Chapter 138

Briar’s POV

I returned to the throne room wearing the Siren Crown, power radiating from me in waves that made the water itself bow. Malachar stopped mid-attack when he saw me, his expression shifting from triumph to something like fear

"You actually did it," he breathed. "You claimed the crown."

"I did more than claim it," I said, my voice carrying that otherworldly resonance amplified tenfold. "I mastered it."

"Impossible," he snarled. "No one masters the crown on their first wearing. It takes years of—"

I raised my hand and the ocean responded. A massive wave formed inside the throne room, suspended in midair, ready to crush everything in its path.

"Want to test that theory?" I asked with a cock of my head.

Malachar’s forces began retreating, sensing the shift in power. But my half-brother stood his ground, dark magic crackling around him.

"You think po