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Esmyra

T he moment Esmyra and Draevyn arrived back at the palace, she was swept away by Briar and other handmaidens.

Everyone fussed over her appearance—her hair, the kohl lining her lashes, and the rouge on her cheeks—before placing her in the most elaborate gown she had ever seen for the celebration that evening.

The soft, cerulean fabric clung to her form in all the right places, somehow even more so than the ones she had grown used to wearing.

Its top layer possessed an iridescent shimmer that moved with her body as if from the light of the moon.

Intricate silver, coral-like embellishments adorned the bodice, framing her collarbones and emphasizing her waist and hips.

Sheer, flowing sleeves draped down her arms like tendrils of mist, while the high-slit skirt flowed to the floor, pooling at her feet. The gown billowed softly with every movement she made.

When Esmyra looked at herself in the mirror, she knew it was the goddess lingering within her flesh who stared back at her. She now realized that the subtle voice she’d been hearing since she entered the cave…that monster lingering within her was never her siren at all.

It was Kaelypso. And it terrified her more than anything .

She never thought the day would come where she would long for the life she knew back on The Night Wraith —of long coats, pistols, and brawls.

But now, seated upon a throne amidst a celebration in her honor, she realized her former life was fading away, rapidly slipping through her fingertips.

The city square pulsed with life, lit by orbs of blue, while stretching wide and grand.

The area of the city was bordered by massive coral structures with intricate carvings and archways, strings of pearls and seashell garlands looping from post to post. Musicians played their melodies as the air was filled with laughter and people cheering from all around.

Sitting next to her, Syrena looked every bit the role of a queen, gazing over her people with a calm, almost detached expression.

But then Esmyra’s attention strayed to the edge of the dais, where Draevyn lingered in the shadows. Arms crossed, his gaze scanned the crowd as if he were looking for something. And just as she allowed herself a small smile at his brooding, he looked up, meeting her stare.

Heat rose to her cheeks. For a moment, the crowd faded, and it was only the two of them.

Syrena shifted beside her, and Esmyra found that her sister was also staring at Draevyn.

A sudden, unwelcome flicker of jealousy twisted sharply in her chest. Esmyra tried to push it away, to brush it off as absurd.

But the feeling lingered, pricking at her, and she suddenly became aware of the weight of her insecurities.

The connection she felt to Draevyn grew fiercer as every second passed, even as she fought it.

Or had she made it all up?

The longing glances. The flirty sparring. The…the way he held her in that crypt.

They had just discovered the hidden truth of Maerinys and the gods of Rymelle. Draevyn now knew she was a goddess, but…so was her sister.

Together. Him and I. The words Syrena had spoken at the lagoon rang in her ears .

Clenching her jaw, Esmyra forced herself to focus on the celebration before her. She would play her part, at least for tonight. But as she glanced once more in his direction, her heart beat a little quicker, and she wished they were anywhere but here.

The urge to lean over and ask Syrena what she knew regarding their past was relentless, but she held back, her gut telling her it wasn’t time. Not yet, anyway. Instead, she forced herself to relax, her hands smoothing over the front of her gown.

Suddenly, the cool touch of a hand wrapped around her own as it fell back to the throne’s armrest. “Are you ready to be presented to Maerinys?” Syrena asked softly.

Esmyra met her golden-brown stare, quickly taking in the features of her face.

These were never their true forms, though they had always been the same.

The same as each other—identical, yet opposite.

The dark and the light.

The abyss and the surface.

“Well?” Syrena pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.

Esmyra blinked. “Aye. Apologies.” She squared her shoulders and gave a subtle nod. “I’m ready.”

“Excellent,” her sister purred, and they both stood and walked to the center of the stage.

The music subtly drifted to a halt as guards moved through the crowd, their voices cutting through the laughter and conversation. Slowly, a hush fell over the city square as all eyes turned toward the dais where they stood.

Syrena took a step to the edge of the platform, her silken gown that matched Esmyra’s shimmering in the floating merlights as she commanded the crowd’s attention. She raised her hands, and an expectant silence settled over everyone, each face fixed on their queen.

“Tonight, we honor the legacy of Maerinys, as our missing piece has finally been returned to us,” the queen began, her voice carrying across the square.

Esmyra felt the weight of Syrena’s stare as it bored into her cheek. “ My missing piece,” she finished, only loud enough for Esmyra to hear.

A soft smile tugged at her lips.

Murmurs moved through the crowd, curiosity flickering in their eyes as they watched the two sisters on the dais.

“You see, my sister wasn’t returned to us by faith, or by the work of the gods,” the queen continued. “For Maerinys called to her, and she answered our pleas. For this kingdom, our home, will not be raised by blood alone, but by strength, unity, and sacrifice.”

Sacrifice? Esmyra’s pulse quickened at the word, confusion rapidly creeping in.

Syrena held out a hand, and with a slight nod toward Draevyn, called, “Come forward.”

He hesitated, a flicker of wariness evident in his stare as his eyes locked on Esmyra. Then he squared his shoulders and made his way up the steps of the dais, taking his place at her side. She couldn’t deny that his presence instantly put her at ease.

The crowd watched his every move, their curiosity erupting into hushed whispers.

Syrena circled them both as she introduced him.

“By now, you all know that my sister, Esmyra Aeress, has returned to us after many centuries. Right when we had nearly lost all hope, this man aided her in returning to us. And for that…we owe him our very lives. For that, along with his continued cooperation during his stay with us, he’s earned my trust and sincerest gratitude. ”

Esmyra’s head reared back—not expecting her to be speaking of Draevyn so highly, and to her entire kingdom at that. It was only days ago she said the opposite, placing his wrist in a velsinyte cuff.

“It’s my honor to reintroduce this man, no longer viewed as a danger to us, but as a friend and a worthy ally after keeping our Esmyra safe.”

Esmyra felt a strange, twisting pang at the words as her brows furrowed in confusion. She glanced at him while he silently watched Syrena through narrowed eyes, seeming just as lost.

Or was that what they wanted her to believe ?

If it was your sister I wanted in my bed, I wouldn’t try to hide it , Draevyn’s words echoed in her mind.

But why would Syrena suddenly trust Draevyn if they hadn’t at least spoken more than she knew of?

However, there were several days where Esmyra had put distance between them—and he could’ve been anywhere, with anyone, all that time.

Including the queen, who was the reason for that distance in the first place.

Maybe Syrena wasn’t the only one lying or keeping secrets from her.

Perhaps, once again, Draevyn was too.

When Esmyra and Draevyn were alone, she felt the spark between them in her very soul. But when Syrena was around, it was as if everything they built evaporated in seconds. Esmyra had never cared for anyone before. Nothing like this. Was this normal? This overprotective need to claim him as hers.

Only he wasn’t hers.

Draevyn was a man of his own will, and it left her with a painful uncertainty resembling a blade twisting in her chest.

Syrena turned toward him and reached for his wrist, holding his gaze as her fingers found the velsinyte bracelet fastened there.

However, Esmyra didn’t miss the way her sister’s thumb caressed the top of his hand.

“You will now be allowed to once again walk freely among us, Sir Draevyn,” the queen announced.

Esmyra and the crowd collectively held their breath as Syrena inserted a small key inside the cuff, unlocking it with a gentle twist.

The stone-like metal slipped free, Syrena pulling it from his wrist as he blinked in stunned silence.

Draevyn’s body shuddered, his knees buckling, and the fire in his gaze ignited brighter than she had ever seen. Even his skin seemed to have an intense warmth return to it—she hadn’t realized how much the velsinyte had repressed.

Draevyn’s surprise was mirrored by the crowd, who exchanged wide-eyed glances, whispering among themselves.

Esmyra’s lips parted as she watched in awe, perhaps even horror. “Drae,” his name left her in a breath .

His gaze whipped to hers, and molten fire danced in his irises as their eyes locked.

But Syrena’s voice cut through their trance. “Tonight is a celebration of the start of a new dawn. A new beginning for us as we prepare to burst beyond the surface and reclaim our place in the world and Rymelle.”

Esmyra swallowed thickly. Millions of questions were ready to erupt from her lips, but then Briar came out from the side of the dais with three glasses of that golden wine, handing one to each of them.

They all took one as the queen turned to face Esmyra and Draevyn, lifting a glass toward them. “To our saviors.” She winked.

The masses echoed her toast, and music erupted from the musicians, thrusting the celebration back into motion.

Syrena guided them both down the dais’ steps, and the people surged forward. They reached out toward the three of them, eager to pull them into the celebration that already overtook the city square.