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“I have to leave now, little dove,” he said. “Remember your promise.”
I nodded. “I may forget the lives before this one, but my heart hasn’t forgotten its home.”
Luc extended his wings with a painful smile, lifting himself in the air with the other siren. He gave me a slow wink, shooting in the air and flying toward the stars. I wrapped my arms around me, the wind of his wings fanning over my skin.
Jacques stepped in to meet me, a softness in his eyes. He pointed to the sky, just under the moon.
“Do you see that star?” he asked.
I squinted, focusing my eyes on a faint star under the moon, to the right.
“Yes, I see it,” I replied.
“That’s the Den of Sirens,” he said.
He lowered his hand, not saying anything else. But I already knew his intentions.
“Thank you, Jacques,” I said, putting a hand on his arm in gratitude.
He glanced at it for a brief moment, before his eyes settled on my neck. It took me a moment to realize what he was staring at.
“That’s a beautiful necklace,” Jacques said.
I touched my mother’s necklace, looking at the deep green gem as it reflected in the moonlight.
“Do you know what emerald means?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“Rebirth,” he said. “Suitable for you… MademoiselleEsmeralda.”
Then, truly, he smiled.
There was a clattering from my room as the door swung open. Lina burst through the door, huffing as she walked in.
“Lina!” I yelled, running to meet her.
Her hand flew over her mouth, a cry of joy and fear coming from her throat. She took me into a motherly embrace, practically sobbing as she spoke.
“I thought you were a ghost!” she cried into my hair. “Why didn’t you come to the doo— Oh, never mind it. Never mind it! You’re home and that’s all that matters! How did you—?”
Jacques took this as his cue to step in from the balcony, standing tall. Lina nodded to acknowledge him.
“So it was you,” she said. “You kept your promise. Thank you, my boy. Thank you.”
It was the first time I had seen Jacques blush.
“You’re welcome, Lina,” he said.
Lina grabbed my face frantically. “Oh, but we can’t waste another moment. Come! You must see your father immediately before it’s too late!”
My stomach sank. “Too late? Lina what’s happened?”
Lina fanned herself then grabbed my hand. “Oh, dear girl. His heart couldn’t take you being gone. I’m afraid it’s given out on him completely. If he doesn’t see you right away, maybe he won’t recover.”
CHAPTER 49—CEREMONIES
I looked at myself in the mirror as Lina straightened the train of my white gown. Her frown was heavier than mine.
