Kas raised a hand, gesturing to an attendant towards the far wall, who peeled away from a group and crossed the floorin their direction. His irritation vanished into softness, and Kas smiled charmingly at Eli. “Rumour has it that an upstart from the pits cheated and scammed several people to steal for themselves an advantageous position. I wonder what would happen if word of such fraudulent activity were to reach Prince Hal’s ears?”
Eli blanched.
Kas gazed down at him with a look of perfect, beautiful innocence.
“I wonder.” Austin’s voice did more than sting. He turned his glare on Tristan, whose brows rose in surprise at suddenly becoming the focus of his ire. “I’m sure your brother knows better than to think he can bringmyattendant to trial.”
Austin recalled Kas’s trial. How despite being besotted, Hal had remained loyal to his beloved justice. And if he tried to take Eli from him? A growl rose in Austin’s throat.
“I’m sure he does,” Tristan agreed. “May I point out I’mnot the one who said that?”
Austin’s attention shifted away from Tristan. The attendant Kas had gestured to delivered a heavy-looking brown leather book with yellowed pages into his hands. “I did not mean to make threats,” Kas said calmly. “I apologise if it came across that way. Prince Tristan, this is the book you requested Hal find. It was among my late mother’s collection.” Kas handed it to Tristan in a peculiar manner, the front of the book and its title pointed towards Austin. The words translated automatically:A Treatise on Sirens: Encounters Throughout the Ages.
Tristan accepted the book with a wry look at Kas. He immediately passed it to Austin with a bemused expression. “I thought you might like this.”
“You got your sirenpartner a book about sirens?” Kas asked, his disapproval clear in his tone.
Austin took the book and immediately opened it.
“And he likes it. Right,” Kas said. “I’m going back to Hal. If you want me,pleasedon’t say my name over and over again like that. It’s exceptionally irritating.”
Austin raised his head from the book. “Does being in a crowded room like this not bother you? All the sounds?”
“It’s annoying, but I’ve largely learned to tune out everything except whatever I’m focusing on. I usually take painkillers before I go somewhere with a lot of noise.” Kas hesitated, an unsure look crossing his face, followed by a resolved one. “I’m sorry if my listening in bothered you. Your voice is very soothing. I keep focusing on it without meaning to.”
Austin pursed his lips as Kas walked away. Eli chantedKas, Kas, Kas,until Kas twisted to glare at him, and Eli returned a not-so-innocent look.
“Soothing,” Austin repeated flatly.
“It is,” Tristan said.
“Mhm.” Eli hummed agreement. “I think I could happily listen to one of Prince Hal’s treatises on justice if you were the one reading it.”
A scowl formed. Tristan cupped Austin’s chin and pressed a soft kiss between his brows, softening the lines there.
Austin put aside their annoying remarks and moved his focus to the book. Loopy handwriting that challenged even his innate ability to comprehend all language filled the pages. After he got through the introduction, in which the author described his academic experience studying history and aquatic phenomena, it became easier to decipher.
Austin flicked his gaze up as he turned the page, feeling Tristan’s attention. The merman was watching his wrists, then his fingers as they slid down the page. “Do you want me to read it out loud?”
Immediate interest filled Tristan’s eyes. “I would enjoy that.”
Eli scooted closer.
“Have you read it?” Austin asked.
Tristan shook his head.
“Was it really a gift for me, or did Kas just catch you out?”
Tristan smiled wanly. “I intended to give it to you the moment it was in my possession. You said Liam used to get you textbooks detailing things you’ve experienced, and you liked getting to understand them. I don’t know any other siren alive, so I had to settle for books. I have a few others requested from the academy, though they are slow to agree to send out their texts. I’ve sent men to retrieve them, one way or another.”
“You’re very talkative,” Austin said.
For some reason, Eli laughed.
Tristan stretched out his legs, which were already close to Austin’s, and pressed them in so they bracketed Austin’s. His eyes were predator bright.
“I’ll just read a bit.” Austin returned his attention to the book. It started immediately into a loose description of what distinguished sirens from other merfolk. Sirens, according to the text, possessed a hypnotic, irresistible song that could lure and enchant any who heard it. Some could enchant entire crowds of men with their voice, while others seeded lifelong desire when their voice was heard just once. Despite prevalent rumours, sirens were less ship wreckers and more kingdom disruptors, time and time again choosing to beguile those who ruled rather than sailors. They often partnered with kings and queens, princes and princesses, rather than their own kind, favouring opulent lifestyles that most merfolk weren’t drawn to.
