Page 139 of Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales

“Your family home?” Emmeline repeated as Roremar helped her tie off her horse. The trio of sleek black Starsearcher mares were thin and lithe, making them suitable for cutting through the jungle terrain when given the chance.

“Our father bought it when he and our mother had their bonding ceremony.” Roremar looked at the house, and she swore there was a hint of longing and endearment in his soft smile. “It was practically a ruin, but he said they took one look at it and the land and didn’t care how long it took to restore it or how far he had to walk to get to the market.”

Waves rolled against the shore in the distance, slapping lazily against rock in a soothing lullaby, and a gentle breeze whispered through the jungle. It was a slice of escape, a haven amid the fear encapsulating the rest of the isle and the breath of fresh air she needed after last night.

Sunlight sliced through the branches and glistened off the sea, and Emmeline imagined what it would be like to retreat into this serenity every night. How would the stars look from here?

“It’s lovely,” she muttered.

Roremar laughed, soft and affectionate. “Wait until you get inside.” Placing a hand to her lower back, he guided her up the steps. Forget-me-nots and lush green plants cascaded down the porch, looking like they’d been tended to carefully.

“What’s inside?”

No sooner had she asked the question than the door flew wide, crashing back against the hinges, and a small body launched itself at Roremar. Emmeline nearly stumbled as she ducked out of the way.

“Rory!” the little girl squealed, arms latching around his neck.

He scooped her up in a hug that seemed to relax his entire body. “Happy birthday, kid,” he whispered with a tenderness that squeezed Emmeline’s chest. “Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up.”

“That’s okay!” She giggled, leaning back to look at him. “Mother said you’d get here as quickly as you could, and you’ve only missed breakfast.”

Mother? Something in Emmeline went cold. Was she—she couldn’t be⁠—

The little girl’s hair was lighter than Roremar’s, but when she turned her big blue eyes on Emmeline, it was practically the same face. Younger and feminine, but the same shape to the eyes and lips. The same curiosity and smirk.

She couldn’t be his, could she?

“Oh, you brought a friend?” the girl asked. Squirming out of his arms, she dropped to her feet and held out her hand. Not shy, this one. “Hi, I’m Siena.”

Siena. The name rang a bell.

“Hi Siena, I’m Emmeline,” she answered, shaking her hand.

“She’s pretty, Rore,” Siena whispered loudly.

“I know.” Those two words rolled down Emmeline’s spine as Roremar placed his hands on Siena’s shoulders. “Sisi, Emmeline is my…friend. We’re working together. And Emmeline, Siena is my youngest sister.”

Emmeline’s eyes snapped to his, and she couldn’t deny the relief that flushed through her. Was certain Roremar smirked as if he felt it, too. His brows raised in a silent taunt, but she scowled and looked back at his sister.

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Siena. I love your dress.”

She twirled, the pale-pink fabric shimmering in the light. “Thank you. Vivi helped mother make it special for today using pieces of an old one.”

“Vivi?” Emmeline asked.

“Vivienne, our other sister. She’s not our only sister,” Siena quickly added, and Emmeline was certain she’d learn more about Roremar in five minutes with this little girl than she had in weeks from the man himself. “Our other sister is on the continent. But Vivienne loves making dresses.” She wiggled her finger, asking Emmeline to crouch closer, then dropped her voice. “She’s not very good yet, but she’s getting better, and she always wants to make dresses for me for special events. She also tends to all the flowers and plants in the yard. That, she’s very good at.” Siena nodded dramatically.

Emmeline couldn’t help but snicker, more of the tension from last night dropping from her bones. “And today is special because it’s your birthday?”

Siena quirked her head. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

“Of course,” Emmeline quickly amended, biting her lip. Her gaze flicked to Roremar, silver steel glinting back at her, both amused and…something that made her knees weak. She swallowed, giving Siena her attention. “But I fear your brother didn’t give me enough of a warning. I haven’t come with a gift.”

“That’s okay!” Siena shrugged. “Leo gave me an old book of his that seems boring, so I’d rather have no gift than that.”

“I’m guessing Leo is your brother?” Emmeline asked. And she remembered why the name Siena sounded so familiar. Something Leo, Vivi, and I came up with. Never hide things no matter how much trouble we’re in, no swimming alone after dark, don’t feed the jungle cats unless we’ve had dinner already, when glass breaks, always tell you before trying to clean it up—that one was Siena, actually.

From Nico’s Rules of Roremar.