Chapter 37
My heart races as my eyes meet my sister’s. Panicked fear clouds her young features as she silently implores me to save her. How did we get here? I knew our mother was unstable, but this is too far. Would she really hurt Amalie? Her manic eyes and firm grasp on the knife suggest she would.
Just as I’m trying to formulate a plan, a whirring sound reaches my ears, growing louder as if something is approaching. Several merfolk point to the east of the reef. My gaze follows their line of sight, and I nearly break.
Four figures approach using some kind of swimming device. It’s impossible to tell who the three in the back are, but I would recognize the one leading the group anywhere. Madison. My starfish. My mate.
Ripples of disbelief and anger flow through the gathered crowd. But all of it is overshadowed by awe-filled gasps as Madi gets close enough for them to see her split legs, kicking the water behind whatever the device is that’s propelling her forward. She stops when she sees the queen and Amalie.
“What is that?” Someone yells, pointing.
“An abomination!”
“No, it’s a human! The myths are true,” a male in the front corrects.
“Don’t get any closer,” my mother yells in Madi’s language. The knife glints in the dim light from the reef. The queen’s use of the foreign tongue causes more exclamations from my people. It’s further proof she had knowledge of humans and was keeping it from them.
The rest of my pack reaches Madi and stops beside her. My mate’s brows furrow, and I sense her fear and concern through our bond. Her care for my sister shines in her bright eyes.
“I will do it, do not doubt me,” the queen says, this time addressing the merfolk of Tythas. Amalie whimpers, a heartbreaking, fear-filled sound, and a tiny drop of blood lifts in the water.
Voices of dissent yell that Queen Namora has gone too far.
“We need this treaty. The world is changing. Can’t you see? Caspian must marry Farrasea. He must!” She screams the words, too manic to speak reasonably. “Your former king wanted this. I demand this. I am your queen. My word is law.”
Wild with her rampage, she doesn’t notice Nero and Farra have drifted behind her during the chaos. My brother locks eyes with me, and I know I need to keep the queen distracted.
“Mother, please,” I beseech her in my most capitulating tone. “Do not do this. Amalie is innocent. Your children are not your enemies. This alliance can happen without my marriage. It doesn’t have to be me.”
“Of course it does! It can’t be Nero. He’s destined for great things. Tythas needs a strong queen.” She snarls, head turning to the spot where Farrasea was before and finding her gone.
Before she can put together where the princess went, Farra and Nero are on her.
Each grabs an arm and pulls out and back viciously, forcing the queen to release Amalie without harming her.
Our sister swims quickly to me, and I gather her in my arms. Our mother thrashes, but the hold of both alphas proves to be too much for her.
Their combined power dominates the space, forcing compliance even harsher than the queen’s.
Alaisdair approaches, remaining a head above our mother in a display of hierarchy. “Queen Namora. What have you done?”
Mother growls her displeasure, but says nothing more.
Alaisdair shakes his head and rises further, turning to address the crowd.
“It is clear our queen is no longer fit to serve the kingdom of Tythas. Her behavior today is proof. As head of the elders, it is my duty to ensure the leadership of this kingdom has the best interests of its people at heart. A mother who shows no concern for her innocent child cannot be a queen who cares for her people.” He sighs heavily, looking at my mother before continuing.
“I hereby denounce Namora as the Queen of Tythas and banish her to the deep sea. As the heir, the monarchy now falls to King Nerocaitan.”
Nero looks shocked, but composes himself quickly.
Our plan was never to overthrow our mother, but simply to expose her and have her actions held accountable to the elders.
We wanted to stop this wedding and prove that she couldn’t make me marry another because I was already mated to a pack I love.
But her actions with Amalie proved her too unstable for the throne.
Alaisdair is right to give the title to my brother. He’ll make a much better ruler.
I bow first, and the rest of the assembly quickly follows.
Nero signals the guards, who take over restraining our mother. He reaches for Farra, who eagerly takes his arm as they swim to occupy the space next to Alaisdair. He looks at me, then Amalie, and finally the gathered citizens.
“I, Nerocatain of Tythas, accept the mantle to lead. I promise to guide our people with empathy and strength.” He looks to Farrasea before continuing, “Hopefully with Farrasea of Sirena ruling by my side as your queen.”
The princess blushes, leaning into his arm.
“Things have been revealed this day that will change the course of history for our people, but I do not believe these revelations should be feared.” Nero looks at my mates, and motions them forward without a word, since they wouldn’t understand him anyway.
Madi sends a questioning pulse through our bond, as if asking whether this is safe or not. I give her a nod and a smile. She comes quickly to my side.
“This is my brother,” I say softly in her tongue. “The elders have just named him the new king.”
“It is my hope that Caspian’s mating with his scent match,” more gasps of surprise come from the crowd who didn’t know that piece of information yet, “will provide invaluable information to us all, and perhaps show us a new way forward, a way out of the birth rate crisis.”
Some cheer, but others look warily at my pack.
Whispers and quiet arguments ensue. Nero and Farra will have their work cut out for them in the coming months, but I trust that they are equipped to lead well, with much more grace and compassion than our mother.
As she’s led away, it’s almost like there’s a collective sigh of relief.
Shoulders drop. Smiles spread. I hadn’t realized until this moment how tense the city had become.
It seems I wasn’t the only one who felt oppressed under my mother’s rule.
Madi sits on top of the machine she used to get here and takes my hand in hers.
“Now, we have guests to our fair city,” Nero says. “Allow me to be the first to extend friendship to your people. You are welcome in Tythas anytime.” He bows toward my mate in a show of great respect.
I translate for him, and Madi smiles. Amalie leaves my side to happily throw her arms around my omega. This is the reception Madi always deserved as a mated princess of Tythas.