That’s a terrible deal. It would mean giving all the Sea Court power to this nutcase prince, and she’s not even offering any guarantees that they won’t harm Lidiane.
I try to sense the cage from here, see if it’s true that it can block any magic. Had it been just a tad bit larger, I could try to transcend inside it, and from there we’d figure it out, but it’s so tight that the spikes are already poking Lidiane. I feel powerless. Useless.
And so guilty.
The king asks, “Will you let her go unharmed?”
“As long as she never even dips her toes in ocean water, yes. She can go.” The queen points at me. “Even the guardian can go, despite his disrespect for our son, the legitimate heir of the Sea Court. I’m in a magnanimous mood.”
“As always,” the king says, then swims close to her and the prince. I don’t think he’ll be in danger, at least not before crowning his son, but I don’t trust this queen, and don’t think Lidiane will be safe.
My heart beats hard in my chest, and questions spiral in my mind as I stare down at the scene—a nightmare before my eyes.
Can I try to save her? Can I hope that the king will find a solution?
I have no answers, and it’s tearing me apart.
22
LIDIANE
The water makes the scene murky, dream-like, and my confused mind, lacking air, struggles to make sense of what I’m seeing.
The Sea King’s daughter? Bizarre.
But also logical. How can such a strange idea make so much sense?
Now the queen wants her husband to crown her son, thinking I’m a threat to his throne.
I need air. Air.
Azur’s floating above me, his expression serene if it wasn’t for a dangerous glint in his eyes.
In front of me, the Sea King looks at his wife. “Let’s state the terms first. Also, a coronation would benefit from a proper ceremony.”
The queen huffs. “The silly formalities can wait. I want to see my son with the crown. Now.”
The King looks absolutely defeated, his shoulders hunched. When he speaks, his voice is the epitome of sadness. “Are yousure you want to do this, Selena? Did you know that I thought I loved you once?”
“All you gave me were scraps, Sonrad. Our son deserves more than that.”
“Is there another way?” The king’s tone is one of pleading, begging.
It’s clear he feels completely crushed, which doesn’t bode well. My insides churn.
Something touches my head. An air bubble. Small, but enough for now. Azur stares at the scene, his eyes sharp.
At the same time, the cage tightens, poking my body.
The queen laughs, still staring at the king. “What do you think?”
King Sonrad asks,“You killed her mother, didn’t you? And poisoned her brother.”
Anger bubbles in my chest.
“The past doesn’t matter, my dear husband,” the queen says.
He narrows his eyes. “You never really bothered to learn the extent of my magic, did you?”
