As much as I want to poke the bear (or, in this case, the pissed-off mermaid), we must tread carefully. If we want to get our hands on that stone and figure out what's really going on here, we can't afford to make an enemy out of the Queen of Aquaria.
So, I take a deep breath and put on my most diplomatic smile. "Look, Your Highness, we may have gotten off on the wrong foot here. Why don't we all take a deep breath, maybe count to ten—or, you know, however high mermaids can count—and start over?"
I can feel Rhyland's gaze boring into my head like he's silently telling me to shut the hell up before I make things worse.
"Let's talk, Your Majesty. No more games, no more cryptic bullshit. Just the truth. What'sreallygoing on here, and why is everyone so hot and bothered about this key? What does it do?"
I can't lay all my cards on the table just yet. I've got to get this mermaid to spill the tea first.
Cordelia straightens her posture, her voice regaining its regal composure. "As I said, I require that key to maintain the status quo. It has immense powers, ones that can tip the scales. I cannot allow you to work for that...witchand undo everything I've strived to accomplish to keep—"
"Your Highness..." A merman with massive muscles, and a damn eight-pack with beautiful long blonde hair, I hadn't noticed pipes up from across the room, effectively putting a cork in her royal monologue.
Cordelia clears her throat, looking about as comfortable as a fish out of water. It's obvious she's mentally kicking herself for almost spilling the proverbial beans about what the hell is going on in this underwater circus.
I arch an eyebrow, my suspicions going into overdrive. "Look, I don't know what you were about to spill, but—"
"Angel, we've got a fucking problem,"Rhyland's gruff voice cuts through my thoughts."Lucian just reached out. That bastard Bloodbane's has Seraphina."
Oh my god.
Of course, the universe decides to toss another monkey wrench into the works as if on cue. I nearly choke on my spit.
I whirl around to face Rhyland, my mind racing."What the actual hell?"I fire back into his mind."How did this happen?"
Rhyland's eyes cloud over with a deep sadness, and I can feel his worry pulsing through our bond. Or is that my anxiety I'm feeling? It's hard to tell where his emotions end and mine begin.
Damnit.
This whole situation is spiraling fast.
What the hell am I supposed to do now? The stone's right there, practically gift-wrapped and ready for the taking. Cordelia is about to help me out of this Coral Pact, but Seraphina needs me. I can't just leave her high and dry. She'd never abandon me, and that's not who I am—family and friends always come first, even if it means dealing with psycho pirates and temperamental sea queens.
"Are you two quite all right?" Cordelia asks, eyeing us with a mix of suspicion and concern.
I quickly shoot a mental message to Rhyland."We're bailing. Back to the ship, pronto. We'll deal with this hot mess express after we rescue Seraphina."
Out loud, I plaster my best 'everything's fine' smile. "Oh, we're just peachy, Your Majesty. Quick question, though—you wouldn't happen to have a little mermaid's room around here, would you? Nature calls, and all that." I do a little improvised pee-pee dance for good measure.
Cordelia stares at me momentarily, wondering if all humans are this weird before her lips curve into a polite smile. "Yes, of course. Mirella, please escort..." she pauses, clearly fishing for my name.
"Dani," I supply helpfully.
"Ah, yes. Mirella, please escort Dani to the restroom."
Mirella inclines her head, "Of course, Your Majesty."
Mirella turns to me, giving me a look harder to decipher than ancient hieroglyphics. Is it a warning? A plea for help?
Hell, if I know.
As we make our grand exit stage left, I can't help but think that this whole situation is fishy as fuck. And something tells me Mirella's cryptic look is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce in this underwater salad of secrets.
As we follow Mirella, I send another mental message to Rhyland."The second we're out of this bougie throne room, I'm conjuring a portal. We're bouncing out of here.'"
Rhyland's mental reply is terse."Got it. Let's move."
"Oh, and Dani…" Cordelia's voice stops me dead in my tracks.
