by Starla Night
She fumbled the phone. “You called Ian?”
“He comes now.”
“You can’t leave.”
Uvim turned on his heel and strode to the road.
Milly stormed after him. “I need you to convince Zara.”
He tapped his throat. He had no words.
“You don’t need words. Now’s the time to stand together. Prove that we love each other and believe in the Sea Festival.”
He shook his head.
“Stay.”
He reached the road. His gaze flickered over her shoulder to Zara. Panic flushed his features again. He returned to Milly, even more determined. “I must go.”
“No.”
“It is an order.”
“So? I’m ordering you to stay!”
His jaw flexed. She put him in a hard place. Yes, Zara was his queen.
But Milly was a queen too. Maybe not officially, but she would be soon.
In his heart, she should be his queen already.
Ian’s rental Ford Fiesta pulled into the driveway. Ian parked and got out with a friendly wave, picked up on the fight, and ducked into the car again.
Uvim started for his blue Fiesta.
No.
She grabbed his hands. “Don’t go. Zara might be your queen but I’m your — I’m your bride. I need you.”
He softened and threaded his fingers through hers. “You do not need me.”
She huffed. “Yes, I do! That’s why I’m ordering you to stay.”
He kissed her fingers and released her.
Her stomach lurched like a wild eddy spun her away. She thumped on her heels.
He opened the car door.
She forced down the sickness and shouted, hoarse. “Do not get in that car.”
He got in the car.
“Do not drive off!”
The blue car drove off.
“Come back!”
She clenched her fists and stamped her feet and bit her shriek.
Uvim chose duty over her. Pain screamed in her chest just like the one she was
trying to hold in. This was the pain she’d been trying to protect herself from all this time.
He’d made her fall in love with him.
She gave in to passion and surrendered. She’d let him sweep her off her feet and now he dragged her under.
The sky closed in like a giant blue box. Even though she was outside, the sunshine suffocated her like the darkest yacht. All alone, her heart begged for his love.
Her desperation made her weak.
Her love held her hostage.
Just like she’d always feared.
…
No.
No, she wasn’t weak.
Tears burned in her eyes. But not helpless tears.
Angry tears.
He drove away without a backward glance but Milly wasn’t shell-shocked. She wasn’t broken. She would not latch on to the next man who passed by because Uvim had shown her how to love a man and accept his love in return.
She was whole. She was powerful.
She was furious.
“I’m sorry.” Zara lowered her arms. “Warriors like that only want one thing.”
“Honor?” Milly asked, sarcastic raw.
“A baby.” Zara gestured at the empty road. “He didn’t love you as a person. You were just a vessel to him.”
What. The. Heck.
“You don’t know him. You don’t know anything about him or me.”
“I know enough.”
“Has interviewing lost brides affected your brain? Or were you always this bitter?”
Zara jerked her head back. “I didn’t save you from our parents so you could shackle yourself to the first abusive brute—”
“No, you saved me because you love me. And I’ll never forget that. But Uvim is different.”
“He is the worst of all!”
“He regrets what happened. Everyone regrets it. It ripped the city apart.”
“It ripped me apart! He didn’t show remorse.”
“Because—”
“Like just now. I shoved his crimes in his face. He didn’t say anything!”
Her sister was so, so wrong.
“Don’t waste your love on him,” Zara continued. “He just left.”
“Because you ordered him. Like his elders in the past. He’s a dutiful warrior. He performed his duty.”
Zara blinked. “But … he didn’t protest.”
“Because he couldn’t.”
Skepticism twisted Zara’s features.
“You’re his queen, Zara. Don’t forget. You’ll turn into a bully.” Milly stalked to her sedan. She still pinched the crumpled computer printout between her index finger and thumb.
“Where are you going?” Zara demanded, following.
“I have to report this warning to the police. Then, I have to catch Uvim before he obeys your stupid order and leaves.”
“The police can’t do anything. Look. Our enemy is going to ‘blow us out of the water.’ They’ve planted a bomb.”
“Then we have to defuse it.”
Zara rolled her eyes. “Are you nuts? The harbor’s huge.”
“We have a week.”
“Enemies could plant it the night before.”
“If three warriors aren’t enough to secure a harbor, what about the army?”
Zara whipped her head back and forth. “Mixing mer and humans is the last thing we need right now.”
“Mixing is exactly what we need right now. People have to see–”
“This warning is serious.”
“Mermen scare people, Zara. Even though there’s a lineup thirty long to meet brides.”
“Because mermen are hardheaded idiots who cling to traditions that kill them.”
“Like humanity never clings to stupid traditions.”
“You know this is different.”
“The Sea Festival is important. We need to save it. We have to. We’re the only ones who can.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Zara, these warriors need a leader. You’re not even there! You ran away. You’re not trying to help them find the brides that will give them a future.”
“I’m trying to find the brides they already threw away!”
“They forced the other brides to the surface because they were doing their duty. And that duty was toxic, but they were brainwashed for generations — for centuries — that it was necessary to be safe. Now, when the mer are finally opening their cities and holding out their hands, you’re not around to lift them to the surface. You’re not around to introduce them to brides. You’re not around to coach them on how to live on the surface.”
“Because—”
“You’re not around and so the ‘welcome’ they receive is fear. A stick of dynamite. Bomb threats. If that goes on, the mer will retreat. Traditionalists will regain their power.”
“This is not my fault.”
“No, but abandoning them is.”
“And a little welcome speech at an island festival will make everything better?”
“It’s a start. And that’s all they need. All we need. A start.”
Zara frowned.
Milly pressed. “Call the army. Dragao Azul’s warriors will safeguard the sea and the police will safeguard the air.”
“This is crazy.”
“These ‘bad guys’ run us off and everything Elan fought for — everything you fought for — is washed away.”
Zara remained silent for a long moment.
In the house behind Zara, Zain squealed. “Maaaa!”
Elan’s deep voice soothed him.
Milly had bought this house for herself and Zara. Zain and Elan were welcome. This family made her house a home. And the rest of the world needed to know such a life was possible.
“We will not run away,” Milly promised. “We’re going to show up. In force.”
Zara shook her head.
Milly insisted. “I’ll take my chan
ces.”
“But I won’t.” Zara flashed at her. Brave and fierce. “I failed you once. I’m not letting you get hurt again.”
Zain squealed again. “Maaaa!”
Elan’s voice raised as he soothed Zain.
“It’s okay,” Zara called over her shoulder. “We’re done here.”
Milly’s brother-in-law, Elan, appeared at the open dining room window. Large, well-muscled, and imposing, the aquamarine warrior looked much better rested than he had when Milly had seen him last. Being with Zara, his soul mate, had smoothed the dark hollows under his eyes and filled out his gaunt features so he again resembled a powerful, just law-giver — a First Lieutenant to be reckoned with.
Even if he currently wore a T-shirt scrawled with #1 Dad.
He balanced toddler Zain’s bare feet on the window ledge so the two-year-old could bounce, arms out, and appeal to his mom. His squeal turned into a giggle. “Maaa!” And another giggle with multiple bounces. “Maaa. Up!”
His onesie read, #1 Son.
Zara scooped up Zain and rested him on her hip. The toddler wiggled.
Her little nephew was so friendly, so fearless, so resilient. He had not seen his mother for the first year of his life, but now he called for her whenever she disappeared from his sight for too long.
Elan nodded to Milly. “You are well.”
“Nice shirt,” she replied.
A smile gentled his fierce features. “You can buy these. ‘Family shirts.’ They celebrate a family connection.”
“That’s nice. I know what to get you for Christmas next year.”
“Yes, they are my and Zain’s wardrobe. Zara does not wear hers.”
Milly lifted one brow.
“It feels like bragging if I wear it in front of the other lost brides,” Zara mumbled. “I’ll, uh, go put it on.”
“Good.” Milly sucked in a breath and straightened. “And then, let’s go. Talk to Uvim. Really listen to him. And then we’ll go call the army.”
Zara shifted her weight onto her back foot, hugging Zain tighter. “I can’t do that.”
Her anger flared. “You won’t help me protect your own people?”
“You’re more important.”
“I’m not, Zara. And I’m not the only one counting on you. You’re a queen. Take responsibility.” Milly got into the sedan, buckled up, and reversed.
Her chest clenched. A sob stuck in her throat.
Uvim had told her it was not wrong to ask for help. Others chose whether to give it. Milly reacted. To never give up, to seek help elsewhere, to defend herself from a person who had turned around and tried to hurt her for asking.
Everyone needed help sometimes. Asking did not make her a child.
Solving the problem made her the woman.
Uvim had better prepare himself.
Because after Milly solved the Sea Festival bombing, she would go after him.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Uvim remained silent during the ride to the rental where his warriors awaited his command.
Milly’s furious, heartbroken face filled his mind.
Pain tightened his chest. He clenched his hands to fight off the agony.
Ian cleared his throat. “That was awkward.”
He did not feel awkward. He felt relief. A bitter, anxious relief.
Leaving had been necessary.
Queen Zara had ruled.
He’d known she would sever their connection. For a time, Milly’s love had made him hope to avoid Queen Zara’s rage. He had almost convinced himself Milly was right and Queen Zara would forgive his greatest shame.
But inside, he’d always known this judgment was coming.
He had taken a bride out of turn. He had committed great violence against Queen Zara. Milly would never be his.
Now the judgment was here. The fear was over.
His chest squeezed.
No matter his pain, he could not let Milly and Queen Zara fight. Queen Zara was too powerful. Milly had dismissed his concerns many times. She had never seen Queen Zara’s powers.
What if his presence caused Queen Zara to lose control? Her rage was deadly. An accident — Milly hurt — Uvim shuddered. He couldn’t stand by and allow it to happen.
With his absence, Queen Zara would calm.
Milly was angry at him for leaving. But at least she would be safe.
“She’ll get over it,” Ian continued, rolling through a stop sign without pausing. His seat belt dangled, unbuckled, next to the window. “Whatever it was. Women always do.”
Milly would get over her anger.
Queen Zara would show her the truth. Uvim was unworthy. Her desire for him would fade.
And after Queen Zara understood Milly’s destiny to be a queen, she would introduce Milly to a worthier warrior. Twenty-seven worthier warriors existed. She would soon forget Uvim and lead the happy life her kind, generous soul deserved.
He would never recover.
Wanting Milly for his own had been wrong. His selfishness had nearly caused her injury many times. He should never have turned his back on his duty.
All he’d ever had was duty.
“Your warriors have been great.” Ian stopped the car in front of his dwelling. “I had my doubts but my sister’s like a new person.”
Uvim followed the human into the familiar rental while Ian recounted the differences in his sister. She was no longer depressed about her ex. She had taken time to appreciate herself.
“And then,” Ian strolled through the kitchen, “when my sister and Sydney got kidnapped, your warriors jumped right into the fight to—”
He stopped. “Kidnapped?”
“You didn’t hear? Things have been so chaotic. We just got back from the police station, actually. Giving statements.”
“You must inform Queen Zara.”
“Okay, sure. I think Milly gave me that number. I’ll call right now.” Ian held the phone to his ear, waiting for Queen Zara to answer, and gestured for Uvim to exit. “We’re okay. You can see for yourself.”
He strode outside.
The human women lounged on the long chairs on the tile. His warriors wrestled in the pool. Xalu stood in the center, fists raised in victory, a rare smile creasing his lips. The clear water lapped at his chest. Dosan’s shadow flitted the length of the pool. Xalu’s smile fled, and he fell with a splash. Dosan jumped up in his place and raised his fists in victory.
The women cheered.
Xalu re-emerged from beneath Dosan and they grappled. Training exercises turned into spectacle while they frolicked, oblivious to duty or honor.
“Dosan.” His voice snapped with cold. “Xalu.”
Dosan and Xalu stopped splashing and straightened.
The laughter of the females faded.
Uvim forced his words. “You are well?”
Dosan rubbed his chest. “Yes. Even a doctor would not discover I had jumped on a grenade.”
“A what?”
“Dynamite common in human warfare.”
Ah. Of course.
Dosan had learned much from the humans in his few days of rest and recovery.
“Xalu?”
The most honorable warrior straightened. His large hands were empty; he had stowed Dosan’s trident and daggers. “I am well.”
“You were attacked.”
Xalu nodded. “We reported the attackers to the police. They face human justice now. As Dosan’s attackers faced human justice.”
“You did not report to me.”
Both warriors stiffened.
His guts burned.
Because he had been lax on order. Duty. He had claimed Milly out of turn and he had neglected his duty to the elders. He had allowed their insubordination.
No longer.
“We return to the city.”
Their expressions changed to shock and anger.
He ignored their rebellion. He was the Second Lieutenant. They must obey. “Come.”
Great splashes sounded behin
d him. Protests by the women. Uvim strode through the kitchen, passing Ian chatting with Queen Zara on his cell phone. The women’s protests grew louder and cut off.
Sad partings were not Uvim’s business. They should have known this separation was coming.
His warriors’ footsteps sounded behind him.
Dosan broke the silence first. “Now? You want to leave now? What of your bride’s important Sea Festival?”
“She is not my bride.”
Their movement behind him stopped.
He turned.
Both Xalu and Dosan regarded him with disbelief.
Xalu spoke. “You dare to abandon a bride you took out of turn?”
Pain lanced his chest.
Uvim gritted his teeth. “We never completed the ceremony.”
“Because you did not travel to Dragao Azul,” Dosan said.
He shook his head. “She did not wish for me.”
Xalu growled. “Her wish for you was clear to any male with eyes.”
“Milly is your bride,” Dosan said, agreeing with Xalu. “And you must honor her devotion.”
“Queen Zara has issued her order. Bride Milly is not mine.”
They both looked shocked.
His chest squeezed. “We return to the city.”
Xalu straightened. “No.”
No?
Insubordination. Because of his weakness. Because of his failures.
Uvim squared to the males. Xalu had spoken and Dosan united behind the most honorable warrior.
“Obedience is your first duty.”
“My first duty is to my bride.”
What? Xalu’s bride?
“You have found her?”
“I have.”
“She drank the nectar and accepted your offering?”
“She will.”
“Queen Zara must know about brides.”
“I will tell her.” Xalu threw back his shoulders, baring his chest to Queen Zara’s judgment. “And she will never separate me from my bride. Not even if I must exile myself from Dragao Azul and live as a human.”
The most honorable male of Dragao Azul would exile himself, the worst punishment, and live as a human? For his bride?
Only two years ago such a statement would have been unthinkable.
But now Xalu spoke it. Aloud.
The world had changed.