The Syren Queen | The Oceane Series

Thirteen

Four months later we were at war. Avisa wouldn’t accept a truce, claiming I wasn’t fit to rule my kingdom. Apart of me wondered if she wanted something else, if this war was a way for her to get my kingdom if she could no longer have Kai. Although, by the time I was in labor with our son I wasn’t thinking about the war that would break out in a week or the knowledge that I may not come out of this alive. No, all I was thinking about was my son peacefully in my arms. He looked absolutely perfect and the spitting image of his father and he had legs.
I couldn’t help but hold my breath as I held him, my heart swelling with pride as he slept in my arms clasping my finger with his tiny hand. Turning to Ronan, I smiled, watching him as he stared down at our son, tears beginning to fall down his face. This was by far, the happiest day of my life.
“Have you both thought of a name yet?” Lyanna asked, walking toward me as Ardan, Ronan’s father, strode in holding a glass of nectar, on land one might refer to it as rum.
I nodded, kissing little Ronan’s nose before turning back to my mother-in-law, “Ronan Alexander Stormborn Jr. We thought it would be fitting since he looks just like his father.”
“Oh beautiful name dear, the resemblance will be uncanny when he is older. “ Lyanna said with a smile, resting her hand on my shoulder.
“Yes, I can already tell.” I replied, resting my head against the pillows, “Lyanna, if something happens to me or to us, would you watch over him?”
“Of course dear, I would be honored to watch over my grandson.” She smiled reassuringly, “May I hold him?”
“Of course, I think I need some rest anyways.” I yawned, handing over little Ronan as his father kissed me on the cheek sending butterflies to my stomach.
“You did amazing Sedna.” He praised just as I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
*
The waves called to me. Pulling me further and further toward the water as my bare feet dug into the sand. The air was cool despite the sun burning above me and I felt at peace. Before I could register what I was doing I was waist deep in the water. The waves pushing and pulling against me as my black dress floated in the currant. And before I thought I should turn back, a figure arose from the water. A woman I knew immediately was my mother. Her long midnight blue hair floating around her body as if she was under water rather than above the sea. Her skin was blue, matching my own and her eyes a deep sea-green that I remembered would change with her mood. And now they were purple a color I hadn’t seen in years. She was without a doubt proud.
“Mother?” I asked, my voice hoarse and sounding tired, “What am I doing here?”
“I wanted to speak with you.” She said simply, cupping my cheek with her hand, a gentle touch I haven’t felt in what seemed like years, “I wanted to congratulate you on your marriage and the birth of your son, Ronan. I am so very proud of you Sedna. You have overcome your revenge and have grown into the queen I knew you could become but there is still the matter of your punishment. You know our laws, my daughter.”
“I know.” I said, worry filling me.
“I love you, Sedna. And I know you have redeemed yourself and regret what you have done in the past.” She paused, seemingly contemplating her next reply, “That is why I have decided not to kill you.”
“Wh-what? But the consequences, it means death. Why wouldn’t you kill me?”
“Because I cannot bare to kill you Sedna. I wouldn’t do that to your Mate, to your son. He needs his mother. That is why, you will reverse your curse on your people using all of your magic and you will make up for what you have done to your people.”
I nodded, “Okay, I can do that.”
“Good.”
“What about Avisa?” I asked.
“Let me deal with her.” My mother said simply, “After all, she has consequences to uphold as well.”
I only nodded, before hugging my mother close thanking her over and over and over again for sparing my life so that I may live happily with my husband and son. When I awoke, I would know what I would have to do. I would need to use all my strength in magic in order to reverse my curse and I would succeed, even if I gave up my abilities altogether.
*
I awoke to little Ronan’s screaming. His cries terrifying me as I tried to swim toward his crib wanting to save him from whatever might have scared him. But I couldn’t move, I was too exhausted to.
“I got him.” Ronan mumbled beside me, kissing me softly on the cheek before I heard the ruffling of the sheets and the crying continued.
“Maybe he’s hungry.” I suggested, sitting up against the pillows, “Here, hand him over.”
Quickly, I unclasped my dress before Ronan handed my our son and I tried to get him to eat, smiling when he finally latched on and stopped crying. Ronan sighed and crawled back into bed beside me.
“I visited Achera last night while I was sleeping.” I said while little Ronan ate, “I spoke with my mother.”
“Really? What did she say?”
“She isn’t going to kill me she wants me to reverse my curse in order to appease the consequences of my past actions.” I finished, a yawn tearing through me, “I just need to figure out how to do that.”
“We will figure it out.” Ronan said, trying to reassure me even though I knew we both had no idea how we were going to do that.
I only nodded, handing Ronan over when he was done eating and dressed myself again hoping I could go back to sleep. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to, now that I was worried about reversing the curse and the war between my sister’s kingdom. I just hoped there would be peace in our lands once again and I could see my son grow up.