by Chanda Hahn
Tables and chairs were formed from yellow bamboo. Each piece of coral had a function and added to the beauty of the room, and the darkness of the wall only amplified their glow. The lamps again contained glowing algae, and along the walls hung various instruments including lutes, harps, and whistles.
“You can stay here. I will send some servants with food and clothes for you. Can’t have you looking like a boy upon introductions.”
“Introductions with whom?” I asked.
“A friend. Then we will head back. There’s someone who will miss you despite what he warned.” Vasili gave me a wink and closed the doors.
I took a turn about the room, studying the paintings on the wall. They all depicted previous queens of the Undersea. The first portrayed a woman with hair as white as milk, a black crown upon her brow, a conch shell horn in her hands. The second image, another white-haired queen on the back of a shark, a spear in her hand, a pan flute around her neck. The last queen looked forlorn, a harp cradled in her arms, her face looking down.
The doors opened, and a trio of naiads swept in with dresses, combs, and—thank the stars—food. Made of water, they were full-size water sprites. The closest one pulled at my clothes, but I ignored her and followed the tray of food. When she removed the lid, I hungrily grabbed the colorful and neat finger foods provided, shoved them in my mouth, and chewed.
And almost spit it out.
“Mmmfff!” I clapped my hand over my mouth and looked around the room in panic.
“Here.” One naiad sensed my discomfort and handed me a cloth napkin. With little grace, I spat out the food and made a face.
“W-what is it?” I asked, wiping the flavor from my tongue.
She pointed to each one with enthusiasm. “Raw snail soaked in cod oil, fresh octopus with caviar, and shark wrapped in seaweed.”
I became queasy as the octopus limb crawled across the table.
“Is there anything else? Maybe cooked food?”
The naiads looked at me like I was crazy. Apparently, these were the delicacies offered in the Undersea. Now I understood Vasili’s expressions when he tried Howland’s food. He was probably used to very fresh kills. Thankfully, eating the snail in cod oil had killed my taste buds and ended my immediate hunger pains.
The naiads were gentle as they used a powder shampoo, rubbed it into my hair, and brushed it. I sat on a coral stool and let them work on me from head to toe. As one massaged my scalp, another filed my nails with a shell, while the third took my measurements and disappeared out of the room, only to return moments later with a dark-green dress with feather capped sleeves.
“That’s beautiful!” I exclaimed.
Their laugh was the sound of crashing waves. I couldn’t tell the women apart even though I tried. One looked to be a little more substantial while the other two were lighter, possibly younger.
I allowed myself to be dressed in the dark-green gown. My hair was curled and pinned with pearls and a jeweled starfish. Black gloves covered my hands and the white marks on my arms.
When I finished, they brought me to Vasili, who was lounging in a chair, his long legs draped over the arms. He sat up when he glimpsed me. He used his finger to direct me to spin, and I obliged.
“Perfect,” he exclaimed. He held out his elbow, and I rested my palm on his arm as he led me into a music room. An older woman with white hair sat at a piano bench. Her black dress had tendrils of black beads that ran up the sides, creating a hidden pattern within the folds. There wasn’t enough reflective light to see the pattern from across the room. A black coral bracelet enveloped her slim wrists.
“Who is this, Vasili?” The woman sitting by the piano glowered at us.
Vasili crossed the room and gave her a kiss on the top of her head before leaning on the piano. “This is Merisol, a friend.” Vasili smirked.
“We strictly forbid outsiders, Vas. You know that.”
“I do. But she’s not an outsider, per se.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Vasili plucked a dead piece of coral off the fireplace mantel and placed it within my hands.
“What do you want me to do with this?” I questioned.
He leaned close and whispered, “Sing.”
“I can’t,” I said softly and held the coral toward him.
Vasili’s lips pinched together in impatience. “Yes, you can. You calmed the storm.”
The dead coral shook, my hands trembling with fear. “You don’t understand. I can’t.”
Vasili pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you purposely trying to make me look like a fool in front of my mother?”
Now, my hands not only trembled; they became clammy.
“Your mother.” I turned to the woman at the piano.
When I addressed her, she smiled, and I could see the same pointy canines Vasili had.
“Darya, Queen of the Undersea.” She held her hands out as if addressing the room. She sauntered over to me and looked at the dead coral in my hands.
“It seems you were wrong about her, Vasili.”
Vasili stood at attention, his eyes focused on a spot across the room. “I’m not wrong.”
“Please, believe me. I can’t do what you’re asking.”
Darya pulled a gold chain around her neck and lifted a pan flute to her lips. She blew across the top, and the flute glowed. The coral slowly changed colors and came to life in my hands. Colorful flowers sprouted along the edges, and I could feel the warmth and magic flow through my fingers.
She tucked the necklace away and gently took the coral from me, stroking it like it was a pet.
“Well, whatever you thought you saw, you must have been mistaken, because you are wrong… again.” Her tone was impatient. “Why do you continue to get my hopes up, Vasili? It’s too painful to bear.”
Vasili didn’t move a muscle, but his eyes darkened, and I could tell he was angry.
“Very well, I will continue my search.”
“And this time, don’t return until you have what we need.”
“Yes, my queen.” Vasili bowed. He marched over to me and gripped my elbow. Not hard, but I could tell he was disappointed in me.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered.
Vasili froze, turned to me, and his eyes softened. “No, I just made a mistake. I thought you could help me.” He sighed. “Let’s go. It’s best if I don’t show my face around here for a while.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m technically banished until I return the stolen treasure or convince the Kingdom of Isla to help ours.”
We took a different route out of the palace and headed down a small path, passing various coral gardens, and like the rock inside, these were dead.
“Vasili, what happened here?” I pointed to the fossils.
“Our world is dying.” He pointed above at the sea, and it looked even closer than before. “The magical sphere that protects us is slowly collapsing. The queen’s magic is the only thing keeping the Undersea from disintegrating, but she is old and weak. Even our people, the naiads, selkies, and mermaids have gone above ground to the Overkingdom. And unless we can find the lost treasure, all will be lost.”
I felt sadness at the loss of his home, and now that I knew what to look for, I could see the patches of coral and life that were dying away. Structures and buildings were eroding as the magic was fading.
We came to a different whirlpool, this one just outside the palace sea gardens. He placed his ring on the stone again, and the statue moved, revealing the whirlpool.
“Come, we must get back.”
I hesitated. “I don’t know if I should. I’m not exactly welcome there.”
“Nonsense, like I said, you’ll be my guest, and enough time has passed that all will be forgotten.”
He grabbed my gloved hand and jumped into the whirlpool. We hit water and fell and continued to sink. Then we weren’t sinking but swimming to the surface. The pressure in my ears popped, and a roaring sound echoed
in them underwater.
Chapter Seventeen
This time, we didn’t come out from one of the fountains. I coughed and swam over to the edge. Vasili gracefully swam next to me and helped me out of the water. I wrung out my hair as I glanced up at the mystical waterfalls of the palace.
The air was cool, and the sun had set. Vasili pulled out his flute and played a few notes, and our clothes instantly dried without a single wrinkle, my hair perfect.
“Come, we mustn’t be late. Much time has passed since we left.”
“What do you mean?” I looked around at the darkness that still surrounded us. “It’s still night. It’s only been a few candle marks.”
Vasili’s eyes dropped to his feet. “I didn’t explain fully, and for that I’m sorry. Time passes differently in the Undersea.”
I stopped and stared at him, panic filling my voice. “How much time exactly?”
“What is only a few candle marks in Undersea, is days in Isla.”
“No, Vasili. Please tell me you’re wrong!” I grasped at the long glove and pulled it down to reveal the white veins along my arm, which had moved above my elbow.
Vasili took my hand, placed it over his arm, and escorted me through the mists and toward the palace, which was lit with lights and the sound of music. With practiced ease, he navigated us through the maze of paths and fauna and came to an outdoor banquet.
“What are we doing here?” I asked.
“The king is having a minor celebration.”
I couldn’t contain my frown of confusion. “Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Paper lanterns hung from the nearby trees, creating a kaleidoscope of color on the ground. Tables scattered across the lawn with enough seating for a few hundred people. Humans, elves, gnomes, water sprites, and all races sang and drank in the celebration. Servants in white dresses moved between the tables, bringing out trays of food.
My stomach was making the most unnatural noise from hunger, and I immediately made my way through the mass of people to a gnome and took a skewer from his tray. Learning from my lesson with Vasili’s food and penchant for raw fish, I gave it a cursory sniff.
It smelled sweet, fruity, like pineapple with some spice. I took a tentative bite and wanted to cry with joy. I quickly devoured the morsel and hunted down that gnome for a second skewer. Now, if I could only find some cookies, I would be happy.
In my search for food, I became separated from Vasili but wasn’t worried as I found the buffet table. I grazed on sweet cakes, grilled fruit, and fish wrapped in leaves. I was about to reach for what looked like grilled softshell crab, when my skin prickled with warning.
Slowly, I turned and surveyed my surroundings, but there were too many people to pinpoint the evil magic I was feeling. Maybe I was mistaken. I grabbed the crab in my gloved hand, and the magic came again like a slap to my face.
“Oh, come on.” I sighed and dropped the crab back on the plate. “I’ll be back for you later,” I promised the delicious crab and tried to open my senses to track the magic user.
“Talking to the food, are we? I wonder, does it talk back?” Someone chuckled behind me.
I turned around and saw Brennon. Gone was his swashbuckling pirate gear, and instead he wore a green fitted jacket trimmed in gold, white pants, and polished black boots. His blond hair was slicked back, and his earring was gone. He looked fantastic.
Brennon’s eyes widened in surprise when he recognized me. “Meri. You’re alive?” He grabbed my arm and pulled me aside. “I thought you drowned. I’ve had men searching the cove for you.”
Was that relief I saw wash across his face? Maybe for a second, and then it disappeared, hidden behind a mask of stone.
I had to remind myself that I had been missing for days. Not hours.
I couldn’t hide my irritation and roughly pulled away from his grasp. “So you could turn me over to the royal guards? If I had known you would be here, I wouldn’t have come,” I said between clenched teeth.
Gripping my dress, I lifted the skirts so I wouldn’t trip and quickly tried to make my escape.
He rushed after me, his long legs easily catching up to me, and he stepped in front, cutting off my path.
“What do you mean, if you had known I would be here? Of course I’d be here.”
“Leave me alone,” I snapped. “I’ll leave.”
“And go where?” He scoffed. “I admit, I was angry and rash with my words the last time I saw you. But I know you don’t have anywhere to go….” He trailed off as Vasili came up to me and placed his hand on my back lightly.
Brennon’s eyes narrowed. He looked ready to rip Vasili’s hand off.
“You were saying? I have offered Merisol my protection,” Vasili answered. “She will stay with me.”
“Like hell she will,” Brennon roared. “Over my dead body.”
“And what are you going to do?” Vasili lowered his voice and stepped toe-to-toe with Brennon. Vasili was thin but tall. He was one of the few men I saw who could meet Brennon eye-to-eye. “Keep her tucked away as your mistress? Hmm? How noble of you, Brennon,” Vasili sneered. “And what would your future wife have to say about that?”
Future wife? It couldn’t be true. I felt sick to my stomach. Not once during our voyage had he mentioned being engaged, but why would he?
I looked to Brennon for confirmation, and his shoulders fell. He looked ready to strangle Vasili, and yet he wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“I’ve heard enough,” I whispered.
Brennon wasn’t finished. He lifted Vasili up by the collar of his shirt and punched him in the jaw. The crack echoed, and I instinctively winced, but the impact didn’t seem to faze Vasili. His head fell back, and he laughed.
“Now that’s more like it!” He kicked Brennon, who doubled over and then tackled him, knocking him into an hor d’oeuvre table.
The two wrestled. Vasili wrapped his legs around Brennon’s thick neck. Brennon twisted and grabbed a handful of Vasili’s long hair.
“No fair!” Vasili howled.
Brennon’s face was turning red, but the fight continued, and they rolled into two nearby guests, who quickly sidestepped the fighting duo.
I stood by and watched them fight, but yet it wasn’t to kill, and by the crowd’s attitude toward the entire affair, this scene may play out often. A gentleman appeared next to me, drinking out of a gold goblet, and the fight thoroughly amused him.
“Get him in an armlock!” the stranger shouted in encouragement. Vasili and Brennon broke their hold but not their fight.
A quick glance at the man’s dark-blond hair, thick arms covered by green velvet, and his gold circlet revealed that I was standing next to King Roald of Isla. The king handed me his goblet to hold and clapped his ring-covered hands. He kneeled down and gave the two men fighting critiques.
“Vasili, you’re quicker; use your speed. Brennon, don’t leave your side open. Oh, too late!” King Roald groaned as Vasili landed a punch to Brennon’s right side.
“Can you make them stop?” I pleaded with King Roald, who was now mimicking the fight with his own fists, sending jabs into the air.
“Why ever would I? This is how the two of them have been handling their differences for years. It will all be over as soon as one of them draws first blood.”
“First blood,” I repeated.
Crack!
Brennon’s fist connected with Vasili’s mouth. Vasili stumbled, shook his head, and spit a mouthful of blood on the ground. He held his hand up in surrender, and Brennon backed off.
“That’s it, Brennon!” King Roald cheered.
Brennon offered an outstretched hand to Vasili, who took it, and they gave each other a brotherly slap on the back.
They disgusted me—by the display, by the encouragement, and by the fact that they forgave each other so fast. Brennon flashed me a victorious grin. I glared at him and stormed away.
“Meri,” he called after me, but I ignored him, my fury growing with
each step I took. He harmed Vasili. He harmed my friend. Brennon grabbed my elbow and spun me toward him.
“Leave me alone!” I pushed him in the chest. I was feeling hurt at being rejected. He didn’t react to my push, for he was an immovable wall of muscle.
“I want to apologize,” he said, “for not telling you about my engagement.”
“What does it matter to me?” I asked bitterly. “I’m just someone you used to entertain yourself.”
“That’s not true. It was wrong. I should have more control, but whenever I’m around you, I seem to lose what little I have.”
My eyes betrayed my anger. “You knew. You shouldn’t have kissed me.”
“I know, and all I can do is beg your forgiveness.” Brennon seemed sorry. “Please, Meri. Please say you’ll forgive me.”
I was a sucker for his blue eyes. “Yes, I forgive you. But not for what you did to Vasili.”
“What?” Brennon became indignant. “Vasili had it coming.”
“Vasili was protecting my honor, which is more than I can say about you.”
It was a low blow, and he stepped back. “Yes, I understand. But I can’t allow you to stay with him.”
“Why not? I find the Undersea appealing.”
“You’ve been there?” It shocked him. “Is that where you’ve been the last few days? I can’t believe he took you there. I will kill him for sure now.”
“Stop!” I snapped at him. “You have no say in anything regarding me or my life. I can go with him if I want.”
Brennon’s eyes twinkled with mischief. He leaned down close, his lips inches from my ear. “That’s not true, my little Meri. For you are mine. No one can take you from me. Not even Vasili.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have you under a binding contract.”
“That was when I was your cabin boy. As you can see, that is no longer the case.” I held my hands out to show my dress.
“I admit, I miss the tight-fitting boy clothes, but I much prefer you in dresses. You look ravishing, by the way. But you are still in service to me. I’m still your captain. You signed on with me for a year and a day.”