Free Siren Slave by Aurora Styles

hearts explode out of their chests, you should start worrying about you . I’ll admit, I wouldn’t mind seeing annoying people explode. Shut up and drink.” The Sea Witch thrust a skin at Freya before returning to the chaise.
    “I know you don’t care, but my human parents could get in a lot of trouble with Rome if I don’t marry Etainen.”
    “Your human parents are upsetting you. Oh, and you can thank me that your human mother didn’t die of the bloody flux by now. She asked me all kinds of annoying questions, like if I’d ever been a lady’s maid before. Do I look like a maid ? I finally just showed her some of the garments Morrigan had me make for you and she shut up.”
    “I just don’t feel like going to drink, Hedwig. Sorry, but Ulf was killed .”
    “Ulf? The man you bought sex toys from?” Hedwig made a frustrated sound and shoved her long hair over her shoulder. “Fine. I might be able to help you. Do you have a plan?”
    After Freya had divulged her scheme to act like a loyal wife while supplying Siegfried with Rome’s plans, Hedwig nodded. “Let me add to that. Be obnoxious about loving Rome. Leave no doubt whatsoever.”
    So say what I say about Siegfried to my men and simply substitute Rome? This could work. I’ll just have to not be attracted at all to Etainen.
    “Oh, and Freya, I reworked your wedding toga. The thing was hideous,” Hedwig said. “The pale yellow was all wrong for your hair.”
    “Odilia insisted on that color,” Freya said, already knowing Hedwig was right.
    Hedwig waved off Freya’s concerns. “I made you a new one in purple. Needed to do something to keep myself from boredom here.”
    “Thank you. But I can’t wear purple.” She explained the protocol about wearing that shade, then waited for the Sea Witch’s angry reaction.
    “You’re wearing purple because I said so,” Hedwig said again. “What’s Rome going to do about it? Send a legion of their most well-muscled males after me?” She licked her lips. “Besides, I already tossed out the other toga.”

Chapter Three
    Disguised as Etainen, Siegfried finally could see what Romans looked like without swords in one hand and shields in the other. He noted the way the general slouched, his guard down, his demeanor tired. Siegfried would never drop his guard around any but his most trusted men, but he hid his disgust. For now, he was Etainen, Chieftain of the Cimbri, bridegroom of Freya of the Remi, and ally to this less-than-impressive Roman general.
    His bedchamber, a few doors from Freya’s, was richly appointed with porcelain plates, silks, crystal goblets, mahogany floors and furniture, and sable bed furs. It disgusted him, how much the Remi were enjoying their alliance with Rome.
    He was still thinking about Swan, the alleged prostitute. She’d smelled of the sea and perfume, and her candidness had made him want to laugh. At first, he’d been uncertain, but her behavior had been so unexpected and abnormal. Lopsided Lady? She’d been daring enough to taunt Pompey, too. He hadn’t expected her to be so sloppy as to get caught, not when she’d been sneaking into this palace and freeing his people, not when she’d been savvy enough to pass him the information he needed in order to be here.
    If there was further information he needed, “Etainen” would have to get it from Pompey. He’d cut his ties to his own people, lest they be captured, tortured, and questioned, although there were some in the dungeons below, despite his efforts. Swan would be here tonight to free them, he guessed. He’d aid her as best he could, but he hadn’t figured out how to do that yet.
    He still tasted her kiss. She had been…practiced. But why not? She was a whore.
    General Pompey, still wearing his helm, had come to speak to Etainen. He sat slumped in a wooden chair finished with a gilded leaf pattern and thickly padded under a blue silk cushion. The table between them was white marble with gold veins.
    The Roman’s