ELEMENTS: Acquiesce
Page 30
Cordelia followed Breck into the garden where the others were seated for afternoon tea.
Cordelia observed the staff waiting on her friends and the gardeners tending to the roses. When she was sure they were a safe distance away she whispered, “We’re leaving.”
“We just got here,” said Rafe.
“What’s wrong with you?” asked Max in his usual bolshy tone. “We’ve been waiting forever to get here.”
“Nobody’s leaving. Especially not my daughter,” said King Lorcan, putting his arm around Cordelia. “You’re a rare soul.”
“I always said there was something different about her,” said Max, “something special.”
“Max, be quiet,” said Lana.
The staff pulled out chairs for the King, Cordelia and Breck. Over afternoon tea, in the balmy ocean breeze, they became better acquainted. Suddenly, the afternoon sun disappeared behind an ominous dark cloud and a shiver ran through Cordelia’s body, causing every hair to stand on end.
“There’s trouble coming,” warned Cordelia.
“We’re well protected here,” reassured King Lorcan. “Why don’t we move inside. We’ve a party to get ready for.”
That evening was the annual Meren Summer Ball. Cordelia was getting ready in her room with Lana and the twins.
“I really wanted to get here on my own merit,” said Cordelia.
“And you did,” said Lana. “Nobody won the competition but we’re here anyway.”
“The tide will always take you where you need to go,” said Nerissa.
“The horses brought us,” said Masika.
“The King said he sent for me. He must have sent the horses,” said Cordelia.
“Can you believe King Lorcan is your father?” said Lana.
“It’s strange,” said Cordelia. “I already have a father, though I’m beginning to believe that anything is possible.”
“Will you tell Flynn?” asked Masika.
“Perhaps. When the time is right.”
When the girls were dressed they followed the sound of fast, raucous music along the passageways to the great hall where merfolk from across the globe were dancing and laughing in merriment. The girls’ faces lit up like stars in the night sky. Never before had they attended such a spectacular event.
“May I?” asked Breck, reaching out a hand.
Cordelia took Breck’s hand and followed him to the dance floor.
Breck pulled Cordelia in close and whispered in her ear, “You look beautiful.”
“I can’t hear you.”
“You look beautiful!” he said louder, just as the music stopped.
All eyes turned to Cordelia before being diverted away by King Lorcan’s entrance. Standing on a raised platform at one end of the great hall, he began to speak.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what a priviledge and honour it is to enjoy your company tonight. For those of you who attend this ball every year, this year is different. Tonight is a very special night as I introduce to you my heir, Princess Cordelia.”
Startled by the unexpected announcement, Cordelia stood frozen on the spot.
“Cordelia, don’t be shy, come and join me.”
Cordelia walked the length of the great hall to the sound of applause. Women curtsied and men bowed their heads as she walked past, all except one. Prince Cillian, King Lorcan’s younger brother blew into a conch shell, giving the same cold warning that Cordelia had heard when she first arrived at the castle.
“Enough!” shouted Prince Cillian, walking into the middle of the hall. “Who is this imposter? Has my brother lost his mind? We all know he has no heirs. Should my brother die before me, it is I who shall sit upon Meren’s throne. I am the rightful heir.”
Cordelia ran out of the great hall with Breck chasing after her along the passageways and into the garden.
“So when were you going to tell me?” asked Breck.
“Tell you what?”
“That this world of yours has a King and you’re his daughter. I thought it might have cropped up in conversation.”
“I wasn’t certain myself until today. You saw what happened in there. I don’t belong here.”
“Yes you do. The King announced you as his heir.”
“I don’t care about that. I didn’t even know I had an uncle.”
“What do you care about?” “You.”
Breck smiled and hugged Cordelia. “I hear there’s a good view from the first battlement.’
“Lead the way.”
Cordelia and Breck climbed the stone steps.
“It’s beautiful,” whispered Cordelia.
The young lovers kissed in this fairytale setting, illuminated by hundreds of torches that surrounded the castle gardens. Then, from the darkenss beyond the castle walls came a chilling sound.
“Do you hear that?” asked Cordelia.
Breck listened carefully, his senses not as strong as Cordelia’s. Her wild eyes told him something was wrong. She stared in the direction of that awful noise, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. Then she saw them; white wings against a blackened sky. The reprieve had been short lived. Malevolent Zamira flew towards the castle with an army of gannets returning in droves. Before Cordelia had time to react, Zamira snatched Breck and flew him high into the air. The castle guards aimed their arrows at the Sirens.
“Stop!” commanded Cordelia. “If you shoot they’ll kill him!”
Cordelia signaled for help with a high pitched screech that shattered the window panes. The King and Cordelia’s friends rushed outside as unrest rippled through the castle. The Sirens began to attack, drawing their daggers and destroying whatever they could.
“Don’t just stand there!” shouted the King. “Defend Meren!”
“She has Breck!” shouted Cordelia, pointing at the sky.
“Prepare for attack!” shouted Prince Cillian.
A series of conch shells sounded and the guards aimed their arrows.
Cordelia pulled her mother’s dagger from beneath her dress and held it in the air. “This was my mother’s dagger,” she shouted from the battlement. “My mother was Carmen, Leader of the Gannets and my father is King Lorcan of Meren. I command you to stop!”
“Draw!” shouted Prince Cillian.
The guards pulled back on their bows.
“Release!”
As the arrows ascended, Zamira released Breck from her grasp and he fell head first towards the stone courtyard. Perched on the parapet, Cordelia’s wings unfolded and she flew into the air.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryn Andrews graduated from The University of Winchester (formerly King Alfred’s College) in 2002 with a BAED HONS Degree with QTS and Art. She teaches primary school children and lives in Hampshire, England. Elements: Acquiesce is her debut YA novel. Find out more by visiting her official website at kandrewsbooks.com
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