Page 41 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)

A bright light shone through the opening behind the princess, revealing her silhouette.

Halia descended a set of stone stairs and approached them.

She was even more striking than Mariana had imagined.

Tight onyx curls spilled over one shoulder to her waist from where a crown of woven emeralds and diamonds nestled on her head, glinting in the light.

Thick black eyelashes surrounded her slightly upturned, warm, maple eyes, accented by a line of sharp black ink.

The dark brown skin on her high cheekbones was dusted with gold, and her plump magenta-painted lips must’ve attracted admirers from around the world.

“It is truly wonderful to meet you, Mariana. I’m Halia, princess and heir to the Kingdom of Aurelia,” she declared, her arrogance on display.

The intricate gold-painted designs on her hands shimmered like the glittering dress she wore as she extended them to either side, before folding them gracefully in front of her.

Was she the Matriarch ?

“Where’s my sister?” Mariana asked, knowing her tone was far more severe than she’d intended. But that was who she truly wanted to see.

Halia’s mouth lifted into a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’ve had a long journey. Why don’t we show you to your room before we discuss—”

“You wanted me here by morning. Here I am. I don’t need rest, I need to see my sister. Where’s Astra?”

Halia dropped her smile. “Hand over your weapons and follow me,” she ordered.

Mari reluctantly handed Dax her dagger, trusting him to keep it safe.

Halia flipped her hair over her shoulder and led them into the palace. Dax held Mari’s arm lightly. The trail of guards formed a circle around them the moment they all passed through the gleaming wooden doors held open by sentries standing tall in their impeccable white uniforms.

The morning light streamed through the entryway, casting long shadows onto the tiled marble floor. Warm air greeted Mariana, soothing the spring chill outside. The sound of their steps filled the ample space, but Mariana tuned it all out at what she saw.

A tropical paradise filled with lush greenery and blooming flowers lined their path.

Tall palm trees shot up toward the domed glass roof, revealing the pale sky still waking from its slumber.

The sound of water trickling caught her attention as they rounded a bend in the path, revealing a creek flowing through the palace.

It was beautiful. An ethereal wonder that anything like this even existed—especially through the harsh winters Mariana had heard so much about.

The path diverged into several routes, some through carved white stone archways, and others leading down curving stairwells.

“This way,” Halia called, breaking the spell.

She began walking up a wide staircase with sparkly white veins running through the sandstone.

The click of her heels was like the steady drip of water before a dam broke.

It reverberated through Mariana’s head, killing the soothing sounds of the paradise surrounding them.

Dax gave her a sad smile and pulled her up the staircase. Their muddy boots left a trail behind that someone was already wiping away.

They walked down a hallway full of paintings.

Some were landscapes, others of people enjoying parties, dancing, and scandalous debauchery—some of which made Mariana blush and turn her face toward the polished floor.

She could see herself in its reflection and wondered if she’d just walked straight into the den of the beast.

After what felt like years of walking, Halia finally approached a set of arched double doors.

Mariana inspected the details carved around it as Halia unlocked the doors.

Her head tilted at the sight of sirens swimming, elements of the sea surrounding their tiny forms. Why would a fae palace have any reference to her people?

Halia pushed the doors open wide and stepped into the darkness within .

Mariana held her breath as they all followed. Dax dropped his hand, and Mariana found herself missing the contact.

Light suddenly spilled into the room, temporarily blinding Mariana, as curtains on the far side were pulled open. Halia turned, hands clasped together, and walked back over to them through the beam of light. The touch of a cruel smile graced her face.

“How does it feel to be in your mother’s wing of the palace, princess?”

Mariana squinted at her. “What are you talking about?” she murmured. Then, her eyes caught on a large painting hanging high above a dusty fireplace, and everything came crashing down.

She couldn’t breathe.

Within the ornate gold frame was the startling image of Queen Cybele and King Stavros, sitting side by side and holding hands.

Her hands shot up to her mouth, her stomach instantly nauseous.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” Halia began taking slow, steady steps toward her.

“The person your mother was in love with is the same one who banished your people. Killed thousands with a single order.” She held up a manicured finger before dropping it back down.

“Tore down your beloved queendom into the pile of rubble it is today, burying the corpses of your dead sisters.” Halia stopped in front of her, close enough that Mariana was tempted to slap her for even daring to speak of her people.

“And yet he built an entire wing of the palace just for her.” Halia lifted her hands and gazed around the gloomy, forgotten space .

“This—” Mariana’s fisted hands shook with building rage. “It can’t be true. This is an illusion. A lie!”

Halia tsked, shaking her head. “You know, you can yell like a child, but it won’t change anything. This is all very, very real.”

Mariana instantly hated her. Hated the way she smelled of gardenias and honey. Hated the way her skin shimmered and gleamed. Hated the way every hair on her head seemed perfectly in place. She especially hated the stupid smile on her face, like this was exactly the reaction she’d hoped for.

“Where’s my sister? Where’s Astra?” she ground out.

Halia straightened and stared down her stupid, perfect nose at Mariana from the few inches of height her heels granted her. “She’s gone. And you’re going to find out where she went.”

Astra is … gone.

Mariana’s wide eyes snapped to Dax, who wouldn’t meet her gaze. Did he know this whole time?

She shook her head and glanced back at the princess. “No, you’re lying.”

Halia tilted her head. “You know I’m not.

You’re smart, Mariana. So was your sister.

” She turned on her heels and walked to a white desk covered in old parchment.

“Astra came here to strike a deal with the king. She wanted to bargain for the sirens’ claim on their fallen queendom. Luckily, I found her first.”

Wait —“The king doesn’t know about Astra?”

Halia let out a short laugh and shook her head.

“I couldn’t let your sister meet with my father, considering she was willing to help him bring back my brother—his precious son .

” Halia spat, rested her hip against the desk, picked up a book covered in delicate gold leaf designs, and flipped through it.

“Astra told me she was a scholar. And that she knew that within her mother’s library, there were texts that held the location of an amulet.

” She slammed the book with a loud bang and met Mariana’s eyes. “Seraphina’s amulet. Heard of it?”

Mariana’s gaze never wavered, revealing nothing. Though her heart was pounding so hard beneath her ribs, she could hardly breathe.

Slowly, a smile spread over Halia’s face.

“Yes, I believe you have.” She set the book down and rested her hands on the desk behind her, clinking the gold rings adorning every finger.

“The amulet is said to have the power to bring back someone from the Eternal Sands. Its powers beyond that are a mystery, but one thing is certain. You, my dear Mariana, are the only one who can activate it.”

What? Mariana’s brows furrowed in confusion as what the princess said washed over her. “What are you talking about?”

Ignoring her question, Halia continued. “I arranged for you to be brought here after I discovered that Astra had gone missing and took a valuable piece of information with her.” Halia stood at full height and slowly walked toward her.

“You came all this way to save your sweet sister. And you still can. All you have to do is find out where she went.”

Astra knew where the amulet was and didn’t want it getting into Halia’s hands.

“What do you plan on doing with the amulet?” Mariana asked, though she knew the answer was simple. It was all about power. Something it seemed Halia had always wanted.

Halia smiled down at her. “Don’t worry about that. For now, get some rest. I’ll have some food delivered, and feel free to request anything you desire. Once you find the amulet’s location, we’ll find your sister.” The way Halia said the last part had Mariana grinding her teeth.

Conniving snake.

Halia exited the desolate chambers shrouded in secrets and sorrow with her guards close behind her. The only one who remained was Dax. He hesitated as if there was more he wanted to say.

“Did you know?” Mariana asked in a low tone. She knew the answer but needed to hear him say it.

Dax sighed heavily, his shoulders sagging, and rubbed his forehead. “Yes.” Dropping his hand, he met her stare and held it steady. “I had to do everything I could to get you here alive and well.”

Mariana scoffed and gave him a closed-lip smile with a shake of her head. “Mission accomplished.” Then she clocked him right in the jaw.

Dax grunted and held his face before working his jaw.

“Get out,” she muttered.

He met her eyes, and something within her snapped.

“GET OUT!” she screamed.

Dax took a startled step back.

Mariana’s eyes flooded with tears. She shook with rage and quickly turned, refusing to let him see her cry. She wrapped her arms around herself, listening as his hesitant footsteps faded.

As the door shut and the deadbolt locked her into her mother’s abandoned chambers, Mariana dropped to her knees and screamed. The sun’s pale light shimmered from behind retreating clouds, casting ghostly shadows around her broken soul.