9. The River
YILEYNA “She wins, right?” Charlene’s tired yet happy voice came, snapping us both out of our trance.
“We’re taking a break.” Theon’s cold reply came, turning away swiftly as he walked off down towards
the water. My heart was thumping as the moment played out. “OMGeeeeee!” Charlene hissed,
grabbing my arm, her eyes wide as she stared at me. I blinked, trying to focus on what was happening.
“What?” I whispered. “You two had a moment.” She hissed, her eyes alight with excitement.
My cheeks burned and I rolled my eyes.
“We didn’t, I bit his ear.” I pouted.
“Umm Leyna… Do you think you could have gotten that close without him noticing? He was far too
distracted by you and that growl… it sounded more possessive and one of approval than an angry one.
Ok, she had officially lost her mind. I rolled my eyes again, shaking my head.
“Stop rolling your eyes before they vanish into the back of your head!” She hissed. Yeah, then I’ll be
wolf less and eye less… I shook my head trying to focus. “Ok, I think you really hit your head harder
than I initially thought. Charl, you have no idea what you’re going on about. Trust me, Theon dislikes
me…”
“Well, not once did he knock you on your ass, instead he kept pulling you into his arms or holding you
when fighting you, I want that.” She whined with a pout, making me giggle as she stomped her foot.
“Ah, my beautiful queen, how can I make it up to you? Shall we head back and make him panic? “I
suggested, slyly wiggling my eyebrow at her. Her eyes widened before a sly smile crossed her face.
“Ooo, let’s hide instead!.” She affirmed, grabbing my hand as she pulled me away from the rocky edge.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Theon running his fingers through his hair, his back to us as he
gazed out at the water, and then he disappeared from view as Charlene tugged me away. “This is
totally on him if we get lost.” She groaned. “I feel awful all over.” “You know we still have more training
and I swear he’s going to torture us for this when he finds us.” I whispered, stumbling on some loose
rocks and glancing down at the water that hit the rocks.
The water was a lot harsher here, crashing against the walls of the rocks as if venting its anger. I
frowned watching the dark colours, it was interesting how narrow River Rosewyvern was, and so
different from the waters of the Mighty Gulf just around the corner…
Enraged, dark… almost bitter, “Yileyna?”
I blinked, dragging my eyes from the water to see Charlene point to what looked like a large
rock.
“We can hide down there, and the water will disguise our scents.”
“I don’t know… That’s too close to the waters…” “It’s not night yet, darling.” Charlene rebutted, linking
arms with me as she tugged me onwards. I glanced back towards the angry water trying to look into its
depth, but the darkness was far too deep
The sun was shining, it was ok right? The stories of avoiding the dark waters that Mom used to tell me
hummed in my mind and I shook my head
Ok, I guess I needed to stop being paranoid. Pushing my thoughts aside, I followed Charlene down the
path, grabbing hold of her arm when she stumbled.
“I’m fine.” She smiled up at me.
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I murmured, glancing at the water again. “Relax, my beautiful
angel.” Charlene replied, almost as if she was trying to soothe me. We reached our destination and
hopped onto the rock that jutted out of the water, then
crouched behind it. “Now we wait for Theon to track us” She giggled. I smiled, amused, as I leaned
back against the damp surface of the rock. “You know he’s going to be pissed…” I murmured, reaching
over and placing her head on my shoulder.
She smiled and nodded.
“Of course, it’s payback for beating me black and blue. Honestly, when I thought of Theon training me, I
was imagining something a little more like what went down between you two… all up in each other’s
personal space…” I frowned, no longer able to focus on her voice. There was another sound…
something alluring… Coming from somewhere, a soft song maybe? Music? My eyes were fixed on the
water ahead, it was still raging roughly, a few broken logs and branches were riding the waves, and the
way the wood splintered against the rocky cliffs on the other side told me it was indeed rough.
Charlene was still talking as I felt a pull towards the waters. I leaned forward about to reach for it,
wanting to feel it against my fingertips, when I was pulled back.
“Yileyna!” Charlene looked startled as she started at me in concern. “What are you.”
A splash in the water made both of us turn, and to my utter horror, I saw deep red hair floating just
beneath the surface, before it emerged from the water. My heart thundered as I stared at the thing
before me..
One I had only heard of in stories… I knew they were here… I knew they were forever close… but
never did I think I’d see one so clearly in broad daylight.
Her skin was smooth, a soft violet sheen seemed to glow from it. The water clung to her like sparkling
gems and her eyes…a mix of purples and silvers, rimmed with long thick lashes. She was terrifyingly
beautiful, and when she smiled, her teeth were sharp like razors, giving away that she was indeed a
monster.
Her eyes were fixed on Charlene as she licked her plump lips. Her breasts were bare, with just a thin
woven piece of seaweed squeezing them together covering her nipples, and I didn’t need to look down
to prove that I was looking at none other than a siren. Her tail, that shimmered in hues of deep purple
that looked almost black, was behind her, and when she launched herself at us, a scream left my lips
as I pushed Charlene behind me.
Her long claws slashed into me, and I hissed in pain.
“Charl, run!” I shouted as the siren grabbed my leg, a soft song began to leave her lips and I saw
Charlene’s eyes become hooded. “No! No Charlene!” Reaching over, I managed to slap her across the
face, knocking some sense into her. I needed to shut this siren up before she did more damage.
“Theon’s coming!” She whimpered.
Thank the goddess for mind link! Charlene lashed out, but the siren was winning. Charlene grabbed my
arms, trying to keep me from being dragged into the depths of the water. “Just let go!”
“No!”
The Siren suddenly grabbed onto her, her long nails digging into her arm, dragging her into the water.
“Yileyna!” My heart skipped a beat at the sound of Theon’s voice. It was the last words I heard before I
was pulled under, and the ethereal song filled my ears once again. Was Charlene ok? I couldn’t see
her; my only consolation was that Theon was coming for her. I struggled against the iron grip of the
siren but… Was it worth it? The pain… the agony… the loss of my parents… This felt… My eyes
fluttered as I stared into the beautiful eyes of the siren. Goddess… she was gorgeous… Welcoming…
But this wasn’t right…
The enchanting song continued, but it wasn’t having the effect she wanted on me… I could see that…
It came to an abrupt end, and I didn’t feel as confused anymore.
“Come to me, my love.” She whispered seductively, despite the confusion within her eyes.
The haze seemed to have lifted, and when her arms snaked around me, yanking me against her, alarm
bells were going off in my head. The moment her cold lips touched mine, I suddenly felt as if my body
was weighing down, but then, she was ripped away from me.
Blood tainted the water and I saw her head torn from her body, my eyes blurry as I looked at the man
before me. Her body fizzled away into foam, and then it was just… gone. The powerful waves hit me,
and I felt myself being pulled deeper. A strong arm wrapped around my waist, and I looked into the
handsome face of my saviour.
Theon…
He swam upwards and soon we broke the surface.
“Fuck.” He cursed, pulling me onto the rocky ground, his hand checking my pulse, the other brushing
my hair back. 1
Charlene? Where was Charlene…
“… bleeding…” I couldn’t understand him until I felt my corset belt being torn off and my shirt being
lifted up “Charl…ene.” I croaked, coughing up water, my lungs heaving as they sucked in the air that I
direly needed.
He tensed, before he pulled back and jumped back into the water. I rolled over onto my side, hissing at
the pain in my left hip. I pulled my top up, staring at the claw marks embedded deep into my skin.
When did she manage to hurt me there?
Charlene’s gasp made me look to the water to see Theon, with Charlene in his arms.
To my relief she looked unharmed as he placed her on the rocks next to me, his eyes on me. My heart
thundered, seeing the anger clear in his, involuntarily I found myself moving back,
almost ready for his wrath to be unleashed.
“You almost died.” He hissed, glaring at me.
His anger was obviously directed at me, and it made sense…. I should have taken better care of
Charlene…
“I… We didn’t think something like this would happen.” I whispered.
“It’s not her-”
“I am not talking to you.” Theon cut in dangerously, raising his finger at her in warning. His gaze was
fixed on me. “Do you really want to die? Because if that’s your wish, I wouldn’t mind fulfilling it.” His
words cut me deeply and I frowned. “It was daytime, I didn’t think that there would be a Siren out here.”
“Also, she said not to! I was the one who was behind this!” Charlene intervened; her eyes
filled with guilt as she stared at my hip.
“Well, congratulations princess, your spoiled behaviour and petty quims almost cost you your friend.”
He stood up, whipping his hair off his forehead as he glanced back at the water. “Let’s head back, we
will continue with training tomorrow.”
I gripped the side of the rock, struggling to my feet as Charlene did the same. She was exhausted, I
could see it from her face even when she grabbed my arm, wrapping it around her neck to support me.
Theon glanced back at us as we began walking, pain shooting up my hip and waist. Fuck I wish I had
my wolf so I could heal faster. He stopped, looking at me with anger simmering in his eyes. Boy, if looks
could kill…
He turned, yanking me away from Charlene’s hold, making me wince in pain at the rough tug. I gripped
my hip as I bumped into his hard chest, almost tumbling back, but his arm snaked around my waist,
keeping me against him before he scooped me up bridal style, not even bothering to look at me as he
adjusted me in his arms and continued walking. My heart fluttered, very aware of his hand that was on
the side of my breast, the other hooked under my knees. I snaked an arm around his neck gingerly,
looking at Charlene over his shoulder. She was grinning widely and gave me the thumbs up. I wasn’t
sure if she sensed the anger that was radiating off him and the tension that was clear in his taut
muscles. Would I have to thank him for saving me again? I guess I should be humble and thank him,
this silence was becoming too much.
“Theon, I…” His burning gaze fell on me, and my stomach twisted when I saw the gold hue that had
overtaken his usual amber eyes, making all words die on my lips.
He wasn’t just angry… he was absolutely fuming. My stomach sank as he turned his gaze back on the
rock path, something told me this was not over…
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