I swore, bending down to examine him further. “Hewasalive.”
Lennox knelt in the dirt at my side. “What happened?”
I took his chin in my hand, moving his head from side to side. Foam leaked from his mouth and dripped down his chin, green flecks dotted the substance.
“Poison,” Lennox murmured. I searched through the Vanir male’s pockets, in the top pocket at the top of his black vest I produced a sprig of a leafy plant.
“Dec,” I called, rising to stand. “What is this?”
I dropped the plant into his open hand. He pinched it between his fingers before bringing it to his nose. He sniffed it and rolled it around in between his fingers.
“Nights Vane,” he said finally. “The plant is lethal when consumed.”
“The Vanir are getting smarter,” Nico concluded.
“We need to move faster,” Luciana added.
“Has your city had any other connections with the Vanir? Any run ins?” I turned my attention to Yemaya as Lennox spoke.
Yemaya shook her head. “No, I promise. I first heard of them from your letters and speeches. I don’t approve of my sister’s actions. I don’t know what she would gain fromgiving you over to the Vanir—or how she got in contact with them. I’ve never even heard of any of them residing in Thalassa, not a murmur.”
“She had to have been in contact with them for a while,” Nol said. “Otherwise how would she have been able to set this up so quickly?”
Yemaya’s face fell. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I never meant any harm to come to you. How can I repay you for my sister’s actions?”
“Your sister’s actions do not reflect on you,” Lennox said. “You have been nothing but accommodating to me since we arrived this morning—you have shown nothing but kindness and support.” I loved seeing this side of her—when she fully fell into her role as queen. “I would still like to ally with you if you’re willing. But I will be leaving it up to Ceto and Alon with what is done with your sister once we question her. If it were up to me, I’d kill her for what she tried to do, which is why I’ll leave her fate up to the kings.”
Yemaya nodded her head in understanding, “Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.”
“Lennox, call me Lennox. I think we’re well past pleasantries now.”
I wrapped an arm around Lennox’s shoulder, placing a kiss on her head, finding a spot where blood wasn’t splattered.
“You slayed the enemy by our side,” Nico said, “I think that means we’re friends now.”
“What can I do to repay you?” Yemaya asked.
“Get your troops ready to come with us, as soon as possible.”
“Done,” Yemaya said without question. “I can have those who will rally with you prepped and ready to go the day after tomorrow.”
“Explain to me again what happened.” Alon was silent beside Ceto, who continued to look between all of us. We had returned to the place instead of going back to Thalassa, Yemaya and Declan had returned from depositing Sidna in the dungeon while the rest of us filled in the kings on what had happened since they left us in the underwater city.
“Sidna, the siren bitch, used her siren call to lure Luka and I into her clutches and forced me to stab my mate before attempting to trade us to the Vanir. What part don’t you understand?”
“I understand it all I just?—“
“I thought you had Sidna under control,” Alon cut in, his gaze was icy as he glared at Yemaya.
“I thought I did but?—”
“There is no excuse, your sister will face trial for her crimes. Conspiring against the High Queen is a dangerous crime.”
Yemaya looked at the ground. “I understand, Your Majesties.”
“I’m sorry,” Ceto offered.
“You knew about Sidna, that she’s a siren?” Luce questioned.
