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He tilted his head slightly, feigning nonchalance.

“Let’s just say I had reason to believe there were forces at play in these waters that could shift the balance of power.

” His eyes seemed to drink Esmyra in. “And as you might imagine, certain people have an interest in keeping such forces in check.”

Syrena snorted softly. “I believe what you mean is you were a pirate, hungry for loot and lost gold.”

He flashed her a quick grin, one that said you’re not wrong , but he didn’t correct her. “Power, balance, stability—it’s all relative, isn’t it?”

Esmyra’s lips parted at his words, knowing he may as well have taken them right out of her mouth.

The queen’s gaze held him for a moment longer before she turned to Esmyra. “And do you always linger in these southern waters, sister?”

She didn’t see a reason to lie this time. “No, I don't actually.”

“And why were you near here?” The question caught Esmyra off guard, feeling as if this was becoming more of a trial than a dinner among the royal court.

She placed her fork down. “I’m sorry, but why would that matter? Why are we suddenly being questioned so intensely?”

Syrena’s back straightened, her tone softening. “Apologies, Esmyra. We didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Simply trying to get to know you both and understand how you found us is all.”

Esmyra cleared her throat. “Someone very dear to me was taken, and I was sent here in search of any sign of Maerinys in exchange for his return.”

Draevyn’s brows furrowed as he listened, taking a sip of something resembling wine. Syrena and the council members all leaned in closer to her.

“However, once I reached the southern waters…I felt a… pull ,” she admitted after a few seconds of silence. “It was like I was being called here. To Maerinys.”

The queen offered a closed-lip smile. “Now that pleases me greatly.”

The council all began whispering among themselves.

“And why is that?” Draevyn asked before bringing his glass to his lips once more. Esmyra kicked him under the table and he didn’t even try to hide his grunt.

“That will come.” Syrena pursed her lips. “I’m so very sorry someone special was taken from you. Was it a lover?”

“No,” Esmyra rushed out. Her stare drifted to Draevyn’s, and for some reason, she once again opted for the truth. A truth she still hadn’t yet admitted to him. “My father.”

Draevyn’s face paled the moment the words left her lips, staring at her wide-eyed. Yet, he didn’t utter a word, and she was thankful for it.

“Who would kidnap your father, Esmyra?” Syrena asked.

She couldn’t help her snarl. “The king of men.”

Draevyn swallowed, averting his stare down to his plate.

Syrena studied her for a moment. “And you believe him to be your true sire?”

“No, I don’t,” she admitted. “He found me a very long time ago and saved me.”

Murmurs broke out once more among the council, their expressions turning furious.

“I will have silence,” Syrena demanded. She placed her hand gently atop Esmyra’s, and it took everything inside of her not to pull away from the caring touch. “Forgive me for what I’m about to say, but your father is a liar .”

Esmyra’s heart twisted painfully as she squared her shoulders. “I know.”

She could feel Draevyn’s eyes on her, knowing they hadn’t so much as blinked since she spoke the word father .

“And your father was captured so easily, unable to break free?” Syrena questioned. “Interesting he’s survived so long.”

Esmyra shook her head. “It was my fault. I left him defenseless and our ship was attacked in my absence.” She met Draevyn’s unyielding stare. “He was cursed by forces long ago to be tortured if he sets foot on land, but he’s immortal.”

Syrena’s head quickly drew back as her eyes bulged. “Well, we have much to discuss, but it doesn’t need to be right now.”

Esmyra was taken aback by how dismissive the queen was at the mention of Cyrus’s curse.

She glanced around, realizing she was being questioned about her father, yet no other family had presented themselves.

“Your par—” Esmyra cut herself off and cleared her throat.

“ Our parents…where are they? Are they here?” Her heart raced, her throat tightening at the thought of meeting them.

Of having a mother, and maybe even seeing where her features hailed from.

The queen averted her gaze to her plate. “They perished in the fall.”

“Oh,” Esmyra whispered, pushing down the ache in her chest as the dream she just imagined shattered within seconds. “I’m so sorry.”

“It happened a very long time ago.” Syrena took a bite of her kelp salad before blotting her lips with a threaded cloth. “So this alliance formed due to you rescuing him? What of you mentioning him being your captive?” Syrena gestured between her and Draevyn, changing the subject.

Fuck , she forgot about that.

“Just a bit of a minor dispute along the way,” she muttered under her breath.

Draevyn cleared his throat, sitting up straighter. “Our interests weren’t aligned at first, with her wanting to explore the cave due to the pull she felt, and me wanting to search for any passing ships that may allow refuge.”

Esmyra’s jaw almost fell open at his effortless lies.

“And we may have irritated one another a few times…” He glanced at her again, his grin barely contained as she glared at him.

Irritated didn’t even do it justice.

“But circumstances have a way of forcing unlikely partnerships,” he finished.

“Circumstances being the dangerous creatures guarding your kingdom,” Esmyra added, her voice firm.

She wasn’t about to let him spin their story however he wanted—she intended to remain in control.

Syrena’s expression finally shifted, a flicker of seriousness crossing her otherwise composed face. Her golden hair fell atop the table as she leaned in closer to Esmyra. “There’s a reason you felt a pull to Maerinys.”

“I’ve assumed as much since the moment we met,” she answered, nearly tasting the answers she had craved her entire life. “Being mirrors and all.” Esmyra gestured to the teal tattoos adorning their arms before fluttering her fingers toward her face.

Syrena gave her a dip of her chin before her attention turned to her court, who watched them all in silence. “Our guests have had a long day. We should reconvene in the morning.”

With those words, the council members all rose as one, chairs scraping against the floor as they silently filed from the room.

It was eerie—they were all essentially onlookers during the entire dinner, and yet still, none of Esmyra’s questions were answered. Heat rushed to her cheeks as aggravation crept in, realizing she’d given up information, but Syrena hadn’t.

“And what of our questions for you?” Draevyn’s voice cut through the tense air like a blade.

The queen turned to him, her eyes narrowing. “Tomorrow is another day. I think this day has been shocking enough for us all. And now that my council has seen that you’re truly our lost princess, no one will question your return to us.”

Esmyra and Draevyn exchanged a quick glance.

“Briar, will you please escort them back to their chambers so they can get settled?” Syrena asked. “We have much to go over tomorrow. Sleep well, the both of you. I’m eager to see what magic you possess.”

Esmyra’s eyes roamed over the queen. “Aye. Goodnight, Syrena.” She gave her a dip of her chin before following Briar out the door, while Draevyn walked silently at her side.