Chapter 38
“She must have been a noble,” Arlo called to me from the bedchamber. He was on his second read of the journal, hoping a clearer answer on how the portal worked might be hidden in the faded, handwritten words.
I finished the final touches on the braid I had woven. Rose oil that I worked through my curls to tame them lingered on my fingertips. The scent calmed the turmoil in my mind.
My hands still trembled as fear threaded through me from the Jawro competition and Draveen. Hylos hardly cared that Calypstra was behind every terrible thing that had happened to me in Naiadon. It hurt, which was more surprising than his lack of action.
I walked across the room, the marble cool under my feet.
I wanted to fall apart in Arlo’s arms, but forced a smile instead.
After this, there would be time for falling apart.
I hadn’t told Arlo the full truth about what had happened.
I gave him pieces, and let him know Alistar was still alive.
Safe with Nixie somewhere. But I left out the part about just how near death I came.
He would need a clear head for us to escape, and if he knew someone in the castle was trying to kill me, he’d never be calm enough to do what needed to be done.
Arlo continued, “It would only make sense she was noble because—” he lifted his eyes to me and silenced. The warmth in his gaze blazed to something hotter. “What in Infernum are you wearing?”
“Nixie picked it out for me for Hydroxia tonight.” It was a red silk dress that clung to me, dramatizing the curves of my hips and thighs. A thin chain of silver clasped it around my neck.
He looked like a man possessed.
I smiled devilishly.
“You haven’t even seen the back yet.”
I turned, showing how it plunged dangerously low toward my ass. It was gorgeous, and I looked like a Guardian myself in the sanguineous fabric.
Arlo put the book down carelessly and buried his face in his hands. I walked closer, working in between his thighs.
“What is it?” I whispered.
“I don’t know if I can handle it.” His words were a low snarl that vibrated through my body.
“What?”
“Knowing anyone can even look at you dressed this way.”
I let out a little laugh.
I leaned into him and he pressed his chin into my sternum between my breasts as his arms wrapped around my thighs.
He sniffed. “Mmmm … You even smell amazing.”
He stood to his full height, towering above me, looking down through those long lashes. “One last day in this place, in these clothes.” He trailed a finger down my spine. My nipples hardened under the gown, aching for more of his touch. “Then we leave this strange place behind.”
His hands found greedy palmfuls of my ass as he gathered me in his arms and flipped me onto the bed with shocking speed.
His lips were on me in an instant. Our bodies collided into one, sending the journal toppling to the ground.
Arlo plastered his hard body against mine, spreading my legs, grinding into me, the skirt of my dress lifting past my thighs, exposing me fully as our tongues swirled.
I craved his weight. It held me in place, and without it I’d float away.
“On second thought,” he said, chasing kisses down my neck, “maybe keep this dress.”
I laughed. “Glad you’re feeling open-minded, just in time for me to show you what Nixie picked out for you.”
Arlo adjusted himself in his short outfit, pulling as much of the black fabric down over his muscle-toned thighs as he could. Damn, I could get used to him in siren clothing. That glorious, strong chest and muscle-toned abdomen to match, all on display, was fantastic.
“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” I snickered, bumping into his large frame as his dark eyebrows furrowed.
“You have twice the amount of clothing on. Speak for yourself.”
“Well, at least I’m enjoying the view.”
“Don’t get used to it …” he murmured.
“Tiny Toes!” Morvyn laughed from behind us.
Arlo’s eyes rolled at the mere sound of Morvyn’s voice.
“You have truly assimilated, my friend.” Morvyn wore bright pinks that popped on his white flesh, his hair half-knotted, a large pearl necklace draped around his collarbones, and of course, his favorite accessories of all, two drinks in hand.
“One for the lady,” he said as he slipped the cup into my grip. “And there’s plenty more over there.” He pointed to a fountain in the shape of a fish, from whose mouth poured a continuous stream of red wine. I sipped the wine and it tasted like sweet cherries.
There were multiple fountains that lined the halls in this section of the castle, all running freely with drink. Morvyn looked over Arlo again and gave a shake of his head with a laugh. “A true joy to see you dressed as one of us, Tiny Toes. Quite resplendent, wouldn’t you say, Elowyn?”
I nearly choked on the wine at the ridiculous word I’d embarrassingly called the captain at the mercy of the truth poison. Maybe one day, safe on land, I’d tell him what truly helped conceal our plans of escape from the sirens.
“Well, cheers to you both and a happy Hydroxia!”
“Hy, Hy-what?” Arlo’s tongue stumbled over the foreign phrase.
“Hydroxia! A true shame terras don’t celebrate Nymphaea’s day of honor,” Morvyn said cheerily.
“Hmmm, maybe we’re busy doing more important things than thinking of another reason to drink and gorge ourselves on stolen plunder, as your people seem to do so often,” Arlo said in a gruff voice as he eyed the crowd.
“Oh, I love when you banter, Tiny Toes,” Morvyn beamed. “Another, do another!”
Arlo simply crossed his arms in front of his bare chest.
“Here, let me do it for you.” We continued down the halls, following the walking crowd. Morvyn flattened his expression and furrowed his brow. “I need some pants to steer this ship!” he said in a deep, pensive voice.
My hand flew to my mouth, trying to hold back the laugh bubbling up.
“Oh, I know, I know.” Morvyn crossed his arms, mimicking Arlo. “How will I ever brood without boots on?” A laugh flew from my lips.
“Fine, I’ll stop, but you do look exquisite, and you can thank Nixie later when Elowyn here jumps your bones tonight.” Morvyn kissed me on the cheek. “Oh, and if any pale women ask you where I am, please tell them I am at the bottom of the sea, dead. Thanks!” Then he disappeared into the crowd.
Arlo and I entered through the large archways that towered above us, draped in red, yellow, and blue silks that marked the entrance. A siren chorus lilted in the night and my heart sang with it. My fingers were longing to tap the place where ivory virginal keys were in my mind.
Hundreds of sirens filled the banquet hall as they drank and laughed. The people of Naiadon. Hylos’s people. All beautiful and unique. Completely unaware of the war their leader planned for them just tomorrow. Tremendous change was about to come and upend their lives.
Tonight they were careless and free. A calm before the storm. Another reason to leave this place behind.
If I could stop Hylos’s attack, then maybe only a few of his people would be harmed. He would see how foolish this all was and give up on the idea altogether.
Arlo stumbled back, startled by a large sweeping form made of water in the shape of Nymphaea. She swam above a table filled with food that sirens picked off of jubilantly as the Holy Mother did backflips and waved to the crowd.
My hand found his, and I gave him a reassuring squeeze. “It’s not real, don’t worry,” I consoled. “You’ve got this.”
He wasn’t used to the oddities here, as he had always been lulled from one place to the next. I hadn’t truly realized just how accustomed I’d grown to it all myself.
We made our way to a trio of oversized couches where Raylik and Nixie sat. Nixie’s pale pink legs draped over her lover’s lap. I smiled as Raylik ran a hand down her shins. He was the one who chose her, every day. Especially today.
“Elowyn!” she exclaimed when she saw me.
She jumped up and leaped into my arms.
“Raylik told me all about what you did. How you tricked that big ugly bastard!” She shook my shoulders, her smile beaming. “He said your defensive stance needs work, but we can practice tomorrow.”
Raylik grumbled.
“Oh yes, that’s right,” Nixie said.
Raylik stood up beside her.
“We would like to ask you both something,” he started.
Nixie continued, “The little boy, Alistar. We wanted to know …” Nixie and Raylik looked between one another. “If we could raise him as our own. I know you said he was an orphan.”
“And I know you are like a father to him,” Raylik said to Arlo, who looked warily between the pair. “If you do not agree, I understand and he will be returned to you.”
Arlo looked to me for answers.
We couldn’t take Alistar with us. Not now. Before sunrise, we would be gone.
“They are truly good people,” I said to Arlo, trying to ease his mind.
Slowly, Arlo nodded a yes.
Nixie jumped into our arms, hugging us.
Arlo froze at first as Nixie bounced in his arms. “Thank you! Thank you!” she shrilled. “We both have always wanted to be parents. We swear he will be the most loved little boy in all of Naiadon.”
Nixie broke away from Arlo.
Raylik shoved his hand into Arlo’s grip. A respectful look passed between them.
“Thank you,” Raylik said.
“Take care of him,” Arlo said sternly.
“You have my word.”
“Come now, Hylos is waiting for you both,” Nixie said, still smiling cheek to cheek. She would make a wonderful mother; I knew that in my heart. Alistar would be lucky to have her in his life.
Hylos’s eyes lit at our approach. I dipped my head in his direction as Arlo loomed at my side.
“Have you seen what your captain has completed for you?” I followed Hylos’s hand to the virginal beside him on a dais, in perfect splendor.
I knew Arlo had spent all day working on it, but to see it in its glory, I’d realized just how much work it really took.
My fingers longed for its keys. My soul begged to hear its sound. It was a lovely instrument.
I turned to Arlo and kissed him on the cheek.
“It’s beautiful,” I said.
“I am glad you like it. Hopefully it will do the job.” Arlo said, with a nod.
“Are you ready for its debut?” Hylos asked, sipping from his chalice. His jaw was clenched; something agitated him.
Calypstra was nowhere to be found.
“Where is she?” I asked pointedly.
Hylos cut me a glance, lips tight, knowing exactly who I meant. “She is not in Naiadon.”
She’d fled. Was it an admission of guilt? Hylos would figure it out one day. That he’d let a snake into his bed. But soon it wouldn’t be my problem anymore.
“I’d like to play for you all, to give thanks to Nymphaea, for bringing me here,” I said, steeling my features.
A glint of true happiness glimmered in Hylos’s eyes.
“If that is fine with Your Majesty,” I added, smiling at the siren king regent.
“Oh, please call me Great Ruler, Your Majesty is my father,” Hylos joked with a genuine smile.
Perhaps in another life Hylos and I would have been friends and not enemies. But it seemed fate had other plans.
Hylos continued, “Come on, let’s hear it, Princess.”