Getting up from the bed, Asher had two things in mind: get Slyvia's help and escape this golden cage. But how was he supposed to get Slyvia's attention, especially in a place filled with sirens?
Asher was still deep in thought when a knock came at the door. He paused for a moment and exhaled sharply.
The knock persisted—again and again—until Asher finally had enough.
"Okay! I heard you! Please don't break the door," Asher shouted at the top of his voice. Eyeing the door warily, he reluctantly went to open it—and was stunned when a stranger, someone he had never seen before, stepped inside.
"Excuse me! Do you mind explaining to me why a stranger is knocking on my door like a deranged cow?" Asher questioned, glaring at the visitor.
"You're requested by the prince. He wants you to start getting ready for the wedding, which has been fixed for noon," the servant explained calmly.
Asher's face instantly turned red with rage. Why did they keep treating him like some kind of object?
"Hmm, go to your prince and tell him that whatever he's doing there is with his ancestors. He never told me about putting the wedding today, so he can as well go and fuck himself." Asher smiled bitterly, and without giving the man a chance to step further in, he slammed the door shut in his face.
"Nonsense! Gosh, this is so annoying. That damn brat called Rowan... I definitely need to find a way out unless I'm gonna be a snack for several sirens," Asher gasped. He took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and began sneaking outside.
He knew doing this was a folly, but he had no choice. However, midway through the corridor, a voice boomed behind him.
"Are you sneaking away from me, Asher?"
Asher froze. How the hell did the bastard find him so fast?
"Trust me, Rowan, it's not what you think. I was just sightseeing. It seems the building has a nice architecture and design," Asher said, trying to compliment the place while shaking internally.
"For your safety, Asher, know that we are in the ocean. I thought you would have figured that out by now. So even if you did leave my house, how do you plan on swimming several kilometers to the surface?" Rowan asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Asher gulped. Damn, he was so stupid to forget they were in the ocean.
"And before I go—one of my trusted messengers told me you refused to comply with the marriage agreement. Is that so?" Rowan questioned, his eyes darkening. Scales, as green as the grass, began to appear on his skin.
Asher shuddered at the sight. He shouldn't be scared—but he was. Rowan could obviously harm him, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"In case you don't know, Rowan, I am not an object to be bargained for. I have emotions and feelings too. This wedding cannot work for us. I'm sorry," Asher said as honestly as he could.
Rowan's burning gaze shifted away from Asher for a second. And to Asher's shock, he saw something strange—emotions—in those cold eyes. Was he seeing things?
"Well, I understand, Asher. But before we decide, do you mind having breakfast with me, darling?" Rowan's sudden sweet voice made Asher's skin prickle.
That was weird. Asher wasn't used to this side of Rowan. What could have changed his mind so suddenly? It was uncalled for.
Still, Asher decided to indulge him. After all, he asked nicely, which was already a surprise. Most of the things Rowan did were forced, but now—now he was being strangely romantic. How cringe.
Stepping into the luminous dining hall, Asher took his seat opposite Rowan. But Rowan stood up from his place and walked over to Asher—so close Asher could feel his cold breath on his neck and temples.
"I have decided, Asher, to let you go. Yes, you're my mate, but I've discovered that the wedding ceremony of sirens won't work if the other partner is being forced or coerced into it. It has to come from the heart, from the willingness of the partner," Rowan said softly, helping Asher slice off a huge chunk of meat.
He dropped the knife and brushed Asher's long, silver, messy hair aside. In doing so, an intricate silver mark on Asher's neck was revealed. Asher, oblivious to the mark, shuddered at Rowan's gentle touch.
"This is probably out of character, yes. I killed you and your friend, yes. But now I want to make a change. The future is bleak, and we need to prepare for it. Not only that—it has been reported that the great monsters of the seas, asleep for thousands of years, are awakening. And if I, the prince, don't perform the rituals and claim the source—the Torch of Light—my people will die," Rowan explained, looking genuinely sad.
For the first time, Asher saw him vulnerable. Monsters of the sea? That sounded terrible.
Why were so many apocalyptic events happening? First it was the dead witches and the armies of the dead… and now sea monsters? And the city of Valemont—dangerously close to the sea—was in grave danger.
"I thought you once said you didn't like me. So why are you letting me go? I mean, I should be happy, but something doesn't sound right," Asher asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Rowan sat back down and faced his meal.
"I saw what transpired between Slyvia and the vampires and witches—before you appeared from the Dark Trench, before Lamia got involved," Rowan said, his face darkening again.
"Ava did something no one else could. She possesses a divine trait—she can control the forgotten powers of the sea. She can weave them into weapons, something only gods and goddesses could do. The last goddess capable of such a trait vanished 600 years ago, and since then, our world has been in chaos."
Asher was dumbstruck. Ava Gonzalez was a goddess? How was that even possible?
"So my throne is in danger. I can't let a female rule—especially Ava—because it would turn all male sirens into lapdogs. And over my dead body will that happen," Rowan declared. After biting into a piece of steak, he grinned.
"You, Asher, are my path. With you, I can protect humanity and my people from those evil creatures. So now that you're marked, I give you three weeks. You will fall so hard for me, Asher, that you'll willingly come back to me. And when you do, I'll be waiting."
Asher was speechless. Marked? How was that possible? Then he remembered—the bite from that brutal siren attack. But no… this couldn't happen against his will.
"That won't be possible. You ruined our lives! Why the hell would I like a dreadful being like you? No way, dude. And didn't you clarify that you're straight? So what's with the fuss?" Asher asked, genuinely confused.
Rowan giggled. "I am waiting, Asher. Because of this, I'll delay my succession. But I know you're the one—my mate, the only one who can save my kingdom. The angel who can make my life better. I'm not that evil, Asher. Trust me—I want to change. Believe it or not… you can feel it too, can't you? Because we are connected."
Asher's heart skipped a beat.
Yes… he could feel it. No! That damn mate mark was messing with him. He couldn't fall for a psycho like Rowan. No way.
Just as Rowan had promised, a chariot of sharks driven by a siren was summoned. Asher finally left the mansion, stepping into the chariot. He looked back—and saw something he never expected.
Rowan was crying.
And so was he.
Yes, Rowan had been right. He could feel every single pang of his pain—that cursed mate mark.
"Don't forget me. Remember that I am here—always waiting."
That was the message that echoed in Asher's mind as the chariot moved through the ocean.
Fate was truly a bitch.