Page 15

T wo dolphins stood guard outside the underwater cave. Each one wore a dainty golden bridle that sparkled in the sunrays dancing through the waves. Despite the volatile mermaid leading us past them, I couldn’t help but smile. It seemed Erissa hadn’t always been so mad, after all.

I tossed Lukas a quick glance. But he didn’t seem anywhere near as impressed, passing each dolphin a scowl smouldering enough to burn through their armour as we exited the cave.

“Why is this cave guarded?” I asked, turning my focus back to the mermaid.

“They’re supposed to keep the non-royals out,” she explained, swimming on ahead. “It’s a private cave, just for our family… I suppose it’s only fitting that our reunion happened inside.” She grinned at Lukas, but he kept his face emotionless.

The two of us half-walked half-paddled behind the mermaid while she led us through a lush seaweed forest. Tilting my head back, I could just about still see the glowing outline of the morning sun, beaming down at us above the waves. It was all so beautiful, I couldn’t help but sigh. Though any wonder was soon sucked out of me when Lukas yanked me back with an iron grip.

“What in the underrealm is that thing?” he hissed through his teeth.

My head snapped down. A few feet away, covered in belts and netted bundles, was the strangest and yet most fierce-looking creature I’d ever seen. At first, it looked to be some kind of horse-sized fish, with leathery grey skin and a sharp, pointed fin. But it had teeth. Lots of them! And the longer we stood there, with our mouths wide open, the more its own jaw unhinged in a strange, growling sneer.

“Oh, don’t look so scared,” Adriana tittered. “This is Sweetie!”

Lukas swallowed down a gasp. “ Sweetie ?”

“Yes, that’s his name,” she replied, her tone edged in offence. “I called him that because while he might look a little rough around the edges, he’s a real sweetheart inside.” Swimming to his side, she smushed her face into his snout. “Aren’t you, boy?” she mused, the beast nuzzling her back. “My little sweetheart.” Her words trailed off into loving mumbles as I bit down a smile.

“What kind of fish is he?” I stepped forward. Lukas attempted to yank me back, but I was out already of his reach and running my fingers along Sweetie’s leathery skin.

“A shortfin shark.” Adriana grinned proudly. “And I trained him all by myself, much to my mother’s displeasure.” She muttered that last part under her breath, but I still heard her over the shark’s domed back.

So this was a shark… I’d never seen one before, only heard of them in books. Although the stories I’d read had written them all as ferocious predators, and certainly not merfolk pets – pets who appeared to grin while their owner’s stroked their snouts.

“How can you touch it?” Lukas remained rooted to the sand.

Eyebrows raised, I tilted my head.

“Don’t mind his fear,” Adriana laughed to me. “It’s natural for merfolk to be terrified of sharks. I seem to be one of the lucky few who didn’t inherit that trait.”

My eyes narrowed. “But if what you’re saying is true, and Lukas is merfolk then why doesn’t he have a tail?”

“Exactly—”

“Because he’s only half-merfolk,” she explained, cutting him off. “Aunt Erissa was a merfolk when she conceived him and Ikelos is human. So it seems he inherited water-breathing and obviously the fear of sharks,” she chuckled. “But no tail.”

“For the last time, I am not merfolk,” Lukas growled. “I’ll admit I can’t explain how I can breathe here. But even if I can live and breathe underwater, that doesn’t mean I’m anything like your kind.”

Adriana’s sharp eyes glinted. “Then touch my shark, human .”

Lukas’s mouth slammed shut, his fists clenching. Seconds passed like hours while visible fear dug into his features. Eventually, he took a hesitant step closer to the beast only to take three steps back when Sweetie snarled.

“That’s what I thought,” Adriana cackled. “But you’re still going to have to grab his fin if you want to get to the palace today, it’s a long swim otherwise.” She emphasised those last words, smirking.

With a sigh, I rushed to Lukas’s side. “It’s alright,” I soothed, taking his hand. “Just close your eyes, I’ll help you.”

“Forges, I hate the sea,” he grumbled. But finally, after a few heavy breaths, he loosened the tension in his arms just enough for me to guide his palm to the shark’s fin.

The mermaid palace could’ve waltze d straight from the pages of a fairytale. Lying deep into the ocean, sitting atop of a grand sandy dais, were several dozen coral-decorated spires, each one piercing up through the sea. Those closer to the surface, glittered gold in the sun rays from the surface. While the lower towers, sent up jets of glowing bubbles to float around the palace’s domed turrets. Bubbles weaved in and out of circular windows, each one popping before they reached the waves, sending bursts of golden light over the entire spectacular palace.

Even Lukas appeared impressed. His quaking limbs had steadied ever since Adriana had disappeared to return ‘Sweetie’ to the palace stables. Now all that remained was an odd expression on his face as he studied the mermaid palace.

“What is it?” I asked quietly.

Shaking his head, the expression faded. “Let’s just meet this ‘Sea Queen’ and get back to Ryntook.”

“Excellent plan, Cousin,” Adriana trilled, swimming up from the coral path that led to the stables. “Although the Queen may wish for you to stay a while.” Squeezing between us, she took both our arms. “It’s her birthday today and you’re just in time for her big party!”

“Great,” Lukas deadpanned, before we were tugged towards the wide-open doors of the merfolk palace.

Inside, the golden hallways were just as spectacular as the exterior. Blush pink shells had been formed into floor tiles while bright, tropical colours had been painted around the columns that held up the high ceilings.

“Mother will be so pleased to see you,” Adriana babbled by our side. Oddly, there were no other mermaids swimming – or walking – through the halls. Adriana had told us more on the journey here about how noble merfolk can take on a human form under the sea.

There were no fish-tailed servants either, flitting between rooms. The only sound of life was the pounding steel drum music echoing from the heart of the palace.

“Does my hair look alright?” She flicked her head in my direction. “What about my shells?” The merfolk princess slapped her hands over her chest, flustered.

“Does your mother normally care how you look?” I questioned.

“No.” Then Adriana winced. “Yes. Well… I think I just want to look my best for her birthday.” There was something almost like fear in her voice, but she pushed it away after running her hands down her tail. “I should change,” she murmured.

My eyes widened as her long blue tail split in two. A shimmering, almost translucent skirt flowed down her lower body just in time for two legs to appear.

“Much better.” She grinned, twirling her skirt around. “Now come. Let me take you to Mother!”

She hurried us through the rest of the palace, stopping only when we reached a wide set of shell doors. By now, the loud music was almost deafening.

“This is it,” she trilled, though for some reason the words seemed more for herself.

I shot Lukas a concerned look. But before he could respond, Adriana used both hands to shove the doors open.

Golden light spilled out from the hall. Hundreds of merfolk spun around a shimmering dance floor, some with long swishing tails and others with human legs decorated with skirts or flowing trousers. Long hair haloed like clouds around their faces. And with the way the light sparkled on their skin, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight of it all.

Though my lips soon slammed shut when I noticed what must’ve been the Merfolk Queen lounging near the back of the hall.

A heavy, black tail slumped over the armrest of her impressive coral throne. Her upper body, while mostly human-looking, leaned back against the tall backrest while her intense yellow eyes roamed over the ballroom. Like two full moons, they scanned the whirling crowds. Until they halted on myself, Lukas, and then—

“Princess Adriana!” Her booming voice sent all three of us stumbling into the ballroom. Wincing, I opened my eyes to notice that the music had stopped along with the hundreds of merfolk guest. Everyone was now frozen on the dance floor. Staring straight at us.

“How dare you return to my palace,” the Queen bellowed, her voice pulsing with anger. “Guards!” She pointed a blue-tinged finger towards us.

My stomach sank to the floor.

“Seize her.”