Chapter 35
Tythas is full of excitement as everyone makes their way to the ceremonial reef just outside the city. Merlings giggle and zip between people, couples smile and hold hands, small groups gossip, others cast knowing winks in my direction. They’re completely unaware of the pit forming in my stomach.
For a brief moment, when Nami came to the dungeons to get me, I considered making a run for it, but I knew it would be foolish.
Nero, Farra, and I went through every possible option last night, including escape.
Running won’t solve things for my brother and the princess, or for our people.
Nor would it ensure my pack’s safety. Mother has already proven she knows where Ocearus is, which means Madison and Hunter would have to give up their lives there while we went into hiding.
I cannot force that upon my mates. The only way to ensure the best outcome for everyone is to reveal the truth.
We have to go through with this the way we planned. I just wish I knew it would work.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Nami says. “Pre-wedding jitters?”
“Something like that,” I mumble.
As we near the gates, I study Nami. She’s always been loyal to my mother, but how far does that allegiance go? “What would you say if I told you the queen has been lying to everyone?”
It’s an impulsive question to pose. This isn’t part of the plan. But if I can get Nami to believe me, maybe there’s hope for convincing the elders and the rest of our citizens.
“Lying?” She laughs a little too loud. “Prince Caspian, surely I misheard you. To accuse the queen of lying would be treason.” She flits her gaze downward before catching my focus again, her expression imploring me to stay silent.
Shit. I shouldn’t have said anything. The guard below us is part of my mother’s inner circle and knows everything that’s going on.
It would be nice to have Nami on our side, but I can’t say more.
I’m willing to risk my own wellbeing, but Nami doesn’t deserve to be dragged into my crisis more than she already has been by being my guard.
“Nevermind.” I turn all of my attention to the gates where my mother waits with her escorts.
Nero is notably absent, though he should have been here by now. Amalie is also missing.
Our mother’s face is tight with anger as we approach.
“Where’s Nero?” I whisper.
She ignores me, taking my arm and pulling me along to the ceremonial reef.
It’s not far outside the city walls, but the site has remained mostly untouched for ages.
Bright corals create a backdrop full of vivid blues, oranges, yellows, every color you can imagine.
The reef is taller than typical, forming a natural semicircle around a stone platform raised higher than where the crowd gathers.
Blips of luminous microorganisms shine in bursts not unlike human fireflies. This is the only place the miniature creatures live, making the space special and unique. It’s believed to be blessed by the old ocean gods and goddesses.
It would truly be beautiful, if it weren’t for what it could mean for my future.
“Welcome, citizens of Tythas and guests from Sirena. Thank you for coming to witness and celebrate the marriage of my third son and Princess Farrasea.” The queen’s voice booms through the reef, confident with faux enthusiasm.
She refuses to say my chosen name. The citizens don’t know me as Caspian, but I’m surprised she doesn’t use my given name either.
I’m not sure if it’s a concession to me or if she just doesn’t want to risk me making a scene over it.
More likely, it's another way for her to undermine me, to infantilize my choices.
“This union will create unbreakable ties and strengthen the great kingdom of Tythas. It is the dawn of a new age. Let us begin!”
Cheers erupt from the crowd, while my stomach sinks.
Where is my brother? We agreed we would stop this before it went on too long.
He said he was going to the temple to ask for the blessing of the gods, but he should have been back by now.
Did our mother find out what he planned? Has he been detained?
Farra and I share a worried look before she loops her arm through mine. She leans into me, a move that would seem innocuous to the crowd. Two lovers sharing a moment before they face their futures.
“He will be here, Caspian. You must have faith. We will delay as long as it takes.”
I don’t answer, there’s no need. We have the same goal, and I must trust my brother to keep his word. She’s nervous, too, I can feel it, but we have no choice but to begin the processional to the natural dais.
Once we make it to the front, the priest commences the ceremony. “Today we witness the joining of two hearts. Love is like the tide, it ebbs and flows, though it remains constant.”
I nearly scoff because not only does that not make sense, but the concept of us marrying for love instead of duty is laughable.
“This union has been written in the sands since these two were mere merlings,” the priest drones on, unaware of my internal turmoil. “By bonding today, they declare their intent to honor not only each other, but Tythas and Sirena. Before they speak their vows, are there any objections to—”
“Stop.” Nero’s voice cuts through the water like a shark.
Ama skirts behind him, a familiar bag slung over her shoulders.
Finally!
Nero rises, but as he swims toward us, my mother grips his arm.
“What in the seven seas are you doing, Nerocaitian?” she hisses.
He yanks his arm away. “Setting things right, Mother.”
When he reaches my side, I can’t help but murmur, “Cutting it a little close, brother.”
He ignores me, turning to face the gathered crowd. “I cannot, in good conscience, allow this farce of a wedding to continue when Queen Namora has been lying to you.”
Mother’s eyes flit around the crowd, her calculating gaze taking in the stares of confusion and accusation. Before she can speak, however, Amalie activates one of the discs. The projection we watched before glows to life, and the guests go utterly silent.
“This relic is from the lost city of Ocearus.” Nero speaks over the projection, letting it play but drowning out the words.
“A city where humans and merfolk lived…together.” He holds up a hand to silence the crowd from erupting into chaos.
“Many of you know, our grandfather, the former king of Tythas, was made to look like a fool when he began looking for the lost city, for a solution to our ever increasing drop in merling conception. We’ve been led to believe there is nothing we can do.
This disc and several more prove otherwise. ”
This time he allows the crowd to argue among themselves, the cacophony increasing as they begin to speculate.
Mother’s alpha dominance pulses like the current during a hurricane, forcing the guests into silence.
Many of them tilt their heads, baring their necks in submission to their queen. There are several who fight it, though.
“Nonsense!” mother booms. “I’m unsure of my son’s motive, but clearly he is lying.
Nerocaitan, this is treason!” The guards grow restless, torn between fulfilling their duty to their queen and this new information.
How many of them have noticed the same erratic behavior in our mother that Nero and I have?
Alaisdair, the speaker of the elders, rises. Silence reigns once more. “Nerocaitan.” His voice is slow and measured. “Where did this artifact come from?”
Nero looks at me to answer. I reach for my bonds, their connection making me brave.
“My mates,” gasps and exclamations come from the crowd, but I ignore them and continue, “found them in the city of Ocearus.” As I speak, I unlatch the formal armor that’s felt like a noose since I put it on, showing off my bond bites. “My human mates.”
“What is the meaning of this?!” Alaisdair demands.
Nero reaches for Farra, who goes to him eagerly.
“My brother is mated to a human pack. One the princess has seen first hand.” He pauses, looking at Farra. “And Princess Farrasea and I are in love. We wish to rule together, but the queen has ignored our request and forced my already mated brother to comply with a betrothal he never wanted.”
“For your own good!” The queen snarls.
“No, Mother.” Nero meets her head on. “There is absolutely no reason to force this marriage or to keep humans a secret.” He turns back to the crowd. “The queen is no longer making decisions in the best interest of Tythas or its citizens.”
I look out at our people and see a mix of indignation, wariness, and disbelief, but there’s also a surprising number of people nodding their heads in agreement.
Movement near the dais draws my attention away from the citizens of Tythas as screams and shouts echo through the reef.
My heart jumps into my throat at the scene before me.
Mother has Amalie pulled tight to her chest, a pearlescent dagger held to her throat.
My sister’s eyes are wide with fear, her hands clutching mother’s forearm.
She spins with Amalie in her grasp, eyeing the crowd wildly.
“I will not stand for this betrayal, these lies! The union will proceed. The prince will bond Princess Farrasea, and bring Tythas honor and power.” She glances at me. “Now!”