Page 94

Story: The Siren

“That’s not true,” Violet said. “Before she came, you didn’t treat me like a sister.”

“You misunderstood how I treated you,” Ashburn said.

“You’re lying to yourself as you’re lying to me. You aren’t the Ash I know anymore.” Violet put a fist in her mouth to muffle a devastated cry and ran out of the room.

Ashburn looked at Violet’s retreating figure, then at Lucienne, and ran after Violet.

Lucienne heard the door to the master bedroom open. “Ash?” Clement’s voice sounded from the hallway. Lucienne darted to hide behind the door.

“Yes, Mama?” Ashburn answered.

“I heard noises,” Clement said.

“I’m sorry, Mama. I’ll be quiet,” Ashburn said. “Go back to sleep. It’s late.”

“Where have you been? Queen Lucienne has been asking about you. And you missed dinner,” Clement said. “You want me to warm up the beef stew for you?”

“No, Mama. I ate some already,” Ashburn said.

“Shush,” Peder’s voice came from their bedroom, “Queen Lucienne is sleeping. Her Majesty is dwelling in our humble home to learn our dialect and customs. We must set a good example for her.”

“You’re right, Papa. Everyone go back to sleep now,” Ashburn lowered his voices.

The house quieted down, but Ashburn never returned.

Lucienne knew he had gone after Violet. An unexpected jealousy besieged her. Furiously, she shook it off. She had Vladimir. Her heart had space for only one man, and that man had staked his claim. Why then did she feel so possessive toward Ashburn?

Lying on the bed in the guest room, Lucienne was listening and waiting for Ashburn to return, tossing and turning as the night sky transitioned to dawn.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Ash?” Lucienne knocked on the wall.

“Yes?” a voice from the other side answered.

“Are you awake?”

“I am now.”

“Sorry. Are you decent?”

“You didn’t ask me that last night before you charged into my room.”

“My sincerest apologies. Can we meet in the backyard?”

“Why?”

“I have an idea.”

“About dragging me to Sphinxes?”

Lucienne felt her heart jump erratically in her rib cage. “No, I was wrong. I should just leave things the way they are. Before I go, I want to say a proper farewell.”

“Do you mean that?”

“Yes. Meet me in three minutes. Bring your machine ride with you. Let’s go see the sunrise before we part ways forever.”

“Its name is Spike.”