Chapter 16
Soulara curled her fingers around the edge of her father’s desk. It was too big for her, weighted so heavily with so many decisions that she didn’t even know where to start. Leaving Autumn had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. She wanted to stay wrapped up around her, in her, consumed by her.
“We need to talk to the deep sounding mermaids, Kaelin’s tribe, and we need to talk to the Talons.” Soulara knew she had to come up with a better plan. Intuitively there was only one option, diplomacy, treaties. But that didn’t mean it was going to be easy or that she could get it done in three days.
“The deep sounding tribe are pacifists, to the extreme.” Honour leaned against the table, staring at Soulara’s fingers. She canted her head to the side, like she could see something that wasn’t there.
“We can’t exclude them from the conversation,” Soulara replied. “They have to know what’s going on and be invited to participate if they want to. You can take Kaelin with you if you want.”
“Take Kaelin?” Honour’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes wide. “You’re sending me?”
“You already have a history with them. They’ll trust you.”
“They barely trusted me the last time.”
“This isn’t optional, General.” Soulara deepened her voice to make her point. If she was going to go through with this, then they were going to do it her way. “They trust you because of what happened before.”
Honour’s jaw tightened, the muscles bulging at the sides. “I didn’t like them.”
“Again, not optional.” Soulara made a fist and just about struck her hand down onto the table, something her father would do when he was frustrated. When had she become so like him? Her entire life she’d done nothing but try to be the complete opposite and here she was in his throne room planning a war. With a deep sigh, Soulara continued, “I’ll visit with the Talons again. They seemed amenable to working together.”
“They’re tricky.”
“We don’t have another option. Thus far, they’re the only ones to take down a kraken.” Soulara planted both her hands on the table. “I’ll send father to speak with the Kwights.”
“Do you think he’ll go?” Honour seemed genuinely curious.
Soulara lifted one shoulder and dropped it in a half shrug. She honestly had no idea if he would help her with this plan or not, but the Kwights wouldn’t speak to anyone but him and there was enough animosity between them and Reine that it could cause an all-out war right there. Infighting wouldn’t help anything.
“I need him to.” Soulara’s cheeks flushed. This was going to be a huge ask, and she’d have to prove why it was so important. Maybe now he would listen since she’d finally given into her birthright. “I can ask Makryn to speak with the Norah tribe. If I remember correctly, he’s been seeing someone from their court.”
“Your brother is in a relationship?” Honour seemed genuinely surprised by that.
“He says he is.” Soulara pursed her lips. “Those are all the tribes we can reach within two days.”
“I’ll miss the kraken attack if I’m stuck negotiating with the deep sounding tribe. They don’t make decisions quickly.” Honour caught Soulara’s eye. “I’d be far more useful traveling with Makryn to the Norah tribe or with you to the Talons.”
Soulara shook her head. As much as she would like her brother to have supervision, which was what she’d have Honour do if she wasn’t going to the deep soundings, something in her gut told her they had to go to the depths of the ocean in order to survive this war. She couldn’t explain it. But the pull was like her magic, dragging her deep under the water, and everything about that felt right.
“I’d go with you if I could.”
“Princess…” Honour trailed off. “I don’t think it’s wise for me to waste time going there.”
“You’re going. That’s an order.” She seemed to be using that line a whole lot more than usual lately, and she didn’t quite mind it as much as she thought. It was nice not to have to argue and to just get her way.
The feel of the water changed as soon as the king entered his study. Soulara nearly stuttered as her lack of confidence hit her full force. Pregtox raised an eyebrow at her, but she didn’t move out of his space and held her ground.
“Will you speak with the Kwights?” Soulara raised her chin. This ask had to be quick and to the point.
Pregtox sneered. “You know I don’t like them.”
“We need them.”
“For?”
“A coordinated attack.”
He hummed, glancing from Soulara to Honour. “And your general agrees?”
“Yes.” They said at the same time.
Pregtox seemed pleased by that. He turned slowly to face Soulara fully. “Tell me your plan.”
Shit.She’d only just started to come up with this. “There are four tribes we can reach within a few days journey. We’ll convince them all to join us. This isn’t a war just for Reine. We’re all affected by it.”
“Convince them how?” Pregtox flicked another glance to Honour.
“The Kwights want Shankman’s Cliff. Give it. The Talons want tech, I’ll negotiate how much. Makryn can bond to form an alliance with the Norah.” Soulara bit her lip, hoping that would be enough of an explanation.
“And the deep sounding tribe?” He was slow when he spoke, because ultimately they wouldn’t want anything from Reine except to be left alone. No one had had any contact with them in so long they’d nearly forgotten they existed. It wasn’t until Kaelin that memories had come to light. “What will you give them?”
“They don’t want anything,” Honour jumped in. “And they’re pacifists.”
“They weren’t always that way.” Soulara sent Honour a sharp look. She didn’t appreciate being interrupted or having Honour answer for her.
“Go on,” Pregtox stated as he gave Soulara his full attention.
“They fought us. It’s why we left. They fight against change, technology, everything they find unnatural to the world. And they do want something.” Soulara steadied herself, because she had no idea how much her father knew and didn’t know. If her mother had shared, then he would understand immediately. “They want soul stones.”
A deep line formed in the center of Pregtox’s forehead. “Do you have any for trade?”
“I can… try to find some.” It would mean speaking with her mother again, since Milan seemed to have some magic way with finding them. Nylah appeared over Pregtox’s shoulder, staring Soulara down. For the first time since Soulara had been given the soul stone she felt Nylah send her waves of happiness.
Did they want to be reunited with the deep sounding tribe?
“Will you command the army you’re creating?”
“We will work together as tribes who have come together,” Soulara responded, defiantly. She didn’t want to be a general, and she certainly didn’t want to be the leader of a giant army. She had no experience with that. Autumn would be a better choice than her.
Soulara’s heart sank.
Where did Autumn fit in all of this?
They were planning on attacking the very kraken that Autumn was going to be in, which would mean Autumn would likely die. Soulara swallowed the lump in her throat. Perhaps she did need to be in the battle.
“An army without a leader sounds like anarchy.” Pregtox eyed Honour over, the two of them having a silent conversation.
“I’ll figure it out,” Soulara mumbled.
“Fine.”
“Fine what?” Did that mean he agreed?
“I’ll speak with the Kwights. Go ahead with your plan.”
“Really?” Soulara squeaked.
“With a few minor changes. Makryn will not be forced into a bond.” Pregtox gave her a hard look. “I’d never force a child of mine into a bond.”
He’d always said that, but Soulara had always thought somewhere in the back of her mind, that he would easily trade her for some kind of ally. “All right.”
“Honour, on your way,” Pregtox commanded.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Honour bowed slightly before leaving them alone.
Pregtox blew bubbles into the water, and they rose above his head. “Makryn can trade our seaweed stores.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.” Pregtox swallowed. “You’ve been speaking with your mother far more than you let me know.”
“I…” Soulara trailed off, guilt eating away at her insides. “I’ve been visiting mother for many seasons. I wanted to know who she was.”
“I shouldn’t have kept you from her.” Pregtox ran his hand through his hair, tension rippling along his shoulders. Soulara had seen him like this before, but it had been a long time. “I love her still.”
The truth hit Soulara hard. She shook her head, not understanding. If they both still loved each other, why weren’t they together? She’d had to grow up in the shadow of her father with only the essence of her mother as a reminder. She’d had to grow up with Makryn hating her for being the favorite since their father gave her more attention because Milan was gone.
“I don’t understand.” Soulara’s voice cracked on the words. “If you still love her, then why isn’t she here.”
“It’s dangerous to love someone who isn’t of our people. I love Milan, yes, but she couldn’t stay here, Soulara. She tried, and she was miserable.” He ran his fingers through his hair again, tugging hard at the ends. “Your mother is a force to be reckoned with. Stunning and assertive in who she is. Our people are afraid of what she has.”
“You mean magic.”
“Yes and no.” Pregtox wrapped an arm around Soulara’s shoulders and tugged her in for a gentle hug. “Milan knows exactly who she is, and she’s unwilling to bend in that.”
Soulara breathed in Pregtox’s scent, remembering how this always comforted her when she was little and scared.
“You’re so much like her,” he whispered against Soulara’s hair. “But I couldn’t keep her here and keep her unhappy. So I let her go.”
“Because you weren’t compatible.”
“Love doesn’t conquer everything, Soulara. Sometimes even the greatest love has to die in order for each party to survive.”
“Well that’s depressing.” Soulara wrinkled her nose.
“It’s the truth. I think your plan will work, though. If you can get everyone on board with working together.”
“I’m determined.”
“Then I know it’ll work.” He kissed the top of her head. “Go find Honour.”
“Why?” Soulara pinched her face at him, giving him an odd look of confusion.
“Because she’s going to want to argue with you about going. I think you’re right though. They’re not as pacifist as they proclaim to be. No one is. The question is whether or not Honour will be able to convince them of that.”
“I believe in her.”
“Good.” Pregtox moved away from her. “We’ve got some work to do.”
“Yes, Father.” She swam out of the room, her tail heavier than it had been going in. The plans in her head were spinning a million times over, and she knew she was going to have to work quickly and precisely.
But Autumn.
What was she going to do about Autumn?