Chapter 34 Lennox
LENNOX
Yemaya led our group through the city, practically playing the role of a tour guide as she pointed out different structures in the underwater city as we made our way to meet Thalassa’s army.
Once we made it to the clearing where the group trained, Yemaya called them to attention, she spoke only briefly before giving the floor to me and Luka. Between the two of us and Declan, we explained our mission. What we were asking from them.
After we finished addressing the whole group, we broke off into pairs, making rounds and talking to the people. They asked questions and we answered them to the best of our ability.
Many were eager to help us, others shared their worries, their concerns, their fear of leaving the water. We reassured them no penalty would come against them for staying back.
All in all, it was a successful outing. I enjoyed getting to explore the city, the little bit of it we did see. And I delighted in the creatures that allowed for us to see them in their shifted forms, learning about a multitude of water creatures I had never heard of before.
As we swam back to the palace, I felt a sense of peace. This—this is what being queen was supposed to be like. Talking with my people—taking the time to get to know them. To learn about their cultures. Traveling around the courts and making connections.
If we made it out of this, I promised I’d do this more often—that Luka and I would travel—that we’d get to see our people. I’d find joy in this title I was never supposed to have. Although maybe when it was all said and done, I wouldn’t have this title anymore.
The crown was supposed to be Nol’s after all. I knew he wasn’t in a place to take it on now—he still had a long road to recovery after his capture—but someday, he’d take back his crown and I’d no longer be High Queen.
“What are you thinking about?” Luka interrupted my thoughts.
We had fallen to the back of the group, letting the rest swim ahead.
“I was thinking about what a future might look like when all of this is settled.”
“Hmmm,” He murmured. “I’d like to think we’d take a vacation, get away from everyone for a while. Have you all to myself for two weeks. Fuck, an entire month. Nothing but me and you.”
My body warmed. “I think I’d like that.”
The corner of his mouth pulled upward. “Really?”
“Really.” I grabbed his hand, pulling him toward me as we rotated in the water. “I think we’ve earned it, some time to be happy.” I looped my arms around his neck.
He kissed me softly before resting his forehead against mine as our air bubbles combined into one. “I’ll spend the rest of eternity ensuring we make up for all the happiness you’ve missed out on and then some.”
“You already have,” I told him before sealing my lips over his. One of his hands shifted from my hip to the small of my back, pressing me tighter against him.
“I love you,” he breathed into my lips.
“Until the stars turn to dust, Luka Rossi.”
“Until the stars turn to dust, Lennox Adair.”
Luka and I caught back up to the group, finding Yemaya and Luce waiting outside the palace doors, the rest of our friends nowhere to be seen.
“Sorry,” I said, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.
The mermaid smiled softly. “It’s a joy to see you flourishing after hearing everything you have suffered, Your Majesty.”
“A joy they’re horny all the time?” Luce scoffed.
“Where did the rest of the group end up?” I asked, ignoring my cousin.
“My sister led them back inside. I am going to bring Luciana to meet a few of the witches we have in residence in Thalassa. We will catch back up with you shortly and then we will bring you back to the surface.”
Luka and I nodded in unison.
“Do you know your way back to the antechamber?”
Luka swung his arm over my shoulders, “I think we can figure it out. Thank you, Yemaya.”
“The pleasure is mine, Your Majesties.” With the flick of her tail, she and Luce were gone, leaving nothing but a trail of bubbles behind her.
We took our time making it to the antechamber; when we arrived Sidna still sat on her shell chair, the rest of our group staring at her with apprehension.
“You made it.” The sister’s violet eyes narrowed in on Luka and I before glancing behind us. “What happened to my sister?”
“She went to go check on something. She’ll be back soon.”
“Perfect. My sister is such a bore.”
“I thought she was nice, very hospitable,” Nico countered.
“Exactly. Boring,” Sidna drawled.
“So, Sidna.” Nico clapped his hands on his thighs. “Tell us about yourself.”
The mermaids violet eyes slid to Nico. “What do you want to know?” Her voice was thick and syrupy, forcing my attention to stay on her.
“Umm.” Nico looked around at the rest of us for help, but I only shrugged. I didn’t feel the need to participate in small talk with the sister. If he wanted to, he was on his own.
“What do you like to do for fun?” he said finally.
Sidna pinned him with a stare. “I like to devour males.” Her lips curved in a seductive smile. “One’s just like you.” She curled a finger toward him.
Nico’s body seemed drawn to her.
Sidna hummed as Nico floated toward her. He knelt at her side, his knees floating above the stone at the base of her shell throne. She pursed her lips, running a pale hand through his silver locks.
Sidna’s humming amplified. Her voice vibrated through the chamber as her lips dusted over Nico’s jaw as he bowed to her touch, his cheek nestling into her palm.
Nol threw me a wry look as Sidna’s hands roamed over Nico’s body.
As much as I didn’t want to see what was going to happen between the two of them, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My gaze stuck on the pair.
Sidna’s humming stopped and she started singing in full.
She had the most beautiful voice I had ever heard.
She was beautiful. So beautiful, I thought, as I floated across the room to her. My body felt light, I wasn’t swimming. I felt like I was floating now. Floating across the space to the stunning mermaid on the shell throne.
“Come my darlings,” she purred before falling back into song. “I have great plans for you.”
My head throbbed. The once light floating feeling coursing through my body was long gone, replaced by a steady throbbing behind my skull.
I opened my eyes, blinking as I adjusted to the blackness surrounding me. I couldn’t see anything. Nothing to give away where I was.
What the fuck had happened? I pulled for the memories but was met with a thick fog. We were in the antechamber with Sidna. She was singing…but that was the last I remembered.
I moved to sit up but was stopped as my head hit a roof.
I rubbed my hand over the sore spot on my head, reaching with my other hand to feel above me. My hand met smooth, cool metal.
My hands continued to explore. I shifted onto my knees, feeling out with my hands. I bumped into another wall. I felt my way up, my hands wrapping around two small posts, the metal cool against my palms. My stomach dropped.
I moved my hand over, my palm closing around another narrow pole.
I swallowed a scream as I felt around me.
A cage. I was in a fucking cage.
How?
How had I ended up a captive again? Adreona, was she here? Had she somehow found me again?
My heart ricocheted against my chest as fear climbed up my throat.
No, not again.
I put a hand to my chest, trying to still my growing panic as I tried to recall anything about how I ended up here.
Sidna singing, her hands on Nico—and then nothing. Fuck.
“Luka?” I said, my voice hoarse. “Nico? Nol?” Worry clawed at my throat for my brother—he had escaped captivity too, only to be locked in another cage.
“He’s not awake yet.” Sidna’s violet eyes blinked back at me in the darkness. A moment of relief washed over me, I wasn’t in Adreona’s clutches.
“It appears my magic had less of an effect on you.” She crouched in front of my cage. “Interesting.”
“I’ll slit your fucking throat,” I snarled.
Sidna only laughed. “I’d like to see you try.”
Her nails rapped against each of the bars of my cage as she moved. There was the sound of metal creaking as Sidna disappeared from my view.
“Come on then.” A ball of flames appeared at her fingertips, revealing the open door to my cage.
I leapt for her. My hands closed around her ankles.
She tumbled to the ground, her ball of flames falling wayside.
She cursed, trying to right herself, but I held strong.
I laid myself across her body, keeping her pinned to the cold stone ground.
Her nails clawed at my arms, drawing blood.
I felt it trickling down my forearms as I tried to pin her arms to her sides with my knees as I searched my body for weapons.
The dumb bitch didn’t take them off me when she rendered me unconscious. A cool hint of excitement zinged through my body as my hand wrapped around my blade.
Sidna settled underneath me, her body going limp before she opened her mouth and started singing.
It was a beautiful song, I felt it all the way down to my bones. It consumed me and made my limbs feel like warm honey dripping off a spoon. My hand slacked around the blade in my hand. It fell to the ground with a clang.
“Get off me,” Sidna crooned before resuming her song. I obeyed her direction, standing beside her, my arms limp at my sides.
Sidna’s song continued to pour from her lips. “Good girl.” She patted my cheek, her beautiful violet eyes gleaming. “Now, take your little blade.” She closed her hand around mine and brought the glimmering steel between us. “And go embed it in your mate’s side.”
I nodded, Sidna’s words flowing through me as her melody continued. I had to stab Luka. My hand tensed around the blade. I needed to stab Luka.
“He’s in the cage over there.” Sidna nodded her head behind her. “I’ll get him out for you. You wait here.” My feet remained frozen as I listened to Sidna’s footsteps on the cement and the sound of metal creaking and something being dragged across the floor.