Page 5 of A Warrior's Heart

“Do not fail me, Malik.” Triton held my gaze, and within the blue swirls of his eyes I saw a warning.

He needn’t voice that warning. I understood all too well.

When I entered the mess hall, one of my men greeted me and shoved a drink into my hand. He then held up his own drink.

“To the commander!” he said.

The other men mirrored his actions. “To the commander!”

I took a small sip of the mead before setting it aside. I hardly ever drank. I preferred to have a clear mind. I’d need it with the upcoming mission. First things first, I needed to choose the party that would accompany me. And then?

The mission would begin.

Chapter Two

Troy

The sky was different here.

Lying in a field surrounded by flowers, I stared up at the barrier around Avalontis. A whale swam on the other side of the dome, its soothing song reaching me. I had ventured to the surface world before, and although I’d been captivated by the sun and blue sky, I had quickly become homesick and wished to return to my haven under the sea.

Everything I needed was right here.

We were free to roam around on two legs in the kingdom, and there were swimming holes and springs for us to use when we wanted to transform. Many merfolk left the barrier to stretch their fins and enjoy a swim in the sea when the pools weren’t enough, but they returned when finished.

Because this was home.

It was safe. Perfect.

Humans couldn’t be trusted. The surface world was a dangerous place full of wicked beings. My parents had been murdered by humans when I was only a small boy. Hearts of merfolk were treasured by mages because of their power in spell work, and those mages paid a hefty sum to anyone who gathered one. Humans had captured my parents and sold their hearts to the highest bidder.

I did not belong in the surface world.

I belonged here, in a field of flowers with a basket of blackberry pastries at my side and staring up at the most magnificent view.

At the soft thump of footsteps on the dirt path, I turned to see my sister coming toward me.

Unlike other women, she didn’t wear frilly dresses. She often said I dressed more like a maiden than her. She wore skirts and gowns on occasion, but she preferred to be in breeches and a shirt.

“There you are,” she said, puffing a little as she reached me. Blonde hair was tied back with a ribbon, and the only jewelry she wore was a necklace that had belonged to our mother. “I’ve been searching all of Avalontis for your scrawny hide. Move over.” She dropped to the ground beside me and snatched one of the pastries from my basket.

“I’m not scrawny.”

Eva laughed and squeezed my bicep. “Eh.”

I swatted at her. “Leave me be. And stop eating my sweets!”

She shoved the rest of the pastry into her mouth and smiled around the mouthful. We truly were related. There was no denying it even if I wanted to.

“Why were you searching for me?” I asked, grabbing a pastry for myself. I had eaten three already, but my sweet tooth could never be sated.

“It’s Malik.”

Suddenly, I cared little for the sweet treat. “What’s wrong? Is he well?”

“Calm yourself, brother.” Eva patted my arm. “He is unharmed.”

“Then what is it?” My heart raced.