Chapter 33 Luka
LUKA
A wild grin spread across Lennox’s face as we fell toward the sea. Adrenaline rushed through my system as we fell, pulling my magic to the surface, my limbs tingling.
The water crashed around us as we broke the surface, my hand ripping from Lennox’s at the impact.
I closed my eyes and mouth on instinct, but the bulb of air surrounding my head kept the water from touching the skin on my face. I breathed in a small breath, testing the bubble. I trusted my magic, but still, I was surprised as my lungs filled with air.
I searched for Lennox under the sea, finding her swimming toward me. Once she caught my gaze, she gestured below, where Nico and the Aquatic Kings convened on a large rock cliff.
“You remember we can talk,” I told her as I swam behind her.
“I do now.” She shook her head, her hair fanning around her in the bubble. “So strange.”
We joined the males on the cliff, watching as the rest of our group broke through the surface. Once we were all on the cliff, the Aquatic kings directed us to follow closely as they led us deeper into the sea.
The pressure on my chest tightened with every foot deeper we swam. The further we descended, the darker it became. I couldn’t make out any fish or sea creatures, my eyes only seeing Lennox, who swam directly in front of me. Her long legs kicking out behind her.
We continued to swim until we reached a stone wall, the darkness split as Ceto pressed through a curtain of seaweed.
I couldn’t stop my mouth from falling open at the sight of the underwater court.
Somehow, a fully functioning city existed beneath the surface of the sea.
A glistening glass building sat in the center, atop a large cliff.
Homes were formed on the side of the cliff, the entrances covered with seaweed in various shades of green.
Aquatic flowers bloomed in bright pinks, oranges, and yellows throughout the city, their colors reflecting across the surface of the glass palace.
Sea creatures of all kinds swam around, unbothered by our arrival as they bustled around the city. Some carrying baskets, others with younglings trailing behind them or bundled in their arms.
“Whoa,” Nico breathed from beside me.
“Yeah, whoa,” Kara echoed.
“Welcome to Thalassa,” Alon announced.
Ceto and Alon led us through the city, bringing us to the large golden doors of Thalassa main dwelling. We swam through the doors, the guards greeting us before leading us to meet the female who commanded the Aquatic Court army.
The staff led us into another chamber, this one resembling a form of underwater oasis.
Two large structures that resembled thrones sat in the center, fashioned out of shells of different sizes and shapes.
The floor was made of rocks, the terrain uneven as if we were in the sea itself.
Behind the shell chairs was a large circular window, giving a perfect view of the underwater city beyond.
Aquatic flowers wove throughout the space, brightening the dark walls of the cavern.
Sitting upon the shells thrones were the two sisters, Yemaya and Sidna, Alon had told us about the pair. Yemaya commanded the army, her sister was her second in command.
“Welcome, High King and Queen. I am Yemaya.” The orange-haired sister swam toward us, her hair flowing behind her as she flapped an aquamarine tail behind her.
A mermaid. She was a fucking mermaid. Her hair was long, falling down her chest, past the metal cups formed over her breasts.
“We are honored to have you in our city.”
“Thank you for having us.” Lennox stopped at my side. “Your city is beautiful.”
Yemaya smiled softly, dipping her chin. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” She looked behind her at her sister, who had yet to move from her perch.
The dark-haired female sat watching us, her chin propped in her hand, her dark hair swirling around her, the bright, violet ends a stark contrast to her otherwise dark appearance.
Yemaya made a sound in the back of her throat. The dark-haired mermaid, Sidna, rolled her violet eyes, the same color as the tips of her hair and the color that accented her scaled tale.
“I’m Sidna.” The dark sister’s voice was smooth and sultry, drawing my attention to her as she swam toward us, her body sensual as her tail flapped.
“Welcome to Thalassa.”
“Please sit.” Yemaya gestured to the rocks beneath us.
“How?” Nol pulled the question from my own head.
Yamaya giggled. “It will take some effort and getting used to, but once you find a sitting position, you should settle and the water will not float you away.
My hands gripped the edge of the stone; it was rough against my pruning fingers.
I used the stone as leverage as I swung my legs around so they were underneath me, lowering myself onto the stone.
Slowly, I let go of the rock, and my ass lifted slightly.
I reached for the rock again, but my body didn’t drift any further, it stayed where it was, floating an inch above the cliff.
Lennox let out a slight giggle as she watched me, having found herself perched easily on the rock. “How’d you do that?”
I teetered in the water, my body uneasy in these conditions.
“Relax.”
As I continued to try and sit myself upright, Ceto and Alon introduced us and explained why we were here before directing the conversation to Lennox and me.
I let Lennox take the lead, she explained the important details of the events of the past months and what we were asking of them, what our final outcome was.
Yamaya listened intently, her orange hair bobbing around her each time she nodded.
She asked questions and offered sympathy.
Meanwhile, Sidna remained silent. Her violet eyes mesmerizing as she surveyed us all carefully.
I watched the dark sister carefully, not able to tear my gaze from hers for long before I found myself watching her again.
“I can take you to meet the army now if you’d like,” Yamaya said.
“We’d like that,” I said, giving Lennox’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Alon and I are going to go back ashore, we’ll come back in a bit to come get you all, but we’ve got things to attend to. Does anyone want to come back up with us?”
Zienna raised her hand; I noticed there was a waxen shade to her face. “Me. I want to go back up. I don’t think the sea is agreeing with me.”
“Don’t you dare puke on me.” Luce backed away from the wolf.
“Okay, Zienna, we’ll take you back up.”
“I’ll come too,” Kara piped up. “Someone needs to take care of her.” She threw a wayward glace toward Nico who only avoided her gaze.
“I—” Zienna opened her mouth and shut it, pressing her arms further into her stomach. “I don’t even have it in me to argue. That would be great, thank you.”
Kara fell into step at Zienna’s side, following Ceto and Alon out of the chamber.
“The rest of you can follow me.” Yemaya’s tail flapped behind her as she made her way toward the door we had entered through.