Sirene's chambers were breathtaking.
Khari stepped inside and gasped.
"Ren," she exclaimed, spinning slowly in place. "Your room is bigger than our entire house!"
Silk curtains hung from the ceiling. Sunlight spilled through tall windows, touching polished floors and carved furniture. The scent of lavender drifted gently through the air.
Khari reached out and touched a golden ornament on a nearby table.
Sirene watched her from across the room. Her expression was cold.
"Come sit down."
Khari laughed lightly and joined her.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Your room rearranged my brain for a moment." She studied her sister more carefully. "You've lost weight."
Khari leaned forward and hugged her.
But Sirene gently pushed her away.
"We need to talk."
Khari blinked. "I wanted to talk to you too."
Sirene folded her hands on the table.
"If it's about you wrapping yourself around the king, I already know."
Khari froze. "Pardon?"
"You heard me." Sirene's voice was sharp. "I didn't call you here to gossip about your disgraceful behavior. I called you to warn you."
"Warn me about what?" Khari groaned. "Can you and mother please spare me? It was just a hug."
"A hug?" Sirene scoffed, "You think this is still the Fifth Village?" Her voice rose, "Do you know what it takes to survive inside the palace? Do you understand how delicate everything here is?"
Khari lowered herself. "I know, Ren."
"Then why did you leave your common sense back at home?"
Khari stiffened. "Excuse me?"
Sirene leaned forward. "Tell me the truth. Is it jealousy?"
Khari stared at her, disbelief bleeding from her eyes.
"Is that why you're sabotaging my life?" Sirene continued bitterly. "You want this chance for yourself. You wish to take my luck, take my position-"
Khari's face fell. "Honey… there's nothing to take. It's all an illusion."
Sirene shook her head, "Then what are you trying to do?"
Khari hesitated. "If I told you the truth, you wouldn't believe me."
"Try me."
Khari lowered her voice, "The palace is a trap."
Sirene stared at her, blankly.
"You're not here to marry the prince," Khari continued quietly, "You're here to die."
Sirene stood abruptly. "Stop."
"They sacrifice the first wives," Khari pressed on. "It's part of their religion."
"You're insane." Sirene's hands trembled.
"The prince doesn't love you," Khari said. "The woman he truly loves is waiting somewhere else. Once the ritual is done, she will take your place."
Sirene shook her head violently, "No."
"Has he visited you since you arrived?" Khari asked softly.
Silence filled the room.
"They aren't even pretending to care about you," Khari continued. "Because they know your time here is short."
Sirene's breathing quickened. "You're lying."
"Ask him where he first saw you," Khari pressed on. "Ask what you were wearing. Ask why he fell in love with you."
That was the truth, and Sirene knew it. She just didn't want to accept it. She knew she had been deluded. None of it made sense. But it didn't matter. She was almost there, and she didn't want to invite any form of sabotage.
Sirene's voice broke. "Get out."
"Ren—"
"Get out of my room!"
Khari stood slowly, "Just ask him."
"Go fuck the king if you want," Sirene snapped. "I'm done defending you."
Khari's heart shattered.
Without another word, she left.
***