Chapter 82
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO
Reiya, Xander, Brody, and Chelsie walked the well-lit path toward the Coral Palace.
Chelsie had shifted into a kelpie to transport everyone to the underwater palace.
In the distance, they could see familiar-looking guards just outside the entrance.
They had the upper body of a human and a deep forest-green tailfin, with golden helmets worn over their blocky heads.
They gripped silver tridents with their webbed fingers.
These were the merrow guards. They had seen them before … a long time ago.
“I swear they look like the same guards we saw last time.” Xander chuckled under his breath.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this place.” Brody shrugged a bit and looked at Chelsie. “I mean, I sort of died here.”
“You’re alive because of here,” Reiya reminded him with a soft smile.
“We’re getting too old for these types of adventures. Let’s retire.” Brody grinned and wrapped his arm around Chelsie.
“We can’t go anywhere. We’re going to be grandparents!” Chelsie leaned into Brody’s side as Xander chuckled.
“Grandpa Brody.” Xander turned and grinned at his friend. “Can you believe it? When we first came here, Chelsie was pregnant. This time, you’re expecting your first grandchild. Thank goodness we aren’t humans, or we would have to feel old.”
“Things have changed so much since then.” Reiya reflected on the past and smiled. So much time has passed, but standing here again, it didn’t seem like that long ago. She looked up as they finally stood in front of the guards.
“I am the Queen of the Fairies who has yet to reign. I’m here to seek an audience with your queen, Olga.”
“Proceed, your majesty.” The merrow guards parted before them, their heads bowed.
Reiya looked at the familiar white, spongy-textured walls as they walked into the building. Even the floor was the same white tile. It felt so nostalgic walking through the palace again.
They reached a set of familiar bronze doors that two guards opened for them.
Reiya looked ahead at the woman sitting on a stone throne.
Her deep sea-blue hair curled around her body, just like the first time she saw the merrow queen.
Her green eyes fixed on Reiya as she moved her light green fin.
Her top half was covered by a gold-plated chest armor. She looked the same. Exactly the same.
“Welcome, your majesty. It’s been a long time.” Olga smiled, baring her white, pointed teeth.
“Yes, it has. Once again, I’m here because I need your help.”
Olga nodded slightly, her lips curled upward. “I figured as much. Well, Reiya, what is it that you need?” Olga looked down at her pointed nails as she waited to hear what was being asked of her.
“We’ve been dealing with nembrant glass, and it seems there is something that was created by merrow magic that can prevent the glass—” Reiya didn’t get to finish as Olga was already nodding her head.
“Yes, yes, yes. I know exactly what you’re talking about.
” Olga pursed her lips as she stared at Reiya.
She frowned slightly and nodded her head.
“I actually already know about it. About everything.” Licking her lips nervously, she took a deep breath.
“There is a price for what you ask. You know this is how my magic works. I saved your guardian by taking the hellhound’s life.
My magic is made with deals and compromises.
This is what makes it strong. The nullifying scale is no different.
It was created the first time by a nycrops who wanted something in return.
And once again … it will be done by a nycrops who wants something in return. I’m sorry. But she is already here—”
“Yes, that’s right. I’ve been waiting for you.” A woman with gray, straggly hair walked out into view. Her dull, lifeless skin sagged from her body. She raised her gaze to reveal solid black eyes. “I am Meryl. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”
Reiya gasped as Xander pulled her back and Brody stepped forward. “What the hell is all of this?!” Brody growled out.
“Easy there.” Meryl cackled. “I’m afraid you need me.
The only one who can protect against the nembrant glass is the one who created it.
And fortunately for you, I didn’t create it because I wanted to.
I needed something. Because of that, I am willing to help you for a price.
The merrow queen here is the catalyst. She can take my power that I trade and create a scale that prevents the glass from working.
But this has to be a trade. And it’s something I am willing to trade for one thing only.
” Meryl tilted her head to the side. “That is, if the fairy queen isn’t too afraid to speak to me. ”
Reiya clicked her tongue and pushed herself forward. Brody growled and stood next to her protectively, glaring at Meryl.
“I’m not afraid of you. What do you want?” Reiya held her chin high as she stared at pure evil.
“I will give Olga enough power to make more nullifying scales than you’ll be able to use.
Practically an unlimited supply. In return, I want something simple from you.
Life.” Meryl watched as Reiya’s eyes widened, and her lips curled upward.
“Not for myself, of course.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a purple vial.
“For my granddaughter. I want her soul to be put into the body of a fairy and to be raised among fairy kind.”
“Beryl … you’re talking about Beryl.” Reiya watched as Meryl nodded her head.
“I want my granddaughter to have another chance at life. This time, I want her away from the world of demons and witches. I want her to live among the fairies. I have brought Olga an infant that I froze right at death. I will implant Beryl’s soul into the baby, and you will give me your word that she will be raised in Elysia among the fairies.
” Meryl tilted her head. “Do this and you will have your defense against the nembrant glass. It’s that simple. What do you say, your highness?”
Reiya turned and looked at Brody, Chelsie, and Xander. They all shook their heads, frowning. “No, Reiya. She’s pure evil,” Xander whispered to her.
“Beryl was the child that injected the blood curse into our brother. And she terrorized Lucie and Derrick. You can’t take that child into Elysia,” Brody spat out in a harsh whisper.
“What choice do we have?” Reiya looked at them and shook her head. “We don’t have a choice here. Besides, we will be raising Beryl. This will be her chance. Abaas changed. Maybe Beryl will too …”
“You could argue that Abaas was never evil to begin with. He was led down that path of darkness.” Brody snorted, shaking his head. He didn’t agree with this at all.
“Perhaps this is Beryl’s case too. What choice did she have as a child?
She didn’t know another life.” Reiya lifted her head up to look at Meryl.
“Elysia can give Beryl a fresh start. Then it is up to her to choose her path. At least this time, she will be given the best chance to start out right.” She turned and looked at Brody, Chelsie and Xander.
She smiled at them and nodded her head. “This is a trade I am willing to make … one we have to make.”
Reiya stepped forward and breathed in slowly while looking at Meryl.
“The fairies will raise Beryl. She will be ours, and we will raise her as our own.” She watched as Meryl’s lips curled upward, and Reiya wondered what thoughts and plans she was hiding behind her smile.
It really didn’t matter. They didn’t have a choice, and Meryl knew it.
They couldn’t live without the nullifying scales.
They couldn’t constantly worry about someone being controlled.
“That’s all I want. You’ve got yourself a deal.” Meryl turned and looked at Olga. “Get the preparations ready.”
Alexa walked behind Erebus outside on a gravel walkway.
The salty wind swirled around them as the waves rolled across the ocean.
The last few days, Erebus had been quiet.
She could see he was battling against himself.
The storm seemed to hit him in surges. She was trying to be patient, but she wasn’t going to just stay here quietly while he tried to take control of her again.
Her fairy magic had fractured the cuffs, and she could feel the chill of her magic being restored.
It was time for her to start getting the answers she needed.
She took a deep breath, finding her resolve, and watched as Erebus stared out at the ocean.
“Why are you working with the demons? I can’t figure it out.
You don’t seem like the type who really wants to cooperate with them.
” Alexa watched as his body tensed. He turned his head and looked at her as if he was shocked to see her there.
In that moment, she could see the wild animal in his eyes, and she regretted saying anything.
“How could YOU possibly understand?” Erebus’ voice dripped with venom as he turned his gaze toward her.
“You are the darling in your world. The fairy princess that everyone loves and desires. You even have a damn deity wrapped around your dainty little finger.” He sneered.
“I’ll give it to you. You are beautiful.
You have a kind nature that even soothes the most tainted of souls.
I can see why he’s so attracted to you even without the mate pull.
” He stepped toward her, staring into her eyes.
She wanted to step back, but she stood her ground.
His eyes were filled with fury and rage.
He had never looked at her like that before, and she didn’t like it.
His hands were clenched into fists at his sides.
She could see his chest heaving with each breath he took.
“So, you’re working with the demons because you want to be accepted? ”