Chapter 26
Twenty - Six
Bastian
Hydra. The Water Kingdom. Half on an oasis of an island with its glass domed buildings and the other half beneath the sea, hidden from the rest of the world.
I never thought I'd step foot in this part of the world, but desperate times require creative solutions.
Once our ship docks, a Hydran envoy greets and questions our being there.
I don't blame them. Midorians and Hydrans haven't spoken in years, and there certainly hasn't been a Sand land visitor to their shores for longer than that.
I express urgency in an audience with their queen, stating it being a life-or-death issue.
Skeptical, they keep our ship guarded as a messenger takes our request before Queen Astrea.
It's nearly late afternoon by the time the messenger returns with a granted petition to meet with her.
Vesper is beside herself, a caged animal pacing, until we begin our trek through the city to the palace.
The city is filled with rivers and canals and fountains.
Anywhere you look, there's a water source.
It's not surprising, but I'm taken aback by the city's beauty.
Blues, greens, and purples. Glass domes and mosaic tile facades.
Everything here is clean and bright, the sunlight hitting structures just right to create rainbows in the sky.
Compared to the dry and barren sand lands, this is probably as close to heaven as one can find here in our realm.
Not that I'm bound for heaven having made a deal with demons.
We cross a glass bridge and when I stare at the bottom, I make out glimpses of the underwater portion of the kingdom.
It appears similar to the above ground architecture, except it's glowing in the deep sea.
Sea Elves in their water form swim from building to building and if I wasn't on a mission, I would be tempted to stay and watch them.
They're graceful in their movements, and their blue appearance – complete with gills and blue hair – have me hypnotized.
I must have stopped, because Vesper nudges me to keep moving.
Tearing my eyes from what lies beneath the glass bridge, I follow our escort to the palace.
It boasts the largest domes and is the most noticeable structure in the city.
It's on an island inside of a larger island and the only way to gain access to the palace is to cross one of six glass bridges to the grounds.
Heavily guarded with Hydran soldiers armed with spears and gargantuan shields, it would take an army to make a dent into an invasion.
A few guards break rank and join our group, taking up position on the left and right sides of our group and flanking us from behind. As a military man, I appreciate their organization.
Double doors open and we march inside. I double-take.
Once the front doors shut, the inside of the palace resembles the sea – as if we're underwater.
Maybe it's due to some magic or how the light is hitting the structure just right, but I feel as if I'm walking through a water cavern.
I look up at the ceiling and there are fish swimming above us.
"Wow," I mumble under my breath.
"You fancy this?" Vesper sneers.
"I can show appreciation for beauty, can I not?" I hiss.
She shrugs, her judgmental gaze sliding from the floors to the ceilings and landing back on me. "Malvolio is more impressive."
"Your home of fire and brimstone – "
My teasing falls dreadfully short and by her narrowed eyes, she would strike lessers down for speaking ill of her home. "You will see," is all she says and it sends an unwelcome shiver up my spine.
But I don't have time to digest or decipher what she meant by that because we've arrived to the Talay throne room. The glass dome is held up by twelve alabaster columns and is open to permit a cool island breeze through.
It's hard to miss the queen. Her pearl throne on a dais with the sea as her backdrop.
It's impressive, I'll give her that. On her left is her husband, the king consort.
A useless man if you ask me. To her right is her oldest daughter and heir, Jocasta.
She is the miniature version of her mother in both appearance and poise.
Both look as if they've been inconvenienced by our unexpected visit, but their curiosity is far too great to deny.
The escort rattles off the queen's titles and motions for us to bow. When none of us do, the room full of courtiers and soldiers falls dreadfully silent. I've offended the queen, but I'm done bowing and begging. She will see me as her equal or as a threat. Her choice.
After a momentary silence, the queen flips her braids behind her, the breeze causing her dress to flow like water.
"It has been a long time since a Midorian has set foot on our shores, Lord Commander," Astrea Talay coos, her eyes sharp and cunning.
"It's High General now, Your Highness," I correct her, and the tension in the room magnifies ten-fold.
Astrea quirks a curious brow. "A promotion. I had not heard of your father's passing. Our condolences."
My shoulders tense at the mention of my father, but he's gone. He can no longer torment me. I tilt my chin up, squeezing my helmet tucked beneath my arm. "He's not missed."
"You are positively wicked." Astrea laughs, the melodic sound fills the space and spills out through the columns. When her glee trails off, her face hardens. "Tell me, High General, why are you here?"
I take a step toward her throne but halt my approach when two guards clutch their spears tighter in their grasps. "My father cut off our alliances with the other kingdoms, and it is a detriment – "
"I do not care for puffed up pleasantries," she cuts me off, bored already. "Tell me what you want, and I will tell you whether I can provide it or not."
Vesper growls beside me, baring her teeth like fangs. I hold up a fist, silencing her.
"Muzzle your pup or I'll have her put out." Astrea orders, her blue eyes like raging storms threatening to wash us away.
I twist to Vesper, pressing my mouth against her ear and whisper, "Once she no longer serves a purpose, you can have her. Until then, behave."
Vesper flashes a malicious smile the Talay's way, but retreats a step, quietly obeying my voice.
I square my shoulders to Astrea's throne, her arms clutching the armrests so tightly her tattooed fingers turn white at the knuckles.
I'm not sure if us being here is making her uncomfortable or filling her with irrefutable rage, but whether I like it or not, I need her help if I'm to get Shaye back.
I puff out a breath, loosening the tightness in my chest. Public speaking was my father's strength. I much prefer being in the background. But the Hydrans won't be privy to that information. "I believe we can help one another," I finally answer her earlier question.
"Is that so?" Astrea chuckles, disbelief ripe in her tone.
"As ridiculous as it might sound – a Midorian and Hydran joining forces after all this time of estrangement – I assure you, you will want to hear what I have to say."
There's a brief silence as she searches my gaze. She must find whatever she's looking for because she motions for me to speak. "I'm listening."
I exhale a constricting breath. Convincing Astrea to grant me an audience was easier than what I'm about to do.
"By now, I'm sure your eyes and ears around the realm have informed you my fiancé, the princess and heir to the Midorian throne, was kidnapped by the Tronovians." I start just as I practiced on the ship, infusing the charisma Vesper advised me on.
"I heard," she drawls, offering nothing more.
"And – "
"I also heard, she rejected you. Chose a Tronovian." Her smile is nothing short of wicked.
If she's trying to get a rise out of me, it's working. Anger rises from my gut, but I suppress my rage and the image of tearing her smug face from her body and offer a smile of my own. One day, Astrea Talay may reap my wrath, but it's not today.
"She's been through a lot," I offer, my voice low. "She's confused. Brainwashed by our enemies into believing lies."
My pain bores her. "So, you have come here for what exactly?" She runs a long fingernail down her jaw. "You want me to fetch your woman for you?" She cackles, tossing her head back, and everyone in the room laughs along with her.
I sense Vesper's rage and if I don't turn this meeting in my favor, I'm not sure I can hold the Soul Eater back from ripping out Astrea's eyes and feasting on her heart. There are many things Vesper tolerates – not well, mind you – but blatant disrespect is not one.
I toss her a look over my shoulder, mentally ordering her to stand down, before slicing through the laughter. "I would offer an exchange," I say loud enough for the room to fall silent.
The queen swipes a tear from her eye, a smirk playing on her lips. "You do not have anything I want," she wheezes.
"Are you sure about that?" I grin, knowing this is when I will bend her or break her. "I believe you have five daughters. Yet, you cannot account for one's whereabouts. One suspected of murder?"
Her pointed ears perk at that. All elation drains from her face. "You know where Eris is?" She leans forward and I know I've hooked her.
"I can tell you exactly where to find her."
She mulls over my words carefully, not making a sound for several seconds. Her nostrils flare. A decision has been made. Vesper was right. The queen would be willing to negotiate if I mentioned her daughter. I'm fortunate Vesper remembered her. This has been my biggest bargaining chip.
"In exchange for?" Astrea's eyes narrow, her shoulders taut.
"You've been invited to a wedding in Tronovia, correct?"
The queen chuckles, but this time there's no joviality in the sound. She's nervous. I know more than she realizes. "I'm not sure who has better spies, you or me. But yes, I have recently received an invitation to a royal wedding. What of it?"
"I would like for you to attend."
She leans forward. "Why?"