The Forgotten Crown (2019) Book 1 of The Broken Crown Series

38. Songbirds

The evening was filled with feast and wine, the great hall ringing with the sound of laughter and music. Feldin sat at the head of the table, Sirena to his right and Donovan to his left. Greedily, she drank in the happiness of her companions, realizing such a night would likely not come again for quite some time.

The King watched his eldest son with amusement, as he became completely lost in Beatrice's shy conversation. The maid was no great beauty, yet her eyes were warm and soulful. There was a steadiness and gentleness in the girl that was as a soothing balm in these troubled times. Hers was not an ideal match for his son and heir but he would not begrudge him this simple infatuation.

The most advantageous match for his scion sat at his right hand. This young woman's beauty was breathtaking, more so even than her late mother's. There was strength and determination in her every move and the mark of Magic was stamped clearly upon her. It was this last reason that stayed his tongue.

Magic was unpredictable. He had no doubt that Sirena Mondragon fought for the good of the realm and even that she would be a great ally, but Magic forged its own path and he would not attempt to stand in its way. Those who did, even in amity, often paid a terrible price.

The lingering gazes between the Princess and Lord Fox also did not go unnoticed. The longing written on their faces was evident to all but them it seemed. Oh, the complexities of love...The king thought to himself. Watching them called to mind cherished memories of his own late wife.

A sweet voice rose above the din and soon quelled the boisterous hall into silence. Near the hearth sat a woman plucking the dulcet strings of a lyre, her voice accompanying it in a melodious harmony. The maiden had long, lustrous raven hair and skin the color of toffee. She rose to her feet and sauntered about the room, never faltering in her song. Her grey eyes were lively and sharp with cunning and perhaps a shade darker than her brothers.

Her cunning eyes alit upon Lord Fox's handsome form and there they stayed until she concluded the piece with a dramatic flourish. Rosy cheeked, the woman flung her arms about the King's neck. "Father!" She gave him a kiss upon his brow. "Was my song to your liking?" Her arms still draped casually about her father's shoulders but her mischievous gaze remained fixed upon the young Lord.

"As sweet as a Siren's song, my dear." The woman beamed but the smile did not reach her eyes. There was something cold and calculating about those eyes that gave Sirena pause. The resemblance between brother and sister was strong but their temperaments, she surmised, could not be further apart. Garen was intelligent and often serious but his eyes had a warmth and openness that was currently lacking in the woman who stood before them.

"May I present my daughter, Brie, the songbird of mine family." Brie curtsied prettily before extending her hand to Donovan.

"Delighted, My Lady" he said and pressed a quick kiss to the back of her hand.

A small frown creased the King's brow at the startled expression on Sirena's face. The girl hastily hid the hurt and confusion in her eyes and fell into conversation elsewhere. "My dear, would you fetch Halston? I do believe his honeyed Meade would be favorable tonight." Brie very obviously did not wish to depart but she did as she was bid, the calculation in her eyes foreboding.

"It is not well known, your highness, but there is not a voice in all the land as to match Sirena's" Jarsha very suddenly supplied.

"I would hear it then!" Feldin demanded.

"Please your highness I-" her protests were drowned among a chorus of urgings. Blushing, she finally stood under the King's insistence. Sensing more entertainment the hall grew quiet. Sirena did not know what to sing. Taking up the court Lyre she strummed its expensive strings gently, the instrument being of a much finer quality than the crude lute she had used at the Boar. She stood for a moment pondering her dilemma. Perhaps it was the wine or the aggravation of their disastrous journey or even the precarious era, but she decided to sing of all that burdened her heart.