Chapter 26 #2
“Kaden, what in the gaping trenches are you doing?” Cyrus’ voice came out as a low, slightly muffled growl, the currents carrying his words to Angie’s ears.
The brothers darted around, over, and under each other, each trying to grab and maintain their hold on the other. By grabbing Cyrus’ wrists and locking them behind his back, Kaden ended their skirmish.
Angie gasped for air again, and she turned, sucking in a large air bubble floating by her right temple. That would buy her some time.
Kaden wrapped his tail around Cyrus, effectively immobilizing him, both their gills flaring. For a moment they floated in stillness, like a statue of two mer entwined in a deadly embrace. Passing currents brushed through their thick hair like a soft breeze, lifting strands from their heads.
Cyrus’ lips tightened into a line, exasperation twisting his features. “Let me go. Now.”
“If you promise to stay your hand, brother,” Kaden replied. “And keep your silence about her.”
Cyrus’ shoulders tensed and drew forward, and Angie kicked backward, prepared to swim for her life again in case he broke from Kaden’s clutches.
“Why would I do that? You’re putting us all in danger,” Cyrus spat.
Angie hadn’t been counting the minutes that had passed, but her lungs were protesting for air again. She had one hope left, the small air bubble, and she swam for it.
Behind her, Kaden spoke again, his voice harried.
“I’ll take responsibility for any trouble that she causes. If she harms any of us, punish me in whatever way you and the Queen and King deem fit. I will not run, and I will not resist.”
Angie turned and faced them. Neither of them looked in her direction, their softening glares locked on each other.
Cyrus snorted and squirmed in Kaden’s iron grasp. “You truly trust her so much?”
“Yes. Please, look at her. She’s half your size and unarmed. I wouldn’t have brought her here if I thought she was going to be a danger.”
Angie’s chest tightened again. Each breath grew shallower until she felt like she was choking.
She willed Cyrus to listen. To believe his brother. The silence stretched, Cyrus’ lips thinned, still trying to loosen Kaden’s arm around his neck.
Her head grew light and stars flashed in her vision.
Tiān, Angie. Everything is going to be okay. She didn’t believe it, but she had to stay calm.
Kaden glanced in her direction, and then back to Cyrus, panic flashing in his eyes.
She backed against the rock wall behind her, her hands flying to her chest, and she could do nothing but stare at the two mer-princes as she slowly drowned.
Kaden twisted Cryus’ wrist until he winced, nostrils flaring. Sneering, he gave a curt nod.
Kaden released him and bolted to Angie, pressing his lips to hers, and breathed out.
Her vision and hearing cleared, and magic warmed her lungs. She could take full breaths again. Angie’s body slumped, her muscles relaxing.
Cyrus floated before them, eyes roving from one to the other, his tail swishing side to side and eyebrows so close together they formed a thick, jet-black line.
Before she could say a word, Cyrus spoke up. “The mer-queen and mer-king finally let you go? And after all that time I spent looking for you. Worrying about you, and thinking something terrible had befallen you. Only to find that you had been swimming off with a landwalker.”
For the first time, Angie noted the dark circles hanging beneath Kaden’s eyes, his face marred with residual worry mixed with fury.
Kaden put both palms over his face. “Son of a triggerfish.”
Angie would think the swear was cute, if it wasn’t in the context of Cyrus discovering them.
“You didn’t get enough of a verbal lashing from the King and Queen? You already missed your own banquet. If they find out you were with a landwalker, they’ll cast you out and kill her.” Cyrus threw his arms out.
Angie pulled her shoulders tight, her body racked with fear. “I’ll leave. And never come back,” she whispered.
She turned to face Kaden, who searched Cyrus’ face with desperate, pleading eyes. “I care for her. I swear on the Goddess’ name that she will not hurt us. Please, brother. Stay your tongue, even to Adrielle.”
“She doesn’t look like she’s in a position to hurt anyone.” Cyrus looked to Kaden, and then back to Angie again. He gritted his teeth, his hands becoming tight fists by his waist. In the strained stillness, Angie was afraid he had imploded and would lunge at her, strike her down like a moray eel.
Another stretch of silence.
Then Cyrus rubbed his face and ran his hand through his hair. He held his tail in a rigid set, and his gills flared open and close with exaggerated movements.
Angie caught a flicker feathering along his jaw, and to her relief, he finally spoke again.
“Fine, because you’re my brother, and I love you. But,” he pointed an accusing finger at Kaden, “do not make me regret this. I cannot be harboring your secrets and putting Adrielle’s and my life in danger.”
The tension in Angie’s chest made her pulse throb.
She wanted nothing more than to go home, be away from the two of them.
Kaden held out a tentative hand, and Cyrus gripped it tight.
Cyrus leaned in close, lowering his voice.
“We meet for dinner tonight. You tell me everything about her, and everything about the two of you. Going forward, you will hide nothing.” A golden-brown flame lit Cyrus’ eyes.
“If you withhold anything further, you will feel the queendom’s wrath upon your head.
If I don’t kill you first myself, and then I’ll kill her. ”
Kaden swallowed hard and nodded his agreement.
Cyrus let go and scowled at Angie before brushing past them to leave the cavern, speaking plainly for her to stay put. She didn’t take her eyes off him until the tips of his caudal fins had disappeared.
Kaden returned to her. “Angie—”
“What happened? Is that where you went, to talk to your parents? I almost died.” Angie flung her words at Kaden, unable to hold her anger in any longer.
“I’m sorry. It was so sudden. Cyrus came into my room to find me.
The Queen and King wished for an audience with me.
They were on their way to come looking for me themselves.
” Kaden’s gaze pleaded with her, his voice softening.
“I thought you would be okay. You still had some time before I would have to replenish the magic. My intention was only to tell them why I missed the banquet, and then leave.”
“So why didn’t you leave? Did they hold you hostage there?
” Angie’s tone came out bitter and rough, and she immediately bit back her words.
She didn’t mean to sound so harsh, but the adrenaline and unbridled terror still raged in her from her near-drowning and near-death because of the elder mer-prince.
Kaden blinked, looking down at his clasped hands in front of him.
“They did. Had sentinels at the door to ensure I didn’t leave until they were done with their tirade and threats to punish me if I continued to embarrass our family.
” There was no force in his words. “I’m glad I found you on my way back to the room.
I feared I’d find you drowned in there.”
“I’m sorry they did that.” Angie’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean for what I said earlier to come out so, you know, mean.”
Kaden gave her a one-shouldered shrug. “I understand. What you had just gone through, it would have put anyone on edge.” He swam closer to her so they were inches apart.
“If I had awoken where you lived, and you’d left without explanation, and then if I was bested to an inch of my life by your sister, I would be angry as well.
So, I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. ”
Angie stayed silent, taking in his words.
“I’m so sorry for what you endured today, and that I couldn’t protect you until it was too late.
This should never have happened.” His voice thickened with regret and pain, and Angie put a hand on his forearm.
He didn’t reciprocate, brushing the tips of his caudal fins back and forth against the palace floor.
“Let’s go back to bed? I swear I’ll never leave your side again when we are here together. No matter what anyone wants with me.”
“I know it’s not your fault.” She let her fingers hang loosely from his palm.
The thought of staying here any longer shook her to her core.
Where she normally found every opportunity to be in the water, now she craved being back on dry land.
She peered at him. Fear and shock still held her hostage, the beautiful night with Kaden ruined.
“But I should go. C-can you take me back? Please.”
His luminous eyes became downcast, and he obliged, motioning for her to follow as they made back for the surface. She made sure she never strayed too far from him.