct,” Serfie answered, unfazed.
Serenous beamed with pride. “I just love this game! Now you go, Princess.”
“I have one,” I started, unsure where I was headed until the words slammed into my mind. “I am paid a fated debt before it is due. Yet I have no pockets to fill, only coffers.”
A thrill worked through Serenous, still smiling. “Go on …”
“Men fear me but are my makers. Mothers warn of me, yet their sons are my takers. In the end, both will know the cost of my path. What am I?”
I looked at Raylik to see if he knew the answer, but he still looked forward.
Maybe Serenous was right about this game; it showed the truth of one’s heart.
“That’s not a very good one.” Serfie shook her head. “Are you sure you understand the game?” she asked.
Then Serenous’s face darkened and she swallowed. “She understands the game completely.”
“Then what is it?” Serfie asked, annoyed. But Serenous didn’t answer, only looked at her sister. “Well, then?” Serfie looked at me with her dark, nearly-red eyes.
Meeting her gaze, I answered, “I am war.”