Page 63 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

I felt a pang of guilt at the anger and betrayal on the captain’s face. Perhaps if I’d gone with him, none of this would have happened. But I’d already made my choice, whether or not I realized it then.

My choice would always be Caspian.

“I love him, Vitulus,” I said softly, willing him to understand. “Our mating was fated long before we met, and it cannot be undone. If the gods cry out, it is because of this war, not because of me.”

“Mates are chosen among the selkies,” he reminded me gruffly. “As I chose you.”

“But I didn’t choose you back.” I kept my words soft and apologetic. It hadn’t been Vitulus’ fault that I couldn’t love him. “And it hasn’t always been that way. We used to rule together—sirens and selkies—as one people. As mates.”

“Which led to the Betrayal,” Vitulus growled.

“Yes and no,” I argued, wishing I had Ana’s books or Theia here to confirm my tale. “The Betrayal wasourfault, Vitulus. The Selkie King, my great-great-grandfather, preferred to see his eldest son dead than mated to the Siren Princess. It wasourfault.”

“What you are saying makes no sense,” Vitulus argued, still as a stone statue before the door. “There are no records—no teachings—”

“Did you everseesirens attack the Isles before the day Caspian showed up?” I asked, temper fraying. “Did youseethe blockade that prevented any of us from leaving?”

Vitulus clenched his jaw, looking murderous. “No.”

“Did you know that many selkies live on the mainland? Thattheyhave siren mates?”

Vitulus didn’t answer this time, and I pushed on. “You are not a fool, and yet you believe the words of my father and his advisors over the evidence I have seen with my own eyes.”

“You are influenced by—”

I laughed, cutting off his argument. “I am bound in iron chains, yet you still believe me to be under some magic spell. How is this possible?”

“Where is Sereia?” Vitulus asked, changing the subject so quickly it took me a moment to register what he had asked.

“Why?” I asked, my tone taking on a hard edge. “Did she escape the dungeons that quickly?”

“So youhaveseen her.” Vitulus clenched his jaw again, so hard a muscle feathered in his cheek. “Where is she? She is not on board the ship.”

“I don’t know,” I lied, praying that she and Astraios were hidden enough in Nordhavn to prevent them from being found if Vitulus decided to send soldiers after her.

“You do not help yourself by lying, Princess.” Vitulus sighed, pinning me with a hard stare. “Your father will kill him to free you from his hold. You say you love him, but are you willing towatch him die?”

“If he dies, so do I,” I replied coldly, feeling the truth of the words in my bones. Even if I somehow survived, I saw what was left of Theia after her mate died. “I will throw myself before my father’s spear, rather than live a life without him.”

Vitulus shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment. “I would have loved you, Marina. Would have cared for you and protected you. I still will, if you give up this foolishness.”

My stomach flipped in distaste at the idea of mating Vitulus, the idea more repugnant now than it ever had been.

“It is not foolish to want peace. It is not foolish to believe that we can be better. That we can find a future in harmony, rather than discord. It is not foolish to love someone so much you would die for that love. And I know you do not feel that way for me.”

“I might in time,” he said, taking a step toward me and reaching out to cup my cheek. “I would have done my duty.”

He tilted my face up to his, and I smiled sadly. “Duty is not enough.”

He let out a frustrated breath again, stepping away from me and lowering his hand.

I closed my eyes and tugged on the bond between us, needing to feel Caspian on the other end—to reassure myself that he was well.

His responding caress eased something tight in my chest.

“Tell me.” I looked up again to find Vitulus watching me. “What did my father pay the Stormcrow to bring me to him?”

Vitulus’ face didn’t shift as he responded, “A great deal. More than the Isles can afford without trade. It is another reason our people suffer.”