Mirella grabs my arm tight, her fingers digging into my skin like she's trying to anchor herself to reality. "You cannot give Cordelia that key, no matter what. And you can't leave...She will…. Hide the key, tell her you lost it, whatever you must do. Please... trust me on this."
Trust her? Is she fucking serious right now? This is the same mermaid who tried to swipe my crown like it was a shiny seashell at a beachside gift shop. I narrow my eyes, ready to tell her exactly where she can stick her trust, when I notice the tears welling up in her eyes.
Seeing her so desperate and afraid is like a punch to the gut. Something isn't adding up here, and it's making my bullshit detector go off like a foghorn in a lighthouse.
I take a deep breath, trying to make sense of this whole clusterfuck of a situation. On one hand, I've got a mermaid I barely know telling me to lie to the Queen and hide a key that apparently everyone and their mother is after. On the other hand, I've got my guardian angel in danger and a vampire brother probably tearing his hair out with worry.
I hate to admit it, but Mirella's fear seems genuine. And if there's one thing I've learned in my crazy, fucked-up life, it's that sometimes you have to trust your gut, even when your head is screaming at you to run the other way.
"Okay, fine," I cave, my voice low and urgent. "I'll hide the key and…wait. But you better have a damn good explanation for all of this, Mirella. Because right now, I'm flying blind, and I don't like it one bit."
Mirella nods, relief flooding her features. "I know, and I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you more, but... it's…complicated. Just know that I'm on your side, okay? I want to help you, but we have to be careful."
I roll my eyes because, of course, it's complicated. When is it evernotcomplicated in my life?
I don't know what to make of this, but I don't have time to dwell on it now. I've got a key to hide and a bitchy royal mermaid to lie to.
As I formulate a plan to hide the key and deal with Cordelia—
"What's going on?"Rhyland's voice booms in my head, his tone laced with worry and impatience.
"Change of plans,"I quickly inform him of Mirella's cryptic warning, trying to prevent my doubts from seeping into my words.
Rhyland isn't having any of this shit.
He's through the door like a heat-seeking missile and in front of me in a blur. Mirella yelps and backs away, leaving me with Rhyland's heat, "Nope. Fuck that," he growls, his alpha male instincts kicking into high gear. "Lucian and the crew need us right now, Dani. And let's not forget about your guardian angel, who's currently at the mercy of a fucking psychotic pirate—Lucian's mate, no less."
I close my eyes, feeling the sting of tears threatening to spill over. The weight of the situation crashes down on me, threatening to pull me under. "I know, Rhyland. I know. But something is off about this whole thing, with Cordelia and—"
"I don't give a flying fuck, kära," His tone is sharp, laced with an alpha male authority that demands compliance. And there's that name he uses again when I'm pissing him off and going against him. It's like a verbal slap, a reminder that he's unhappy with my choices.
"But Mirella said something terrible would happen if we leave now," I counter, my frustration bubbling over like a pot of boiling water. "She said we can't leave. We haveto—"
"No," Rhyland's tone is final, leaving no room for debate. His Nordic blue eyes blaze with a fierce intensity, his irises darkening like a stormy sea. "Conjure the portal, Dani. I'm done talking about this."
I can feel his tension through the bond, a tightly coiled spring ready to snap. His fear for his brother, Lucian's desperate need to get to Seraphina, pulses through our connection like an electric current.
I let out a huff of exasperation, feeling caught between a rock and a hard place. I know Rhyland's right. Seraphina and Lucian need us; every second we waste here is another second they're in danger. The thought of Seraphina, my guardian angel, at the mercy of that psychotic asshole, makes my blood run cold.
But I can't shake the feeling that Mirella's warning is more than just a bluff. There's a desperation in her eyes that I can't ignore, a pleading that tugs at my heartstrings and makes me question everything.
Why?
Why am I falling for this?
I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this situation than meets the eye.
You know what? Screw this; screw Cordelia and her weird temper tantrum and Mirella's vague warning. "Fine, but Mirella comes with us."
She's scared of Cordelia, so what's the harm in taking her along for the ride?
Mirella's eyes widen in shock, and fear creeps into her expression. "No... I can't—"
"Why the hell not?" my patience wearing thin. "I don't have time to play these underwater games of clue. Either come with us or stay, but make a choice, and make it now, Mirella."
She hesitates for a moment. Then, slowly, she nods. "Yes, I will come with you, but please...hurry."
Rhyland starts pacing like a caged tiger, his agitation rolling off him in waves. "Dani, we don't need to bring her along and get caught up in whatever underwater bullshit is going on here. Stick to the fucking plan, and let's go."
