“Where are your guards?” Ho‘ohuli said.
“I asked them to wait inside the palace, like they normally do when I come to the terrace garden.”
But my mind was on Cressida.The ball,I said.Did she have that golden ball?I recalled him telling me about the ball.
“Her hands were concealed in the jacket she held over her arms…” Ezra frowned. “Maybe she could’ve been holding it?”
It has to have magic!I shook my head.You can’t let her leave! She should be under arrest for questioning.
“You’re right.” Ezra looked at Ho‘ohuli. “Stop Cressida from leaving. She is summoned for questioning about the frog curse, and a fair trial must take place for her crimes against Kaiora. We’ll have the trial sooner than I planned.”
“Right away.” Ho‘ohuli bowed, took a breath, then ran off.
Which left Ezra and I alone, something that filled me with anticipation and excitement. He let his legs dangle off the edge of the terrace and I joined him, scooting closer so our arms touched.
We should get going,he said, but he didn’t move. He played with a blade of grass in his hand, his eyebrows furrowed, like he was distracted by the frog situation. I couldn’t blame him, and, suddenly, I wanted to figure it all out before reaching the sea and getting back to my world…
What was the flower for?I asked, even though I knew very well what it was for.
The corner of Ezra’s lip turned up. Instead of answering, he said,I spoke to Ho‘ohuli in the village the other day. He said he’s seen someone like you before, years ago. She couldn’t speak, but her hair was tinted like yours, and just her presence seemed to bring life to the birds and the trees.
I tipped my head. Someone, like me, was here? In this world? Were there mermaids in Ezra’s sea after all? I supposed we’d find out soon enough…
Ho‘ohuli knows an old man familiar with magic, and when I asked if he could alter spells and curses, he said he could try. But a sea witch’s magic is more powerful than anything else…
Why was Ezra saying this?
His magic encompasses transformations, even…Ezra swallowed, as if he was unsure what to say next.He might be able to… alter your spell. Not reverse it. But change it… so you can stay.
My breath caught.Stay?My voice barely carried, like a tired wind over the sea’s surface.
With me.Ezra’s eyes locked on mine, his cheeks rosy even in the glimmering moonlight.If you wanted.
My entire world lit up, like watching coral flowers bloom and blossom on a warm, sunny day.
Ezra…I was speechless, which was something for a mute girl who could only communicate with her mind.
I’m not just asking if you’ll stay,the king continued, his voice deep and certain, like he was rooted in his decision. He reached for my hand and clasped it.I’m asking if you’ll marry me. If we can make this work, and if the spell can be shaped to fit the future instead of erasing the past, will you be mine?
I smiled so wide, it hurt.Yes.I barely breathed as tears blurred my vision.Yes! I want that. I want you!
I threw my arms around him, nearly causing him to fall back. He caught himself though and wrapped his arms around me. Our eyes locked, every breath pulsing with energy and life.
But before our lips met, Ezra pulled back.We should probably wait… We don’t know if he can do the magic or not. I just… I want you to stay, but if not…Then kissing would make it harder.
I nodded and squeezed his hand.
Footsteps thundered from the path as a voice cut through the night. “Ezra!”
Ho‘ohuli interrupts everything,I thought, rather annoyed. He was like a nurse shark lingering at the bottom of the water, choosing to move at the most inconvenient times.
We broke apart before the man appeared. Guards and Kalei came pounding behind him.
“What’s going on?” Ezra stood, then helped me up, taking my hand in his.
“He’s back,” Kalei exclaimed as Ho‘ohuli tried to catch his breath. He’d been running quite a bit. I looked from the old man’s red face to Kalei, who was pale as a white pearl.
“Ezra,” she said. Her eyes pooled with tears. “He’s alive, Ezra. Tavo. He’s alive, and he’s brought an army.”
