Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
EZRA
Ididn’t take her to the sea. When would I ever keep my promise? It was killing me. But she’d have to wait… just a moment longer.
Because Tavo is back. It felt like the wind had blown down a steady koa tree, one that had just taken root, one that had just grounded and believed nothing could cause it to up heave. And yet… the news came so suddenly and forcefully, I stood there holding my breath, for, what felt like, hours.
“Ezra.” Kalei shook my shoulders. I sucked in air.
This is all too much… He was… dead. And now?
“He’s on his way to the palace now,” my cousin said. "I think people are wondering what's going to happen–word has already spread that he's alive. People at the ports are celebrating.”
Celebrating? Had they celebrated when I came back from being a frog?
Ezra, we should go. Aulani touched my arm and I met her eyes, this woman who I wanted to marry–and who wanted to marry me. Yes. She was beside me. I’ll be with you, she said, and my heart stilled. Only for a moment.
We went to the throne room, where I paced, waiting. Aulani, Ho‘ohuli, my other closest counselors, and Kalei stood off to the side, along with my guards. Cressida was being escorted back to the palace, and Tavo would be here any minute.
“Why would he bring an army?” I asked aloud, fists clenched. I wanted to welcome back my brother, I really did. But all of this seemed… off. He was dead. Dead, with a capital D. His men brought back his leiomano and said he died in foreign lands, coming face to face in a duel with a white man.
“How did he survive?” I hated it appeared I was angry about this. There was no anger in me though, just confusion. I was glad my brother was alive, yet, at the same time, incredibly worried.
I was just crowned… And he comes home, right after that happened? Was he hoping to take the throne? Come back and claim what was supposed to be his? Would there be a power struggle?
Just as I could wait no longer, the throne doors opened and in strode a man worn by the sea.
Tavo was always bigger and bulkier than me, but he was just as tall. With his wavy dark black hair pulled back into a bun, he looked as robust as ever.
“Little brother!” he exclaimed and rushed to me. I hugged my brother, still confused.
“You’re alive,” was all I said, then relief flooded me at the truth of that statement. I relaxed a little. “You’re alive, Tavo.” He held my shoulders as we pulled apart.
“What happened?” I asked, amazed. Tavo and I didn’t exactly look like brothers. He had dark brown skin like the natives, and his eyes were the color of dark eucalyptus. He looked every bit like the king of Kaiora, a full-blooded native…
“I survived,” Tavo said, his voice rough yet assertive.
“How? They said you died in a duel. They brought back your leiomano.”
“My men turned against me.”
I gaped. “The soldiers who brought back your weapon? They said nothing of a mutiny…”
Tavo’s eyes narrowed at the word “mutiny.”
“It wasn’t a mutiny.” His tone had an edge to it.
I stiffened. “Then why would they turn on you?”
He walked up to the throne–my throne–and sat on it lazily, swinging his bulky legs over the armrest and putting his hands behind his head, as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Tavo…” I didn’t want to get impatient, but it was apparent: he was hiding something. His men–our people and guards who were loyal to us–wouldn’t just turn on him.
There had to be a reason.
And, now that I thought of it, the men who returned Tavo’s weapon retired and disappeared. They told us that he died in foreign lands but never provided enough details. Only, "He was shot."
"I felt burdened," Tavo said, staring at the ceiling. “Perhaps my stress caused my men to betray me. We were in foreign lands. They took me to a gang who shot me. They thought they killed me, but I healed and waited until I could return home.”
I should have sympathized with him. While he was struggling for his life in a land far from ours, I was struggling for my life as a frog.
And now we were both back.
He smiled, and in that smile, my stomach twisted. “In my journey to return home, I realized what an honor I was given,” said my brother. “I’m back.”
“Ezra Keoki is the king of Kaiora,” Ho‘ohuli said, stepping in. “We welcome you, Tavo, but your brother has already been crowned.”
Tavo tipped his chin to me. “Of course.” His tone was bitter. “I do command armies, and I have befriended many foreign powers who have their eyes on our beloved kingdom.”
Our beloved kingdom? Was he… threatening me?
“How did you get an army?” I asked, and Tavo sat up… finally. He was rather embarrassing us both by laying like a beached whale on the throne. I was glad I didn’t have to scold him in front of everyone. This was awkward enough as it was.
“I used my influence. Convinced and persuaded people to follow me.” He grinned at me. “We can make Kaiora the most powerful kingdom in the world, Ezra.”
Someone shifted uncomfortably and that’s when Tavo’s attention turned. He noticed our cousin, Kalei, next to Ho‘ohuli and they kissed one another’s cheeks.
“Welcome back,” she said quietly, then added, “It’s like we’re seeing a ghost, Tavo…”
“Don’t worry Kalei.” He waved his hand at her. “I'm as real as ever.” His eyes then latched onto Aulani, standing there, observing him. She didn’t flinch under his gaze, but held it.
“Who’s this pretty little lady?” He approached her and that’s when I stepped in.
“She’s mine, Tavo.”
“Ah.” He recoiled quickly, nostrils slightly flared.
I don’t trust him. Aulani’s voice said to me and I couldn’t agree more. I’d never been close to my brother, with the biggest reason being our blood. He saw me as inferior for my half-blooded heritage.
And now he’s the one gallivanting with the foreigners…
My brother turned his attention back to me. “I am willing to discuss politics, Ezra. And to discuss the matter of the throne.”
So he does want the throne back.
I swallowed hard. “We can discuss things tomorrow,” I said. “It’s late and a lot has happened today.”
“Of course, your majesty.” He was mocking me. I could see it in his eyes.
Ho‘ohuli then stepped in, telling Tavo where he could stay in the palace. My nobles and counselors looked from me to Tavo, and that’s when I felt it. A shift. They were deciding which leader they saw more suitable for the throne, and at least half of them probably thought it was him.
Your people believe in you. Aulani’s voice sounded, as if she could read my thoughts.
You don’t understand, Aulani. He was raised to be king his whole life. These people have looked to him as the sovereign ruler. I’ve never been enough.
Her eyebrows furrowed. You are enough, Ezra. You are the greatest king this people has ever seen.
I blocked my wary thoughts from her.
No. I was not a good enough king, especially not without her. She would be the answer to saving our island, and, though I had proposed to her and made it clear that I wanted to be with her, that was another reason I wanted–no, needed–her to stay.
I should tell her. But would she feel like I was using her?
Everything felt so fragile in that moment, I wished I could be in my garden again… away from everyone and everything.
Cressida stepped into the room, and when she saw Tavo, her entire expression changed. It was strange to see…
Perhaps she really did love him.
“You’re alive!” She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.
They were a strong contrast: her white, pale skin and pastel colored dress against his dark brown skin and black sailing suit.
Much to my relief, they didn’t kiss in front of everyone.
I’d seen them kiss before, and relief filled me that I wouldn’t have to witness that again. “I thought you were gone.”
Tavo held her, but I saw a flash of doubt in his eyes, as if he weren’t sure he really wanted to hold her.
“I missed you so much,” she breathed, and an audible “aww” quietly passed through the room.
I think she’s lying. Aulani’s voice cut straight to my mind and, in the midst of the tension, thick as poi before adding water, I had to hold back a laugh.
She must’ve caught onto the fact it was funny, because she added, I’d rather face a sea serpent in a hurricane than have to endure watching this.
I quickly stood a little straighter, grateful for Aulani’s distraction. As long as I had her intrusive thoughts, I told myself I’d be fine.
I announced a welcome home banquet the following day, so the palace was busy with preparations for that, and I had meetings to attend. Cressida was going to be brought in for questioning, and Tavo wanted to attend my political meetings.
But I denied him entrance.
I had to speak with my counselors and advisors alone. Partway through the day, I invited him in, and what he wanted to do blew me away.
He wanted to bring in foreigners to cultivate the land, raise more plantations and crops, and completely change our government to mirror that of others’ structures.
There were some aspects of it I liked, but others?
Well… it just felt like he was abandoning our ways, and trying to control the land.
There was no sense of respect for the ‘aina, no acknowledgement or even desire to preserve it, protect it, and cultivate it for generations to come.
He was like the businessmen who came to our islands, who only had gold in their eyes. Essentially, he wanted to turn our kingdom into a factory that then pumped out sugarcane, pineapple, and other exotic fruits and goods to ship off to other lands.
I was all about trade, but only at a wise and steady pace, one that respected our land and people.
“We’re going to allow foreigners in at our pace,” I finally said, cutting Tavo off. Half of the room was listening with interest, while the other half looked relieved at my interruption. "I dismiss you, Tavo.”
He slammed his fist on the table. “Stop wasting time, Ezra! If you cared about our people and our island, you would bring in the snakes to get rid of the frogs, build up plantations, modernize with the times, and trade with foreign markets!”
Silence. I took a slow, quiet breath and looked around. “I think we’ve been in meetings long enough today. The meeting is adjourned till tomorrow.”
With that, I stood and approached my brother. His jaw clenched. “Listen to me, Ezra,” he said so only I could hear. “You may have had the luck of being given the throne, but it belongs to me. I know how to rule this people. You never learned. Father wanted me to rule.”
“Did you visit father’s grave?” I asked. After father’s death became known, people erected a memorial. I’d visited it several times since coming back from my frog form.
Tavo let out a breath.
Of course he hadn’t visited father’s grave.
Our conversation today was done. He shook his head and strode out.
I unfastened the clasp at my throat and let the yellow and red feathered cloak fall. It was too hot for this time of year, and felt much too heavy. Everything felt heavy.
They’re siding with him. I could see it in the eyes of my counselors and advisors. Tavo spoke of alliances like trade and people like numbers. I hated how diplomacy tasted like swallowing sea salt.
The wind was cooler here beneath the kukui tree. Its leaves rustled softly, silver undersides flashing in the island breeze. My grandfather planted it, and I used to sit beneath it as a boy, believing if I sat still long enough, it would whisper my grandfather’s wisdom to me.
But there was nothing. Not today. Not ever, really.
Grandfather probably liked Tavo better.
Your majesty. A sing-songy, bright voice came from behind the low garden wall. You’re going to wrinkle your face if you keep frowning like that. Is that how kings get old so fast?
I didn’t turn. No. We earn them from kissing mermaids.
She hopped over the wall–graceful as ever, barefoot and wild-haired–and plopped beside me like we were children. I didn’t stop her. I never did.
You were more hop-ful when you were a frog, she teased.
I was quieter then.
You still are.
I gave her a sideways glance. The funny thing is, I had a longer tongue.
She burst into laughter: loud, bright, and echoing off the walls in my mind. I let myself smile… just a little. She nudged my shoulder with hers. What’s weighing you down, frog prince?
I sighed and looked out towards the lush mountains, which leveled out until they met the sea in the far distance. “Foreign kings trying to buy my people’s loyalty like it’s fruit at a market. They offer wealth, weapons, women…” I shook my head. “All to ‘help’ us, bribe us while cutting our roots.”
Oh you mean Tavo.
I sighed and nodded. The fact that he offered people as a form of trade made me sick to my stomach. He spoke of paper brides and indentured servants, even slaves. I could never do that… not to my people. Not to anyone.
You’re not just their king, you know, she said softly, her gaze tracking the wind-blown ti leaves. You’re the protector of this island and every life within it.
I looked at her then. Really looked at her. Her hair smelled like hibiscus and sea salt, and she had a smear of dirt on her cheek, like she’d been exploring again. Pili, that ridiculous songbird, circled above us and then landed on her shoulder. He watched me with tilted eyes.
And you, I said dryly, are the mermaid who talks to birds and stole my heart.
She grinned. You stole mine first, frog boy.
We sat in silence for a while, then I whispered to myself, “My kuleana feels heavier every day.”
Aulani reached over without ceremony and took my hand, calloused from planting and pen alike. Then let me carry some of it. Just for a while. I’ve got strong arms. She squeezed my hand. Mermaid arms.
I blinked down at our hands and interlaced our fingers, watching as the shimmer of sunlight danced across our skin.
That’s not how mermaids work. I thought they were all dainty and put together.
You’ve clearly never met one like me.
This time, I laughed.