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K icking her webbed toes lightly in the water, Lilia gripped the rock shelf beneath the Sacred Oak’s island, her sharp nails digging into the sandy surface.

Up there somewhere, a human was gaining more power than any other being.

And she prayed to the Source Vahly would remember to uphold the balance and somehow save what could be saved of Lilia’s kynd.

Her stomach clenched, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

It was worth the risk to destroy Astraea.

If Astraea lived on and won, there would be no sea folk in that world either.

None to care for. None that should be alive.

Astraea choked the life from their culture, reaping its pleasures for her own and crushing the spirit of anyone who stood in her way.

The sea queen had destroyed all but one human, and that babe who had survived was their only chance at a life as it was meant to be.

The water and the rock shook, and she was jostled from her perch. Magic echoed from the land, into the salt water, pushing Lilia backward.

Her fellow rebels, likewise shoved through the currents, swam forward, thrusting through the wave of power Vahly must have released when she took hold of the oaken sword the Watcher had foretold.

Yenn’s eyebrows knitted, and she dragged her spear through the water, coming abreast of Lilia. “She’ll end us all.” Her eyes raised, dark gaze on the surface above.

“Even if she does, it would be the same outcome as allowing Astraea to continue on her path of destruction and madness. Astraea will end us certainly. At least we have a chance at balance with Vahly. You were there when the Watcher spoke of her.”

Yenn’s eyes narrowed. “The Watcher speaks in riddles and with such vagaries that it’s impossible to uncover the meaning in her visions.”

“Do you want to go back to Astraea? I won’t stop you.”

“No. No, I don’t. I just…”

“I know. I worry too. We’d be fools not to worry. But believe me when I say anyone who went against Grystark and Ryton both must be truly mad.”

Yenn smiled sadly, her gaze on the pinkie coral ring Grystark had given her when she was a child. “They loved our kynd fully.”

“Above themselves, and Astraea proved her inability to reign when she murdered them in cold blood.”

Yenn swam backward a stroke, eyes wary. “You won’t get reckless on me when the day to face Astraea comes. I don’t want to lose you, too. Not if I don’t have to.”

Lilia’s heart warmed, and she touched Yenn’s shoulder. “I will be wise.” The words felt a little bit like a lie on her tongue. If she had to act rashly to crush Astraea, she would do it. No doubt. But Yenn didn’t need to lose sleep over it. Not yet.

“How exactly will the Earth Queen set the balance?” Yenn asked.

“She will need to drive the seawater from her land and raise the old human cities from the ocean. As soon as we talk to her or the Elven King, we will set to work clearing those areas of our kynd so all will be safe.”

“How?”

“I have ideas. We’ll need to make those areas unlivable.”

“With creatures? We could drive lightning fish and sharks into those places.”

“Yes, with beasts like that, ones we can herd with magic, and also with spirit warding.”

Yenn’s mouth opened. “I thought spirit warding was only a story.”

“I’ve done it once. With Grystark.”

“For Astraea?”

“Yes. I can do it again. I remember the spell.”

“I’m sure it’s pretty unforgettable.”

Lilia sighed, bubbles leaving her mouth to rise to the surface. She drove upward. “They should come down to speak with us soon.”

Yenn swam beside her. “The Elven King is handsome for a land kynd.”

Lilia smiled. “He is indeed.”

“Since there are no other humans, will the Earth Queen make children with him? Has that ever been done? To create half-elves?”

“Not to my knowledge, but this Earth Queen seems to be rather fond of being the first to accomplish a task.”

A grin tugged up one side of Yenn’s mouth. “I like that.”

“I do too, Yenn. I do too.”