More condemnation filled the room at the mention of my father. My skin tingled at the feeling of eyes stabbing holes in my back.
“There is only one response to this affront to the Holy Mother!” Hylos boomed.
Serenous side-eyed me through pink lashes.
“Retaliation.”
War.
“We have gathered information on where the king’s men assemble, his naval ships, his greatest ports and trade routes.”
Bile rose in my throat. Not gathered, but plundered from the minds of sailors. From men like Arlo and his crew.
“Naiadon, under my orders, will make our first attack to remind the king that Nymphaea’s children have inherited our mother’s sea. That these are our waters, not theirs. And the only creature who should be afraid within its depths are terras.” This elicited more cheers.
This was not good.
“As the greatest Circles inmythree seas, given to me to wield by the Mother herself,” he continued, “join me in defending our waters. Lend me your armies. Fight by my side. Protect our mother’s holy body. Protect our people!”
The room erupted in approval. Hylos, his strong chin held high, basked in the applause.
Did any of them know what this meant? What the sacrifice was?Whothe sacrifice was? No war could be won without death.
“What of the terra princess?” A cold, metallic voice cut through the room.
The crowd silenced in an instant as their eyes fell upon the stark-white figure, an ancient-looking woman set in gypsum. The same woman who’d spoken in whispers and eyed me with Raylik’s uncle.
“What of her, Elspeth, Leader of Circle Fushdmuir?” Hylos said sternly.
So, she was Morvyn’s aunt.
The woman rose to her feet slowly; she was unthinkably thin and old, with long wisps of white hair swaying past her knees, blending with the white layers of fabric she was drowning in. I understood why Morvyn avoided her. She was frightening.
“Will the terra princess stand by you in this attack you speak of?”
My pulse became thready. No way would I ever do that. I looked at Hylos, who kept his eyes on Elspeth.
“That is for her to decide.” He raised his hands, addressing the crowd. “As it is for each of you to decide.”
Whispers rushed from each cluster of sirens, sounding like doubt.
“But,” Hylos continued, “I believe it speaks of her intention that she sits with us this evening.”
I had absolutely no intention of agreeing to join this foolish, one-sided war.
The entire room snapped its scrutinizing gaze to me. Fuck. A fist clenched my heart. Hylos locked his eyes on me, willing some type of answer. If I told him no now, it would make him a laughingstock among these other leaders. Which was not my concern. This was clearly an intimidation tactic. But angering him would put me in more danger.
I swallowed the dry lump of fear lodged in my throat and rose to my feet. “I—” Words felt thick, but I forced them out,determined to be clear and concise. “I am here tolearnof the situation between your people andmine.” It was the truth.
More whispers bristled through the room, and Hylos let out a breath, a small smile thanking me. But the tactful answer wasn’t for him. It was for me. For survival, for the captain and his crew. I was Infernum-bent on getting us all out of here alive.
“Now that we have discussed the necessities of our duty …” Hylos turned back to the crowd, addressing them as I found my seat again.
Serenous’s and Serfie’s searing-pink gazes both sized me up.
“Please enjoy the rest of the evening, drink my wine, discuss with one another. But hold in your mind your role in the fate of our people’s future.” Then Hylos walked off the dais and headed straight toward me.
“Serenous,” he drawled as he took her slender, webbed hand and kissed the top.
