Page 90 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

“No drowning people!” I chided. “The southern island is yours, but you’re not to drown anyone on the inhabited islands. That will be part of the treaty between your people and mine.”

What if they come to our island?

“Then yes, they’re fair game. The island is yours to protect as you see fit.”

“We’ll make sure our people know,” Caspian added.

What if there are bad, evil people on your islands though?Ran asked, as if this were a great concern he should deal with immediately.I could drown them.

“I’m not doing this, you busybody,” I sighed in exasperation. “No drowning. That’s an order.”

Ran tossed his head in annoyance.Fine. We will drown only the bad people.

He galloped away as my shout of, “No drowning!” was lost in the wind.

“I think I’ll miss him too,” Caspian mused, squeezing me tightly.

“You will not,” I snorted, turning in his arms.

He kissed me, eyes dancing with mischief. “No, I probably won’t.”

Ran joined his herd—a line of glittering water horses galloping across the sea, neighing their approval into the wind.

“Show offs,” Caspian murmured.

The usual drums beat a fierce rhythm against the sand as dancing began. Soon, strings joined in, played by several sirens on lyres and fiddles, the first the island had heard in five hundred years. I saw a few of the guests cover their ears in panic, eventually lowering their hands when nothing untoward occurred.

Caspian handed me my stew, which was now somewhat cold, and we ate while watching the crowd.

The only people who didn’t seem to be enjoying themselves were Hesperus and Vitulus. Neither seemed to be able to cross the divide between them, yet they also were drawn to each other at every meeting. Vitulus stood a few feet away like a statue as Hesperus spoke to one of the selkie lords, his eyes full of both disgust and yearning.

“Such a shame that those two can’t work it out,” Caspian quipped.

I nudged him in the ribs. “Give them time. It must be hard for Vitulus.”

“Realizing his mate is a male, or that he’s a siren?”

I shrugged. “The latter, more than the former I think.” I’d never seen Vitulus romantically involved with anyone, and his professions of caring for me had never been heated. Never passionate, nor full of longing.

I now understood why.

“I’m not sure the bastard deserves happiness after all the shit he pulled,” Caspian grumbled as he finished his meal and piled my dishes atop his.

“You’re just relieved he’s not a rival for my affections anymore more,” I teased as we returned them to the wait staff, who I hoped were allowed to enjoy the party once the meal had ended.

He laughed, nipping my ear and moving his fingers over my ribs in a way that made me lose my capacity for speech. “He was never much of a rival, Urchin.”

“Scoundrel.”

“Dance with me, Urchin,” he laughed, leading me to the beach where others had gathered. Their forms were a glorious blend of siren steps and selkie rhythm, everyone dancing to the music in whatever way most moved their souls.

“Do you remember the tavern?” Caspian asked, reading my thoughts as he gripped my waist with one hand and took my hand with the other. “It feels like it was years ago now.”

“Only months,” I sighed, tipping my head back and smiling up at him. “I almost miss the simplicity of being kidnapped by a rogue pirate king.”

Caspian laughed, spinning me on the floor to the lively beat. The sand was cold against my bare feet, but I didn’t mind as the warmth of Caspian’s embrace lit me from within.

Mira’s medicine kept my lungs from bothering me, and Caspian had suggested we go in search of a more permanent cure once the Isles were more settled. I wasn’t in a rush, though. Far from being a burden, I’d come to view the illness as a gift. If it was the price I had to pay for my magic—for the ability to protect my mate and my people—I would gladly pay it.