“You called for help, but your beasts could not hear you, so I came instead.”
Ignoring the pain, Citrine sat up, her mouth hanging agape in astonishment. “You know who I am? I did not think mortals could hear me.”
The female laughed, a harsh sound. “I am no mortal. I am Udi.”
Citrine stared, at a loss for words.
“Now come. If you can’t stand, I will carry you. We must go down below before more of those creatures come.”
Citrine, not willing to be outdone by one of the Udi, turned on her side, hissing in pain as she tried to stand.
“It is no use,” said the female. “Let me.” Her hand rested on Citrine’s hip and she slid her arms around her body. “Hold the knife.”
Citrine grunted, unable to say more as the creature pushed out of the cave. Another wave came in, and they rode it out into the sea. They swept over the rocks at a dangerous speed, and Citrine closed her eyes, too frightened to watch. When she opened them again, they were in the middle of the Jaded Sea. A vague shape rising out of the darkness told Citrine where the shore was. She prepared her mind, intending to reach out to her beasts, but the Udi whirled away from the shore. The female turned her back to Citrine and tucked Citrine’s arms around her neck. “We must travel like this for the next part. It would be wise for you to hold your breath.”
“What do you mean?” Citrine gasped, her words coming out barely above a whisper. She shivered again, the jarring cold of the waves sinking through her skin into her bones.
The female gave a little hiss and then dived. Citrine had the presence of mind to take a shallow breath as cold water descended over her mouth and nose. They shot down, faster than flying beasts soared through the sky. The cold made Citrine go numb, her limbs feeling like the stone anchors that ships dropped to stay in one place. She squeezed her eyes shut as darkness consumed her, welcoming her into the inky blackness of the sea.
24
The Udi
Something nibbled at her fingers, and Citrine opened her eyes. She lay on her side, her head resting in the crook of her arm. A light flavor filtered through the air, a familiar scent that reminded her of salt and mist. Smiling, she took a deep breath, attempting to make sense of the smell. An eerie glow flickered above her, and she stiffened. A flurry of memories, urgent and painful, flashed through her mind. Scowling, she sat up, lifting a hand to part her fine hair. She rubbed her fingers over the spot where Zilpha had hit her. The skin felt tender and the hair around it matted and stiff with dried blood. Otherwise, the aching pain was only a distant memory.
Out of the corner of her vision, something darted just out of eyesight. She stilled, dropping her hands into her lap and studying her surroundings. She lay on a green woven mat, made out of what looked like dried seaweed. She ran her fingers over it, surprised it did not itch and scratch at her. Her feet hit the ground, if it could be called that, when she swung them over the mat.
Stretching her neck back, she peered up above her, noting the concave ceiling and a translucent film that clearly displayed murky water. The light flickered again, a sort of golden-green glow. Her gaze drifted to a creature floating in the air above her. It had blue-green scales and an elongated body, no bigger than her hand. Its face was narrow like a horse with bulging round eyes on either side, while the rest of its body curved away, like an eel. It moved closer to her. Its dark eyes darting back and forth.
Citrine lifted a finger. Hello there.
The thing squeaked and darted away, up toward the flashing light. With a leap, it rippled through the translucent barrier and darted away. In that moment, Citrine realized she was looking at sea water and her heart dropped. She scrambled, reaching out feelers for her beasts.
“Don’t move so much, you’re still healing,” a clipped voice barked.
Citrine spun around, heart racing, and glared at the female who had saved her. Swallowing hard, she brushed hair out of her face and glanced again at the female. “Where am I?”
The female arched her eyebrows, a smirk coming to her solemn face. “The Under Water World.”
Citrine’s jaw dropped, and her eyes flew across the room. Now she noticed the sand smooth floor with bits of pink coral sticking out of it and the blue-greenish haze caused by a mix of light and water. Again, she glanced up to the sea moving above before returning her eyes to the female.
“How?” Additional questions tumbled through her mind as she studied her savior.
The female had white hair that billowed like a cloud around her lithe body, held back by a crown made of shells of various shapes. She was perhaps five feet tall with powerful shoulders and arms, the muscles standing out on her upper arms. A slick translucent webbing lay between her fingers and toes, and Citrine lifted an eyebrow when she noticed the female was stark naked and, other than the hair on her head, hairless. Her skin was a honey brown, tanned by sunlight, a sharp contrast to her white hair. She shrugged at Citrine’s question. “Simple. You were hurt. I brought you here to heal. A sea creature inflicted your wound, so it will heal faster down here.”
A chill made Citrine shiver, and she glanced down at her mid-section. Blood stained her dress and made her fingers shake. She wanted nothing more than to rip the dress off her body. Her fingers came up to her neck, tugging and pulling like the dress was the rope of a noose, seeking to strangle life out of her.
“I am Aer’wyna, the Udi of the clan of Luna.”
“I did not know the Udi had clans,” Citrine muttered.
Aer’wyna bared her lips, showing a row of dagger sharp teeth. Citrine recoiled, aware she faced a dangerous creature, but still confused about how Aer’wyna had heard her call.
“I thought the Udi had great tails, like fish, and shining scales.”
“Legends and myths.” Aer’wyna stood. Her skin rippled, showing a second skin to Citrine. A wink of blue scales stood out, and sharp fins jutted out of her back. The shift lasted only a moment before it disappeared and Aer’wyna looked as any mortal. Except for her perfectly round dark eyes—a pool of unsaid thoughts, ever-shifting as she eyed Citrine. “I saved you because you asked. But now that you are here, we should speak of our alliance.”
Citrine grunted in surprise, a pulsing headache forming between her eyes. Glancing up again at the light dancing in the waves above her, she realized she had no choice. If she wished to return to the city of Sanga Sang and her beasts, she’d have to make nice with Aer’wyna. Again, she tugged at her clothes, drawing Aer’wyna’s gaze.
“Clothes are not our forte, but we will find something for you to wear. One of my kin will bring food and we shall discuss.”
Citrine eyed the concave walls. The idea of miles of water pressing down on her filled her with discomfort. “How long will I have to stay down here?”
Aer’wyna’s black eyes flashed, and a rough laugh came from her lips. “You are not a prisoner here. After negotiations are complete, you will return to your home.”
Spinning, Aer’wyna walked away, leaving Citrine with an unsavory view of her rear.
Overwhelmed, Citrine lay back down on the seaweed pallet, momentarily wondering what Tor Lir would think of all this. For a brief second, she wished he were with her, and her face flushed with the need. She did not want her mind to display weakness or affection for his odd ways. Reaching out her feelers, she called to her beasts.
Morag. Zaul. Ava. Grift.
Their voices roared through her head, filled with questions.
Enchantress, Morag’s deep tones rumbled. I searched all night, but you were not there.
Citrine. You’re alive, Grift more or less hissed.
Ava’s thoughts dripped with displeasure. What? I was trying to sleep after a night of hunting.
Zaul, one of few words, merely grunted.
Morag. Grift. I was attacked last night, but I am safe. I will return later. Sleep, Ava. Zaul, keep watch lest crazy old Edna returns to my lair.
Silence rang in her ears after her beasts acknowledged her
requests.
A few moments later, Aer’wyna returned, her feet padding silently into the chamber. She carried a tray made of pale wood in her hand, and something green hung over one arm. She set the tray down and handed the green thing to Citrine. “Here’s a tunic. Eat. Rest. I spoke to my kin, and when the moon is high, court will be in session.”
When she disappeared again, Citrine ripped off her dress, pausing to take a look at the blistered skin of her stomach. An angry red blotch rested on her midsection, and when she touched it her skin tingled with pain, a reminder of the strange sucking creature. Shivering, she pulled the green gown over her head. It was shapeless yet seemed a bit small, clinging to her thighs and stopping just above her knees. It was sleeveless, leaving her shoulders bare with a wide neck. It would do. On closer inspection, she saw the material seemed to be some sort of seaweed, but soft and malleable.
After a few moments, the shift changed, adjusting to her curves and hugging over them like clay put in a mold. Citrine raised her eyebrows in surprise and then shrugged, turning her attention to the food. Reclining on the pallet, propped up by an elbow, she reached her fingers out for the collection of cut fish. It was raw, but she’d only expected as much. A piece of red fish cut in a square caught her attention. Lifting it with her fingers, she popped it into her mouth and was surprised as a potent flavor burst over her tongue. Instead of the slimy fishy taste she was used to, it had a rather peppery spice to it and melted in her mouth like butter left out in sunlight.
“Like it?”
Citrine paused, giving herself time to swallow her surprise before she glanced up.
Another female Udi walked toward her. This one also had white hair, but she had it cropped short. It stopped just below her chin and curved around her neck. Unlike Aer’wyna, she wore some clothing. A green skirt made from stripes of seaweed was gathered around her waist, just below what would be her belly button, except there was none. She wore a necklace of shells and jewels around her neck, hiding the areolas of her breasts and more shell jewelry covered her arms and ankles. It made a gentle rustling sound as she moved, her round teal eyes alight with curiosity.
“Tis good,” Citrine agreed and pointed a finger to something that sat on a shell, a membrane in the center. “What are these?”
“Mussels and clams,” the Udi said. She carried a green pallet under her arm which she lay down across from Citrine. “Aer’wyna was hunting for some near the rocks when she heard your call.”
“I still don’t understand how she heard me,” Citrine mumbled, studying the female. “Who are you?”
The Udi tucked her short white hair behind a curved ear and smiled. “I am called Ray’nava. Aer’wyna asked me to come talk to you because I like mortals, and surely you have questions.”
“More for Aer’wyna than for you,” Citrine blurted out, willing herself not to be cross with Ray’nava. It was more likely the Udi was sent to guard her and ensure she did not grow too curious about the Under Water World.
“Aye, you will not see her again until court and they do not allow questions in court, only negotiations,” Ray’nava said. “Hence, she sent me in her stead. If you don’t have questions, I have some for you.”
Citrine determined to make the most of her time there by gathering knowledge. If nothing else, it would be an interesting story to tell Grift or Morag. She winced inwardly at the thought of Morag. He’d attempted to tell her something about the Under Water World People and in her haste for knowledge about the stone, she’d ignored him. Now, she wished she’d listened to what he had to say. The knowledge may have given her power over bargaining with the beings who saved her life. She was sure there would be a demand when she met the court.
“Tell me,” she asked. “Am I truly in the Under Water World? And how is this possible? Are we not in the sea?”
Ray’nava smiled like the bearer of a great secret. Wrinkles around her eyes crinkled up and then she blinked. The top of her eyelids were scales, and iridescent colors shot across the chamber for a brief second. “Aye you are in the realm of the Under Water World people, also called the Udi. Many mortals have been down here and yet it is something rarely discussed. Perhaps the wonders of the water world do not appeal to mortals?”
A swift jab of anger came to Citrine, and she opened her mouth to spit out a response, but Ray’nava continued, a dream-like look coming over her petite features. “The Four Worlds are not as large as one thinks. They are all connected by water. Every creek, pond, river, lake, and sea connect to Oceantic somewhere. Even the ground hides the water route. Within each body of water, my people dwell. Unlike mortals, we have the ability to walk on land and yet change our form to swim like the magnificent fish of the sea. However, when we tire, we come here, to our coral chambers underneath the waters, where we can still see the waters we love, but remain safe in our havens. Despite what you might think, we all have enemies. The sea monsters seek to devour us, and unless we stay here at night, we cannot escape their clutches.”
Citrine understood. This was their home much like the cave she dwelt in to protect from the wild beasts and dark intent of mortals of the night. “But how did this place come to be?” she persisted, pointing to the curved walls and the waters above. “How does air come in, and I saw a sea creature earlier. It went up into the waters. How come the sea doesn’t come down on my head and drown me?”
Ray’nava dropped her head, hiding her expression. Her voice came out soft and distant. “We have our secrets as you have yours. It is possible for creatures to break through our defenses, and then we must repair our home. But as for now, all you need know is that this realm is under protection. For a time.”
When Ray’nava looked back up, her teal eyes shone with tears.
“What’s wrong?” Citrine asked, fighting to keep her annoyance down.
Ray’nava shook her head, causing her white hair to move back and forth, slapping her cheeks with a gentle swishing sound. “This realm is protected…for now…but not for long. You’ll hear the entire story in court. Please. Whatever is asked of you. Please grant it.”
“It doesn’t seem like I have much choice,” Citrine grumbled under her breath. She picked up the shell called a clam and slurped at it. A meaty substance came off on her tongue, white and slimy. She frowned at the lack of flavor.
“What other questions do you have for me?” Ray’nava asked.
Citrine lifted a finger. “The creature that sucked at my skin, what was it? Another monster your people hide from?”
“Aye,” Ray’nava swiped at her eyes. “They are called jelly fish, because of the way their bodies move. They will eat you from the inside out. Once they latch on, it's difficult to counter the effects of their poison. You are lucky Aer’wyna was out hunting—”
“She said she heard me call for help,” Citrine interrupted. “What does that mean?
Ray’nava rose to her feet. “She heard you call. Nothing more.”
“Nay. It wasn’t nothing more. I did not open my mouth. I was helpless to scream. I couldn’t make a sound. I thought the words, but I never said them. How did she hear me?”
Ray’nava backed away, shaking her head. “They will tell you more in court, for which I must prepare.”
“I thought you came to answer my questions,” Citrine spat, the words coming out with more anger than she intended.
Ray’nava moved from foot to foot and continued to back away, a faint glow of fear coming to her face. Before she turned and disappeared down the tunnel, a horn sounded. At least, it sounded like a horn to Citrine. Another crystal-clear call followed it and then shouts and screams. Citrine stood, turning from side to side and then all at once a darkness came overhead, shutting out the light. The chamber she stood in trembled, and she was thrown on her side.
25
Awakening Knowledge
Tor Lir crept from shadow to shadow as he made his way to the tower. He’d seen the male with the amber eyes disappear with the female he’d questioned a few
nights ago, the one called Zilpha who had gone to sea with Citrine. He hadn’t seen Citrine and went to her cave, but she was absent from it. He desired to speak with her, but he’d concern himself with her whereabouts later. First, he wanted to know why Zilpha and the amber-eyed Lord were at the tower, and what they took with them.
The round building shut out daylight as he neared. Rough-hewn stones bleached with age basked in the sunlight. He saw where mortar cracked and gray dust drifted to the ground while green vines curved around the tower, finding life in death and rot. He shivered as he glared at it, a stifled feeling constricted his breathing. A need pulsed through him, a throbbing quivering. There was something in the tower he wanted, yet as he drew closer, a low rumble made the ground shake.
Tor Lir paused, glancing down at his feet. On the approach to the tower, there was nowhere to hide. It perched on the top of the highest hill, giving him a clear glimpse of the city below, spiraling down to the glowing harbor with the sunlight shining on ships and sails. His heartbeat calmed, and he moved forward again, listening hard for the sound, but the rumble did not come again.
The tower was deserted as he approached, tongue in cheek. The city warden lived in the tower—at least Lady Hava told him that—and he expected to be cut down at any moment by a solider or guard, demanding to know what his business was. His thoughts flickered back to her and he twitched. He’d let himself give into weakness yet again. Lust rose in him like a thirst, and he did not understand why he gave in to Lady Hava yet stayed away from Citrine. If anything, Citrine was a better match for him in every way except for her exhausting temper. What would Citrine say when he found her and explained his actions?
Arriving at the door to the tower, he pushed gently, and it swung open without a sound. He hesitated before walking into the gentle light, a strong sense of warning rising over him. Ignoring his instincts, he stepped forward, giving his eyes a moment to adjust to the light. He stood in a great hall with staircases and passages rising up in endless spirals, circling around and around the tower in such a way it made him dizzy just to behold the sight. He frowned, unsure which way to go, when another rumble shook the ground.
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