Chapter 3

3.

When Baxon returned to the cave, he was smiling.

I realized he always came back smiling after we fought and he went out.

It was because he had just seen Talia.

But this time, his smile didn't fade when he saw me.

A few servants brought in a vibrant red wedding dress.

Baxon pulled me into his arms.

"Callie, look at the dress. Do you like it? I had it custom-made."

It was a beautiful shade of crimson.

Usually, this would be the happiest moment for a woman.

But the dress was covered in pearls.

I hate pearls.

Baxon knelt in front of me and took my hand.

"I'm sorry for my tone earlier. I'll be a good husband, I promise. Don't be mad, okay?"

His smile looked so genuine.

I pulled my hand away coldly.

"I'm not mad."

If I got mad at everything he did, I would already be dead from stress.

I wasn't angry anymore. I just didn't care.

Baxon leaned in to kiss me.

"After the wedding, let's have a baby. I want a little girl who looks just like you."

The kiss was interrupted by a servant rushing in.

"Prince! Your brother needs you for an urgent matter!"

Baxon looked annoyed.

"Get out! Can't you see I'm―"

He stopped when he saw the servant's face.

His expression turned into one of pure panic.

He shoved me aside and ran toward the door.

I saw her then. The servant was Talia in disguise.

Suddenly, a massive crack of thunder echoed through the cave.

The ground shook. I trembled and grabbed Baxon's sleeve.

I have been terrified of thunder since I was a child.

My parents used to hold me. Later, Baxon did.

He paused, looking at me with a complicated expression.

The thunder roared again.

"Baxon, please don't go," I sobbed. "You know how scared I am."

Talia started wailing, throwing herself into his arms.

"Baxon, I'm so scared! Take me home! Please stay with me tonight!"

Baxon looked at me with a flash of hesitation.

But it only lasted a second.

He ripped his sleeve out of my grip.

He shielded Talia and hurried out of the cave.

He didn't say a single word to me.

As they left, Talia looked back and gave me a triumphant smirk.

I spent the night alone in the dark, listening to the storm.

I felt numb. The pain was so deep it had gone cold.

Tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding.

And he was spending the night in another woman's bed.

I didn't have much to pack. Just a small bag of essentials.

Talia showed up the next morning, looking smug.

"Calliope, you stole Baxon's love for five hundred years. Today, you're going to pay it back."

She stepped on my bag with her expensive shoes.

"The great Siren Princess can't even keep her man. How embarrassing."

I didn't waste words.

I used a flick of my power to slam her into the wall.

She coughed up blood.

I picked up my bag and dusted it off.

"You're a lowly clam-shifter. Don't test me."

"That was a warning. Next time, I won't be so nice."

Talia glared at me, then started laughing through the blood.

"Keep acting tough! Your power is just a gift for me!"

"Baxon only got close to you for your Heart-Tear!"

I smiled mockingly.

"And you think you'll actually get it?"

Talia's eyes flickered. She suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Sister, I'm sorry! Please don't be mad at Baxon!"

Before I could react, Baxon stormed in.

He saw Talia on her knees and his eyes turned murderous.

He rushed to her side and screamed at me.

"Calliope! How dare you lay a hand on her!"

Talia leaned into him, crying fake tears.

"Don't blame her, Baxon. She's just upset you stayed with me last night. I deserve this."

She coughed up more blood for effect.

Baxon's knuckles cracked as he balled his fists.

"Calliope! Do you know how hard she worked for her cultivation?"

I wanted to defend myself.

But looking at his icy stare, the words died in my throat.

What was the point? He wouldn't believe me anyway.

Talia tugged on his shirt, looking at me with malice.

"I heard Siren scales can heal anything... maybe she could give me one?"

Baxon didn't even hesitate.

"Yes."

He raised his hand and cast a binding spell on me.

Agony flared through my body.

My legs fused together, and I shifted into my Siren form.

He walked toward me, holding Talia.

"Take as many as you want, Talia. She owes you!"

%%%