The Sea Witch (The Era of Villains Book 1)

by Valfroy, S. J.

  “Thank you, miss,” said the injured dolphin, whose name, Triton knew, was Dariel, spinning around her in a circle and rubbing his sides against her in a sort of hug. “You saved my life. How can I repay you?”

  “Oh, don’t be silly,” said the mermaid, pulling her green eyes from Triton’s to look at Dariel with a smile that sent Triton’s heart thumping erratically again. “Just make sure you get someone to look at that cut.”

  “Come here, Dariel,” said Triton, finding his voice and puffing out his chest (for reasons he couldn’t quite explain), “I’ll fix you up.”

  “Thank you, your Majesty,” said Dariel, swimming up to him.

  “When was the last time you actually called me ‘your Majesty,’ Dariel?”

  “Alright then, Triton,” said Dariel, his voice playful, “fix me up and be quick about it, why don’t you?”

  Triton laughed and was secretly pleased when the redheaded mermaid flashed him a smile. He pointed the Trident at Dariel’s wound, a little more theatrically than necessary, and said in an overly authoritative voice, “Be healed.” The golden beam shot from the Trident and the wound knitted together. The mermaid’s smile turned into a little ‘o’ of awe and delight. The soldiers with Triton exchanged somewhat wary glances as the mermaid and Triton studied each other in silence for a moment.

  “Thank you for your assistance, dear mermaid,” said Triton, a large, somewhat goofy smile on his face despite his attempt at a deep, dignified tone of voice. “You rescued a good friend of mine. Such service should be rewarded.”

  “Oh,” said the mermaid, a sweet little laugh behind her voice as she blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear, her eyes downcast, “it really was the only decent thing to do. No need to act as if I’m a hero.”

  “At least let me know your name so I can thank you properly.”

  “Athena, your Majesty,” said the mermaid, her eyes flicking up to Triton’s crown.

  “Just as Dariel need not address me so, neither should you.”

  “Well, are you a prince or a king here, sire?”

  “I am king of Adamar.”

  “Charmed to meet you, King Triton,” said Athena with a small bow of her head.

  Triton resisted the urge to tell her just to call him ‘Triton’ as Serena’s face swam in front of his eyes. At the thought of Serena, he felt a simultaneous rush of love and stab of guilt. But then Athena looked him in the eye, and the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

  “Likewise, Athena. Perhaps if you will not let me call you a hero, you will at least return with me to the palace. Since it seems you are not from here, you must have traveled a long way. You must be tired.”

  The happily chirruping dolphins went silent.

  “I couldn’t intrude.”

  “It’s not an intrusion at all. It’s not every day we get visitors from other cities.” He almost hesitated before adding, “My wife and children will all be eager to hear of where you come from. Where might that be, by the way?”

  “Meridia.”

  Triton’s head jerked back in surprise. “You travelled here all the way from Meridia? Who came with you?”

  “No one.”

  Triton’s mouth hung open for the second time since meeting Athena. “You travelled halfway around the globe by yourself?”

  “Well, it’s not quite halfway around the globe,” said Athena with another blush, “and I stopped many places on the way: Draven, Cerulean, Tridian.” When Triton just stared, she rushed on with a look of slight exasperation. “I wanted to travel! Nobody ever really travels anymore. Everyone is content to stay in their own little cities because there’s no pressing need to find new land, there’s no plague or drought—and I’m not complaining that there isn’t, of course.” Her blush deepened and she talked even faster. “But I wanted to see new things, know what was out there, you know? But everyone I asked to go with me looked at me like I was crazy for wanting to head out into Deep Ocean just to ‘see the sites.’ So, I finally said, ‘I’m getting out of here whether someone comes with me or not.’ And so I did.”

  Now Triton’s soldiers were open-mouthed as well, and they were looking at Athena as though she might be unwell.

  “You think I’m insane, don’t you?” said Athena with a sad sigh after a few moments of silence had passed.

  “No, no,” said Triton, shaking his hand along with his head. “I think you’re astonishingly brave.”

  Athena put a hand over her mouth as she giggled. “Brave? No, I’m just…curious, about everything really.”

  “Are you curious about my palace?”

  “Yes, actually.”

  “Then what are we waiting for?” said Triton.

  One of the soldiers cleared his throat.

  “Your Highness,” he said nervously, “what about the shark?”

  Triton looked at the soldier like he had no idea was he was talking about. Then he shook his head a little and said, “Oh, right. I think it’s pretty obvious it’s not around here. There’s a whole pod of dolphins right there, if you hadn’t noticed.” Triton gestured with his hand.

  “Of course, your Highness.”

  “Sharks steer clear of dolphins. If the other groups haven’t caught it yet, it’s long gone by now. I think it’s high time we return to the palace and wait for reports from the others.”

  “What’s all this about a shark?” said Athena. She didn’t sound scared. She was curious. Triton gave her a crooked smile.

  “I’ll tell you all about it on the way,” said Triton, holding out his arm to Athena.

  She looked at it for a moment, nibbling her lip in way that was part unsure, part flirtatious, and then wrapped her hand around the inside of his elbow.

  As Athena and Triton swam off, chatting, the soldiers trailing behind them looking lost, the dolphins exchanged glances.

  “Uh oh,” said one.

  “Did you notice her hair?” said another.

  “How could you not?”

  “I really wish I hadn’t gotten caught in that net,” said Dariel.

  — — —

  “It’s beautiful,” said Athena, her head tilted back as she looked up in awe at the spiraling balconies from the atrium floor.

  As she gazed at the palace, Triton gazed at her, unable to avert his eyes. He would try to stop looking at her hair, but his eyes would only fall on her waist or her tail or her face instead.

  “Who is she?” said Moira, brisk and cold, as she and Hazel appeared on the second floor balcony.

  Athena backed up a little as Moira swam down, her violet eyes as hard as an amethyst. Hazel followed behind her mother, a peculiar expression on her face—her eyes narrowed in suspicion, but her right eyebrow cocked in intrigue.

  Triton cleared his throat and gave his head an almost imperceptible shake. “This is Athena. She is a traveler from Meridia. I came upon her as I was hunting for the tiger shark. She saved a dolphin friend of mine, so I thought I at least owed her room and board for her stay.”

  “Room and board?” said Athena. An exited smile flashed across her face, but it was wiped away quickly when she caught Moira’s eye. “I thought I was just here to look.”

  “Yes, there are lots of things here that you can look at but shouldn’t touch,” said Moira.

  Athena blinked hard, struck dumb, a blush almost as red as her hair rising in her cheeks.

  “You’ll have to excuse my mother-in-law,” said Triton, his voice as stony as his face. “She’s not big on manners.”

  Moira laughed, a slow chuckle deep in her throat, the smallest of smiles on her face.

  “Such a kidder, Triton,” she said with a wink.

  “Would you mind going to fetch the children, Moira?” said Triton, his jaw still tight. “I’m sure they’ve been a little on edge since the shark attack. I’d like to let them know I’m alright. And I th
ink they would like to meet Athena and hear about where she’s from, don’t you?”

  “Oh yes,” said Moira, her voice ominously tranquil, pronouncing each syllable with care. “I’m sure it will be very…educational. But I really haven’t the time to go searching about the palace. That’s what the help is for. Hazel, go fetch your nieces, will you?”

  Moira didn’t even look at Hazel, who was floating slightly behind her. A coy smile twisted Moira’s lips, as if she didn’t even need to turn back to see the hurt look on Hazel’s face. Triton bit back his anger, not wanting to cause a scene in front of Athena. Moira’s jabs at Hazel had tapered off over the years after Triton and Serena’s marriage, but lately, Moira had started in on her again, picking at the fact that she still did not have a husband or children and still couldn’t do magic well enough to start her own practice. Moira’s newest form of torture was referring to Hazel as “the help” and ordering her to do menial tasks because “You have to contribute something around here, Hazel.”

  “Yes, Mother,” said Hazel, barely above a whisper. She swam off in search of the children without another word. Athena’s brow wrinkled in a look of pity and confusion. Surely the queen’s sister couldn’t really be a servant?

  “Tata,” said Moira with a little flitter of her fingers. “I have things to…,” she looked Athena up and down, “deal with.”

  She swam back up to the second floor, and Triton watched her with concern as she headed toward the cauldron room.

  “I really don’t think I should impose any longer,” said Athena quietly.

  “Please pay no mind to Moira,” said Triton, surprised by the high, desperate note in his voice at the idea of her leaving so soon. “She’s awful to everyone. I mean, did you notice the way she treats her own daughter? It’s a miracle Serena turned out as kind and caring as she is.”

  “Serena is your wife?”

  “Yes. She’s, well, she’s amazing,” said Triton, the truth of it swelling his heart with love. “She’s a sea witch. Her whole family—her mother and sister—are sea witches. Serena is the gem of the family though. She’s become somewhat legendary around here. She changed a lot of things for the better in Adamar.”

  “She sounds like someone I’d like to meet,” said Athena with nothing but genuine interest.

  “And you will. I think the two of you will get along splendidly. Who knows, after a week or so here, you may not want to leave.”

  “A week? You’d let me stay that long?” said Athena. The idea made her heart beat fast as she looked into his eyes. She tried to scold herself for getting so breathless around this married merman—this married king (married to a sea witch, no less)—but she couldn’t seem to form the word no around him.

  “Of course,” said Triton. “You’ve come a long way, and I thought you wanted to take in all the new sights, experience different cultures. You can’t do that in a day.”

  “No, I suppose not,” said Athena, a laugh bubbling out of her at his enthusiasm.

  “I’ll make sure you get to see the best of Adamar,”said Triton, his face alight with the prospect of rediscovering his city with this intriguing mermaid.

  She stared into his eyes for a moment, both of them a little breathless. The invisible line that both of them knew should not be crossed hovered between them like a dare.

  “I’m sure you will,” said Athena. Her hand moved to his arm, shaking a little. “I think perhaps you already—”

  “Triton?”

  Serena floated in the middle of the open palace doors, frozen, her eyes locked on Athena’s hand. Casius was right beside her, his skin a murky purple, the color of Serena’s fear. When Serena spoke, Athena snatched her hand away so fast it was a blur, but it was too late. Triton whirled around, the sickening weight of shame in his stomach.

  “Serena!” said Triton, scratching his beard with one hand and extending the other toward her. “Angel fish, I’d like you meet Athena. She saved Dariel from a net. She’s come all the way from Meridia by herself. Isn’t that fascinating?”

  Serena didn’t say a word. Her hand snuck up to touch the locket. When Athena’s hand had touched Triton’s arm, another terrible shudder in the golden heart had rocked Serena to her core.

  Triton cleared his throat and tried again. “Serena, isn’t that fascinating?”

  “Oh, yes, quite,” said Serena, her voice weak.

  Triton looked at her, as if expecting her to say more, to ask about Meridia, to thank Athena for helping Dariel, or perhaps to even suggest that Athena should stay in the palace so that he would not have to bring it up himself—the idea made him nervous as he looked at her oddly blank face and the strange color of Casius’ skin. When she offered none of these things, he pressed on. “I thought perhaps that she could stay here as our guest, in thanks for her service to Dariel. At least until she is ready to continue her travels. What do you think?”

  Serena bit her lip hard enough to hurt, trying to hold back the furious, fearful scream of “Get out! Get out! Get out!” that was trying to burst from her mouth. Something was not right. Something about this mermaid was tampering with the locket, tampering with Triton’s affection. If she threw a tantrum and banished Athena from the palace, Triton’s anger at her might be the final push that broke the spell, and not in Serena’s favor.

  Using all of her will power, Serena forced a smile on her face. “Of course! It’s a splendid idea. It’s the least we can do. Dariel is very dear to us.”

  “That’s very kind of you, your Majesty,” said Athena, “but, as I told King Triton, I couldn’t possibly impose.”

  Athena had been excited about a stay in the palace while looking into Triton’s eyes, but Moira had scared her, and now, despite the smile plastered on Serena’s face, Athena was getting a hostile vibe from her dark eyes. She had seen the look of horror on Serena’s face when she first entered the palace.

  “And I told her it was no imposition at all,” said Triton, an easy smile on his face, apparently oblivious to Serena’s rigid posture, or choosing to ignore it.

  At the sight of his beaming face, Serena’s heart sank into her stomach, resting there with an unpleasant thunk. She had been about to tell Athena that if she was sure she wouldn’t stay in the palace, she could recommend a marvelous hotel, but Triton’s expression stopped her. He was set on having her here. Part of Serena couldn’t bear to disappoint him. Another, stronger part feared sending Athena away despite Triton’s wishes would make the situation worse—the little redheaded tramp would become forbidden, and thus even more tempting.

  “Please don’t let my lack of enthusiasm when I first arrived make you feel unwelcome,” said Serena, feeling as though she was going to choke on the words. “Casius, here, and I have been hard at work trying to help a young mermaid attacked by a shark. I’m exhausted. Casius is too; aren’t you Casius?”

  “Oh yes, very,” said Casius, already picking up on Serena’s strategy of playing nice. “That’s why I’m this dreadful color. I’m usually stunningly handsome, if I do say so myself.”

  Athena laughed. “Well, in that case, I humbly accept the invitation, and I look forward to getting to know you all better.”

  “Welcome to the palace,” said Triton, throwing his hands up in jubilation.

  — — —

  “I knew it,” hissed Serena. “Every time I can’t find him, he’s always with her.”

  “She’s disgustingly girlish,” said Casius. “I can’t see him choosing her over you, Serena. I don’t think you need to worry. I’m quite sure it’s her who’s following him like a little lost guppy, not the other way around.”

  The two of them were peeking out of a fourth story window into the palace garden where Triton and Athena were swimming lazily through the rows between the growing plants, chatting.

  “Thanks for that, but you and I both know he seeks her out too,”
said Serena with a bitter sneer in her voice that was becoming more and more common every day. “He takes her on those little tours of the city every day. He always asks me, you know, but each time I’ve gone, I’ve felt like an intruder. He finds her fascinating. He can’t shut up about her. We used to talk about everything. We used to talk about each other. Now all he talks about is, ‘Athena did this,’ ‘Athena said that.’ It makes me want to…”

  Blue sparks of electricity danced between Serena’s fingers, heating up the water around her.

  “Ouch! Take it easy, you’re going to boil me,” said Casius.

  The sparks vanished. “Sorry, Casius.”

  “You’re forgiven.”

  “Why is she still here? It’s been a week already. I thought the wonderful little explorer wanted to swim around the whole globe. Shouldn’t she have moved on by now?”

  “I’m afraid you and I both know what’s keeping her here.”

  Serena’s noise of frustration was alarmingly like a growl, and she slammed a fist against the wall by the window.

  “Why don’t you say something?” said Casius, putting a tentacle on Serena’s arm. “Kick her out. Confront her. Tell her to back off, to leave.”

  “I can’t! She hasn’t done anything wrong. Ever since that first day I swam in on them, she’s kept her hands off him. All they do is talk. Ugh! Why does she have to be so…so…NICE! It’s nauseating!” Her voice took on a sweet, high-pitched squeak. “‘Thank you so much for allowing me into your home, Queen Serena.’ ‘Your children are just darling, Queen Serena; you’re a wonderful mother.’ ‘Your powers are so amazing, Queen Serena. And you’re so very kind. No wonder you’re such a beloved queen.’ If I kick her out, I’ll be the bad guy.”

  “Alright, then tell Triton how you feel,” said Casius. “He still loves you. He wants you to be happy. He’ll do anything you want.”