Chapter 93 Her Moment
The tree frogs’ chorus began to die down, along with the chirping of crickets.
At the same time, the birds began to make their presence known as the night faded away.
Reiya opened her eyes and stared upward, breathing in the cold morning air and feeling it grip her lungs.
Today, she would meet the Merrow Queen. It all came down to what would happen in the next few hours.
She squeezed her fist in her hand and exhaled.
Today, we get our mate back.
The sun streamed through the trees, flickering on their faces as they walked under the leafy canopy.
The gentle rustle of water could be heard along the banks of the river, growing louder as they approached.
The soft waves lapped against the shores, leaving behind a white foaming trail.
They were getting close to their destination.
Brody looked at Reiya from the corner of his eye, checking on her. She looked undeterred and determined. She reminded him of their mother.
They walked up to a small cliffside where the river emptied into the ocean. The four peered over the edge.
“There should be a cave directly below us, under where the river splashes into the ocean,” Reiya said calmly.
“Reiya, I’ll fly us down. It’ll be much faster that way.” Xander watched her nod in agreement. It would be much faster than climbing down.
“What about Brody and Chelsie?”
“I don’t need a ride. I’m a kelpie, after all.” Chelsie grinned and winked at Reiya.
“I can easily haul you and Po panda bear here. I really can carry all three of you.” Xander looked over at Chelsie who shook her head, looking at him like he was crazy.
“I’ll meet you three down there.” Chelsie raised up on her tiptoes and kissed Brody before he could object, then ran and dove into the rapid river.
Xander chuckled. “I think she’s afraid of heights.” He winked at Brody, and then his body began to shift. His large red dragon took form, and he flapped his wings slightly to stretch them out. “Ready?”
Brody sighed in irritation and lifted Reiya onto Xander’s back. “I may be climbing on your back on our first date, but I still have my standards,” Brody teased as he hoisted himself up onto Xander.
“I’ll treat you to a honey pot when we get back home.” Xander adjusted himself into a standing position and then glanced backward at them. “You both set?”
“Your back doesn’t feel like Lee’s back. His is more muscular than yours,” Reiya teased and heard a steaming snort come from Xander’s nose.
Xander flapped his large red wings, creating gusts of wind below him, and they elevated off the ground. He flew forward and spiraled downward over the cliffside. The waterfall misted them as they approached. Small water droplets landed on them as Xander found a flat area where he could land.
Chelsie was already standing there with a small smirk on her face. Water travel was all too easy for her. Air travel … eh, that wasn’t her sort of thing. She watched as Brody hopped off and walked up to her. He reached his hand out and gently took her hand in his.
“You really should try it sometime.” Brody smiled, knowing she had a problem with flying. He watched her shrug and then lean her body into his.
“It’s overrated, I’m sure.” Chelsie couldn’t see why she needed to fly, not when she could instantly travel to any body of water she chose. Maybe if she needed to go to the desert, where the land was barren, then she would fly. Maybe.
Reiya walked up to the falls as Xander shifted back into his human form.
She could see darkness behind the cascading water.
Taking in a small breath, she quickly jumped through the falling water, landing on a cold, damp stone surface and peered into the darkness.
This used to be a problem for her, but she had Lumi now.
She pushed her wolf senses forward and her eyes adjusted to the darkness in front of her.
Moments later, her three companions were also at her side.
“I hope there aren’t water snakes in there,” Xander said with a frown.
“Aren’t those like a cousin of yours or something?” Chelsie snickered as Xander flashed an annoyed look at her.
“Aww, the big bad dragon isn’t afraid of snakes, is he?” Brody grinned widely, looking at Xander.
“I’m not afraid of them. I just don’t like them.” Xander snorted and walked over to Reiya’s side. “You good?”
“I’m great. I’m ready to get Lee back.” Reiya looked into the darkness, then back to Xander.
“Remember, we’re here with you, Reiya. You aren’t alone,” Brody said as he walked up to her other side.
Reiya nodded with a smile. “Let’s find this Merrow Queen.”
The sounds of the river began to hush as they walked deeper into the caverns.
The gentle pitter-patter of water droplets falling onto smooth rocks created a steady cadence, occasionally punctuated by the faint echoes bouncing off the walls.
The cave tunnel stretched out before them, a gaping darkness pierced by jagged rocks and dripping stalactites.
The walls were damp and covered in moss, slick with moisture.
As they walked closer, they saw a blurry-looking barrier in front of them, and beyond that was another pool of water.
Reiya reached out and touched the barrier.
She realized it was not meant for them. It was to keep out deities.
The four of them effortlessly walked through the shield.
“What was that?” Chelsie asked as she turned back to look at it.
“It’s to keep deities out, so none of them can reach the Merrow Queen.” Reiya stared at the deep pool in front of her. “The Merrow Queen should be down there. Then there should be an area where there’s another shield that will allow us to breathe and talk under water.”
“Let me check it out really quick. I need to see how far away this is.” Chelsie looked at Reiya, who nodded for her to continue. “I’ll be right back.”
Brody grabbed onto her arm and pulled her into his chest. “Be careful.”
She smiled up at him. “Don’t go treating me like I’m fragile now.
Not only am I a kelpie, but I’m also a guardian.
They’re the ones who need to be careful.
” She kissed his chin and winked at him.
“Don’t worry.” He slowly released his grip on her and she took a few fleeting steps backward before jumping into the water.
Brody walked up to the edge and stood there, staring into the deep dark pool below.
“Don’t worry, Brody. She’ll be fine. The merrows are vicious, but so are kelpies. They won’t mess with her,” Reiya reassured Brody, seeing his concerned face.
“So, what’s the plan if this goes south?” Brody glanced over at Reiya and then back down into the deep blue.
“I’m not afraid of the Merrow Queen. The more I think about it, the more I know she won’t attack me. She is clever. She isn’t dumb. If she outright refuses to give me the Ocean’s Tear, then I guess I’m going to have to face the deities head-on.”
“Reiya ...” Brody growled, his voice laced with a dark, icy undertone. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Reiya, if this doesn’t work, we will sit down and think about our options. Don’t do anything rash.” Xander placed his hand on her shoulder, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “Promise?”
Reiya sighed in agitation. “Fine. I promise. I promise I will at least talk it over with you first. That’s all, though.”
They heard a soft splashing sound as the dark horse jumped out of the water. She looked at Reiya. It’s down there pretty deep, but I can get you there. In order to do it the fastest, I’ll need to take you one at a time.
You’re taking me first, then. Brody walked up to the dark horse, then turned to Reiya, waiting for her to object.
“I’m not going to argue with you, Brody. If it makes you feel better, you go first.” Reiya shook her head and looked at Xander. “She’s going to take us one at a time. It’s down pretty deep, but we can make it with a deep breath. Brody’s going first.”
“Let’s go, Chels.” Brody hopped up effortlessly on her back and leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “When I said I would be riding you later, I didn’t exactly mean this.” He chuckled as he heard her snort. He took in a deep breath and Chelsie dove into the water with him.
“This is your chance to turn back.” Reiya looked up at Xander, noticing he seemed a bit nervous.
“No way. I just hope I can hold my breath long enough.” Xander reached back and rubbed the back of his neck, giving Reiya a crooked smile.
“Just don’t think about it. You’ll be able to breathe before you know it.” Reiya playfully brushed against his shoulder with her own. “Thank you, Xander ... for coming. I know it wasn’t easy to leave your kingdom.”
Xander wrapped his arm around her shoulder and smiled.
“Actually, it was.” He watched as Reiya looked up at him, her eyes wide, and he shrugged.
“Levi has been sealed, and you were waltzing into danger. It was an easy decision for me. That’s how I knew it was the right one.
I have to help my sister get my brother back. ”
“I’m glad you’re my soul twin.” Reiya looked up and saw his big, goofy, cheesy smile spread across his face.
“Me too, Reiya. I’m happy we’re family.”
Chelsie hopped out of the water and stood at the edge of the pool. “Guess it’s my turn.” Reiya looked at Xander and winked. “Don’t be nervous when she comes back for you.”
“I guess it will be the moment of truth, if she actually likes me or not.” Xander chuckled nervously as the black horse shook its mane side to side.
Reiya climbed up on Chelsie and took in a deep breath, clinging tightly to her as she dove into the cold liquid.
The water was dark, but the deeper Chelsie swam, an odd brightness became visible in the distance.
Chelsie swam closer and closer, and the light became brighter.
Reiya could see Brody standing on a small, sandy walkway.
Yes, standing. As soon as Chelsie reached the walkway, Reiya could feel the pressure disappear.
She was able to breathe as if it was air.
She slid off Chelsie and was surprised how her feet naturally planted on the ground.
It didn’t feel like she was underwater at all.
I’ll be right back with Xander. Chelsie turned and sprinted back upward.
“Now this is fascinating,” Reiya said as she dug her feet into the sand below her.
“It is. It’s like being above ground. It’s very impressive,” Brody said as he looked around at the well-lit path. In the distance, you could see a white coral palace. The walkway led right up to it. This had to be where the Merrow Queen resided.
Finally, Chelsie returned with Xander, who looked a bit green from his water trip.
“Breathe, Xander.” Reiya smiled and watched him hesitantly test the air.
“Holy crap. I can breathe underwater. I am a superhero.” Xander then grinned proudly and raised his hands over his head.
“A superhero who wet his pants. Good thing we were underwater and couldn’t tell the difference.” Chelsie was back in her human form, and she walked into Brody’s embrace.
“I was just trying to raise the water temperature a couple degrees,” he said with a wink.
“Eeeww, gross.” Reiya elbowed Xander, and then the four became serious as they stared into the distance.
“So, this is it, huh?” Chelsie looked at the coral palace and then returned her gaze to Reiya.
“I know this might sound weird, but I don’t feel nervous at all.” Reiya continued to look at the path in front of them. “I feel like I was always meant to come here. Like I’m fulfilling something I was always supposed to.”
“Maybe you were.” Brody shrugged.
“This will be my first time meeting a merrow,” Xander said, looking at the others. “I hope I’m dressed appropriately.”
Reiya giggled. “This is my first time meeting the Merrow Queen. I guess we’re about to find out what she’s really like.”
The four companions slowly began to make their way down the sandy path, each step taking them closer to the coral palace.
The palace stood tall and proud, its walls made of vibrant, pink and orange coral that shimmered with its own light.
The intricate patterns and curves of the coral made it seem like a fairytale castle come to life.
While it was a sight to behold, Reiya couldn’t appreciate it at that moment.
There are some moments in life that define who you are as a person. These moments bring out the person that you are supposed to be. It is within this defining moment that a person will either step back in fear or rise up, embracing their power.
Reiya was about to discover her moment.