Page 3 of A Fate of Wings
Her pout disappeared as she sneered. “I don’t need you to treat me like I couldn’t win a man over you.”
I slowly folded my arms over my chest as I stared at her. She couldn’t win a man over my song. As the siren queen, my voice was more powerful, more alluring, in every way more than hers. Even though she was my twin and made from the same two people, a siren queen, and her fae mate, our powers were vastly different. As the child born first, I’d received more power.
Melanie spun in a whirl of red silk and disappeared inside the tavern. Moments later, her voice echoed through the building. Damn her, now every man in the building would be under her thrall. I charged into the tavern. Melanie sat on the piano singing a sultry song about lovers. Every head turned her way. Not one man could look away from her thrall.
I stomped over to her and grabbed her arm. “I said one.”
“There are only five here and I couldn’t pick.” She waved her arm at the men.
Couldn’t pick? Did she think me a fool? She’d purposely sung to all the males, so they’d all be hers. That wasn’t what upset me, though. It was her lack of respect for what I’d said since I was her queen.
She grabbed both my hands. “Please, Thea,” she pleaded. “I didn’t mean to. They were all so handsome and the pianist started playing. My voice slipped out.”
I softened slightly. She was my twin. How could I stay mad at her?
“Have your fun then. I’m heading back to the Autumn Court.”
I left her to the men, the village, and Earth. Outside, I flared my wings, launched myself into the air, and traveled back to the Autumn Court.
The Autumn Court
Raelin, my handmaiden, sat across from me before the fireplace in the library. The flames crackled the dry timber, sending glowing embers into the chimney. I flicked the page in the leather-bound book, not paying attention to the words.
Melanie strolled into the library and flounced on another chair. “Are you mad at me?”
Raelin closed her book and hurried from the room.
I laid my book face down on the table and said, “No. I’m disappointed.”
She frowned. “But it’s what we do.”
I placed my hands on my lap. “I’ve decided it’s time for me to choose a mate.”
“What?” She sat up in a hurry. “Why?”
“Mother chose a mate, and she was happy. I want to be happy like her and Father.”
“But luring men to us with our song makes us happy. Why would you give that up?”
“I can sing to my mate so I wouldn’t be giving it up,” I said. “Don’t you remember hearing Mother’s voice drifting through the castle when they were on their night walks?”
“Yes.”
“She kept singing even after she had a mate. I will too.”
“But then you won’t come with me to Earth and sing for men.”
“No, I won’t. I’m tired of those visits anyway,” I said, sitting back in the chair.
A calm peace descended on me now I’d told her my plan. I’d discussed it with Raelin first before Melanie arrived back in the Autumn Court and she’d been most enthusiastic about my decision to choose a mate. Siren rarely chose one man to keep. My decision shocked Melanie, but as the queen, I needed to produce heirs to the throne. It was my duty to keep our lineage reining.
“How will you choose?” Melanie stood and paced over to the fireplace.
“Only the best will do.”
“Obviously.”
“I’ll hold a contest with many trials to determine who will be my mate.”