She had to get closer.
“Viv?” The prince’s voice came from behind her, but she could barely hear him. It was like she was swimming underwater, and everything was muffled except that song.
Tears pricked behind her eyes as the music amplified. The harmony reminded her of the first shimmering star breaking through the night sky after a long day. It promised peace, calm, and a state where nothing else mattered. She needed it.
“Vivienne, stop.”
Her foot froze mid-step as she considered the prince’s words. Stop? Why would she do that?
This was… it was… she was meant to be here. Right?
Her lips slanted down, but the music got even louder.
Another chorus joined the first, and it was like the moon itself was calling her forward. A silver siren’s song unlike anything she’d ever heard.
Her wings braced as she moved towards the source of the sound. Close. It was so close.
Her heart raced, and her eyes widened as a glowing pool came into view. A basin that could easily fit a dozen winged beings was dug into the stones, filled with midnight water that sparkled as though it was infused with moonlight. Water lapped at the sides, and bubbles rose to the surface from an unseen current.
Her breath caught.
Deep down, sitting at the base, was a cluster of spiked glowing crystals. Each was twice the size of her head and released an incandescent blue light.
Gleaming mountains of bones surrounded the crystals, like scattered petals of wilted flowers. It was an eerie display of beautiful death.
Tug.
The rope in her middle yanked her forward, and she stumbled towards the water. The ground shifted, becoming rocky and uneven. Her knees slammed into the stones. Jagged, broken edges sliced through cloth and flesh, but she didn’t stop to assess her injuries.
She had to get to the water.
She crawled forward, her gaze locked on the pool. She needed to touch that shimmering, moonlit surface. Just once. That was all.
It was just so beautiful.
An almost desperate plea came from behind her, but she couldn’t make out the words. She couldn’t even remember who was shouting at her, let alone why she was here.
The siren song summoned her.
Another rock sliced her leg, and she hissed. Something cut her palm, and she left red handprints behind her as she moved towards the water.
Up close, the liquid seemed infused with shards of the night itself. Dark ribbons were woven through it, calling for her.
Vivienne reached out.
Close.
She was so close.
One touch was all she wanted. The water just looked so inviting, and the song was ear-splittingly loud.
She needed?—
“Stop!”
Hands landed on her shoulders, wrenching her back.
Vivienne gasped, flailing. Her wings snapped. How dare someone attempt to stop her? She needed to touch the water.