Page 49 of A Fate of Wings

I pinned them both with a glare.

They stared back. Their loyalty was unwavering. I threw my hands up in the air and kept marching to the courtyard. The sooner Thea was back in my sights and under my protection the better. Her subjects were absurd in their devotion.

The sirens had filled the courtyard with the flowers I’d watched them carry in. Many sirens filled the area, dressed in stunning gowns. Their beauty was a thing most men failed to resist, but none of them appealed. Not in the least. My mate was the only siren I was interested in.

I stopped under the flower-strung archway. Blooms of yellows, reds, and oranges fitting of the Autumn Court adorned the area. The priestess lifted her black hooded head and smiled.

“Saltine?”

She grinned. “How are you, big boy?”

I snorted. “You still calling me that from when I was a babe?”

“You were the biggest baby demon I’d ever seen. Not my fault your mother and father fetched you to me to see if there was anything wrong.”

I ignored her constant jab about my past. I couldn’t help it if I was a big baby. “What are you doing here? You’re a witch, not a priestess.”

“I’m many things, Beast. I wouldn’t miss today for anything. It’s a catalyst for what’s coming.”

“You and your seer riddles.” I shook my head.

She patted my forehead like I was her favorite dog. “I’ve never been wrong.”

I shook her off and folded my arms.

“Here comes your bride.”

I dropped my arms and faced the way I’d entered. A frown skittered across my face. The sirens oohed at the gorgeous gown draped over the queen’s body. She glided forward. Her smile stretched from ear to ear. Every sense in my body filled with rage. This wasn’t Thea.

She stopped next to me and held out her hand for me to take.

I snagged her throat in my grip and dangled her in the air.

“Where’s Thea?” I growled.

“I’m Thea,” she squeaked.

“Bullshit, you’re Melanie.”

“She can’t be Melanie. I’m Melanie.”

My head spun. A woman stood behind Thea, or the person impersonating Thea, an exact copy of Melanie. I let go of the woman in my hand. Who was she? Without a doubt, I wasn’t wrong. I knew who my mate was, and this woman before me wasn’t her.

She landed on her feet and rubbed her neck.

The guards rushed forward and wrenched my arms behind my back.

“What?” I glared between the two. “You’re not Thea. And you, who the hell are you? You’re not her sister.”

The Thea impersonator laughed. “Of course I’m Thea, and this is Melanie. Tell them, everyone.”

The sirens nodded in unison. Even Thea’s personal guards, Arine and Raefa nodded.

“No,” I hollered. “I’d know my mate anywhere. And you,” I hissed. “You’re not her.”

“Oh, my.” The Thea impersonator clutched a hand to her red throat. “To think I almost claimed you and made you king of the sirens. You’re mad.”

“Mad?” I bared my teeth. “You’ve seen nothing, woman. I’m a Rage Demon. My rage will annihilate you.”