Grommet swam up to Jacob, breaking him from his spiraling thoughts.
“We’re going, man,” he said under his breath. “Azor thinks Jack purposefully pushed Colin and Alaster through the gate before rigging it to blow. And I bet Jack thinks he’s got time, too.”
Jacob breathed harder. “We need to get him word. Where’s Badge?”
Grommet rolled his eyes. “Who knows? After he was kicked off the Council for being beta, I lost track of him yesterday. With everything going on, Azor’s gone a little wacko since the ceremony. He’s not only increased the guard, but the Dradux as well. He saved the grunt jobs for the betas whose alibis cleared. I bet Badger’s probably training in the yard with the younger ones like always, or worse—elder duty.”
Jacob withheld a laugh. Badger loved heckling the little kids and with Azor out of his hair, he could easily slip away to his mate’s cousin Dorian’s gate and warn Jack via phone without anyone noticing.
“I’ll take care of it,” Jacob whispered. “Just… you know.”
They gave each other a knowing smile. Since they were merlings, Grommet was king of making trouble and passing the blame onto someone else.
Azor emerged from the kitchen, distressed. He caught Jacobs’s eye. Is his skirt on backward?
“I’m leaving for a few days. Tell Tatiana I’m… Hades. That she needs to sit tight and I’ll be back in a few days. I’ll make it up to her. Keep her from doing anything stupid, if you know what I mean.” He rubbed his goatee, thinking. “I’ll have my mother fetch her tomorrow and bring her to the palace. That might help her adjust better.”
Jacob nodded, fighting a grin. If anyone was about to do anything stupid, it was Jacob. So much could happen in a few days when you leave your promised mate alone, Azor. While watching Azor tie back his hair with a cord, Jacob thought of how easy snapping his neck would be.
He closed his eyes. Patience, Jacob. Patience.
Without another word and none the wiser to Jacob’s deception, Azor left the compound with his minions in tow, and Jacob returned to Tatiana’s door. He waited for the shriek. Maybe he’d be lucky. Maybe she wouldn’t see.
Twenty minutes later, Jacob’s prediction came true.
“Azor!” Tatiana screamed from within her room. “What are you doing?”
Jacob’s pulse pounded as he waited a beat longer. He couldn’t burst into her room unannounced, unless…
At her siren scream, he quickly pushed open the door and Tatiana swam full force into his chest plate, knocking him back into the current. She let out a groan, rubbing her head.
“Princess. Are you okay?” Jacob steadied her, wary of her claws, as she fought to swim around him.
“They left—with Azor—through the sharks. He’s not safe. He can’t leave!” Her words tumbled from her trembling lips. “He promised.”
Jacob sighed, the ache of watching her fret was overwhelming. “They’ll be back. Don’t worry.”
“Back?” Her voice spiked an octave. “He said he needed a day. Where is he going? Why?”
She swam past him, through the porthole, not waiting for an answer. The entire place had emptied except for a few mermen guarding the front and dungeon doors. She yanked on the metal handle, unable to open it.
“Open these doors right now!” she demanded.
The guard on her left only watched with a smirk on his face.
“Didn’t you hear me? By order of the Princess. Open them!”
“No,” Jacob said somberly, resting his hand on her shoulder. “You’re to stay here. Azor will be back soon.”
“Where is he going? To—?” The fear in the water matched her face, chilling his bones as her frantic eyes darted from him to the door—like a caged animal knowing the slaughter was coming. She grabbed onto his arms, begging. “We have to warn—”
“I know,” he said quietly.
At the opposite end of the hall, groans flowed freely from the dungeon. Tatiana dropped his arm and turned as Sandy, Badger’s mate, exited through the doors. She wiped her hand across her brow when she caught sight of Jacob and the Princess.
She quickly bowed and retrieved an empty basket off the floor. “Jacob, how’s your—?”
“I’m fine, Sandy. Thank you,” Jacob said quickly, his hand grazing the arm bracer covering Tatiana’s bite. He’d failed to mention to Sandy that day that Tatiana had been his attacker when she’d bandaged him. He proffered his arm to her, anxious to pass word of Azor’s plan. “Can I escort you out?”
“Oh, thank you, Jacob. That would be nice.”
Sandy smiled and swam forward, then stopped. Tatiana, frozen in a trance, remained planted directly in her way. Jacob knocked into Tatiana’s tail when she didn’t move aside, breaking her from her spell.
“Sandy,” she finally said breathlessly, “nice to see you again.”
“Yes, it is. It feels like it’s been ages with everything that’s happened.”
The Princess gulped and eyed the dungeon door. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to deliver messages to the prisoners from their families. Part of their punishment is no visitors, so the Queen has allowed me to come once a day to bring food, at least until they’ve served their sentence.”
“Of course,” the Princess said, straightening up. “That’s very kind. I wish they didn’t have to suffer at all, it’s really not…” Her eyes hit the stone floor as her words trailed off.
“Don’t blame yourself, sweetie. This wasn’t your fault.” Sandy gave her a sympathetic look. With a quick tilt of her head, she clued Tatiana in on a guard listening. “We haven’t seen you around the palace. Is newly promised life treating you well?”
Jacob restlessly flicked his tail, annoyed at the small talk.
Come on, girls. Jack doesn’t have all day.
“As well as can be expected, considering …”
Jacob grimaced at Tatiana’s lie; her promising was far from the happily-ever-after any mermaid would have wanted. He could remedy that for her—now—if he were confident he could contain her teeth and talons first.
“Yes,” Sandy said and smiled sweetly. “Well, I best be on my way. Hopefully I’ll see you at the palace later.”
Jacob straightened with a slight smile and readied himself to solicit her help out of the guard’s earshot.
“Oh, why don’t you stay for…” —Tatiana fidgeted and looked to the kitchen, sweeping out her hand—“dessert, perhaps?”
Sandy blinked in surprise as Tatiana clearly gnawed on her lip. Jacob’s nostrils flared. What are you up to?
“Sure,” Sandy said, her eyes darting in question to Jacob.
“Perfect.” Tatiana turned to Jacob, raising her brows. “Sandy is a long-time friend and I’m in need of some company since I’ve been alone this entire time. And Azor’s—well, you know, MIA—so, if you don’t mind.”
Jacob remained straight faced. “You don’t have to ask my permission. Sandy is always welcome.” Tatiana gnawed at her lip and he entertained a brief fantasy of taking her cheeks between his hands and kissing her, because in all honesty, that’s what she needed most.
“Great.” Tatiana arched her eyebrows. When Jacob didn’t move, she shooed him with her hand. “You’re dismissed, Jacob.”
Jacob inwardly chuckled at her spunk and moved to the front door. But as soon as the girls disappeared into the kitchen, he relocated to the foyer, and remained out of their sight, but close enough to listen in.
“Where’s Xirene?” Tatiana asked.
“Out,” Shanleigh grumbled.
Jacob recalled Xirene’s rushed escape earlier after interrupting the two in Tatiana’s room and he blocked out what the reason could be, assuming Xirene had the same problem he had—misplaced affection.
The conversation oddly paused and the smell of freshly cut fish tainted the water.
“Are there any blueberries left over?” Tatiana asked.
“I don’t know.” The annoyance in Shanleigh’s voice angered Jac
ob and the urge to remind her she spoke to the future Queen rocked him, but he stayed outside the doorway, determined to chew her out later.
“Could you go look?” Tatiana asked, a little more pointed.
“Yes,” Shanleigh quipped.
At the silence, he wondered what the ladies were doing, when he heard Tatiana whisper.
“Azor and his army just left to go to the Pacific Ocean. I’m worried he’s going to find a way to get to Tahoe. I need to warn my family.”
Jacob blinked in shock and then smiled at her resourcefulness.
“Will you help me?” Tatiana asked.
Sandy answered, “Of course. We’ll get them word. Don’t worry.”
Tatiana’s voice returned to a normal level. “Thank you, Sandy, for everything, especially for your kindness to the jailed rebels.”
One of the guards snapped up his head and Jacob realized her mistake—twice she’d shown mercy within earshot of those who gossiped and questioned her loyalty.
“Yes, Princess,” Sandy said before her voice quieted. “A word of advice,” she whispered, “don’t let anyone see your concern for the rebels. You needn’t worry about them. I’ll handle their well-being. Remember, in these hard times, appearances are everything. No one wants you accused of treason.”
Tatiana’s voice faltered. “But I’m royalty.”
“And not above the law and the lies.” Sandy’s voice hardened in warning. “Trust no one,” she said softly.
Their conversation paused for a beat, and then just like that, their chatter changed to the promising ceremony, redecorating the compound, and the like.
After several minutes, Shanleigh finally returned, interrupting them. “I’m so sorry, Princess. I couldn’t find any leftover blueberries. Will these raspberries do?”
Jacob could imagine the state of raspberries underwater, even fresh ones. He fought everything not to barge in and smack Shanleigh across the face for her disrespect.
“Thank you,” Tatiana said sweetly. “Don’t let me keep you from preparing the fish.”
At Tatiana’s sweetness, Jacob’s anger defused. He marveled, even in times of great distress, she remained kind, even to the servants. Sudden rustling at the table alerted Jacob the kitchen chat was over. He glided nonchalantly to the door, pretending he was there the entire time.
“Done already?” Jacob asked with a fake cheeriness.
Tatiana stuck out her tongue playfully.
The two ladies hugged, and Sandy swam to the door. Tatiana hovered a little too closely while Jacob lifted the metal bar, releasing the door. He assumed Tatiana wouldn’t lose control in front of Sandy, but he still positioned himself so Tatiana couldn’t slip away. If only the guards weren’t watching. He could so easily allow her to run, with his help, of course.
Sandy bid a quick goodbye and swam off. Once Jacob locked the iron back in its place, the panic Tatiana had managed to cage spread menacingly across her face. He could imagine her thoughts, especially since her separation from Azor would be for an unknown length of time. Fear swirled an ugly finger around them and Jacob grimaced. He wanted to help her, comfort her. But mostly distract her.
“I’m going to my room,” she said quickly, lifting her chin. “Goodnight.”
He cringed, knowing night was hours away, but she swam away before he could respond. He redirected his anger to the mermaid in the kitchen. Before he paid a visit to the barracks, Shanleigh was going to wish she’d checked her attitude at the door.
8
: : :
Examination
A sweet, gentle voice woke Tatiana from her slumber. She expected to see her mom, but instead looked up into Queen Desiree’s light-blue eyes framed in white-blonde hair. Her body shuddered awake.
“My Queen.” Tatiana sat up with a gasp, wondering if she should bow or what was the proper way to address her.
“Oh, don’t be alarmed, my sweet,” the Queen said with crimson lips. “It’s just me.”
Tatiana’s heart sped to full throttle, alerting her tail to move. Like a bird, she perched on a nearby chair and quizzically looked around the room. Next to the queen, the lithe blond healer who’d drugged Tatiana the morning of the ceremony hovered in the current. Her not-so-innocent gaze studied her and Tatiana wondered what her mother-in-mer was up to.
“Azor mentioned you haven’t been feeling well,” the Queen said.
Tatiana furrowed her brow. “I feel fine, my Queen.”
She smiled weakly, embarrassed they’d found her here instead of in Azor’s bed. She actually wished the healer could mend what was ailing Azor—his inability to bond with her officially.
“Well, that’s good to know, because your sisters have missed seeing you at the palace and are asking why you haven’t come around to visit.”
“They’re not mad?”
“Mad? Oh…” Her words trailed off as she swam to the window, glaring at the sharks in the distance. “This entire situation has become most unfortunate because of the accident. The King is healing slowly and hopefully he’ll feel strong enough to resume taking audience soon and put all the accusations to rest. In the meantime, I’ve asked Azor to remove the sharks so they don’t escape again. I see they’re still here.” Ice laced her voice.
“Is that what he’s doing? Getting rid of the sharks?” Tatiana asked, her voice growing shrill. She absentmindedly rubbed her aching left ear. With her strained relationship with Xirene, she hadn’t had time to ask for another dose.
“No,” she said coldly.
Tatiana kept her eyes downcast, warring with herself about whether to apologize on her father’s behalf or not. Would that only put him in the crosshairs again? No one had outright accused him of blowing up the gate, but the timing was suspicious.
“I have something else to discuss with you,” the Queen continued quickly.
Tatiana kept her head low, her heart pounding, prepared for the worst. The Queen’s surprise visit hadn’t been to check up on her after all. Her worst fears were coming true. Imprisonment for her parents’ sins, perfect timing since Azor wasn’t there.
“My son and I have vastly differing approaches to this problem, and I want to test a theory.”
Tatiana gulped again. Test a theory? What did that mean?
“I believe your presence at the palace will show a united front after everything. Because I trust you, so should everyone else. A show of support that I’ve forgiven and forgotten, you see. That your union has been blessed and so has your future.” She nodded to her young servant, who swam over with a smile.
“I’m going to check you over,” the girl said in a lilting voice.
“Check me for what?”
“I heard you were hurt from the blast—your ear,” the Queen interrupted.
“Oh,” Tatiana reached up and touched her ear, “yes, it’s still sore.”
The healer’s large bugged-out eyes sent a shiver down Tatiana’s fin. She turned Tatiana’s head to the side with her gloved fingers and peered into her ear. From her apron, she pulled out a weed and shoved the mangled pulp into the sore ear. Twigs poked the delicate skin lining the canal, making her wince. Relief wasn’t as quick or as wonderful as when Xirene had treated her, but the pain lessened nonetheless.
The girl continued, checking Tatiana’s tongue and eyes, then kneading her hands over her ribs, making her giggle. And then, without permission, the girl removed Tatiana’s top and studied her breasts.
“Hey,” Tatiana said with a squeak and covered herself with her arms. “Is this really necessary?”
Tatiana held her hand out for her top she’d handcrafted the night prior. The Queen blew out a breath of water and grimaced, acting as if her servant had merely inspected cantaloupes at a farmers market.
With the Queen’s nod, the healer gave Tatiana her top back.
“We must make sure you haven’t been infected with the Ichthyopthirius multifilis,” the Queen simply stated.
“What? On my breasts?” Tatiana startled a
t the accusation, knowing the “ick” parasites showed up as white spots on one’s gills first. “I highly doubt it.”
Tatiana quickly fastened the button in the back and eyed the healer suspiciously.
“May I feel your abdomen?” the healer asked with a smile.
Tatiana looked to the Queen in a plea to which she merely gestured with her hand. “Please, let the healer finish.”
Tatiana clenched her fists and lay on the bed. “I promise you, I don’t have the ick.”
Both women remained quiet, intent on studying Tatiana’s body like she was on display at the zoo. The healer’s hands kneaded her scale-covered stomach, pressing all around the area under her bellybutton.
“Hey, that tickles,” Tatiana said, squirming.
The healer gave the Queen an insightful look before motioning that she roll over. “I’m almost finished.”
Tatiana groaned.
“Please cooperate.” The Queen smacked her tail, impatient.
Tatiana rolled over, wishing the exam would end soon, and felt the healer examine her spine, checking each vertebra. The healer pressed into her skin where her tail started and tugged on Tatiana’s scales with a hum. Then with a quick lift of the cloth encircling Tatiana’s hips, the healer squished her fingers into the spot where only her mate should ever touch, releasing her mating scent into the water. Tatiana flipped her tail and slid out from the healer’s probing touch.
“Hey! What are you doing?” She pulled the cloth down to cover her cloaca, angered.
The healer pulled her head back, stunned, and looked to the Queen. “It’s all part of the exam.”
“Please, Tatiana. It’s to know the condition of your female system.” Queen Desiree pulled aside her long white tresses and leaned in. “Aren’t you curious to know if all your parts are functioning properly?”
Parts? The Queen made her sound more like a starfish than a person. “I’m sure they’re working just fine, thank you.”
“Are they?” Queen Desiree pushed up her brow, giving Tatiana a knowing look. “Now let’s not kid ourselves. If that were true, you wouldn’t be here… alone, would you?”
Tatiana froze in her spot, her mouth agape. Salt in her wounded heart. The reason for the examination settled into focus. Azor must have said she had the ick to get out of why they weren’t celebrating their promisetide. And now, after the examination, the Queen knew full well that wasn’t the case. She blamed Tatiana’s inability to seduce him as the culprit. She felt weak, her fin slowly flattening against the ground.
Everlost (Mer Tales, Book 3) Page 6