Page 89 of Hymn of Breath and Bone

The sight of winged and unwinged people standing side by side below us sent a thrill through me as I recognized several children from my music lesson in the cliffs waving and clapping.

“Your people seem to be settling in,” I commented, shouting in Caspian’s ear over the wind.

“Ourpeople,” he corrected. “I just got word that another ship is on the way. Almost everyone will be here next week.”

“We’ll need to clear more cliff dwellings.” We’d been steadily clearing the abandoned cliff dwellings to make them habitable again after five centuriesof disuse, but it was a daunting and somewhat disgusting task. Although it was looking like many would remain empty for the time being, we planned to clear them all. They’d be a welcome place for visitors, and we hoped that siren numbers would grow in the coming years now that they had returned home where their magic was strongest.

“I can’t wait,” Caspian groaned. I laughed at his distaste for cleaning. I knew he was anxious to sail—to establish a clear trade route. It killed him that the task would fall to Astraios instead, as it was too early in our new rule for him to be away from the Isles. “Are you sure I shouldn’t go with Astraios?”

“No, you insufferable seagull,” I said firmly, smiling with hope for my friend and her budding relationship. “Sereia is going, and they need to have their own adventure. Let them fall in love without your brooding presence making them feel awkward.”

“I do not brood,” Caspian replied haughtily as we alighted on the beach. He stole a quick kiss before everyone clamored for my attention, and the bond within me stirred with desire. It had been quieter, now that our mating wasn’t quite so new and Caspian’s injuries had healed, but strong emotion stirred it to life. Caspian’s desire was a pulse through my body as he murmured, “I’ll show you exactly how much Idon’tbrood later.”

“I look forward to investigating under your kilt,” I replied with a too-chaste brush of my lips against his.

The ceremony on the beach was presided over by one of the priestesses, who was still far too much in awe of me for my taste. The selkie lords and siren council were our witnesses, having merged into a new joint advisory body that insisted on taking up all of our time with meetings.

Both Caspian and I knelt in the sand, the surf lapping at our bare feet, as the priestess recited old selkie prayers to the sea. The sky bled a deep purple as day turned to night and my father’s crown—my crown—was placed atop my head.

I’d commissioned a matching crown for Caspian, and I’d had both reworked. Golden feathers now wove between the silver coral, a true emblem of both of our peoples.

The priestess finished her prayers, handing me a small dagger with a handle of pearl. I cut my palm, then handed the blade to Caspian who did the same. We clasped hands, letting our mixed blood trickle into the sand and flow into the sea, a blood-bond to the land we now ruled together.

With a little nudge from me, the sea arced in a glittering wave behind me, forming wings to match my mate’s.

“Rise, Queen and King of Sea and Sky, and greet your people.”

The party was, ofcourse, the best part of the ceremony.

The cooks had outdone themselves, with Reuben providing recipes and inspiration for meals that would honor siren diet and culture alongside traditional selkie dishes. He grinned at Caspian as we filled our plates, making sure we each took a large helping of fish stew.

It is time, little goddess,came a watery voice from behind me. I dropped my bowl, which Caspian caught neatly in his free hand.

“Seas, Ran, don’t sneak up on me like that!”

I do not sneak, Ran replied haughtily.I glide.

Caspian snorted a laugh as he placed both of our bowls on a nearby rock, lest I spill fish stew all over myself.

“What is it time for, exactly?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

For us to return to our lake. His eerie, depthless eyes looked almost sad as he added,My herd grows restless for home.

“But you’ll visit?” I asked, feeling Caspian’s arm snake around my waist in a comforting weight. “This isn’t goodbye forever?”

I suppose as the king of my people, I will be required to meet with you. I believe you call it ‘diplomacy.’

“What do you call it?” Caspian asked. I could hear the amusement in his voice.

A waste of time.

“I’ll miss you.” I threw my arms around his watery neck as I held back tears, feeling a bit ridiculous for crying over a horse that tried to drown my mate once.

Until you need me again, little goddess, Ran snorted confidently, tossing his watery mane and soaking Caspian as I released him.We are even now.

“Thank the fucking skies,” Caspian murmured, earning another flick of water from the horse on response.

I could still drown you, winged one.