From the Mouths of Sirens by Abigail Hair

Author:Abigail Hair [Hair, Abigail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-06T18:30:00+00:00

17

SAOIRSE

At dawn, Saoirse and her fellow tributes were escorted to the courtyard of the Citadel. Their attendants crowded around them, waving banners and flags in celebration of the Tournament. It was the last time they’d get a glimpse of their champions before they’d watch them from the stands.

As they were led through the crowd of Mer courtiers and toward the awaiting chariots, her stomach churned. The voices of cheering Merfolk filled her ears, reminding her of why she had dreamed of this day her whole life. But instead of excitement, apprehension seeped into her heart like a slow-acting poison.

Through the dull roar of the crowd, Saoirse managed to pull herself out of her thoughts and focus on reality. Sune stepped into the chariot first, holding out a hand for Aurelia as she climbed in behind him. Elaborate golden cuffs wrapped around their wrists and forearms, more stylistic than protective. In addition to the gold cuffs, the three of them wore matching uniforms of deep turquoise, tailored perfectly to each of them. The flexible, light fabric was soft against Saoirse’s skin, perfect for mobility and combat. The fitted breeches were flesh against her legs, as tight as a second skin.

Unlike the raeda that had taken them to Coarinth from the coast, their chariot was open to the air for everyone to see. Chained to the front, three winged horses waited anxiously for flight, pawing at the street with silver-painted hooves.

Saoirse began to step into the chariot, but a cold hand suddenly grabbed her arm. Nails dug into her skin as Adda Carew pulled her back.

“Do not forget your bargain,” she hissed in her ear. Saoirse went cold, the world blurring as Adda tightened her grip on her arm. “Selussa is watching.” The High Elder let go of her, melting back into the crowd as quickly as she had appeared.

Saoirse tried not to appear rattled by her words. She forced herself to look ahead, even though her hands were shaking. Saoirse took Sune's outstretched hand and climbed into the carriage, the burn of Adda’s fingers still lingering on her skin.

“This is it,” Aurelia noted in disbelief, staring out into the fray of cheering Merfolk.

“We've trained for this, and worse. We'll manage,” Sune added, grabbing the crossbar attached to the front of the chariot for balance. But Saoirse couldn’t hear their words as Adda’s warning reverberated through her head and blotted out all other sounds.

Selussa is watching.

She didn’t need to be reminded of what she had to do. She had thought of the bargain all night, tossing and turning in her bed as thoughts of Rook plagued her mind. He was infuriating and arrogant, and his charming smile sent her blood boiling. But the act of killing him had become much harder to think about. She had gazed at the vial of Selussa’s blood for a long time the night before, trying to think of ways to do it. She could sneak up on him. She could take him by surprise when he least suspected it, attacking him while he was distracted.

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