“Are you okay?” Edward’s eyes widened.
“Just give me a moment.” I waved a hand, fighting against the bubble of fatigue clouding my vision. “Thank you, Agápe, for granting me this dream,” I whispered under my breath.
I’d almost forgotten to thank the goddess, but the overwhelming exhaustion had served as a reminder.
59
Skye
“The Okeanós scouts saw the Drowned take her, but she was too far for aid, and after she turned two of our own to dust, they weren’t very motivated to help.” Pisceon’s jaw was tight, arms crossed over his muscular chest as he swooped into Morgana’s chambers, his cobalt tail slicing through the water.
The mood in the room was somber. Edward and I sat slumped on the spongy couches while Pisceon and Finn drifted back and forth on their tails. Finn had told Edward everything he’d confided in me, and as it turned out, Pisceon already knew about it.
My brows flickered. “But the Mer are so much faster than the Drowned. Couldn’t the guards go after them?”
Pisceon rubbed a webbed hand down his face. “The Drowned are using Mer blood, which means they can travel at our speed.”
“They will be taking her tohim. We need to leave now.” Finn’s shoulders were curled with the weight of a man on the edge of breaking.
“I think you’ve done enough,” I snapped, resting my elbows on myscaled knees. I was still exhausted from the dream ceremony, and it was making me grumpy.
“This is all my fault,” Edward spoke softly from beside me, absently rubbing his chin.
“How on earth would any of this be your fault?” I leaned over and asked in a low voice, careful that the two brooding mermen wouldn’t overhear.
“Well.” Edward rubbed his temple. “In the Thálassian library, I read that Siana and Kyano were supposed to be together—an arranged marriage. He held the power to heal; she carried the power of peace. Together, their magic could protect the ocean.”
I nodded, chewing on my lip. “Like how Finn healed that dolphin and his wound.”
“Exactly,” Edward muttered. “But she didn’t love him, she loved Manannán.”
My eyes flicked between the two Mer, a severe frown wrinkled Finn’s forehead, whilst Pisceon continued to pace.
“I didn’t tell Morgana any of this because I didn’t trust Finn...Idon’ttrust him, but what if I was wrong and they are meant to be together?”
I massaged my forehead, closing my eyes as I let it sink in.
When I didn’t answer, Edward continued, “After all, the poem about Kyano was accurate, wasn’t it?”
Finn adjusted the straps securing the daggers across his back. “We have wasted too much time. I’m going after her.”
Aarna and Glacies glided into the room, their drawn expressions suggesting they’d been informed of Morgana’s capture.
“Wait,” Pisceon cried, holding up a webbed hand. “You can’t just go out there swinging your tail around alone. We need to be smart about this. War is coming, and you’re the crown prince of Neptunus. Our peopleneed you. We just got a third of our power back, and if we’re strategic, it gives us an edge.”
“You’re right,” Finn grunted and rubbed his chin. “When the sun rises, I will address my people and tell them their queen”—he smiled at Glacies—“will prepare them for battle. She is just as skilled a warrior as I am.”
Glacies nodded in assent, answering his silent question.
Aarna put her hand on Glacies’s arm. “My brother Salil and I will train our warriors with yours.”
Glacies drew her shoulders back. “When the army is ready, I’ll lead them to the outskirts of Port Royal, where we will make camp.”
“Great.” Finn nodded. “Cousin, you can help me find the girl.”
Pisceon grinned and flexed his arm muscles.
“I’m coming with you. Your dream may have been true, but I still don’t trust you,” I interjected, narrowing my eyes on the two dark-haired mermen.
