Page 45 of The Merman’s Betrothal (Outcast Hearts #2)

F ionn waited in total darkness in the wings of the throne room. He was blindfolded, floating in a sitting position with his hands clasped demurely in his lap like a good little prince awaiting his fate.

He hadn’t been allowed to see or speak to anyone before the blindfold was secured tightly around his head.

Not even Brudus or Drostan, who he was told were already at their places by the throne.

Only the Court Shaman and two guards had been present to help him with his preparation.

Then the guards were instructed to hold the kelp curtain around him while he was escorted into the throne room.

There’d been barely a ripple of acknowledgment at his entrance. Despite his despondency, Fionn had hoped for at least a little more pomp and ceremony in his farewell. Something to show that his family cared.

Instead it turned out to be a cold affair.

He overheard an exchange between the Shaman and a coarse, hissing voice that Fionn presumed to be the Redfolk ambassador.

The Redfolk was admonishing the Shaman for presenting Fionn at such a late hour.

The Red King did not like to be kept waiting, apparently.

‘ I shall summon my king and his assembly, ’ the slithery voice announced.

The tinkling of clam bells and clacking of cockle castanets filled the hall.

A gentle whirlpool current took hold of the water, swirling around the congregation to lead to a point opposite the throne.

Although Fionn couldn’t see this, he felt the rush of movement as the whirlpool portal opened.

Warm water flooded into their cold ocean, hinting at the fae climate beyond.

A small crowd of bodies pushed this current of warmth further into the throne room.

Fionn’s skin prickled at the sensation. He guessed the Redfolk would have brought a similar-sized contingent as their Bluefolk welcome party.

It likely consisted of the royal family of the betrothed, some noble officials, and almost certainly a band of bodyguards.

‘ Hail, and well met, brothers of the Silver Ocean, ’ said the Blue King, rising to Fionn’s left. ‘ Peace to all your kin. ’

One of the Redfolk responded in a deep, growling song that put Fionn in mind of a predator. ‘ Well met, brothers of the Green Sea. Peace to all your kin. ’

That was surely the Red King, Rhiath.

There was a pregnant pause in which Fionn imagined the two parties sizing each other up. The Blue King broke it first. ‘ I do not see my brother among you. How does he fare? ’

Fionn struggled to gauge his father’s tone. It was flat, devoid of any offence, yet it seemed to hold a barb.

‘ He is in good health, ’ the growling Red King answered. ‘ He has borne three children to my nephew’s line. ’

‘ I was promised we would see him on this occasion. ’ Now the Blue King’s voice became terse. ‘ I would like more than letters to prove that Drest is living well. ’

‘ Do you not trust us? ’ There was a smug lilt to the Red King’s reply. ‘ I assure you, he has remained home on personal business. He shall write you another letter shortly. ’

Fionn’s father didn’t respond. The silence stretched out for an uncomfortably long time.

Fionn fought to keep from inclining his head in his father’s direction.

Drest’s name was hardly ever mentioned in the palace.

As First Prince of his generation, he’d been married off before Fionn was born.

It had never occurred to Fionn whether the king ever worried about his older brother at all.

Fionn couldn’t read the mood of the room. None of this was right. The prolonged hush was disturbing. Where were the rambling speeches they’d rehearsed? Surely the Redfolk would be insulted if this standoff went on any longer. Someone had to do something.

The water began to taste foul.

‘ Hail, brothers, ’ Fionn found himself announcing, completely breaking protocol. ‘ We’re honoured by your kinship and ready to re-seal the bond of loyalty today. ’

He grimaced at the lie, glad they couldn’t see his expression beyond the curtain. Still, Fionn kept his back straight as he sensed the attention of the room turn on him.

Perhaps there was a sneer in the answering Redfolk growl. ‘ You have a good son, King Aonghas. I am sure he will do your family proud. ’

‘ Get on with it, ’ the Blue King snapped back, making Fionn flinch. He’d never heard his father speak in anger; only aloof disinterest or cold disappointment. ‘ We shall all be glad to see the back of this day. ’

Fionn’s throat tightened. Could he not wait to be rid of him?

‘ Bring your prince forth, ’ drawled the Red King.

Two bodies appeared at Fionn’s sides. Gentle hands reached beyond the curtain to guide him forward.

‘ Good luck, brother, ’ one whispered.

‘ We’ll miss you, ’ the other murmured.

Fionn had never wanted to hold his brothers more. All his envy of them fell away. He wished he could stay and see their lives unfold.

Brudus and Drostan did their duty and steered him to the centre of the court.

Now there was only tense silence as Fionn’s Redfolk suitor was also shuffled into place. Fionn fought the urge to recoil when he felt the water disturbed near to him—the presence of a body entering his curtained bubble. He maintained a stiff, regal pose, hiding just how crumpled he felt inside.

Finally, the Court Shaman announced it was time for the swearing of the oaths. The renewing of the bargain.

The Blue King was to start. His song was uncharacteristically sullen. ‘ I, King Aonghas of the Bluefolk of the Minch, hereby swear my oath of allegiance to our Redfolk kin.’

The Red King answered this call. ‘ And I, King Rhiath of the Redfolk of the Great Fae Oceans, hereby swear my oath of sanctuary to our Bluefolk kin. ’

There was another long, uncomfortable lull.

‘ You must say the words, King Aonghas, ’ the Red King said slyly, like he found something amusing that Fionn couldn’t see.

‘ You are enjoying this, ’ the Blue King hissed.

‘ I enjoy our friendship. ’ The Red King’s song turned fanged. ‘ It would be a shame to lose it. ’

Fionn sensed the whole courtroom holding its breath. Was it possible that his father would defy the Red King?

A quiet ‘ Your Majesty, ’ from the Shaman prompted the Blue King to continue.

But his song seemed to falter around the words he was duty-bound to say.

‘ I… give you… I give you my son… I give him willingly… ’ The Blue King broke off with a snarl. ‘ You know the words and how hollow they are. I give you my son but not willingly. I give you my son but not happily. I give you my son not in the name of friendship but in the name of coercion. ’

The Red King laughed, low and evil. ‘ I like these oaths even better than the original. I accept your unwilling and unhappy gift. ’

Fionn’s heart hammered behind his ribs. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The pain in his father’s voice. The anger. The grief.

This was the man who had never once looked at him with a smile. The distant king who barely recognised his achievements. The man Fionn so desperately wanted to impress but seemed always too far away to even capture his attention.

And despite this flood of confusion, Fionn knew one thing for certain: he hated the Red King. He and his father had that in common in this moment. Fionn despised the obvious pleasure King Rhiath was taking in his father’s misery, and Fionn’s at that.

No wonder they didn’t let many other Minchmen observe the wedding ceremony. It would expose the lie of their alliance all too quickly. The marriage bargain deserved to die.

Fionn startled when he heard a sigh in front of him, having forgotten another body shared this space. His Redfolk husband-to-be sang in a whisper. ‘ I taste your vexation and I understand. My uncle can be cruel. We are not all like that. ’

Fionn didn’t gratify him with a response. He didn’t even know his name. Such was the regard for the lives involved in this transaction.

The Red King’s voice echoed over the chamber. ‘ Command your prince to remove his blindfold and accept his new mate. ’

I shall not lift a hand until I am ordered, Fionn thought grimly. Perhaps I shall not lift it at all.

There was still time to run away. If he kept the blindfold on, he could surely wing his way past the guards—it would take them by surprise, no doubt. Maybe he could find Rory again. Maybe there was still time to undo everything…

The Blue King’s voice was heavy. ‘ Prince Fionn. Pray remove your— ’

A thundering crash interrupted him. The throne room shook, sending a great tremor through the water. Then a chaotic rush of voices as everyone began to clamour at once.

‘ What was— ’

‘ Guards! ’

‘—a whale, sire!— ’

‘ Where is Iomhar? Why isn’t he dealing with this? ’

‘ —can’t be a whale— ’

Another impact rocked the water. It sounded like something huge and heavy slamming into the side of the palace. What would a whale be doing here?

The rush of voices turned into a rush of bodies. Fionn felt their momentum soaring past him to intercept something.

‘ Is that a turtle?’

‘ —the prince’s seal— ’

‘ Who is that? ’

‘ Seize him! ’

It was now or never, Fionn realised. This commotion would be his only real chance of escape.

He kicked upward, bursting out of the curtain. A clawed hand landed on his arm. Fionn fought to get free but it dragged him in. Fins brushed against Fionn’s skin as his assailant reached for the blindfold.

‘ You shall not have me! ’ Fionn roared. ‘ I belong to Rory Douglas.’

The blindfold was ripped away.

Rory met Fionn’s shocked gaze. ‘ Too right, ’ he said, and kissed him.