Page 11 of The Lost Siren
I sputtered in rage.
“Kieran and Ronan, you have been chosen. Report to the great hall this evening, and you will be escorted to the female’s chambers.” His eyes took in the remaining crowd. I trembled in indignation. Thefemale, like I was just a sack of flesh; a commodity to be used and discarded.
“You are all dismissed.”
As he turned back to face me, I couldn’t help the angry tears that fell from my face.
“You can’t do this to me; it’s cruel.”
He huffed. “You don’t know what cruelis, siren.”
I wished I’d pulled the knife back from Brogen’s neck. Never in my life had I hated someone as much as I hated Benedict. Cruel, petty, and unabashedly cocky, he was the worst man I’d ever had the misfortune to meet. Yet at the same time, my anger wasn’t helping; this was going to happen whether I liked it or not. I tried one last time to appeal to him.
“I’ve never been with a man before.Please!”
Those amethyst eyes found mine, and there was a glimmer ofsomethingbehind that gaze. He sighed.
“No one will do anything against your will; remember that.”
I wouldn’t cry. Iwouldn’tcry.He led me back to my chamberes and left me there. I ignored the food brought for lunch and cried into my pillow.
SIX
The rest of the day passed in a haze of terror and anxiety. I refused any food, refused to go on a walk with Georg, and screamed at Benedict any time he showed his face. It turned out the second locked door was a passageway tohisquarters. I was insulted it was locked my way, but not his.
“Get dressed and ready for dinner. I have other things to attend to.”
“I most certainly WILL NOT!” I roared at him, not proud at shouting like a child. His dark eyes narrowed.
“If you do not get ready and treat these two Drakens with respect, I’ll—I’ll take youbackto Crullfed.”
My jaw dropped, incensed he would use the only weapon I’d allowed him against me.
“You wouldn’t,” I gasped. He studied me intently, his face unmoving.
“Will you get dressed and prepared for dinner on your own?”
I turned and stalked into my bedroom, eager to hide my face. He gave an indignant huff and left.
I threw the doors to my wardrobe wide and tried to find something respectable, but my hopes weren’t high. Georg had already appeared earlier with a replacement for my traveling cloak, though I’d been told in no uncertain terms that I was only to wear it when I was cold, and not to hide myself.
I shook my head, trying to focus. The outfit (and cloak) I had worn earlier was ruined by Brogen’s blood and claws, so I’d have to find another. Sighing in defeat, I pulled a deep emerald gown out of the closet, thankful it would at least fall past my ankles.Someof the dresses in there seemed hardly long enough to wipe one’snosewith, let alone use as clothing. I shimmied uncomfortably into the sheer silk garment, pulling the two thick straps over my shoulders. The dress left them bare for all the world to see, but at least it covered my midriff.
“Can I get anything for Miss?”
Georg waited patiently outside; his smile genuine. I looked up into his brown eyes, and realized he was probably my only reliable ally in this entire fortress.
“Yes, actually. Call me Wren.”
His grin was dazzling.
Dinner time came, and I couldn’t stop shaking. A rumble was heard from the stone passageway, and I whipped around. It was time already? My eyes scanned the food, set minutes earlier, and I grabbed another knife. I didn’t bother hiding it as I clenched it in my fist. If theseDrakensthought I’d just lay down and let them take me, they had a painful reckoning coming. Voices filtered in from the hall, and I stood and backed up against the far wall. After a moment, Georg appeared with the two winners in tow.
The red head immediately turned his gaze towards me, his eyes widening as he took in my aggressive stance. The other one simply stopped where he was and gaped. Georg gave them a formal bow, and I pleaded with my eyes for him to stay. He gave me an apologetic shrug and backed out of the passageway, sealing it shut behind him.
“This is where they hid you; very clever.”
The red head slid his gaze away from me and towards my chambers. In his human form his red hair went past his shoulders, tied back in a loose ponytail with a simple leather cord. He had a small beard and kind, green eyes in addition to a large, angular nose and a wide forehead. He gave a formal bow, like Georg’s.