Page 63 of When the Wicked Sing (The Leruna Sea #1)

“ Oh, how the waves roll in, faster than the setting sun, faster than the rising moon —Gahhh!”

The old male shouted as Mariana pulled herself up out of the sea and onto Aurelia’s dock.

Standing up straight, she gave him a sheepish smile. “Sorry to startle you,” she panted. “Lovely singing voice, though!”

Leaving the gaping sailor behind, Mariana quickly ran the length of the harbor, wet hair flying behind her, lungs and limbs shouting for a break. But there was no time for a break. No time to breathe as she sprinted toward the shimmering gates of the Aurelian palace.

It had been two days since she and Aurora left Sirenia’s shore.

By now, her sister would’ve returned to Salus, ready to protect their mother.

They had no idea who was hurting Cybele, but if the same assailant had truly attacked Astra, then Cybele had to be protected.

Aurora and Mariana had vowed on that forsaken beach that they would do everything they could to save her.

That all started with securing the amulet and protecting Cybele from further harm .

“I am Queen Mariana! Let me in!” she shouted up at the gates, then breathed a sigh of relief when they opened a moment later.

Using her power, she expelled the remaining water clinging to her skin, clothes, and hair, leaving a small puddle behind her as she entered the immaculate courtyard.

The fountain glittered, spewing water gently into the pool below. The sound was soothing, and Mariana took a deep breath, calming her heart.

The peace was broken by the clacking sound of shoes over the stone path.

A short, round-faced servant quickly approached her and bowed, his lips pursed distastefully at her outfit.

Mariana resisted the urge to slap the look right off his face.

“Queen Mariana. Please do accept our humble apologies, but now is not the time for any visitors.”

“I need to speak with Princess Halia. It’s urgent.”

The servant shook his head, the tuft of graying hair atop his head moving with the breeze. He clasped his white-gloved hands and gave her a pointed look. “That’s simply not possible. Princess Halia is preparing for the funeral. She is very busy.”

Mariana’s eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him. “Pardon me, whose funeral?”

He blinked at her. “King Stavros, may he rest in peace.” He said it with a slight bow of his head.

Mariana felt her jaw drop along with her stomach. All she could hear was the erratic beat of her heart drumming loudly in her ears .

Her mind couldn’t process what he’d just said. “The king … is dead?” she breathed.

She lifted a shaky hand to her lips.

Stavros. The king who had destroyed Sirenia. The male who had loved Cybele and sired Mariana. The father who died dreaming of what could’ve been.

She could hardly believe it.

“No,” she whispered.

“Yes, it is a tragedy,” the servant commented.

“It was so sudden, and unfortunately, the medics do not know the cause of death.” He sighed dramatically, almost wistfully, as if knowing the cause of death would solve everything.

Then he turned on his heel. “Please follow me; I will take you to your room.”

His curt behavior pulled her from her foggy stupor. “Wait,” she blurted, and the servant turned to look at her. “What’s your name?”

He lifted his head proudly, a slight smug look in his blue eyes. “Rupert, Your Highness.”

Mariana took a step toward him. “Rupert, I need you to pass a message along to the princess. Tell her I must speak with the council at their earliest convenience. Do you understand?”

Rupert seemed to hold back a retort, his lips pinching. “Of course, I shall pass along the message.” He eyed her up and down before turning on his polished shoes again. “Please follow me.”

Stepping into the inner courtyard, Mariana swallowed. She was still reeling from the news when a voice shouted, “Mariana!”

Turning, Mariana saw Ophelia practically running toward her from the other side of the fountain. Her ivory robes billowed in the breeze, and yet her hood somehow stayed atop her curly blonde hair.

Ophelia slowed as she neared, her bright eyes shimmering with delight. “Rupert, I have it from here. You’re excused,” she said to the servant without looking at him.

Rupert’s eyebrows scrunched together. “Madam, I do believe I should be the one to escort—”

Ophelia finally glanced at him, eyes narrowed. “Thank you, but I will escort her royal highness into the palace. You are excused .”

Rupert huffed, then turned and dramatically marched away.

Ophelia bit her cheek to keep from laughing, causing Mariana to do the same.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, after everything that’s happened. And that letter your sister left for Princess Halia in the library.” Ophelia’s eyes widened before she giggled. “I’ve never seen her so angry in my life.”

Any hint of amusement Mariana felt faded away into grim sadness. Kosta had been caught in the crossfire of all of this, and so had the Seer. “Ophelia, I want to apologize.”

“For what?” Ophelia asked, concern in her gaze.

“I overheard that Kosta is your brother. I’m sorry my sister and I—That we—”

Ophelia shook her head and placed a steady hand on Mariana’s arm. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Kosta is so uptight all the time. He tries to hide it with his bad humor , but really, he needed to get away from the palace. ”

“But the way we did it—he could’ve died—” Mariana stumbled over her words, trying to find the right thing to say when Ophelia suddenly pulled her in for a hug.

The Seer was slightly taller than her and tightly wrapped her arms around her shoulders. “I forgive you, Mari. Please, it’s okay. I promise,” she said gently.

Mariana hugged her back, grateful.

Pulling back, Ophelia squeezed Mariana’s hands gently. “I know things have been messy between us. But … I’d really like to be your friend, if that’s something you’re okay with? If not, that’s totally fine! I just—I hope we can find some common ground, or—”

Mariana bit back a laugh as she gave Ophelia’s arms a reassuring squeeze. “Ophelia, I’d like to be your friend too.”

Ophelia let out a small, relieved laugh. “ Good .” Her eyes roamed Mariana’s face and neck, probably taking in the fact that her skin was now pale blue. “I’m happy to see your gills are back! I’m so glad you found her.”

Astra . Mariana swallowed, her smile strained.

She opened her mouth to respond when movement across the courtyard caught her eye.

High up on the second story, Dax was walking across the short bridge between buildings.

His face turned, and he stilled. Their eyes met for a second.

All Mariana wanted to do was run to him, leap into his arms, and hold him close.

The shock on his face shifted into haunted sorrow. His head dipped, looking away from her, as though he couldn’t meet her gaze any longer. Clenching his jaw, he forced himself to keep going. He never looked back .

Mariana felt tears well up in her eyes as she watched him cross through a doorway. Whether it was from stress, fatigue, or heartbreak, she couldn’t tell. And she didn’t want to. She had no idea where she and Dax stood, but clearly, he didn’t want to see her.

Ophelia had apparently seen what happened and took Mariana’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“He’s been distant since we returned and discovered the king had passed.”

“Dax and the king helped Astra escape,” Mariana admitted softly.

The Seer dipped her eyes. “I know. He chose to help her despite the repercussions that would come if Halia found out.”

Mariana didn’t miss the guilt in those words. “And did she?”

Ophelia swallowed, lifting her gaze to Mariana’s. An unspoken truth passed between them as the Seer gave her a small, sad smile.

“Come on, let’s get you to your rooms.”

Ophelia graciously pulled her along, away from the storm and into the hurricane.