Page 16

W ithin seconds, the once-dazzling ballroom had become a screaming frenzy. Golden-armoured guards burst out from the crowds. Shrieks rattled up winding columns, bouncing off the glossy walls. The panicked merfolk on the dance floor leapt back, all desperate to be as far away as possible from the sputtering mermaid beside us.

“Mother!” Adriana stammered just as a guard with an armoured tail grabbed her arm.

I shot Lukas a worried glance. At some point during the chaos, he’d moved to my side and held me back by my own arms while Adriana’s were pinned behind her back by the unrelenting guards.

“Mother please!” she yelped again. “I don’t mean any harm! I just wanted to see you for your birthday!” A guard twisting her arm made her squeal in pain.

Gasping, I jumped forward but Lukas held me back. “Don’t even think about it,” he hissed into my ear. “You’re supposed to be charmed, remember?”

“But they’re hurting her.” I tugged against his hold, wincing again when another guard kicked out Adriana’s legs from beneath her.

Lukas huffed. “I didn’t come here to play saviour to an apparent fugitive. We’ll leave now while everyone is distracted.”

“What?” I choked. “We have to help her!”

“Take her to the dungeon!” the Queen roared, still too focused on her daughter to care about either of us. She still didn’t care when Lukas began to drag me back the way we came, even with me writhing and shrieking in his hold.

“But Mother, I have a gift for you!” I heard Adriana yell. Panting, I glanced back just in time to see her jab a long finger towards us. “It’s your nephew! I brought you your nephew for your birthday!”

Lukas froze. A wave of gasps crashed around the ballroom.

“My nephew?” the Queen muttered. Slowly, surprise washed away all the anger in her features. Then her gaze homed in on Lukas and I, and that surprise became glowing joy. “My nephew!” she beamed. “Oh, Adriana…” She clasped her hands together.

The guards pinning her daughter to the floor exchanged uncertain looks.

“Release her, you fools,” the Queen spat.

Dropping her arms, the guards dove back towards the crowds, just as another group of human-legged merfolk pushed through – each one wearing a flowing regal gown.

“Our cousin is here!” one of them exclaimed, her green hair decorated with pearls and sea-grass. The rest of the group grinned and babbled excitedly – all ten of them. Adriana’s sisters.

A young mermaid with bright orange hair shot forward and jabbed her finger towards Lukas. “He’s just as handsome as he looked in the pearl!”

The pearl? Not giving myself a moment to question that, I leaned closer to Lukas while the princesses continued their squeals. “Did you know about all this? Your family here?” I whispered.

He shook his head, scowl deepening. “No and I have no interest in getting to know them, so let’s go—”

“What a pretty human pet,” the youngest princess squealed. Before either of us could react, she’d bounded over to me. “And such nice wavy hair too…” I flinched as she ran her fingers through my curls. Then flinched again when her sisters charged forward and joined in.

Before I could blink, I was surrounded by grinning merfolk as a dozen hands buried themselves into my hair.

“Please may I braid it?” a voice sounded over my gasp.

“Oh it’d be lovely woven into shells.” There was a yank at the back of my head.

“Ow,” I yelped, swatting their hands away. “Stop that!” But my words were drowned out by giggles and touches. Far too many touches. Touches against my scalp, my neck, my ears!

“Let’s cut it all off and share it!”

I opened my mouth to scream when Adriana shoved through the mob. “Leave the human alone.” All the hands fell away as their attention pivoted to their sister. “She doesn’t want anything from you and besides, Naria’s already been claimed.”

“Naria?” the taller green-haired mermaid echoed. Chuckling, she placed her hands against her hips. “What an awful name. Did you come up with that yourself, Adriana?”

My eyes narrowed as cruel laughter rippled through the group.

“Surely she’s not your pet,” another sister sneered. “I thought you didn’t care for humans anyway? To busy luring sharks into the palace.” Another laugh punctured by the odd gasp wove through her sisters.

“That was an accident. Sweetie meant no harm,” Adriana hissed back. Folding her arms across her shell-decorated chest, she scowled. “And Naria’s not my pet. She belongs too—

“She belongs to me.” Lukas’s furious voice tore a path through the merfolk.

“ Cousin? ” Adriana’s sisters gasped in unison. Bowing their heads, they stepped back to give him space as he marched towards me.

“Nobody touches her but me, understand?” he barked.

“Of course,” the green-haired mermaid replied, lifting her head. “Please forgive our boldness.”

I wanted to spit at her, but I bit back the urge while Lukas slipped my arm around his.

“Are you alright?” he murmured.

Catching my breath, I nodded. “I will be.” My free hand buried itself in the skirt of my chemise. “But perhaps we should find a way out?” Despite the merfolk giving us space, I could still feel their spindly hands on my skin. I needed somewhere quiet and dark. And I needed it now.

“Don’t leave my side.” His grip on me tightened while his smoky eyes scanned for the exit.

“You must forgive my darling daughters.” The Queen’s booming voice filled the ballroom once more. “And Adriana too.”

Reluctantly, Lukas spun us around to see the Sea Queen rising from her throne. Everyone, aside from the two of us, bowed accordingly. Long indigo hair fanned around her face while she studied us all, passing a gracious smile towards Lukas.

“Please join me up on the dais and our celebrations can continue,” she carried on, beckoning us over with a flick of her wrist.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Lukas replied coolly, “but unfortunately we cannot stay. We are needed back in Ryntook.”

“Nonsense!” the Queen scoffed. “You always have time for your Auntie Vearla, and besides, it’s my birthday.” Then she turned to her side, bellowing, “Guards!”

My pulse quickened.

“Please escort my dear nephew and his pet up onto the dais.” Her smile returned just as quickly as it’d left before she settled back into her throne. “And fetch us another chair.”

A low growl vibrated through Lukas as guards closed in on us.

“Stay close to me,” he whispered, his arm pressing me against his side. “We’ll leave as soon as we can. Even if it means I have to resort to less polite methods…” His voice trailed off and I could’ve sworn I felt something crackle below the taut skin of his chest. My lips parted. Perhaps it was just the light from the pearl chandeliers but there was something different about his face too. Like all the colour that wasn’t there before had somehow flooded back. He looked more… alive.

The intense music and dancing resumed as we were marched up to the dais. But the moment we reached the Queen – or Vearla – my feet paused in front of a lone shell chair.

“For you and your pet.” She grinned at Lukas, motioning to the chair that’d been placed beside her.

My breath caught. Surely they could bring us a spare? But before I could ask, Lukas took a seat and pulled me swiftly into his lap. When his arm curled around my waist, I squeaked in surprise.

“Quiet pet,” he murmured, though his words were loud enough only for me to hear. I had no issue with sitting in his lap. None at all. We were engaged to be married and I’d sat on his lap before. Only this time, the only thing standing between my racing heart and his bare torso, was a thin chemise that did little to protect my modesty. Not that modesty seemed to be an issue here. Some of the merfolk that twirled around the ballroom wore nothing more than a few small shells to cover their breasts. Even Queen Vearla’s chest was barely covered in a pearl-decorated seaweed top.

Indigo hair swept around her shoulders as she watched us both curiously.

“There is so much I wish to learn about you, dear nephew,” she started with a grin. “And your pet too.” Something glinted in her yellow eyes as her gaze flicked to me.

“There is not much to learn,” Lukas said dismissively. “Our lives are very boring.”

I almost wanted to laugh. But I kept my focus on the mermaid as she leaned against the armrest of her throne. “Hmm,” she murmured. “And what of my sister? How is she faring now she’s lost that metal-working king of hers?”

Lukas stiffened. I wanted to answer for him. Let’s just give her enough to satisfy her curiosity then we can somehow sneak out of here. But his hand tightening on my thigh kept me silent.

“She is well,” he replied gruffly.

The conversation proceeded like that for what felt like days, but couldn’t have been longer than a few hours judging by the loud party that continued around us. Occasionally, turtles floated past, their shells laden with brightly coloured canopies, which Vearla helped herself to before jumping into another prying question. Lukas kept himself closed off for each of them, his annoyance growing with every clipped word until the Queen began to speak of other things. She spoke of her kingdom, the vast oceans she had control over, her ten daughters (excluding Adriana), her husbands. Plural.

I could almost feel Lukas’s displeasure rolling off him as she described the handsome sailors she’d charmed and trapped here. A few even danced amongst the other merfolk on the dance floor.

“There’s Pierre.” She pointed to another muscular human man dancing with one of her daughters. “I spotted him on one of those disgusting merchant ships that humans plough through my oceans with.” She curled her lip, as if the very thought offended her. “I was going to sink the whole thing but then I saw Pierre and…” She sighed wistfully. “Well, then I had another wedding to plan.” A cackle burst from her chest while my hands became fists.

I didn’t have time to ponder if merfolk or faeries were worse as a shrill voice came from the base of the dais.

“Mother?” a young mermaid princess with bright orange hair called up to her.

Queen Vearla smiled sweetly. “Yes, my little angel fish?” I couldn’t help but cringe at their exchange. She may be one of the youngest, but she was still surely older than eighteen.

“Erica, Seycha, and I were wondering if we could borrow our cousin for a dance?” the princess asked shyly, shooting Lukas a grin.

I felt his arm curled around my waist before he forced out, “Absolutely not—”

“Of course you may,” the Queen cut him off, smiling. “Now please,” she motioned for Lukas to stand, “it’d be good for you to spend some time with your cousins.”

“I’m not leaving Naria,” he stated firmly enough to make my chest feel warm.

“You can and you will.” Any warmth was smothered by the Vearla’s cool tone. “Now follow my daughter and dance.” Her words did not match the smile on her face. “Your pet will be safe here. I don’t favour the females anyway. Too squishy for my liking.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or relieved, while behind me, Lukas pressed me closer to his chest.

After a few tense moments, I turned around to whisper, “It’s alright.” My fingers grazed his arm. “I’ll be fine here, just let them have their fun then we can get out of here sooner.”

His gaze sank to meet mine, and my lips parted. For the first time since we’d joined the Queen, I was truly seeing him properly. Pain coated his features while sadness buried itself in the line between his brow. If I’d found this conversation uncomfortable, how must this have felt to him? This woman was his Aunt. His family .

“We won’t bite you,” the orange-haired princess called up to us, tearing his gaze away. “Well Adriana might if she gets her shark out again. She—”

“Olesha,” the Queen snapped, slamming the girl’s lips shut.

Lukas growled as he pushed us both up to stand. He caught my elbow before he left, muttering under his breath, “I won’t let you out of my sight.”

“I know you won’t.” I passed him a gentle smile. I’d already decided that the moment we made it back to my bedchamber, I was going to make a pot of calmleaf tea. Ancients know we’d both need it.

Queen Vearla was silent for what felt like weeks. While she watched the celebrating crowds and tucked into turtle-delivered canopies, I let my gaze follow Lukas around the dance floor. A charmed girl would probably do that, right? Stare longingly while he took turns dancing with each of his cousins? Occasionally he’d meet my gaze to pass me apologetic looks, but he needn’t have bothered. It was him I felt more sorry for. I doubted that even in his worst duels, he had ever been kicked or had his feet trodden on more times than by the clumsy mermaid princesses, dancing on their human legs.

When it happened for the seventh time I couldn’t help but giggle. Although any laughter caught in my throat the moment I noticed two yellow eyes piercing into me.

My stomach dropped. Shuffling awkwardly, I tried my best to look dazed. Charmed. Completely oblivious to the two eyes staring hard enough to break holes into my skin. Does she know?

“I know you’re not charmed, human.”

I swallowed thickly. Well…

“I was waiting to see if you’d break,” she mused. “I knew from the moment I saw you with him. And here’s a tip for next time,” she leaned closer, adding coyly, “charmed humans don’t fidget with their clothes so much. I’m surprised that the funny little gown you wear is still in one piece.”

My mouth felt dry. “I…” Then I paused to steady my breath. “Lukas will never forgive you if you charm me like one of your sailors.”

“Relax, human. I don’t like females. Too squishy. Remember?” She leaned back in her throne, her long tail flopping lazily. “Besides, I’m glad he didn’t charm you. Means you’re all the more useful to me.” She tossed me a sinister grin. “And, Oceans, will you be useful.”

Anger curled in my throat. In your dreams, Sea Monster. Fists clenching, I subtly glanced around for Lukas. If I ran, maybe we could both make it out of here before chaos broke loose again? Or maybe I could create some kind of distraction? Thoughts buzzed around my mind, spiralling into plans and ideas. Maybe—

“I need your help to make him like me.”

My racing thoughts slammed against a wall. “What?” I breathed.

Vearla sighed, running her fingers along her scales. “My nephew… I fear his life has been,” she chewed her words, “difficult so far. And now he’s finally visited, I want him to know that he’s welcome here, that he’ll always be welcome. We are his family. I want him to like us, and you too, of course.” Her concern turned to a smile. “My future niece-in-law.”

Confusion twisted inside me. “How?” I was still wearing my ring. Had never taken it off. In my eyes, it was bound to my finger just as tightly as Arenn’s crystal bound to my wrist. But still, I could’ve been anyone’s fiancée. How did she know?

“I saw pretty much everything,” she explained casually. “In fact I have found both your lives immensely interesting since you first arrived in that damned king’s palace. Although I’m afraid I couldn’t watch every scene of yours.” She winked, cackling dryly. “Had to throw a sheet over the pearl a few times, especially when you kept trotting off to the faeries. I would’ve sent Lukas his own pearl had he not been ocean-bent on destroying every one of my letters,” she scoffed while my mouth just hung open.

“How is that possible?” I stammered.

“I know,” she huffed. “I wrote them all on my finest paper too. Do you know how difficult it is to write on paper under the sea?”

“Not that.” I shook my head. Although I’d definitely be asking Lukas about those letters later. “How have you been watching us?”

Vearla blinked a few times. “It was the pearl, dear. You can request it to show you anyone you like as long as you know the name and face of the person. How else would we keep up with the human world?”

My chest tightened. “It’s magic?” It must’ve been. No science could explain a way to see into another person’s life – especially not if they lived as far away as we did.

“Of course,” Vearla chuckled. “Bet you’ll both be on your best behaviour now?” She cackled. “Now you know Auntie is watching…”

I tasted bile on my tongue. “If you want Lukas to like you, you’ll stop spying on us both immediately.” My words were firm, powerful. “And if you let us both leave now and return to Ryntook, I’ll do you a favour and not mention this to him.” The thought of her watching us made me feel ill. Lukas didn’t need this knowledge, too. The absolute invasion of privacy…

The Queen looked taken aback. “You think he wouldn’t like to know I’ve been watching over him?”

“Absolutely not.”

“But I don’t watch everything ,” she scoffed. “And recently it’s only been me using the pearl, anyway. Ever since that awful king took ill, there’d been far too much debauchery going on in that palace for me to let my darling daughters watch.” I held back a gag. “But at least he stopped all that after you arrived,” she chuckled. “Then again, some of your private moments have been even more scandalous—”

“Enough!” I blurted, chest heaving. “If you have any respect for either of us you’ll stop any spying at once.”

A turtle drifted past while she pondered, and I steadied my breathing. Swiping up a canopy from its back, she chewed slowly.

“Fine,” she finally said after swallowing deeply. “No more pearl viewings if you think that will help. But promise me that you’ll bring him back to visit us again?”

My brow lifted. She was actually letting us go?

With narrowed eyes, I nodded. I’d never force Lukas to come back here. But she didn’t need to know that.

“Then I suppose you are free to leave.” She gestured at the ballroom floor while my shoulders sagged with relief.

Turning away from her, I searched around the room for Lukas, my eyes catching on far too many glittering skirts and long swishing tails. Eventually I found the princesses in their multicoloured gowns. But my eyebrows pinched together when I noticed none of them were dancing. Instead, they appeared to be arguing. Or at least some of them where while others seemed to be twisting their heads around, frantically searching for someone.

My breath caught. Eleven sisters. No king.

Lukas was gone.