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CHAPTER 31—PASTS
We met with the king later that evening. At least, I assumed it was evening, since there was no way to tell time in the Den of Sirens.
There was a solemn air in the den, as if the walls themselves knew there had been a great loss. When I stopped and looked at the caverns above, I could hear snippets of sirens grieving their lost companions, and I had to fight the urge to cry as well. I didn’t know why, but I wanted to grieve with them. Also, I didn’t know why it had never occurred to me that the spiritual world would feel grief.
Luc and I were escorted to the throne room. The rosy lake in the center of the room gave a beautiful soft glow to the room, but it didn’t hide the pain of the people in it. The king was still pale when we came to meet him. Despite his obvious pain, he greeted us with a warm smile.
“You’re both still with us,” the king said to Luc and myself. “That means your curse is lifted. You can return to us, if you both wish.”
The king stood but wobbled, off-balance. Hugo and Vito both grabbed one of his arms, holding him up as he steadied himself.
“This is hardly the time to celebrate,” Hugo muttered with a sigh. “We should be grieving our losses.”
“Yes, perhaps,” Vito said, calmer than usual, “but we also need to give our people some joy in such a dark time.”
King Melchior raised his hands to tell both his men to stand back. They did as commanded, and he stepped forward toward Luc and myself. Part of me wanted to reach out and hug him, but logically, it didn’t seem appropriate.
“Jacques,” King Melchior called behind us. “Can you come and tell us about their curses?”
Jacques stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the room, pursing his lips.
“You say it like you don’t already know,” he said.
The king cheekily smiled in response. “I never said the information was forme.”
Jacques acknowledged the king with a nod, then made his way over to us. He came to me first, grabbing my arm and sliding my shirt sleeve up my elbow. The sensation of his fingers sliding up my skin made me flinch, and I pulled my arm back.
“What are you doing?” I accused.
He puffed out some air. “Reading your history. It’s written on your arm.”
I looked at my skin. There was nothing there.
“No, it isn’t,” I replied, suddenly nervous.
“You can’t see it,” Jacques said. “Only I can.”
He stared at me, holding out his hand so I would give him my arm again. I shook my head, not wanting to give in so easily.
“Read Luc first,” I said with a scowl.
He dropped his hand in annoyance, but then gave an amused smile. “Have it your way.”
I rubbed my arm, chewing my lip as Jacques approached Luc. Luc was far less anxious than I, allowing Jacques to life his sleeve to look at his arm.
“Hmm…” Jacques hummed. “Interesting.”
“What does the reading say?” King Melchior asked.
“He’s lived about seven lives,” Jacques said. “Most of them were short, too short to redeem himself fully. But it seems his suffering has cleansed his sins.”
“And what sins would they be?” the king asked.
Jacques met Luc’s eyes, waiting for a moment as if Luc was going to object. He didn’t.
“Adultery,” Jacques said casually. “Luc was found guilty of stealing at least half a dozen human women from their husbands.”
I choked. “You mean that he—”
