He nodded too quickly. His features were drawn, hands fisted at his sides. I stepped back and lifted one of his fists. He tried to pull it back, but I held tight. Gently, I worked his fingers open and ran my hand over his. He watched me with a look that was both wonderous and bereft. “We may have muddied things for ourselves up there,” I said, “but it—you gave me comfort.” I wove our fingers together. “I would like to do the same for you now.”
Hard fingers squeezed around mine and he raised my hand to his lips. He placed a kiss on my knuckle. We started across the seafloor, hand in hand.
“You are picturing a woman like you,” he said when we were halfway across. “She’s not. She is ancient and time hardened. Emotion doesn’t rule her, only her poisons do—only her magic.” He tugged on my hand, made me look at him. “Do not make the mistake of thinking she will do right by you.”
I gulped. “I won’t.”
When we reached the edge of the holm, the sea slowly trickled back in behind us, nipping at our heels. The rocks were slick andsteep, and our wet boots slid over bright green algae, over pebbles and sand, until finally we stood in the little clearing before her door.
It was warped and hung crooked. The large gaps between its slats had been filled with dried plants and pitch, the metal sashes had long been corrupted by rust, but it was sturdy still. I reached for the rough latch, then stopped.
Anticipation and fear had turned my stomach sick, but I was mere days away from being free. Days away from being rid of all the virulent ties to my old life—of my bond to Eusia. Days away from starting a new life that was all my own. I’d be rid of the deception of a blood bond that made me want a man I could never have.
Slowly, I turned toward Theodore and reached up to touch his stubbled cheek. He leaned into my palm. The edges of his eyes were strained, his full lips collapsed into a firm line.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Then I flung the door of the hut wide open, slipped behind it, and slammed it firmly shut. I felt for a bolt, slid it into place. I pressed my back against the damp wood.
Theodore punched the door. “Imogen.”
It was black as night within.
“Imogen.Gods damn it.” He hit the door again. “Open it now.”
A voice came from the nothingness. A young woman’s, deep and melodic and lovely. Her croon was so encompassing it seemed to vibrate through my chest. “There you are, dearest. I have waited so long.”
Terror fell through me like a jagged stone.
Theodore redoubled his pounding at the sound of her voice. The wood rattled against my back.
“Imogen, open the fucking door.” His shoulder must have slammed into it next, deep voice cracking. “Imogen.”
“He’ll break my door,” said the maiden.
“Then let’s be quick.”
“Quick?” Her voice hummed like a song. “Oh, my girl, what you require is a slow business.”
“How do you know what I require?”
“You do not know me, do you?” She tutted. “I can feel your power through the sea. Just like you can feel the water that has seeped through the soles of your boots. I can nearly taste the God’s blood that flows beneath your supple, young skin in the air.” A faint rustling sound sent a shiver through me. “Your blood has spread through the sea for decades. I can only assume you are here because you want it back.”
“I am the daughter of the Great Goddess Ligea. I need to know what… happened. Where she went. And how.” I tried to swallow, but my mouth had gone dry. “And I hold two blood bonds. I need them severed.”
A loud bang came from the door at my back. Another and another.
“Two bonds! Two is one too many, did no one ever tell you?” Her amusement was caustic. “Has it made you sick?” Another scraping, rustling sound came from the darkness. The quiet clinking of glass against glass. “I need your blood first, sweeting. To give you the answers you seek. And to know just what kind of severing draught to give you.”
Theodore’s next assault on the door sounded with a splintering crack. “Open the door, Imogen. Do not give her your blood without me beside you.”
She gave a gentle, melodic laugh. “You’re certain he wants a severance?”
“Of course he does. That’s why he came here with me.” She gave a simpering hum at my answer. “The blood bond is confusing us both.”
“Confusingis not what I’d call a Siren’s blood bond. The bond is clear as clean water… toprotect. That is all it commands.”
I shook my head, trying not to lose my nerve. This was the only way I could protect him. By keeping him out of her hut, away from her smoke and its memories. More rustling, and then the maiden’s lovely voice fell low. “Your blood.”
“Imogen.” Theodore’s voice turned begging, broken.
