Blue Water (A Little Mermaid Reverse Fairytale Book 2)
Page 20
Back at the palace, I realized how tired I was. I could barely suppress my yawns as I made my way to the dining room.
It was empty except for a guard in the corner.
“Where are Josh and Seth?” I asked.
“The gentlemen ate a fine meal and then left, Your Highness. They asked me to tell you that they would be in touch shortly.”
I thanked him, feeling grateful. I was just too tired to deal with anyone else.
My last stop before bed was to see John. A soon as he saw me, he ushered me out of his office.
“You need to sleep. Anything that can be dealt with will wait until tomorrow. Anthony turned in hours ago, and I was just about to do the same.”
The whole kingdom was a mess, but he was right. I needed to sleep and tomorrow was another day.
I dragged myself up the stairs and fell into bed fully clothed.
When I awoke the next morning, the palace couldn’t have been more different. No longer quiet as it had been yesterday, I could hear the staff back to their duties and the general hustle and bustle the palace usually had. A maid woke me up and let me know that people were in the breakfast room waiting for me.
I jumped out of bed, wondering who it could be. Today was the day that I’d finally have to answer to the media or there would be a whole load of half-truths and assumptions printed. I already knew that this mess would be on the cover of every newspaper.
Pulling a black dress from my wardrobe, I slipped into it and tied my hair back with a black ribbon. The people of Trifork barely knew my grandfather, but after today, I would make sure they did.
On the way down to the breakfast room, I decided to duck into to the infirmary to see Ari, but his bed was empty. Lucy wasn’t around either to ask why.
I found him in the breakfast room. The large, round table was filled with food and surrounded with people. It was so busy, there was only one vacant seat left. I slipped into it beside Ari. John, Anthony, Hayden, and Astrid were also there as were Josh and Seth. They all became quiet as I took my seat. As I did, my stomach gurgled. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten.
“We have a lot to discuss,” John began.
“I’m sure we do,” I replied, “But before we do, let’s eat. I’m starving!”
There was a round of applause started by Josh. I guess I wasn’t the only hungry one.
I filled my plate with the wonderful pastries and fruit that had been laid out for us and began to eat.
John wasn’t wrong when he said there was much to discuss. I planned to send as much aid as we could to Havfrue. We’d saved some of the people thanks to Acania and her magic ring, but others had died because of the shark. It was no real victory, and the people of Havfrue would have to grieve. They would also have to rebuild thanks to the damage caused by my ships.
“I’ll be talking to the media today,” I said, once most of the food was eaten. “Josh and Seth. Would you like to film it?”
“It would be an honor, Your Highness,” Josh said, giving me a wink. He must have felt the weight of the situation. He never called me Your Highness.
“John, would you help me write a statement? The public will already know about my mother. I think it’s time that we told them everything. If you didn’t already know, she has decided to stay down there and rule alongside her sisters as queen.”
“We knew about your grandfather, but we didn’t think your mother would want to take up the mantle of ruler,” remarked Astrid.
“I was quite surprised myself, but I know she’ll do a great job. I’m going to offer her all the support Trifork has to give. Any compatible building materials and medical items will be shipped out to them today.”
Astrid gave me a smile which made me feel sad. She was one of the people I’d let down the most.
“I can’t let you have another naval ship,” I said to her. “As you know we are one short, and we need all the help we can get, but when the madness of today is over, I plan on going down to the dock and purchasing one of the nicest yachts there. My father left me enough money in his will, and I know he would have approved of me doing this. The yacht will be my wedding gift to you. I’ll make sure that there is a full crew to take you wherever you want to go and this time...this time I promise I’ll not be on board when you go.”
Astrid jumped out of her seat and hugged me from behind. “You can come out with us whenever you like.”
“Maybe not the first trip, eh?” added Hayden laughing. “You know, everything that has happened does put you in a weird position.”
“How so?”
“You are the heir to the throne of Havfrue as well as being the queen of Trifork. When your mother dies...hopefully many, many years in the future, you will have to rule both kingdoms at the same time.”
“That reminds me,” interrupted John. “While all this was going on, the construction work on the Minster was finished. You can have your coronation at any time. I think under the current circumstances, the faster we do it, the better.”
I cleared my throat, knowing what I was about to say would shock everyone. It was the hardest thing I’d ever have to do in my life, and yet I was sure it was the best for everyone.
“There’s not going to be a coronation.” I waited for everyone to say something, but they all just stared at me open-mouthed. “Not for me, at least. Anthony, you have done an amazing job while I’ve been away. You know what you are doing more than I, and you seem to enjoy it. There is nothing about leading a kingdom that suits me. I hate giving speeches, I hate the media, and I don’t know the first thing about the problems with trade over the borders. I know you could tell me, but I think you could deal with it better than I ever could. Anthony. If you want it, the kingdom, the palace...it’s all yours.”
There was silence around the table. I could see Josh nudging Seth to film this particular speech, but it was Anthony’s reaction I was interested in. A year ago, he wouldn’t have been able to do this. Even as recently as a few months ago, I wouldn’t have seen him as king material, but since our father’s death, he’d shone. He would make a better monarch than I ever could.
“I’m only sixteen,” he pointed out, the expression on his face priceless. I could see the excitement through the shock of my announcement. It made me happy that he obviously wanted this as much as I did.
“I know, but you will be seventeen in a couple of weeks. I will serve as the unofficial monarch until your eighteenth birthday next year, but the public will know that it will be you leading the kingdom. I’m sure John will help you.”
“I’d be delighted,” John answered.
I turned to Josh and Seth. “Don’t worry about getting your camera out now. I’ll give you a full interview after breakfast. I’ll tell you everything.”
“What will you do if you are no longer queen?” Josh asked.
I’d been thinking about it for a while. I turned to Ari and gripped his hand.
“Once I’ve done what I can to aid the people of Havfrue, I’m going back out to sea. Acania told me that the men of her tribe were wiped out. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t more male sirens out there. I owe her. She saved a lot of people, people that I love. She and her tribe left with nothing. I’m going to find the male sirens.”
Josh’s eyes popped out of his head with excitement. “Don’t dare tell me that I’m not invited on this trip!”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of going without you. Maybe I’ll become a famous adventurer like you.”
“If I let you have any airtime, Queenie. Don’t try stealing my thunder now.”
Everyone around the table laughed. I gripped Ari’s hand tighter and leaned into him, whispering into his ear.
“Say you’ll come with me?”
He turned and gazed at me with those beautiful green eyes of his. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Thank you so much for reading Blue Water. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave a review at Amazon
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All books by J.A.Armitage
REVERSE FAIRYTALES
Charm
Lucky Charm
Charmed
Dark Water (Little Mermaid 1)
Blue Water (Little Mermaid 2)
Breakwater
WAR AND SUITS
Two of Clubs
GUARDIANS OF THE LIGHT
Endless Winter
Infinite Spring
Eternal Summer
Autumn Ever After
Guardians of The Light Boxset
LABYRINTHIANS
Labyrinthans
Labyrinthian Diamond
Labyrinthian Escape
MURDER AT THE BITE CAFE
Bloody Mary Murders
If you enjoyed Blue Water, get the thrilling conclusion to the series now
Erica has finally realised her dream of living out in the ocean with Ari, although with him having a tail and being unable to walk on land, and her still not being able to breathe underwater, their lives are far from perfect. When their boat wrecks upon a desert island where the only inhabitants are out to kill them, they must find a way, not only to escape, but to live their lives without the sea separating them
Breakwater is the third book in the Little Mermaid Reverse Fairytale series by USA Today bestselling author J.A. Armitage.
Take everything you think you know about fairytales and turn it on its head.
Get Breakwater now