Page 45 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)

The library was quiet, the stillness broken only by the soft thud of a book being closed.

Ophelia rested the thick tome in her lap and stretched in the chair she was sitting in, her legs hanging over one of the armrests.

Her gaze drifted across the room to Mariana, who sat at a wide oak table near the fireplace.

The siren’s teal braid cascaded over her shoulder, shifting slightly as she bent over the stack of books in front of her.

Her long fingers moved quickly, flipping through pages with an intensity that spoke of urgency.

Every now and then, she jotted something in the margins of a loose sheet of parchment, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Ophelia tilted her head, intrigued. “Find anything interesting?”

Mariana didn’t look up.

Ophelia chewed on the inside of her cheek and glanced across the room at Kosta, who was leaning against the doorframe, staring off into the distance.

She wished he’d listened to her plea to stay outside.

It was hard enough getting the siren to talk to her.

Shifting her gaze back to Mariana, she noticed she didn’t have any gills like Astra had on her neck.

Planting her feet on the ground, she cleared her throat. “Hey, I noticed you don’t have any gills. Is that something you can make disappear like your tail or—” The words died on her lips as Mariana shot her an icy glare that sent a shiver down her spine.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized softly, averting her gaze. “I just wasn’t sure—”

Mariana shut the book with a bang , startling Ophelia. Their eyes met, and immediately she could see the pain deep within, hiding beneath the dark glare.

Kosta straightened and glanced seriously between them but didn’t move from his position.

Gripping the book tightly, Ophelia asked, “What happened?” Her words were small, quiet, but she knew Mariana heard her by the way her eyes closed as she sighed.

A moment passed as Mariana clearly struggled with whatever was consuming her thoughts. Her brow was still furrowed, mouth tight. When she finally opened her eyes, she looked … heartbroken.

“My mother cast a binding spell on me. I’m no longer a siren.”

Ophelia let out a soft gasp, hands darting up to her mouth.

Mariana shrugged, like she was trying to pretend the issue was behind her, yet it clearly bothered her. “For now, at least. I think the amulet might be able to remove the spell.”

Ophelia’s hands drifted down to her lap, eyes widening. “That’s why you look so much like a fae. Because you are one now, aren’t you? ”

The look Mariana gave her answered her question, but it appeared almost too painful for her to say out loud.

Why would Mariana’s mother do that to her?

Glancing down at the siren book she clutched in her hands, she began to wonder something.

Clearing her throat again, she lifted her head to find Mariana staring into the fire with glassy eyes.

“What’s it like living underwater?” she asked, hoping the change of subject might help.

Mariana looked over at her but didn’t say anything. Instead, she studied her.

Ophelia shifted in her seat. “I only ask because I look at all these books”—she gestured to the library—“that couldn’t survive underwater. So, how do your people keep their history?”

Sitting back in her chair, Mariana crossed her arms. Her voice was calm and clipped when she answered. “Why does that matter to you?”

“It’s fascinating, that’s all,” Ophelia said, shrugging. “A culture without written records—it must be difficult, preserving your history over centuries.”

“We keep our knowledge to ourselves.” Her tone left no room for anymore inquiries.

Not knowing what else to say, Ophelia simply nodded and stared down at the swirly lettering of the book in her lap.

It was one of her favorites. The romantic tale of two lonely sirens who were split up during the infernal wars only to find their way back to each other by the end.

Any time she had the chance to sneak into the siren library, she’d find it and reread it for hours.

At least until a spirit decided to pester her with gossip.

“You know, I admire your people’s ability to tell amazing stories.” Ophelia lifted her head to gaze lovingly at the shelves of books surrounding them. “They’re so beautiful. It’s heartbreaking that they’re locked away in here with no one to read them.”

“Is that why you’re here?” Mariana said with a lifted eyebrow. “To read books?”

Ophelia sighed as she stood up to put the book back. “I’m here as a friend,” she answered honestly, then faced Mariana, who scrutinized her from where she sat. “I want to help you search if you need it, that’s all.”

“That’s all?” Mariana asked, her monotone voice clearly conveying her disbelief.

“Yes. The faster we find out where the amulet is, the faster we can go get it and keep it safe.” She quickly lifted a hand toward Mariana. “Keep your people safe too. Helios cannot be allowed to return.”

Mariana’s mouth lifted like she was amused. “Let’s get one thing straight. You’re here to keep an eye on me and report back to your mistress that I’m behaving and not hiding any information I find. That’s why you want to help so badly, and we both know it.”

Ophelia lifted her head and pursed her lips. “Honesty and trust are appreciated, but Princess Halia—”

Mariana cackled. “ Honesty and trust? Are you joking?”

Ophelia only stared at her, unable to think of what to say .

Mariana waved a hand through the air. “The princess wants the amulet, so her father doesn’t use it, ensuring she stays the heir to the throne.

I get it. Doesn’t change the fact that she’s a downright evil bitch for not only holding my sister hostage but sending someone to abduct me and drag me all the way here just to do it all over again. ”

Ophelia’s eyes widened as she stared in horror at what Mariana just said.

“The princess is not—” She shook her head, unable to even whisper the words.

“Listen, it’s true that her methods are …

a bit extreme, and I will say that I do not agree with the way she handled the situation with your sister, nor do I condone what she’s done to you, but she has done admirable things for this kingdom since taking over as regent for King Stavros. ”

Mariana crossed her arms and squinted up at her. “Like?”

“Like—” Ophelia stuttered, flustered when the words escaped her just as jumbled spirit voices began whispering vehemently into her ears. “Sorry,” she muttered as she closed her eyes, willing the spirits to calm so she could speak.

“What’s happening?” Mariana asked, her voice distant and muted behind the cacophony of voices.

Grinding her teeth, Ophelia forced the voices to quiet. She took a deep breath the moment her ears only heard the crackle of the fireplace, then opened her eyes to find Mariana staring at her with a confused expression.

“I apologize, the spirits were a little loud. As I was saying—”

“Spirits?” Mariana asked, then her eyes widened. “You’re from House Spirit. You’re a Seer. ”

Ophelia nodded, holding her gloved hands in front of her. “Yes I am.”

Lifting a hand to her mouth, Mariana gazed at her with a stupefied look.

Irritation tightened her fists, and she quickly sat in the chair across from Mariana. “Look, I want to be your friend, I’m not lying about that. I really liked Astra. She was kind, and though, she, too, didn’t like to tell me anything, I could tell how much she missed her family.”

“Hmm, I wonder why,” Mariana muttered.

Ophelia ignored her. “I understand that feeling, deeply,” she admitted, thinking of her parents.

Sadness gripped her throat, and she tried shoving the feeling back as she recalled why she had even brought it up.

“I would do anything for my family, and I know you would too. Princess Halia saved me. She offered me a way to escape poverty and has done the same for so many. She works day and night to make sure this kingdom has everything it could need to thrive because everyone who lives in Aurelia is her family.”

Mariana’s eyes lifted to the painted ceiling like she wanted to roll them but had to hold herself back.

Realizing she wasn’t going to win this battle, Ophelia stood and waited for Mariana to look her in the eye.

“I’m so sorry you’re trapped here. It’s not right.

But know that I am here for you if you need anything.

I don’t want you to feel alone.” Striding toward the doors, she said over her shoulder, “I’ll be back later with dinner. ”

She headed over to where Kosta waited for her, but when she heard her name, she glanced back .

Mariana was chewing on her lip when she met her conflicted gaze.

“I hate eating alone. Bring something for yourself too.”

Ophelia’s chest lifted. It was true she may have had orders to keep an eye on Mariana, but the idea of having a friend that wasn’t her brother lit her up inside, even if it was for a short time.

She lifted a thumbs-up before leaving the library, thinking of how to tell Halia she wouldn’t be dining with her that evening.