Chapter 32 Lennox
LENNOX
“You made it!” Ceto burst onto the patio, his dark braids swinging behind him. “We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
Alon followed in quietly behind his partner, his onyx hair pushed back from his face. “Thank you for having us on such short notice.” I embraced the Ceto, his large body encasing mine.
“We’re glad to host you.” He released me and moved to hug Luka.
“Your Majesty.” Alon held out a hand.
“Please, call me Lennox, I think we’re past the point of pleasantries. You helped us kill a bunch of ravaged beasts at our wedding.”
Alon smiled softly. “If you say so, Lennox.”
I watched on as the kings greeted the rest of the group, stopping when they made it to my brother. “My brother, Nol.” I told Alon as he shook Nol’s hand. “He was—”
“We heard,” Alon finished for me, his eyes raking over Nol, like he thought he was nothing but a figment of imagination. “We’re glad for your return to your family.”
“Thank you,” Nol said quietly. “I’m happy to have been reunited with my family, with my sisters.”
“We were relieved to hear you had returned home safely too.” Ceto turned his attention back to me.
“Thank you for trying to help Luka get me back”—I wove my fingers through my mates, giving his hand a squeeze—“and for offering him your assistance.”
Ceto waved a dark hand. “You owe us nothing, you are our High Queen, our friends.” He looked down at the ground. “We wish we could have done more.”
A beat of silence passed between us all, Alon being the one to finally break it. “We’ve set up lunch by the sea, will you join us?”
“Of course.” Luka put a hand on my back as Ceto and Alon led us further onto the patio.
The Aquatic King’s palace sat on the edge of the island, at the border of the capital city of Salacia.
It was a sprawling palace, made mostly of glass that reflected the colors of the sea and sunlight.
The patio wrapped around the palace, the structure was made of crushed shells, making it appear as if you were walking on the beach.
The kings led us to a large circular table filled with various plates of food.
We sat and wasted no time filling our plates with varieties of fish, fruit, and salads as the staff filled our glasses with a fruity wine.
Back home, the ground was still covered in snow, spring was still a while off, but here in Salacia, where the weather was always warmer, it felt like mid-summer. There was a slight chill from the breeze coming off the sea, but it felt nice as the sun warmed my face.
I could get used to this weather year-round.
“So”—Alon set his fork down on his plate—“you’re here to discuss strategy.”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “You’re already aware of the situation we’re in, we were hoping you two could offer an alternative perspective—help us see anything we might be missing.”
“From what I understand, you are doing everything we would do in this situation,” Alon said, leaning forward and bracing his elbows on the table.
I felt some of the tension leaving my body at his confirmation that I wasn’t completely off base with how I was leading my people in this situation.
“Just like you, we don’t want war, I don’t think anyone ever does, but we know sometimes that’s the only option,” Ceto continued.
“If it does come down to war, Ceto and I are happy to offer the support of our army we have gathered in our court.”
“Thank you,” Luka said. “But there is one more thing you need to know before we seal any sort of agreement,” Luka added. “Sensitive information we don’t want to reveal to everyone yet.”
Concern flickered across the kings faces. “Go on,” Alon encouraged.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the Blood King’s death?” I asked carefully.
Sadness flitted across both of their faces as they avoided Luka’s gaze. “Yes, we were sorry to hear of the late king’s passing, our deepest condolences to you both,” Alon said.
“Thank you,” Luka responded, “But there is more.”
“King Arlo didn’t die in his sleep, he was murdered.” The kings leaned forward in unison. “His head was sent to the Star Court palace in a box.”
“By who?” Ceto’s voice was almost a whisper.
“My uncle, Lorenzo.”
“And Adreona, the head of the Panateia,” I finished. “They’re working together, Lorenzo has claimed the Blood Crown and named Adreona as his consort.”
Ceto swore while Alon stared at us, his gaze unwavering. “So war might be closer than we anticipated.”
I nodded solemnly.
“We’ll take you down to Thalassa tomorrow if you can stay until then and introduce you to our army. I’d like for you to address them before we start preparing them for battle,” Alon declared.
“Thalassa, as in the underwater city Thalassa?” Kara breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.
“Yes, the underwater city,” Alon confirmed.
We’d heard stories of the underwater city, the place where many water-shifting fae decided to live beneath the sea. Kara had been obsessed with it since she was a child.
“I’ll send a message down once we’re done here, alerting them to our visit. We can go right away in the morning.”
I jumped at the sound of Nico clapping his hands excitedly. “I can’t believe we get to go to the underwater court!”
Kara squealed, “Do you think we’ll see a mermaid?”
“Fucking children,” Luce mumbled.
We all stood at the edge of the cliff where the railing surrounding the balcony stopped, allowing anyone to free-fall into the sea if they made one wrong step.
We were all dressed in the clothes Alon and Ceto had sent to our rooms this morning, similar to my leathers, but lighter, molding to our bodies with straps crisscrossing over the thighs where I could strap my weapons.
The suit had a zipper that ran from below my belly button to my neck.
I left mine unzipped slightly at the top, the fabric far more restricting than I liked when zipped fully.
The kings claimed the suits were made of water-resistant material that wouldn’t weigh us down underwater.
“Remember, stay with us, don’t wander off by yourselves down there, it’s easy to get lost,” Alon continued with his instructions.
“And not all creatures are friendly.” Ceto’s braids were tied back in a large bun at the nape of his neck, he and Alon both wore the same light blue suits as the rest of us, with the Aquatic Court seal on the chest, a golden wave with a trident through it.
We all nodded. “Alright.” Alon dipped his chin. “If you’re ready, shields up.” Those of us with air used our magic to create a sphere of air around our heads that would allow us to breathe and talk underwater. Luce created a shield around Nico since he was the only one of us without air magic.
Without sparing a glance back at us, Ceto and Alon catapulted off the balcony, hand in hand. Ceto hollering as he dived off the cliff into the sea.
“We’re supposed to do that?” Luciana screeched.
Nico slung an arm around her. “Scared, Lucy?”
“N-No,” she stammered as she brushed out of his hold.
I smothered a laugh with my hand. I knew Luce was terrified of heights, but she was never one to broadcast her fears.
“See you down there.” Nico winked at her over his shoulder before jumping into the sea, holding his knees to his chest as his howl ripped through the wind.
Luka took my hand in his. “What do you say, Sweetheart, you ready for an adventure?”
“Always.” I kissed him briefly, unable to hide my smile with the thrill racing through my veins.
Hand in hand we ran toward the ledge.