A Duet with the Siren Duke (Married to Magic, #4)

by Elise Kova

If the cost of my happiness is the world’s judgment, then it is a price I’ll pay.

He doesn’t love me. He never did. He loves feeling needed. Important. What he loves is knowing that at any time of day, I am there to be whatever he wants. That I am here on this rock every time he leaves and am waiting every time he returns.

“We all endure deep and difficult wounds. They’re not an excuse for handling oneself in a boorish manner.” I squeeze her shoulder before releasing. “Never compromise your worth, not for anyone, not even for family.”

What good is my heart, anyway? It’s been chewed up and spit out. Rotted away from neglect. It stopped beating in a cold sea. Even when it was young and wild and full of hope, I couldn’t trust it…how could I now?

But I do know how frustrating it is for people to try and tell you to fall in love, set you up, tell you to do this or that, what you should be focusing on…when you clearly have everything under control. When you know what your headway is in life but no one else seems to accept it because they always suggest you should have or be something more. Like, you could do everything right and yet—” “It would never be good enough,” Ilryth finishes,

For so long, I’ve existed in a muddy contradiction: stubborn yet wanting to bend to appease others, independent yet craving approval, needy and somehow not needy enough.

“What is it?” he asks softly. “What are the wraiths making you think of?” “What do you mean?” “You look sad.” Ah, sweet man, I can make myself sad all on my own. No ghostly evils necessary.

People say they’ll be there…but so few can be trusted when the time comes. People are happy to be there for you until things are tough and messy and hard. Especially when it’s a mess they can walk away from.

“You don’t have to repay someone for their love. It’s given freely.” “But—” “No buts. That’s it. It’s that simple. If someone loves you, truly loves you, it’s because they want to—because they can’t imagine a world in which they don’t. Because you make their soul sing just with your mere existence.”

“Not because of it, in spite of it. Who we are is independent of the trauma that tries to mar our souls. It is a part of us, it might teach us, but it does not define us.”

“You doubt I would see to your anointing?” Offense is heavy in his tone. “Calm yourself, Duke of Faith, no need to be so emotional.” Expectedly, that sets him off more and I gain no small amount of pleasure from it. “I simply do not know you.”

“First, we shall go pay our respects to Lady Lellia. Then, perhaps, I shall worship at the altar of your hips, should you be willing to have me.”

Ilryth chuckles as he brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Goodbyes between us are pointless. I already stole you from death’s Abyss once.”