“Utopia?”
“Says she’s here to deliver news.”
“What news?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out!”
I winced at his firm grip on my hair.
“Where’s Guenevere?” said the mermaid.
She whirled around and disappeared.
“Come on,” said the merman, following her. He gave me little choice, pulling me along by the hair.
I stayed quiet, deciding compliance would be my best course of action.
“Get me Guenevere,” shouted the mermaid.
We crested the top of a hill and I let out a soft, “Oh.”
I found myself facing an army of at least a hundred mermaids and mermen. They held their weapons up, ready to defend—what, exactly? Behind them was more rock and patches of dead coral.
A murmur passed through the crowd. A brunette with a stone mace came forwards. My gaze landed on the rubies in her braid—she was their commander.
“What is it?” she said.
“Found this one hiding,” said the merman. “Says she was sent to us from Utopia.”
They all looked at me expectantly.
Spio or not, I had to persist.
“The government’s fallen, Commander. King Adaro is dead. You are to abandon your post and release your prisoners.”
Tension swept through the crowd. A whisper seemed to pass over them, though none moved their lips.
“This is treason,” said Guenevere. “This is exactly the lie His Majesty warned us about.”
I cast my senses through the guards, finding contempt. “What lie?”
“That His Majesty is dead. What proof do you have? None have come close to defeating him or the serpent.”
Hurry up, Spio.
“The serpent is no longer under his control,” I said. “It’s in the hands of the revolutionaries.”
Guenevere snarled. “You’re lying.”
I knew this would happen. Adaro would have warned his armies against news of an assassination. He had been bitten by this lie when Spio, Nilus, and I had taken part in the attempt on his life. He would have taken precautions since then. More than proof, we needed Meela here with the serpent. My fear over her fate was betraying me. I shouldn’t have listened to her. I should have insisted we stay together.
“Surely you’ve heard of the coup in Utopia,” I said.
The guards exchanged glances.
“We heard rumours,” said Guenevere.
Interesting.Was this why they were so keen to listen to someone who said she had news from Utopia? They could easily have turned me away. Instead, I was here in front of them.
