Page 59 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“That was succinct and sufficient, Urchin,” Caspian drawled, draining his ale. “Now, Ilya. Tell me what I want to know. I’ve more than held up my end of the bargain.”

“That you have,” he said, standing and stretching before leering down at me. “She’s truly lovely, Cas. I congratulate you.”

“The information, Ilya,” Caspian demanded through gritted teeth.

“Ah, that.” The Stormcrow grinned, folding his arms over his broad chest. I noticed a few males in the crowd move toward us and put a warning hand over Caspian’s. He squeezed in acknowledgment, noticing the threat as well. “You’re altogether too trusting, Cas. You think I’d really reveal who my clients are? They pay for my discretion.”

Caspian stood, drawing his sword and pointing it at the Stormcrow’s exposed throat. The entire tavern seemed to freeze as several patrons rose and drew swords around us in turn.

“None of that, now,” the Stormcrow tsked, motioning to his armed companions. “Wouldn’t want to get blood all over your pretty mate, now, would we?”

“I will fucking kill you,” Caspian growled.

“You’ll try,” the Stormcrow agreed. “But you’ll have to find me first. And right now, you’re going to let me and my people walk out of here without causing a scene, or I’ll make damn sure you live to regret it.”

“Cas.” There was no way we could win a fight against so many, even with our magic. The four of us were sorely outnumbered, and Ilya knew it. I pulled on Caspian’s arm until he lowered his sword and took his seat beside me.

The patrons who weren’t in Ilya’s employ returned slowly to their drinks and music as Ilya rose and bowed.

“My lady, it’s been a pleasure,” the Stormcrow said, rising from the booth. “I recommend you leave Nordhavn tonight with your irascible mate, lest a worse fate befall you all.” He bowed to Sereia, who looked down at her lap, then to Astraios, who snarled, before raising his brows and giving Caspian a pointed look. “That bit of information is on the house.”

Caspian let out a breath in frustration as Ilya disappeared into the crowded tavern, his people following after him. “That fucking bastard.”

“Same as he ever was,” Astraios agreed. “What now?”

“I have an idea,” I said, easing my hand over Caspian’s as he clenched his fist around his glass. “About how we will convince my people of the truth.To help them see that we can live together in peace. But it means one of us will have to stay here.”

Caspian raised his brow and drained his glass.

“I’m listening, Urchin.”

When I had laid out my plan and let the others test it for weakness, Caspian blew out a deep breath.

“You're right, Urchin. I think this is the answer.”

“I’ll stay,” Astraios volunteered. “I can hire a ship and follow you in two days.”

“But you’re exhausted,” Sereia protested. It was the most she’d said to him all evening, and his eyes softened as he looked at her.

“Someone has to do this, Sereia. It may as well be me.”

“Then I’m staying too,” Sereia demanded, looking at me as if to challenge her decision. “I’ll help.”

Her eyes flicked to Astraios, a faint blush across her dark cheeks. When she saw my raised brow, her blush deepened.

“We’ll leave tonight,” Caspian agreed, oblivious to whatever was happening between Sereia and his second mate. “If we’re lucky, we’ll intercept the selkie army before they arrive.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, glancing between her and Astraios. He watched her with a kind of intensity I had never seen on his face before, and my suspicion about their connection deepened. If Sereia and Astraios were mates like me and Caspian, it might go a long way to help convince my people of the truth. Not just one but two selkies of the royal household mated to sirens within a month of each other—fate indeed.

Sereia nodded,blue eyes fierce. “I’ll stay.”

“Follow in two days,” Caspian commanded, clasping hands with Astraios. “And be safe.”

“You too,” Astraios murmured, clapping me on the shoulder once before turning to Sereia, his hand upturned in the direction of the town. “Shall we?”

She nodded, looking a little pale but determined as she strode back into town

“Do you think they’re mates?”