The Syren Queen | The Oceane Series

Twelve

I awoke to soft and steady breathing near my ear an arm draped over my waist while Ronan slept beside me. I sighed, relaxing as he nestled closer to me in his sleep, his warm breath tickling my neck as goosebumps prickling my arms. Opening my eyes, I was met with the darkness of the room, the fire had yet to be lit only confirming I should still be asleep but I was restless. It had been nearly a month since I decided I would become the best version of myself and to say it was hard was an understatement. I had found myself biting back my magic almost constantly as I tried to control my emotions and the magic coursing through my veins. But now it seemed, I was back to my old self.
Ronan stirred beside me, waking up from his dream as a yawn billowed from his lips. I couldn't help but chuckle, turning in bed to face him. In the darkness I could barely make out his face, but know that his gorgeous blue eyes were still groggy from sleep and his head of black hair was a mess just as it had been every morning.
"Oh, did I wake you?" Ronan asked as he tried to stifle another yawn, "I'm sorry, Sedna. "
"It's quite alright, I was already awake." I replied, a smile beginning to tug at my lips as I lit the bedside candle, "We should probably go back to bed. The fire has yet to be lit."
"Now, how can I go back to bed when I am looking at the most beautiful Symari in the entire ocean?" Ronan said, his genuine smile I could see from the light of the candle and I couldn't help but turn away, cheeks burning.
"Don't be such a sweet talker Ronan." I replied, not acknowledging the fact that he thinks I'm beautiful when I sat up in bed. The blanket falling to my lap, exposing the almost sheer fabric of my nightgown. "Well, if neither of us are going back to sleep, we might as well start our days early."
"And what my queen, do you have planned for today?" Ronan asked, an eyebrow raised as his blue eyes shown against the light in our room.
"I have invited your parents over for tea and ask that if they wish, to enjoy a meal with us." I said simply, jumping out of bed effortlessly.
"You what!" Ronan exclaimed, as he followed me out of bed, panic lacing his tone, "Sedna, why would you invite my parents?"
"I want to meet your parents they haven't seen me in years and despite the rumors that I am still evil, I believe I am back to my old self. You saw how I was nearly a month ago and look at me now. I have more control over my magic than I have ever had before and I don't want revenge for Kai sleeping with my sister." I paused, looking up at him, "Do you still think I'm evil?"
He shook his head, "No, I don't think you're evil but, what if my parents don't see that?"
"Then I shall earn their trust," I replied, not missing a beat, "Prove to them that I am worth redeeming."
He only sighed before nodding, "Okay."
"Oh, I almost forgot."
"What?" he inquired, his brow furrowed.
"Will you marry me?" I asked, my heart thumbing hard against my chest, excitement filling me as the question echoed throughout the room.
"Excuse me?"
"I - well - I was just wondering if you would want to marry me? Sometime in the future, of course, or, maybe, right now?" I rambled, holding my breath as I watched the emotions play across his features: confusion, understanding, and pure adoration. He was without a doubt in love with me and I him. For I could imagine no-one else to spend the rest of my life with than Ronan Stormborn. The love I had felt for Kai could not compare to the love I had for the Symari before me and I hoped he would say yes.
But he didn't he only nodded. I watched as he swam toward me, his hair floating around him as his eyes searched my face. In moments, his lips collided with mine, successfully taking my breath away. And before I could comprehend what was happening my hands flew to his thick locks as we closed the distance between us, no longer content with holding off the needy desire we have been holding back the past month. Then, in mere seconds, we were on our bed, and the world around us barely lit by the candle sitting silently on my bedside table was gone. There was only him and I and the knowledge that we would start this new chapter not just as husband and wife in the laws of the ocean, but as fully mated individuals. And I hoped, someday, parents.
I couldn't hold back the gasp as he helped me out of my nightgown, and I grinned up at him, almost coyly as I undressed him. But before he could do anything else, I grabbed him with my legs, and turned, securely sitting atop him on the bed as I grinned at him. And he grinned back, cupping my breast in his hand and I relished the fact that he didn't mind at all. In fact, I suspected he loved it not I loved him and there was nothing that mattered more. No,, I was no longer angry with my sister.. I was no longer angry with Kai. No, all that mattered now was Ronan Stormborn and my kingdom. And I would find a way to right the wrongs I had inflicted on my people and I would take any punishment for I don't deserve to be forgiven but I would earn their forgiveness. And with that thought in mind, I kissed my husband with such tender care I couldn't help myself and as we pulled and covers over top our bodies I wondered if this might be the best day of my life.
*
The large tea room that adjoined the music room was filled with several candles that illuminated the sea-green walls. The table was set with various fish, seaweed and a special treat only meant for special occasions. In the parlor across the hall, Ronan and his father drank but neither spoke, for neither of them could think of what to say. That was to say that both men were, in fact, worried for their wives and not for the same reasons.
"My queen, Countess Lyanna Stormborn." One of the Syrens announced, as the Symari swam beside him, a wave of nervousness seemed to radiate off of her form even though she was the complete picture of calm and collected. Quickly, the countess curtsied elegantly while I swam toward my mother-in-law, watching as her gaze went to the floor.
"Countess, it is lovely to see you again after all this time I grinned, motioning for her to relax as she looked up at me, her green eyes looking me over cautiously before I noticed she began to relax as she nodded, taking a seat at the table before I sat. "Thank you for accepting my invitation."
"I was most humbled to receive your invitation your majesty." The Countess said, but I could tell there was an edge in her tone, one that meant she believed she had no choice for fear of her and her family's safety, "Ronan seems happy here, he seems awfully happy with you your majesty."
"He is happy," I replied, a smile gracing my lips as I took a sip from my tea, "I am happy."
"Well, I suppose I don't blame my son," the countess finally said, taking a sip from her cup, a knowing look across her features, "He has been fascinated with you ever since you met at your sister's birthday ball. When we heard from him that he was your Mate well, we wondered why? Why would my dear, kind, loyal son be mated to a murderous and a tyrant of a queen?" She looked up, her eyes boring into mine, a hint of a smile on her face. "Of course, you aren't that queen anymore are you Sedna Oceane? Or should I say Sedna Stormborn now? After all, you're glowing as if you are with child."
"I - um - I don't know what to say. Yes I am not the same queen I was, I never want to be that wretched version of myself again. I am so sorry for all of the heartache I have caused my people and I am not sure if I will ever make up for it and you are right, I am your daughter-in-law." I replied, my cheeks beginning to burn as I began to remember the moment I spend with Ronan this morning, the way he held me, kissed me... "I guess we got a little carried away."
"Well, that will explain your aura."
"I beg your pardon?" I asked, setting down my cup, alarm filling my tone.
"I can see auras my dear, that is my gift," she explained without missing a beat, then smiled, a knowing glint in her emerald eyes, "Yours is as bright as the sun above the sea. You, are not only good, my dear, but you are carrying a child, and I would assume it is my grandchild."
"What? But we just... It can't be that quick, can it?" I asked, panic lacing my tone while I stood, "I can't be pregnant! Not at a time like this."
But before I could do anything else, Lyanna stood, swimming toward me before carefully cupping my cheek with her right hand. Her emerald eyes searching mine, compassion radiating off of her in waves.
"Do you believe that you are alone? That you won't have the support I know that my son and my husband and I will give you?" She asked, asking everything I was feeling, "I know that you regret the things you have done in the past and that you wish to redeem yourself. Sedna, if you love my son as I believe you do, then you will do whatever it takes to secure the safety of your husband and child."
I nodded, taking a deep breath before letting it out, hoping I could calm my nerves, "Okay, I understand."
"Good."
I knew in this moment that the countess was completely right and I needed to do anything to come up with a truce. Otherwise, I wasn't sure if I would have a future with my husband and our child.
*
By the time we said our goodbyes to the Earl and Countess, I was exhausted. I still hadn’t told Ronan about the baby. I still couldn’t believe it myself. I knew he would love the fact we were going to be parents but, I still worried about our future and the impending war with my sister’s kingdom.
With a sigh, I fell onto the bed, my face and body pressed against the covers while Ronan undressed, “It wasn’t that bad of an evening.”
“No,” I replied, turning my face toward him, “It wasn’t that bad. Your mother says my aura is good.”
“Did she? Well, she does like to see other's true nature through their auras. What else did you discuss?”
“Well, nothing much. She just said that…” I trailed off trying to sit up in bed but my limbs seemed to fail me, “Well, she said that I'm um, I'm with child.”
He blinked back at me. His face filled with shock and I wondered if he even heard me at all.
“You’re…What? How did this happen? I mean, I know how this happened. But why now? I mean, obviously I’m thrilled!”
“You don’t seem thrilled,” I said pointedly, maneuvering myself so that I was under the covers, “You seem terrified.”
“Who wouldn’t be terrified? I didn’t think I would get you pregnant now!! I assumed in the future, after we had a plan, not when there was a war brewing. Not when we still haven’t figured out how to turn your people back into Symari. I don’t want to raise our child in this, in this mess!”
“We will figure something out,” I said, trying to reassure him, “I just need to reverse the curse. I’ve already drafted a truce that I plan to send to Avisa. We have time Ronan.”
“What are we going to do if we can’t fix the curse and Avisa doesn’t accept your truce? You could give birth during a war Sedna! A war that you caused!”
“I never meant for any of this to happen Ronan!” I exclaimed, sitting up in bed, anger coursing through me, “I didn’t want to kill Kai. I didn’t want to turn my people into monsters and I definitely didn’t want to start a war. But I have to face the consequences of my actions. And if it means I must lay down my life to appease those consequences then… then so be it.”
I didn’t wait for him to say anything else before I crawled back into bed, hoping my exhaustion would consume me so I could be done with our conversation. I hated arguing but I hated what I had done in the past. But I was right, I needed to face the consequences and I hoped it wouldn’t come to what I thought it would: death.