They chose me because I was the Lost Siren—the last female draken in existence, hidden away behind a blood enchantment as a human.

Until Benedict came for me. Benedict, the king. Benedict, my mate.

When I realized what I was, I thought I’d finally found my purpose in life. From a human slave girl to queen of an entire race of men! And they were all counting on me, hoping because of me! It was frightening at first, but then electrifying. I knew that I could do this. I could lead them towards a future, back to their homeland on the island of Lyonesse, with my three mates at my side.

Then Thad came along.

My feelings about him were conflicted—he’d chained me when I was a prisoner of the demon stronghold. He’d beaten me and humiliated me in front of Severn and the other demons.

He also saved my life when I fell ill and protected me from the other demons. He’d killed them for me.

Now he was here, on our island, Lyonesse. My mates didn’t want him here, but he was the only one who might know how to relieve the lingering white magick that throbbed in my veins—a parting gift from the demon stronghold.

Waves from the sea crashed up against the high cliffs we were on—mirroring the tension of the males around me. The storm continued to rage as angrily as my mates. And through it all, Thad simply stood there. He’d risked much just to come here, and all because he knew I needed help.

Something twinged in my heart.

Benedict would kill him. I was so afraid he’d snap. My other mates wouldn’t be able to stop him. Benedict was stronger than Kieran and Ronan when he was in a proper rage.

This situation was my fault. The guilt was a living thing inside of me, and I didn’t know what to do. I had to do something because Benedict and Thad were standing in front of me, the unnatural storm booming around us.

I had to protect him. And not just him, but the other females I’d rescued from the demon stronghold—Xana, and all the others. I wouldn’t bring more death to their homeland.

“I claim him as my mate!” I cried out, and launched myself at Thad, burying my fangs into his throat.

Thad tensed under me, and Benedict was screaming. The sounds of fighting erupted behind me, and I knew I had to be quick.

All other thoughts left my mind as Thad roughly pushed me away, my fangs tearing the skin around his neck. I stumbled backwards, and Kieran caught me. Benedict looked nearly feral, his purple wings spread wide as he flared them protectively in front of me.

A numb buzz overtook my body as I realized what had happened.

Thad had rejected the mating bond. He’d refused me.

“I’m sorry, but I . . . I can’t,” Thad whispered, his chest heaving with emotion, apparently uncaring of the dark blood that dripped down his neck and chest.