“What else might kill you, princeling?” Lyra chuckled darkly. “Everything in the fucking water.” She turned her attentions back to Emmett without waiting for Theo’s response.
“I’m serious, though.” She pointed her finger at Emmett and Pippa. “I’ll sign your bargain so you know I won’t hurt Theo, but you two can’t come. It’s going to be obvious as all hell trying to get the three of you to the Minch. If it’s just Theo and me, then I can pretend he’s my prisoner.”
Pippa nearly lost her mind. “Absolutelyfuckingnot?—”
“Okay,” Theo agreed easily.
Emmett and Pippa turned to look at him with confused expressions. He desperately wanted to change out of his wet clothes and put the entire last thirty minutes behind him.
“She’s not wrong. We won’t be under any threat if it’s assumed I’m her prisoner.” There was another long stretch of silence as Emmett and Pippa considered it. Emmett looked at his mate, and they had some silent conversation until Pippa made an exasperated groan and put her hands up.
“Fine! You win. Butyou’rethe one who has to tell Calum that you signed a fae bargain with a fucking siren and sent his baby brother off to the Minch in her arms.”
Theo realized he rather quite liked the idea.
I’m so fucked.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Are you sure about this?” Emmett crossed his arms over his broad chest, staring down at Theo. He fidgeted slightly, suddenly feeling like he was under the gaze of a strict parent.
Am I sure about this?Theo asked himself the same question. Theo knew he was protected by the fae bargain they were making with Lyra, but it still didn't fill him with confidence. There was an answer to every bargain and every curse. Their entire adventure towards the Minch was to uncover ways to break Theo’s curse.
There was something about Lyra that drew Theo in. He couldn’t help but feel alive when he looked at her, as if there was a greater purpose—even greater than his curse—to their meeting.
Maybe you’ve been isolated too long, Theo wondered to himself. It had been years since he’d been out on a date, but being hunted by the queen of the banshees would put a damper on anyone’s romantic life.
“Theo?” Emmett put his hand on Theo’s shoulder. “Are you listening to me?”
“What?” Theo shook himself from his stupor. “Huh? Yeah, I’m listening. How long do the effects of a siren song last?”
Emmett’s brow furrowed further, and he looked back towards Lyra. She was waiting for them on the banks of the river while Pippa stared daggers at her.
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea…” Emmett murmured, and Theo shook his head.
“No, no, it’s fine,” he quickly reassured Emmett. “I was just curious. That seems like an important piece of information to know when traveling with a siren.”
Emmett looked unconvinced, but he nodded and acquiesced. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I swear.” Theo forced a wide smile on his face.
“A siren song can be deadly,” Emmett noted, “but they are only harmful while the siren is singing. As soon as the song stops, the effect stops. That is their one weakness. The only chance you’d have of getting away.”
“So there are no lingering effects?” Theo paled as he pressed Emmett with his line of questioning.
If the effects of the siren song stop as soon as Lyra is done singing, what is wrong with me?
Theo had been inundated with thoughts about Lyra from the moment he’d seen her, and they’d continued well after her song had stopped. He didn’t know if he was agreeing to this quest with her because he genuinely thought it was a good idea or because he suddenly couldn’t imagine a world without her in it.
Easy there, tiger.Theo reminded himself.You’ve got to get a grip on yourself and fast.
“No.” Emmett looked concerned. “There are no lingering effects. Are you sure that you’re okay?”
Theo nodded and fumbled for an excuse to give to Emmett for his strange demeanor. “It’s a lot, you know? I've only knownCalum for a week, and now we’re here, and I’m setting off with Lyra. I'm just trying to keep my head on straight.”
There, that isn’t a lie. You’re just omitting the fact that now you can’t stop wondering if her hair smells like salt and sweet sea air.
Emmett’s face twisted into an expression that was full of empathy as he scratched his beard.
