by Starla Night
He was more lithe under the water than on the surface. His extensive scars did seem to slow him but not as much as her plastic fins slowed her.
Around the far side of Pico island, an ocean trench dropped three thousand feet, filling the water with vast packs of stunning wildlife. They followed yipping pods of dolphins to wailing blue whales. At the lower depths, Faier switched currents, and the deep “skies” filled with melodic, hundred-pound groupers, frisky, timorous swordfish, and arrogant, bubbling tuna.
He broke the silence to ask if she needed to rest.
“I can push on,” she said.
As they descended, the water grew a thick, woolen texture.
Elan had once told her it was the change from the silky, warm surface temperatures to the woolly, frigid bottom. Her ability to see miles in all directions didn’t change. The deeper she went, the more she witnessed — from the shrimp-like krill to their mammoth baleen predators. Each glowed like luminescent dancers in a brightly lit rave.
The vastness of the ocean was oddly comforting. Like gazing into the mouth of the Grand Canyon and picking out every tiny mouse, sparrow, and ant, to say nothing of the wolves and grizzlies, and from such a great distance they were easily avoided.
Faier focused their journey. Which was good since Zara was sure she’d horribly slowed them.
He finally broke their longest silence. “We are not far behind the war party.”
Hope rose. “Then, we could catch them?”
“No. I am leaving their trail now.”
“Why?”
“Someone is injured. The scent of blood is fresh enough to draw scavengers.”
She hoped it wasn’t Elan. He’d been stabbed in the arm. How bad was it?
Zara had no choice but to trust Faier. His unshakable calm made him easy to trust. Not once had he tried to talk her out of her quest or demand her plans.
“Are you from Dragao Azul?” she asked, kicking to follow him into the new current. “I don’t remember you.”
Faier shook his head.
Not that she knew all the Dragao Azul warriors. She had been locked inside Elan’s castle most of the time — except when she could convince him to break the rules and sneak her out.
Faier’s lopsided gate crossed the current. “Now, I am from Atlantis.”
Elan had tried to destroy Atlantis. Did Faier know who he was helping?
“Did you ever meet Elan?” she asked casually.
“I tried to kill him several times.”
So he knew. But he was here anyway.
“Thank you for helping us.”
He glanced back. His dark eyes focused on her. “I am helping you.”
Not Elan. “Why?”
“I know the pain of being forced from a city you have faithfully served.” He kicked out of rhythm. “Being denied honors. Having your abilities discounted and your dreams crushed.”
That was exactly what Dragao Azul had done to her. And Elan had denied her too. She’d let him do it because she hadn’t known any better.
Well, now she knew better. She was going to swim right into Dragao Azul give Elan a piece of her mind. And he was never going to discount her again.
“Yes,” she said fiercely. “That’s it exactly.”
Faier faced forward again. His chest vibrations floated back to her clearly. “I will do all I can to help you demand justice. But, success will depend on you.”
Because she was a queen, and she was racing to save her husband, her son, and her city. “I understand.”
They reached the outer glow of Dragao Azul. The whole ocean seemed to quiet, and the bare rocky sea bottom filled with vibrancy. She had forgotten what it was like to enter the territory. How could she describe a mer city to someone who had never seen it, like Milly?
City castles floated like big green balloons around the glowing Life Tree. The Life Tree looked like a winter-swept, mighty oak that had already shed its leaves, leaving behind bare branches. But the Life Tree didn’t actually produce leaves. Only small blossoms and large drips of sap that pearled up like sparkling tears.
This sap became the valuable Sea Opal gemstones. Thought to cure cancer, tumors, all illnesses, and even reverse aging, they contained mystical healing properties and commanded enormous prices on the surface. Yet under the water, they represented the ancient covenant between a merman and his bride. And so they dripped off the Life Trees in every city, raining down human wealth and mer wedding promises on white daises across the whole ocean.
Faier tucked his long trident into his side. “Trouble gathers outside the city.”
“Where?”
He pointed.
Small dots moved like ants in the infinite distance. But there were definitely a large number, and they buzzed the city like flies over rotting meat.
Uh oh.
“An army,” Faier confirmed. “Surrounding the city. They await a signal to attack.”
“What signal?”
“Possibly our arrival.” But, rather than turning aside, he aimed directly into the army’s center.
Zara kicked after him.
Warriors flew forward. Their tridents formed a bristling lattice of metal like a barricade.
Faier stopped and floated upright, trident close to his body. “We have business in this city.”
A leader flew forward. “This city is under judgment of the All-Council.”
“Our business is with the All-Council.”
Zara floated, weightless, nerves squelching in her belly. There were twice or three times as many males in this barricade as lived in Dragao Azul. They had the hard, hungry look of brutal warriors who could raze the city at the slightest provocation.
And they were all naked. Even the leader had a giant, lax cock swirled with two-tone tattoos in gunmetal gray and subtle purple orchid.
Most of the time, she barely noticed nakedness underwater. Faier was completely naked, and as soon as she’d hit the waves and converted over to “mer” sight, she couldn’t be bothered to care about it.
And this army certainly didn’t pay any attention to her pasty chub. She might as well have been wrapped head-to-toe in a shapeless curtain.
Their nakedness only struck her because she felt vulnerable. And, it was weird to see a tribal army carrying deadly weapons but wearing no protective armor.
“I am Commander Faro, second unit, assigned to the All-Council.” The leader with the gunmetal gray and orchid tattoos pointed the tip of his trident at Zara. “She does not belong here.”
Faier tensed. “Do you raise your trident to a bride?”
A mutter swept through the army. Had Faier just insulted them?
Commander Faro’s lips tightened. But he did not change his tone or posture. “Brides do not belong here.”
“She has come to retrieve something your warriors stole.”
Another ripple of dissent tested the control of the army.
Commander Faro lifted one hand.
The mutters instantly silenced.
He raised a proud countenance. “You are mistaken. The only things taken belong here: A traitor and his young fry. Now, return the bride to the surface where she belongs or we will do it for you.”
Faier twisted his grip on his trident. “No one touches this bride.”
Commander Faro did the same. “Then do your duty according to the code of honor.”
A tense standoff filled the water with threat.
Wait. No. This was wrong.
Zara raised her hands. “Just a minute. I’m here because one of your warriors broke the rules.”
Commander Faro never lifted his gaze from Faier. “We do not care about human rules.”
“Your rules. He broke your rules.”
Commander Faro’s gaze flicked to her.
Good. He was listening.
“Your warrior touched me.” Zara’s voice shook with the memory. “Me. A bride. Even though he was not my husband.”
Commander Faro narrowed his eyes. “Explain.
”
“I am a mother. That ‘young fry’ your warrior stole is half mine. And he was in my arms when your warrior attacked.”
Faier pushed her point. “Attacking a bride is a clear violation of mer law.”
Commander Faro was silent for a long moment. Then, he shook his head. “That kind of violation is up to the husband’s city to punish.”
Frustration scraped her. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Then you will receive your judgment after the city receives its judgment.”
Faier also clearly disliked that answer. “There may be nothing of the city left.”
“That is unrelated. My duty is to prevent anyone from leaving or entering. And I will do so.”
Zara made fists. “But it’s not fair!”
“It is the law.” Commander Faro motioned to three warriors. The trio flew forward, tridents out and bolas ready.
“I was wronged! Your warrior dishonored me. He chased us onto the land!” she shrieked.
Commander Faro dismissed her. “Lies.”
“It’s not a lie!”
Faier moved directly in front of Zara and slashed his trident across the water.
The trio of warriors slowed. Their guards rose as though they were surprised by his expert movements. Whatever injuries he had, he apparently lulled his opponents into a false sense of confidence. A single slash put the proper respect into the other army’s eyes.
“Do not call Queen Zara a liar,” Faier said softly. “You dishonor yourself with such an insult.”
Queen Zara.
Commander Faro scowled. “I find her changing story to be highly convenient.”
“It’s not changing. It’s the truth.” She looked around wildly for proof.
One of the warriors in the barricade looked familiar to her. As her gaze passed over him, he flushed.
A pang of recognition smacked her like a heat wave. She pointed. “That’s him! He’s the one who attacked me.”
Commander Faro turned.
The warrior shuffled back, breaking formation, and looked away as though searching for an escape.
“Swim forward,” Commander Faro snapped.
The flushed warrior obeyed reluctantly.
“Did you attack a bride and young fry on the land?”
He shook his head, but his face was troubled.
“You did so! In front of witnesses,” she said.
Commander Faro’s voice hardened. “You exposed yourself to modern humans?”
The warrior shook his head harder.
“Hundreds. People had cell phones. Those videos are all over the world right now. Everyone saw a merman come out of the ocean, chase me and Zain across the land, attack us, and kidnap my child.”
His face crumpled.
Commander Faro snapped. “Answer.”
“I was ordered,” the flushed warrior said weakly. “To capture the young fry using any method.”
“On land?”
“Commander Haren ordered—”
“Revealing yourself to humans is strictly forbidden.” Commander Faro slapped the flat of his trident against his scarred palm. “You are here to serve the All-Council, not break sacred rules, expose yourself, or attack humans on the land. Where is your intelligence?”
The warrior looked aggrieved. “Modern humans already know we exist.”
“That is no justification for breaking the law.”
“It is not all true. I used a net. She lied. I did not touch her.”
“Now you have revealed more secrets to humans.”
“Commander Haren commended my accomplishment!”
“Hmm.” Commander Faro dismissed him. The warrior returned to his place in line, disgruntled. Commander Faro eyed Zara and Faier, conflicted. “I cannot allow you to pass.”
“They stole my son,” she snarled.
“It was wrong,” Commander Faro conceded. “And I have my orders.”
Her fury built. It was just like arguing with Border and Immigration, but this time, she had less reason to obey him — and less time. Her hands tingled. But she didn’t want to attack him. She wanted to make him understand.
Zara placed both hands on her chest. “That warrior declared war against me. I am here to answer. Not to you. To him and to the people who issued his orders.”
Commander Faro remained silent.
She lowered her voice. “Do you have no respect for justice?”
His entire gunmetal-and-orchid swirled body went taut as a bowstring. He did not disagree. But he also would not allow them past.
Faier cleared his throat. “The All-Council judges violations of the ancient covenant. Our business must be brought before them. Or do you assume their judgments are now yours to decide?”
Commander Faro growled at Faier.
Faier faced him directly. Diplomatic, implacable, and blazing with truth.
“The acting All-Council representative, General Iner, is in the city.” Commander Faro turned from them with a swish and motioned for the trio of warriors to escort them into the city. “Take them to General Iner.”
To Faier, he added, “Do not raise your blade or they will end you.”
“Understood.”
The army parted. Commander Faro swam with them to the edge of the castles.
Faier lowered his voice to address only the commander. “A male so dedicated to honor is rare within the All-Council’s ranks. You were not at the Battle for Atlantis?”
Commander Faro shook his head. “My unit was intended to clean up and arrest deserters.”
“Then perhaps you do not know the All-Council ordered the death of three Atlantis brides and their unborn young fry.”
“That is unjust,” Commander Faro said, without changing expression. “Dishonor must be judged by the proper authorities.”
“The All-Council no longer upholds the laws. Honorable warriors are leaving their ranks.”
“How troubling.” Commander Faro stopped at the outskirts and faced Faier. “Because that is exactly when honorable warriors must remain.”
The two warriors stared each other directly in the eye. Understanding and grudging respect passed between them.
Commander Faro turned away. “Travel with honor.”
“You as well.”
They entered the city, weaving between the huge castles. In one of these, Zara had passed a year. It was all strangely familiar.
The closer they approached the Life Tree, the more still and silent the ocean became. It reminded her of the silence in a cathedral filled with holy incense and stained glass.
Once Zara had pretended she didn’t care if the Life Tree died, but that was a lie. Even though it was only a plant, its calming light assured her that her feelings were justified. Her anger was right. The Life Tree itself was on her side.
Shouting and a commotion erupted from the middle of the city.
The Life Tree!
Faier floated in front of her, his trident out and his expression alert for attack.
But it wasn’t a double-cross. The warriors guiding them looked at each other and darted toward the commotion, forgetting their guard duties and leaving them far behind.
Zara hurried, swishing the magenta fins, her nerves tightening.
Faier grimly followed.
She kicked around the innermost castle into a scene of chaos.
A mer was tied to the Life Tree. Elan floated in front of him, ankles and knees bound by bolas so he couldn’t shift into fins, yet he was still brandishing a trident and screaming about honor.
Go Elan.
Bare-handed warriors ringing the Life Tree began fighting their well-armed captors. And there, on the outer rim of the brewing fight, was Zain.
She began kicking to Zain.
Faier held her back.
Two warriors tumbled right in front of her, slashing the water and snarling.
Okay. Faier had just saved her life. She floated, searching for the best opening to fly to Zain.
“Someone
shut him up!” An irritated leader-type warrior shouted. That must be General Iner. “Execute the king. Destroy the Life Tree!”
Elan sliced through the king’s ropes and the mer fell bonelessly to the Life Tree dais. “Dragao Azul! Dragao Azul!”
“Curse it all.” The irritated general threw his trident like a spear at Elan’s unguarded back.
“Elan!” Zara screamed.
Elan didn’t hear her. “Dragao Az—”
She made claws of her hands and willed the trident not to strike.
Her fingers tingled.
He wouldn’t get away with this.
Elan had just single-handedly started a revolution. This general person wouldn’t silence him. Not by a trident to the back.
No, you don’t!
The Life Tree made a shattering noise and flashed white.
White sand appeared in a swirling shield around Elan. The trident smacked into the shield, clinked like metal against glass, and glanced off, twisting in the open water.
Fighting stopped
“—ul!” Elan turned his trident on his own bonds, slicing his ankles and knees free. He looked up. His face changed into pleased recognition. “Zara!”
“A bride,” warriors gasped. Dragao Azul warriors and invaders both stared at her with awe. Their murmurs filled the open space. “The Life Tree flashed. Just like the legends. It is a queen.”
Elan kicked to her, his fins unfurling into aquamarine-swirled flags. Underwater, uninhibited, he was magnificent. “You came.”
“Of course.” She opened her arms, and he sailed into her embrace, tumbling her over backward. His mouth stamped hers in a brief possession. She accepted his kiss, and while they were still connected, she vibrated her promise. “Always. I only needed to be shown the way.”
He pulled back with a proud smile, nodded at Faier in apparent recognition, and did not bother to ask the scarred warrior what he was doing here.
Faier remained alert. Behind them, the warriors’ awe wore off and the different groups moved apart, regrouping, and re-arming.
Zara released Elan. Their reunion could wait. She held out Elan’s blades.
He rested the trident on his knee and strapped on his weapons. “Where did you find these?”
“The reef octopus collected them.”
Warriors circled around, testing weapon reach and skill, picking up the fight again.