by Dee J. Stone
She sluggishly lifts her head and rasps, “Father.”
He races toward her and gathers her in his arms. “My darling,” he whispers, clutching her head to his chest, probably a little too strongly than he intends. “You will be all right.” He kisses the top of her head. “You will be all right.” His eyes move to Kiandra. “How has this occurred?”
I can tell it’s taking all of Kiandra’s willpower not to look at me. It must be the eternal bond they share that gives him the answer, because he turns his head to me. “You.”
I falter back. “It was a mistake!”
“You have injured my daughter. My little Zarya—” His voice cracks.
“It is all right, Father,” Zarya’s weak voice pipes up. She slides her little hand into her father’s. “It was not due to Cassie. For Cassie saved me.”
He blinks at her. Then he looks at me. I rub my elbow and mutter, “It was my father. He…he did it.”
“I was careless and foolish,” Zarya says. “Mother and Doria told me how imperative it was for me to remain in the palace after I inquired about Cassie’s whereabouts for the umpteenth time.” She puts her arms around him. “I should have listened. I am to blame for my…for my…” The last words of her sentence are swallowed by tears.
“Cassie halted the bleeding, my love,” Kiandra tells him. “Zarya would have perished if not for her.”
Syren kisses the top of Zarya’s head before slowly placing her back down on the table. He swims over to Kiandra, Syd and Syndin, and kisses their cheeks. Then he heads over to me. My brain tells me to move back and put some distance between us because I’m pretty sure Syren wants nothing more to do than to slam his fist into my jaw. But he doesn’t do any of that. Wearing an unemotional expression, he says, “On behalf of myself and my family, I thank you for rescuing my daughter from a terrible fate.”
Words get stuck in my throat. I was not expecting him to say that. I merely nod.
He glances at Damarian. “How are you so certain she will not shift back into the beast?”
Damarian says, “Father, please do not speak of Cassie as though she is not present in the room.”
Syren’s eyes move slowly to mine. “How are we so certain we are safe with her presence? She can put the entire palace at risk. My family is here.”
“I promise you, Syren, that I won’t let the sea serpent inside me take control. I promise you I will do whatever it takes to stop those bastards.”
“We have subdued her, Father,” Damarian says. “Due to the power I received from taking the throne, we were able to take control.”
“Please.” I hold out my hand to him. “I love all of you like my own family. And I feel horrible for what happened to Zarya. I’m here to protect you.”
Syren’s eyes dip toward my outstretched hand. When he doesn’t take it, I mentally sigh and am about to drop it. But then he hesitantly slides his into mine. “Cassie, forgive me. When I laid eyes on you a few moments ago, I wished to kill you.”
Um. Ouch.
He shakes his head. “I beg of you to forgive me. For the manner in which I treated you when you sought answers and I cast you out. I understand this had occurred against your will. I should not have treated you in that manner.”
I squeeze his hand. “It’s okay, I get it. You were just looking out for your family. Like a good father.”
He gives me a thankful nod. “You are quite understanding.”
“If there’s one thing I’m learning from all of this, it’s that we all need to stick together and work as a team. That’s the only way we can defeat the serpents.”
“You are correct,” Syren says.
“But what are we to do?” Damarian asks. “The other sea creatures do not wish to join us.”
Syren sits on one of the stones and rubs his forehead. “We must rely on what we have.”
“And what do we have?” I ask.
“The Dolphins,” Damarian says. “The sea turtles. The orca whales. The manta rays and jellyfish. Many species of shark that do not serve the clans.”
“Yet not enough,” Syren says, his voice defeated.
Kiandra swims to him and wraps her arms around him. “Do not despair, my love. We have what the sea serpents do not.”
“Hope. Determination. A love for the sea and her many creatures.”
“And all they want is chaos and bloodshed,” Damarian says.
Kiandra nods. “Hope is the greatest weapon.”
“I agree,” Syren says.
“And there’s me.”
They all stare at me.
“I need to be out there, in the front line.”
“Absolutely not,” Damarian says.
“We cannot allow the queen to put her life at risk,” Syren says.
“Whoa.” I hold out my hands. “I am not your queen.”
“But you are, I am afraid,” Kiandra says.
I look at Damarian. He shrugs helplessly.
“But it’s just for the time being, right? I mean, you can’t expect me to actually be your queen.”
“Of course,” Syren assures me. “Kiander and Flora will reacquire the throne once the war has ended. If we are victorious,” he adds under his breath.
Kiandra presses her lips to his cheek. “We shall be.”
He nods.
“But you guys can’t do this without me. I’ve been there—well, not me, but the other me has been there. I know what the sea serpents are capable of.” I reach for Damarian’s hand. “We fought the one inside me. We can do it again.”
“You must remain here where it is safe,” Syren says.
“We cannot risk the sea serpents killing Damarian,” Kiandra adds.
“No, not Damarian. Just me.”
“My love, to what are you referring?” Damarian asks.
“We don’t have to be physically near each other to fight them. When we went into my mind to fight Cassila, we were miles apart. Our bond is stronger than anything else in this word, and because of your power, we’re even stronger.”
Damarian drops my hand and swims a few feet away, his back facing me. “You cannot expect me to agree to this.”
“You need to, Damarian.”
“They will capture you. They will attempt to extract the sea serpent.”
“With Damarian’s power,” Syren says, “the sea serpents grow stronger. You may not be able to prevail.”
“Maybe they are as strong as they’ll ever be because of Damarian’s power, but I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, too. I feel it. I know you do, too, Damarian.”
His back is still facing me.
“Damarian.”
“You wished to sacrifice yourself when we were in your mind. You wish to sacrifice it now as well. Why are you so quick to forfeit your life?”
I swim closer to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “Because I’ll be saving hundreds of lives.”
Damarian shrugs my hand off and swims even further away. I try not to let his behavior bother me, but it does. I know why he’s acting this way—I would do the same if he wanted to put his life at risk. But this is something I need to do. I’m the one who brought this upon the merpeople. I need to fix this.
“We’re wasting time,” I say.
Syren gets up and touches Kiandra’s cheek. “Callen is expecting me to return to the battle.”
A memory flashes before my eyes, of a broad-shouldered Sapphire yelling that they will never surrender. It was Syren. He was at the front line, putting his life at risk. For his family and friends, for the future of the merpeople. Just like I want to do. I wish Damarian would accept that.
“Please be careful,” Kiandra says. Their lips touch.
He rests his forehead against hers. “I will return to you.”
He kisses the twins and Zarya goodbye, holding onto his youngest for a long time and whispering soothing words into her ear. Zarya looks much better than she did half an hour ago. I’m sure seeing her father made her feel safe again.
“Where is Doria?” Syren asks.
Kiandra purses her lips. “She wishes to be in solitude.”
“My love, it needed to be so.”
She nods. “I understand, as does Doria. But that does not stop it from hurting less.”
What are they talking about?
“I will seek her out and ascertain she is well.” Syren swims to Damarian and touches his shoulder. “My son, perhaps it is wise to listen to your mate. I do not see another way to win this war.”
Syren inclines his head to me before swimming out.
Damarian’s back is still facing me. I swallow before moving in front of him. “Damarian.” I reach for his cheek.
He sandwiches my hand between his and kisses it. “I love you, my Cassie. Is it all right if I remain in solitude for a few minutes? There is much I need to contemplate.”
“Of course. If there’s anything I can help you with, please tell me.”
He smiles sadly before swimming away.
“This has not been easy for him,” Kiandra says as she swims over to a smaller table on the side. “Are you hungry?”
I should be, and I’m sure my stomach is crying for food, but I doubt I can get anything down. “No, thanks.”
She offers her kids, who seem to gobble the fish down.
“Food is scarce,” she tells me. “It is difficult to hunt in such dangerous waters.”
I try not to feel responsible, but I can’t help it. I guess I’ll feel this way until the battle ends. If we win. No, we will. I won’t let the sea serpents win.
“Damarian’s doing okay, though, isn’t he?” I ask her. “I know he’s been through a lot. I feel like he’s not talking to me. I just want to know if he’s okay.”
She touches my cheek. “I am not certain any of us will be all right. But we shall never lose hope.”
I nod. “As long as we hope, we won’t give up.”
Chapter Thirteen
I stay with Kiandra and the kids, trying to provide them with enough entertainment and fun as possible to get their minds off things, especially Zarya. But it’s hard to be totally into it with everything going on around me. The merpeople are out there fighting for their lives while I’m in the safety of the palace. It just isn’t right. I need to be out there fighting along with the people I consider part of my life. Damarian needs to understand that.
When it becomes too unbearable, I excuse myself and leave the room. I need to clear my head. I swim through the palace, taking note of all the members of the Guard and sharks that are patrolling the area. I’ve only been to the palace a few times, but I haven’t had the chance to explore it. I know this isn’t exactly the ideal time, but it’s the only way I can be alone.
I can’t stop the memories from playing in my head. To know that at this moment, many of the merpeople are dropping to the bottom of the ocean…
I shake my head and tell myself to take a deep breath. I have to stop beating myself up over this. It’s not going to help anything. Right now, I need to convince Damarian that I need to be out there fighting with the others. There’s time to wallow in guilt later.
My thoughts come to a stop when I see a sapphire tail peeking out from behind a large piece of stone, what is equivalent to a couch. The shade of sapphire matches Damarian’s family. I know it’s Doria. When I reach her, I find her lying on the floor between the “couch” and wall, balancing on her elbows. Her eyes are staring at the spot in front of her, but they’re unfocused. She looks really miserable.
“Hey.” I lower myself on the couch and lean over so that I have a better view of her. “You doing okay?”
She shrugs.
“Thanks, by the way. For trying to get that Violet Guard to let me into the palace.”
She shrugs again.
“Doria, are you okay?”
“I have had better days.”
“What’s up?”
She doesn’t say anything.
If there was room, I’d lie down next to her. Instead, I lean forward and pat her tail. “Really, what’s bothering you? Is it Zarya? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”
She shakes her head. “No, it is not Zarya. Though I am concerned for her.”
I lower my eyes. “Me, too. Will she be able to swim?”
She finally looks at me. “I do not know.”
We’re both quiet. I try to blot out the images running rampant in my mind, of Zarya struggling to live a full life, but they’re too strong. I bite down hard on my bottom lip so I don’t cry.
“They have placed him in the palace cellar.”
My eyes flash to hers. “You mean Kytero.”
She nods, a solemn expression on her face.
“I’m so sorry, Doria.”
“I understand the reasoning,” she says, her tone bitter. “These are dire times. We do not know who we can trust.”
“Can you tell me what happened when you brought him to the colony?”
“After you fled the sea, I begged Kytero to reconsider and return with me to the colony. I informed him he would be safe here. As soon as we arrived, the Guards immediately captured him. He and I managed to inform Kiander, Flora, Syren, and Callen all we had learned about the sea serpents and the rebels before they placed him in the cellar.”
“Because of his family?”
She nods. “It is no secret that his family is great supporters of Gyron.”
“So they took him, no questions asked? They didn’t even want to use him as a spy?”
“There would be no use. We had learned all that we needed, and we were preparing for battle. But I fear Kiander did not trust him, even after I informed him that Kytero is to be trusted.” Her gaze falls to her tail. “It was as though my brother did not care for me or my feelings. He merely ordered him to be imprisoned without asking me.”
“I’m sure it was a tough decision. Kiander was probably under a lot of stress.”
She nods.
“Are you able to visit him?”
“I asked Damarian to release him once he took the throne, but he did not listen. He claimed it was a wiser choice for him to remain in the cellar.” She rolls her eyes. “But he promised Kytero would be treated well.” She shakes her head in disgust, betrayal, and sorrow. “It was my belief that Damarian would see reason.”
I get off the couch and drop down near her tail. I hold out my hand to her. Her eyes move to it and then look away. “Damarian did what he thought was right, Doria. He probably thought it was safer for Kytero to stay there. The other merpeople might have felt uneasy with him around.”
“He is not a rebel. He is innocent.”
“Sometimes we can’t help but carry around our family’s baggage. It sucks, but that’s how it is.”
She puts her fingers on her forehead and lowers her head. “This was not how we dreamed our life together would be. He promised so many things…”
“And he’ll keep them as soon as the war is over.”
She shakes her head. “He will never be treated in the same manner. His family is associated with the rebels. Many will not forgive him.”
“And you think everyone will forgive me? The girl who brought the sea serpents into the ocean? But you know something? You guys are an accepting and forgiving race. I know they’ll come to accept Kytero. He’s an amazing guy.”
She slowly lifts her face to mine. “Do you really believe so?”
“Of course. He risked so much by being a spy, and I saw the way he looked at you. He really loves you.”
“And I love him.”
“Don’t worry, Doria. You’ll be with him soon. Have you visited him?”
“Only a handful of times. Damarian is too concerned for me.”
I feel my lips tug in a smile. “He’s a good brother.”
“Yes, unfortunately.” She’s smiling, though. “Cassie? I wish for you to know that I do not hold you accountable for the sea serpents’ invasion, nor for Zarya’s injury. It is merely how you say, ‘sucky?’”
I laugh.
“Yeah. It really is sucky.”
“Forgive me.” She gets off the floor and does the merpeople bow. “My queen.”
“Damn, not you too.”
“Forgive me, but you are the queen.”
“No!” I cover my ears. “I’m not.”
She laughs again. “Do not fret. Kiander and Flora will reclaim the throne.”
“They better,” I mutter.
Before I have a chance to realize what’s going on, I find myself pressed against Doria’s chest. “Thank you, Cassie. Even in such horrendous times, you lift my spirits.”
“It’s the only way to get through this,” I tell her. “The sea serpents know only death, heartache, destruction. We need to fight them with all the good things in life.”
“Yes.” She pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Do you believe we will triumph? Deep in your heart, what is it you feel?”
I close my eyes and dig as deeply as I can. After a few seconds, I open my eyes. “I believe one hundred percent that we will.”
She clutches my hand. “As do I.”
Her eyes suddenly grow unfocused behind me. I turn around, but I don’t see anything. “What is it?” I ask.
“It cannot be…” She touches her heart. “Grandfather?”
I’m about to ask what she’s talking about, when she hurries out of the room, dragging me with her. When we reach the hallway that leads to the entrance to the palace, Doria makes a short stop, causing me to knock right into her. Once my head stops spinning, I see the figure floating there. Damarian’s grandfather, Ryter.
A few members of the Guard surround him, their eyes suspicious. They keep glancing at his tail and long hair. I know what they’re thinking—Ryter is one of the eldest merpeople in the colony, a few hundred years old. I’m sure there aren’t that many of them around. He was alive when the sea serpents stole the king’s power hundreds of years ago.
“Father?” Kiandra rushes out of the other room and stops a few feet away from him. “Father, I am glad of your arrival.” It looks like she wants to wrap her tail around his, the merpeople sign of affection, but Ryter doesn’t exactly look approachable. Definitely not for a merpeople hug.
