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“It’s not a threat but a promise. You almost took my son from me. It won’t happen again.” The dowager queen cupped Mer’s cheek, her hand surprisingly warm. “I had hoped we’d be friends, daughter. Test me again, and I’ll be the last thing you see in this world.”

Mer grinned at the vicious older woman. She liked the way the dowager queen was no-nonsense. “Understood...Mum.”

The older woman smirked. “A sense of humor... you’ll need it here.” She dropped her hand and stepped away. “Be prepared.You have a special dinner tonight to attend. Those of the Onyx Palace wish to celebrate your nuptials.”

“Oh, those? The ones I never attended?”

“Your lady’s maids will be here shortly.”

“My handmaidens?”

The dowager queen laughed. “After your little display? Do you really think we’d let more Sirenidae into the palace?” With that, she exited the room and closed the door behind her, leaving only the scent of her lilac perfume.

What just happened?

And who the hell was killing fishermen?

Chapter Fifteen

RAZIEL

King Raziel slouchedin his chair, a silver goblet of wine in his right hand dangling loosely from his fingers.

The buzz of one hundred voices filled the cavernous dining hall. He took a sip of the rich wine and scanned the room. He tipped his head back against the chair and stared upward. Walnut beams crisscrossed the high-arching stone ceiling, making it look as if it were a woman’s coronet. It was a masterpiece of architecture. One could whisper from the opposite side of the room, and Raziel could hear their conversation.

He wasn’t sure what his ancestors exactly had in mind when they’d designed the dining hall, but it had proved useful over the years. Anyone brave enough or stupid enough to speak of personal life would be sharing with the entire assembly. But it worked both ways. Anything Raziel and his companions spoke of would be shared with those on the opposite side of the room.

His mother said it fostered respect, and while Raz agreed, it was bloody inconvenient. Every time they hosted an event,Raziel was on pins and needles. He had to watch every single thing he said. It got even trickier when his courtiers purposely asked him inflammatory questions.

Luckily, his sour mood had kept everyone away from him so he could drink in peace.

Long sturdy wooden tables filled the room, adorned with plates of savory food, smooth wine and brew, and vases full of colorful wildflowers. A mixture of high and common born sat together, partaking in the feast. Not many kingdoms mixed between ranks. Even though he’d enjoyed his time in Aermia, the banquets only hosted those who were highborn with a few esteemed lowborn attending.

A thread of pride wriggled in the king’s chest. Methian culture was different. All were welcomed, no matter their status or the blood that ran through their veins. What mattered was loyalty, kindness, and their bonds with thefiilee. It was beautiful to see. All were here to partake in the banquet to celebrate his new marriage. And yet his wife was nowhere to be found.

Levay had kept Raz up to date on the state of his new murderous queen. She was much improved. Even his mother had spoken with the queen. She should have been here. And yet... he glanced at the empty seat to his right. There’d been speculation as to where she was, but most had swallowed his explanation that his new wife was under the weather.

He rubbed at the tip of his nose with his left hand. It throbbed, sending pain across his bruised left cheekbone. Slowly, he lifted the cold goblet and gently laid it against the tender flesh. He’d give her one thing, the Sirenidae surely knew how to pack a punch. If he hadn’t been so irritated with the whole situation, he might have been a little proud.

Valen and Gideon abandoned their table from the left and approached Raziel. They paused at the first step of the dais and bowed respectfully.

The two brothers were a study in opposites.

Where Valen was thick and bulky, Gideon was wiry and graceful. Valen’s hair and skin were dark, Gideon’s fair. No one underestimated Valen and everyone underestimated Gideon. What they had in common was loyalty, pure hearts, brilliant minds, and long friendship with Raziel. Plus, they were brilliant riders.

Gideon’s reflective ice-blue gaze ran over Raz, noting the claw marks on his arm, the stitches on his neck, and the black eyes. The man never missed anything. His attention turned to the empty seat at his side, and he arched a brow.

“It’s too bad the queen wasn’t feeling well,” he said softly. Translation:what did you do to your wife?

Raziel said nothing, just took another sip of his wine.

While it suited him to not have the Sirenidae there, it prickled part of him that she’d never showed.

Appearances mattered, and his new wife was making him look weak. Even now, he could feel a few speculating gazes running over him. Gossip would be circulating full force by the next morning.

Just what he needed.

The council had been challenging him since his mum had passed the crown down to him. Every move he’d made had been questioned, especially since he’d returned from the Warlord’s War. His mother had chosen to involve them in the battle, but the blame for the loss of life fell upon his shoulders.