by Starla Night
“…need fight…” the king agreed shakily.
The healer tried to shush them and end the conversation. “The king agrees many other cities will need queens to help their fight.”
“I understood what he meant,” she returned tartly, refusing to be hushed or moved along. “I want to be sure everyone understands what I mean.”
Elan smiled behind her in silent solidarity.
She glowed as brightly as the Life Tree, pure as a sun, and right now, her words were law.
“I am going to stay here,” she told the king. “I am going to protect the Life Tree and this city because it is my husband’s and my son’s. But I am not going to follow your stupid rules, and you aren’t going to force me.”
The healer vibrated a protest.
Elan lifted his hand in warning. Zara’s words were for the king and interrupting her was rude.
The healer saw Elan’s movement and fell silent.
“No sequestering me inside my husband’s castle, no refusing to let me see or speak with anyone but my husband, no restrictions on when I leave the city or come back.” She ticked off the rules for the king with her fingers. “I’m going to go where I want, when I want, with whoever I want, and you’re going to wish me to have a nice day. Otherwise, I’m leaving and taking my husband and son with me. Forever. Got it?”
The king met her eye. Although his were still red with broken vessels, the gaze that held hers remained authoritative. “I understand.”
She nodded and rose from the dais, her magenta plastic fins clinking against the precious Sea Opals. Zain kicked off and floated up with her as well. They were truly in sync.
“Rest and heal quickly,” she said. “You look terrible.”
An ironic smile twisted the king’s split lips. Surprise at being spoken to as a warrior, and then acceptance. Zara was truly a fighter.
She turned on Elan and her gaze darkened. “There you are. We have to talk.”
And he knew that just because she’d promised the king to remain in the city until he healed did not mean she would be spending that time in Elan’s arms where he most needed her.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Zara had waited her turn to be alone with Elan. Finally, he had come to her. She had things to say and now was the time to say them.
But before they traveled more than a few strokes beyond the Life Tree dais, a group of warriors and a separate group of elders descended on Elan with emergencies only he could resolve.
She bided her time kicking around the central castles with Zain. He was so cute, giggly, and open-hearted. The warriors who passed him softened and smiled, which went a long way to endearing them to her. Sure, they’d saved her so she could protect their Life Tree, but most of them had refused to acknowledge her existence last time she was here — except at the end, when they were all too eager to get rid of her. So, to say she had trust issues with them was putting it mildly.
Apparently Dragao Azul had to take back and rebuild the city, which had been under hostile rule the entire time Elan had been with her on the surface with her. Warriors had fought back and been forced to flee, and they were already low on population from the lowered birthrates across several generations.
Elan led them without showing any of the resentment that Zara would have felt — that she continued to feel — as he slowly distributed responsibilities.
“I am going to rest with my queen,” Elan told the final warriors just outside his castle. “Dosan is my second. Address any questions to him.”
“Understood!” The last of the warriors nodded at Dosan
Dosan looked surprised. Zara got the idea that he was lingering around Elan because he wanted to ask questions, not because he wanted to be promoted. But he straightened and accepted the instant promotion. “I will serve you with honor.”
Elan noted his reaction. “I am guessing you were not promoted in my absence.”
Dosan grimaced, glanced at Zara, and away. He and his partner, Uvim, had been part of the trio dragging her to the surface a year ago. Unlike bitter, argumentative Soren, they had completed the task looking green the whole time, like they felt as sick as she did, and wanted to throw up.
She’d still hated them, but since they’d been the first warriors to rally to her side during the recent fight, it wouldn’t be as hard to earn her forgiveness.
“No, I did not feel worthy,” Dosan said. “The First Lieutenant was our last trainee. He has been missing since the army arrived.”
Both Dosan and Uvim clenched a fist over their hearts.
Some sort of honor-gesture?
Elan returned it. “Find his body if you can. He was too young. I will hold out the hope he escaped.”
Dosan rolled his lips. Cautioning words vibrated in his chest. “If he is still alive, he will feel cowardly that he did not join in the battle to free Dragao Azul.”
“Convince him to return. We need all good warriors, and it is possible to make a dire mistake but recover an honorable path.”
Dosan nodded with feeling as if Elan had spoken straight to his own heart. The sapphire warrior bid farewell to him and Zara.
But before Elan had done more than turn toward Zara, another group of elders descended.
Elan’s shoulders sagged in exhaustion. He held his hands up in surrender. “Dosan is my second. Direct your questions to him.”
But that was taken as an invitation. They unleashed question after question upon him. And he, responsible as ever, fielded every one.
Zain yawned and fussed. He was probably hungry. Zara was, too.
“Dosan can answer that question,” Elan was saying in response to one elder.
“But what about the original First Lieutenant?” the same elder demanded anxiously. “If he is dead, we must hold the farewell ceremony.”
“We will decide once Dosan has gathered more information about his fate,” Elan said firmly.
“Is he, then, alive?”
Elan’s shoulders rose and fell as though he wanted to let out an exasperated sigh. His tone remained calm and direct. He was her honorable, but world-weary, knight. “Direct that question, and all others, to Dosan.”
“But Elan—”
Zara snapped. “Is your hearing bad? He said to go ask Dosan.”
The elders stared at her, disgruntled and affronted.
“We’re all exhausted. Keeping Zain out here any longer is child abuse.”
One elder harrumphed. “Elan, if your bride needs rest, she may take your young fry while you, as First Lieutenant, remain.”
Elan’s lips twisted to the side. He glanced at Zara in concern.
His concern was completely correct. If she wasn’t so darned tired, she’d blast these insufferable elders to a crisp. Instead, she kept her reprimand short and sweet.
“Two mistakes.”
The elder blinked. “What?”
“You just made two mistakes. First,” she held up one finger, “you need to stop disrespecting Elan.”
He gasped. “You do not comprehend your insult.”
“On the contrary. He told you to go ask Dosan. Ignoring that harasses him and disrespects his orders. Just because you bossed him around for a year doesn’t mean you can continue. As First Lieutenant you owe him your respect.”
All the elders gaped at her. The one who’d spoken out reddened.
“Second,” she held up her other finger, “I’m not Elan’s bride. I’m Dragao Azul’s queen. So you can turn right around and swim out of my sight before I decide the only place we can get some peace and quiet is on the surface. Because believe me, I’ll be taking my oh-so-spiffy queen powers and your First Lieutenant with me. Understand?”
The elders’ shock went on for several long moments. Finally, as though their brains couldn’t process what she’d just said, they looked to Elan.
His lips twitched hard. But he maintained a serious mien. “You heard your queen.”
With shock and clear resentment, the elders left.
&nbs
p; She could handle their resentment. Change didn’t happen overnight, and she didn’t really care what they thought of her. However she offended their sense of bride decorum, they’d get over it in the next weeks when she offended them a whole lot more.
“Thank you,” Elan said softly.
She kicked to his side. “You’re not angry?”
“I was under twisted orders for so long I forgot the respect they used to have for me. Perhaps they did too.” He darkened. “Or perhaps they do not believe I am worthy.”
“This city wouldn’t exist without you. You’re more than worthy.”
He lightened. Hope seemed nearer for him now. “Again, thank you.”
“Sure.” She twined their fingers.
His were rough from the battle, newly nicked and scarred. That had to hurt. But he squeezed her back as if only her touch mattered.
Elan placed his palm on the curved outer wall. The castle entrance unfurled like a portal into the long tunnel. The aquamarine-tinted green walls led into a grand courtyard.
The castle was hollow. Ancient rooms were carved into its thick walls, each room like the cell of a plant, carved with windows and doorways.
On the floor, thick loam was planted with vibrant sea vegetables, a rich crop intended to feed a much larger population than just three. She could see already several vegetables she’d enjoyed — coffee-flavored beans, stalks that tasted like spaghetti with red sauce, creamy rhizomes, and sweet leaves.
“This garden has been neglected.” Worry lined Elan’s eyes. “Many crops must be harvested.”
After everything that had happened today, was he seriously worried about gardening?
Zain kicked directly for the sweet leaves.
Elan flew after him. “Do not fill up on the sweet leaves. Consume a balanced portion.”
Ha, he sounded just like a father.
Her belly growled.
She descended, removed her plastic fins, stretched her tired human toes, and joined their harvesting. They settled in to eat.
Elan’s castle octopus slunk out of a hidey hole, rubbery skin chameleon green, eight legs curling in greeting.
“Long time no see,” she told him, and handed over his favorite treat — a scuttling crab.
The octopus carried the crab to his beak and crunched. Several long arms stroked her with thanks, and his skin changed to warm brown and then peaceful white.
They had been solitary companions while Elan had been out on duty. No more! Those days were behind her. Now, Zara would accompany Elan or go out by herself if she wanted.
Still, the octopus would always keep a special place in her heart.
Elan watched her. “Did you know the other queens named their house guardians?”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Unusual sounds: Lassie, Benji, and Scooby.”
“I sense a pattern.”
“Do you? I cannot.”
No, she supposed he wouldn’t.
Her octopus was a bit of a mischievous chameleon, and he had kept her company on many long, boring nights. “Maybe I’ll call ours ‘Wishbone.’”
Zain giggled and kicked for the octopus.
“Respect Wishbone,” Elan said, adopting Zara’s name immediately for the octopus. He split rhizomes to expose the inner fruit. “Do not pull on any arms.”
The octopus scooted away, far too wily for a one-year-old. They played hide-and-seek in the overgrown gardens, leaving Elan and Zara to a moment of peace.
And it was peaceful. The rooms towered to the ceiling, just as she remembered. She had explored all the nooks and crannies, soaking in the history of the castle and memorizing its possessions, losing herself in winding passages and secret cupboards. Although completely enclosed on the bottom of the sea, the walls glowed aquamarine-tinted green, and the water inside felt vibrant, comfortable, and homey.
This was why she had been willing, once, to stay forever. Being confined was boring, but here, in Elan’s castle, was inescapably beauty.
“What is it you wished to say?” Elan’s chest vibrations sounded casual, but the lines around his eyes suggested the question was not.
Okay, time to get it over with.
She set aside her unfinished meal and faced him with the truth he must hear. “You betrayed me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
He didn’t even blink. “I apologize.”
Wait. He apologized? Huh.
Zara struggled for the correct response. “I expected more resistance.”
“On the surface, I told you that you had no power. That was a lie. I intended to save your life, but deprived you of your right to fight.”
That was exactly what she needed to hear. She just wasn’t ready to hear it like this. “How can I believe you?”
He set aside his meal and floated closer. Knitting their fingers together, he stroked her knuckles with the sensuous, flat side of his thumb.
She shivered with awareness.
“Zara, you know now the power is already in you.”
“It always was.”
“Yes, and it emerged fully at the Life Tree.”
“And on the surface,” she corrected.
He frowned.
“When we were attacked, I shielded you from the dagger.”
He tilted his head.
Her frustration wriggled. “The one guy was going to stab you with his trident, and you dodged, and then he tried to stab you with his dagger, and I protected you, but not hard enough, and so the dagger glanced off my shield and sliced your arm.”
His brows cleared. He remembered.
“I thought, ‘I did it!’ and I was going to do a lot more, but a second later, you said to stop because I didn’t have any power. And so I lost it.”
Shock filled his face. An instant later, he closed his eyes. The weight of betrayal seemed to crush him all over again. He disentangled his fingers and turned away as though he could not bear to face her. “I am a fool.”
That was what she’d expected. Zara rose and floated across the verdant garden. “So you didn’t notice?”
“I acted as though I understood. But I understood nothing.” He held his forehead with both hands. “Truly, I am a betrayer.”
“It’s okay.”
He didn’t reply.
“Honestly, Elan. If I’d been more confident, you wouldn’t have been locked into single-minded protection mode. And if I had been really powerful, I never would have blindly believed you. I would have had more faith.”
He moaned. “I truly failed.”
“Well, again, maybe it’s okay.”
She hated to say that all was well that ended well, but if she’d saved him at the surface, what would have become of Dragao Azul? Wouldn’t General Iner have moved forward with annihilation? And, tied to the Life Tree, would that have been a death sentence for Elan and probably for Zain? Maybe also for her. She didn’t really know how magical human-to-mermaid transforming trees worked.
“You apologized,” she said. “Which, by the way, is more than anybody else has done for the way they treated me in the past, including your king. And that’s all I wanted, anyway.”
He shook his head harder and dropped his hands. His intense aquamarine-flecked eyes were rimmed with red. “How can you forgive me?”
Aw. His seriousness went a long way.
She stroked his rough cheek. “Just don’t forget it in the future.”
“Never.”
“And, there is one other thing.”
She checked on Zain, who had gone suspiciously quiet. He curled up in the sweet leaf patch, his cheek mashed into the ground and his butt up in the air, fast asleep.
Her heart melted.
Wishbone browsed a few feet away, appearing to keep one eye on their baby while his tentacles busily sought crabs.
Elan moved behind her. His arms slipped around her front, securing her to his chest, and his chin rested on the crown of her head.
She leaned against him, soaking up his silent love.
“Should we move Zain to another room?”
“He is safe here. The house guardian will protect him from any danger.”
And, if that wasn’t enough, the castle really did have its own protective mechanisms. Sealing off to prevent anyone from entering if necessary.
The night of Zain’s birth, they hadn’t prepared correctly. Distracted by the nervous excitement of the event, Elan had accidentally allowed the unwelcome warriors right into his castle. And Zara had never sensed the invasion.
Now, something had changed.
Zara could feel the protective lines of the castle like threads in the walls, communicating with her and telling her it was safe. If intruders came, they would convey the invasion to her as well. She would never be caught unawares again.
That, perhaps, was another power of the queen. She had never felt so secure.
Reassured, she turned in Elan’s arms. “Take me to the heart chamber.”
With an uncertain, but hopeful, expression, Elan twined his fingers with hers and tugged her through the winding passageways to the inner heart of the castle. The sheltered, shielded chamber opened only to the touch of their hands.
Inside, the vibrant green walls of the castle’s heart were smooth and gently rounded like the interior of an egg. Little sparkles shimmered along the strength lines of the room. They were toned in Elan’s aquamarine and warm golden amber.
She entered.
Elan lingered in the hall.
She turned. They had always had sex — or, in his words, joined — in this chamber.
Did he no longer want her? Had something changed?
She calmed the worry in her belly and outright asked. “Did you not want to join with me?”
“Did you want me to?”
Huh? What was this hesitation?
She rested her feet on the shapeless floor, soft and silky beneath her bare toes. “Yes.”
“Despite my betrayals?”
Oh.
Dark lines creased. But they were not the same dangerous shadows that had lined his face when he’d first surfaced. His soul sickness had healed, and he faced her as a mature male who knew hell and no longer feared it. Changed but whole.
