Page 69 of Liar Witch

“Just us three.” Rysen crosses his arms and gestures with his head at Kier and Cas.

She gives me a look, which I return with a shrug.

“This is a terrible idea,” she says.

“I know,” I mutter.

“They are not going to enjoy following sirenae customs.”

“It will be funny to watch them try.”Opal sniggers, jumping up into Rysen’s arms.“Who do you reckon will offend a prissy siren first? My money’s on the shifter.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and remind my familiar that she doesn’thaveany money.“They’re guests, surely your people will be more lenient?”

Alexandra just shakes her head. “This will not go down well.”

With that gloomy warning, she turns on her heel and leads the way off the ship, bronze armour glinting in the midday sun.

I give the three stubborn males one last glare before I follow her. None of them look particularly repentant, not that I expect them to.

“Witch!”

I roll my eyes and turn back to Val. He leans over the wooden railing of the deck above with Nos just behind him.

“What is it now?”

“Don’t fuckingdie. I don’t fancy life as a siren concubine.”

I flip him a rude gesture, thankful that Nos can’t see it.

“Good luck,” my Seer murmurs, the words just loud enough for me to hear as I descend the gangplank.

The streets are emptier today, and that’s a blessing. Alexandra is right; none of my men are any good at acting demure. They stride along, eyes scanning for threats as they go, each of them the direct opposite of the sirenae men walking in measured footsteps behind their warriors.

The sound of a crowd grows closer and closer the farther we go from the ship. I have no idea where the Arena is in relation to the longhouse we were in last night, but if I had to guess, they’re on opposite sides of the city. It’s a long walk, but eventually we reach a huge wooden wall that reverberates with the force of the chanting from behind it.

Alexandra stops at a small door which must be a side entrance. With a wave of her hand, a male siren appears, bowing deeply.

“Please take these males upstairs, ensure they’re given refreshments and treated as guests.”

The male nods, then hovers, obviously waiting for my men to follow him.

“Your men can stay in my box,” Lexi explains. “That way they’ll be out of any major trouble. Just be sure they don’t corrupt my harem. I like my men a little less feral.”

Rysen gives her a little slip of fang for that, and I can’t help my answering grin.

“A kiss for good luck?” Cas asks.

“Hmph, why does everyone think we need luck?”Opal grumbles, even as I lean forward, on my tiptoes, to press my lips to his.

Rysen grabs me before either of us can get too carried away, pressing his lips to mine next.

When he pulls back, I look automatically to Kier. The fae smiles, a secretive expression that I don’t fully trust. But instead of stealing a kiss like the others, he takes my hand and lightly brushes his lips across my knuckles, maintaining eye contact the entire time.

I don’t blush, but my cheeks grow suspiciously warm under his attention before he releases me to follow the siren through the door and into the darkness beyond.

Lexi remains with me, and I stare at their retreating backs for a second before I force my attention back to her.

“Are you ready?”