Table manners? Never heard of her.
Rhyland watches me with that sexy smirk of his, probably wondering if he should call an exorcist or just enjoy the show.
This seafood is so fresh that I half expect it to slap me and swim away. Aquaria's pristine waters must be the secret ingredient because this stuff is divine. Sorry, Red Lobster, but you've just been dethroned.
Mirella returns moments later after I've fully stuffed my face, leading us toward a set of massive double doors carved from solid gold.
My palms are getting sweaty as I fidget. No clue what kind of shit show we're walking into here—could be anything from an awkward tea party to an underwater execution.
Guess there's only one way to find out.
The doors swing open, revealing the throne room in all its glory. I let out a low whistle. The room is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a breathtaking view of the vast open sea—just like Calypso's lair.
And there, sitting on a throne that looks like it was carved straight out of a giant pearl, is Her Royal Highness herself.
Holy mother of mermaids, this Queen serves some serious underwater realness. Her hair's a blonde-and-blue masterpiece that puts my best hair day to absolute shame, adorned with more ocean bling than a sunken pirate ship.
Her scales are navy blue and shimmering. And that dress? It's like someone liquefied the Northern Lights and poured them into fabric form.
Perched on her royal noggin is a crown that would make the Hope Diamond weep with jealousy. But the glowing staff in her hand is catching my eye—and apparently, my spidey senses, too. A familiar tug in my gut screams, "Important magical item alert!"
My crown starts to buzz and hum like it's trying to tell me something. And with a sudden, startling clarity, I realize precisely what it is.
"Rhyland…"I whisper into his mind. He tightens his grip on my hand, signaling that he hears me."Her staff—she has the Aquanite stone."
Rhyland's eyes dart to her staff, and he gives my hand another assuring squeeze.
"I extend my gratitude for accepting my invitation. I am Cordelia, sovereign of this realm. I sincerely hope Mirella provided you with a pleasant escort during your journey."
I take a deep breath, knowing I gotta play my cards right to get my hands on that stone. "Oh, absolutely, Your Majesty. Mirella was a real peach, though I gotta say, the whole 'breathing underwater' thing? Not exactly a skill I was planning on adding to my resume."
The Queen's gaze remains steady, her expression unreadable. "I believe you know the reason for this summons, my dear. By freeing my pet, you have undoubtedly acquired the key it guarded."
I can't help but do a double-take. That monstrosity was herpet?
Is she off her royal rocker? Last I checked, pets were supposed to be cuddly and obedient, not man-eating sea beasts.
"I'm sorry, did you say 'pet'? Don't get me wrong, I'm all for exotic animals, but that thing? It was less 'Fluffy the Sea Monster' and more 'Nightmare Fuel on Crack.'"
Cordelia remains unfazed by my sass, her voice as smooth as silk. "I understand your confusion, but I assure you, the creature served a vital purpose in guarding the key. Its unique nature was necessary for the task at hand."
"Riiight, because nothing says 'top-notch security' like a giant, man-eating sea beast with a serious case of the munchies. Got it." I quip back.
Cordelia's lips quirk into a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. She extends her hand, palm up, and snaps her fingers at me like I'm some trained seal. "The key, if you please. I require it in my possession forthwith."
I'm about to give Her Royal Hign-ASSa piece of my mind when Rhyland steps in front of me, all six-foot-something of pure, protective alpha male. "Hold up,Your Highness," he growls, practically spitting out the title like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. "You don't get to just demand shit from us without some fucking answers. Why do you want the key so badly, and why the hell couldn't you get it yourself? We're not handing over a damn thing until you start talking."
I smirk a little at Rhyland's no-nonsense attitude. He may be rough around the edges, but he has a point.
Cordelia sighs heavily like she is explaining something painfully obvious to a particularly slow child. "The key you hold is the gateway to Pandora's box, a treasure trove of untold power and danger. As the ruler of this realm, it is my solemn duty to ensure that it remains sealed and hidden from those who would misuse its contents."
I know damn well that this key opens—the Siren's Lyre. But what's got Little Miss Fancy Fins over here quaking in her seashells is the real question.
Unless she's hiding something.
She halts, fixing Mirella with an icy glare. "It appears this impudent mermaid has granted you access without so much as a whisper of my approval. Thus, I demand to know your intentions and the means by which you secured such an unwarranted privilege."
I glance at Mirella; she looks terrified, scared out of her wits. I shift my gaze back to Cordelia and realize she hasn't the foggiest clue what I am or why I'm here.
