Secrets of Galathea Volume 1

by Elle Beaumont

  The smile on her face faltered. “I’m fine. As fine as I can be considering…”

  Ruari felt his heart plummet. Zinnia should never have been in that position—helping to bind the Kraken in the depths. It was a gruesome battle, and yet she and Dru had played a significant part. Despite all of that, he didn’t want to see the smile fade from her eyes or face—not even for a moment.

  He moved his hand to lay over hers for a moment, then he picked it up and lay a soft kiss across her knuckles. His lips lingered against her skin before his eyes met hers. Zinnia’s cheeks reddened, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

  Ruari lifted her hand to rest against his cheek, then without hesitation, he cupped her face and placed a tender kiss to her lips. If she wanted to pull away, she was free to do so. Ruari had wanted to kiss her since the first week they met, but life had other plans, and this first kiss was one to be savored.

  She seemed to melt into him, which he welcomed, and the way her full lips crushed against his made a groan slip free. It was Zinnia who pushed him against the table; his hands moved from her face so he could steady himself against the structure.

  Zinnia’s hands were soon combing through his red hair, and it caused his stomach to knot. Desire rippled through him but now was neither the time or place, because although he could have spent the better part of the day finishing this kiss, there were important matters to discuss. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while,” he murmured and placed another tender kiss to her plump lips.

  “Oh.” She exhaled as if suddenly remembering who he was. She touched her lips and began to shrink away. “Me too.” A nervous laugh escaped her.

  “Please—don’t. That’s not why I’m here—I mean, it was nice but… No, no, but, Great Muir. Zinnia, I’m here because I wanted to see you and because I need your help.” His cheeks flushed just like hers, and his fingers raked through his hair. “I have a feeling Loch is going to do something stupid, and I need your help, maybe your friend’s, too.” The taste of her on his lips was muddling his thoughts something fierce.

  Zinnia folded her arms across her chest again, the embarrassment faded, and she shook her head. “Loch—your brother—who hates me? Prince and soon to be King of Selith, who is one tide away from banning the use of magic altogether?”

  He wished more than anything that he could dispute the fact Loch hated her, but he couldn’t. “Yes, that one. Hear me out, though. Kriegen will rise again and likely sooner than later. Magic will be the only way to defeat him once and for all. If it is banned, we will die.”

  “So, if he bans it, he will only bring it back for his use—or he will say the benefit of the kingdom—only to ban it again.”

  Ruari sighed in frustration. “I can’t say for certain. I wish I could. But that doesn’t sound so far-fetched when it comes to Loch’s reasoning.”

  She looked exasperated. “So you don’t know? You don’t know if he will ban magic. You don’t know if he’d ever bring it back. What do you know, Your Highness? What information can you bring here so that I can help you?”

  The words stung and he reminded himself that she meant no harm, that Loch had made it clear he was not keen on her. “I know that we have to prepare in the only way we know how, which is our magic. You need to pick a coven, you and…”

  “Dru,” she supplied.

  “Dru.” The name made Ruari’s heart twist in jealousy.

  Milling around the kitchen again, Zinnia chewed her bottom lip. “Why do we need to choose now?”

  Ruari glanced up at the ceiling. “I’m going to gather the covens together, that is why. We need as many witches as possible to rally. Kriegen is going to rise soon—I feel it—I can only assume he’s tickled at the idea of magic being banned so that he can conquer us all. We are stronger in numbers, especially when our magic unites. You know that firsthand. This time we will be rid of him once and for all.”

  Zinnia paled and clutched the dish she was putting away. “Jager wouldn’t allow it. You know he wouldn’t.”

  “Jager would also admit that multiple covens had a difficult time defeating him. I’m not going to wait by idly as Kriegen ravages and turns the entire sea in a watery graveyard.”

  “As you shouldn’t,” Zinnia offered quietly. “We will go to Dru and talk, I suppose. But, do you think the covens can truly appeal to your brother?”

  He pressed his lips into a thin line, letting his shoulders slump. “I wish I could say. I wish I had a straight answer, but I don’t. All we can do is pray to Muir that Loch will see reason.” He turned to look out the window in the kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind riding doubles when we leave,” he said with a grin.

  “Doubles?” Zinnia questioned, flushing when she took note of Kooi outside.

  He winked. “Doubles.”

  As it turned out, Zinnia had never ridden. Floating next to the hippocampus, Ruari motioned for her to swim up to Kooi.

  “But… How do you sit?” she asked, her nose scrunching up in confusion.

  Ruari ran a hand along his chin, grinning. “All right, all right. I won’t tease you,” he said. “Muir made hippocampi for us—or so you’d think. This dip here–” He used his hand to sweep along Kooi’s back, which followed the sloping curve along her topline. “It’s like sitting in a chair.” With a flick of his tail, he pushed himself upward and spun so when he settled back down, it was on Kooi.

  A smile lit Zinnia’s features. She swam closer and watched as Ruari’s hand slid along his mount. Kooi responded with a clicking noise, then tossed her head playfully.

  “I know I’m from Limnaia, but I always just swam where I wanted. We don’t even own a hippocampus.” Zinna’s hand ran over Ruari’s, trailing up Kooi’s crested neck.

  As Zinnia shot him a look, he pulled his hands back and lifted them up. “I am not judging. Not everyone has a need for them—or even wants one, for that matter. It’s a luxury to own one, but they are a lot to manage, too.”

  Ruari watched her, somewhat fascinated with how she was taking in Kooi. He was pleased that he had selected her and not Pikpik. The stud could often be too spirited, which translated into being too high strung. Kooi was silly, but highly sensible.

  “So, you just… sit on her?” she asked.

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s a little more than that. Hop on and sit sideways, like you were in a chair.” Ruari ran his hand along one of the long frills that flopped against Kooi’s shoulder. “Usually there are reins, but today I decided to be nice to her. You can hold onto her frills, but be gentle because Kooi can feel it.”

  “Oh, I’m not—I mean, I can’t ride Kooi. I don’t know how to direct her.” Zinnia’s cheeks flushed as she looked down at the frills. She let her fingers glide over the appendage, then looked up at Ruari.

  “Another day, then. Scoot backward.” Ruari waited patiently as Zinnia moved to make room. When she was settled again, he sat down and grabbed Kooi’s frills. “Wrap your arms around my waist.” He paused, feeling his skin heat when Zinnia’s arms wrapped around him. “Zinnia, about that kiss,” he began.

  “One thing at a time, Your Highness,” she said against his shoulder. “Let’s focus on your brother and the rise of Kriegen. We will have time to discuss what you meant by that kiss.”

  “What I meant by it?” Confusion wrinkled his face. What had he meant by it? He liked Zinnia; did she think he was playing games with her? “Of course,” he remedied. Kissing to Kooi, Ruari urged the seahorse forward, and they were off.

  He relied on the directions from Zinnia as to what manor-house Dru lived in. Megalopolis was vastly different from Limnia; bustling merfolk crowded the seafloor, and hippocampus-drawn carriages zoomed by. It wasn’t a far cry from Selith City, but it wasn’t as strict when it came to ideals, either.

  Stone and coral structures seemed to stack on top of each other, but as they continued to ride through the center of the city it became less dense.

  “There,” Zinnia said, pointing into the distance
. Seated on top of a rise in the sea floor, a large bone-white home sat.

  The impressive estate was surrounded by colorful coral reefs, which in turn attracted an array of fish. Colorful schools swam by, some brazen, while others hid away into the darkness the reef allowed them.

  As Kooi drew nearer to the estate, a merman poked his head up from one patch of reef which had become bleached. He wore a bland expression, almost looking as if he were irked. “How can I help—Your Highness!” He amended his attitude, bowed immediately and saluted.

  Cocking his head to the side, Ruari considered his words. “Find a place for my mount, and announcing our arrival would be a good start.”

  The merman bowed again and eyed Kooi, who lacked restraints.

  “She will listen, just call her,” Ruari offered. He watched as the mer did as instructed and Kooi obediently swam away with him.

  Just as quickly as the servant went away, he returned and swam into the manor ahead of Ruari and Zinnia to announce their arrival.

  Ruari led the way inside, scanning the area for any sign of the Lord or Lady—or Dru, for that matter. Zinnia was by his side one moment and darting into Dru’s open arms the next.

  “Where have you been, Angelfish?” Dru cupped Zinnia’s face and grinned before pressing a kiss to her cheek. He spun them around and shot a look in Ruari’s direction.

  “If it isn’t the rebel prince. Your Highness, what brings you to my humble abode?” His arm draped on Zinnia’s shoulders, the two of them treading water casually.

  “I—we have come to discuss some matters concerning the choosing of a coven.”

  Dru squinted his eyes, looking between his friend and Ruari. “Why the rush now?”

  Twisting his lips, Ruari glanced to the side. “Is there somewhere more private?”

  Dru’s full lips formed an ‘o’ before he motioned with his hand for them to follow. “This way,” he offered and took off down the hall, passing several rooms. Dru motioned again with his hand, allowing for the two to file in before he joined them.

  “It shouldn’t be my business, and normally it isn’t, but Kriegen has been tugging at his restraints again. I know you both can feel it since you were each party to the bindings. We need more power, which means more mer syncing their magic with one another.” He paused and looked to Dru, who had taken a seat next to Zinnia. “My brother may or may not be banning the use of magic.”

  “What?” Dru exclaimed. “He can’t do that!”

  A wry smile tugged at Ruari’s lips. “Oh, he can, and I fear he will. He thinks history will repeat itself one day, and perhaps he’s right, but magic is what will save us—again.”

  A multitude of emotions flickered across Dru’s face. Shock, frustration, sadness. “Then why bother joining a coven at all?”

  Ruari could understand Dru’s hesitance and all of his doubts, because in truth he had them, too. However, he had to believe that all things would work out for the best in the end. He believed Muir had a plan for everything.

  “To be bound to your brothers and sisters in the coven is to strengthen all of your magic; that is why we join them. We stand a greater chance of prevailing when we unite.”

  Zinnia lifted her hands to cup her face; she muttered something and dropped them. “Can we have a moment to decide—to talk alone?” She looked at Ruari and quickly glanced away.

  “Absolutely, I don’t mean to rush you two…” There it was again, the pang in his chest. He shook it off and swam out of the room, waiting in the hallway. He felt like an intruder in every sense, and he certainly didn’t want to complicate things.

  Zinnia was right, there were more important things to deal with, and one of them was summoning Oinone. She would and could gather all of the surrounding covens again. They could begin meetings and training if need be.

  Slumping against the wall, and suddenly feeling miserable, Ruari waited until the pair in the room concluded their meeting.

  Ruari laced his fingers and draped his hands over his face. This was a foreign feeling, and one he didn’t want to experience. He should have asked what the situation between Dru and Zinnia was long before he placed his lips to hers—yet the memory of her plush lips against his told him it was nothing to regret.

  His feelings might have seemed misplaced, but he had witnessed Zinnia’s strength firsthand, memorized her laugh and felt a hum deep within—a song—that pulled him to her. Amidst the chaos that swirled in the water as of late, she was a constant bright spot. Every time she’d show her face in the palace, every time she’d come with Oinone to discuss the bindings, his feelings grew.

  A small laugh tore Ruari away from his thoughts, and his blue eyes flicked up to see Dru emerge first, their eyes locked as if trying to figure one another out. Ruari dropped his hands and pushed on his tail to gain his full height once more.

  “I know the situation isn’t ideal. By all rights, you should have had the entire month to decide instead of meeting after meeting. Have you made your choice?” Ruari inquired.

  Zinnia chewed on her bottom lip and nodded her head. “It was an easy decision—one I think we’ve known all along.”

  We. Those were simple words, and yet they made Ruari’s stomach roil.

  Dru nodded his head and draped an arm along Zinnia’s shoulders, his gaze focused on her profile.

  “Galathea,” they said in unison.

  Good, he thought. It would be easy, and it was his coven, too. “Perfect, we can visit Oinone together.” Selfishly speaking, it meant more time with Zinnia.

  Zinnia leaned in toward Dru and said softly, “Can you give us a moment? Why don’t you get your hippocampus ready?”

  Dru pressed his lips together and shot Ruari a sideways glance. “I suppose; don’t keep me waiting too long.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss to her temple before swimming away.

  One of Ruari’s dark red eyebrows shot up, and he allowed his body to relax. “Am I in trouble?” he teased and lowered his eyes as Zinnia swam up to him.

  “Yes, you are. For kissing the first mermaid you see,” she teased lightly. “We will talk about it, just… not now. It isn’t the time, but it’s still important.” Smiling broadly, she reached up and let her fingertips brush against his lips. “Try not to look as if you’re ready to puke, Your Highness.”

  Ruari’s chest constricted as her fingertips brushed his lips, and he delighted in the feeling of her flesh against his. He snatched Zinnia’s wrist and gently turned her hand over to kiss the center of her palm.

  “All I ask is that you be kind… be kind to me,” he whispered and placed another kiss on her hand.

  Zinnia’s almond-shaped eyes observed him. “Do you think I’d be cruel?” she inquired, pulling her hand away from him.

  Ruari’s stomach felt as if bubbles were churning in it. “Cruel is never a word I’d use to describe you, but I’d daresay every mermaid has a mean streak.” He grinned and darted through the water as she spun around, but Zinnia was quick, too, and she was able to strike his chest.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d actually—”

  “It would take a lot more than that to wound me.” And yet, he knew it wouldn’t. One simple statement, one refusal, and he’d welcome the hit over the emotional blow any day.

  “Dru is waiting,” Zinnia offered, swimming past him.

  With a sigh, he followed.

  Dru had been kind enough to fetch Kooi, her wild eyes locked on to the stallion in front of her. Unlike Kooi’s green tones, Dru’s mount was steel grey and had haphazard splashes of reds, oranges, and blacks across his hide.

  “Thank you,” Ruari offered. He swam up to Kooi, stroked her neck and waited for Zinnia to accompany him.

  To Ruari’s surprise, she didn’t glance at her friend; she swam directly up to him and waited to be situated on Kooi.

  “Well, I’ll be damned to the depths,” Dru said, scratching the back of his neck. “You never ride doubles with me.” His brows shot up as he made a tsking noise.
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  Zinnia’s cheeks puffed out, and she glared at him. “I’ve never ridden before. Well, before today,” she muttered.

  Ruari noticed the exchange as he made himself comfortable astride Kooi. “If you are feeling particularly lonely, perhaps you’d like to ride with me?” he asked Dru.

  Zinnia shook with laughter behind Ruari, he could feel her and how the water shifted around their bodies.

  A moment hardly ticked by. “I’ll have to decline riding doubles with you, Your Highness, and politely so.”

  “You wound me, Dru.” Jealousy might have stabbed at Ruari, but Dru made it difficult to dislike him. He also made it hard not to chuckle.

  “You two are worse than chattering dolphins,” Zinnia teased them.

  Ruari laughed, and then their mounts swam off to the edge of Megalopolis.

  Megalopolis was bursting with life; the sea floor was decorated with numerous buildings, and various shades of hair floated in the current. It was the hub of the kingdom—even though it was not the capital city, it was the heart of everything.

  Oinone did not live in the heart, no, she was much too eccentric for that. She lived on the outskirts of the city, just before the open sea. Where the coral reefs weren’t as populated, and the sharks enjoyed lingering.

  Kooi sped up, her tail thrusting powerfully as her front legs tore through the water with ease. Ruari turned his head to peer at Zinnia; she had grown quiet, and he could feel extra weight against his back. Had she fallen asleep?

  The buildings were more sparse on the edge of the city, and the coral began to lessen, but the tell-tale sign of an excess amount of squid and octopus told Ruari he was only moments away from Oinone’s hut.

  Upon arrival, Kooi halted and tossed her head, trumpeting loudly, which sent a few squid scattering away.

  “What’s this?” a familiar voice called out. “Who is—well, look what the tide brought in.” Oinone squinted her green eyes and motioned with her hand. “Come on in, the lot of you.” There was no ceremony, no bowing or greeting, but Oinone was the oldest living mer in Selith, and when one grew to be that old they deserved a level of respect, too. Aside from that, she was still the coven leader, and there were specific rules to abide there.