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Chapter 5

Light finally shines in the distance. This far under the surface, that can only mean one thing. A city. We’ve already passed three other underwater civilizations.

“Is that Valora?” Hope eludes me. My body aches from traveling so far and using muscles that have long been ignored.

“The greatest city under the seas.” Father smiles proudly.

I try to smile but can’t, so I just nod. He goes on about how fantastic the city is, but I can’t pay attention. All I can think about is the life I’m leaving behind. My best friend. The track team, who has become more of a family than just a team. And Roman … what could’ve been? If he actually does like me, could it have worked?

The brightness of Valora makes my eyes ache after being in such deep darkness for so long. It’s brighter than the hottest summer day on the surface. The buildings are so colorful. From this distance, it looks like a rainbow.

We reach the outer edges of the massive city. The surrounding wall is lined with shells and gems that sparkle like they’ve just been cleaned. The two guards lower their weapons and bow as we near.

Dad gives a slight nod as we pass, but I can’t look at them. I can’t handle being bowed down to. It’s so ridiculous. When we enter through the gate, a warmth spreads through me. Everything is so bright, it’s hard to remember I’m not on land.

The whole experience is surreal. I’ve had plenty of time to think on our way here, but I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that we’re actually coming to Valora. I’m going to see Halen. Will my childhood best friend be excited to see me? Will anyone be happy about our return? Or has my uncle so tainted our reputation that people will recoil at our sight? Given the angst between the two brothers, the latter situation wouldn’t surprise me—our people could be disgusted at the thought of my dad as king, and therefore at me being the heir to the throne.

A shudder runs through me. Now I want to go back home for entirely different reasons. But could I find my way? Dad led us here. I could find my way to the surface, but with my luck, I’d end up in the middle of the ocean with miles and miles of water between me and the land.

The towering buildings in front of me pull me from my thoughts. Mom and I shopped in many of them when I was a child. We often brought Halen along, and the two of us would get into trouble every time. One time we wandered off and got lost. Another time she knocked over a mannequin and it took out a whole row of them.

I snicker just thinking about it.

Mom turns to me. “Are you happy to be here?”

“Just remembering that mannequin.”

“The one you broke?”

“It was Halen.”

Dad glances at us. “Come on. We’re already late.”

“Aren’t you king?” I ask. “Can’t you show up whenever you feel like it?”

“Not on my first day. I need to show everyone I mean business and am serious about this.”

“Does it matter? They still have to do what you say, right?”

He gives me one of his looks, and I know to drop the subject. My stomach rumbles and my muscles ache. If he gives me any say in what we do when we arrive at the castle, I’m going to have an enormous lunch then sleep for hours before finding Halen.

We make our way through the city and near the busy part. We manage to avoid the most crowded areas and finally make it to the castle. It looms before us, the largest and most decorated building in all of Valora. The light around it is even brighter than anywhere else.

I turn to Mom. “Where are the lights?”

“You don’t remember?”

“It’s been over ten years. Everything is fuzzy.”

“Valora’s enchantment keeps everything lit. It’s what keeps everything going.”

“Oh.” That seems like something I should remember, but in many ways, it feels like this is my first time here. The memories hardly feel like my own. They’re more like watching a home movie from someone else’s life.

We reach the entrance of the castle. I vaguely remember there being many entrances, but I can’t be sure. The guards lower their weapons and bow even further down than the guards at the city gates. They open the doors then Dad rushes forward. Mom and I have to hurry to catch up with him. We zig and zag through hallways and corridors. It’s enough to make my head spin. How did I ever find my way around on my own as a young child?

People move out of our way. Some gasp. Others point. Most bow. Almost everyone whispers.

We’re a spectacle, and this is inside the castle. What’s it going to be like in the city? Or worse, the academy? My stomach knots thinking about that. Right now, I have my parents. At school, I’ll be on my own. Maybe Halen will be with me, or maybe she’s moved on and doesn’t want me as a friend anymore. Not that I could blame her. So many years have passed. Everything has changed. We’ve changed. I’ve spent most of my life pretending to be human. Everyone here has spent their entire lives in Valora.