“Have you found out where Etan came from?”
“Etan? I do not watch Etan.” She looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “I was sent to gather information on the dowager queen. Your grandmother went to the Sea Witch, and others want to know why.”
Chapter Eight
Sarai
Grandmother was an intelligent queen mother who was proud of her high birth. She flaunted her power whenever possible.
She never showed ill will toward my sisters, but she never liked me, and it wasn’t a secret. I reminded her too much of my mother, who she despised. She never hid her disdain toward me, but she didn’t treat me any different from my sisters. She made sure to remind me daily that I was just like my mother, and if I didn’t act right, I would end up like her. With nothing.
Father had married Mother regardless of her lack of title, connections, dowry, or Grandmother’s disapproval. She never forgave him for going behind her back, but she vowed to use his daughters to secure the connections and resources he had not. She groomed us for marriage. She made sure our voices would secure kings with power, regardless of their character.
It had been two days since I’d gotten any rest, and I was slowly going mad. My dreams were filled with bleeding hearts and singing corpses. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Mother’s deteriorating face. I saw myself by Sitario’s side, wearing an iron collar attached to a chain in his hands.
I couldn’t eat. Food was like sand on my tongue. I hadn’t had my hair done in days. I was too scared to look into any mirrors.
“Princess.” I looked over my shoulder to find Etan staring at me with concern. “Is everything okay?”
“Fine. I’m fine.” I clasped my hands together.
“I was looking for you.” He looked at my hands. “I wanted to show you something.”
“I don’t think that it would be a good ide—"
“Please,” he said firmly. “Accompany me. I have not been out in open waters since our ride. I am going stir-crazy.”
I tried to avoid his eyes. “I have to speak to my father. Maybe some other time.”
He didn’t push further, but I felt his eyes follow me as I turned a corner. I didn’t like the way he made my heart race or how I felt like a shy child beneath his gaze.
The castle did indeed feel restrictive. It felt like no matter where I went, I was being watched. After wandering for another hour, I went back to my rooms.
A sharp rap at the door startled me from my third nap. It was a short servant with white hair and pretty cerulean eyes. “Delivery, my lady.”
I warily eyed the pouch. “From?”
“The jeweler. Ma’am.”
I took it and quickly dismissed her from my room. I had forgotten all about the necklace, and after all that happened, I couldn’t fault Xio for her lapse in memory. I hastily unwrapped the package.
The jeweler did an exquisite job. Not a hint of rust remained on the polished silver, and he had added tiny black stones along the inner edge.
I slid my nail in between the grooved crevice and popped it open. There was nothing inside but smooth glass. My eyes stared back at me, bold and dark. They flashed, and I found myself frozen in place.
Excruciating pain consumed me, and the world went black.
Chapter Nine
Etan
“She denies my gifts, my time, and my effort.” It had been two days since I last saw Sarai wandering the halls. She hadn’t emerged from her rooms since.
“What do I do Naga?” I tickled the skin beneath his gills. “How do I gain her trust?”
I asked myself this question at least three times a day. When I woke, during each meal, and before bed. Nothing came to mind.
She wasn’t the type of maiden who was won with jewels or sly words. She had everything she could want or ever need. She was loved by her father and treasured by her sisters. She didn’t hunger for affection. It seemed as if she ran from it instead.
I was sent to retrieve her by any means necessary. By force, if need be, but that would make things difficult. I didn’t want to start a war with the merfolk, but she wasn’t making things easy, and if I didn’t find a way to convince her to leave, I would have no choice.
I fed Naga and made my way down to the meal hall. It was the same as any other morning. Rowdy guards sat at one end and the lower nobles at theirs. The royal family dined at the front on a raised dais, all the chairs filled but one.
The only time I had seen Sarai grace this hall was during the feast where the merlady broke the merman's nose. The sound of her laughter remained in my head to this day.
The steady murmur that filled the hall paused. All heads turned to look at the entrance. Sitario entered with a mermaiden on his arm. It took me some time to realize it was Sarai, and she looked…content.
I clenched my hands into tight fists. In the few short weeks we had been here, he had sucked the life out of at least a quarter of the staff, tossed every maiden who had caught his eye, and had a man flogged for no given reason.
I dug my nails into the wooden table. The merfolk were taking in the princess’s change, and gossip was already forming.
“They say they went on a night ride,” a busty merwoman whispered to her friend.
“He promised her a pirate ship full of gold, and a chest for each child she births.” Another with red hair and matching freckles fluttered her lashes.
Sarai had been avoiding Sitario like one avoided the plague. What brought about this sudden change?
In the midst of our meal, I looked up. Sarai’s head whipped around, as if sensing my stare, and our eyes met. They were shiny and vacant, as if the young woman who once lived there had packed up and vanished overnight.
After breakfast, I went up to the servants’ quarters and found the young maiden Sarai spent most of her time with. She was folding clothes at a small table surrounded by old maids with white hair and missing teeth.
I cleared my throat, and the conversation stopped. “Pardon my manners.” I plastered a fake smile on my face. “If I could have a word, please.”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth popped open. “Of course, Your Majesty.”
She left her spot and followed me out to the hall. I made sure we found a private place where we couldn’t be heard but could still be seen. I didn’t want the court to get any ideas.
“I am sure you heard what happened this morning.” Silence filled the hall. “Sarai broke fast with Sitario.”
Her eyes flashed, and shadows darkened her delicate features. “I heard, sir.”
“You know something.” She tried to look away, but I had seen the look in her eye. “Tell me. I can pay for your wisdom or we can make a trade.”
“I don’t accept bribes.”
I hated myself for the threat, but I was desperate. “I know who you are, Silenda. And if you don’t help me, I will tell the dowager queen.”
It had been many years since I’d crossed a member of the Silenda. They were known for their vast collection of knowledge and the lengths they were willing to go to acquire it. Nothing happened without a member knowing.
The fact that one of their own was here meant there was more going on than a simple marriage ceremony.
“You were sent to watch the king’s mother?” I crossed my arms around my chest. “I know you can’t tell me who sent you because of your code. But could you tell me why?”
“What are you willing to offer in exchange?” Her eyes were hard.
She was an experienced tradesmaiden, and I hadn’t brought much with me from home, just gold, some silver, and a few trinkets. Nothing a Silenda could use.
“Two questions. I will answer two questions truthfully, no matter what is asked.”
She sat back and closed her eyes. It was generous depending on who offered. She was debating if I was worth it or not. “Where are you from?”
“I come from where the sun and the moon meet. Where the land and the sky kiss, where you drown in the stars and walk on clouds.”
>
Her features twisted in anger. “I have never heard of such a place.”
“Now you have. You know I do not lie. Your gifts tell you so.” I shifted the sand with my tail.
She lifted her chin. “What brings you here?”
“I come for the princess.” I brushed sand from my tail.
“Why?” she pushed.
“You have used your two questions. Now tell me, what is the queen mother up to?” I snapped my fingers.
She scowled and looked up and down the corridor. “We learned she paid the Sea Witch another visit three moons ago. As you know, one does not visit Yanagua without leaving something behind.”
You didn’t have to be rich or poor to visit the old witch. No, you had to be desperate or stupid. She dealt in blood and spirit. She took what one loved the most, or your life for wasting her time. Just like her mother.
“Your employer must know something we do not to be so interested in the queen and her lack of value for her life.” I looked over at the group of gossiping women and flashed them a smile.
Xiomara lowered her voice. “I fear whatever she is up to will affect us all. She is building alliances with three of the biggest merkingdoms. Her granddaughters are powerful mermaidens who can enchant anyone with only their voices.”
I peeled my eyes from the swooning servants and met Xiomara’s gaze. “You believe their grandmother will use them to control the kings?”
“It’s a possibility.” She shrugged. “Everyone knows she didn’t want to relinquish power when the king came of age. She calls Sitario to her chambers late at night, and strange things have been happening to Princess Sarai.”
I ducked my head. “Like what?”
“I can’t really explain. She has been hiding in her rooms and denies all visitors. She dismisses me and hasn’t asked for help with her hair or makeup. A xandi appeared on her balc—"
“A xandi?” I quickly cut her off. “Are you sure?”
Xio pulled a silver ring from the pocket of her apron. “This was in between the weeds after I denied it entry. It was poorly done. It wouldn’t have fooled anyone.”
It would have fooled someone who wasn’t aware of what it was. The servant had knowledge of necromancy or dark magic. I would have to watch how I moved when she was around.
“Who did she see?” I pressed for more information.
She drew back and narrowed her eyes, watching me with a guarded expression. “The princess called out to it. She thought it was her mother.”
“We have to watch out for more pieces, they could be enchanted.” I tried to soften my features. “I wouldn’t want someone to hurt the princess.”
It wouldn’t be long before the Silenda put two and two together. I could see her mind working behind her intelligent mind. I had to play it safe.
“Why don’t we work together to figure out what’s going on?” I would rather have her as a friend than an enemy. “If I see anything suspicious, I will tell you, and if you come across any information about the princess, please let me know.”
∞∞∞
Making friends with the servant proved useful the very next day. I was finishing my morning meditation when I heard a gentle knock at my door. It was Xiomara holding a wooden box with a range of animals carved on the side. I instantly recognized the chest.
“Did you send these to the princess?” She panted as if out of breath.
“No. Each servant I have sent has returned all my gifts.” I reached out to take the box. A stone settled in the pit of my stomach. It reeked of magic. Familiar magic that had no business being at the bottom of the Rotan Sea.
I sat the box down on the stone table and used a pen to lift the lid. My senses were assaulted as soon as I laid eyes on the comb and mirror. A black aura surrounded the items, like thick smoke. It writhed and curled like a nest of snakes. I focused on the power within me and called it to the surface. It raced down my arm and to my hand. The shadows stirred and fought my light, but it was too strong. The call too sweet to ignore.
I pulled the spell off the comb and mirror. Once the shadows were cradled in my palm, I closed my hand and snuffed them out with my light.
“What was that?” Xiomara placed her hand over her mouth.
“A nasty spell. Was this all she received?” I closed the lid.
“Yes. She had a locket, but I left it at the jeweler’s.” Her eyes were wide and wild.
“Retrieve it and bring it to me. You can take these back. The magic that was bound to them is gone.” I placed the chest back in her hands.
The magic I had placed on the comb and mirror had been manipulated. What was meant to enamor had been turned into something else. Someone had taken my magic and made it their own.
“Someone is out to get the princess.” I swam back and forth across the room. “I need to get Sarai away from here before she’s hurt. If we don’t, she will be lost forever.”
∞∞∞
“Grand risings,” I greeted as I entered the hag’s cave.
“Back again.” She cackled. “Always running back, or should I say swimming now?”
“Old one, I need your help.” I slowly approached her rocking chair. The magic fire that burned in her hearth was purple today, which meant she was in a good mood.
“What does Mother’s favorite desire?” she asked when she already knew. There was nothing she didn’t see. “You wish to find her, but she is tied to another. Magic locks her away. Only love can bring her back.”
Love? None of this was about love. It was about survival. I didn’t have time to court a mermaid who didn’t wish to be courted. I’d tried that route and got nowhere.
“I have to get her away from here. How can I do that safely?” I looked into her milky eyes.
“Silly boy.” She sat back and hummed to herself, as if she had forgotten all about me and my problems. “The sea has been very cold lately. The goddess sleeps in the shadows of the mind.”
I knew I wouldn’t get any more out of her. Her mind wandered between here and there, but as I turned and left the cave, I heard her murmur, “Stupid girl. I told her. I offered.”
Chapter Ten
Etan
Today was Princess Caressa’s wedding. It was a mess of faces, tears, and laughter.
Sarai arrived wearing a scarlet top that was scandalous even for the unbashful merfolk. There wasn’t much beneath the piles of necklaces she had around her long neck. Sitario wore a sash of the same shade and even more finery than Sarai. Large jewels decorated each of his fingers, and thick gold bands were wrapped around each of his arms and the base of his tail. An obvious show of his wealth.
He swam around the room with his arm wrapped around her waist, yet she didn’t smile once. When he spoke, she answered, but her sentences were short, her words clipped as if rehearsed.
I was leaning against a pillar when I saw him pull her out to the dance floor. He remained in one spot as she danced around him. Her movements were graceful, her dance sensual in nature. She wrapped herself around Sitario and fanned her fin in front of them, hiding them from my view. Was it a secret being whispered or a stolen kiss? Was it given of her own free will?
Everyone stopped to watch as I approached the princess and my so-called competition. Sarai dropped her fin and turned to stare at me with those cold, lifeless eyes. No emotion registered on her face. No surprise at my approach or offense for my interruption.
“I request a dance.” I held out my hand.
She didn’t move, didn’t even blink.
“Go ahead then.” Sitario smiled. “I need some refreshment. A little pick-me-up for later.” He ran his hand down the side of her neck and placed a kiss on her shoulder.
I bit my tongue and patiently waited for her to take my hand. When her fingers touched mine, I felt a darkness over her like the one attached to the box.
“You look beautiful.” I stared into her eyes as we spun around in circles. “That red looks lovely against your skin.” I tried to keep myself from
staring at the soft swell of skin popping from her low-cut bandeau and found it difficult.
“Thank you.” Her voice was flat.
“I have missed speaking to you. I hope you are well?”
I searched for any spark of recognition, but there was nothing there to find. It truly was as if her spirit had been snatched from her body. This wasn’t going to work. The deal was that I bring her back whole. What I held in my arms was nothing but a shell.
I brought her close and leaned down so no one could read my lips. Her body shivered when my lips brushed her ear. “I know you’re in there somewhere. I can be whatever you need me to be, a friend or protector, but you have to let me in. I will free you, but you have to trust me.”
“The song is over.” She gently pushed on my chest. She reached up to her neck and wrapped her hand around her locket. “Thank you for the dance.”
I noticed the swift gesture, but before I could reach for the necklace, she swam away. She was under a trance, a strong one at that, and I had to find a way to break it without anyone knowing it was me.
I left the party and went to the servants’ quarters where Xiomara told me she would be if needed. She was alone in the washroom, sanding dishes.
“It’s worse than we feared.” I hovered over the table. “Have you heard anything?”
“The princess has a new attendant,” she whispered. “She is the only one allowed around her.”
“That complicates things.” Getting within speaking distance was difficult. Removing the necklace without being noticed would be impossible. “We have to find a way to get her alone. The princess’s balcony, it looks out onto a garden, does it not?”
“Yes, but how will you get her outside without the servant noticing?” She put down the stone plate.
I handed her another from the dirty pile. “You will have to keep her occupied while I call Sarai out.” I sighed and looked away. “It is cruel, but I can create another xanbi. Do you still have her mother’s ring?”
“Yes.” Xio shifted uncomfortably. “But this does not feel right.”
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