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

by Elise Kova

The sea will devour me, if given the chance. If not the waves and currents, or sharp-toothed animals, then the ghosts and monsters that haunt its depths.

“A heart forever on the road can never settle with one person,”

One by one, my crew offers me their portions of the profits from our most dangerous run. All of them. My vision is blurry and eyes stinging as the last one’s hands settle.

There, beneath the waves, is a city of light and song.

“If she tries to run, I’m hunting her down myself.”

“Fine, you’re alive, come on then.” I can’t decide if I’m grateful or not that I feel his fluttering heart. It’s not as if I am particularly fond of this man. But…that doesn’t mean I want him to die, either.

“I might not know the details of your magic—since all of you have yet to properly tell me,” I add with a slight bitter note. “But I know what a man misplacing his anger and hurt on a young woman who doesn’t deserve it looks like.”

“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.”

“Part of your anointing is letting go of your connection with this world so that you are a blank slate for the words of the old gods. That way when you are presented to Lord Krokan, you will be nothing but prayers and the Duet of Sendoff. If you are to go before him—the old god of death—with ties to this world, longing for the living, then he will reject you as a proper offering and his rage will continue,”

“Lady Lellia, Goddess of Life, is wedded to Lord Krokan, God of Death. Together, they complete the circle and maintain the balance.” “The giant sea monster is the husband of a…tree?”

“Sirens wield magic through our songs, for song is the language of the soul. There are common anthems—ones which we all know. Personal ones sung in the tongue unique to our bones.”

when I’m near you, I find myself believing that anything and everything is possible.”

“It’s the gate of souls. The one spot in the Fade that allows passage through. When the Elf King erected the Fade, this was left in accordance with the bargains made between the old gods and his forefather. This is the final push back to the Natural World, but it won’t be an easy one.”

“Let me be the one to tell you, Victoria, without doubt or hesitation, that you are worthy of kindness, compassion, and love. And I will tell you it a thousand times over if that is what it will take for you to believe it.”

“No, marking your bare skin is my honor tonight.”

“I do not expect my heart to survive meeting you unscathed. Though, I’ve known that for years.” “Years?” I whisper. “Years. Ever since I first laid eyes on you.

“What if I want you to?” “You want heartache?” “I want you—and every risk and delight that comes with you.”

“I want passion and pleasure. I want reckless abandon even when I know it’s the wrong choice to make.” “Let’s be horribly wrong together, then.”

“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.”

The only thing I would wish to say, if I said anything at all, would be, I hear you. I see you.

“I thought…forgetting him might help me love you better, would make me more worthy of you. But I’m glad I remembered. I’m glad I could tell you all of it—all of me. If you are to want me, then I want you to want it all, the good and the bad.”