Chapter Twenty-Six #2
The water parted at our entrance, our boots leaving wet prints behind us in the sand.
I drew my magic upward, feeling its familiar hum beneath my skin.
I used what I had practiced with Gemma in the lagoon, calling forth the power of the surrounding water, envisioning what I needed.
Our bodies submerged as an oxygenated bubble encircled us.
The current swept us outward toward the great trench.
Water muffled sound in our descent. Wonder coursed between us as we glided through the water, passing swarms of glimmering fish.
The water turned darker as we dove deeper and deeper down the slope that would lead us to the trench.
We could see it in the distance—a darkness separate from the rest of the surrounding sea. Our entrance to the Nereid Kingdom.
Wielding my affinity felt like breathing. The air bubbles and the harnessed current didn’t drain me. The easy cycle of release and reabsorption of my magic dissolved any lingering fear. Magic tingled in my veins and flit around my fingertips in silky ribbons.
A small smile formed, and I glanced to the side, accidentally meeting Dom’s eye.
He offered a subtle, lopsided smile of his own, a small dimple shadowing his cheek.
I could have sworn his shadows pulsed, or simply a trick of the undulating water and the rippling light.
His nearness made me feel like I could conquer anything.
In another life, what might we have been?
Ahead in the trench, two men emerged, or rather two fully armored oceanic nymphs. Their tails were weapons themselves, large and powerful. Each man held a glittering trident. I slowed our descent, pushing against the current, until we halted a respectful distance from the warriors.
Dom swam forward, introducing us and explaining our request.
A whirlpool appeared, spiraling next to one of the mermen, growing larger and larger. One of the warriors stood guard, while the other led the way. My heart throbbed hesitantly in my chest as we followed him into the abyss.
The whirlpool sucked us in instantly. My focus clenched as I sought to hold my magic tight over me and my companions.
A scream tore from my mouth, silently disappearing among the frothing waters.
I groped for anyone near me, and as quickly as we were sucked in, the chaos abruptly stopped.
My chest heaved as I searched for Dom, Finn, and Bowen.
Our hands all hovered at the hilt of our weapons in preparation for potential battle.
“A warning would have been nice.” Finn grumbled, his voice only slightly muffled in our underwater environment.
One of the mermen chuckled. “This way,” he commanded.
A brilliant castle, like a great mountain, emerged from the depths of the sea. Underwater vents expelled steam that warmed the water around us, lending a comfortable temperature despite the depths we swam in.
We floated under archways, passing turrets and towers connected by parapets.
The water glittered with the bioluminescent light of deep-sea creatures that flickered in shades of blue, white, and purple.
Collections of worms with brightly illuminated bodies were packed every few feet—living torches along the walls.
I kept careful watch over all of our surroundings. Some merfolk swam around purposefully, others casually strolled, and some outright stopped and stared. Their hair floated around them along with the sheer material that did little to cover their toned bodies.
We were led swiftly through the palace directly toward the great hall, and throne room. I took note of every corridor and door we passed.
Brightly colored coral decorated the palace as both art and hardware. It wound around the doors and archways acting as a twisted, breathing molding. The walls and floors shimmered in opalescent hues as if made from the insides of thousands of oyster shells.
The doors to the throne room swung open and the queen herself rested on her throne, speaking to a guard at her side.
Upon our entrance she straightened, her glowing eyes surged with curiosity.
A sly smile curled her full lips. She wore a sheer, light-blue dress, tight at the bodice and flowing gracefully behind her tail in a translucent train.
Her tail fins swayed languidly in the same motion as her gown.
Her shoulders, arms, and cheeks shimmered with tiny iridescent scales.
The queen’s blue throne twisted upward into a threatening piece of spiked coral.
It mimicked the queen, radiating both beauty and violence.
She gestured with her hand, translucent webbing catching in the light.
“Welcome to Nereid, the oceanic realm of sea nymphs, or as you like to call us, mermaids. Your determination to meet me in my own lands is impressive.” She eyed us all, inclining her head toward Dom, and a curious smirk toward me.
“It has been a long time since another realm has ventured to our own. I assume you will be here a day or two, no? Let us get you settled in your rooms.”
Though we had just arrived, I wasn’t keen on getting comfortable, but we were clearly at the queen’s mercy, and out of respect for the royal before us, we had no choice but to leave her presence and retreat to our assigned rooms.
I struggled to view auras with my magic spread so thin and sea water washing away my summoned tears.
Dom believed this realm would aid the Liberation, yet he had never met them before.
I worried his faith had been ill-placed.
He likely wouldn’t approve of my spying, but surely I could glean some information to increase our chances of assuring a Nereidian alliance.
Shame continued to batter me, an ever-present haunting in my mind.
It stacked its heavy weight on the collection of repellent secrets from my past. If I was caught spying, I wasn’t sure if Dom would understand, or if he would return me to Nolan.
I was willing to take the gamble in my desire to prove my worth.
A mermaid with silvery skin approached, her hands began to glow as magic rippled out.
The queen addressed us, “This is Aydrielle, a lady of my court. She will allow you to move and breathe during your time here without concern for your safety.” Aydrielle’s magic caressed my face.
I gasped with a sharp intake of breath as my nose tingled and my lungs filled with what felt like fresh air.
A glance at Bowen showed gills had formed behind his ears.
“You may drop your own magic, Water Wielder. You and your companions are safe.” I relaxed my hold on the bubble surrounding our group, and immediately my muscles unwound. The dual attention of maintaining enough air to keep us all alive had taken a toll.
“I can show you to your rooms.” Aydrielle’s voice was melodic, her lithe body moving seamlessly out the throne room doors.
We stirred up small bubbles as we moved to catch up with our escort.
We coasted through several hallways with flowing tapestries.
Weapons adorned the walls as well as collections of glowworms that suffused the palace with a surprising amount of light.
We entered a private area with tables and sofas arranged in a semicircle. Several doors surrounded the living area and Aydrielle led us to the first door, which was to be my room.
A bed and simple furnishings created a simple yet cozy setup.
“When we sleep, our breathing stills, and the lack of air creates enough weight to make us sink. There are also kelp cuffs on the bed, should it be used for other activities aside from sleep.” She arched her brow in Dom’s direction, and I tensed at the gesture.
Dom refrained from responding, pretending not to notice her attention.
“Feel free to relax. There are clothes in the closets for you to wear for this evening’s dinner. I will send for someone to escort you from here when dinner is readied. Please, make yourselves at home.” Her hips swayed as she exited. Finn, Dom, and Bowen trailed behind her.
I hoped that we would be in and out of here. Perhaps we would have an audience with the queen this evening. Maybe after dinner.
It wasn’t like we had brought bags of clothes—there was little to unpack.
I explored the monstrous piece of furniture akin to an armoire.
Carvings of ancient sea dragons, sharks, and squid adorned it.
The door clicked open revealing a large assortment of dresses.
They were varying sizes, all of them sheer.
I stared at each swath of fabric, my mouth slightly agape.
I assumed the queen expected me to wear one of these.
The only piece of clothing I wore beneath my tunic and leathers was a silk chemise, and that wouldn’t work beneath any of these gowns.
I did still have the swimming suit from Gemma.
The light color wouldn’t be too contrasting with the sheer dress fabric.
My sigh emitted a barrage of bubbles that tickled up my face.
My attention returned to the kelp cuffs at my bed.
The idea of exactly how to spy on our hosts came to me when I learned of their purpose.
I lay on the bed and secured my arms through the loops of the elongated leaves.
Closing my eyes, I called to the water around me, reaching for it.
I stilled my breath, fully concentrating on my affinity, envisioning my silhouette.
A gentle disconnect from my body caused a ghost of a smile to form on my lips.
When I opened my eyes again, it was not to gaze at the ceiling in my room.
My vision merged with the water around me.
I glanced at my body on the bed, then stared at a mirror on the wall, the outline of my body shimmered and blended with the water.
I had created a projection of myself through the power, and base material, of my affinity. I could spy anywhere.