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A merry danceabove the waves

Frolicked the ladies of the sun.

Ceto plotted from his dark palace,

Wishing for the touch of fair skin.

Mer straightened.Ceto.

He tricked and flattered,

Stealing her into his den.

She cursed her fate

And slowly wasted away.

Desperate to save his love,

Ceto returned her to the surface.

A promise that he would return

When the tide rose,

So did the dark king only to find his love,

Hanging from the gallows.

Tarnished she was by sea,

Broken and battered by her people’s unholy glee.

He raged and swore his revenge.

So sweet maiden, listen to his tale

And never dance by the sea.

When Gideon began to clap,Mer startled out of her reverie, the words of the song ringing in her ears. A soothing movement along her hip registered as her mind tried to pick apart the song. She glanced at the king, but he was looking at Keventin. It seemed he didn’t even know he was running his thumb along her hip.

She should have been repulsed.

But it felt nice . . .

Ignore him. Focus on Ceto.

It was a unique name. It was a coincidence, wasn’t it?

She wanted to believe that it could be something more. It could be the clue she’d been looking for. Songs and poems usually were rooted in truth.

Mer needed to speak with the bard.

“Wonderful!” Mer clapped and rose to her feet, the king’s arm dropping. Raziel watched her, his brows rising in what seemed like surprise.

The bard blushed and bowed deeply to her. “Thank you, my queen.”

“Where did you learn such an enchanting song?” Mer sauntered toward him, lowering her lashes. “It reminds me of home.”