by Starla Night
Bex put her arm around Hadali’s slender shoulders.
Prince Lukiyo regained control. “Grandfather…he just died. It was so sudden.”
“He was awful to you.” Hadali frowned in confusion. “Evil. He killed Dad.”
Prince Lukiyo bowed his head. “I killed Dad.”
“What do you mean?”
Prince Lukiyo choked.
The other young fry gathered around. Hadali tried to swim to his brother. Bex held him back.
“I’m the reason Dad died.” Prince Lukiyo hugged his torso. “Grandfather promised to forgive everything if I pledged myself to him. I’d train to be a warrior. We could all be warriors just like we dreamed. So when Dad broke in to rescue me, I didn’t leave. We argued, and then the king caught him and…and it’s my fault they executed him.”
Bex held Prince Lukiyo’s gaze. “It’s not your fault.”
“But I wasn’t ready to go. And I couldn’t convince Grandfather—I wasn’t a warrior. I was weak. I begged for Dad’s life when I should have been strong. He had to execute Dad to…to kill the weakness.”
“You were a child. He manipulated you. ”
Prince Lukiyo shook his head. “He trained me. He tried to make me strong. He wasn’t all bad.”
“He was pretty bad, though.” Nuno rubbed the cuts and bruises Meg had healed, and the other young fry agreed. “Your dad said he’d lost it. And he did. Way before he tried to take on the kraken.”
Prince Lukiyo frowned.
Dannika tapped Ciran’s chest. He released her, and she swam to Prince Lukiyo. “I’m not an expert, but I do know something about relationships. Abusers are never all bad, and trauma bonds are still bonds.” Dannika pressed Prince Lukiyo’s hands gently. “It’s okay to grieve for your loss. It’ll take time, but you will heal.”
Prince Lukiyo remained quiet, but his soul light brightened and stabilized. These were the words he needed to hear.
Bex nodded to Dannika in thanks.
Dannika let go of his hands and swam back to Ciran.
Prince Lukiyo wiped his face, then looked up and frowned. “Who are you?”
The other young fry laughed and gave him an abridged version. They were in great spirits, squealing and darting.
But Prince Lukiyo did not crack a smile. He surveyed the destroyed city. The Luscans had given up their disagreements and searched the wreckage for trapped survivors. Now that the king was dead, responsibility for the city fell on his shoulders.
Bex floated quietly next to him. “You can do this.”
“I wish I didn’t have to.” Prince Lukiyo gripped his trident. “It should really be Dad.”
“Then let’s go get him.” Bex held out her hand.
“He’s alive?” Prince Lukiyo frowned at her hand, and at the rest of the queens and their husbands gathering around. “The Atlantean said so, but I thought he was lying.”
“Second Lieutenant Ciran does not lie,” Konomelu promised. Itime nodded.
“Your father is alive.” Bex nodded at Ciran. He was the first to believe in her, and his belief had started their rebellion. “I feel it.”
The rest of their island family surrounded Lukiyo—Itime and Meg, Konomelu and Angie, and even his old lieutenant Figuara—and their faith moved Prince Lukiyo.
“Come on, Luk.” Hadali grabbed his other hand and tugged him toward the trench. “He’s waiting.”
Prince Lukiyo took Bex’s outstretched hand and let his family pull him over the edge. “How can Dad be alive after all this time?”
Everyone turned to Bex.
She shrugged. “We’ll have to ask him.”
Ciran had never in his life imagined he would willingly descend into a trench—with his bride and multiple energetic, untrained young fry, no less—but Dannika and Angie remade their shield, and they voyaged into the depths like a mystical, glowing human submersible.
In the absence of the apex predator, all the lesser predators could safely come out.
Trench fish burst from hidden holes and gnawed on their shield. Colossal squids tried to entangle them with feeder tentacles, but the suckers slid off. Strange creatures had survived around the kraken, and all wanted a bite of the pliable but impenetrable bubble.
They wended beneath cliffs, descended into pits, and twisted into endless caverns deep beneath the city. Figuara ended up being particularly helpful. His skill at foreseeing which wily young fry thought it hilarious to dangle an arm out of the shield, into a fanged mouth, saved Meg from multiple healings.
Their journey felt aimless, but Bex flew unerringly onward until at last, they pushed through a veritable forest of trench worms waving deadly pincers. Beyond the turn, Bex stopped.
A group of weakened, half-starved warriors were making their final stand. Worm corpses piled around their feet. More worms hissed, forcing them against the rock.
Bex blasted the worms with a brief, powerful burst. The corpses tumbled like piled leaves before a strong gust, and the living worms wriggled away furtively into deep tunnels.
The exhausted warriors turned to their saviors with shock.
Bex flew into the center and entwined an injured warrior with fiery red tattoos.
“Bex. My love, my dream. Here you are.” The warrior pressed his bleeding forehead to hers. “I never gave up hope. I knew I would see you again.”
“Prince Ankena,” Angie breathed.
“He really is alive,” Meg said. “Barely. Ugh. Look at those bruises.”
“Dad!” Hadali crushed him in a hug.
He moved Bex to one arm and hugged his son with the other. “Hadali. You have grown so tall and strong.”
Prince Lukiyo held back.
“My prince.” Konomelu stumbled forward. “Forgive me. I thought you could not have survived. I failed you.”
“I as well,” Itime said calmly.
Prince Ankena straightened, Bex suctioned to one side and Hadali to the other. “My lieutenants, the kraken does not eat warriors. She is so large that she sometimes accidentally squishes them. But you could not have known this.” He squeezed Konomelu’s shoulder. “Once I reached a place of safety, her bulk prevented our exit. Until now. We had started to fight our way free when these infernal creatures cornered us. Where is Luk?”
The crowd parted to reveal his older son.
Prince Lukiyo flinched.
Prince Ankena regarded him as one warrior to another, gratitude filling his face. “Luk. Many hours I feared to come upon you in this trench. Seeing you this way fills me with pride.”
He winced and shook his head.
“Do not hang your head in shame. I know your grandfather. Your survival is a triumph. I know what you must have done to survive.”
He swallowed hard, the emotion wrinkling his chin. “Dad. You can’t.”
“But I can.” Prince Ankena held out his arm. “I know because I performed the same shameful actions to serve him when it was my time.”
Prince Lukiyo flew into his arms, nearly knocking him over, and squeezed him so tight he winced. “I’m sorry, Dad. You warned me. I’m so sorry.”
“No, my son. I know. He was my father. And for all his faults, he has shaped you into a warrior. I am proud.”
They hugged.
Ciran’s chest swelled. He’d had a fraught relationship with his father. Both had tried to protect the other from the unreasonable Undine king, and their situation had caused moments of frustration and resentment. But he’d always known that his father had cared deeply. Now, Prince Ankena showed the same care for Prince Lukiyo. He helped his son to overcome his shame for past mistakes and flourish into an honorable warrior.
Dannika touched her chest and swallowed, then rested her head against Ciran’s cheek. “You will be a wonderful father.”
He stroked her shoulder. “I have not said a word.”
“I know. I just...know.”
He kissed Dannika. She tilted up her chin and wrapped him in her loving, heartfelt, soulful embrace.
The reunion with Prince Ankena was just adorable.
After he so touchingly greeted his family and close friends, Figuara moved forward, waiting patiently but eagerly for his turn.
“Lieutenant Figuara,” Prince Ankena nodded at the warrior while still surrounded by his wife and sons. “I will never forget your assistance today.”
“I am the least of your rescuers, my king. What is this?” Figuara pinched a slender white dagger strapped to one of Prince Ankena’s scratched biceps, and a curved, pink blade hanging from a thigh. “And this?”
“This dagger I fashioned from whalebone, and the other, from squid beak.”
“Squid beak! Such ingenuity.”
“I had no weapon, and I thought, ‘What would my bride do?’ The result impressed even me.” Prince Ankena tossed a regal smile at Bex.
She ducked her head and smiled quietly.
Which just made Dannika’s heart squeeze. Oh, she loved well-matched couples.
Meg pushed forward. “I’m sorry, Prince Ankena. I just have to do this.”
He tilted his head. “Do what?”
“Hold still.” She touched Prince Ankena’s brow. The bleeding gash closed. She traced bite marks on his chest, then rested her palms like the two paddles of a defibrillator. Meg closed her eyes and hummed a little elevator tune. His skin glowed and injuries all over his body filled out, sealed up, and went down.
“Bing!” Meg opened her eyes and patted his chest. “Okay. You’re brought back to life now.”
Prince Ankena touched his scar-rippled tattoos. “Thank you, Meg. What was that?”
“A little something called ‘queen powers.’ You can thank Dannika and Ciran.”
He smiled pleasantly, but with undeniable confusion. “Ah. Thanks to them. Yes.”
“They are the reason we are here before you,” Konomelu said, and Itime nodded.
“They’ve been an immense help,” Angie agreed.
“Total life-savers.” Meg wiggled her fingers at the other survivors. “These are hot. Who’s next?”
Prince Ankena’s gaze sought them, and he extended his hearty thanks for the rescue—which, he clearly did not understand, but accepted the guidance of his warriors and friends. After all, today was a day of miracles.
The other survivors were also rebels, exiles from Lusca, or unlucky passers-by caught in the brutal patrols. With Prince Ankena’s weapon inventions, vigilance at rescuing them after the initial fall, and constant encouragement, they’d banded together to survive.
And many were fathers who’d lost their children to the Luscan king. Once Meg finished her emergency healing, the whole group swiftly ascended to the city. Once more, joyful cries filled the ocean. Fathers reunited with sons, exiles greeted old friends, and happy tears mixed with wonder at the mythical events they had all survived.
The city itself was in shambles.
Sure, the Life Tree had survived—if it could recover from the kink in the middle—and only two of the bulb-shaped castles floated.
Figuara’s warriors eagerly embraced Prince Ankena—now King Ankena—as the rightful ruler. They were desperate for leadership, and he stepped into the role as if he’d never left.
“Lieutenant Figuara, secure the city borders. I will not give predators an easy meal or let the All-Council think now is a time to strike.”
Lieutenant Figuara straightened with the promotion to his previous rank. He summoned his warriors and formed units, then released them to the king. His most trusted warriors fanned out.
King Ankena pointed to the next unit. “Fly the patrol routes. Go to the surface and recall the teams that lead the squid. They must stop their attacks immediately. Collect any remaining warriors of Lusca and inform them of the change.”
That unit soared out of the city streaking for the surface.
King Ankena turned to the third. “Go to the echo point. Warn the ocean about the kraken. Not just Luscan warriors. Everyone. She goes where she will, and the mer world must know.”
All the units dispersed, and then the king turned to the remaining warriors—kids, Konomelu and Itime, and others—to pull away the wreckage and rebuild.
Dannika floated with Ciran near the edge of the women and children. “Aren’t you going to advise him?”
“There is no need.” Clear admiration was stamped on his face. “He listens, like King Kadir, and reacts as I would. He is doing all he needs to do and more.”
Fiery red tattoos covered King Ankena’s now healed broad shoulders and tapered waist. Aqua eyes with small iridescent red threads gleamed as he issued his orders.
Hadali rushed around, mirroring his father, organizing the kids to play training games to free up the adults to do the work. But poor Lukiyo floated in shadows. He bit a hangnail which was reminiscent of Hazel biting her nails.
Bex floated quietly beside him, just being present and listening.
“I’m the heir,” Lukiyo finally said to Bex, but loudly enough to vibrate to Dannika and Ciran. “And I accepted Grandfather’s offer to teach me because I wanted to become a worthy warrior like Dad. But…”
He rubbed the tattoos over his heart. Luscan tattoos had overwritten Meg’s phoenix, but the outlines of talons clinging to a willow branch lingered underneath. It symbolized the ability to bend and not break.
“I feel like everything Grandfather taught me was wrong. I shouldn’t have listened. Maybe I’ll never be fit to rule.”
Bex shrugged one shoulder. “You always saw both sides.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No.” She turned to face him. “I mean, yeah, regret your mistakes. Apologize, make amends. But don’t get stuck on one ‘right.’ Your grandfather was stuck. Your dad almost got stuck, too, but then he met me. People can be wrong but still get things right. Don’t be afraid of your ability to see.”
His chin wobbled.
She offered her arm.
He hugged her. They held each other. Suppressed tears made their eyes turn red, but neither one of them cried.
Aw. God. Dannika touched the corners of her eyes, even though she was underwater, so it wasn’t like she had to worry about dripping tears.
Ciran squeezed her. “You will be a mother with true empathy.”
Her throat closed.
Good thing she was vibrating her chest to speak. “You are so sweet. We must be soul mates.”
Bong…ong…ong…ng…g…
The bell rang.
Again.
The kraken was long gone, but giant squid emerged from the trench and fought around the base of the sad Life Tree. They scattered the neatly organized piles of debris and chased the warriors.
Meg kicked down and successfully dispersed them.
Then the bell rang again.
Rinse and repeat.
The third time it happened, Meg called for a conference. Angie and Bex joined her, Dannika, and Ciran. “I guess we should have given Val a stopping point. How long do you think she’s been ringing it? An hour?”
“In surface time?” Ciran calculated. “Five days.”
“Days? Oh, her arm must be so sore. We’ll have to do something super nice for her.”
“A tasteful gift basket,” Angie suggested. “Perhaps something pilot-related. Or a rare mer delicacy.”
“Oh? What’s the specialty down here?” Meg’s lips twitched. “Segmented trench worm?”
“That is no delicacy,” Ciran said. “It is tough as the string you lace on your human shoes.”
“Never mind. But we should surface fast before the bell undoes all the warriors’ work cleaning up the city.”
The bell rang again, and the contrabassoon doot-doot-doots grew in volume. Meg rolled her eyes. “Okay, you tell King Ankena. I’ll be down managing the tentacled crowd.”
She descended.
Angie kicked off to inform Konomelu and Itime that they were leaving. Bex floated toward King Ankena.
Lieutenant Figuara got there first.
His warriors brought
a bloodied, bound Lieutenant Orike before King Ankena. “This warrior was escaping, my king. What should we do with him?”
The kids swirled around him. “Fish brains! Squid guts! Stupid urchin!”
“Young fry. Do not taunt a captured warrior. It is not honorable.” King Ankena shooed them away.
They quieted and floated back to a respectful distance.
King Ankena crossed his arms. “Well, Orike. What do you want?”
Lieutenant Orike hunched in like a crab seeking a chance to swipe. “What do I want?”
“Yes, that is what I asked. Should I punish you or free you?”
His eyes narrowed. “What is this trick?”
“There is no trick. Do you wish to remain in the city of Lusca? Or do you wish to seek your destiny elsewhere?”
Orike slowly straightened. His hands closed on his empty sheaths and his fingers curled. “Why do you ask me?”
“You are only a little older than Nuno, and my father trained you as he tried to train Lukiyo. Kidnapped, hating the surface, and despising sacred brides. I would wish mercy for Lukiyo if he was captured by my enemies, so I extend the same to you now.”
“You can’t let that jerk go,” Nuno protested. “He beat my father and Itime. And, he violated the island and the sacred church.”
“Yes, I have conferenced with my lieutenants. He has learned none of the noble history I tried to impart to you and the other trainees. Study that, Orike, and I will hold you to a higher standard.”
Orike floated back freed from his bonds, his nose scrunched with disbelief. “All is forgiven?”
“It is not forgiven, but it is understood. You obeyed orders. From now on, you are your own warrior. Join the new Lusca or do not. You have your freedom.”
King Ankena saw a future in Lieutenant Orike that he didn’t see himself.
He lingered, uncertain.
“Return his daggers and his trident,” King Ankena ordered Lieutenant Figuara. “And extend the same mercy to any warrior who wishes to serve the new Lusca. We need all the warriors we can get to rebuild.”
“Is it wise, my king?” Konomelu floated with Angie, and Itime lingered behind. “You do not know the character of the warriors you are so mercifully forgiving.”
“I will learn. And I have the wisdom of Bex and the experience of my sons.” He smiled at Hadali and Lukiyo. “Once we stabilize the city, we will begin an exchange. The trainees of the surface are behind in learning how to become warriors of the sea, and the warriors of Lusca are behind in learning about their noble heritage on the surface. And many must seek their brides.”
