Page 26 of Waves (Tangled Crowns #6)

Avia

T he next morning dawned gently, light drifting lazily down through the waves as if the day were in as peaceful a mood as I was.

Penguins darted overhead, a school of silver fish swam beneath my window, their scales creating a wall of sparkles.

As I stared out outside, I couldn’t help but be filled with hope that a corner had been turned, an impasse crossed, and that better things were ahead.

Perhaps that was just the lingering effect of Keelan’s presence after he spent the night, but I hoped not.

While I was waiting to hear back on so many of the trade agreements that I’d sent out, there was one wrong I knew it was possible to make right before the next tournament event started later today. One happy ending I was sure about.

And so, shortly after breakfast, I summoned two people directly to my chambers.

Unfurling the magical contract over the desk set near my window, I prepared all the materials. Then, when the first of my victims arrived, I hid a grin as I handed a freshly inked quill to him. “Sign here,” I stated, gesturing to the release from the tournament.

Swimming forward nervously, shoulders hunched, and brows drawn, Humberto glanced at the document and then up at me. “Um, did I do something wrong?”

It took everything I had not to burst into a giant smile, but I was trying to wait for our other invitee. For all the pieces to snap together in a single moment. “No. Not at all. But I can tell your heart isn’t in the tournament, and that—after all—is the final event, isn’t it? The final test.”

His mouth gaped and I watched his complexion blotch as he sought out some sort of explanation he thought I’d find acceptable.

It was on the tip of my tongue to relieve his agony when the door cracked open. And that’s when my smile warmed my entire face, unable to be held back a second longer.

Gita entered the room then, her hair woven into a complex set of braids. “Majesty?” she inquired softly.

Humberto dropped his quill, drizzling ink down the front of his shirt, startled, before he turned to look at my maid.

He froze and I swear he found himself swept up staring at her.

Her eyes caught his and all the energy in the room was drawn in their direction, magnetized by their attraction.

My stomach did a giddy little flip as I swiped the drifting quill up, swam around the desk, and folded it back into Humberto’s hand.

“I think your affection is elsewhere,” I told him gently. “I’d like to release you from the tournament so you can try to make that fabulous woman over there happy.”

Gita let out a noise somewhere between a gasp and a squeal.

“Are you sure?” Humberto asked, though I wasn’t certain if the question was meant for me.

“I’m not the one you should be asking,” I responded and both he and I turned our gazes to my maid. She bit her lip in the most adorable show of shy delight before she gave him a tiny nod.

Tears filled her eyes when he nodded back, solemnly, the gesture having all the weight of an oath.

Gripping the quill more firmly, I watched his throat bob as he marched around the desk. On the surface, he was all formality, but when he’d scrawled his name and lifted his head, I saw his eyes were rimmed in red.

Suddenly, I was fighting my own clogged throat. “I’ll let you have the room for a minute while I go deliver this back to Lizza.” Bending forward and grabbing the scroll, I rolled it up as I strode to the door.

But my maid’s hand shot out and clutched my forearm. With glossy eyes and a massive sniffle, she yanked me into a quick, hard hug, before releasing me.

“Thank you, Majesty.”

“Of course. Sometimes, people who truly deserve each other meet. And when they do, magic happens. Embrace your magic.”

And then I went out into the hall, shutting the door behind me, and feeling—for once— more like the fairy godmother than the evil queen.

Sahar met me in the mayor’s sitting room, all smiles. The good mood seemed pervasive this morning, which alone would have made me happy. But the sight of the person standing beside her catapulted my cheer into the sky.

Ryan Hale raised his hand in greeting inside the giant bubble encasing his body.

He reminded me of a butterfly specimen, or a necklace kept in a glass jewelry case, but the very sight of the stern, dark, half-giant whose head loomed high over mine sent giddy flutters through me so that I nearly danced on my toes.

“King Hale!” I tried to remain proper and demure with my greeting, but it proved impossible when his handsome face split into a wide grin.

My sister’s husband was always handsome, but when he smiled, those long eyelashes of his and those broad lips just turned somehow more magnificent than before.

I ran at him, arms spread, ready to embrace him the way I typically did Declan. But the head of my sister’s army backed behind my adviser as if to hide from me. “Avia! You can’t pop my bubble.”

Clapping my hand to my forehead, I froze, cringing at my own actions. “Sorry. Sorry. Thrilled to see you.”

He gave a nod back, which was easily visible because he was far taller than Sahar. “I’m still getting the hang of this magic,” he added, by way of explanation. “Might take a few more years.”

I nodded in sympathy because learning to master one’s magic was hard, and now I could only imagine what it was like to have it swapped.

Sahar grinned as she announced, “The General has stated that the first boat of trade goods from Evaness is on its way to Palati.”

“Declan is sending some grain and hoping we can get a delivery of tuna in return.”

“Excellent. I’m sure we can draw that up right away.” I gestured for him to take a seat to iron out details and went to call for cakes and tea.

But he shook his head. “Just passing through. I have border security to take care of, but Bloss asked me to lay eyes on you and make sure you’re okay.”

“Always worrying, that big sister,” I stated, gently though because I appreciated her worry but also because I knew she was right to fear for me.

It was on the tip of my tongue to mention my issues with the rebels and get Ryan’s input, on the tip of my tongue to mention I thought Raj might be hiding in exile somewhere in my kingdom…but then the General spoke.

“We’d also like to offer those who have family in Evaness the opportunity to visit.

Short visits, limited number of visitors at first, since neither of us is well-prepared right now for a mass influx of travelers.

We’ve still got a lot of repairs to do after all our battles.

Damaged cities and all that. But it could go a long way toward helping people reconnect with their families. ”

It felt as if a flower bloomed inside my chest right then. Soft petals brushed against my ribs and made the current tickle beautifully. That was exactly what I wanted. Hoped for.

This isolated kingdom needed the chance to reconnect.

People from Okeanos needed the chance to travel the world.

To build bridges with the people on land so that suspicion didn’t continue to cause a chasm between us.

It would allow people to see we weren’t so different, that at the end of the day, all sky breathers and swimmers alike just wanted to take care of their families and watch their children grow up safe and happy.

It took every bit of strength I had not to cry.

“That sounds wonderful.” I nodded and gestured toward Sahar.

“Do you think you have that written that up? And I was thinking that Keelan might be good at helping spread the word.” Her son always knew just what to say to get the best out of people and I needed this program to do well, so many of my hopes were tied to it.

“Perfect plan, Majesty,” Sahar nodded formally, giving me an encouraging look.

“How is everyone?” I asked since the perfunctory business was over. Ryan, unlike Connor, did not deal in all the courtly niceties. But, of course, I was family, so he didn’t really need to.

“They’re well. Busy. So busy . As I’m sure you are since you haven’t written your sister.”

Guilt twisted my expression into one of regret.

“Yes. Busy. Each tournament event has been in a different town, so we’ve been traveling quite a bit.

” My explanation stopped short of mentioning the rebels.

Perhaps I would have if Bloss had come herself, or maybe even if it was Declan.

But Ryan and I had never been close, he was clearly intent on leaving, and he was also clearly in the mood to lecture.

None of that made me inclined to share more with him.

There was also a humiliation factor to admitting that I was unwanted. Hated. Reviled. It made my stomach churn and worse—made me ashamed of myself. Of course, that then spurred the growing darkness inside of me. That inhumane bit that knew violence was in my future.

But not today. I'd put unpleasantness off until tomorrow and embrace this small town, which thus far had been a haven from all the corrosive hatred. Perhaps when I returned to the palace, the anger would have died down, diluted by time, as many emotions are.

So, I kept my mouth closed and left tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow.

“A tournament in every town? I hear that carriage rides can provide an excellent opportunity for correspondence.” His comment was a direct cut.

Sahar jumped to my rescue, sliding around to gaze up at Ryan, this time providing a barrier for me instead of protecting him from me.

“In most cases, yes. But our queen spends her travel time getting to know her suitors. I’m sure you’re well aware that a monarch needs to have a set of husbands she can trust.”

His nostrils flared, but my adviser had effectively sliced his kneecaps.

Her quick defense bolstered me, and I nodded in agreement.

Ryan’s deep brown eyes bored into me for a moment before he said curtly, “Well then. I’ll leave you to your tournament. Hopefully, we’ll be able to host you once it’s over.”

“Of course,” I agreed easily. “Thank you for coming, Ryan. Tell Bloss, thank you. I know it’s out of your way to travel this far north.”

He cut me off, holding up his hand. “You’re family. We are happy to support you however we can.” His eyebrow rose and he stared at me silently, as if he was willing me to confess that I needed help.

But I had Sahar. I had Mateo and Keelan and Felipe. And after yesterday, I had my powers. The silence stretched out, long and expectant, so long that I nearly gave in. I nearly fell prey to my need to please others, to quell the discomfort I had due to their displeasure.

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I forced myself to stand firm.

Ryan tilted his head, studying me, well-aware of my tendencies after all his years living in the castle at Evaness.

I thought I detected a tiny note of pride in his voice as he stated, “Alright then. I brought a page to go through all the details. I really must get back to our border. There are some unruly soldiers on gargoyles who need to be set straight about patrols.”

With that, my adviser and sister’s husband left the room, giving me a moment to bask in the way the universe seemed to have tilted on its axis and started to spin in my direction.

Of course, the moment one got cocky was the moment things all started to fall apart.

Not two minutes later, Mateo swam up, a bundle of worried energy. Agitated, his silver tail swished back and forth, and his eyes took in the chaises, the curtains, the fireplace, every detail of the room rather than landing on me, almost as if he was searching for something.

“What is it?” Immediately, I hurried closer, wings fluttering in response to his show of nerves.

“Have you seen Taft?” His fingers clenched and unclenched.

Worried guilt immediately punched a dozen holes through my gut because I’d sent the nixe off on a mission, but I had been so caught up in all the other events that I hadn’t thought to check in with him yet. I’d operated on the assumption he’d come back to me with information.

Cautiously, I went to the door and peered out to make sure that only Ugo and Paavo were in the hall before closing Mateo and I inside. Then I turned back to the mer and bit my lip.

“I asked him to watch Watkins,” I admitted softly, my words hardly more than a breath. But the room was so still that they made the current waver anyway and I could see them drifting across Mateo’s face.

His brow furrowed and his lips twisted, expression growing so dark that a knot formed in my own stomach. That knot tightened painfully when he added, “Well, he’s missing. And so is Valdez.”