I whirl around to face her, plastering on my best "who, me?" expression.
"I expect you to hurry and get back so we can discuss this further with thekey," her eyes narrowing into icy slits of suspicion. "And don't even think about leaving. I have Merguards surrounding this entire palace. There is only one way in and one way out."
Well, damn. That's about as subtle as a brick to the head.
Message received, Your Royal Bitchness.
"Please," gesturing back to Mirella with a smile. "Do hurry."
Pfft..if she only knew what I can do.
I find myself dropping into a curtsey in a moment of pure, absolute idiocy. Yeah, you heard that right. A fucking curtsey—like I'm some debutante at an underwater ball instead of a snarky human trying to outmaneuver a mermaid queen.
So much for my earlier declaration to Mirella about not bowing and scraping.
I pair this graceful, awkward-as-hell gesture with a smile that is so fake that it could probably be used as shark repellent. "Of course, Your Majesty. Wouldn't dream of it," I chirp, lying through my teeth.
Then, like the brave hero I am, I turn tail and scurry after Mirella. Nothing says, "I'm definitely not planning to escape," like running away at Mach 3.
This has to be the weirdest exit strategy I've ever participated in. But when you're dealing with kidnapped angels, a mermaid queen who's one scale short of a tail, and now we're trying to pull off the underwater equivalent of a dine-and-dash, and the urgent need to pee (fake or otherwise), you work with what you've got.
Here's hoping we can make our great escape before things get any crazier. But knowing our luck? I'm not holding my breath.
Well, figuratively speaking, anyway.
Danica
55
Twenty turns, four hallways, and fifty-four doors later, we finally reach the restroom. Jesus, this place is massive!
"Wait outside; I'll call you in once I get it open,"I inform Rhyland through our mental pathway.
Rhyland leans against the wall, arms folded across his massive chest, the picture of nonchalance. "I'll just wait out here," he says out loud, ensuring Mirella hears him. I can feel his tension thrumming through our bond.
I step into the most stunning bathroom I've ever seen. It's like walking into a work of art, with white and blue hues splashed across the walls like an abstract painting. The gold fixtures gleam like treasure, and for a moment, I'm dazzled by the sheer luxury of it all.
I can't afford to lose focus, not now. I'm ready to conjure up a portal and get the hell out of Dodge when Mirella follows me in. "Uhh... I think I can manage this solo, thanks," I quip, raising an eyebrow. "Unless you're planning on holding my hand while I do my business?"
Mirella's expression is far from amused, and I can tell she's not here for a bathroom break. She grasps my hands, her eyes wide and pleading. "Don't do what I think you're going to do," she begs, her voice trembling.
I decide to play dumb because hey, it's worked for me so far. "Don't do what exactly? Pee? Because I gotta tell you, that's non-negotiable at this point."
Mirella shakes her head—frustration evident on her face. "I know who you are, Dani, and why you're here. If you leave, Cordelia will—" She stops abruptly, her head falling forward like she's fighting against some invisible gag order.
"Just don't leave yet," she continues, her words coming out in fits and starts. "There will be consequences if you leave now... just..."
I pull my hands away, my frustration bubbling over. "Okay, hold up. What the hell is going on, Mirella? You're telling me you know who I am, and you've just been, what? Playing along? Spill it, sister."
Mirella takes a deep breath, her hands shaking like she's about to have a full-blown panic attack. "Yes, I know who you are—the savior and why you're here. But..." She stops again, her tongue seemingly tied in knots.
"I can't say more," she finally manages, her voice strained. "Just know that I want to help you. You have to hide the key. You cannot give her the key, Dani."
I stare at her, my mind racing. Hide the key? Fucking where—In my ass? And why? I've got more questions than a Jeopardy contestant, but something tells me Mirella's not exactly in a position to give me a straight answer.
"Alright, I'll bite," crossing my arms. "Let's say I do hide the key. Then what?"
God, this is frustrating—I need to get to Seraphina before something terrible happens to her, or worse, I'm too late. Not to mention, Lucian is probably going ape-shit crazy right now, and I'm surprised he's not rattling around in my head, screaming at me to get back to the ship. I can almost hear him now: "Dani, what the actual fuck are you doing? Playing hide-and-seek with mermaids while Seraphina's in danger? Get your ass back here!"
